UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
Filed
by the Registrant:
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ý
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Filed
by a Party other than the Registrant:
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¨
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Check
the appropriate box:
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Preliminary
Proxy Statement
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¨
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Confidential,
for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
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¨
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Definitive
Proxy Statement
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¨
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Definitive
Additional Materials
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¨
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Soliciting
Material Under Rule 14a-12
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ALTEON
INC.
(Name
of
Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
__________________________________________________________
(Name
of
Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment
of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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ý
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No
fee required.
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¨
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Fee
computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
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(1)
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Title
of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
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(2)
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Aggregate
number of securities to which transaction
applies:
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(3)
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Per
unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant
to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing
fee is
calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4)
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Proposed
maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5)
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Total
fee paid:
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¨
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Fee
paid previously with preliminary materials.
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¨
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Check
box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number,
or the Form or Schedule and the date of its
filing.
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(1)
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Amount
Previously Paid:
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(2)
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Form,
Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3)
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Filing
Party:
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(4)
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Date
Filed:
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ALTEON
INC.
221
West Grand Avenue, Suite 200
Montvale,
NJ 07645
(201)
934-5000
FINANCING
PROPOSED — YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT
The
enclosed proxy statement relates to the 2007 annual meeting of the stockholders
of Alteon Inc. At the meeting, we will ask you to approve matters relating
to a
significant financing transaction which may result in a change of control of
the
Company and which we cannot complete without obtaining stockholder approval.
That financing transaction and related matters are described in detail in the
enclosed proxy statement. In this proxy statement, we refer to Alteon Inc.
as
the “Company,” “Alteon,” “we” or “us.”
We
are
asking stockholders of Alteon:
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·
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to
approve an amendment to the Alteon 2005 Stock Plan to reserve up
to an
additional 53,000,000 shares (prior to the implementation of the
reverse
stock split, as discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement) of common
stock for issuance under the Plan;
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·
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to
approve the issuance of shares of Alteon Series B Preferred Stock,
warrants to purchase Series B Preferred Stock, shares of Series B
Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants and Alteon
common
stock issuable upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock, each
pursuant
to the Series B Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated
as
of April 5, 2007, as amended;
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·
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to
approve Alteon’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which
will be amended to (a) increase the number of shares of preferred
stock authorized for issuance; (b) authorize and designate the Series
B
Preferred Stock to be issued and common stock issuable in connection
with
the financing, (c) change the name of the Company to Synvista
Therapeutics, Inc., (d) amend the provisions relating to the
indemnification of directors and (e) eliminate references to any
retired
or cancelled series of preferred
stock;
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to
approve a reverse stock split of Alteon common stock at a ratio within
the
range of 1:50 to 1:100, with the specific ratio to be determined
by the
Board of Directors of Alteon; and
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to
ratify the appointment of J.H. Cohn LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2007.
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We
cannot
complete the financing transaction unless you approve the amendment to the
Alteon 2005 Stock Plan, the issuance of shares and warrants as part of the
purchase agreement, the reverse stock split, and certain provisions included
in
Alteon’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as more fully
described in the enclosed proxy statement.
The
date,
time and place of the Alteon annual meeting is:
July
[__], 2007
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10:00
a.m., Eastern Time
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[ ]
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/s/
Noah Berkowitz
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Noah
Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.
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President
and Chief Executive Officer
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[_____]
[__], 2007
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Alteon
Inc.
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This
proxy statement is dated [_____] [__], 2007 and is first being mailed to
stockholders on or around ___________ [__], 2007.
Alteon
will provide you with copies of important information about Alteon from
documents filed with the SEC that are not included in or delivered with this
proxy statement, free of charge, upon request to: Alteon Inc., 221 West Grand
Avenue, Suite 200, Montvale, NJ 07645, Attention: Investor Relations, Telephone:
(201) 934-5000
In
order to receive timely delivery of the documents before the Alteon annual
meeting, you should make your request no later than [______] [__], 2007. Please
also see “Where You Can Find More Information” on
page 43.
ALTEON
INC.
221
West Grand Avenue, Suite 200
Montvale,
NJ 07645
(201)
934-5000
NOTICE
OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF ALTEON INC.
To
Be Held on [____] [__], 2007
To
the
Stockholders of Alteon Inc.:
You
are
cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of Alteon Inc.,
which will be held on [____] [__], 2007, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at [___]
for the following purposes:
1.
To
approve an amendment to the Alteon 2005 Stock Plan to reserve up to an
additional 53,000,000 shares (prior to the implementation of the reverse stock
split, as discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement) of common stock for
issuance under the Plan;
2.
To
approve, in accordance with Rule 713 of the American Stock Exchange Company
Guide, the issuance of shares of Alteon Series B Preferred Stock, warrants
to
purchase Series B Preferred Stock, shares of Series B Preferred Stock issuable
upon exercise of such warrants and Alteon common stock issuable upon conversion
of Series B Preferred Stock, pursuant to the Series B Preferred Stock and
Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 5, 2007, as amended, as
described in the attached proxy statement, which would result in the issuance
of
greater than 20% of Alteon’s presently issued and outstanding capital
stock;
3.
To
approve an amendment contained in the proposed Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of Alteon to increase the number of shares of preferred stock
authorized for issuance;
4.
To
approve an amendment contained in the proposed Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of Alteon to designate the Series B Preferred Stock to be
issued in the financing;
5.
To
approve an amendment contained in the proposed Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of Alteon to change the name of the Company to Synvista
Therapeutics, Inc.;
6.
To
approve an amendment contained in the proposed Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of Alteon to amend the provisions relating to the
indemnification of directors;
7.
To
approve an amendment contained in the proposed Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of Alteon to eliminate references to any retired or cancelled
series of preferred stock;
8.
To
approve a reverse stock split of the issued and outstanding shares of Alteon
common stock (such split to combine a number of outstanding shares between
fifty
(50) and one hundred (100) (such final number to be determined by the Company’s
Board of Directors) outstanding shares of Alteon common stock, into one (1)
share of Alteon common stock);
9.
To
consider and vote upon an adjournment of the annual meeting, if necessary,
if a
quorum is present, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient
votes in favor of Proposals 1 through 8;
10.
To
ratify the appointment of J.H. Cohn LLP as the Company’s independent registered
public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007;
and
11.
To
transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment or postponement thereof.
Only
stockholders of record at the close of business on May 24, 2007 are entitled
to
vote at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Only
stockholders or their proxy holders and Alteon guests may attend the meeting.
A
complete list of those stockholders entitled to vote will be kept at the
principal executive offices of Alteon, 221 West Grand Avenue, Suite 200,
Montvale, NJ 07645 for a period of ten days prior to the meeting.
Your
vote is important. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
votes cast in person or by proxy at the Alteon annual meeting is required for
approval of Proposals 1, 2, 9 and 10. The affirmative vote of the holders
of a majority of the shares of Alteon common stock outstanding on the record
date for the annual meeting is required for approval of Proposals 3, 4, 5,
6, 7
and 8. Proposal
2 can not be passed without the passage of proposals 1, 3, 4 and 8; proposal
4
can not be passed without the passage of proposals 2 and 3 and proposal 8 can
not be passed without the passage of proposals 2, 3 and 4.
You
are urged to attend the annual meeting in person, but if you are unable to
do
so, the Board of Directors would appreciate the prompt return of the enclosed
proxy card, dated and signed, or, if your proxy card or voting instruction
form
so indicates, your prompt vote electronically via the Internet or telephone.
We strongly
encourage you to vote electronically if you have that
option.
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Noah Berkowitz, M.D.,
Ph.D. |
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Secretary |
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[____] [__] ,
2007 |
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE FINANCING AND THE ANNUAL MEETING
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iii
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GENERAL
INFORMATION
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1
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Solicitation
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1
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Record
Date, Voting Rights and Outstanding Shares
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1
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Broker
Non-Votes
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1
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Revocability
of Proxy and Voting of Shares
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1
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Dissenters’
Right of Appraisal
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1
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SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
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2
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MANAGEMENT
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4
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The
Board of Directors
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4
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Committees
of the Board of Directors and Meetings
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5
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Director
Nomination Process
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6
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Stockholder
Communications to the Board
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6
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Director
Attendance at Annual Meetings
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6
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Executive
Officers
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6
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COMPENSATION
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
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7
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EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
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13
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COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
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20
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AUDIT
COMMITTEE REPORT
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21
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SECTION
16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
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22
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CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
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22
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PROPOSAL
1 INCREASE IN THE AGGREGATE NUMBER OF SHARES AVAILABLE UNDER THE
ALTEON
2005 STOCK PLAN
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23
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Federal
Income Tax Considerations
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25
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New
Plan Benefits
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26
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PROPOSAL
2 THE ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES IN THE FINANCING
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27
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Necessity
of Stockholder Approval
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27
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Series
B Preferred Stock
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27
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Effect
of Financing on Current Stockholders
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28
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Structure
of the Financing and Terms of Outstanding Debt Securities
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29
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Factors
Considered by the Board of Directors in Recommending the
Financing
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30
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Timing
of Closing
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30
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Conditions
to the Completion of the Financing
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30
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Certain
Covenants
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31
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Representations
and Warranties
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32
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Expenses
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32
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Amendments
and Waivers
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33
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Registration
Rights Agreement Related to the Financing
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33
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Ownership
of Alteon’s Executive Officers and Directors
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33
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Board
Membership and New Directors Following the Financing
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33
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Listing
of Alteon Common Stock
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33
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Use
of Proceeds
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34
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PROPOSAL
3 APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO ALTEON’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO
INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK
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35
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PROPOSAL
4 APPROVAL OF THE DESIGNATION OF THE SERIES B PREFERRED
STOCK
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37
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PROPOSAL
5 APPROVAL OF A CHANGE OF THE NAME OF THE CORPORATION
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39
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PROPOSAL
6 APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO ALTEON’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO CHANGE
THE PROVISIONS REGARDING THE INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
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40
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PROPOSAL
7 APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO ALTEON’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO REMOVE
REFERENCES TO RETIRED CLASSES OF PREFERRED STOCK
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42
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PROPOSALS
8 AND 9 REVERSE STOCK SPLIT AND THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE ANNUAL
MEETING
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35
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General
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35
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Purpose
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35
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Requirements
for Listing on the AMEX
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35
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Potential
Increased Investor Interest
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36
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Principal
Effects of the Reverse Stock Split
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36
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Procedure
for Effecting Reverse Stock Split and Exchange of Stock
Certificates
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37
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Fractional
Shares
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37
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Accounting
Matters
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37
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Potential
Anti-Takeover Effect
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37
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No
Dissenter’s Rights
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37
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Federal
Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split
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37
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PROPOSAL
10 INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
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48
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Policy
on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-audit
Services of Independent Auditors
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49
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FORWARD
LOOKING STATEMENTS AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
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50
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INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
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50
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CHANGES
IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
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50
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CODE
OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
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50
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STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS
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50
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OTHER
MATTERS
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50
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GENERAL
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51
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WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
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51
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ANNEX
INDEX
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52
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ANNEX
A - SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK AND WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND AMENDMENT
NO. 1 THERETO
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A-1
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ANNEX
B - FORM OF WARRANT
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B-1
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ANNEX
C - FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
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C-1
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ANNEX
D - FORM OF ALTEON’S AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION
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D-1
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ANNEX
E - PROXY CARD
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E-1
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PRELIMINARY
COPIES FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 14a-6(a)
Alteon
Inc.
221
West Grand Avenue, Suite 200
Montvale,
NJ 07645
(201)
934-5000
PROXY
STATEMENT FOR THE ALTEON INC.
2007
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO
BE HELD ON [____] [_], 2007
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE FINANCING AND THE ANNUAL MEETING
Q: |
Why
did you send me this proxy
statement?
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A: |
We
sent you this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card because
Alteon’s
Board of Directors is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2007 annual
meeting of stockholders, and any adjournments of the meeting, to
be held
on [____] [_], 2007, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, at [___]. This
proxy
statement along with the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders summarizes the purposes of the meeting and the information
you need to know to vote at the annual
meeting.
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On
[_______ __], 2007 we began sending this proxy statement, the attached notice
of
annual meeting and the enclosed proxy card to all stockholders entitled to
vote
at the meeting. We are also enclosing with this proxy statement our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 and our
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007. The
following sections of the Form 10-K are also incorporated by reference into
this
proxy statement: the financial statements, including the notes thereto, and
the
unaudited quarterly financial data for the two-year period ended December
31,
2006 (Part II, Items 8(a) and 8(b)); Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Part II, Item 7); and Qualitative
and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk (Part II, Item 7A). The following
sections of the Form 10-Q are also incorporated by reference into this proxy
statement: the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, including
the notes thereto (Part I, Item 1); Management's Discussion and Analysis
of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations (Part I, Item 2); and Qualitative
and Quantitative Disclosure About Market Risk (Part I, Item 3). You can also
find a copy of our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Quarterly Report
on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 on the Internet through
the SEC’s electronic data system called EDGAR at www.sec.gov or through the
Investor Relations section of our website at www.alteon.com.
Q: |
When
and where is the stockholder
meeting?
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A: |
The
Alteon annual meeting will take place on [______] [_], 2007 at 10:00
a.m.,
Eastern Time at [____].
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Q: |
Why
are we seeking approval for the issuance of Series B Preferred
Stock?
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A: |
As
a result of being listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange
(“AMEX”), issuances of our common stock are subject to the AMEX Company
Guide, including Rule 713 of the Company Guide. Under Rule 713,
stockholder approval must be obtained in connection with the sale,
issuance, or potential issuance by a listed company of shares of
common
stock, or of securities convertible into common stock, in an amount
equal
to 20% or more of the presently outstanding stock, for less than
the
greater of book or market value of the stock. As of May 24, 2007,
we had
129,318,588 shares of common stock
outstanding.
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On
April
5, 2007, we entered into a Series B Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase
Agreement, as amended, which we refer to as the purchase agreement, under which
we will, subject to certain conditions, issue up to 500,000,000 (prior to the
implementation of a reverse stock split as discussed elsewhere in this proxy
statement) shares of our Series B Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share
(the “Series B Preferred Stock”), and warrants to purchase up to 125,000,000
(prior to the implementation of a reverse stock split, as discussed elsewhere
in
this proxy statement) shares of Series B Preferred Stock (the “Financing”) to
the purchasers who are participating in the Financing. The issuance of the
Series B Preferred Stock and warrants to the purchasers requires stockholder
approval under Rule 713. In addition, a total of up to 625,000,000 shares of
our
common stock (prior to the implementation of the reverse stock split discussed
elsewhere in the proxy statement) may be issued, assuming full conversion of
all
of the Series B Preferred Stock and the exercise of the warrants to purchase
shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued in connection with the Financing,
and
additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock may be issued upon the operation
of certain anti-dilution adjustments provided in the terms of the Series B
Preferred Stock and the warrants. Pursuant to the terms of the Financing, shares
of the Series B Preferred Stock will be sold at a price equal to $0.05 per
share
(calculated prior to the implementation of the reverse stock split as discussed
elsewhere in this proxy statement).
The
purchasers of the Series B Preferred Stock will include the following funds
affiliated with Baker Brothers Investments (“BBI”), which is a group of
affiliated funds dedicated to investing in public and private healthcare
companies: Baker/Tisch Investments, L.P., Baker Biotech Fund I, L.P., Baker
Brothers Life Sciences, L.P., 14159, L.P. and Baker Bros. Investments II,
L.P.
The
natural persons who will control the voting and disposition of the shares
held
by the entities affiliated with BBI are Felix J. Baker, Ph.D. and Julian
Baker.
The
purchasers of the Series B Preferred Stock will also include Atticus Global
Advisors, Ltd. ("AGA") and Green Way Managed Account Series, Ltd., in respect
to
its segregated account, Green Way Portfolio D ("Green Way"). AGA
and
Green Way are an investment partnership and a managed account for which Atticus
Capital LP (“Atticus Capital”) is the sole investment manager and has sole
investment authority. Atticus Management LLC (“Atticus Management”) is the
sole general partner of Atticus Capital and Mr. Timothy R. Barakett is the
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and sole Managing Member of Atticus
Management. Accordingly, Mr. Barakett may be deemed to have control over
the voting and disposition of the shares purchased by AGA and Green
Way.
Q: |
What
are the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase
Agreement?
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A: |
The
Company anticipates that it will raise up to $25,000,000 in the Financing,
including the conversion of $6,000,000 of the Company’s Senior Convertible
Secured Promissory Notes, as further discussed below, plus accrued
interest thereon. Under the terms of the Financing, the Series B
Preferred
Stock will be sold at $0.05 per share (calculated prior to the
implementation of the reverse stock split as discussed elsewhere
in this
proxy statement). Prior to the implementation of the reverse stock
split,
Alteon may be required to issue up to 500,000,000 shares of Series
B
Preferred Stock, and warrants to purchase up to 125,000,000 shares
of its
Series B Preferred Stock, exercisable at $0.05 per share for a five-year
period from the date of issuance. Each holder of Series B Preferred
Stock
will be entitled to cast, at any stockholder meeting, the number
of votes
equal to one-half of the number of whole shares of common stock into
which
the shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by such holder are
convertible. The Series B Preferred Stock will be convertible into
common
stock at any time at the option of the holder at an initial conversion
rate of 1:1, subject to adjustment. On April 4, 2007, the day prior
to the
execution of the Financing agreement, the closing price of a share
of our
common stock was $0.10, as reported by AMEX, and on May 24, 2007
the
closing price of a share of our common stock was $0.05, as reported
by
AMEX.
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Upon
the
closing of the Financing, the Senior Convertible Secured Promissory Notes,
in an
aggregate principal amount of $6,000,000, issued by Alteon pursuant to a Note
and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated January 11, 2007, as amended, by and
among Alteon and the lenders named therein, plus all accrued but unpaid interest
thereon (approximately $92,055 through May 31, 2007), will be automatically
converted pursuant to their terms into that number of shares of Series B
Preferred Stock equal to the principal plus all accrued but unpaid interest
on
the notes divided by the price per share at which the Series B Preferred Stock
is sold, and thereafter the notes will be cancelled.
The
holders of the Senior Convertible Secured Promissory Notes include the following
funds affiliated with BBI: Baker/Tisch Investments, L.P., Baker Biotech Fund
I,
L.P., Baker Brothers Life Sciences, L.P., 14159, L.P. and Baker Bros.
Investments II, L.P. The natural persons who control the disposition of the
senior convertible secured promissory notes held by the entities affiliated
with
Baker Brothers Investments are Felix J. Baker, Ph.D. and Julian Baker.
In
connection with the Financing, we have entered into a Registration Rights
Agreement with the investors. Under the terms of the Registration Rights
Agreement, we have agreed to file a registration statement with the Securities
and Exchange Commission for the resale of the shares of common stock issuable
upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock issued in the Financing, as well
as
upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock underlying the warrants sold in
the
Financing. Failure to file the registration statement in a timely manner will
result in payment by us to each investor of liquidated damages, subject to
limitations set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement. These liquidated
damages will also be payable in the event that the resale registration statement
has not been declared effective within certain time periods or if sales cannot
be made pursuant to the registration statement following its effectiveness,
each
as described in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Holders
of the Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to additional rights and
preferences described elsewhere in this proxy statement. As a result of the
pricing terms of the securities to be issued in the Financing, the Financing
will result in substantial and immediate dilution of the interests of our
existing stockholders.
Due
to
the rights that are afforded to the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock,
including the price per share at which the shares of Series B Preferred Stock
will be sold, the anti-dilution protection as discussed elsewhere in this proxy
statement, the 1:1 conversion ratio into common stock and the registration
rights associated with the common stock underlying the shares of Series B
Preferred Stock, there is a possibility that the per share price of our common
stock may decrease as a result of the issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock.
Q: |
What
effect will the Financing have on the capital structure and control
of
Alteon?
|
A: |
If
completed, we may be required to issue up to 500,000,000 shares of
Series
B Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase up to 125,000,000 shares
of
Series B Preferred Stock (both prior to the implementation of the
reverse
stock split as discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement) in the
Financing, which, assuming the full conversion of such shares of
Series B
Preferred Stock into our common stock, would represent approximately
79%
of our issued and outstanding capital stock as of May 24, 2007.
Accordingly, in the event that all of the shares of Series B Preferred
Stock were to be converted into our common stock, a change in control
of
Alteon would occur. As noted above, each holder of Series B Preferred
Stock will be entitled to cast the number of votes equal to one-half
of
the number of whole shares of common stock into which the shares
of Series
B Preferred Stock held by such holder are convertible. Therefore,
on the
date of issuance of the Series B Preferred Stock, the holders of
Series B
Preferred Stock will have approximately 41% of the voting power of
Alteon.
The Series B Preferred Stock will be convertible into common stock
at any
time at the option of the holder at an initial conversion rate of
1:1,
subject to adjustment. Thus, if the holders of the Series B Preferred
Stock convert all of their shares of Series B Preferred Stock into
shares
of common stock, and exercise all of their warrants to acquire shares
of
Series B Preferred Stock which are then converted into shares of
common
stock, they will have approximately 83% of the voting power of Alteon.
In
addition, purchasers of the Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled
to a
number of rights and preferences which holders of shares of our
outstanding common stock do not and will not have. Among these rights
and
preferences is a preference
on liquidation of Alteon, which means that holders of the Series
B
Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive the proceeds out of any
sale
or liquidation of Alteon before any such proceeds are paid to holders
of
our common stock. In general, if the proceeds received upon any sale
or
liquidation do not exceed the total liquidation proceeds payable
to the
holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, holders of common stock
would
received no value for their shares upon such a sale or
liquidation.
|
Alteon
will have the right to automatically convert the Series B Preferred Stock into
common stock in certain circumstances. An equivalent of $7,500,000 (measured
as
of the original issue date) of Series B Preferred Stock will automatically
be
converted into common stock when (i) the thirty-day prior trailing average
closing price of Alteon common stock, as reported by the American Stock
Exchange, for the entire six months preceding such time is equal to at least
the
price at which shares of Series B Preferred Stock were sold in the Financing
and
(ii) the registration statement for resale of securities issued in the
Financing has been declared effective by the SEC and is continuously effective
for a one and one-half year period. Thereafter, the remainder of the outstanding
Series B Preferred Stock will automatically be converted into common stock
when
(i) the thirty-day prior trailing average closing price of Alteon common
stock, as reported by the American Stock Exchange for the entire six months
preceding such time, is equal to at least two times the price at which shares
of
Series B Preferred Stock were sold in the Financing and (ii) the
registration statement for the resale of securities issued in the Financing
has
been declared effective by the SEC and is continuously effective for a one
and
one-half year period.
Q: |
When
do you expect the Financing to be
completed?
|
A: |
We
are working towards completing the Financing as quickly as possible.
We
hope to complete the Financing by July 31, 2007. However, the exact
timing
of completion of the Financing cannot be determined yet because completion
of the Financing is subject to a number of
conditions.
|
Q: |
How
many authorized but unissued shares of Alteon common stock and preferred
stock will exist after the closing of the Financing, and taking into
account the reverse stock
split?
|
A: |
The
following table reflects the capital structure of the Company before
and
after the annual meeting, assuming, for purposes of illustration
only, the
implementation of a reverse stock split in a ratio of 1:75, and taking
into account the approval of all of the proposals being presented
to the
stockholders by this proxy statement:
|
|
Prior
to the 2007
Annual
Meeting
|
|
After
the 2007
Annual
Meeting
|
|
|
|
|
Common
Stock Authorized
|
300,000,000
|
|
300,000,000
|
Common
Stock Issued and Outstanding
|
129,318,858
|
|
1,724,251
|
Common
Stock Reserved for Issuance
|
66,758,107
|
|
11,492,752
|
Common
Stock Unreserved and Unissued
|
103,923,035
|
|
281,782,997
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred
Stock Authorized
|
1,999,329
|
|
15,000,000
|
Series
A Preferred Stock Authorized (Shareholder Rights Plan)
|
400,000
|
|
400,000
|
Series
A Preferred Stock Issued (Shareholder Rights Plan)
|
0
|
|
0
|
Series
B Preferred Stock Authorized
|
0
|
|
8,333,333
|
Series
B Preferred Stock Issued
|
0
|
|
6,666,667
|
Series
B Preferred Stock Reserved for Issuance
|
0
|
|
1,666,667
|
Preferred
Stock Unreserved and Unissued
|
1,599,329
|
|
6,266,667
|
Q: |
Does
the Board of Directors of Alteon recommend voting in favor of the
issuance
of securities in the
Financing?
|
A: |
Yes,
after careful consideration, including the solicitation and review
of
alternative sources of funding, licensing and other strategic
opportunities, Alteon’s Board of Directors has unanimously determined the
Financing to be in the best interests of the Alteon stockholders
and has
declared the Financing advisable.
|
As
of May
24, 2007, all executive officers and directors of Alteon, together with their
affiliates, own as a group approximately 15% of the shares of Alteon common
stock entitled to vote at the Alteon annual meeting. A vote of a majority of
the
total votes represented by the shares of Alteon common stock present in person
or by proxy at the annual meeting is required to approve the Financing.
However, we are required to effect a reverse stock split, described below,
in
connection with the Financing, which will require the affirmative vote of a
majority of our outstanding shares.
Q: |
Why
are we seeking approval for the reverse stock
split?
|
A: |
On
October 9, 2006, we received a letter from AMEX indicating that we
were not in compliance with the following listing standards in the
AMEX
Company Guide: (i) Section 1003(a)(i), as a result of our
shareholder’s equity of less than $2,000,000 and losses from continuing
operations and/or net losses in two out of our three most recent
fiscal
years; (ii) Section 1003(a)(ii), as a result of our shareholder’s
equity of less than $4,000,000 and losses from continuing operations
and/or net losses in three out of our four most recent fiscal years;
and
(iii) Section 1003(a)(iii), as a result of our shareholder’s equity of
less than $6,000,000 and losses from continuing operations and/or
net
losses in our five most recent fiscal years. We were required to
submit a
proposal setting forth our Plan of Compliance pursuant to which we
outlined our plan to regain compliance with the relevant provisions
of the
AMEX Company Guide. We submitted this plan on November 6, 2006. On
January 24, 2007, we received a notice from the staff (the “Staff”)
of AMEX that AMEX has accepted our plan to regain compliance with
AMEX
continued listing standards, and that our listing will be continued
pursuant to an extension until April 9, 2008. The Staff requested
that Alteon effect a reverse stock split of its common stock in order
to
increase the selling
price of Alteon common stock. Further, we have agreed with the purchasers
of the Series B Preferred Stock to effect a reverse stock split as
part of
the Financing. On May 24, 2007, the closing price of our common stock
as
reported on AMEX was $0.05 per
share.
|
The
Board
of Directors has unanimously approved the reverse stock split partly as a means
of increasing the share price of Alteon common stock. Our Board of Directors
believes that maintaining our listing on AMEX may provide a broader market
for
Alteon common stock and facilitate the use of Alteon common stock in financing
and other transactions. In addition, continuing listing on AMEX is a condition
to the closing of the Financing, and we expect the reverse stock split to
facilitate the continuation of such listing. We cannot assure you, however,
that
the reverse stock split will result in an increase in the per share price of
our
common stock, or if it does, how long the increase would be sustained, if at
all. Although the stock split is designed to raise the stock price, there is
no
guarantee that the share price will rise proportionately to the reverse stock
split, so the end result could be a loss of value. In addition, while we expect
the reverse stock split to assist with our plan to regain compliance with AMEX
listing standards, the reverse stock split itself will not address the fact
that
our shareholder’s equity is less than $2,000,000. We do, however, expect that
our receipt of the net proceeds of the Financing will address the deficiency
in
our shareholder’s equity and allow us to regain compliance with the aspects of
the AMEX listing standards relating to shareholder’s equity.
Q: |
Does
the Board of Directors of Alteon recommend voting in favor of the
reverse
stock split?
|
A: |
Yes,
after careful consideration, Alteon’s Board of Directors has unanimously
determined the reverse stock split to be in the best interests of
the
Alteon shareholders and has declared the reverse stock split advisable.
Alteon’s Board of Directors approved the reverse stock split and
recommends that Alteon stockholders approve it as
well.
|
Q: |
How
does the Board of Directors recommend that I vote on the other
proposals?
|
A: |
The
Board of Directors recommends that you vote as
follows:
|
|
·
|
“FOR”
the approval of the amendment to the Alteon 2005 Stock
Plan;
|
|
·
|
“FOR”
the approval of all of the proposals related to Alteon’s Amended and
Restated Certificate of
Incorporation;
|
|
·
|
“FOR”
the adjournment of the annual meeting, if necessary, if a quorum
is
present, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient
votes
in favor of the amendment to the Alteon 2005 Stock Plan, the issuance
of
our securities as part of the Financing, the amendment and restatement
of
the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the reverse stock
split; and
|
|
·
|
“FOR”
the ratification of the selection of independent auditors for our
fiscal
year ending December 31, 2007.
|
If
any
other matter is presented, the proxy card provides that your shares will be
voted by the proxy holder listed on the proxy card in accordance with his or
her
best judgment. At the time this proxy statement was printed, we knew of no
matters that needed to be acted on at the annual meeting, other than those
discussed in this proxy statement.
Q: |
Will
any changes be made to the Alteon Board of Directors as a result
of the
Financing?
|
A. |
Yes.
Following the closing of the Financing, our Board of Directors will
be
fixed at seven (7) persons, consisting of (a) three (3) incumbent
directors, (b) one (1) vacancy that may be filled at any time after
the closing of the Financing with a new director designated by the
investors affiliated with BBI who held convertible promissory notes
that
were converted into Series B Preferred Stock at the closing of the
Financing, which new director shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Company, and (c) three (3) additional vacancies. As long as the
investors affiliated with BBI who held convertible promissory notes
that
were converted into Series B Preferred Stock at the closing of the
Financing hold at least 50% of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock
issued to them in the Financing, such investors will have the right,
at
their option, to designate two (2) people to fill two (2) of the
three (3)
additional vacancies. If two (2) vacancies are not available at the
time
such purchasers choose to designate two (2) members of the Board
of
Directors, the Board shall use its commercially reasonable efforts
to
cause two (2) of its then-current members to resign their positions
in
order to create vacant seats for the purchaser designees. These seats
will
then be filled by appointment of such persons by the other members
of the
Board who are then in office, and not by election by our stockholders.
No
persons have yet been identified to serve in these vacant
positions.
|
A: |
Only
stockholders who own Alteon common stock at the close of business
on May
24, 2007 are entitled to vote at the Alteon annual meeting. On this
record
date, there were 129,318,858 shares of Alteon common stock outstanding
and
entitled to vote. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote
on
any matter presented at the meeting. Alteon common stock is currently
our
only class of voting stock.
|
Q: |
How
many votes do I have?
|
A: |
Each
share of Alteon common stock that you own entitles you to one
vote.
|
A: |
You
may vote by mail by completing, signing and dating your proxy card
and
returning it in the enclosed, postage-paid and addressed envelope.
If you
mark your voting instructions on the proxy card, your shares will
be
voted:
|
|
·
|
according
to the best judgment of the proxy holder if a proposal comes up for
a vote
at the annual meeting that is not on the proxy
card.
|
If
you
return a signed card, but do not provide voting instructions, your shares will
be voted:
|
·
|
FOR
the approval of the amendment to the Alteon 2005 Stock Plan, FOR
the
issuance of securities in the Financing pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement, FOR the approval of all of the proposals of Alteon’s Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, FOR the approval of the
reverse
stock split, FOR any proposal by the Alteon Board
of Directors to adjourn the meeting; and FOR the ratification of
J.H. Cohn
LLP as Alteon’s independent registered public accounting firm for the
fiscal year ending December 31,
2007;
|
|
·
|
according
to the best judgment of the proxy holder if a proposal comes up for
a vote
at the annual meeting that is not on the proxy card or for the adjournment
or postponement of the annual
meeting.
|
If
you
are a stockholder of record of Alteon, you may also vote by telephone at the
toll-free number 1-800-PROXIES or on the Internet at www.voteproxy.com. If
you
are a beneficial owner of Alteon common stock, you may be able to vote
electronically as well, if your proxy card or voting instruction form so
indicates. See the instructions on your proxy card or voting instruction form.
You are strongly encouraged to vote electronically if you are given that
option.
Q: |
What
do I do if I want to change my
vote?
|
A: |
Just
send in a later-dated, signed proxy card to Alteon’s Secretary before the
meeting. Or, you can attend the meeting in person and vote. You may
also
revoke your proxy by sending a notice of revocation to Alteon’s Secretary
at Alteon’s principal executive offices, 221 West Grand Avenue, Suite 200,
Montvale, New Jersey 07645. If you voted via the Internet or telephone,
you can submit a later vote using those same
methods.
|
Q: |
What
if I receive more than one proxy
card?
|
A: |
You
may receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction form if
you
hold shares of our common stock in more than one account, which may
be in
registered form or held in street name. Please vote in the manner
described under “How Do I Vote?” for each account to ensure that all of
your shares are voted.
|
Q: |
If
my shares are held in “street name” by my broker, bank or other nominee,
will my broker, bank or other nominee vote my shares for
me?
|
A: |
If
you do not provide your broker, bank or nominee with instructions
on how
to vote your “street name” shares, your broker, bank or nominee will not
be permitted to vote them on the matters that are to be considered
by the
Alteon stockholders at the annual meeting, except for the ratification
of
our independent registered public accounting firm. You should therefore
be
sure to provide your broker with instructions on how to vote your
shares.
|
If
you
wish to vote your shares in person, you must bring to the meeting a letter
from
the broker, bank or nominee confirming your beneficial ownership in the shares
to be voted.
Q: |
What
happens if I do not return a proxy card or otherwise provide proxy
instructions?
|
A: |
The
failure to return your proxy card or otherwise provide proxy instructions
could be a factor in establishing a quorum for the annual meeting
of
Alteon stockholders, which is required to transact business at the
meeting.
|
Q: |
What
constitutes a quorum at the
meeting?
|
A: |
The
presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of
the
outstanding shares of Alteon common stock is necessary to constitute
a
quorum at the meeting. Votes of stockholders of record who are present
at
the meeting in person or by proxy, abstentions, and broker non-votes
are
counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum
exists.
|
Q: |
What
vote is required to approve each proposal and how are votes
counted?
|
A:
|
Proposal
1: Approve Amendment to the Alteon 2005 Stock Plan to Increase the
Shares
Available for Issuance under the Plan
|
|
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes present or represented
by
proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required to approve
the amendment to the Alteon 2005 Stock Plan. Abstentions will be
treated
as votes against this proposal. Brokerage firms do not have authority
to
vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on this
proposal. As a result, any shares not voted by a customer will be
treated
as a broker non-vote. Such broker non-votes will have no effect on
the
results of this vote.
|
|
Proposal
2: Approve Issuance of Securities in
the Financing
|
|
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes present or represented
by
proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required to approve
the issuance of securities in the Financing pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement. Abstentions will be treated as votes against this proposal.
Brokerage firms do not have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares
held by the firms in street name on this proposal. As a result, any
shares
not voted by a customer will be treated as a broker non-vote. Such
broker
non-votes will have no effect on the results of this
vote.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposal
3: Approve an Increase in the Number of Shares of Alteon Preferred
Stock
Authorized for Issuance
|
|
The
affirmative vote of the majority of the Company’s outstanding common stock
is required to approve an increase in the number of shares of Alteon
preferred stock authorized for issuance as set forth in Alteon’s Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Brokerage firms do not
have
authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street
name on this proposal. As a result, any shares not voted by a customer
will be treated as a broker non-vote. Abstentions and broker non-votes
will be treated as votes against this proposal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposal
4: Approve the Designation of the Series B Preferred
Stock
|
|
The
affirmative vote of the majority of the Company’s outstanding common stock
is required to approve the designation of the Series B Preferred
Stock as
set forth in Alteon’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
Brokerage firms do not have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares
held by the firms in street name on this proposal. As a result, any
shares
not voted by a customer will be treated as a broker non-vote. Abstentions
and broker non-votes will be treated as votes against this
proposal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposal
5: Approve a Change of the Company’s Name
|
|
The
affirmative vote of the majority of the Company’s outstanding common stock
is required to approve a change to the name of the Company as set
forth in
Alteon’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Brokerage
firms do not have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the
firms in street name on this proposal. As a result, any shares not
voted
by a customer will be treated as a broker non-vote. Abstentions and
broker
non-votes will be treated as votes against this
proposal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposal
6: Approve a Change to the Provisions of Alteon’s Restated Certificate of
Incorporation that Relate to the Indemnification of
Directors
|
|
The
affirmative vote of the majority of the Company’s outstanding common stock
is required to approve a change to the provisions that relate to
the
indemnification of members of the Board of Directors as set forth
in
Alteon’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Brokerage
firms do not have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the
firms in street name on this proposal. As a result, any shares not
voted
by a customer will be treated as a broker non-vote. Abstentions and
broker
non-votes will be treated as votes against this
proposal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposal
7: Approve the Elimination of Retired and Cancelled Alteon Preferred
Stock
|
|
The
affirmative vote of the majority of the Company’s outstanding common stock
is required to approve the elimination of any reference to retired
or
cancelled preferred stock as set forth in Alteon’s Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation. Brokerage firms do not have authority
to
vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on this
proposal. As a result, any shares not voted by a customer will be
treated
as a broker non-vote. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be treated
as
votes against this proposal.
|
|
Proposal
8: Approve a Reverse Stock Split
|
|
The
affirmative vote of the majority of the Company’s outstanding common stock
is required to approve the reverse stock split. Brokerage firms do
not
have authority to vote customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in
street name on this proposal. As a result, any shares not voted by
a
customer will be treated as a broker non-vote. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will be treated as votes against this
proposal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposal
9: Approve Adjournment of the Annual Meeting, if Necessary, if a
Quorum is
Present, to Solicit Additional Proxies if There are not Sufficient
Votes
in Favor of Proposals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8
|
|
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes present or represented
by
proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required to approve
the adjournment of the annual meeting. Abstentions will be treated
as
votes against this proposal. Brokerage firms do not have authority
to vote
customers’ unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on this
proposal. As a result, any shares not voted by a customer will be
treated
as a broker non-vote. Such broker non-votes will have no effect on
the
results of this vote.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proposal
10: Ratify Selection of Auditors
|
|
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes present or represented
by
proxy and entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required to ratify
the
selection of independent auditors. Abstentions will be treated as
votes
against this proposal. Brokerage firms have authority to vote customers’
unvoted shares held by the firms in street name on this proposal.
If a
broker does not exercise this authority, such broker non-votes will
have
no effect on the results of this vote. We are not required to obtain
the
approval of our stockholders to select our independent registered
public
accounting firm. However, if our stockholders do not ratify the selection
of J.H. Cohn LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm
for 2007, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors may reconsider
its
selection.
|
We
cannot
complete the financing transaction unless you approve the amendment to the
Alteon 2005 Stock Plan, the increase in the number of authorized shares of
preferred stock, the designation of the Series B Preferred Stock, the issuance
of shares and warrants as part of the financing transaction, the reverse stock
split, and Alteon’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. In
addition, proposal 2 can not be passed without the passage of proposals 1,
3, 4
and 8; proposal 4 can not be passed without the passage of proposals 2 and
3 and
proposal 8 can not be passed without the passage of proposals 2, 3 and 4.
Q: |
Is
voting confidential?
|
A: |
We
will keep all the proxies, ballots and voting tabulations private.
We only
let our Inspector of Elections (American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company) examine these documents. Management will not know how you
voted
on a specific proposal unless it is necessary to meet legal requirements.
We will, however, forward to management any written comments you
make, on
the proxy card or elsewhere.
|
Q: |
What
are the costs of soliciting these
proxies?
|
A: |
Alteon
will pay all of the costs of soliciting the proxies. Alteon directors
and
employees may solicit proxies in person or by telephone, fax or e-mail.
Alteon will pay these employees and directors no additional compensation
for these services. Alteon will ask banks, brokers and other institutions,
nominees and fiduciaries to forward these proxy materials to their
principals and to obtain authority to execute proxies. Alteon will
then
reimburse them for their expenses.
|
Q: |
What
does “Householding of Annual Disclosure Documents”
mean?
|
A: |
In
December 2000, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted a rule
concerning the delivery of annual disclosure documents. The rule
allows us
or your broker to send a single set of our annual report and proxy
statement to any household at which two or more of our stockholders
reside, if we or your broker believe that the stockholders are members
of
the same family. This practice, referred to as “householding,” benefits
both you and the Company. It reduces the volume of duplicate information
received at your household and helps to reduce the Company’s expenses. The
rule applies to our annual reports, proxy statements and information
statements. Once you receive notice from your broker or from us that
communications to your address will be “householded,” the practice will
continue until you are otherwise notified or until you revoke your
consent
to the practice. Each stockholder will continue to receive a separate
proxy card or voting instruction
card.
|
If
your
household received a single set of disclosure documents this year, but you
would
prefer to receive your own copy, please contact our transfer agent, American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, by calling their toll free number,
1-800-937-5449.
If
you do
not wish to participate in “householding” and would like to receive your own set
of our annual disclosure documents in future years, or, conversely, if you
share
an address with another one of our stockholders and together both of you would
like to receive only a single set of our annual disclosure documents, follow
these instructions:
If
your
Company shares are registered in your own name, please contact our transfer
agent, American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, and inform them of your
request by calling them at 1-800-937-5449 or writing to them at 6201 15th
Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219.
If
a
broker or other nominee holds your Company shares, please contact the broker
or
other nominee directly and inform them of your request. Be sure to include
your
name, the name of your brokerage firm and your account number.
Q: |
Will
representatives of J.H. Cohn LLP, Alteon’s independent registered public
accounting firm, be present at the annual
meeting?
|
A: |
Yes.
Representatives of J.H. Cohn are expected to be present at the annual
meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire
to
do so and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
|
Q: |
Who
do I call if I have questions about the meeting or the
Financing?
|
A: |
Alteon
stockholders may call Alteon Investor Relations at
201-934-5000.
|
GENERAL
INFORMATION
Our
Board
of Directors is soliciting proxies for the annual meeting of stockholders to
be
held on July [__], 2007 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time at [__], and at any
adjournment or postponement of the annual meeting. This proxy statement contains
important information for you to consider when deciding how to vote on the
matters before the annual meeting.
Voting
materials, which include this proxy statement and the proxy card, will be mailed
to stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting on
or
about [_________] [__], 2007. Our principal executive office is located at
221
West Grand Avenue, Suite 200, Montvale, New Jersey 07645, and our telephone
number is (201) 934-5000.
Solicitation
We
will
bear the cost of solicitation of proxies, including expenses in connection
with
preparing and mailing this proxy statement. We will furnish copies of
solicitation materials to brokerage houses, fiduciaries, and custodians to
forward to beneficial owners of our common stock held in their names. In
addition, we will reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing
beneficial owners of stock for their expenses in forwarding solicitation
materials to such beneficial owners. Original solicitation of proxies by mail
may be supplemented by telephone, telegram and personal solicitation by our
directors, officers and other employees. No additional compensation will be
paid
to our directors, officers or other employees for such services.
Record
Date, Voting Rights and Outstanding Shares
Our
Board
of Directors has set May 24, 2007 as the record date for the annual meeting.
Only holders of record at the close of business on that date will be entitled
to
notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting. As of May 24, 2007 we had
129,318,858 shares of common stock outstanding. Each share of common stock
is
entitled to one vote on each proposal that will come before the annual meeting.
A majority of the outstanding shares of common stock will constitute a quorum
at
the annual meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes (as described below) are
counted as present for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a
quorum for the transaction of business.
Broker
Non-Votes
A
broker
non-vote occurs when a broker cannot vote a customer’s shares registered in the
broker’s name because the customer did not send the broker instructions on how
to vote on the matter. If the broker does not have instructions and is barred
by
law or applicable rules from exercising its discretionary voting authority
in
the particular matter, then the shares will not be voted on the matter,
resulting in a “broker non-vote.”
Revocability
of Proxy and Voting of Shares
Any
stockholder giving a proxy has the power to revoke it at any time before the
annual meeting. It may be revoked by mailing to our Secretary at our principal
executive offices, 221 West Grand Avenue, Suite 200, Montvale, New Jersey 07645,
an instrument of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date.
If a
stockholder is permitted to vote electronically via the Internet or telephone,
a
proxy may be revoked by the submission of a later electronic proxy. A proxy
may
also be revoked by attendance at the annual meeting and an election given to
our
Secretary to vote in person (subject to the restriction that a stockholder
holding shares in street name must bring to the annual meeting a legal proxy
from the broker, bank or other nominee holding that stockholder’s shares that
confirms that stockholder’s beneficial ownership of the shares and gives the
stockholder the right to vote the shares). If not revoked, the proxy will be
voted at the annual meeting in accordance with the stockholder’s instructions.
If no instructions are indicated, the proxy will be voted (i) FOR each
proposal presented by Alteon management for a vote at the meeting, (ii) FOR
any proposal by the Alteon Board of Directors to adjourn the meeting, and
(iii) according to the best judgment of the proxy holder if a proposal
comes up for a vote at the annual meeting that is not on the proxy card or
for
the adjournment or postponement of the annual meeting.
Dissenters’
Rights of Appraisal
Our
stockholders do not have dissenters’ rights of appraisal with respect to
proposals being voted upon at the annual meeting.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of our common stock as of May 24, 2007, except as otherwise set forth
below, by (i) each person who is known by us to own beneficially more than
5% of the common stock, (ii) each director, (iii) each named executive
officer and (iv) all current directors and named executive officers as a
group. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each director and executive
officer listed is 221 West Grand Avenue, Suite 200, Montvale, NJ 07645.
Name
of Beneficial Owner(1)
|
|
Amount and
Nature of
Beneficial
Ownership(1)
|
|
|
|
Percent
of
Class(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Genentech,
Inc.
1
DNA Way
South
San Francisco, CA 94080-4990
|
|
|
14,290,663
|
|
|
|
|
|
11
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noah
Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
|
8,931,700
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
%
|
Noah
C. Berkowitz Family Trust
|
|
|
6,337,800
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
5
|
%
|
Marilyn
G. Breslow
|
|
|
358,201
|
|
|
(4
|
)
|
|
*
|
|
Thomas
A. Moore
|
|
|
322,334
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
*
|
|
Malcolm
MacNab, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
|
704,200
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
1
|
%
|
Mary
C. Tanner
|
|
|
7,203,648
|
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
6
|
%
|
Wayne
P. Yetter
|
|
|
744,394
|
|
|
(8
|
)
|
|
1
|
%
|
All
current directors and officers as a group (6 persons)
|
|
|
18,264,477
|
|
|
(9
|
)
|
|
15
|
%
|
——————
(1)
|
Beneficial
ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities
and
Exchange Commission, and generally includes voting or investment
power
with respect to securities. Shares of common stock subject to stock
options and warrants currently exercisable or exercisable within
60 days
are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of
the
person holding such options and the percentage ownership of any group
of
which the holder is a member, but are not deemed outstanding for
computing
the percentage ownership of any other person. Except as indicated
by
footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable,
the
persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power
with
respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned
by
them.
|
(2)
|
Applicable
percentage of ownership is based on 129,318,858 shares of common
stock
outstanding.
|
(3)
|
Dr. Berkowitz’s
wife is the trustee and has the power to vote and dispose of the
shares.
Dr. Berkowitz disclaims beneficial ownership of the
shares.
|
(4)
|
Includes
198,201 shares of common stock subject to options that are exercisable
within 60 days of May 24, 2007 and
160,000 shares of common stock subject to a restricted stock
agreement that vest in annual installments of 54,000, 53,000 and
53,000 on July 21, 2007, July 21, 2008 and July 21, 2009,
respectively, with the unvested portion subject to repurchase by the
Company.
|
(5)
|
Includes
24,000 shares of common stock held directly by Mr. Moore and 138,334
shares of common stock subject to options which are exercisable within
60
days of May 24, 2007 and 160,000 shares of common stock subject to
a
restricted stock agreement that vest in annual installments of
54,000, 53,000 and 53,000 on July 21, 2007, July 21, 2008 and July
21,
2009, respectively, with the unvested portion subject to repurchase
by the Company.
|
(6)
|
Includes
704,200 shares of common stock subject to options that are exercisable
within 60 days of May 24, 2007.
|
(7)
|
Includes
5,212,146 shares of common stock held directly by Ms. Tanner and
1,831,502 shares of common stock subject to options and warrants
which are
exercisable within 60 days of May 24, 2007 and 160,000 shares of
common
stock subject to a restricted stock agreement that vest in annual
installments of 54,000, 53,000 and 53,000 on July 21, 2007, July
21, 2008
and July 21, 2009, respectively, with the unvested portion subject to
repurchase by the Company.
|
(8)
|
Includes
306,327 shares of common stock held directly by Mr. Yetter and
278,067 shares of common stock subject to options that are exercisable
within 60 days of May 24, 2007 and 160,000 shares of common stock
subject
to a restricted stock agreement that vest in annual installments of
54,000, 53,000 and 53,000 on July 21, 2007, July 21, 2008 and July
21,
2009, respectively, with the unvested portion subject to repurchase
by the Company.
|
(9)
|
Includes
14,474,173 shares of common stock held directly by all current officers
and directors and 3,150,304 shares of common stock subject to options
and
warrants which are exercisable within 60 days of May 24, 2007 and
640,000
shares of common stock subject to a restricted stock agreement that
vest in annual installments of 216,000, 212,000 and 212,000 on July
21,
2007, July 21, 2008 and July 21, 2009, respectively, with the
unvested portion subject to repurchase by the
Company.
|
MANAGEMENT
The
Board of Directors
Pursuant
to our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Board of Directors is divided
into three classes, each of which serves a term of three years. Class A consists
of Mr. Moore and Ms. Breslow, whose terms will expire at the upcoming
annual meeting. Class B consists of Dr. Berkowitz, whose term will expire
at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2008. Class C consists of
Ms. Tanner and Mr. Yetter, whose terms will expire at the annual
meeting of stockholders in 2009.
Following
the closing of the Financing described below under Proposal 2, for so long
as
the purchasers in the Financing who held convertible promissory notes that
were
converted into shares of Series B Preferred Stock at the closing of the
Financing hold 50% of the shares purchased at the closing of the Financing,
such
purchasers will have the right, but not the obligation, to designate two
directors to our Board of Directors. Promptly following written notice by such
purchasers of their election to exercise the designation right pursuant to
the
Purchase Agreement, and only if there are more than five directors then serving
on the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors shall use its commercially
reasonable efforts to cause two of its then-current members to resign their
positions in order to create vacant seats for the purchaser designees. The
purchasers have not yet identified the persons whom they intend to designate
as
members of the Board of Directors.
The
current Board of Directors is comprised of the following persons:
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Served
as
a Director
Since
|
|
Positions
with Alteon
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noah
Berkowitz, M.D.,
Ph.D.
|
|
43
|
|
2006
|
|
President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
Marilyn
G. Breslow*
|
|
62
|
|
1988
|
|
Director
|
Thomas
A. Moore*
|
|
56
|
|
2001
|
|
Director
|
Mary
C. Tanner
|
|
56
|
|
2006
|
|
Director
|
Wayne
P. Yetter
|
|
61
|
|
2006
|
|
Director
|
——————
*
|
Ms. Breslow
and Mr. Moore have decided not to stand for re-election to the Board
of Directors at the annual meeting.
|
The
Company is undertaking the process of identifying qualified candidates to serve
on the Company’s Board of Directors to fill the vacancies created by the
departure of Ms. Breslow and Mr. Moore following the annual meeting. The Company
is actively searching for candidates with suitable qualifications, experience
and expertise to serve on the Board of Directors.
Our
Board
has determined that the following members of the Board qualify as independent
under the definition promulgated by the American Stock Exchange:
Ms. Breslow, Mr. Moore, Ms. Tanner and
Mr. Yetter.
The
principal occupations and business experience, for at least the past five years,
of each director are as follows:
Noah
Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.,
the
Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, joined the Company following
its merger with HaptoGuard in July 2006. Dr. Berkowitz earned his
B.A., M.D., and Ph.D. from Columbia University and trained at the National
Cancer Institute in medical oncology. Prior to founding HaptoGuard in 2004,
he
was a consultant to a variety of biotechnology companies in Israel, including
Predix Pharmaceuticals, IDGene and Teva. He was previously Vice President of
Clinical Development at IMPATH Inc., a NASDAQ-traded, “cancer information
company” where he co-developed a division, IMPATH Predictive Oncology, focused
on biopharmaceutical partnerships supporting the discovery and development
of
cancer-related, targeted diagnostics and therapeutics. Prior to IMPATH,
Dr. Berkowitz was the founder of Physician Choice Inc., a contract research
organization specializing in pharmacoeconomics and outcomes.
Mary
C. Tanner
has
served as a director of the Company since July 2006. Ms. Tanner is a
Principal and founder of Life Sciences Partners, a healthcare advisory and
investment firm. Previously, from 2000 to 2004, she was Senior Managing Director
at Bear Stearns & Co., and Senior Managing Director and head of the Life
Sciences practice at Lehman Brothers, Inc. During her 25 year career on Wall
Street, Ms. Tanner has worked on or supervised over 550 transactions with a
total value of over $175 billion, including ten large pharmaceutical
mergers. Ms. Tanner received her B.A. from Harvard University.
Wayne
P. Yetter
has
served as a director of the Company since July 2006. Mr. Yetter has
served as Chief Executive Officer of Verispan, LLC, a healthcare information
company founded by Quintiles Transnational Corp. and McKesson Corp, since
September 2005. From November 2004 through September 2005,
Mr. Yetter served as President
and Chief Executive Officer of Odyssey Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to assist Odyssey’s
parent, PLIVA d.d., implement its strategy to exit the proprietary
pharmaceutical business. After serving in Vietnam, Mr. Yetter began his
career in the pharmaceuticals industry in 1970 as a sales representative for
Pfizer. From Pfizer, he joined Merck & Co in 1977, where he led the
Marketing Operations Group and then became President of the Asia Pacific region
before starting the new company, Astra Merck, in 1991 as President and CEO.
Mr. Yetter then joined Novartis Pharmaceuticals in 1997, where he was
President and CEO of the U.S. pharmaceutical business. In 1999, he joined IMS
and later led its spinout company, Synavant, where he was Chairman and CEO
for
three years before the company merged with Dendrite International in 2003.
Following the merger, Mr. Yetter founded and has acted as principal of
BioPharm Advisory LLC since September 2003. Mr. Yetter was formerly
Chairman of the Board for Transkaryotic Therapies Inc., which was acquired
by
Shire Pharmaceuticals in 2005. Mr. Yetter received his B.A. in Biology
from the Wilkes University, and his M.B.A. from Bryant University.
Committees
of the Board of Directors and Meetings
The
Board
of Directors has a Compensation Committee, which reviews compensation
arrangements for employees of and consultants to Alteon, as well as salaries
and
compensation arrangements for executive officers. In 2006, the Compensation
Committee was comprised of Alan J. Dalby, Thomas A. Moore, George M. Naimark,
Ph.D., and Wayne P. Yetter.
The
Board
of Directors has a Nominating Committee, which reviews the qualifications of
candidates and proposes nominees to serve as directors on our Board of Directors
and nominees for membership on Board committees. In 2006, the Nominating
Committee was comprised of Edwin D. Bransome, Jr., M.D., David K. McCurdy,
Thomas A. Moore and Wayne P. Yetter.
The
Board
of Directors has an Audit Committee, which oversees the accounting and financial
reporting processes and the audits of our financial statements. In 2006, the
Audit Committee was comprised of Edwin D. Bransome, Jr., Marilyn G.
Breslow, David K. McCurdy, Thomas A. Moore, Mark Novitch, M.D. and Mary
Tanner.
During
2006, Edwin D. Bransome, Jr., M.D., David K. McCurdy, Mark Novitch, Alan J.
Dalby, and George M. Naimark, Ph.D., each resigned from our Board of
Directors.
All
of
the current members of the Compensation Committee, the Nominating Committee
and
the Audit Committee are independent, as such term is defined by Section 121.A
of
the American Stock Exchange listing standards. The Board of Directors does
not
currently have an “audit committee financial expert,” within the meaning of
applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, serving on
its
Audit Committee. The Board of Directors believes that one or more members of
the
Audit Committee satisfy the financial sophistication requirement of the American
Stock Exchange and are capable of (i) understanding generally accepted
accounting principles (“GAAP”) and financial statements; (ii) assessing the
application of GAAP in connection with our accounting for estimates, accruals
and reserves; (iii) analyzing and evaluating our financial statements;
(iv) understanding our internal controls and procedures for financial
reporting; and (v) understanding audit committee functions, all of which
are attributes of an audit committee financial expert. However, the Board of
Directors believes that these members may not have obtained these attributes
through the experience specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s
rules with respect to audit committee financial experts, and therefore, may
not
qualify to serve in that role.
Please
see the Compensation Committee Report and Compensation Discussion and Analysis
set forth elsewhere in this proxy statement for a discussion about the processes
and procedures adopted by the Compensation Committee for the consideration
and
determination of executive and director compensation.
The
Audit
Committee held 8 meetings, the Compensation Committee held 4 meetings and the
Nominating Committee held no meetings during the year ended December 31,
2006. There were 22 meetings of the Board of Directors in 2006. Each of the
incumbent directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total
number of meetings of the Board of Directors held during the year ended
December 31, 2006 and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all
committees of the Board on which he or she served during the year ended
December 31, 2006, except for Mr. Alan J. Dalby, who attended 1 of the
9 meetings of the Board and committees of the Board held until his resignation
in July 2006. The Board has adopted a written charter for the Audit
Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee. These
written charters are available on our website at www.alteon.com.
Director
Nomination Process
The
Nominating Committee reviews the qualifications of candidates and proposes
nominees to serve as directors on our Board of Directors and nominees for
membership on Board committees. It is the Nominating Committee’s policy to
consider potential candidates for Board membership recommended by its members,
management, stockholders and others. The Nominating Committee has not
established any specific minimum qualifications that must be met for a
recommendation for a position on the Board of Directors. Instead, the Nominating
Committee conducts appropriate and necessary inquiries into the backgrounds
and
qualifications of possible candidates for nomination to the Board of Directors
giving due consideration to such criteria, including without limitation,
diversity, experience, skill set and the ability to act on behalf of
stockholders, as it believes appropriate and in the best interests of Alteon
and
its stockholders. All potential director candidates are evaluated based upon
the
same criteria, and the Nominating Committee makes no distinction in its
evaluation of candidates based upon whether such candidates are recommended
by
stockholders or others. Once the evaluation is complete, the Nominating
Committee recommends the nominees to the Board of Directors, which makes the
final determination. If a stockholder wishes to nominate a candidate to be
considered for election as a director at the 2008 annual meeting of stockholders
using the procedures set forth in our amended and restated by-laws, it must
follow the procedures described in “Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominees for
Director and Other Stockholder Proposals” set forth in our amended and restated
by-laws. If a stockholder wishes simply to propose a candidate for consideration
as a nominee by the Nominating Committee, it should follow the procedures set
forth in Appendix B, “Procedures for Shareholders Submitting Nominating
Recommendations,” to our Nominating Committee Charter, which is available on our
website at www.alteon.com.
Stockholder
Communications to the Board
Stockholders
and other parties interested in communicating directly with the Chairman or
with
the Board of Directors as a group may do so by writing to Chairman, Alteon
Inc.,
221 West Grand Avenue, Suite 200, Montvale, New Jersey 07645. All correspondence
received by Alteon and addressed to the Chairman is forwarded directly to the
Board of Directors.
Director
Attendance at Annual Meeting
Our
incumbent Directors, except for Ms. Tanner and Mr. Yetter, attended
our annual meeting of stockholders in 2006. Ms. Tanner and Mr. Yetter
were not serving on our Board of Directors at the time of our 2006 annual
meeting. Each Director is expected to dedicate sufficient time, energy and
attention to ensure the diligent performance of his or her duties, including
attending meetings of the stockholders, the Board and committees of which he
or
she is a member.
Executive
Officers
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding our executive officer
who is not also a director. We have employment agreements with Noah Berkowitz,
M.D., Ph.D., and Malcolm MacNab, M.D., Ph.D., the terms of which are described
elsewhere in this proxy statement.
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
|
|
|
|
|
Malcolm
W. MacNab, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
60
|
|
Vice
President, Clinical Development
|
Dr. MacNab
has
served as our Vice President, Clinical Development since July 2006.
Dr. MacNab received his M.D. and Ph.D. in vascular pharmacology from Temple
University in Philadelphia, and received post-graduate training in Internal
Medicine and Hematology at the Medical College of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining
Alteon, from 2004 to 2006, Dr. MacNab served as Vice President, Clinical
Development of HaptoGuard. From 1997 to 2004, Dr. MacNab served as the Vice
President of Cardiovascular and Metabolism Clinical Development and Medical
Affairs at Novartis, where he was instrumental in the development, approval
and
marketing of Diovan, an angiotensin receptor blocker used for the treatment
of
hypertension and heart failure, and Lotrel, a combination product for the
treatment of hypertension. Prior to Novartis, Dr. MacNab was Vice President
in Cardiovascular Development at CIBA Pharmaceuticals.
COMPENSATION
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Compensation
Discussion and Analysis
We
have
prepared the following Compensation Discussion and Analysis to provide you
with
information that we believe is necessary to understand our executive
compensation policies and decisions as they relate to the compensation of our
named executive officers.
We
have
developed and implemented compensation policies, plans and programs which
(1) provide a total compensation package that is intended to be competitive
with the compensation arrangements used by our peer companies within the
biotechnology industry, in order to enable us to attract and retain high-caliber
executive personnel, and (2) seek to align the financial interests of our
employees with those of our stockholders by relying heavily on long-term
incentive compensation, in the form of stock options, for which the number
of
shares to be granted is based on performance. To achieve these objectives,
the
Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has implemented compensation
plans that tie a portion of executive officers’ overall compensation to meeting
specific research, clinical, regulatory and operational goals. Because we
believe the performance of every employee is important to our success, we are
mindful of the effect our executive compensation and incentive programs have
on
all of our employees.
Our
management develops our compensation plans by analyzing publicly-available
compensation data for national and regional companies in the biotechnology
and
pharmaceutical industries that are at a similar size and stage of development
as
we are. We believe that the practices of this group of companies provide us
with
appropriate compensation benchmarks because these companies have similar
organizational structures and tend to compete with us for executives and other
key personnel in the clinical, financial and administrative areas, among others.
As part of the process of benchmarking executive compensation, we review
biopharmaceutical companies that have specified criteria that we believe will
give us the most accurate comparison, including market capitalization, revenue
and location of offices. Specifically, we conducted an analysis of proxy
statement information for comparable companies meeting the following criteria:
“Biopharmaceutical company, market capitalization of in a range of
$20 million to $200 million, little or no revenue and located on
either the East or West Coast.” Approximately 30 companies met these criteria.
Information on executive compensation from each of these companies was gathered
from their individual proxy statements and outlined for comparison. The
information gathered included annual base salary, annual cash bonus, and other
annual compensation and stock option grants. At the time at which our
analysis was conducted, our market capitalization was greater than
$20 million. It has since been reduced due to a decrease in our price per
share.
Based
on
an analysis of the data gathered, the average points of the data are calculated
and a comparison of our executive officers’ total compensation package,
including long-term stock options, is made. We believe that analyzing the
compensation packages of companies with whom we compete for talent enables
us to
create compensation packages that are fair and competitive to attract and retain
top talent. We have engaged an experienced consultant to help us analyze these
data and to compare our compensation programs with the practices of the
companies represented in the compensation data we review.
Based
on
management’s analyses and recommendations, the Compensation Committee has
approved a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy, which is intended to
bring base salaries and total executive compensation in line with approximately
the 50th percentile of the companies in our industry with a similar market
capitalization, financial status and geographic location, represented in the
compensation data we review.
We
work
within the framework of a pay-for-performance philosophy to determine each
component of an executive officer’s initial and ongoing compensation package
based on numerous factors, including:
|
·
|
the
individual’s particular background and circumstances, including prior
relevant work experience and depth of
experience;
|
|
·
|
the
individual’s role with us and the compensation paid to persons with
similar roles and responsibilities in the companies represented in
the
compensation data that we have
reviewed;
|
|
·
|
the
demand for individuals with the individual’s specific expertise and
experience at the time of hire;
|
|
·
|
performance
goals and other expectations for the
position;
|
|
·
|
comparison
to other executives within our company having similar levels of expertise
and experience; and
|
|
·
|
uniqueness
of industry skills.
|
The
Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors also has implemented an annual
performance management program, under which annual performance goals are
determined and set forth in writing at the beginning of each calendar year
for
the corporation as a whole and each individual employee. Annual corporate goals
are proposed by management and approved by the Compensation Committee and set
during the first quarter of each calendar year. These corporate goals
target the achievement of specific research, clinical, regulatory and
operational milestones. Annual individual goals focus on contributions that
are
expected to facilitate the achievement of the corporate goals and are set during
the first quarter of each calendar year. The Chief Executive Officer establishes
the individual goals for the executive officers who directly report to him.
The
Chief Executive Officer’s individual goals are approved by the Compensation
Committee. With respect to non-executive employees, individual goals are
proposed by the individual’s direct supervisor. Annual salary increases, annual
cash bonuses and annual stock option awards granted to employees are tied to
the
achievement of these corporate and each individual’s performance
goals.
At
the
end of each calendar year, we evaluate corporate and individual performance
against the written goals for the recently completed year. Consistent with
our compensation philosophy, the supervisor prepares a written evaluation of
the
employee’s performance, and receives input from other employees. The employee
then has the opportunity to evaluate him or herself. The supervisor and employee
meet to review and discuss the evaluation, with an emphasis on clear and strong
communication by both parties. This process leads to a recommendation for annual
employee salary increases, annual stock option awards and bonuses, if any,
which
are then reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee. The Chief
Executive Officer prepares written evaluations of the other executive officers
and gives such executive officers the opportunity to complete a written
self-evaluation. Both parties then meet to discuss the evaluations. The Chief
Executive Officer then submits recommendations to the Compensation Committee
for
salary increases, stock option awards and bonuses, if any. With respect to
the
Chief Executive Officer, corporate and individual goals for the upcoming year
are established by the Compensation Committee. The Chief Executive Officer’s
individual performance evaluation is conducted by the Compensation Committee,
which determines his compensation adjustments and awards. The performance review
process begins in October and concludes at the December meeting of our Board
of
Directors. For all employees, including our executive officers, annual base
salary increases, annual stock option awards and annual cash bonuses, to the
extent granted, are implemented during the fourth quarter of the calendar
year.
Compensation
Components
The
primary components of executive compensation include base salary and long-term
equity incentives in the form of stock options. We primarily rely on long-term
incentive compensation, in the form of stock options, to motivate the executive
officers and other employees. This allows us to retain cash for research and
development projects.
Executive
officers also are eligible to earn an annual cash incentive award, the amount
of
which is based upon (1) the position level of the executive officer, and
(2) the attainment of specific individual non-financial performance
objectives. The Committee sets these performance objectives at the beginning
of
the fiscal year.
The
components of our compensation package are as follows:
Base
Salary
Base
salaries for our executive officers are established based on the scope of their
responsibilities, their prior relevant background and depth of experience,
taking into account competitive market compensation paid by companies
represented in the compensation data we review for similar positions and the
overall market demand for such executives at the time of hire. As with total
executive compensation, we believe that executive officers’ base salaries should
generally target the average, or 50%, calculation of the range of salaries
for
executives in similar positions and responsibilities in the companies of similar
market capitalization, financial status, and geographic location to us
represented in the compensation data we review. An executive officer’s base
salary also is evaluated together with other components of the executive
officer’s compensation to ensure that the executive officer’s total compensation
is in line with our overall compensation philosophy. The average current salary,
based on approximately 30 comparable companies, for a President & CEO is
$361,377 and $252,925 for a Vice President in Clinical Development. Comparatives
were not completed for Kenneth I. Moch, Judith Hedstrom or Mary Phelan since
their relationship with the Company had terminated prior to our annual review
process.
The
Chief
Executive Officer is responsible for developing the annual salary plan for
our
other executive officers. This plan is presented for review and approval by
the
Compensation Committee. The compensation packages of comparable companies are
evaluated to determine whether and to what extent that compensation is
comparable
to the present compensation packages of the executive officers. Taking into
account this analysis and the above factors, the Chief Executive Officer is
able
to make a qualified decision regarding any increases to the executive officer’s
compensation. Other executive officers are responsible only for the compensation
decisions of the non-executive employees who directly report to
them.
The
same
criteria are used by the Compensation Committee in deciding the Chief Executive
Officer’s compensation. Data from comparable companies’ chief executive officers
is evaluated, along with factors such as level of responsibility, depth of
experience, achievement of goals and expected future contributions, before
making a final decision on the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation package.
Our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation is governed in part by the employment
agreement that he has entered into with us, which we assumed as part of the
merger that we engaged in with HaptoGuard in July 2006. Under that
agreement, Dr. Berkowitz is entitled to a base salary of $264,000 per
year.
Base
salaries are reviewed annually as part of our performance management program
and
increased for merit reasons, based on the executive officer’s success in meeting
or exceeding individual performance objectives and an assessment of whether
significant corporate goals were achieved. If necessary, we also realign base
salaries with market levels for the same positions in the companies of similar
market capitalization, financial status, and geographic location to us
represented in the compensation data we review, if we identify significant
market changes in our data analysis. Additionally, we may adjust base salaries
as warranted throughout the year for promotions or other changes in the scope
or
breadth of an executive officer’s role or responsibilities. The factors used for
setting compensation and decision making are the same factors used to evaluate
whether an executive officer’s compensation should be increased or
decreased.
Annual
Cash Bonus
Our
compensation program provides executive officers with the opportunity to earn
an
annual cash incentive award, the amount of which is based upon (1) the
position level of the executive officer, and (2) the attainment of specific
individual non-financial performance objectives. The Compensation Committee
sets
these performance objectives at the beginning of the fiscal year. Currently,
executive officers and certain senior non-executive employees may be eligible
for annual performance-based cash bonuses in amounts ranging from 15%-35% of
their base salaries, as set forth in their employment offer letters. In its
discretion, the Compensation Committee may, however, award bonus payments to
our
executive officers above or below the amounts specified in their respective
offer letters, depending on the achievement by the executive officers of
performance goals as set and determined by the Committee. As provided in his
employment agreement, our Chief Executive Officer is eligible for an annual
performance-based bonus of up to 35% of his annual base salary, the specific
amount of which, if any, will be determined by the Board of Directors or the
Compensation Committee in their sole discretion.
Performance
objectives for Dr. Berkowitz for the year ended December 31, 2006 included
achieving milestones in the development of the company’s lead compounds as well
as executing the merger of HaptoGuard, Inc. into Alteon which was completed
in
July 2006, expanding certain intellectual property rights to our licensed
compounds and seeking appropriate financing and partnership agreements to
advance the development of the company’s lead compounds.
Performance
objectives for Dr. MacNab focused on the design and implementation of research
and clinical programs to advance the development of the company’s lead
compounds. The specific plans were adjusted throughout the year due to limited
financial resources to fund programs and the rationalization of HaptoGuard
and
Alteon scientific programs following the merger. A key objective was the
initiation of a Phase II clinical trial for ALT - 2074, which was achieved.
The
Compensation Committee used its discretion to assess the overall performance
of
Dr. Berkowitz in achieving key 2006 objectives and awarded Dr. Berkowitz a
bonus
of 75% of his target award. The Compensation Committee considered Dr.
Berkowitz’s accomplishments in light of the significant changes that occurred
during the year including the HaptoGuard merger with Alteon. The Compensation
Committee can use its discretion to grant bonuses even if established
performance objectives are not met, but would consider mitigating circumstances
and other accomplishments achieved during the year that may not have been
anticipated when the objectives were established. The Compensation Committee
does embrace a “pay for performance” philosophy.
The
Compensation Committee also assessed the accomplishments of Dr. MacNab during
2006 and supported the recommendation of Dr. Berkowitz that Dr. MacNab be
awarded a bonus for 2006 at 50% of target.
Ms.
Phelan was granted a retention bonus in 2006.
Stock
Options
Initial
Stock Option Awards
Executive
officers who join us are awarded initial stock option grants. These grants
have
an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the
day
the grant is approved by the Compensation Committee and a four-year vesting
schedule with 25% of the shares vesting on the first anniversary of the date
of
hire and annually thereafter for the next three years. All options granted
to
employees follow this vesting schedule. The amount of the initial stock option
award is determined based on the executive’s position with us and analysis of
the competitive practices of companies of similar market capitalization,
financial status, and geographic location to us represented in the compensation
data we review with the goal of creating a total compensation package for new
employees that is competitive with other similarly situated biotechnology
companies and that we believe will enable us to attract high quality
people.
Annual
and Periodic Stock Option Awards
Our
practice is to make annual stock option awards part of our overall performance
management program. We intend that the annual aggregate value of these awards
will be set near competitive median levels for companies represented in the
compensation data we review. As is the case when the amounts of base salary
and
initial equity awards are determined, a review of all components of the
executive officer’s compensation is conducted when determining annual equity
awards to ensure that an executive officer’s total compensation conforms to our
overall philosophy and objectives.
The
Compensation Committee may also, in its discretion, grant periodic option awards
to our executive officers if it deems such awards to be warranted as a result
of
extraordinary service or achievements. For example, on November 1, 2006,
Dr. Malcolm MacNab was granted an option to purchase 1,000,000 shares of
our common stock in recognition of his significant contributions in developing
plans and strategy to support our clinical research projects during the 2006
fiscal year, as well as to target ownership of 1.5% of the Company. This was
the
only option grant made by us to one of our executive officers during the 2006
fiscal year.
In
determining the size of stock option grants to individual executives, the
Compensation Committee determines the type, amount, grant date and vesting
schedule for all grants of stock options to executive officers. The Compensation
Committee considers a number of factors, including the level of an executive
officer’s job responsibilities, the executive officer’s past performance, the
size and frequency of grants by comparable companies, the executive officer’s
salary level, the need to provide an incentive for the purpose of retaining
qualified personnel in light of our current conditions and prospects, the size
of any prior grants, and the achievement of designated milestones by the
executive officer.
All
stock
grants to executive officers, except the Chief Executive Officer, are proposed
by the Chief Executive Officer to the Compensation Committee for approval.
All
proposals of stock option grants to the Chief Executive Officer are made and
approved by our Compensation Committee. The terms of the initial stock option
grants to executive officers were incorporated into their employment
agreements.
Other
Compensation
Our
executive officers receive the same benefit package as our other employees,
which includes medical, dental, long-term disability, life insurance and a
401(k) plan with an employer contribution that matches 25% of the employee’s
contribution, up to 5% of his or her base salary.
Perquisites
for executive officers are limited to an annual car allowance that only the
Chief Executive Officer is eligible to receive in an amount of up to $1,000
per
month. Our Board of Directors and Compensation Committee believe that these
payments are appropriate as the Chief Executive Officer is required to travel
frequently in the conduct of significant business activities on our
behalf.
Termination
Based Compensation
Severance
Noah
Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.
President
and Chief Executive Officer
Upon
termination of employment, our Chief Executive Officer is entitled to receive
severance payments under his employment agreement. In determining whether to
approve and in setting the terms of severance arrangements, the Compensation
Committee recognizes that executive officers, especially highly ranked executive
officers, often face challenges securing new employment following termination.
Our Chief Executive Officer’s employment agreement provides for salary and
benefits for 12 months from the date of termination if his employment is
terminated without cause. In addition, the monthly vesting of his options shall
continue for an additional 12 months from such termination date. The
Compensation Committee approved the severance package based on the continuation
of the employment agreement that was assumed upon the merger with HaptoGuard,
Inc.
Malcolm
MacNab, M.D., Ph.D.
Vice
President, Clinical Development
Upon
termination of employment, Dr. MacNab is not entitled to receive severance
under his employment agreement. Dr. MacNab may exercise those options which
have vested up to 90 days following his termination.
Kenneth
I. Moch
Former
President and Chief Executive Officer
We
entered into a three-year amended and restated employment agreement with Kenneth
I. Moch, dated as of December 15, 2004. At meetings of our Board of
Directors held on November 4, 2005 and December 7, 2005, the Board
agreed that Mr. Moch should also be paid an amount equal to six months of
his then-current annual salary upon
the
closing of a strategic transaction or liquidation, in a manner that was designed
to maximize the tax benefit to Mr. Moch and us. Under the terms of an
amended and restated employment agreement, Mr. Moch served as our Chief
Executive Officer and was entitled to an annual salary for the 2006 fiscal
year
of $382,454 and a bonus of up to $150,000. Mr. Moch resigned as our
President and Chief Executive Officer on July 21, 2006, as a result of our
merger with HaptoGuard, Inc. In connection with his resignation, Mr. Moch
received a lump sum payment of $863,159, which represented 30 months of his
annual base salary under his employment agreement and change of control
arrangements. See “—Employment Agreements” and “Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change in Control” below.
Judith
S. Hedstrom
Former
Chief Operating Officer
We
entered into a three-year amended and restated employment agreement with Judith
S. Hedstrom, dated as of February 11, 2005. At meetings of our Board of
Directors held on November 4, 2005 and December 7, 2005, the Board
confirmed that Ms. Hedstrom would receive an amount equal to one year of
her then-current annual salary if she was terminated without cause prior to
a
change in control transaction. Further, the Board agreed to offer her a
consulting contract for three months following her termination, under which
she
would be available to us for up to 15 days during that period.
Ms. Hedstrom’s compensation under this agreement was an extension of her
right, set forth in her employment agreement, to exercise her stock options
for
a two-year period commencing on April 30, 2006. The Board also agreed that
she would remain entitled to receive benefits allocated to her under the Change
in Control Severance Plan (discussed below) upon a change in control.
Ms. Hedstrom resigned as our Chief Operating Officer on January 31,
2006. In connection with her resignation, Ms. Hedstrom received a lump sum
payment of $294,088 on January 31, 2006 pursuant to her employment
agreement and received a lump sum payment of $293,202 on July 21, 2006, in
connection with her change of control arrangements as a result of our merger
with HaptoGuard, Inc. See “—Employment Agreements” and “Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change in Control” below.
Severance
and Change in Control Arrangements
In
February 1996, we adopted the Alteon Inc. Change in Control Severance
Benefits Plan (“Change in Control Severance Plan”) to protect and retain
qualified employees and to encourage their full attention, free from
distractions caused by personal uncertainties and risks in the event of a
pending or threatened change in control. The Change in Control Severance Plan
provided for severance benefits to certain employees upon certain terminations
of employment after or in connection with a change in control as defined in
the
Change in Control Severance Plan. Following a qualifying termination that
occurred as a result of a change in control, our executive officers would be
entitled to continuation of (1) their base salary for a period of 24
months, and (2) all benefit programs and plans providing for health and
insurance benefits for a period of up to 18 months. In addition, upon a change
in control, all outstanding unexercisable stock options held by certain
employees that were participants in the Change in Control Severance Plan would
become exercisable. The Change in Control Severance Plan was terminated in
November 2005. However, as described above, such provisions remained in
effect for Mr. Moch and Ms. Hedstrom pursuant to the terms of their
employment agreements.
Acceleration
of Vesting of Stock Option Awards
Pursuant
to our stock option agreement with Dr. MacNab, in the event of a change in
control, as defined in his agreement, any portion of Dr. MacNab’s options
which are not vested and exercisable, shall vest and become exercisable
immediately prior to a change in control. See “—Employment Agreements” and
“Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” below.
Conclusion
We
believe that to attract, motivate and retain high-performing executives a
competitive base salary and stock option package are necessary for top
performance and attainment of long-term goals. We believe that our compensation
policies are designed to accomplish these goals and to ultimately reward our
key
personnel for outstanding individual and corporate performance.
EXECUTIVE
COMPENSATION
Summary
Compensation Table
The
following table shows the total compensation paid or accrued during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2006 to (1) our Chief Executive Officer,
(2) our Vice President of Clinical Development, (3) our former Chief
Executive Officer and (4) two other former executive officers who earned
more than $100,000 during the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006.
Name
and Principal Position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
Option
Awards
($)
|
|
All Other
Compensation
($)
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noah
Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
2006
|
|
240,000
|
|
54,000
|
(1)
|
—
|
|
3,558
|
(2)
|
297,558
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Malcolm
W. MacNab, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
2006
|
|
240,000
|
|
36,000
|
(3)
|
58,206
|
(4)
|
—
|
|
334,206
|
Vice
President, Clinical Development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth
I. Moch
|
|
2006
|
|
230,934
|
(5)
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
883,863
|
(6)
|
1,114,797
|
Former
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Judith
S. Hedstrom
|
|
2006
|
|
40,761
|
(7)
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
604,190
|
(8)
|
644,951
|
Former
Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mary
Phelan
|
|
2006
|
|
68,785
|
(9)
|
28,000
|
(10)
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
96,785
|
Former
Director of Finance and Financial Reporting
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
——————
(1)
|
Represents
a cash bonus for performance during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006, which was paid in
2007.
|
(2)
|
Represents
an expense for a car allowance.
|
(3)
|
Represents
a cash bonus for performance during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006, which was paid in
2007.
|
(4)
|
Represents
the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, in accordance with FAS
123(R), of awards pursuant to the stock option program. Assumptions
used
in the calculations of this amount are included in Note 9 - Stockholders’
Equity to our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2006 included in our Annual Report on Form
10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22,
2007.
|
(5)
|
Mr. Moch
resigned as our President and Chief Executive Officer on July 21,
2006.
|
(6)
|
Represents
(i) a lump sum payment of $863,159 representing 30 months of
Mr. Moch’s annual base salary under his employment agreement and
change in control arrangements paid on July 21, 2006, as a result of
our merger with HaptoGuard, Inc., (ii) COBRA coverage in the amount
of $10,200, (iii) car allowance of $5,504, and (iv) matching 401(k)
contribution of $5,000.
|
(7)
|
Ms. Hedstrom
resigned as our Chief Operating Officer on January 31,
2006.
|
(8)
|
Represents
(i) a lump sum payment of $294,088 paid on January 31, 2006
under Ms. Hedstrom’s employment agreement, (ii) a lump sum
payment of $293,202 paid on July 21, 2006 under Ms. Hedstrom’s
change in control arrangements, as a result of our merger with HaptoGuard,
Inc., (iii) COBRA coverage in the amount of $11,900, and
(iv) matching 401(k) contribution of
$5,000.
|
(9)
|
Ms. Phelan
resigned from her position with us on May 31,
2006.
|
(10)
|
Represents
a retention bonus.
|
2006
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
The
following table shows information regarding grants of non-equity incentive
plan
awards and grants of equity awards that we made during the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006 to each of the executive officers named in the Summary
Compensation Table.
Name
|
|
Grant
Date
|
|
All Other
Option Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)
|
|
Exercise
or
Base
Price
of Option
Awards ($/Sh)
(1)
|
|
Grant
Date
Fair
Value
of
Stock and
Option Awards
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noah
Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
President
and Chief
Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Malcolm
W. MacNab, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
11/1/2006
|
|
1,000,000(3)
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
Vice
President, Clinical Development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth
I. Moch
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
Former
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Judith
S. Hedstrom
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
Former
Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mary
Phelan
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
Former
Director of Finance and Financial
Reporting
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
——————
(1)
|
The
Company’s 2005 Stock Option Plan as amended on July 19, 2006 provides
that the exercise price shall be determined by using the fair market
value
of the Company’s common stock, which is defined under the 2005 Stock
Option Plan as the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date
of grant, as determined by our board of
directors.
|
(2)
|
Represents
the grant date fair value in accordance with FAS 123(R). Assumptions
used
in this calculation are included in Note 9 - Stockholders’ Equity to our
audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22,
2007.
|
(3)
|
Represents
annual stock option grant as part of annual compensation for performance
during 2006.
|
Employment
Agreements
Noah
Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.
President
and Chief Executive Officer
On
February 1, 2007, we entered into an amendment to Dr. Berkowitz’s
Employment Agreement dated March 1, 2005. Pursuant to the amendment,
Dr. Berkowitz is entitled to receive an annual base salary of $264,000. He
is also eligible to receive an annual cash bonus in an amount up to 35% of
his
annual base salary, based upon the achievement of certain milestones and
objectives. The percentage amount associated with each of these milestones
will
be established in the first quarter of the year by the Compensation Committee.
Dr. Berkowitz also receives a car allowance in the amount of $1,000 per
month.
Dr. Berkowitz
is entitled to certain benefits in connection with a termination of his
employment or a change in control discussed below under “—Potential Payments
Upon Termination of Change in Control.”
Malcolm
MacNab, M.D., Ph.D.
Vice
President, Clinical Development
The
Board
of Directors has amended Dr. MacNab’s Employment Agreement dated
February 7, 2005. Pursuant to this amendment, in lieu of an increase in
base salary, which will remain at $240,000 per year, we are obligated to pay
travel expenses to our offices in New Jersey from his home in Massachusetts.
He
is still eligible to receive an annual cash bonus in an amount up to 30% of
his
annual base salary. One-half of his bonus is dependent on the achievement of
corporate milestones and one-half of his bonus is dependent on the achievement
of individual milestones. The annual milestones, as well as the specified
percentage of the total bonus of each specific milestone, shall be established
by the Chief Executive Officer and/or the Board of Directors.
On
November 1, 2006, Dr. MacNab received an option to purchase 1,000,000
shares of common stock which was based on targeting 1.5% ownership of the
Company on a fully diluted basis. The fair value of this award using the
Black-Scholes model is $142,100. These options will vest and become exercisable
in four equal annual installments commencing on January 1, 2007 until fully
vested.
Dr. MacNab
is entitled to certain benefits in a change in control discussed below under
“—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.”
Kenneth
I. Moch
Former
President and Chief Executive Officer
On
December 15, 2004, we entered into an Amended and Restated Employment
Agreement with Mr. Moch. The term of the Employment Agreement was for a
period of three years, terminating on December 31, 2007. As our President
and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Moch was entitled to receive an annual
base salary of $382,454 and an annual bonus amount of up to $150,000 dependent
on the attainment of stated goals and objectives by the Compensation
Committee.
Mr. Moch
resigned as our President and Chief Executive Officer on July 21, 2006, as
a result of our merger with HaptoGuard, Inc. According to Mr. Moch’s
Employment Agreement, because he was terminated without cause prior to the
termination of his Employment Agreement, he was entitled to a base salary amount
equal to his then current annual salary in equal installments over a 12-month
period. In addition, we entered into a consulting agreement with him for a
period of 12 months for an annual consulting fee equal to one-half of his annual
salary at the time of his termination of employment. In addition, we amended
the
terms of his stock option grant agreements to provide that all options which
are
vested on the effective date of the termination of his employment are
exercisable until the earlier of the expiration date set forth in the stock
option grant agreement (without regard to the effect of the termination of
his
employment on the term of the option) or the second anniversary of the effective
date of his resignation from the Board of Directors. After resigning from our
Board of Directors, Mr. Moch provided strategic advisory services to the
Company, focused, in particular on financing activities, for which he was paid
an aggregate of $60,000 in the first and second quarters of 2007.
Mr. Moch
is entitled to certain benefits in connection with a termination of his
employment or a change in control discussed below under “—Potential Payments
Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.”
Judith
S. Hedstrom
Former
Chief Operating Officer
On
February 11, 2005, we entered into an Amended and Restated Employment
Agreement with Ms. Hedstrom. The term of the Employment Agreement was for a
period of three years, terminating on February 11, 2008. As the Company’s
Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Hedstrom was entitled to receive an annual
base salary of $300,000 and an annual bonus amount of up to $75,000 dependent
on
the attainment of stated goals and objectives by the Compensation
Committee.
Ms. Hedstrom
resigned as Chief Operating Officer on January 31, 2006. Pursuant to
Ms. Hedstrom’s Employment Agreement, because she was terminated without
cause prior to the termination of the Employment Agreement, she was entitled
to
receive her base salary amount equal to her then current annual salary in equal
installment over a twelve-month period. For a period of 18 months following
the
effective date of the termination of employment, we will provide her with
all health, dental and hospital insurance benefits to which she is entitled
under the federal law, without cost, as long as reasonable comparable coverage
is not provided to her by another person
or
entity with which she has commenced employment. In addition, we amended the
terms of her stock option grant agreements to provide that all options which
are
vested on the effective date of the termination of her employment are
exercisable until the earlier of the expiration date set forth in the stock
option grant agreement (without regard to the effect of the termination of
her
employment on the term of the option) or the second anniversary of the effective
date of the termination of her employment.
Ms. Hedstrom
is entitled to certain benefits in connection with a termination of her
employment or a change in control discussed below under “—Potential Payments
Upon Termination or Change-in-Control.”
In
addition to provisions in the above-described agreements requiring each
individual to maintain the confidentiality of our information and assign
inventions to us, the above named executive officers have agreed that during
the
terms of their agreements and for one year thereafter, they will not compete
with us by engaging in any capacity in any business that is competitive with
our
business.
401(k)
Plan
We
have a
tax-qualified employee savings and retirement plan (the “401(k) Plan”) covering
all of our employees. Pursuant to the 401(k) Plan, employees may elect to reduce
their current compensation by up to the statutorily prescribed annual limit,
which was $15,000 in 2006, and have the amount of such reduction contributed
to
the 401(k) Plan. The 401(k) Plan does not require that we make additional
matching contributions to the 401(k) Plan on behalf of participants in the
401(k) Plan. However, in 1998, we began making discretionary contributions
at a
rate of 25% of employee contributions up to a maximum of 5% of their base
salary. Contributions by employees to the 401(k) Plan and income earned on
such
contributions are not taxable to employees until the contributions are withdrawn
from the 401(k) Plan. The Trustees under the 401(k) Plan invest the assets
of
the 401(k) Plan at the direction of each participant.
Outstanding
Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The
following table shows grants of stock options and grants of unvested stock
awards outstanding on the last day of the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006, including both awards subject to performance conditions and
non-performance-based awards, to each of the executive officers named in the
Summary Compensation Table.
Option
Awards
Name
|
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
|
|
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
|
|
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
|
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noah
Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Malcolm
W. MacNab, M.D., Ph.D.
|
|
—
|
|
1,000,000
|
(1)
|
0.15
|
|
11/1/2016
|
Vice
President, Clinical Development
|
|
528,150
|
|
528,150
|
(2)
|
0.16
|
|
2/07/2015
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth
I. Moch
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
Former
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Judith
S. Hedstrom
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
Former
Chief Operating Officer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mary
Phelan
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
Former
Director of Finance and Financial
Reporting
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
——————
(1)
|
The
options will vest and become exercisable in four equal annual installments
commencing on January 1, 2007 until fully
vested.
|
(2)
|
The
option vested and will continue to vest semi-annually over three
years
commencing on February 7,
2005.
|
Option
Exercises and Stock Vested
There
were no exercises of stock options held by the executive officers named in
the
Summary Compensation Table during the fiscal year ended December 31,
2006.
Pension
Benefits
We
do not
have any qualified or non-qualified defined benefit plans.
Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation
We
do not
have any qualified or non-qualified defined benefit plans.
Potential
Payments upon Termination or Change-In-Control
Noah
Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.,
President
and Chief Executive Officer
Our
employment agreement with Dr. Berkowitz provides for two types of
terminations:
|
·
|
“Termination
of Employment by the Company.” In the event that Dr. Berkowitz is
terminated due to “Disability,” we are obligated to pay his salary and
benefits for 12 months following the date of termination in equal,
monthly
installments. For a termination constituting “Cause,” we are obligated to
pay only his accrued and unpaid salary and benefits through the date
of
such termination. All unvested options on the termination date will
be
cancelled. In the event of a termination “Without Cause” is determined by
a majority vote by the Board of Directors, Dr. Berkowitz is entitled
to receive his salary and benefits for a period of 12 months after
the
termination date. In addition, the monthly vesting of his options
shall
continue for an additional 12 months from the termination date. If
Dr. Berkowitz had been terminated under the above circumstance on
December 31, 2006, he would have been eligible to receive an
aggregate of approximately $242,400, which is inclusive of his annual
salary and life insurance premium
benefit.
|
|
·
|
“Termination
of Employment by the Executive.” Dr. Berkowitz may choose to resign
from his position for “Good Reason.” Events that qualify as “Good Reason”
include (i) a change in his title or responsibilities, (ii) our
failure to provide executive salary or benefits, or (iii) the
relocation of our primary office to a location, or the requirement
to
perform a majority of his duties at any location to which the commute
time
exceeds one hour and fifteen minutes. If Dr. Berkowitz elects to
terminate his employment due to event (i) or (ii), we are obligated
to pay his salary and benefits for a period of 12 months after the
termination date. The monthly vesting of his options shall continue
for an
additional 12 months from the termination date. If he elects to terminate
his employment due to event (iii), we would be obligated to pay his
salary
and benefits for a period of six months after the termination date.
If
Dr. Berkowitz had been terminated under the above circumstance on
December 31, 2006, he would have been eligible to receive an
aggregate of approximately $121,200, which is inclusive of six months
of
salary and life insurance premium benefit. The monthly vesting of
his
options shall continue for an additional six months from the termination
date.
|
If
Dr. Berkowitz elects to terminate his employment for any other reason than
those stated above, his employment agreement will terminate immediately and
he
would receive the accrued and unpaid salary benefits through the date of such
termination.
Malcolm
MacNab, M.D., Ph.D.,
Vice
President, Clinical Development
Pursuant
to our Stock Option Grant Agreement with Dr. MacNab dated November 1,
2006, upon a change in control, any portion of Dr. MacNab’s options, which
are not vested and exercisable, shall vest and become exercisable immediately
prior to a change in control. As defined in the Stock Option Grant Agreement,
a
change in control shall be deemed to occur if (i) we are merged with or
into or consolidated with another corporation or other entity under
circumstances where our stockholders immediately prior to such merger or
consolidation do not own after such merger or consolidation shares representing
at least 50% of the voting power of us or the surviving or resulting corporation
or other entity, as the case may be, or (ii) we are liquidated, sell or
otherwise dispose of substantially all of our assets to another corporation
or
entity, or (iii) any person (as such term is used in Sections 13(d)
and
14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)
becomes the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act) of 40% or more of our common stock other than pursuant to a plan
or arrangement entered into by such person and us or otherwise approved by
our
Board of Directors, or (iv) during any period of two consecutive years,
individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the entire Board
of
Directors shall cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board
unless the election or nomination for election by our stockholders of each
new
director was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then
still in office who were directors at the beginning of the period. If
Dr. MacNab had been terminated under the above circumstance on
December 31, 2006, he would have been eligible to purchase 2,056,300 shares
of common stock subject to options.
Kenneth
I. Moch, Former President and Chief Executive Officer
Judith
S. Hedstrom, Former Chief Operating Officer
In
February 1996, we adopted the Alteon Inc. Change in Control Severance
Benefits Plan (the “Change in Control Severance Plan”) to protect and retain
qualified employees and to encourage their full attention, free from
distractions caused by personal uncertainties and risks in the event of a
pending or threatened change in control. The Change in Control Severance Plan
provided for severance benefits to certain employees upon certain terminations
of employment after or in connection with a change in control as defined in
the
Change in Control Severance Plan. Following a qualifying termination that occurs
as a result of a change in control, these employees would have been entitled
to
continuation of (i) their base salary for a period of 24 months, and
(ii) all benefit programs and plans providing for health and insurance
benefits for a period of up to 18 months. In addition, upon a change in control,
all outstanding unexercisable stock options held by certain employees who were
participants in the Change in Control Severance Plan would have become
exercisable. The Change in Control Severance Plan was terminated in
November 2005. However, such provisions remained in effect for
Mr. Moch and Ms. Hedstrom pursuant to the terms of their employment
agreements.
Director
Compensation
The
following table shows the total compensation paid or accrued during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2006 to each of our directors who were in office
during 2006.
Name
|
|
Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)
|
|
Stock
Awards
($)(1)
|
|
Option
Awards
($)(2)
|
|
Total
($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Noah
Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.(3)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
Edwin
Bransome, M.D.(4)
|
|
$
|
9,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
9,000
|
Marilyn
Breslow(5)
|
|
$
|
20,000
|
|
$
|
3,573
|
|
$
|
2,708
|
|
$
|
26,281
|
Alan
Dalby(6)
|
|
$
|
3,500
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
3,500
|
David
K. McCurdy(7)
|
|
$
|
6,500
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
6,500
|
Kenneth
I. Moch(8)
|
|
$
|
7,000
|
|
$
|
3,616
|
|
$
|
2,708
|
|
$
|
13,324
|
Thomas
A. Moore(9)
|
|
$
|
19,000
|
|
$
|
3,616
|
|
$
|
2,708
|
|
$
|
25,324
|
George
Naimark, Ph.D.(10)
|
|
$
|
17,500
|
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
2,708
|
|
$
|
20,208
|
Mark
Novitch, M.D.(11)
|
|
$
|
8,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
8,000
|
Mary
C. Tanner
|
|
$
|
11,500
|
|
$
|
3,573
|
|
$
|
21,121
|
(12)
|
$
|
36,194
|
Wayne
Yetter(13)
|
|
$
|
9,000
|
|
$
|
3,573
|
|
$
|
2,708
|
|
$
|
15,281
|
——————
(1)
|
Represents
the closing price of our common stock on the American Stock Exchange
on
July 19, 2006, for 160,000 shares granted in the form of restricted
stock on July 19, 2006 to each non-employee director, the grant date
fair value of which was $24,000, in accordance with FAS 123(R).
Assumptions used in the calculation are included in Note 9 - Stockholders’
Equity to our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2006 included in our Annual Report on Form
10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22,
2007.
|
(2)
|
Represents
the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 in accordance with FAS
123(R), the grant date fair value of which was $12,526. Assumptions
used
in the calculation are included in Note 9 - Stockholders’ Equity to our
audited consolidated financial
statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 included in
our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on March 22, 2007.
|
(3)
|
Dr. Berkowitz,
our President and Chief Executive Officer, receives no compensation
for
his services as Director.
|
(4)
|
Dr. Bransome
resigned effective July 19, 2006. As of December 31, 2006, there
were outstanding options to purchase 120,000 shares of common stock
issued
to Dr. Bransome.
|
(5)
|
As
of December 31, 2006, there were outstanding 160,000 shares of
restricted stock and options to purchase 244,867 shares of common
stock
issued to Ms. Breslow.
|
(6)
|
Mr. Dalby
resigned effective July 19, 2006. As of December 31, 2006, there
were outstanding options to purchase 142,400 shares of common stock
issued
to Mr. Dalby.
|
(7)
|
Mr. McCurdy
resigned effective July 19, 2006. As of December 31, 2006, there
were outstanding options to purchase 166,067 shares of common stock
issued
to Mr. McCurdy.
|
(8)
|
Mr. Moch
resigned effective February 5, 2007. As of December 31, 2006,
there were outstanding 160,000 shares of restricted stock and options
to
purchase 2,792,000 shares of common stock issued to
Mr. Moch.
|
(9)
|
As
of December 31, 2006, there were outstanding 160,000 shares of
restricted stock and options to purchase 185,000 shares of common
stock
issued to Mr. Moore.
|
(10)
|
Dr. Naimark
resigned effective November 17, 2006. As of December 31, 2006,
there were outstanding options to purchase 133,337 shares of common
stock
issued to Dr. Naimark.
|
(11)
|
Dr. Novitch
resigned effective July 19, 2006. As of December 31, 2006, there
were outstanding options to purchase 416,067 shares of common stock
issued
to Dr. Novitch.
|
(12)
|
Represents
the dollar amount recognized for financial statement reporting purposes
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 in accordance with FAS
123(R), the grant date fair value of which was $79,394. Assumptions
used
in the calculation are included in Note 9 - Stockholders’ Equity to our
audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2007. As of
December 31, 2006, there were outstanding 160,000 shares of
restricted stock and options to purchase 1,271,300 shares of common
stock
issued to Ms. Tanner.
|
(13)
|
As
of December 31, 2006, there were outstanding 160,000 shares of
restricted stock and options to purchase 442,100 shares of common
stock
issued to Mr. Yetter.
|
Director
Compensation Policy
All
of
our Board of Directors are reimbursed for their expenses for each Board meeting
attended. Directors who are not also compensated as our employees receive $1,500
per Board meeting attended in person and $1,000 for each Board meeting attended
by telephone.
Pursuant
to the Alteon 2005 Stock Plan, as amended on July 19, 2006, non-employee
directors also receive, upon the date of their election or re-election to the
Board and on the dates of the next two annual meetings of stockholders (subject
to their continued service on the Board of Directors), a stock option to
purchase 20,000 shares of our common stock (subject to adjustment if they
received stock options upon appointment to the Board between annual meetings
of
stockholders to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship) at an exercise
price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant.
Each of these options will vest and become exercisable upon completion of one
full year of service and shall have a term of ten years regardless of whether
the director ceases to be a director.
Following
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on July 19, 2006, each member of
the Board of Directors received a stock option to purchase 70,000 shares of
our
common stock at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common
stock on the date of grant which will vest and become exercisable over a period
of three years in three annual installments of 23,000, 23,000 and 24,000
options, respectively, until fully vested, each on the anniversary of the date
of grant.
In
addition, each member of the Board of Directors also received 160,000 shares
of
our common stock with a lapsing repurchase right and annual vesting over three
years on the anniversary of the grant date until fully vested at a purchase
price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant.
The
Chairman of the Audit Committee receives $1,000 per meeting attended and the
other members of the Audit Committee receive $250 per meeting
attended.
Equity
Compensation Plan Information
The
following table provides certain aggregate information with respect to all
of
our equity compensation plans in effect as of December 31,
2006.
Plan
Category
|
|
Number of
Securities to be
Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
|
|
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
of Outstanding
Options,
Warrants
and Rights
|
|
Number of
Securities
Remaining Available
For Future Issuance
Under Existing Equity
Compensation Plans
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by security holders(1)
|
|
10,790,137
|
|
$
|
1.25
|
|
5,186,200
|
Equity
compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
Total
|
|
10,790,137
|
|
$
|
1.25
|
|
5,186,200
|
——————
(1)
|
These
plans consist of our Amended and Restated 1987 Stock Option Plan,
our
Amended 1995 Stock Option Plan and our 2005 Stock Plan as amended
on
July 19, 2006.
|
Indemnification;
Directors’
and Officers’ Insurance
The
Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate,
subject to certain conditions, the personal liability of directors to
corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breach of their
fiduciary duties. Our restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws
limit the liability of our directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware
law.
We
have
obtained director and officer liability insurance to cover liabilities our
directors and officers may incur in connection with their services to us,
including matters arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
“Securities Act”). Our restated certificate of incorporation and restated bylaws
also provide that we will indemnify any of our directors and officers who,
by
reason of the fact that he or she is one of our officers or directors, is
involved in a legal proceeding of any nature. We will repay certain expenses
incurred by a director or officer in connection with any civil or criminal
action or proceeding, specifically including actions by us or in our name
(derivative suits). Such indemnifiable expenses include, to the maximum extent
permitted by law, attorneys’ fees, judgments, civil or criminal fines,
settlement amounts and other expenses customarily incurred in connection with
legal proceedings. A director or officer will not receive indemnification if
he
or she is found not to have acted in good faith and in a manner he or she
reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interest. We believe
that these provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and retain
qualified persons as directors and officers.
Such
limitation of liability and indemnification does not affect the availability
of
equitable remedies. In addition, we have been advised that in the opinion of
the
Securities and Exchange Commission, indemnification for liabilities arising
under the Securities Act is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and is therefore unenforceable.
There
is
no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers,
employees or agents in which indemnification will be required or permitted.
We
are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in
a
claim for such indemnification.
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
The
Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has reviewed and discussed
the
Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation
S-K,
which appears elsewhere in this proxy statement, with our management. Based
on
this review and discussion, the Committee has recommended to the Board of
Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in our
proxy
statement.
|
Compensation
Committee |
|
Wayne P. Yetter |
|
Thomas A.
Moore |
AUDIT
COMMITTEE REPORT
The
Audit
Committee’s powers and responsibilities and the qualifications required of each
of its members are set forth in the Audit Committee Charter, which is available
on our website at www.alteon.com.
Responsibilities
The
primary function of the Audit Committee is to oversee Alteon’s accounting and
financial reporting processes, the audits of its financial statements and
internal controls over financial reporting. Management is solely responsible
for
the financial statements and the financial reporting process, including the
system of internal controls, and has represented to the Audit Committee and
the
Board of Directors that the financial statements discussed below were prepared
in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of America appropriate in the circumstances and necessarily include some amounts
based on management’s estimates and judgments. Alteon’s independent registered
public accounting firm is responsible for auditing those financial statements
and expressing an opinion on the conformity of these financial statements,
in
all material respects, with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America.
Independence
As
required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, as adopted by the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3600T, Alteon’s independent
registered public accounting firm, J.H. Cohn LLP (“J.H. Cohn”) has disclosed to
the Audit Committee any relationships between it (and its related entities)
and
Alteon (and its related entities), which, in J.H. Cohn’s professional judgment,
may reasonably be thought to affect its ability to be independent. In addition,
J.H. Cohn has discussed its independence with the Audit Committee and confirmed
in a letter to the Audit Committee that, in its professional judgment, it is
independent of Alteon within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Recommendation
Acting
pursuant to its Charter, the Audit Committee has reviewed Alteon’s audited
annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31,
2006 and the related report of J.H. Cohn, and has discussed the audited
financial statements and report with management and with the independent
registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee has also discussed with
management and the independent registered public accounting firm the matters
required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended,
as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T.
These
matters include significant accounting policies, management judgments and
accounting estimates, management’s consultation with other accountants, and any
difficulties encountered in performing the audit, significant audit adjustments
or disagreements with management. Based on the review and discussions described
above, the Audit Committee recommended to Alteon’s Board of Directors that the
audited consolidated financial statements be included in Alteon’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 for filing with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
|
|
Audit
Committee |
|
|
|
Marilyn G. Breslow |
|
|
|
Thomas A. Moore |
|
|
|
Mary Tanner |
|
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The
persons who served as members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors during 2006 were Alan J. Dalby, Edwin D. Bransome, Jr., M.D., Marilyn
G. Breslow, David K. McCurdy, Thomas A. Moore, George M. Naimark, Ph.D., Mark
Novitch, M.D and Wayne P. Yetter. None of the members of the Compensation
Committee was an officer, former officer or employee of ours or had any
relationship with us that requires disclosure under Item 404 of the Securities
and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-K.
SECTION
16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our officers
and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our
equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership on
Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Officers,
directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by Securities and
Exchange Commission regulation to furnish us with copies of all Forms 3, 4
and
5, and any amendments thereto, they file.
Based
solely on our review of the copies of such forms we have received and written
representations from certain reporting persons that they were not required
to
file Forms 5 for specified fiscal years, we believe that all of our officers,
directors, and greater than 10% beneficial owners complied with all filing
requirements applicable to them with respect to transactions in our equity
securities during fiscal year 2006.
CERTAIN
RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Our
Audit
Committee reviews and approves, in advance, all related party
transactions.
In
a
private placement conducted in September 2006, Ms. Tanner, a member of
our Board of Directors, purchased 800,333 shares of our common stock and
warrants to purchase 800,333 shares of our common stock that are exercisable
beginning six months after September 13, 2006 for a period of five years
for $0.1875 per share, at an aggregate purchase price of $120,050. Such
transaction was approved by our entire Board of Directors. The closing price
per
share of the Company’s common stock on the day immediately prior to such sale as
reported on AMEX, was $0.16.
PROPOSAL
1
INCREASE
IN THE AGGREGATE NUMBER OF SHARES
AVAILABLE
UNDER THE ALTEON 2005 STOCK PLAN
Our
Board
of Directors is asking you to approve an amendment to the Alteon 2005 Stock
Plan
(the “Plan”), which is a condition for us to close the Financing. The amendment
provides for an increase in the number of shares available for issuance under
the Plan from 10,000,000 shares, as presently constituted, to the sum of
13,000,000 plus 10% of the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued
in the Financing. We anticipate issuing 500,000,000 shares (prior to the
implementation of the reverse stock split as discussed elsewhere in this proxy
statement) of Series B Preferred Stock in the Financing, so we are asking that
you approve an amendment to the Plan to increase the number of shares available
for issuance under the Plan from 10,000,000 to 63,000,000. As of May 24, 2007,
approximately 5,186,200 shares remain available for the grant of options and
other stock-based awards in the future if the proposed amendment to the Plan
is
not approved.
The
fundamental objective of our compensation policy remains the attraction and
retention of highly qualified persons to serve as directors, officers, key
employees and consultants. This objective is balanced against, and is strongly
influenced by, our need to preserve our cash resources. Therefore, we have
traditionally considered options and other equity incentives to be an important
element of our overall compensation philosophy.
We
are
requesting that you approve the amendment to the Plan in order that the Company
may have sufficient shares available for the grant of stock-based awards in
the
future. We believe the increased number of shares we are asking you to approve
is necessary for the Company to be able to attract and retain executive officers
and key employees, directors and consultants while continuing the Company’s
policy of conserving its cash resources.
Accordingly,
the Board of Directors adopted the amendment to the Plan on April 6, 2007,
subject to stockholder approval. The affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the shares represented in person or by proxy at the annual meeting
is required to approve the amendment to the Plan. Below is a summary of the
principal provisions of the Plan and its operation. A copy of the Plan was
filed
as an Appendix to the proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2005 and is available on the Securities
and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. The following description of
the Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to that exhibit.
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Shares
Subject to Plan
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Upon
stockholder approval at the annual meeting, awards with respect to
a
maximum of up to 58,186,200 shares of common stock may be made under
the
Plan, as amended. Of that number of shares, the proposed amendment
would
add 53,000,000 shares to the 10,000,000 shares already approved,
of which
only approximately 5,186,200 remain available for the grant of new
options.
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Plan
Administration
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The
Plan is administered by the Board of Directors of Alteon, or a committee
thereof, as delegated by the Board of Directors. The administrator
will
have authority, subject to the terms of the Plan, to determine when
and to
whom to make grants under the Plan, the number of shares to be covered
by
the grants, the types and terms of options and other stock-based
award
granted, the exercise price of the shares of common stock covered
by
options granted and to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations
relating to the Plan. New options granted to non-employee directors
are
governed by the formula discussed below.
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Eligibility
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Certain
of our directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors may
be
granted options to purchase shares of our common stock under the
Plan. The
number of persons eligible to receive awards under the Plan is not
presently determinable.
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Transfer
of Awards
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Generally,
awards may not be transferred to another person, except by will or
the
laws of descent and distribution, or as approved by the
administrator.
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Termination
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Options
expire ten years from the option grant date, except that an incentive
stock option granted to an employee who is the holder of 10% or more
of
our outstanding shares expires five years from the option grant
date.
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Initial
Director Options
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Each
director who is not an employee of the Company is granted an option
to
purchase 20,000 shares on the date of each annual meeting of stockholders,
whether or not such director is up for election or reelection, so
long as
on such date, the director is serving as a director of Alteon. The
per
share exercise price of an option will be equal to the fair market
value
of a share of common stock on the grant date. Each option will vest,
and
be exercisable, upon completion of one full year of service on the
Board
of Directors, so long as on such date, the director is serving as
a
director of Alteon.
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General
Options
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Under
the Plan, incentive stock options (“ISOs”) within the meaning of Section
422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”),
nonqualified stock options (“NQSOs”) and other stock-based award may be
granted by the administrator to directors, employees and consultants
of
the Company and any of its Affiliates (as defined in the Plan), except
that ISOs may be granted only to employees of the Company and any
of its
subsidiaries. The per share purchase price (or “option price”) under each
option is established by the committee at the time the option is
granted.
However, the per share option price of an ISO granted to a participant
must be at least 100% of the fair market value of a share on the
date the
ISO is granted (110% in the case of an ISO granted to a holder of
10% or
more of our outstanding shares). Options will be exercisable at such
times
and in such installments as determined by the
administrator.
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Exercisability
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Options
generally may not be exercised more than three months after the option
holder ceases to provide services to the Company or an affiliate,
except
that in the event of the death or disability of the option holder,
the
option may be exercised by the holder (or the holder’s estate), for a
period of up to one year after the date of death or disability. The
agreements evidencing the grant of an option (other than an option
to a
non-employee director) may, in the discretion of the committee, set
forth
additional or different terms and conditions applicable to such option
upon a termination or change in status of the employment or service
of the
optionee. Options terminate immediately if the option holder’s service was
terminated for cause.
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Payment
of Exercise Price
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The
shares purchased upon the exercise of an option must be paid for
in cash
(including cash that may be received from the Company at the time
of
exercise as additional compensation) or through the delivery of other
shares of common stock with a value equal to the total option price
or in
a combination of cash and such shares, subject to the power of the
administrator to vary the payment arrangement, including delivery
of a
personal recourse note, to meet the tax needs of an individual non-U.S.
recipient if such variance does not change the substance of the
arrangement set forth herein insofar as it affects the Company. In
addition, the option holder may have the option price paid by a broker
or
dealer and the shares issued upon exercise of the option delivered
directly to the broker or dealer.
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Amendment
or Termination
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Our
Board of Directors has the power to terminate or amend the Plan at
any
time. If the Board of Directors does not take action to earlier terminate
the Plan, it will terminate on April 19, 2015. Certain amendments may
require stockholder approval, and no amendment may adversely affect
options that have previously been
granted.
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As
of
December 31, 2006, an aggregate of 4,813,800 shares had been issued upon
the exercise of options or are issuable upon the exercise of options outstanding
under the Plan. On May 24, 2007, the closing market price per share of our
common stock was $0.05, as reported on the AMEX.
Federal
Income Tax Considerations
The
following is a brief summary of the applicable federal income tax laws relating
to stock options and stock grants under the Plan:
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Incentive
Stock Options:
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Incentive
stock options are intended to qualify for treatment under Section
422 of
the Code. An incentive stock option does not result in taxable income
to
the optionee or deduction to Alteon at the time it is granted or
exercised, provided that no disposition is made by the optionee of
the
shares acquired pursuant to the option within two years after the
date of
grant of the option nor within one year after the date of issuance
of
shares to the optionee (referred to as the “ISO holding period”). However,
the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the
date of
exercise and the option price will be an item of tax preference includible
in “alternative minimum taxable income.” Upon disposition of the shares
after the expiration of the ISO holding period, the optionee will
generally recognize long-term capital gain or loss based on the difference
between the disposition proceeds and the option price paid for the
shares.
If the shares are disposed of prior to the expiration of the ISO
holding
period, the optionee generally will recognize taxable compensation,
and
Alteon will have a corresponding deduction, in the year of the
disposition, equal to the excess of the fair market value of the
shares on
the date of exercise of the option over the option price. Any additional
gain realized on the disposition will normally constitute capital
gain. If
the amount realized upon such a disqualifying disposition is less
than
fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise, the amount
of
compensation income will be limited to the excess of the amount realized
over the optionee’s adjusted basis in the shares.
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Non-Qualified
Options:
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Options
otherwise qualifying as incentive stock options, to the extent the
aggregate fair market value of shares with respect to which such
options
are first exercisable by an individual in any calendar year exceeds
$100,000, and options designated as non-qualified options will be
treated
as options that are not incentive stock options.
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A
non-qualified option ordinarily will not result in income to the
optionee
or deduction to Alteon at the time of grant. The optionee will recognize
compensation income at the time of exercise of such non-qualified
option
in an amount equal to the excess of the then value of the shares
over the
option price per share. Such compensation income of the optionee
may be
subject to withholding taxes, and a deduction may then be allowable
to
Alteon in an amount equal to the optionee’s compensation
income.
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An
optionee’s initial basis in shares so acquired will be the amount paid on
exercise of the non-qualified option plus the amount of any corresponding
compensation income. Any gain or loss as a result of a subsequent
disposition of the shares so acquired will be capital gain or
loss.
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With
respect to stock grants under the Plan that result in the issuance
of
shares that are either not restricted as to transferability or not
subject
to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the grantee must generally recognize
ordinary income equal to the fair market value of shares received.
Thus,
deferral of the time of issuance will generally result in the deferral
of
the time the grantee will be liable for income taxes with respect
to such
issuance. Alteon generally will be entitled to a deduction in an
amount
equal to the ordinary income recognized by the grantee.
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Stock
Grants:
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With
respect to stock grants involving the issuance of shares that are
restricted as to transferability and subject to a substantial risk
of
forfeiture, the grantee must generally recognize ordinary income
equal to
the fair market value of the shares received at the first time the
shares
become transferable or are not subject to a substantial risk of
forfeiture, whichever occurs earlier. A grantee may elect to be taxed
at
the time of receipt of shares rather than upon lapse of restrictions
on
transferability or substantial risk of forfeiture, but if the grantee
subsequently forfeits such shares, the grantee would not be entitled
to
any tax deduction, including as a capital loss, for the value of
the
shares on which he previously paid tax. The grantee must file such
election with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days of the
receipt
of the shares. Alteon generally will be entitled to a deduction in
an
amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the
grantee.
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New
Plan Benefits
The
currently proposed amendment to the Plan provides for an increase in the number
of shares available for issuance under the Plan from 10,000,000 shares, as
presently constituted, to the sum of 13,000,000 plus 10% of the number of shares
of Series B Preferred Stock issued in the Financing. We anticipate issuing
500,000,000 shares (prior to the implementation of the reverse stock split
as
discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement) of Series B Preferred Stock in
the
Financing, so we are asking that you approve an amendment to the Plan to
increase the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan from
10,000,000 to 63,000,000.
The
amounts of future grants under the Plan are not determinable as awards under
the
Plan and will be granted at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee
and we cannot determine at this time either the persons who will receive awards
under the Plan or the amount or types of any such awards. However, it is
anticipated that a significant portion of the future grants will be allocated
to
our executive officers to incentivize them to continue to provide services
to
the Company.
Votes
Required to Approve Amendment to the
Alteon 2005 Stock Plan
The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented in
person or by proxy at the annual meeting is required to approve the amendment
to
the Plan. Abstentions will be counted towards the vote total for this proposal,
and will have the same effect as votes against the proposal. Broker non-votes
will have no effect and will not be counted towards the vote total for this
proposal.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT TO THE ALTEON
2005
STOCK PLAN, AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE
AMENDMENT UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE
PROXY.
PROPOSAL
2
THE
ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES IN THE FINANCING
The
stockholders of Alteon are being asked to approve the issuance of Alteon Series
B Preferred Stock, warrants to purchase Series B Preferred Stock, shares of
Series B Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of such warrants and Alteon
common stock issuable upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant
to
the Series B Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated as of
April 5, 2007, as amended on June 1, 2007 (as so amended, the “Purchase
Agreement”) by and among Alteon and certain purchasers identified on the
signature pages thereto, including Baker Brothers Investments. Baker Brothers
Investments (“BBI”) is a collection of funds dedicated to investing in public
and private healthcare companies. BBI includes the following funds that will
be
investing the Financing, and are holders of the convertible promissory notes:
Baker/Tisch Investments, L.P., Baker Biotech Fund I, L.P., Baker Brothers Life
Sciences, L.P., 14159, L.P., and Baker Bros. Investments II, L.P. The purchasers
also include Atticus Global Advisors, Ltd. and Green Way Managed Account Series,
Ltd., in respect to its segregated account, Green Way Portfolio D (collectively
“Atticus”).
The
Company was introduced to BBI and Atticus by Rodman & Renshaw, LLC, who
acted as placement agent for the Financing and assisted the Company in
identifying potential investors. The officers and directors of the Company
had
no prior relationship with any of the purchasers participating in the Financing.
Alteon’s
Board of Directors has unanimously approved the Purchase Agreement and the
issuance of securities thereunder and recommended that the issuance of such
securities pursuant to the Purchase Agreement be presented to the Alteon
stockholders for approval in order to comply with the stockholder approval
requirements of the AMEX.
Necessity
of Stockholder Approval
As
a
result of being listed for trading on the AMEX, issuances of our common stock
are subject to the AMEX Company Guide, including Rule 713 thereof. Under Rule
713, stockholder approval must be sought in connection with the sale, issuance,
or potential issuance by a company of common stock (or securities convertible
into common stock) equal to 20% or more of presently outstanding stock for less
than the greater of book or market value of the stock. Pursuant to the terms
of
the Financing, the price per share of the Series B Preferred Stock, and the
exercise price of the warrants to purchase shares of Series B Preferred Stock
that will be issued in connection with the Financing, will be $0.05 (calculated
prior to the implementation of the reverse stock split as discussed elsewhere
in
this proxy statement). On April 4, 2007, the closing price of our common stock
as reported on AMEX was $0.10 per share. As a result, we are seeking stockholder
approval of the issuance of securities in the Financing pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement.
Series
B Preferred Stock
The
following summary of the Purchase Agreement is qualified by reference to the
complete text of the Purchase Agreement, which is incorporated by reference
and
attached hereto as Annex A.
Dividends.
Holders
of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive cumulative dividends
at
an annual rate of 8% of the Series B Preferred Stock original issue price for
a
period of 5 years from the date of issuance. Such dividends, shall, at the
option of the holders of a majority of the Series B Preferred Stock outstanding,
be paid in cash or in shares of Series B Preferred Stock. Alteon will agree
not
to declare any dividends on its junior preferred or common stock until after
it
has paid all accrued but unpaid dividends on its Series B Preferred
Stock.
Voting.
Holders
of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to cast the number of votes equal
to one-half of the number of shares of common stock into which their Series
B
Preferred Stock would be convertible on the applicable record date. The Series
B
Preferred Stock will vote on a 1-for-1 basis following its conversion into
common stock.
Liquidation
Preference.
Upon
liquidation, including deemed liquidations pursuant to a merger, consolidation
or a sale of all or substantially all of Alteon’s assets, holders of Series B
Preferred Stock will be entitled to a payment per share equal to the price
at
which shares of Series B Preferred Stock were sold in the Financing, plus
accrued but unpaid dividends, prior to payment of any amounts on Alteon’s junior
preferred or common stock. The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock will
be
entitled to receive the proceeds out of any sale or liquidation of the Company
before any such proceeds are paid to holders of our common stock. In general,
if
the proceeds received upon any sale or liquidation do not exceed the total
liquidation proceeds payable to the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock,
which, prior to any adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Series B
Preferred Stock is equal to the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company
in the Financing, holders of common stock would receive no value for their
shares upon such a sale or liquidation.
Protective
Provisions.
At any
time when any shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company
may not, without the consent of the holders of a majority of the shares held
by
holders of at least $4,000,000 (measured as of the original issue date) worth
of
Series B Preferred Stock: (i) incur debt in excess of $2,000,000,
(ii) authorize securities at a price per share less than the price per
share that the Series B Preferred Stock is being sold under the Purchase
Agreement, (iii) increase the authorized capital of the Company,
(iv) create any new classes or series of stock with rights senior to the
common stock, (v) issue any shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred
Stock, other than in accordance with the Alteon shareholder rights plan,
(vi) amend any provision of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws that changes the rights of the Series B Preferred Stock, (vii) pay
or declare any dividend on any capital stock of the Company,
(viii) purchase or redeem any securities, (ix) issue any securities to
employees other than pursuant to the Plan, or increase the number of shares
of
common stock reserved for issuance under the Plan, (x) liquidate, dissolve
or wind-up, (xi) merge with another entity or (xii) sell
or dispose of any assets of the Company, including the sale or license of
its intellectual property, (xiii) change the number of directors,
(xiv) amend any portion of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws, (xv) materially
change the nature of the Company’s business, (xvi) intentionally take any
action that may result in the Company’s stock no longer being approved for
quotation on the AMEX or NASDAQ, or that would cause the common stock of the
Company to no longer be registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, or (xvii) amend any material agreement that has been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Conversion.
Holders
of Series B Preferred Stock will have an option to convert their Series B
Preferred Stock, plus, prior to the fifth anniversary of the original issuance
of Series B Preferred Stock, all accrued and unpaid dividends, into common
stock
at the initial conversion price equal to the price at which shares of Series
B
Preferred Stock were sold in the Financing, as adjusted in accordance with
the
provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. An
equivalent of $7,500,000 (measured as of the original issue date) of Series
B
Preferred Stock will automatically be converted into common stock when
(i) the thirty-day prior trailing average closing price of Alteon common
stock, as reported by the American Stock Exchange, for the entire six months
preceding such time is equal to at least the price at which shares of Series
B
Preferred Stock were sold in the Financing and (ii) the registration
statement for resale of securities issued in the Financing has been declared
effective by the SEC and is continuously effective for a one and one-half year
period. Thereafter, the remainder of the outstanding Series B Preferred Stock
will automatically be converted into common stock when (i) the thirty-day
prior trailing average closing price of Alteon common stock, as reported by
the
American Stock Exchange for the entire six months preceding such time is equal
to at least two times the price at which shares of Series B Preferred Stock
were
sold in the Financing and (ii) the registration statement for resale of
securities issued in the Financing has been declared effective by the SEC and
continuously effective for a one and one-half year period.
Anti-Dilution
Protection.
The
rights and preferences of the Series B Preferred Stock include weighted-average
anti-dilution protection. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock is initially
convertible into shares of Alteon common stock by multiplying the number of
shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be converted, by a ratio, the numerator
of
which is the purchase price, or the price per share at which the Series B
Preferred Stock was initially sold, and the denominator of which is the
conversion price. Initially, the purchase price and the conversion price are
the
same, which makes the initial conversion rate of the Series B Preferred Stock
1:1. In the event the Company issues securities at a price per share less than
the initial price per share of the Series B Preferred Stock (other than certain
excluded issuances such as options pursuant to the Company’s approved stock
option plans), the conversion price would decrease based upon a formula in
the
Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, and the ratio
against which the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be converted
is multiplied would become greater than 1:1, thus increasing the number of
shares of common stock into which shares of the Series B Preferred Stock will
convert.
Effect
of Financing on Current Stockholders
If
approved by our stockholders and closed, the Financing will result in an
issuance of up to 500,000,000 shares of our Series B Preferred Stock, at a
price
per share equal to $0.05 and warrants to purchase up to 125,000,000 shares
of
our Series B Preferred Stock, exercisable for a five-year period from the date
of issuance with an exercise price of $0.05 per share (such number of shares
and
price per share calculated prior to the implementation of the reverse stock
split as discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement). The Series B Preferred
Stock will have certain rights and preferences superior to those of our common
stock. Each holder of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to cast the
number of votes equal to one-half of the number of whole shares of common stock
into which the shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by such holder are
convertible. Therefore, on the date of the issuance of the Series B Preferred
Stock, the holders thereof will have approximately 41% of the voting power
of
Alteon. The Series B Preferred Stock will be convertible at any time at the
option of the holder at an initial conversion price equal to the price per
share
at which it is sold in the Financing. If the Financing is completed, and all
of
the shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued in the
Financing are converted into shares of common stock of Alteon and all of the
warrants to purchase shares of Series B Preferred Stock that were issued in
the
Financing are exercised and thereafter converted into shares of common stock
of
Alteon, the holders of such shares will have approximately 83% of the voting
power of Alteon. In addition, the shares of common stock of Alteon underlying
the shares of Series B Preferred Stock and warrants issued at the closing of
the
Financing , will be registered for resale pursuant to a registration statement
to be filed with the SEC within 30 days following the closing of the Financing.
The subsequent sale of such shares of common stock may have an adverse effect
on
the per share price of our common stock.
Set
forth
below are the prospective purchasers of the Series B Preferred Stock in the
Financing. The funds affiliated with BBI will purchase an aggregate of
$21,000,000 of our Series B Preferred Stock, which includes the conversion
of
$6,000,000 of our issued and outstanding convertible promissory notes, plus
accrued and unpaid interest thereon, which will be converted at the time of
the
closing of the Financing. Because we do not know when we will close the
Financing, we are unable to determine the amount of interest that will accrue
on
the outstanding principal amount of the convertible promissory note, so the
table below sets forth the purchase amounts of the BBI entities in an aggregated
fashion. As mentioned above, BBI includes: Baker/Tisch Investments, L.P., Baker
Biotech Fund I, L.P., Baker Brothers Life Sciences, L.P., 14159, L.P., and
Baker
Bros. Investments II, L.P. The table below also sets forth the shares of Series
B Preferred Stock and related warrants to be issued by the Company in the
Financing, and the potential ownership and voting power on the day of the
closing of the Financing:
Name
of Purchaser
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Aggregate
Purchase
Price
|
Series
B
Preferred
Stock
(pre-reverse
split)
|
Warrants
(pre-reverse
split)
|
Potential
Ownership (1)
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Voting
Power at Closing (2)
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BBI
Affiliated Funds
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$21,000,000
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420,000,000
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105,000,000
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69.60%
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34.80%
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Atticus
Global Advisors, Ltd.
|
$3,500,000
|
70,000,000
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17,500,000
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11.60%
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5.80%
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Green
Way Managed Account Series, Ltd., in respect to its segregated account,
Green Way Portfolio D
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$500,000
|
10,000,000
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2,500,000
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1.66%
|
0.83%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
$25,000,000
|
500,000,000
|
125,000,000
|
82.86%
|
41.43%
|
|
(1) |
Assuming
conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock into common stock and
exercise
of all warrants issued and outstanding immediately following the
Financing.
|
|
(2) |
Based
on shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued and outstanding immediately
following the closing of the
Financing.
|
Structure
of the Financing
and Terms of Outstanding Debt Securities
Under
the
terms of the Financing, the Series B Preferred Stock will be sold at a price
per
share of $0.05 (calculated prior to the implementation of the reverse stock
split as discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement). Thus, if the Financing
is
approved, Alteon will issue 500,000,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock,
and
warrants in substantially the form attached hereto as Annex B, to purchase
up to
125,000,000 shares of its Series B Preferred Stock, exercisable for a five-year
period from the date of issuance with an exercise price of $0.05 per share
(such
number of shares and exercise price calculated prior to the implementation
of
the reverse stock split as discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement).
Further, additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock may be issued upon the
operation of certain anti-dilution adjustments provided in the terms of the
Series B Preferred Stock and the warrants. If the Financing is closed prior
to
July 31, 2007, the Senior Convertible Secured Promissory Notes, in an aggregate
principal amount of $6,000,000, issued by Alteon pursuant to the Note and
Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated January 11, 2007, as amended, by and
among Alteon and certain institutional investors affiliated with BBI, plus
all
accrued but unpaid interest thereon, (approximately $92,055
through
May 31, 2007), will be automatically converted pursuant to their terms into
that
number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock equal to the principal plus all
accrued but unpaid interest on the notes divided by the price per share at
which
the Series B Preferred Stock is sold, and thereafter the promissory notes will
be cancelled, and the warrants to purchase an aggregate of 25,734,453 shares
of
our common stock that were issued to certain institutional investors affiliated
with BBI will terminate and be cancelled. If the Financing is not closed by
July
31, 2007, $6,000,000 principal amount of the Senior Convertible Secured
Promissory Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, plus a $6,000,000
penalty, will become immediately due and payable. In addition, Alteon will
be
obligated to pay to the holders of the notes 30% of any amount received by
Alteon from financing, sale or licensing transactions completed prior to June
30, 2009, subject to a cap of $8,000,000. The failure of the Company to repay
the holders of the notes in full by July 31, 2007, is an event of default,
which
will entitle the holders to all lawful remedies afforded to them under the
Uniform Commercial Code and the security agreements relating to the notes,
including taking possession of all of the assets of the Company. As a result,
it
may not be possible for Alteon to continue operations beyond July 31, 2007
if
the Financing is not closed, and the notes are not converted, on or prior to
July 31, 2007.
If
the
Financing is approved and all of the Series B Preferred Stock and warrants
are
issued, current holders of our outstanding common stock will be subject to
immediate and significant dilution of their investment.
Factors
Considered by the Board of Directors in Recommending the
Financing
In
developing the recommendation to the stockholders to vote in favor of the
issuance of our securities in the financing, the Board of Directors considered
the following factors:
|
1.
|
Stockholders’
best interests will be served if the Company continues to develop
its
technologies towards regulatory approval and marketing of its product
candidates;
|
|
2.
|
The
research and development expenses to achieve its product development
goals
will be significant; and
|
|
3.
|
Substantial
long-term financing will be required to achieve key development
milestones.
|
The
Board
explored several alternatives to achieve these financing requirements, including
technology licensing and various strategic transactions, including mergers
and
acquisitions, as well as alternative equity financing transactions with
investors other than those participating in the Financing.
The
Board
pursued and assessed numerous alternatives, but none provided the same level
of
long-term funding as the Financing. We therefore believe that the Financing
provides the best opportunity to enable Alteon to move forward in an environment
in which financing is generally difficult for small-cap companies. The Company’s
technology is still in a relatively early stage of development and we believe
it
is critical to have access to sufficient financial resources to achieve
meaningful development milestones. The Board also believes that completing
the
Financing will allow the Company to avoid further dissipation of management
resources on continuous fundraising efforts, thus allowing management to remain
focused on achievement of the Company’s clinical development
programs.
Timing
of Closing
The
closing will occur promptly following the date on which the last of the
conditions set forth in the purchase agreement has been satisfied or
waived.
Conditions
to the Completion of the Financing
The
obligations of Alteon and the purchasers to complete the Financing are subject
to the satisfaction or, to the extent legally permissible, waiver of certain
conditions. The more significant conditions include:
|
·
|
execution
of a Registration Rights Agreement by Alteon and the purchasers in
the
Financing to register for resale the shares of Alteon common stock
issuable upon conversion of shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued
in
the Financing and shares of Series B Preferred Stock underlying the
warrants issued in the Financing;
|
|
·
|
surrender
by the purchasers of the Senior Convertible Secured Promissory Notes
of
Alteon in an aggregate amount of $6,000,000, issued pursuant to the
Note
and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 11, 2007, as
amended, by and among Alteon and certain institutional investors
affiliated with BBI;
|
|
·
|
receipt
by the purchasers of an opinion of counsel to Alteon regarding the
Financing;
|
|
·
|
approval
by the Alteon stockholders of the issuance of securities in the Financing
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement;
|
|
·
|
implementation
of the reverse stock split;
|
|
·
|
filing
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware of Alteon’s Amended
and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation;
|
|
·
|
continuous
trading of Alteon common stock;
|
|
·
|
accuracy
as of the closing in all material respects of the representations
and
warranties made by each party to the extent specified in the Purchase
Agreement; and
|
|
·
|
performance
of all obligations, covenants and agreements of each party required
to be
performed at or prior to the closing by the Purchase
Agreement.
|
Certain
Covenants
Each
of
Alteon and the purchasers has undertaken certain covenants in the Purchase
Agreement. The following summarizes the more significant of these
covenants.
Listing
of Common Stock.
Alteon
has agreed to use commercially reasonably efforts to maintain the listing of
its
common stock on the American Stock Exchange, and to promptly list the common
stock issuable upon conversion of the securities issued in the
Financing.
Pre-Emptive
Rights.
From the
closing of the Financing until the later of (a) January 11, 2010, or
(b) the date on which fewer than 50% of the shares of Series B Preferred
Stock initially issued remain outstanding, each purchaser then holding 50%
of
the shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued to such purchaser in the Financing
shall have the right to purchase up to 50% of such purchaser’s pro rata portion
of a subsequent issuance by Alteon of its common stock, options or convertible
securities. The Company is required to notify the purchasers of such subsequent
financings, and upon notice, the applicable purchasers will have ten (10)
business days to accept an offer to participate. The Company will then have
thirty (30) days to complete the contemplated financing upon the terms set
forth
in the notice.
Abstention
from Trading.
Until
the closing of the Financing, the purchasers will not engage in any financial
market transactions (whether long, short or other hedging transactions) with
respect to the Alteon common stock.
Board
of Directors.
Following the closing of the Financing, the Board of Directors of the Company
will be fixed at seven (7) persons, consisting of (a) three (3) incumbent
directors, (b) one (1) vacancy that may be filled at any time after the
closing of the Financing with a new director designated by the investors
affiliated with BBI who held convertible promissory notes that were converted
into Series B Preferred Stock at the closing of the Financing, which new
director shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company, and (c) three (3)
additional vacancies. For so long as the investors affiliated with BBI who
held
convertible promissory notes that were converted into Series B Preferred Stock
at the closing of the Financing hold at least that number of shares of
Series B Preferred Stock that is equal to 50% of the shares issued to them
in
the Financing, such investor will have the right, but not the obligation, to
designate and to fill two (2) of the three (3) additional vacancies
that will exist following the closing of the Financing. If two
(2) vacancies are not available at the time such purchasers choose to
designate two (2) members of the Board of Directors,
the Board shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause two (2) of
its
then-current members to resign their positions in order to create vacant seats
for the purchaser designees. These seats will then be filled by appointment
of
such persons by the other members of the Board who are then in office, and
not
by election by our stockholders. No persons have yet been identified to serve
in
these vacant positions.
Option
Pool Increase.
On or
before the closing, Alteon shall cause an increase in the shares of its common
stock reserved for issuance under its equity incentive plan, as described in
the
Purchase Agreement and elsewhere in this proxy statement.
Representations
and Warranties
The
Purchase Agreement contains representations and warranties made by Alteon to
the
purchasers. The most significant of these relate to:
|
·
|
organization,
standing and qualification of
Alteon;
|
|
·
|
corporate
authorization to enter into the
Financing;
|
|
·
|
absence
of any breach of organizational documents, law or certain material
agreements as a result of the
Financing;
|
|
·
|
material
license agreements;
|
|
·
|
filing
of reports with the SEC and financial
statements;
|
|
·
|
Sarbanes-Oxley
Act and internal accounting
controls;
|
|
·
|
patents
and trademarks;
|
|
·
|
placement
agent’s fees;
|
|
·
|
application
of takeover protections;
|
|
·
|
Form
S-3 eligibility; and
|
In
addition, each purchaser represents and warrants to Alteon as to certain other
matters, including:
|
·
|
organization
and authorization to enter into the
Financing;
|
|
·
|
“accredited
investor” status; and
|
|
·
|
experience
and sophistication in business and financial
matters.
|
Expenses
Alteon
has agreed to reimburse the purchasers for the reasonable fees and expenses
of
one special counsel to the purchasers in connection with the registration of
common stock issuable upon conversion of securities issued in the Financing,
subject to a maximum amount of $175,000. Alteon estimates that the reimbursable
expenses described above will total approximately $175,000 assuming that the
Financing is completed.
Amendments
and Waivers
Any
provision of the Purchase Agreement may be amended or waived if the amendment
or
waiver is in writing and signed by Alteon and investors representing a majority
of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued in the Financing.
Registration
Rights Agreement Related to the Financing
In
connection with the Purchase Agreement, we will be entering into a Registration
Rights Agreement with the purchasers of the Series B Preferred Stock. The
following summary of the Registration Rights Agreement is qualified by reference
to the complete text of the Form of Registration Rights Agreement, which is
incorporated by reference and attached as Annex C. Under the terms of the
Registration Rights Agreement, Alteon has agreed to file a registration
statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the resale of the
shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock
issued in the Financing, as well as conversion of Series B Preferred Stock
underlying the warrants sold in the Financing. Failure to file the registration
statement in a timely manner will result in payment by Alteon to each investor
of liquidated damages, subject to certain limitations set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement. Such liquidated damages are also payable in
the
event that the resale registration statement has not been declared effective
within certain time periods or if sales cannot be made pursuant to the
registration statement following its effectiveness, each as described in the
Registration Rights Agreement.
Ownership
of
Alteon’s Executive Officers and Directors
In
considering the recommendation of the Alteon Board of Directors that the Alteon
stockholders vote FOR the issuance of securities in the Financing pursuant
to
the Purchase Agreement, stockholders should be aware that as of May 24, 2007,
all executive officers and directors of Alteon, together with their affiliates,
own as a group approximately 15% of the shares of Alteon common stock entitled
to vote at the Alteon annual meeting. A vote of a majority of the total votes
represented by the shares of Alteon common stock present in person or by proxy
at the annual meeting is required to approve the Financing.
Board
Membership and New Directors Following the Financing
Currently,
the size of our Board of Directors has been fixed at six (6) persons. Following
the closing of the Financing, the Board of Directors of the Company will be
fixed at seven (7) persons, consisting of (a) three (3) incumbent
directors, (b) one (1) vacancy that may be filled at any time after the
closing of the Financing with a new director designated by the investors
affiliated with BBI who held convertible promissory notes that were converted
into Series B Preferred Stock at the closing of the Financing which, new
director shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company, and (c) three (3)
additional vacancies. For so long as the investors affiliated with BBI who
held
convertible promissory notes that were converted into Series B Preferred Stock
at the closing of the Financing hold at least that number of shares of Series
B
Preferred Stock that is equal to 50% of the shares issued to them in the
Financing, such investors will have the right, but not the obligation, to
designate and to fill two (2) of the three (3) additional vacancies that will
exist following the closing. If two (2) vacancies are not available at the
time
such purchasers choose to designate two (2) members of the Board of Directors,
the Board shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause two (2) of
its
then-current members to resign their positions in order to create vacant seats
for the purchaser designees. These seats will then be filled by appointment
of
such persons by the other members of the Board who are then in office, and
not
by election by our stockholders. No persons have yet been identified to serve
in
these vacant positions. Upon the appointment of the purchaser designees to
the
Board, each new director will be entitled to receive cash compensation and
option grants. All members of the Board of Directors of Alteon are eligible
to
receive cash compensation and option grants.
Listing
of Alteon Common Stock
The
shares of Alteon common stock to be issued upon conversion of Series B Preferred
Stock issued in the Financing and conversion of Series B Preferred Stock
underlying the warrants issued in the Financing will be listed on the American
Stock Exchange under the symbol “ALT.”
Use
of Proceeds
We
will
receive up to $25,000,000, before the payment of expenses, from the sale of
Series B Preferred Stock in the Financing, including the conversion of the
Company’s Senior Convertible Secured Promissory Notes, as discussed elsewhere in
this proxy statement. The warrants that will be issued to the investors to
purchase up to 125,000,000 shares (prior to the implementation of the reverse
stock split discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement) of our Series B
Preferred Stock are exercisable
for a period of five years. The warrants are exercisable for cash and via
cashless exercise. If all of the warrants were exercised for cash we would
receive approximately $6,250,000 in proceeds.
We
currently intend to use the net proceeds from the Financing as follows:
|
·
|
approximately
$10,000,000 to fund a portion of our drug candidate ALT-2074’s development
activities, including two Phase IIa clinical trials as well as a
pharmacokinetics study and a Phase IIb study to demonstrate the efficacy
of ALT-2074 in certain cardiovascular indications. and related toxicology
studies and manufacturing and materials
costs;
|
|
·
|
approximately
$2,000,000 to fund a portion of our drug candidate alagebrium’s
development activities, including two Phase II clinical trials in
adults,
and related toxicology studies and manufacturing and materials
costs;
|
|
·
|
approximately
$4,000,000 to fund research and development activities for the
discovery of new organoselenium compounds, the identification of
new
indications for the Company's exisiting compounds, and the
development of a diagnostic test for haptoglobin; and
|
|
·
|
approximately $9,000,000 for general corporate
purposes,
including capital expenditures and working
capital. |
This
expected use of net proceeds represents our current intentions based upon our
present plans and business conditions. The amounts and timing of our actual
expenditures will depend on numerous factors, including the ongoing status
of
and results from clinical trials and other studies for ALT-2074 and alagebrium,
as well as the development of a haptoglobin test, and the advancement of
additional organoselenium compounds, any collaborations we may enter into with
third parties for our product candidates and any unforeseen cash needs. As
a
result, management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of the
net
proceeds from this offering. We do not expect the net proceeds and our other
available funds to be sufficient to fund the completion of the development
of
any of our product candidates, and we expect that we will need to raise
additional funds prior to being able to market any products. We have no current
plans, agreements or commitments for acquisitions of any businesses, products
or
technologies.
Votes
Required to Approve the Issuance of Securities in the Financing Pursuant to
the
Purchase Agreement
Approval
of the issuance of securities in the Financing pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement requires an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast.
Abstentions will be counted towards the vote total for this proposal, and will
have the same effect as “against” votes. Broker non-votes will have no effect
and will not be counted towards the vote total for this proposal.
This
proposal 2 can not be passed without the passage of proposals 1, 3, 4 and
8.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO APPROVE THE ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES
IN
THE FINANCING PURSUANT TO THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT, AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY
THE
BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE ISSUANCE OF SECURITIES IN THE FINANCING
UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.
PROPOSAL
3
APPROVAL
OF AMENDMENT TO ALTEON’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED
NUMBER OF SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK
The
stockholders of Alteon are being asked to approve Alteon’s Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation. The full text of the proposed Form of Amended
and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation is attached to this proxy statement as
Annex D. Contained in the proposed Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation is a change to the number of shares of Alteon preferred stock
authorized for issuance from 1,999,329 to 15,000,000 in order to accommodate
for
the issuance of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock in the Financing.
Alteon’s
Restated Certificate of Incorporation currently authorizes 1,999,329 shares
of
preferred stock, and on May 24, 2007, no shares of Alteon preferred stock were
outstanding.
In
connection with the Purchase Agreement, the Series B Preferred Stock will be
sold at a price per share of $0.05 (calculated prior to the implementation
of
the reverse stock split as discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement). Thus,
if the Financing is approved, Alteon will issue 500,000,000 shares of Series
B
Preferred Stock, and warrants in substantially the form attached hereto as
Annex
B, to purchase up to 125,000,000 shares of its Series B Preferred Stock,
exercisable for a five-year period from the date of issuance with an exercise
price of $0.05 per share (such number of shares and exercise price calculated
prior to the implementation of the reverse stock split as discussed elsewhere
in
this proxy statement). Further, additional shares of Series B Preferred Stock
may be issued upon the operation of certain anti-dilution adjustments provided
in the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock and the warrants. Upon the closing
of the Financing, the Senior Convertible Secured Promissory Notes, in an
aggregate principal amount of $6,000,000, issued by Alteon pursuant to the
Note
and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated January 11, 2007, as amended, by and
among Alteon and certain institutional investors affiliated with BBI, plus
all
accrued but unpaid interest thereon (approximately $92,055
through
May 31, 2007), will be automatically converted pursuant to their terms into
that
number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock equal to the principal plus all
accrued but unpaid interest on the notes divided by the price per share at
which
the Series B Preferred Stock is sold, and thereafter the promissory notes will
be cancelled, and the warrants to purchase an aggregate of 25,734,453 shares
of
our common stock, that were issued to certain institutional investors affiliated
with BBI will terminate and be cancelled.
The
following table reflects the capital structure of the Company before and after
the annual meeting assuming, for purposes of illustration only, the
implementation of a reverse stock split in a ratio of 1:75, and taking into
account the approval of all of the proposals being presented to the stockholders
by this proxy statement:
|
Prior
to the 2007
Annual
Meeting
|
|
After
the 2007
Annual
Meeting
|
|
|
|
|
Common
Stock Authorized
|
300,000,000
|
|
300,000,000
|
Common
Stock Issued and Outstanding
|
129,318,858
|
|
1,724,251
|
Common
Stock Reserved for Issuance
|
66,758,107
|
|
11,492,752
|
Common
Stock Unreserved and Unissued
|
103,923,035
|
|
286,782,997
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred
Stock Authorized
|
1,999,329
|
|
15,000,000
|
Series
A Preferred Stock Authorized (Shareholder Rights Plan)
|
400,000
|
|
400,000
|
Series
A Preferred Stock Issued (Shareholder Rights Plan)
|
0
|
|
0
|
Series
B Preferred Stock Authorized
|
0
|
|
8,333,333
|
Series
B Preferred Stock Issued
|
0
|
|
6,666,667
|
Series
B Preferred Stock Reserved for Issuance
|
0
|
|
1,666,667
|
Preferred
Stock Unreserved and Unissued
|
1,599,329
|
|
6,266,667
|
Alteon
currently does not have sufficient shares of authorized preferred stock to
complete the Financing, and it is a condition to closing of the Financing that
the number of authorized shares of preferred stock be increased to accommodate
the issuance of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock in the Financing. At
present, Alteon has no plans to issue shares for any other purpose. However,
the
Alteon Board of Directors believes it is also desirable to have additional
shares available for other corporate purposes that might arise in the future,
other than the Financing. For example, although Alteon currently meets its
obligations to deliver shares under employee stock options and similar
arrangements with treasury shares (meaning previously issued shares that have
been reacquired by Alteon), it may become desirable in the future to use newly
issued shares for this purpose. Shares could also be issued from time to time
for acquisitions or to raise capital. Under some circumstances, it is also
possible for a company to use unissued shares for anti-takeover purposes, but
Alteon has no present intention to take any such action.
Whether
or not any future issuance of shares unrelated to the Financing would be
submitted for stockholder vote depends upon the nature of the issuance, legal
and stock exchange requirements, and the judgment of Alteon’s Board at the
time.
Increasing
the number of shares of Alteon preferred stock authorized for issuance is
required by the Financing documents.
Votes
Required to Approve the Increase in the Authorized Number of Shares of Preferred
Stock
Approval
of the increase in the authorized number of shares of Preferred Stock requires
the affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of
Alteon common stock. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards
the vote total for this proposal, and will have the same effect as “against”
votes.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO APPROVE THE INCREASE IN THE AUTHORIZED
NUMBER OF SHARES OF PREFERRED STOCK, AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL
BE
VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE INCREASE IN THE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES OF PREFERRED
STOCK UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE
PROXY.
PROPOSAL
4
APPROVAL
OF THE DESIGNATION OF THE SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK
The
stockholders of Alteon are being asked to approve Alteon’s Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation. The full text of the proposed Form of Amended
and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation is attached to this proxy statement as
Annex D. Contained in the proposed Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation is a designation of the rights and preferences of 8,333,333 shares
of Series B Preferred Stock that will be issued in the Financing, assuming
the
implementation of a 1:75 reverse stock split. We are asking the stockholders
of
Alteon to approve the designation of the Series B Preferred Stock as set forth
in the proposed Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The following
summary of the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock is qualified by reference
to the designation of the rights and preferences of such shares included in
Annex D.
Terms
of the Series
B Preferred Stock
Upon
completion of the Financing, and prior to the implementation of the reverse
stock split as discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement, up to 500,000,000
shares of Series B Preferred Stock may be issued and outstanding, as well as
warrants to purchase 125,000,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock (prior
to
the implementation of the reverse stock split as discussed elsewhere in this
proxy statement). Following the implementation of the reverse stock split and
the amendment to the authorized number of shares of preferred stock, we will
have 300,000,000 shares of Alteon common stock authorized for issuance and
15,000,000 shares of Alteon preferred stock authorized for
issuance.
Dividends.
Holders
of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive cumulative dividends
at
an annual rate of 8% of the Series B Preferred Stock original issue price for
a
period of 5 years from the date of issuance. Such dividends shall, at the option
of the holders of a majority of the Series B Preferred Stock outstanding, be
paid in cash or in shares of Series B Preferred Stock. Alteon will agree not
to
declare any dividends on its junior preferred or common stock until after it
has
paid all accrued but unpaid dividends on its Series B Preferred
Stock.
Voting.
Holders
of Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to cast the number of votes equal
to one-half of the number of shares of common stock into which their Series
B
Preferred Stock would be convertible on the applicable record date. The Series
B
Preferred Stock will vote on a 1-for-1 basis following its conversion into
common stock.
Liquidation
Preference.
Upon
liquidation, including deemed liquidations pursuant to a merger, consolidation
or a sale of all or substantially all of Alteon’s assets, holders of Series B
Preferred Stock will be entitled to a payment per share equal to the price
at
which shares of Series B Preferred Stock were sold in the Financing, plus
accrued but unpaid dividends, prior to payment of any amounts on its junior
preferred or common stock. The holders of the Series B Preferred Stock will
be
entitled to receive the proceeds out of any sale or liquidation of Alteon before
any such proceeds are paid to holders of our common stock. In general, if the
proceeds received upon any sale or liquidation do not exceed the total
liquidation proceeds payable to the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock,
which, prior to any adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Series B
Preferred Stock is equal to the aggregate cash proceeds received by Alteon
in
the Financing, holders of common stock would receive no value for their shares
upon such a sale or liquidation.
Protective
Provisions.
At any
time when any shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the Company
may not, without the consent of the holders of a majority of the shares held
by
holders of at least $4,000,000 (measured as of the original issue date) worth
of
Series B Preferred Stock: (i) incur debt in excess of $2,000,000,
(ii) authorize securities at a price per share less than the price per
share that the Series B Preferred Stock is being sold under the purchase
agreement, (iii) increase the authorized capital of Alteon,
(iv) create any new classes or series of stock with rights senior to the
common stock, (v) issue any shares of Alteon’s Series A Preferred Stock,
other than in accordance with the shareholder rights plan, (vi) amend any
provision of Alteon’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws that changes the
rights of the Series B Preferred Stock, (vii) pay or declare any dividend
on any capital stock of Alteon, (viii) purchase or redeem any of its
securities, (ix) issue any securities to employees other than pursuant to
the Plan, or increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance
under the Plan, (x) liquidate, dissolve or wind-up, (xi) merge with
another entity or (xii) sell or dispose of any assets of the Company,
including the sale or license of its intellectual property, (xiii) change
the number of directors, (xiv) amend any portion of the Company’s
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, (xv) materially change the nature
of Alteon’s business, (xvi) intentionally take any action that may result
in Alteon’s stock no longer being approved for quotation on the AMEX or NASDAQ,
or that would cause the common stock of Alteon to no longer be registered
pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or
(xvii) amend any material agreement that has been filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
Conversion.
Holders
of Series B Preferred Stock will have an option to convert their Series B
Preferred Stock, plus, prior to the fifth anniversary of the original issuance
of Series B Preferred Stock, all accrued and unpaid dividends, into common
stock
at the initial conversion price equal to the price at which shares of Series
B
Preferred Stock were sold in the Financing, as adjusted in accordance with
the
provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. An
equivalent of $7,500,000 (measured as of the original issue date) of Series
B
Preferred Stock will automatically be converted into common stock when
(i) the thirty-day prior trailing average closing price of Alteon common
stock, as reported by the American Stock Exchange, for the entire six months
preceding such time is equal to at least the price at which shares of Series
B
Preferred Stock were sold in the Financing and (ii) the registration
statement for resale of securities issued in the Financing has been declared
effective by the SEC and continuously effective for a one and one-half year
period. Thereafter, the remainder of the outstanding Series B Preferred Stock
will automatically be converted into common stock when (i) the thirty-day
prior trailing average closing price of Alteon common stock, as reported by
the
American Stock Exchange for the entire
six months preceding such time is equal to at least two-times the price at
which
shares of Series B Preferred Stock were sold in the Financing and (ii) the
registration statement for resale of securities issued in the Financing has
been
declared effective by the SEC and continuously effective for one and one-half
year period.
Anti-Dilution
Protection.
The
rights and preferences of the Series B Preferred Stock include weighted-average
anti-dilution protection. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock is initially
convertible into shares of Alteon common stock by multiplying the number of
shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be converted, by a ratio, the numerator
of
which is the purchase price, or the price per share at which the Series B
Preferred Stock was initially sold, and the denominator of which is the
conversion price. Initially, the purchase price and the conversion price are
the
same, which makes the initial conversion rate of the Series B Preferred Stock
1:1. In the event the Company issues securities at a price per share less than
the initial price per share of the Series B Preferred Stock (other than certain
excluded issuances such as options pursuant to the Company’s approved stock
option plans), the conversion price would decrease based upon a formula in
the
Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, and the ratio
against which the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be converted
is multiplied would become greater than 1:1, thus increasing the number of
shares of common stock into which shares of the Series B Preferred Stock will
convert.
The
designation of the Series B Preferred Stock is required by the Financing
documents.
Votes
Required to Approve the Authorization of the Series B Preferred Stock
Approval
of the amendment to the Alteon Restated Certificate of Incorporation in order
to
authorize the Series B Preferred Stock requires the affirmative vote of a
majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Alteon common stock.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the vote total for
this
proposal, and will have the same effect as “against” votes.
This
proposal 4 can not be passed without the passage of proposals 2 and
3.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT
TO THE ALTEON RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION IN ORDER TO AUTHORIZE THE
SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK,
AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE
AMENDMENT
TO THE ALTEON RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION IN ORDER TO AUTHORIZE THE
SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK
UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.
PROPOSAL
5
APPROVAL
OF A CHANGE OF THE NAME OF THE CORPORATION
The
stockholders of Alteon are being asked to approve Alteon’s Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation. The full text of the proposed Form of Amended
and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation is attached to this proxy statement as
Annex D. Contained in the proposed Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation is an amendment to the name of the Company from Alteon Inc. to
Synvista Therapeutics, Inc.
The
Board
of Directors has determined that it is advisable to change the name of the
Company from Alteon Inc. to Synvista Therapeutics, Inc. and has voted to
recommend that as part of the proposed amendment and restatement of our Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, the stockholders adopt an amendment effecting
the
proposed name change.
The
Board
of Directors believes it is in the best interest of the Company to change its
name. The Company merged with HaptoGuard, Inc. in July 2006, and as part of
the merger, the management team of HaptoGuard joined Alteon.
Going
forward, our principal development activities will be the development and
commercialization of novel small molecule drugs to treat and prevent
cardiovascular disease and diabetes, including the development of programs
acquired as part of the merger with HaptoGuard. The name Synvista Therapeutics,
Inc. is more closely associated with these principal development activities
and
we hope to obtain name recognition among clinicians, drug developers and
investors interested in our novel drug candidates.
The
approval of the change of the Company’s name is not required by the Financing
documents.
Votes
Required to Approve the Name Change
Approval
of the amendment to the Alteon Restated Certificate of Incorporation in order
to
change the name of the Company requires the affirmative vote of a majority
of
the issued and outstanding shares of Alteon common stock. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will be counted towards the vote total for this proposal, and will
have the same effect as “against” votes.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT
TO THE ALTEON RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE
NAME
OF THE COMPANY,
AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE
AMENDMENT
TO THE ALTEON RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE
NAME
OF THE COMPANY UNLESS
A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.
PROPOSAL
6
APPROVAL
OF AMENDMENT TO ALTEON’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO CHANGE THE PROVISIONS
REGARDING THE INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS
The
stockholders of Alteon are being asked to approve Alteon’s Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation. The full text of the proposed Form of Amended
and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation is attached to this proxy statement as
Annex D. Contained in the proposed Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation is an amendment to the provisions relating to the indemnification
of directors.
The
proposed Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation will implement new
indemnification provisions of officers and directors in accordance with the
current state of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Below
is
a comparison of the current indemnification provisions and those set forth
in
the proposed Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation:
Current
Indemnification Provisions:
·
|
The
Board of Directors may adopt bylaws providing the fullest indemnification
permitted under Delaware law.
|
·
|
The
Board of Directors may also purchase and maintain insurance to protect
directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company, against
any
liability.
|
·
|
No
director shall be liable to the Company or the stockholders of the
Company
for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty except for: 1)
breach of
duty of loyalty; 2) acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve
intentional misconduct; 3) violation of the Delaware law regarding
payment
of dividends; or 4) a transaction in which a director derived an
improper
personal benefit.
|
Proposed
Indemnification Provisions:
·
|
Any
director, officer, trustee of another corporation or partnership,
joint
venture or trust including service with respect to an employee benefit
plan (an “Indemnitee”), that is made a party to any kind of suit or
proceeding (civil, criminal, administrative or investigative) shall
be
indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent
allowed
under Delaware law against all expense, liability and loss (including
attorneys’ fees), provided, however, that the Company does not need to
indemnify an Indemnitee if such Indemnitee initiated the proceeding
unless
the Board of Directors authorized such
proceeding.
|
·
|
To
the extent provided by Delaware law, an Indemnitee shall be entitled
to
advanced payment of any expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred in
defending such proceeding.
|
·
|
If
the Company does not pay for the indemnified expenses within a certain
period after it has received a written claim for such expenses from
the
Indemnitee, an Indemnitee can bring suit against Company to recover
the
unpaid amount.
|
·
|
The
rights to indemnification are not
exclusive.
|
·
|
The
Company may maintain insurance at its expense to protect itself and
any
director, officer, employee or agent of the Company against any expense,
liability or loss.
|
·
|
If
authorized by the Board of Directors, the Company can grant the rights
of
indemnification to any employee or agent of the
Company.
|
·
|
The
rights conferred to Indemnitees shall be contract rights and such
rights
shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director,
officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee’s
heirs and administrators.
|
·
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No
director shall be liable to the Company or the stockholders of
the Company
for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty except for: 1)
breach of
duty of loyalty; 2) acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve
intentional misconduct; 3) violation of the Delaware law regarding
payment
of dividends; or 4) a transaction in which a director derived an
improper
personal benefit.
|
·
|
The
Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal
the
bylaws of the Company by a vote of a majority of the authorized
number of
directors.
|
Amending
the director indemnification provisions of our Restated Certificate of
Incorporation is not required by the Financing documents, and Alteon is
currently unaware of any proceedings or threatened proceedings that would be
covered under the indemnification provisions that are proposed.
Votes
Required to Amend the Director Indemnification Provisions
Approval
of the amendment to the Alteon Restated Certificate of Incorporation in order
to
change the director indemnification provisions requires the affirmative vote
of
a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Alteon common stock.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the vote total for
this
proposal, and will have the same effect as “against” votes.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT
TO THE ALTEON RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE
DIRECTOR INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS,
AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE
AMENDMENT
TO THE ALTEON RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE
DIRECTOR INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS UNLESS
A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.
PROPOSAL
7
APPROVAL
OF AMENDMENT TO ALTEON’S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO REMOVE REFERENCES TO
RETIRED CLASSES OF PREFERRED STOCK
The
stockholders of Alteon are being asked to approve Alteon’s Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation. The full text of the proposed Form of Amended
and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation is attached to this proxy statement as
Annex D. The proposed Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
eliminates all shares of Alteon’s preferred stock that had previously been
authorized and have since been retired or cancelled. Such preferred stock
includes:
|
·
|
270,000
shares of Series A Preferred Stock, 400,000 shares of Series B Preferred
Stock, 835,606 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, 233,531 shares
of
Series D Preferred Stock and 262,534 shares of Series E Preferred
Stock,
all designated on December 7, 1990, and retired on June 7,
1993;
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|
·
|
5,000
shares of 6% Cumulative Preferred Stock, designated on April 23,
1997, and
retired on February 10, 1998;
|
|
·
|
2,000
shares of Series G Preferred Stock, cancelled on the books and records
of
the Company on July 21, 2006, none of which are issued or outstanding;
and
|
|
·
|
8,000
shares of Series H Preferred Stock, cancelled on the books and records
of
the Company on July 21, 2006 none of which are issued or
outstanding.
|
In
addition, 400,000 shares of the Company’s authorized Series F Preferred Stock
will be reclassified as Series A Preferred Stock and will not be retired or
cancelled. Such shares are currently reserved for issuance pursuant to the
Company’s Stockholder Rights Plan, as amended, as previously filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
The
Board
of Directors has determined that it is in the best interest of the Company
to
eliminate any reference to classes of stock that were issued prior to our
initial public offering, or for which there are no longer any issued and
outstanding shares. The approval of the elimination of all references to retired
and cancelled Alteon preferred stock is not required by the Financing
documents.
Votes
Required to Approve the Elimination
of Retired and Cancelled Alteon Preferred Stock
Approval
of the amendment to the Alteon Restated Certificate of Incorporation in order
to
eliminate the retired and cancelled Alteon Preferred Stock requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Alteon
common stock. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the
vote
total for this proposal, and will have the same effect as “against”
votes.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT
TO THE ALTEON RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION IN ORDER TO ELIMINATE THE
RETIRED AND CANCELLED ALTEON PREFERRED STOCK,
AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE
AMENDMENT
TO THE ALTEON RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION IN ORDER TO ELIMINATE THE
RETIRED AND CANCELLED ALTEON PREFERRED STOCK UNLESS
A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.
PROPOSALS
8 AND 9
REVERSE
STOCK SPLIT AND THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING
General
Holders
of Alteon common stock are being asked to approve the proposal that Article
Fourth of Alteon’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation be amended to effect a
reverse stock split of the issued and outstanding shares of Alteon common stock
(such split to combine a number between fifty (50) and one hundred (100) (such
final number to be determined by the Board of Directors and reasonably
acceptable to the investors affiliated with BBI) outstanding shares of Alteon
common stock, such number consisting of only whole shares, into one (1) share
of
Alteon common stock). If approved by the Alteon stockholders, the reverse stock
split would become effective upon filing of the Company’s Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation. Our Board may effect only one reverse stock split
following the approval by the stockholders. The Board’s decision will be based
on a number of factors, including market conditions, existing and expected
trading prices for Alteon common stock and the continued listing requirements
of
the AMEX. Even if the stockholders approve the reverse stock split, Alteon
reserves the right not to effect the reverse stock split if the Board does
not
deem it to be in the best interests of Alteon and its stockholders to effect
the
reverse stock split. The Board may determine to effect the reverse stock split,
if it is approved by the stockholders, even if the other proposals to be acted
upon at the meeting are not approved, including the Financing. In addition,
the
stockholders of Alteon are being asked to consider and vote upon an adjournment
of the annual meeting, if necessary, if a quorum is present, to solicit
additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes in favor of approval of
the
issuance of securities in the Financing, the amendment to the 2005 Stock Plan,
all of the proposals related to the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, and the reverse stock split.
The
reverse stock split will be effected by filing of the Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, following approval of this proposal at the annual
meeting.
Purpose
The
Alteon Board approved the proposal authorizing the reverse stock split for
the
following reasons:
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·
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the
Board of Directors believes effecting the reverse stock split may
be an
effective means of avoiding a delisting of Alteon common stock from
AMEX
in light of the specific request by AMEX that Alteon effect the reverse
stock split as part of its plan to regain compliance with AMEX continuing
listing standards;
|
|
·
|
the
Board of Directors believes a higher stock price may help generate
investor interest in Alteon and help Alteon attract and retain employees;
and
|
|
·
|
the
reverse stock split is a condition to closing of the
Financing.
|
If
the
reverse stock split successfully increases the per share price of our common
stock, our Board of Directors believes this increase would facilitate future
financings by Alteon and enhance Alteon’s ability to attract and retain
employees and other service providers. We cannot assure you, however, that
the
reverse stock split will result in an increase in the per share price of our
common stock, or if it does, how long the increase would be sustained, if at
all. Although the stock split is designed to raise the stock price, there is
no
guarantee that the share price will rise proportionately to the reverse stock
split, so the end result could be a loss of value.
Requirements
for Listing on the AMEX
Alteon
common stock is quoted on the AMEX under the symbol “ALT.” On January 24,
2007, we received a notice from the staff (the “Staff”) of AMEX that AMEX has
accepted our plan to regain compliance with AMEX continued listing standards,
and that our listing will be continued pursuant to an extension until
April 9, 2008 (the “Extension Period”). The Staff requested that Alteon
effect a reverse stock split of its common stock to address the low selling
price of Alteon common stock.
We
submitted a plan of compliance to AMEX on November 6, 2006, outlining our
operational plan and strategic objectives, and amended our plan of compliance
on
January 3, 2007 and January 5, 2007 (the “Plan of Compliance”). The
Plan of Compliance was prepared in response to a letter received from AMEX
on
October 9, 2006, indicating that Alteon was not in compliance with certain
continued listing standards. These standards were (i) Section 1003(a)(i) of
the AMEX Company Guide, as a result of the Company’s shareholder’s equity of
less than $2,000,000 and losses from continuing operations and/or net losses
in
two out of its three most recent fiscal years; (ii) Section 1003(a)(ii) of
the AMEX Company Guide, as a result of the Company’s shareholder’s equity of
less than $4,000,000 and losses from continuing operations and/or net losses
in
three out of its four most recent fiscal years; and (iii) Section 1003(a)(iii)
of the AMEX Company Guide, as a result of the Company’s shareholder’s equity of
less than $6,000,000
and losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in its five most recent
fiscal years. To date, we have not regained compliance with such continued
listing standards, but are working towards achieving that goal consistent with
our Plan of Compliance.
We
will
be subject to periodic review by the Staff during the Extension Period, and
are
required to provide the Staff with periodic updates in connection with the
Plan
of Compliance. Failure to make progress consistent with the Plan of Compliance
or to regain compliance with the continued listing standards by the end of
the
Extension Period could result in the Company being delisted from AMEX
.
Our
Board
of Directors believes that maintaining the listing on AMEX may provide a broader
market for Alteon common stock and facilitate the use of Alteon common stock
in
financing and other transactions. The Board of Directors unanimously approved
the reverse stock split partly as a means of increasing the share price of
Alteon common stock. In addition, continuing listing on AMEX is a condition
to
the closing of the Financing with Baker Brothers Investments, and the reverse
stock split will facilitate the continuation of such listing. We expect the
reverse stock split to assist with our plan to regain compliance with AMEX
listing standards, but the reverse stock split itself will not address the
fact
that our shareholder’s equity is less than $2,000,000, which is the other aspect
of the AMEX listing standards with which we are not currently in compliance.
We
do, however, expect that our receipt of the net proceeds of the Financing will
address the deficiency in our shareholder’s equity and allow us to regain
compliance with the aspects of the AMEX listing standards relating to
shareholder’s equity.
One
of
the effects of the reverse stock split will be to effectively increase the
proportion of authorized but unissued shares to issued shares. This could result
in Alteon’s management being able to issue more shares without further
stockholder approval. For example, if Alteon effects the reverse stock split
of
its issued and outstanding common stock using a 1:75 ratio, and does not amend
the number of authorized shares of common stock, its authorized but unissued
shares of common stock following the stock split would be 103,923,035 compared
to shares issued of 1,724,251. Alteon currently has no plans to issue shares,
other than in the Financing and to satisfy obligations under the Company’s
employee stock options from time to time as these options are
exercised.
Potential
Increased Investor Interest
On
May
24, 2007, the closing price of Alteon common stock, as reported on AMEX, was
$0.05 per share. In approving the proposal authorizing the reverse stock split,
our Board of Directors considered that our common stock may not appeal to
brokerage firms that are reluctant to recommend lower priced securities to
their
clients. Investors may also be dissuaded from purchasing lower priced stocks
because the brokerage commissions, as a percentage of the total transaction,
tend to be higher for such stocks. Moreover, the analysts at many brokerage
firms do not monitor the trading activity or otherwise provide coverage of
lower
priced stocks. Also, the Alteon Board believes that most investment funds are
reluctant to invest in lower priced stocks.
There
are risks associated with the reverse stock split, including that the reverse
stock split may not result in an increase in the per share price of Alteon
common stock.
Alteon
cannot predict whether the reverse stock split will increase the market price
for Alteon common stock. The history of similar stock split combinations for
companies in like circumstances is varied. There is no assurance
that:
|
·
|
the
market price per share of Alteon common stock after the reverse stock
split will rise in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares
of
Alteon common stock outstanding before the reverse stock
split;
|
|
·
|
the
reverse stock split will result in a per share price that will attract
brokers and investors who do not trade in lower priced
stocks;
|
|
·
|
the
reverse stock split will result in a per share price that will increase
Alteon’s ability to attract and retain employees and other service
providers; and
|
|
·
|
Alteon
will meet the requirements of AMEX for continued inclusion for
trading.
|
The
market price of Alteon common stock will also be based on Alteon performance
and
other factors, some of which are unrelated to the number of shares outstanding.
If the reverse stock split is effected and the market price of Alteon common
stock declines, the percentage decline as an absolute number and as a percentage
of Alteon’s overall market capitalization may be greater than would occur in the
absence of a reverse stock split. Furthermore, the liquidity of Alteon common
stock could be adversely affected by the reduced number of shares that would
be
outstanding after the reverse stock split.
Principal
Effects of the Reverse Stock Split
If
the
stockholders approve the proposal to authorize our Board of Directors to
implement the reverse stock split and our Board of Directors implements the
reverse stock split, Alteon will amend the existing provision of Alteon’s
Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation relating to Alteon’s authorized
capital to add the following paragraph:
“Upon
the
effectiveness of this Restated Certificate, every [*] issued and outstanding
shares of Common Stock of the Corporation shall be changed and reclassified
into
one (1) share of Common Stock, which shares shall be fully paid and
nonassessable shares of Common Stock of the Corporation; provided, however,
that
in lieu of fractional interests in shares of Common Stock to which any
stockholder would otherwise be entitled pursuant hereto (taking into account
all
shares of Common Stock owned by such stockholder), such stockholder shall be
entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the fair value of one share of
Common Stock multiplied by such fraction. The par value of the Common Stock
shall remain $0.01 per share. All certificates representing shares of Common
Stock outstanding immediately prior to the filing of this Restated Certificate
shall immediately after the filing of this Restated Certificate represent
instead the number of shares of Common Stock as provided above. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any holder of Common Stock may (but shall not be required to)
surrender his, her or its stock certificate or certificates to the Corporation,
and upon such surrender the Corporation will issue a certificate for the
correct number of shares of Common Stock to which the holder is entitled under
the provisions of this Restated Certificate. Shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding prior to the filing of this Restated Certificate, and that are
not
outstanding after and as a result of the filing of this Restated Certificate,
shall resume the status of authorized but unissued shares of Common
Stock.”
——————
*
|
By
approving this amendment stockholders will approve the combination
of any
whole number of shares of common stock between and including fifty
(50)
and one hundred (100) into one (1) share. The Restated Certificate
of
Incorporation filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
will include only that number determined by the Board of Directors
to be
in the best interests of Alteon and its stockholders. In accordance
with
these resolutions, the Board of Directors will not implement any
amendment
providing for a different split
ratio.
|
The
reverse stock split will be effected simultaneously for all Alteon common
stock
and the exchange ratio will be the same for all shares of Alteon common stock.
The reverse stock split will affect all of our stockholders uniformly and
will
not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interests in Alteon, except to
the extent that the reverse stock split results in any of our stockholders
owning a fractional share. Common stock issued pursuant to the reverse stock
split will remain fully paid and nonassessable. The reverse stock split will
not
affect Alteon’s continuing to be subject to the periodic reporting requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, despite the fact that,
as a
result of the proposed cash payment for any fractional shares resulting from
the
reverse stock split as described below under “ - Fractional Shares,” it is
possible that we would have the ability to deregister our common stock from
registration under the Exchange Act if the number of our stockholders after
the
reverse stock split were to fall below 300. The reverse stock split alone
at any
ratio within the range for which we are seeking approval will not cause the
number of shareholders of record to fall below 300, and we do not have any
current intention to take steps to deregister our common stock from registration
under the Exchange Act.
Procedure
for Effecting Reverse Stock Split and Exchange of Stock
Certificates
If
the
reverse stock split is approved by our stockholders, and if our Board of
Directors still believes that a reverse stock split is in the best interests
of
Alteon and our stockholders, the Board will determine the ratio of the reverse
stock split to be implemented. Alteon will file the Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, which will implement the reverse stock split
provision, with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware at such time
as
the Board of Directors has determined the appropriate effective time for the
reverse stock split. Our Board of Directors may delay effecting the reverse
stock split without resoliciting stockholder approval. Beginning on the
effective date of the split, each certificate representing pre-split shares
will
be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence ownership of post-split
shares.
As
soon
as practicable after the effective date of the split, stockholders will be
notified that the reverse stock split has been effected. Alteon expects that
Alteon’s transfer agent will act as exchange agent for purposes of implementing
the exchange of stock certificates. Holders of pre-split shares will be asked
to
surrender to the exchange agent certificates representing pre-split shares
in
exchange for certificates representing post-split shares in accordance with
the
procedures to be set forth in a letter of transmittal to be sent by Alteon.
No
new certificates will be issued to a stockholder until such stockholder has
surrendered such stockholder’s outstanding certificate(s) together with the
properly completed and executed letter of transmittal to the exchange agent.
Any
pre-split shares submitted for transfer, whether pursuant to a sale or other
disposition, or otherwise, will automatically be exchanged for post-split
shares. STOCKHOLDERS
SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY
CERTIFICATE(S) UNTIL REQUESTED TO DO SO.
Fractional
Shares
No
fractional shares will be issued in connection with the reverse stock split.
Stockholders of record who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional
shares because they hold a number of pre-split shares not evenly divisible
by the number of pre-split shares for which each post-split share is to be
exchanged, will be entitled, upon surrender to the exchange agent of
certificates representing such shares, to a cash payment in lieu thereof at
a
price equal to the fraction to which the stockholder would otherwise be entitled
multiplied by the closing price of the common stock, as reported in the Wall
Street Journal, on the last trading day prior to the effective date of the
split
(or if such price is not available, the average of the last bid and asked prices
of the common stock on such day or other price determined by our Board of
Directors). The ownership of a fractional interest will not give the holder
thereof any voting, dividend, or other rights except to receive payment therefor
as described herein.
Stockholders
should be aware that, under the escheat laws of the various jurisdictions where
stockholders reside, where Alteon is domiciled, and where the funds will be
deposited, sums due for fractional interests that are not timely claimed after
the effective date of the split may be required to be paid to the designated
agent for each such jurisdiction, unless correspondence has been received by
Alteon or the exchange agent concerning ownership of such funds within the
time
permitted in such jurisdiction. Thereafter, stockholders otherwise entitled
to
receive such funds will have to seek to obtain them directly from the state
to
which they were paid.
Accounting
Matters
The
reverse stock split will not affect the stockholders’ equity section of Alteon’s
balance sheet. However, because the par value of Alteon common stock will remain
unchanged on the effective date of the split, certain components that are part
of the stockholders’ equity section will change by offsetting amounts. Depending
on the size of the reverse stock split the Board of Directors decides to
implement, the stated capital component will be reduced to an amount between
one-fiftieth (1/505) and one-hundredth (1/100) of its present amount, and the
additional paid-in capital component will be increased with the amount by which
the stated capital is reduced. The per share net income or loss and net book
value of Alteon common stock will be increased because there will be fewer
shares of Alteon common stock outstanding. Prior periods’ per share amounts will
be restated to reflect the reverse stock split.
Potential
Anti-Takeover Effect
Although
the increased proportion of unissued authorized shares to issued shares could,
under certain circumstances, have an anti-takeover effect (for example, by
permitting issuances that would dilute the stock ownership of a person seeking
to effect a change in the composition of our Board of Directors or contemplating
a tender offer or other transaction for the combination of Alteon with
another company), the reverse stock split proposal is not being proposed in
response to any effort of which we are aware to accumulate shares of Alteon
common stock or obtain control of Alteon, nor is it part of a plan by management
to recommend a series of similar amendments to our Board of Directors and
stockholders. Other than the reverse stock split proposal, our Board of
Directors does not currently contemplate recommending the adoption of any other
actions that could be construed to affect the ability of third parties to
take over or change control of Alteon.
No
Dissenter’s
Rights
Under
the
Delaware General Corporation Law, Alteon stockholders are not entitled to
dissenter’s rights with respect to the reverse stock split, and Alteon will not
independently provide stockholders with any such right.
Federal
Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split
The
following is a summary of the material federal income tax consequences of the
reverse stock split and does not purport to be a complete discussion of all
of
the possible federal income tax consequences of the reverse stock split.
Further, it does not address any state, local or foreign income or other tax
consequences. For example, the state and local tax consequences of the reverse
stock split may vary significantly as to each stockholder, depending upon the
state in which such stockholder resides. Also, it does not address the tax
consequences to holders that are subject to special tax rules, such as banks,
insurance companies, regulated investment companies, personal holding companies,
foreign entities, nonresident alien individuals, broker-dealers and tax-exempt
entities. The discussion is based on the provisions of the United States federal
income tax law as of the date hereof, which is subject to change retroactively,
as well as prospectively. This summary also assumes that the pre-split shares
were, and the post-split shares will be, held as a “capital asset,” as defined
in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (generally, property held
for
investment). The tax treatment of a stockholder may vary
depending upon the particular facts and circumstances of such stockholder.
Each
stockholder is urged to consult with such stockholder’s own tax advisor with
respect to the tax consequences of the reverse stock split.
Other
than the cash payments for fractional shares discussed below, no gain or loss
should be recognized by a stockholder upon such stockholder’s exchange of
pre-split shares for post-split shares pursuant to the reverse stock split.
The
aggregate tax basis of the post-split shares received in the reverse stock
split, including any fraction of a post-split share deemed to have been
received, will be the same as the stockholder’s aggregate tax basis in the
pre-split shares that are exchanged. In general, stockholders who receive cash
upon redemption of their fractional share interests in the post-split shares
as
a result of the reverse stock split will recognize gain or loss based on their
adjusted basis in the fractional share interests redeemed. The federal income
tax liability, if any, generated by the receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional
interest should be minimal in view of the low value of the fractional interest.
The stockholder’s holding period for the post-split shares will include the
period during which the stockholder held the pre-split shares surrendered in
the
reverse stock split.
Alteon’s
view regarding the tax consequence of the reverse stock split is not binding
on
the Internal Revenue Service or the courts. Accordingly, each stockholder should
consult with such stockholder’s own tax advisor with respect to all of the
potential tax consequences to such stockholder of the reverse stock
split.
The
approval of the reverse stock split is required by the Financing
documents.
Votes
Required to Approve the Reverse Stock Split
Approval
of the reverse stock split requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the
issued and outstanding shares of Alteon common stock. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will be counted towards the vote total for this proposal, and will
have the same effect as “against” votes.
This
proposal 8 can not be passed without the passage of proposals 2, 3 and
4.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO APPROVE THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT, AND
PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE REVERSE STOCK
SPLIT
UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.
Votes
Required to Approve the Adjournment of the Annual Meeting
Approval
of the adjournment of Alteon’s annual meeting, if necessary, if a quorum is
present, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to
approve the matters to be voted on at the meeting requires the affirmative
vote
of a majority of the votes cast. Abstentions will be counted towards the vote
total for this proposal, and will have the same effect as “against” votes.
Broker non-votes will have no effect and will not be counted towards the vote
total for this proposal.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO APPROVE THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE MEETING,
IF NECESSARY, AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF
THE
ADJOURNMENT UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE
PROXY.
PROPOSAL
10
INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The
Audit
Committee of the Board has appointed, subject to stockholder ratification,
J.H.
Cohn LLP (“J.H. Cohn”) to serve as Alteon’s independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007. The Board
recommends that our stockholders ratify the appointment of J.H.
Cohn.
J.H.
Cohn
served as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal
years
ended December 31, 2006, December 31, 2005, and December 31,
2004.
If
the
stockholders do not ratify the decision to appoint J.H. Cohn, the Audit
Committee may reconsider its selection. The affirmative vote of a majority
of
the shares voted at the annual meeting is required for
ratification.
Representatives
of J.H. Cohn are expected to be present at the annual meeting to respond to
appropriate questions from our stockholders. They will be given the opportunity
to make a statement if they wish to do so.
The
following table summarizes the fees paid or payable to J.H. Cohn for services
rendered for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006:
Type
of Fees
|
|
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 31,
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit
Fees
|
|
$
|
97,925
|
|
Audit-Related
Fees
|
|
|
46,142
|
|
Tax
Fees
|
|
|
—
|
|
All
Other Fees
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total
Fees
|
|
$
|
144,067
|
|
The
following table summarizes the fees paid or payable to J.H. Cohn for services
rendered for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005:
Type
of Fees
|
|
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 31,
2005
|
|
|
|
|
|
Audit
Fees
|
|
$
|
288,966
|
*
|
Audit-Related
Fees
|
|
|
46,142
|
|
Tax
Fees
|
|
|
7,150
|
|
All
Other Fees
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total
Fees
|
|
$
|
296,116
|
|
——————
*
|
2005
Audit Fees to J.H. Cohn LLP included $196,239 for work related to
the
audit of our internal controls over financial reporting and related
attestation to management’s report on the effectiveness of our internal
controls over financial reporting which was required by Section 404
of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
Information
set forth above under the caption “Audit Fees” relates to fees we paid the
independent registered public accountants for professional services for the
audit of our financial statements included in our Form 10-K, review of our
financial statements included in our Forms 10-Q and for the issuance of comfort
letters and/or consents in connection with registration statements. 2006 Audit
Fees to J.H. Cohn LLP are fees for audit work performed in the preparation
of
financial statements. “Audit-Related Fees” are fees we paid for assurance and
related services by the independent registered public accountants that are
reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our
financial statements, including special procedures required to meet certain
regulatory requirements.
Policy
on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-audit Services
of
Independent Auditors
Consistent
with SEC policies regarding auditor independence, the Audit Committee has
responsibility for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing the work
of
the independent registered public accounting firm. In recognition of this
responsibility, the Audit Committee has established a policy to pre-approve
all
audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent
auditor.
Prior
to
engagement of the independent auditor for the next year’s audit, management will
submit an aggregate of services expected to be rendered during that year for
each of four categories of services to the Audit Committee for
approval.
1.
Audit
services
include audit work performed in connection with annual financial statements,
as
well as work that generally only the independent auditor can reasonably be
expected to provide, including comfort letters, statutory audits, and attest
services and consultation regarding financial accounting and/or reporting
standards.
2.
Audit-Related
services
are for assurance and related services that are traditionally performed by
the
independent auditor, including due diligence related to mergers and
acquisitions, employee benefit plan audits, and special procedures required
to
meet certain regulatory requirements.
3.
Tax
services
include all services performed by the independent auditor’s tax personnel except
those services specifically related to the audit of the financial statements,
and includes fees in the areas of tax compliance, tax planning, and tax
advice.
4.
Other
Fees
are
those associated with services not captured in the other categories. The Company
generally does not request such services from the independent registered public
accounting firm.
Prior
to
engagement, the Audit Committee pre-approves these services by category of
service. The fees are budgeted and the Audit Committee requires the independent
auditor and management to report actual fees versus the budget periodically
throughout the year by category of service. During the year, circumstances
may
arise when it may become necessary to engage the independent auditor for
additional services not contemplated in the original pre-approval. In those
instances, the Audit Committee requires specific pre-approval before engaging
the independent auditor.
The
Audit
Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members.
The
member to whom such authority is delegated must report, for informational
purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next
scheduled meeting.
Votes
Required to Ratify the Appointment of J.H. Cohn LLP
The
affirmative vote of a majority of the shares voted at the annual meeting is
required for ratification of the selection of J.H. Cohn LLP as Alteon’s
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2007. Abstentions will be counted towards the vote total for
this proposal, and will have the same effect as “against” votes. Broker
non-votes will have no effect and will not be counted towards the vote total
for
this proposal.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF J.H. COHN
LLP
AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM, AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY
THE
BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF SUCH RATIFICATION UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS
INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
Statements
in this proxy statement that are not statements or descriptions of historical
facts are “forward-looking” statements and are subject to numerous risks and
uncertainties. These forward-looking statements and other forward-looking
statements made by us or our representatives are based on a number of
assumptions. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate”
or other expressions, which are predictions of or indicate future events and
trends and which do not relate to historical matters, identify forward-looking
statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, as they involve risks and uncertainties, and actual
results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number
of factors, including those set forth in Alteon’s SEC filings.
The
forward-looking statements represent our judgments and expectations as of the
date of this proxy statement. We assume no obligation to update any such
forward-looking statements.
INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
The
following sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2006, as filed on March 22, 2007 and as amended on April 30,
2007 (file No. 001-16043), which is enclosed with this proxy statement, are
incorporated by reference into this proxy statement:
|
·
|
Financial
Statements, including the Notes thereto, and the unaudited quarterly
financial data for the two-year period ended December 31, 2006 (Part
II,
Items 8(a) and 8(b);
|
|
·
|
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Part II, Item 7); and
|
|
·
|
Qualitative
and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk (Part II, Item
7A).
|
The
following sections of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended
March 31, 2007, as filed on May 14, 2007 (file No. 001-16043), which is
enclosed
with this proxy statement, are incorporated by reference into this proxy
statement:
|
·
|
Unaudited
condensed consolidated financial statements, including the Notes
thereto
(Part I, Item 1);
|
|
·
|
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
(Part I, Item 2); and
|
|
·
|
Qualitative
and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk (Part I, Item
3).
|
CHANGES
IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not
applicable.
CODE
OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
Alteon
has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of its
employees, including its chief executive officer and chief financial and
accounting officers. The text of the code of business conduct and ethics is
posted on Alteon’s website at www.alteon.com.
Disclosure regarding any amendments to, or waivers from, provisions of the
code
of business conduct and ethics that apply to Alteon’s directors, principal
executive and financial officers will be included in a Current Report on Form
8-K within four business days following the date of the amendment or waiver,
unless website posting of such amendments or waivers is then permitted by the
rules of the American Stock Exchange, Inc.
STOCKHOLDER
PROPOSALS
Stockholders
deciding to submit proposals for inclusion in our proxy statement and proxy
relating to our 2008 annual meeting of stockholders must advise Alteon’s
Secretary of such proposals in writing by [April 20], 2008. In addition,
the proxy solicited by the Board of Directors for the 2008 annual meeting of
stockholders will confer discretionary authority to vote on any stockholder
proposal presented at that meeting of which notice was not timely received.
In
accordance with our bylaws, notice of a proposal will be considered untimely,
unless Alteon’s Secretary receives written notice of such proposal by
[April 20], 2008 (but not earlier than [March 21], 2008).
OTHER
MATTERS
The
Board
of Directors of Alteon is not aware of any matter to be presented for action
at
the meeting other than the matters referred to above and does not intend to
bring any other matters before the meeting. However, if other matters should
properly come before the meeting, it is intended that holders of the proxies
will vote thereon in their discretion.
GENERAL
The
accompanying proxies are solicited by and on behalf of the Boards of Directors
of Alteon, whose notice of meeting is attached to this proxy statement, and
the
entire cost of such solicitation will be borne by Alteon.
In
addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited by personal interview
and telephone by directors, officers and other employees of Alteon who will
not
be specially compensated for these services. Alteon has retained the services
of
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company to assist in the proxy distribution
at a fee estimated to be $20,000. Alteon will also request that brokers,
nominees, custodians and other fiduciaries forward soliciting materials to
the
beneficial owners of shares held of record by such brokers, nominees, custodians
and other fiduciaries. Alteon will reimburse such persons for their reasonable
expenses in connection therewith.
Certain
information contained in this proxy statement relating to the security holdings
of directors and officers of Alteon is based upon information received from
the
individual directors and officers.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Alteon
files annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other
information with the SEC. You may read and copy any reports, statements or
other
information Alteon files at the SEC’s public reference rooms in Washington, D.C.
(Station Place, 100 F Street, N.E.), New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois.
Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation
of the public reference rooms. Alteon’s SEC filings are also available to the
public from commercial document retrieval services and at the website maintained
by the SEC at www.sec.gov,
as well
as on Alteon’s website at www.alteon.com
and, in
paper form, to beneficial owners of Alteon common stock without charge upon
written request to Alteon’s Secretary at Alteon’s principal executive offices,
221 West Grand Avenue, Suite 200, Montvale, New Jersey 07645.
ANNEX
INDEX
ANNEX
A -
|
SERIES
B PREFERRED STOCK AND WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT, AND AMENDMENT NO.
1
THERETO
|
ANNEX
B -
|
FORM
OF WARRANT
|
ANNEX
C -
|
FORM
OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
|
ANNEX
D -
|
FORM
OF ALTEON’S AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION
|
ANNEX
E -
|
PROXY
CARD
|
ANNEX
A
ALTEON
INC.
SERIES
B PREFERRED STOCK AND WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT
April 5,
2007
SERIES
B PREFERRED STOCK AND WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This
Series B Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement (this “Agreement”)
is
dated as of April 5, 2007, among Alteon Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
“Company”),
and
each purchaser identified on the signature pages hereto (each, including its
successors and assigns, a “Purchaser”
and
collectively the “Purchasers”).
WHEREAS,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and pursuant
to
Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”)
and
Rule 506 promulgated thereunder, the Company desires to issue and sell to each
Purchaser, and each Purchaser, severally and not jointly, desires to purchase
from the Company, securities of the Company as more fully described in this
Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement,
and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and adequacy of which
are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each Purchaser agree as
follows:
ARTICLE
I.
DEFINITIONS
1.1
Definitions
In
addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, for all purposes
of
this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this Section
1.1:
“Affiliate”
means
any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person as such
terms are used in and construed under Rule 144 under the Securities Act,
provided,
however,
that for
the avoidance of doubt it is acknowledged and agreed that Atticus Global
Advisors, Ltd. and Green Way Managed Account Series, Ltd., in respect of its
segregated account, Green Way Portfolio D, are affiliates.
“Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”
means
that certain Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be filed
with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in substantially the form
attached hereto as Exhibit A.
“Business
Day”
means
any day except Saturday, Sunday, any day which shall be a federal legal holiday
in the United States or any day on which banking institutions in the State
of
New York are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to
close.
“Closing”
means
the closing of the purchase and sale of the Securities pursuant to Section
2.1.
“Closing
Date”
means
the Trading Day when all of the all conditions precedent to (i) the Purchasers’
obligations to pay the Subscription Amount and (ii) the Company’s obligations to
deliver the Securities have been satisfied or waived.
“Closing
Price”
means on
any particular date (a) the last reported closing price per share of Common
Stock on such date on the Trading Market (as reported by Bloomberg L.P. at
4:15
PM (New York time)), or (b) if there is no such price on such date, then
the closing price on the Trading Market on the date nearest preceding such
date
(as reported by Bloomberg L.P. at 4:15 PM (New York time)), or (c) if the
OTC Bulletin Board is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price
of
the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the OTC
Bulletin Board or (d) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted on
the Trading Market or the OTC Bulletin Board and if prices for the Common Stock
are then reported in the “pink sheets” published by Pink Sheets LLC (or a
similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices),
the most recent price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (e) if
the shares of Common Stock are not then publicly traded the fair market value
of
a share of Common Stock as determined by an appraiser selected in good faith
by
the Purchasers representing at least a majority in interest of the Shares to
be
purchased hereunder.
“Commission”
means
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Common
Stock”
means
the common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share, and any other class
of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or
changed into.
“Common
Stock Equivalents”
means
any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder
thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation,
any
debt, preferred stock, rights, options, warrants or other instrument that is
at
any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise
entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.
“Company
Counsel”
means
Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo P.C.
“Conversion
Shares”
means
the shares of Common Stock of the Company issuable upon conversion of the Series
B Preferred Stock.
“Convertible
Promissory Notes”
means
those certain Senior Convertible Secured Promissory Notes of the Company in
an
aggregate principal amount of $3,000,000 each dated January 11, 2007,
issued pursuant to the Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement.
“Disclosure
Schedules”
means
the Disclosure Schedules of the Company delivered concurrently
herewith.
“Effective
Date”
means
the date that the initial Registration Statement filed by the Company pursuant
to the Registration Rights Agreement is first declared effective by the
Commission.
“Exchange
Act”
means
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
“GAAP”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(k).
“Legend
Removal Date”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.1(c).
“Liens”
means a
lien, charge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal, preemptive
right or other restriction.
“Note
and Warrant Purchase Agreement”
means
the Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated January 11, 2007 by and among
the Company and the lenders named therein.
“Per
Share Purchase Price”
means
50% of the average Closing Price of the Common Stock for the fifteen (15)
Trading Days beginning after the later of the Shareholder Meeting or
implementation of the Reverse Stock Split. The per share price shall in no
event
(i) exceed the equivalent of $0.075 per share immediately prior to the Reverse
Stock Split or (ii) be less than the equivalent of $0.05 per share immediately
prior the Reverse Stock Split.
“Person”
means an
individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated
association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company,
government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any
kind.
“Proceeding”
means an
action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation,
an investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced
or threatened.
“Proxy
Statement”
means
that certain Proxy Statement to be prepared by the Company and submitted to
the
Commission for review and comment in order to properly call and notice the
Shareholder Meeting.
“Registration
Rights Agreement”
means
the Registration Rights Agreement, dated the date hereof, among the Company
and
the Purchasers, in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.
“Registration
Statement”
means a
registration statement meeting the requirements set forth in the Registration
Rights Agreement and covering the resale by the Purchasers of the Shares and the
Warrant Shares.
“Reverse
Stock Split”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 4.11.
“Rule
144”
means
Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same effect as
such
Rule.
“SEC
Documents”
shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.1(k).
“Securities”
means
the Shares, the Conversion Shares, the Warrants and the Warrant
Shares.
“Securities
Act”
means
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
“Series
B Preferred Stock”
means
the Series B Preferred Stock of the Company, $.01 par value per
share.
“Shares”
means
the shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued or issuable to each Purchaser
pursuant to this Agreement.
“Shareholder
Meeting”
means
that certain meeting of the Company’s stockholders currently anticipated to be
held on or prior to April 30, 2007, unless the proxy statement relating to
the Shareholder Meeting is reviewed by the Commission, in which case such date
shall be extended to May 31, 2007.
“Short
Sales”
shall
include all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO under the
Exchange Act (but shall not be deemed to include the location and/or reservation
of borrowable shares of Common Stock).
“Significant
Holder”
shall
mean any beneficial holder or holder of record of at least that number of shares
of Series B Preferred Stock as is equal to $4,000,000 divided by the Per Share
Purchase Price (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reverse stock
splits or the like). All shares of Series B Preferred Stock held or acquired
by
affiliated entities or persons shall be aggregated together for the purpose
of
determining the status of a holder as a Significant Holder.
“Subscription
Amount”
means,
as to each Purchaser, the aggregate amount to be paid for Shares and Warrants
purchased hereunder in United States Dollars and in immediately available funds,
in an aggregate amount for all Purchasers equal to $25,000,000, including the
principal and accrued but unpaid interest on the Convertible Promissory
Notes.
“Trading
Day”
means a
day on which the Common Stock is traded on a Trading Market.
“Trading
Market”
means
the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted
for trading on the date in question: the Nasdaq Capital Market, the American
Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, or the Nasdaq Global
Market.
“Transaction
Documents”
means
this Agreement, the Warrants, the Registration Rights Agreement and any other
documents or agreements executed in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereunder.
“VWAP”
means,
for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that
applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market,
the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or
the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock
is
then listed or quoted for trading as reported by Bloomberg Financial L.P. (based
on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York
City
time); (b) if the OTC Bulletin Board is not a Trading Market, the volume
weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest
preceding date) on the OTC Bulletin Board; (c) if the Common Stock is not then
quoted for trading on the OTC Bulletin Board and if prices for the Common Stock
are then reported in the “Pink Sheets” published by Pink Sheets, LLC (or a
similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices),
the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported; or (d)
in
all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined
by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the applicable Purchaser
and reasonably acceptable to the Company.
“Warrants”
means
collectively the Series B Preferred Stock purchase warrants, in the form of
Exhibit C delivered to the Purchasers at the Closing in accordance with Section
2.2(b) hereof, which Warrants shall be exercisable six months after the Closing
Date and have a term of exercise equal to five years.
“Warrant
Shares”
means
the shares of Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the
Warrants.
ARTICLE
II.
PURCHASE
AND SALE
2.1
Closing.
On the
Closing Date, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein,
(i)
as consideration for receipt of the Subscription Amounts the Company agrees
to
sell, and each Purchaser, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase the
allocation, as set forth opposite such Purchaser’s name on Schedule A attached
hereto, of Shares and Warrants at the Per Share Purchase Price and (ii) the
Convertible Promissory Notes plus all accrued
but unpaid interest thereon will be automatically converted pursuant to their
terms, and will be of no further force or effect. Each Purchaser shall deliver
to the Company via wire transfer or a certified check immediately available
funds equal to their Subscription Amount, as set forth opposite their names
on
Schedule A attached hereto, and the Company shall deliver to each Purchaser
their respective Shares and Warrants, as set forth opposite their names on
Schedule A attached hereto, and the other items set forth in Section 2.2
issuable at the Closing; provided that the Subscription Amount for any holder
of
Convertible Promissory Notes shall be credited for the amount of principal
and
accrued interest thereon. Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
Sections 2.2 and 2.3, the Closing shall occur at the offices of Company Counsel,
or such other location as the parties shall mutually agree.
2.2
Deliveries.
(a)
On
the date hereof, the Company and each of the Purchasers shall deliver or cause
to be delivered to the other, this Agreement, together with all exhibits and
schedules attached thereto, duly executed by an authorized
representative.
(b)
On
the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each
Purchaser the following:
(i)
a
legal opinion of Company Counsel dated the Closing Date, in the form of Exhibit
D attached hereto;
(ii)
a
copy of the irrevocable instructions to the Company’s transfer agent instructing
the transfer agent to deliver, on an expedited basis, a certificate evidencing
a
number of Shares equal to such Purchaser’s Subscription Amount divided by the
Per Share Purchase Price, including any Shares issuable upon conversion of
the
Convertible Promissory Notes, each registered in the name of such
Purchaser;
(iii)
a
certificate of the Secretary of the Company dated the Closing Date, certifying
the incumbency and authority of the officers or authorized signatories of the
Company who execute this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and
the
truth, correctness and completeness of the following exhibits which shall be
attached thereto: (i) a copy of resolutions duly adopted by the Board of
Directors of the Company, in full force and effect at the time this Agreement
is
entered into, authorizing the execution of this Agreement and the other
Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
herein and therein, (ii) a copy of the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company, as amended through the Closing Date, and as
filed with and accepted and certified by an appropriate official of the
Company’s jurisdiction of incorporation, and (iii) a copy of the By-Laws of
the Company, as amended through the Closing Date;
(iv)
a
Warrant registered in the name of such Purchaser to purchase up to a number
of
shares of Series B Preferred Stock equal to twenty five (25%) percent of such
Purchaser’s Subscription Amount, divided by the Per Share Purchase Price;
and
(v)
the
Registration Rights Agreement duly executed by the Company.
(c)
On
the Closing Date, each Purchaser shall deliver or cause to be delivered to
the
Company the following:
(i)
such
Purchaser’s Subscription Amount by wire transfer to the account as specified in
writing by the Company;
(ii)
the
Registration Rights Agreement duly executed by such Purchaser;
(iii)
if
applicable, such Purchaser’s originally executed Convertible Promissory
Note;
(iv)
if
applicable, evidence of the filing of a UCC-3 termination statement with respect
to any UCC-1 financing statement filed in connection with the Note and Warrant
Purchase Agreement; and
(v)
if
applicable, evidence of the termination of the security interest filed against
the Company’s intellectual property with the United States Patent and Trademark
Office pursuant to that certain Intellectual Property Security Agreement entered
into contemporaneously with the Note and Warrant Purchase
Agreement.
2.3
Closing
Conditions.
(a)
The
obligations of the Company hereunder in connection with the Closing are subject
to the following conditions having been met:
(i)
the
accuracy in all material respects when made and on the Closing Date of the
representations and warranties of the Purchasers contained herein;
(ii)
all
obligations, covenants and agreements of the Purchasers contained herein
required to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date shall have been
performed; and
(iii)
the
delivery by the Purchasers of the items set forth in Section 2.2(c) of this
Agreement.
(b)
The
respective obligations of the Purchasers hereunder in connection with the
Closing are subject to the following conditions having been met:
(i)
the
accuracy in all material respects on the Closing Date of the representations
and
warranties of the Company contained herein;
(ii)
all
obligations, covenants and agreements of the Company contained herein required
to be performed at or prior to the Closing Date shall have been
performed;
(iii)
the
delivery by the Company of the items set forth in Section 2.2(b) of this
Agreement;
(iv)
the
approval by the stockholders of the Company as to all matters in connection
with
the Reverse Stock Split and the issuance of the Securities at the Shareholder
Meeting and the other matters set forth in Section 4.11;
(v)
the
filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware of the Amended
and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation;
(vi)
from
the date hereof to the Closing Date, trading in the Common Stock shall not
have
been suspended by the Commission or the Company’s principal Trading Market
(except for any suspension of trading of limited duration agreed to by the
Company, which suspension shall be terminated prior to the Closing), and, at
any
time prior to the Closing Date, trading in securities generally as reported
by
Bloomberg Financial Markets shall not have been suspended or limited, or minimum
prices shall not have been established on securities whose trades are reported
by such service, or on any Trading Market; and
(vii)
the
Company and its Board of Directors shall have taken all necessary action, if
any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business
combination, poison pill (including any distribution under that certain Amended
and Restated Stockholders’ Rights Agreement, dated as of July 25, 2005,
between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as amended,
and any other rights agreement) or other similar anti-takeover provision under
the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the laws of the
jurisdiction of its formation which is or could become applicable to (i) any
Purchaser as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including, without limitation, the Company’s issuance of the Securities and any
Purchaser’s ownership of the Securities and (ii) the Purchasers and their
affiliates for a period of not less than five (5) years after the Closing
Date.
ARTICLE
III.
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES
3.1
Representations
and Warranties of the Company.
As of
the date hereof, and as of the Closing, the Company hereby acknowledges,
represents, warrants and/or agrees as follows:
(a)
Organization,
Standing and Qualification of the Company.
The
Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company has all requisite corporate
power and authority to own and operate its properties and to carry on its
business as now being conducted and as proposed to be conducted. The Company
is
duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing
in each jurisdiction in which failure to so qualify would materially and
adversely affect the business, properties, operations or condition, financial
or
otherwise, of the Company. The resolutions adopted by the directors of
the
Company on March 30, 2007 authorizing the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement have not been amended or modified in any way, have not been rescinded
and are in full force and effect on the date hereof.
(b)
Corporate
Authority; Enforceability.
The
Company has full right, power and authority to issue and sell the Securities
as
herein contemplated and the Company has full power and authority to enter into
and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Securities, the Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Registration Rights Agreement.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Securities, the Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Registration Rights Agreement
by
the Company and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and
therein have been duly authorized and approved by all requisite corporate
action, and each of this Agreement, the Securities, the Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and the Registration Rights Agreement are a valid
and legally binding obligation of the Company; provided, however, that the
issuance of the Securities and the conversion of the Convertible Promissory
Notes will require approval of the Company’s stockholders under the applicable
rules of the American Stock Exchange, which approval will be sought at the
Shareholder Meeting, but as of the date hereof, has not been
obtained.
(c)
Conflicts.
Subject
to Section 3.1(b)(i) and (ii) above, neither the authorization, execution and
delivery of this Agreement, the Securities and the Registration Rights Agreement
nor the consummation of the transactions herein and therein contemplated, will
(i) conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms of the
Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws, (ii) violate any
judgment, order, injunction, decree or award of any court or governmental body,
having jurisdiction over the Company, against or binding on the Company or
to
which its property is subject, (iii) violate any material law or regulation
of any jurisdiction which is applicable to the Company, (iv) violate,
conflict with or result in the breach or termination of, or constitute a default
under, the terms of any material agreement to which the Company is a party,
except for such violations or defaults which do not materially and adversely
affect the business, assets, operations or financial condition of the Company,
or (v) violate or conflict with the rules and regulations of the American Stock
Exchange applicable to the Company.
(d)
Capitalization.
The
capitalization of the Company is as set forth on Schedule 3.1(d) attached
hereto. The Company has not issued any capital stock since its most recently
filed periodic report under the Exchange Act, other than pursuant to the
exercise of employee stock options under the Company’s stock option plans and
the issuance of shares of Common Stock to employees pursuant to the Company’s
employee stock purchase plan outstanding as of the date of the most recently
filed periodic report under the Exchange Act. All of the outstanding shares
of
capital stock of the Company are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
No further approval or authorization of any stockholder or the Board of
Directors of the Company is required for the issuance and sale, except as
described in Section 3.1(b)(i) above. The issuance of the Securities pursuant
to
the provisions of this Agreement will not violate any preemptive rights or
rights of first refusal granted by the Company that will not be validly waived
or complied with, and will be free of any liens or encumbrances, other than
any
liens or encumbrances created by or imposed upon the Purchasers through no
action of the Company. There are no stockholders agreements, voting agreements
or other similar agreements with respect to the Company’s capital stock to which
the Company is a party or, to the knowledge of the Company, between or among
any
of the Company’s stockholders.
(e)
Litigation.
There
are no actions, suits or proceedings at law or in equity or by or before any
governmental instrumentality or other agency or regulatory authority now
pending, or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened against the
Company which, if adversely determined, could materially and adversely affect
the business, assets, operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of the
Company. There is no action, suit or proceeding by the Company currently pending
or that the Company currently intends to initiate.
(f)
Compliance
with Laws.
The
Company is not in violation of any statute, law, rule or regulation, or in
default with respect to any judgment, writ, injunction, decree, rule or
regulation of any court or governmental agency or instrumentality, except for
such violations or defaults which do not materially and adversely affect the
business, assets, operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of the
Company.
(g)
Governmental
Consents.
Subject
to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Purchasers set
forth herein, no registration or filing with, or consent or approval of or
other
action by, any Federal, state or other government agency under laws and
regulations thereof as now in effect is or will be necessary for the valid
execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the
Registration Rights Agreement, and the issuance, sale and delivery of the
Securities, other than the filing of a Form D with the Commission and the
filings required by state securities law.
(h)
Title.
The
Company has good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property and
good and marketable title to all personal property owned by it which is material
to the business of the Company, in each case free and clear of all liens,
encumbrances and defects except such as do not materially affect the value
of
such property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made
of
such property by the Company. Any real property and facilities held under lease
by the Company are held by it under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases
with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use
made
and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the
Company.
(i)
Regulatory
Matters.
The
clinical, pre-clinical and other trials, studies and tests conducted by or
on
behalf of or sponsored by the Company relating to its pharmaceutical product
candidates were and, if still pending, are being conducted in all material
respects in accordance with medical and scientific protocols and research
procedures that the Company reasonably believes are appropriate. The
descriptions of the results of such trials, studies and tests as set forth
in
the SEC Documents (as defined in Section 4(k)), provided to the Purchasers
are
accurate in all material respects and fairly present the data derived from
such
trials, studies and tests. The Company has operated and currently is in
compliance in all material respects with applicable statutes and implementing
regulations administered or enforced by the United States Food and Drug
Administration (“FDA”).
Except
as set forth in the SEC Documents, the Company has not received any warning
letters or written correspondence from the FDA and/or any other governmental
entity requiring the termination, suspension or modification of any clinical,
pre-clinical and other trials, studies or tests that are material to the
Company. The Company has submitted to the FDA an Investigational New Drug
Application or amendment or supplement thereto for all clinical trials it has
conducted or sponsored or is conducting or sponsoring with respect to its
product candidates termed “Alagebrium” and “ALT-2074” (the “Specified
Candidates”),
and
all such submissions were in material compliance with applicable laws and rules
and regulations when submitted and no material deficiencies are presently being
asserted by the FDA with respect to any such submissions. None of the clinical
trials that the Company is currently conducting or sponsoring or intends to
conduct or sponsor with respect to the Specified Candidates is subject to any
temporary or permanent clinical hold by the FDA or any other government agency,
and the Company has no reason to believe that such clinical trials will be
subject to any such action.
(j)
Material
License Agreements.
Each of
the Material License Agreements (as defined below) is in full force and effect,
and neither the Company nor, to its knowledge, the licensor, is in breach of
any
Material License Agreement and the Company is aware of no circumstances or
grounds that would reasonably be expected to give rise to a claim of material
breach or right of rescission, termination, revision, or amendment of any
Material License Agreement. True and correct copies of the Material Agreements
have been provided to the Purchasers, and no amendment or other modification
with respect to such Material Agreements has been entered into by the Company.
As used herein, the term “Material
License Agreement”
shall
mean: Exclusive License Agreement dated as of September 28, 2004 by and
between Oxis International, a Delaware corporation, and HaptoGuard, as amended
on March 22, 2005, as further amended on July 19, 2006, and as further
amended on April 2, 2007; and License and Research Agreement dated as of
July 12, 2004 by and between BIO-RAP Technologies, Ltd., an Israeli
corporation, on its own behalf and on behalf of the Rappaport Family Institute
for Research in the Medical Sciences, and HaptoGuard, as amended on
April 1, 2007.
(k)
SEC
Documents; Financial Statements.
During
the two (2) years prior to the date hereof, the Company has filed all reports,
schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by it
with
the Commission pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act (all
of the foregoing filed prior to the date hereof and all exhibits included
therein and financial statements, notes and schedules thereto and documents
incorporated by reference therein being hereinafter referred to as the
“SEC
Documents”).
The
Company has delivered to the Purchasers or their respective representatives
true, correct and complete copies of each of the SEC Documents not available
on
the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system of the Commission
(“EDGAR”)
that
have been requested by each Purchaser. As of their respective dates, the SEC
Documents complied as to form in all material respects with the requirements
of
the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated
thereunder applicable to the SEC Documents, and none of the SEC Documents,
at
the time they were filed with the Commission, contained any untrue statement
of
a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light
of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of their
respective dates, the financial statements of the Company included in the SEC
Documents complied as to form in all material respects with applicable
accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the
Commission with respect thereto as in effect as of the time of filing. Such
financial statements have been prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”),
consistently applied, during the periods involved (except (i) as may be
otherwise indicated in such financial statements or the notes thereto, or
(ii) in the case of unaudited interim statements, to the extent they may
exclude footnotes or may be condensed or summary statements) and fairly present
in all material respects the financial position of the Company as of the dates
thereof and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods then
ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit
adjustments). The Company has no liabilities or obligations required to be
disclosed in the SEC Documents that are not so disclosed in the SEC Documents,
other than those incurred in the ordinary course of the Company’s business. The
information contained in the Company’s interim balance sheet as of
November 30, 2006 is true and correct in all material
respects.
(l)
Sarbanes-Oxley;
Internal Accounting Controls.
Except
as set forth in Part I - Item 4 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 (the “Specified
Weakness”),
the
Company is in material compliance with all provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act
of 2002 which are applicable to it as of the Closing Date. The Company is taking
all reasonable measures to implement remedial controls to address the Specified
Weakness. The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls
sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed
in
accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii)
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (iii)
access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or
specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is
compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action
is taken with respect to any differences. The Company has established disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and
15d-15(e)) for the Company and designed such disclosure controls and procedures
to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the
reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s
rules and forms. The Company’s certifying officers have evaluated the
effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end
of the period covered by the Company’s most recently filed periodic report under
the Exchange Act (such date, the “Evaluation
Date”).
The
Company presented in its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange
Act the conclusions of the certifying officers about the effectiveness of the
disclosure controls and procedures based on their evaluations as of the
Evaluation Date. Since the Evaluation Date, there have been no changes in the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in
the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting.
(m)
Absence
of Changes.
Except
as disclosed in Schedule 3.1(m), since September 30, 2006, and except as
otherwise disclosed in the SEC Documents, the Company has not (i) declared
or paid any dividends, (ii) sold any assets, individually or in the
aggregate, in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) outside of
the
ordinary course of business, or (iii) had capital expenditures,
individually or in the aggregate, in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars
($100,000). During the two (2) years prior to the date hereof, except as
disclosed in the SEC Documents (i) the Common Stock has been designated for
quotation on the American Stock Exchange, (ii) trading in the Common Stock
has not been suspended by the Commission or the American Stock Exchange and
(iii) the Company has received no communication, written or oral, from the
Commission or the American Stock Exchange regarding the suspension or delisting
of the Common Stock from the American Stock Exchange. The Company has not taken
any steps to seek protection pursuant to any bankruptcy law nor does the Company
have any knowledge or reason to believe that its creditors intend to initiate
involuntary bankruptcy proceedings or any actual knowledge of any fact which
would reasonably lead any creditor or creditors having claims individually
or in
the aggregate in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) to do so.
Based on the financial condition of the Company as of the Closing, after giving
effect to the receipt by the Company of the proceeds from the transactions
contemplated hereby, the Company reasonably believes that (i) the fair
saleable value of the Company’s assets exceeds the amount that will be required
to be paid on or in respect of the Company’s existing debts and other
liabilities (including, without limitation, known contingent liabilities and
the
principal and interest on the Convertible Notes) as they mature; (ii) the
Company’s assets do not constitute unreasonably small capital to carry on its
business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted including its capital
needs taking into account the particular capital requirements of the business
conducted by the Company, and projected capital requirements and capital
availability thereof; and (iii) the current cash flow of the Company,
together with the proceeds the Company would receive, were it to liquidate
all
of its assets, after taking into account all anticipated uses of the cash,
would
be sufficient to pay all amounts on
or in
respect of its liabilities when such amounts are required to be paid, including,
without limitation, with respect to the principal and interest on the
Convertible Notes. The Company does not intend to incur debts beyond its ability
to pay such debts as they mature (taking into account the timing and amounts
of
cash to be payable on or in respect of its debt). The SEC Documents set forth
as
of the dates thereof all outstanding secured and unsecured Indebtedness of
the
Company or any Subsidiary, or for which the Company or any Subsidiary has
commitments. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Indebtedness”
shall
mean (a) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed (other than
trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business),
(b) all guaranties, endorsements and other contingent obligations in
respect of Indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be
reflected in the Company’s balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except
guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection
or
similar transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (c) the
present value of any lease payments due under leases required to be capitalized
in accordance with GAAP. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default
with respect to any Indebtedness.
(n)
Patents
and Trademarks.
The
Company has rights to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks,
trademark applications, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, inventions,
copyrights, licenses and other intellectual property rights and similar rights
necessary or material for use in connection with its business as described
in
the SEC Documents and which the failure to so have would have a material adverse
effect on the results of operations, assets, business, or condition (financial
or otherwise) of the Company (collectively, the “Intellectual
Property Rights”).
The
Company has not received any notice (written or otherwise) that the Intellectual
Property Rights used by the Company violate or infringe upon the rights of
any
other person or entity. To the knowledge of the Company, all such Intellectual
Property Rights are enforceable and there is no existing infringement by another
person or entity of any of the Intellectual Property Rights. The Company has
taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality
and
value of all of its Intellectual Property Rights.
(o)
Labor
Relations.
No
material labor dispute exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent
with respect to any of the employees of the Company which could reasonably
be
expected to result in a material adverse effect on the results of operations,
assets, business, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the
Company. To the knowledge of the Company, no executive officer is, or is now
expected to be, in violation of any material term of any employment contract,
confidentiality, disclosure or proprietary information agreement or
non-competition agreement, or any other contract or agreement or any restrictive
covenant, and the continued employment of each such executive officer does
not
subject the Company to any liability with respect to any of the foregoing
matters. The Company is in compliance with all U.S. federal, state, local and
foreign laws and regulations relating to employment and employment practices,
terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, except where the failure
to be in compliance could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, assets,
business, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the
Company.
(p)
Offering.
Assuming
the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Purchasers contained
in Section 3.2 hereof, the offer, issue, and sale of the Securities are exempt
from the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act
and the registration or qualification requirements of all applicable state
securities laws. Neither the Company nor any authorized agent acting on its
behalf will knowingly take any action hereafter that would cause the loss of
such exemptions.
(q)
Acknowledgment.
The
Company acknowledges and agrees that each Purchaser is acting solely in the
capacity of an arm’s length purchaser with respect to the Securities and the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and that no Purchaser is
(i) an officer or director of the Company, (ii) an Affiliate of the
Company or (iii) to the knowledge of the Company, a “beneficial owner” of
more than 10% of the shares of Common Stock (as defined for purposes of Rule
13d-3 of the Exchange Act). The Company further acknowledges that no Purchaser
is acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar
capacity) with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, and any advice given by any Purchaser or any of its representatives
or
agents in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby is merely incidental to such Purchaser’s purchase of the Securities. The
Company further represents to each Purchaser that the Company’s decision to
enter into this Agreement, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
and the Registration Rights Agreement and issue the Securities has been based
solely on the independent evaluation by the Company and its
representatives.
(r)
No
General Solicitation; Placement Agent’s Fees.
Neither
the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their
behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising
(within the meaning of Regulation D of the Securities Act) in connection with
the offer or sale of the Securities. The Company shall be responsible for the
payment of any placement agent’s fees, financial advisory fees, or brokers’
commissions (other than for persons engaged by any Purchaser or its investment
advisor) relating to or arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby.
The
Company shall pay, and hold each Purchaser harmless against, any liability,
loss
or expense (including, without limitation, attorney’s fees and out-of-pocket
expenses) arising in connection with any such claim. The Company acknowledges
that it has engaged Rodman & Renshaw, LLC as placement agent (the
“Agent”)
in
connection with the sale of the Securities. Other than the Agent, the Company
has not engaged any placement agent or other agent in connection with the sale
of the Securities.
(s)
No
Integrated Offering.
Neither
the Company nor any person acting on its behalf has, directly or indirectly,
made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any
security, under circumstances that would require registration of any of the
Securities under the Securities Act or cause this offering of the Securities
to
be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the Securities
Act or any applicable shareholder approval provisions, including, without
limitation, under the rules and regulations of the American Stock Exchange
or
any other exchange or automated quotation system on which any of the securities
of the Company are listed or designated.
(t)
Application
of Takeover Protections; Rights Agreement.
The
Company and its Board of Directors have taken all necessary action, if any,
in
order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business
combination, poison pill (including any distribution under that certain
Stockholders’ Rights Agreement, dated as of July 27, 1995, between the
Company and Registrar and Transfer Company, as amended, and any other rights
agreement) or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Certificate of
Incorporation or the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation which is or
could
become applicable to (i) any Purchaser as a result of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Company’s
issuance of the Securities and any Purchaser’s ownership of the Securities and
(ii) the Purchasers and their Affiliates for a period of not less than five
(5) years after the Closing Date.
(u)
Form
S-3 Eligibility.
The
Company meets the eligibility requirements set forth in the Commission’s Form
S-3 promulgated under the Securities Act for the registration of the Conversion
Shares for resale by the Purchasers.
(v)
Registration
Rights.
Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.1(v), and except for such rights as have previously
be satisfied, other than each of the Purchasers, no person or entity has any
right to cause the Company to effect the registration under the Securities
Act
of any securities of the Company.
(w)
Manipulation
of Price.
The
Company has not, and to its knowledge no one acting on its behalf has,
(i) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to
result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of
the
Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities,
(ii) other than the Agent, sold, bid for, purchased, or paid any
compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Securities, or
(iii) other than the Agent, paid or agreed to pay to any person any
compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the
Company.
(x)
Disclosure.
All
disclosure provided to the Purchasers with regard to the representations and
warranties contained in this Section 3.1 regarding the Company, its business
and
the transactions contemplated hereby, furnished in writing by the Company is
true and correct in all material respects and does not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.
3.2
Representations
and Warranties of each Purchaser.
As of
the date hereof and as of the Closing, each Purchaser hereby acknowledges,
represents, warrants and/or agrees as follows:
(a)
The
sale of the Securities has not been registered under the Securities Act or
any
state securities laws. The Purchaser understands that the offering and sale
of
the Securities is intended to be exempt from registration under the Securities
Act, by virtue of Section 4(2) and/or Section 4(6) of the Securities Act and
the
provisions of Regulation D promulgated thereunder;
(b)
The
Purchaser is acquiring the Securities solely for its own account for investment
and not with a view to resale or distribution and has no present intention
of
transferring the Securities to any other person or entity;
(c)
The
Purchaser is an “accredited investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501 of
Regulation D under the Securities Act;
(d)
The
Purchaser is a sophisticated investor and has such knowledge and experience
in
financial, tax, and business matters, including, without limitation, experience
in investments by actual participation, so as to enable it to utilize the
information made available to it in connection with the offering of the
Securities, to evaluate the merits and risks of an investment in the Securities
and to make an informed investment decision with respect thereto;
(e)
The
Purchaser is either a natural person or an entity which was not formed for
the
specific purpose of acquiring the Securities. With respect to any
entity-Purchaser, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
by
the Purchaser have been duly authorized and the Agreement is a valid and legally
binding agreement of the Purchaser;
(f)
The
Purchaser has received all documents requested by the Purchaser regarding the
Company and has reviewed them and believes it is well-informed about the
Company;
(g)
The
Purchaser acknowledges that neither the Commission nor any U.S. state or foreign
securities commission has approved the Securities or passed upon or endorsed
the
merits of the offering;
(h)
The
Purchaser is aware that an investment in the Securities involves a number of
very significant risks;
(i)
The
Purchaser must bear the economic risk of the investment indefinitely because
none of the Securities may be sold, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of unless
subsequently registered under the Securities Act and applicable state securities
laws or an exemption from registration is available. Legends shall be placed
on
the Securities to the effect that they have not been registered under the
Securities Act or applicable state securities laws and of the resulting
limitations on transfer and that appropriate notations thereof will be made
in
the Company’s books and stock transfer records;
(j)
The
aggregate purchase price of the Securities does not exceed twenty percent (20%)
of the Purchaser’s net worth;
(k)
The
Purchaser has taken no action which would give rise to any claim by any person
for brokerage commission, finders’ fees or the like relating to this Agreement
or the transactions contemplated hereby; and
(l)
The
information contained herein is accurate and may be relied upon by the Company
in determining the availability of an exemption from registration under Federal
and state securities laws in connection with the offering of the
Securities.
ARTICLE
IV.
OTHER
AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES
4.1
Transfer
Restrictions.
(a)
The
Securities may only be disposed of in compliance with state and federal
securities laws. In connection with any transfer of Securities other than
pursuant to an effective registration statement or Rule 144, to the Company
or to an Affiliate of a Purchaser or in connection with a pledge as contemplated
in Section 4.1(b), the Company may require the transferor thereof to provide
to
the Company an opinion of counsel selected by the transferor and reasonably
acceptable to the Company, the form and substance of which opinion shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that such transfer does
not require registration of such transferred Securities under the Securities
Act. As a condition of transfer, any such transferee shall agree in writing
to
be bound by the terms of this Agreement and shall have the rights of a Purchaser
under this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.
(b)
The
Purchasers agree to the imprinting, so long as is required by this Section
4.1,
of a legend on any of the Securities in the following form:
THESE
SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
OR THE SECURITIES COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM
REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES
ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN
EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN
AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE
SECURITIES LAWS AS EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE TRANSFEROR
TO
SUCH EFFECT, THE SUBSTANCE OF WHICH SHALL BE REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE
COMPANY. THESE SECURITIES MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN
ACCOUNT WITH A REGISTERED BROKER-DEALER OR OTHER LOAN WITH A FINANCIAL
INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a) UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH SECURITIES.
The
Company acknowledges and agrees that a Purchaser may from time to time pledge
pursuant to a bona fide margin agreement with a registered broker-dealer or
grant a security interest in some or all of the Securities to a financial
institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a) under the
Securities Act and who agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement
and the Registration Rights Agreement and, if required under the terms of such
arrangement, such Purchaser may transfer pledged or secured Securities to the
pledgees or secured parties. Such a pledge or transfer would not be subject
to
approval of the Company and no legal opinion of legal counsel of the pledgee,
secured party or pledgor shall be required in connection therewith. Further,
no
notice shall be required of such pledge. At the appropriate Purchaser’s expense,
the Company will execute and deliver such reasonable documentation as a pledgee
or secured party of Securities may reasonably request in connection with a
pledge or transfer of the Securities, including, if the Securities are subject
to registration pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the preparation
and filing of any required prospectus supplement under Rule 424(b)(3) under
the
Securities Act or other applicable provision of the Securities Act to
appropriately amend the list of Selling Stockholders thereunder.
(c)
Certificates evidencing the Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares shall not
contain any legend (including the legend set forth in Section 4.1(b)),
(i) while a registration statement (including the Registration Statement)
covering the resale of such security is effective under the Securities Act,
or
(ii) following any sale of such Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares
pursuant to Rule 144, or (iii) if such Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares
are eligible for sale under Rule 144(k), or (iv) if such legend is not required
under applicable requirements of the Securities Act (including judicial
interpretations and pronouncements issued by the staff of the Commission).
The Company shall cause its counsel to issue a legal opinion to the
Company’s transfer agent promptly after the Effective Date if required by the
Company’s transfer agent to effect the removal of the legend hereunder. If all
or any portion of a Warrant is exercised at a time when there is an effective
registration statement to cover the resale of the Warrant Shares, such Warrant
Shares shall be issued free of all legends. The Company agrees that at such
time
as such legend is no longer required under this Section 4.1(c), it will, no
later than three Trading Days following the delivery by a Purchaser to the
Company or the Company’s transfer agent of a certificate representing Conversion
Shares or Warrant Shares, as the case may be, issued with a restrictive legend
(such third Trading Day, the “Legend
Removal Date”),
deliver or cause to be delivered to such Purchaser a certificate representing
such shares that is free from all restrictive and other legends. The Company
may
not make any notation on its records or give instructions to any transfer agent
of the Company that enlarge the restrictions on transfer set forth in this
Section except in the case of a Purchaser or its permitted transferee becoming
an Affiliate. Certificates for Securities subject to legend removal hereunder
shall be transmitted by the transfer agent of the Company to the Purchasers
by
crediting the account of the Purchaser’s prime broker with the Depository Trust
Company System.
(d)
In
addition to such Purchaser’s other available remedies, the Company shall pay to
a Purchaser, in cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for
each $1,000 of Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares (based on the VWAP of the
Common Stock on the date such Securities are submitted to the Company’s transfer
agent) delivered for removal of the restrictive legend and subject to Section
4.1(c), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day three (3) Trading
Days after such damages have begun to accrue) for each Trading Day after the
second Trading Day following the Legend Removal Date until such certificate
is
delivered without a legend. Nothing herein shall limit such Purchaser’s right to
pursue actual damages for the Company’s failure to deliver certificates
representing any Securities as required by the Transaction Documents,
and
such
Purchaser shall have the right to pursue all remedies available to it at law
or
in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or
injunctive relief.
(e)
Each
Purchaser, severally and not jointly with the other Purchasers, agrees that
the
removal of the restrictive legend from certificates representing Securities
as
set forth in this Section 4.1 is predicated upon the Company’s reliance that the
Purchaser will sell any Securities pursuant to either the registration
requirements of the Securities Act, including any applicable prospectus delivery
requirements, or an exemption therefrom, and that if Securities are sold
pursuant to a Registration Statement, they will be sold in compliance with
the
plan of distribution set forth therein.
4.2
Financial
Information.
The
Company shall maintain a system of accounting established and administered
in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and shall set aside on its books,
all
such proper reserves as shall be required by GAAP. Any Purchaser may direct
the
Company by written notice from time to time to provide any or all of the
following materials or information in which case the Company shall furnish
such
materials or information, at the Company’s expense, to such
Purchaser:
(a)
Unless otherwise filed and available on the EDGAR system, no later than ninety
(90) days after the end of each fiscal year, audited consolidated financial
statements of the Company, together with all notes thereto, prepared in
reasonable detail in accordance with GAAP, together with an opinion, based
on an
audit by independent certified public accountants selected by the Company,
stating that such financial statements have been so prepared. The consolidated
financial statements of the Company shall contain a balance sheet as of the
end
of such fiscal year and a statement of operations, cash flows and stockholders’
equity for such fiscal year, each setting forth in comparative form the
corresponding figures for the preceding fiscal year.
(b)
Subject to the prior receipt by the Company of a written Regulation FD-compliant
confidentiality agreement from the requesting Purchaser, no later than thirty
(30) days prior to the first day of each fiscal year of the Company, a budget
prepared by the Company for each of the four quarters of such fiscal year
prepared in the same level of detail as prepared for and delivered to the
Company’s Board of Directors for the Company.
(c)
Unless otherwise filed and available on the EDGAR system, no later than
forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters
of
the Company’s fiscal year, the Company’s unaudited consolidated balance sheet as
of the end of such fiscal quarter and an unaudited consolidated statement of
operations and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the period from the
beginning of the then current fiscal year to the end of such fiscal quarter,
setting forth in each case, in comparative form, figures for the corresponding
periods in the preceding fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared
in
accordance with GAAP, subject to changes resulting from normal or recurring
year-end adjustments.
(d)
Subject to the prior receipt by the Company of a written Regulation FD-compliant
confidentiality agreement from the requesting Purchaser, no later than thirty
(30) days after the end of each calendar month, the Company’s unaudited
consolidated interim balance sheet as of the end of such month and the related
unaudited consolidated interim statements of operations and cash flows for
such
one-month period and the portion of the fiscal year through the end of such
month, setting forth in each case, in comparative form, figures for the
corresponding fiscal periods in the preceding fiscal year (subject to normal
year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnote disclosure).
4.3
Inspections.
The
Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, furnish to each Purchaser
any information which such Purchaser may from time to time reasonably request
concerning any covenant, provision or condition of this Agreement, the
Registration Rights Agreement or the Securities or any matter in connection
with
the Company’s business and operations. During normal business hours, upon
reasonable notice from Purchasers holding a majority of all then outstanding
Shares, and without undue interruption of the Company’s business, the Company
shall permit representatives of each Purchaser, including each Purchaser’s
independent accountants, agents, attorneys, appraisers and any other
representatives, to visit and inspect any of the Company’s property, including
its books of account, other books and records, and any facilities or other
business assets. The inspections in accordance with the preceding sentence
shall
be limited to no more than four (4) times each calendar year, and all
out-of-pocket costs and expenses of such inspections shall be borne by the
applicable Purchasers; provided, however, that during any period in which an
Event of Default (as such term is defined in the Convertible Notes) has occurred
and is continuing, the number of inspections shall not be limited, and the
reasonable, documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the inspections
during the period in which an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
shall be borne by the Company. The information and access set forth in this
Section 5(b) shall in each case
be
subject to the Company’s prior receipt of a written Regulation FD-compliant
confidentiality agreement from the requesting Purchaser.
4.4
Use
of Proceeds.
The
Company shall use the net cash proceeds of the sale of the Securities for
general corporate and working capital purposes.
4.5
Maintenance
of Corporate Existence and Business.
The
Company will take such commercially reasonable action as may from time to time
be necessary to preserve its corporate existence, rights and franchises,
maintain its properties in good repair and to comply with the laws of the United
States and all states and locations in which the Company shall do business
as
shall be necessary to permit the Company to conduct its business, and to
preserve all of its rights, franchises and privileges.
4.6
Compliance
with Laws.
The
Company shall comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations of all
governmental authorities, the violation of which might have a material adverse
effect upon its business or financial condition.
4.7
Payment
of Taxes.
The
Company shall (i) timely file all required tax returns; and (ii) timely pay
all
taxes, assessments, and other governmental charges or levies imposed upon it
or
upon its income, profits or property, except to the extent the same are being
contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves under GAAP have been
established.
4.8
Insurance.
The
Company shall maintain insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as
are
usually and customarily carried with respect to the Company’s assets and any
other assets and property of the Company of a character usually insured by
similar entities engaged in the same or similar businesses as the Company.
The
Company shall at all times maintain insurance against its liability for injury
to persons or property, which insurance shall be by financially sound and
reputable insurers.
4.9
Listing.
The
Company shall promptly secure the listing of all of the Registrable Securities
(as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) upon each national securities
exchange and automated quotation system, if any, upon which the Company’s Common
Stock is then listed (subject to official notice of issuance) and shall maintain
such listing of all Registrable Securities. The Company shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to maintain the authorization for listing of the Common
Stock
on the American Stock Exchange. The Company shall pay all fees and expenses
in
connection with satisfying its obligations under this Section 4.10.
4.10
Pre-Emptive
Rights.
From the
Closing Date until the later of (a) January 11, 2010 or (b) the date on
which less than that number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock that is equal
to 50% of the Shares issued at the Closing remain outstanding, the Company
shall
not directly or indirectly, offer, sell or grant any option to purchase (or
announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition
of) any Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities (any such offer, sale,
grant, disposition or announcement being referred to as a “Subsequent
Placement”)
unless
the Company shall have first complied with this Section 4.10.
(a)
The
Company shall deliver, at least ten (10) business days prior to the closing
of a
Subsequent Placement, to each Purchaser then holding at least the number of
shares of Series B Preferred Stock that is equal to 50% of the Shares initially
issued to such Purchaser at the Closing (an “Eligible
Purchaser”),
a
written notice (the “Offer
Notice”)
of any
proposed or intended issuance or sale or exchange (the “Offer”)
of the
securities being offered (the “Offered
Securities”)
in a
Subsequent Placement, which Offer Notice shall (A) identify and describe
the Offered Securities, (B) describe the price and other terms upon which
they are to be issued, sold or exchanged, and the number or amount of the
Offered Securities to be issued, sold or exchanged, and (C) offer to issue
and sell to or exchange with such Eligible Purchasers 50% of the Offered
Securities, allocated among such Eligible Purchasers (a) based on such Eligible
Purchaser’s pro rata portion of the aggregate principal amount of shares of
Series B Preferred Stock then held by all Eligible Purchasers
(the “Basic
Amount”),
and
(b) with respect to each Eligible Purchaser that elects to purchase its
Basic Amount, any additional portion of the Offered Securities attributable
to
the Basic Amounts of other Eligible Purchasers as such Eligible Purchaser shall
indicate it will purchase or acquire should the other Eligible Purchasers
subscribe for less than their Basic Amounts (the “Undersubscription
Amount”).
(b)
To
accept an Offer, in whole or in part, such Eligible Purchaser must deliver
a
written notice to the Company prior to the end of the 10th business day after
such Eligible Purchaser’s receipt of the Offer Notice (the “Offer
Period”),
setting forth the portion of such Eligible Purchaser’s Basic Amount that such
Eligible Purchaser
elects to purchase and, if such Eligible Purchaser shall elect to purchase
all
of its Basic Amount, the Undersubscription Amount, if any, that such Eligible
Purchaser elects to purchase (in either case, the “Notice
of Acceptance”).
If the
Basic Amounts subscribed for by all Purchasers are less than the total of all
of
the Basic Amounts, then each Eligible Purchaser who has set forth an
Undersubscription Amount in its Notice of Acceptance shall be entitled to
purchase, in addition to the Basic Amounts subscribed for, the Undersubscription
Amount it has subscribed for; provided,
however,
that if
the Undersubscription Amounts subscribed for exceed the difference between
the
total of all the Basic Amounts and the Basic Amounts subscribed for (the
“Available
Undersubscription Amount”),
each
Eligible Purchaser who has subscribed for any Undersubscription Amount
shall be entitled to purchase only that portion of the Available
Undersubscription Amount as the Basic Amount of such Eligible Purchaser bears
to
the total Basic Amounts of all Eligible Purchasers that have subscribed for
Undersubscription Amounts, subject to rounding by the Company to the extent
its
deems reasonably necessary.
(c)
The
Company shall have thirty (30) days from the expiration of the Offer Period
above to offer, issue, sell or exchange all or any part of such Offered
Securities as to which a Notice of Acceptance has not been given by the Eligible
Purchasers (the “Refused
Securities”),
but
only upon terms and conditions (including, without limitation, the total amount
of the financing, unit prices and interest rates) that are not more favorable
to the acquiring person or persons or less favorable to the Company than
those set forth in the Offer Notice.
(d)
Upon
the closing of the issuance, sale or exchange of all or less than all of the
Refused Securities, the Eligible Purchasers shall acquire from the Company,
and
the Company shall issue to the Purchasers, the number or amount of Offered
Securities specified in the Notices of Acceptance, as reduced pursuant to
Section 4.10(c) above if the Purchasers have so elected, upon the terms and
conditions specified in the Offer.
(e)
Any
Offered Securities not acquired by the Eligible Purchasers or other persons
in
accordance with Section 4.10(c) above may not be issued, sold or exchanged
until
they are again offered to the Eligible Purchasers under the procedures specified
in this Agreement.
(f)
The
restrictions contained in this Section 4.10 shall not apply to the issuance
of
any Common Stock issued or issuable: (i) under any Approved Stock Plan; or
(ii) upon conversion of the Convertible Promissory Notes or the exercise of
the Warrants. “Approved
Stock Plan”
means
any employee benefit plan which has been approved by the Board of Directors
and
stockholders of the Company prior to the date of this Agreement and as amended
hereafter solely consistent with Section 4.14, pursuant to which the Company’s
securities may be issued to any employee, officer or director for services
provided to the Company.
4.11
Meeting
of Company Stockholders.
(a)
As
promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, the Company
shall
prepare and file with the Commission the Proxy Statement in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Purchasers in order to duly
call,
give notice of and hold the Shareholder Meeting on or prior to May 15,
2007, unless the Proxy Statement relating to the Shareholder Meeting is reviewed
by the Commission, in which case such date shall be extended to June 15,
2007. The Company shall respond to any comments of the Commission and use its
commercially reasonable efforts to have the Proxy Statement declared effective
under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing. The
Company shall cause the Proxy Statement to be distributed to the stockholders
as
promptly as practicable after the Proxy Statement shall have become effective
under the Securities Act.
(b)
The
Company’s Board of Directors shall recommend that the all of the proposals set
forth in the Proxy Statement be approved, which proposals shall include the
following:
(i)
the
approval of a reverse split of 1-for 50 of the Company’s outstanding shares of
Common Stock, or such other amount within the range of 1-for-45 to 1-for-55
as
may be determined by the Board of Directors and reasonably acceptable to the
Purchasers who surrender Convertible Promissory Notes (the “Reverse
Stock Split”);
(ii)
the
approval of the issuance of the Securities;
(iii)
the
approval of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation;
(iv)
the
increase in the shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance as incentive awards
to the Company’s management and other employees, directors and consultants
pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plan for purposes of additional
grants to current employees and initial grants to new hires consistent with
Section 4.14 below; and
(v)
any
other terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents
which
may be required in accordance with applicable law and the rules and regulations
of the Trading Market.
(c)
The
Company shall notify the Purchasers promptly of the receipt of any comments
from
the Commission (or its staff) and of any request by the Commission (or its
staff) or any other Government Authority for amendments or supplements to the
Proxy Statement or any Other Filing for additional information, and shall
promptly supply the Purchasers with copies of all correspondence between the
Company or any of its representatives, on the one hand, and the Commission,
its
staff or any other Government Authority, on the other hand, with respect to
the
Proxy Statement, or any Other Filings.
(d)
As
promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall
prepare and file any other filings required under the Exchange Act, the
Securities Act or any other federal or state securities Law relating to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Other
Filings”).
(e)
The
Company shall cause all documents that it is responsible for filing with the
Commission or other regulatory authorities under this Section 4.11 to comply
in
all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act,
the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
(f)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the
Company, may adjourn or postpone the Shareholder Meeting to the extent necessary
to ensure that any supplement or amendment to the Proxy Statement required
under
applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder is provided to the Company’s
stockholders; provided that the Shareholder Meeting shall not be delayed for
more than fifteen (15) days with out the Purchasers representing at least a
majority in interest of the Shares to be purchased hereunder.
4.12
Abstention
from Trading.
From the
date hereof until the Closing Date and the public announcement of the
transactions contemplated hereby, (i) the Purchasers will not engage in any
financial market transactions (whether long, short or other hedging
transactions) with respect to the Company’s Common Stock and (ii) the Company
will not, and the Company shall cause its directors and officers and each of
its
and their respective Affiliates to not, engage in any financial market
transactions (whether long, short or other hedging transactions) with respect
to
the Company’s Common Stock.
4.13
Board
of Directors.
At the
Shareholder Meeting, the Company will fix the size of its Board of Directors
at
seven (7) persons, which will consist of the following: (a) upon and after
the Closing, four (4) incumbent directors, (b) one (1) vacancy that may be
filled at any time after the Closing with a new director designated by the
Purchasers who surrender Convertible Promissory Notes (the “Bridge
Lenders”),
which
new director shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company (the “Initial
Purchaser Designee”),
and
(c) two (2) additional vacancies. For so long as the Bridge Lenders hold at
least that number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock that is equal to 50%
of
the Shares issued to the Bridge Lenders at the Closing, such Purchasers will
have the right, but not the obligation, to designate the Initial Purchaser
Designee and two (2) additional directors to the Board of Directors (the
“Subsequent
Purchaser Designees”
and,
together with the Initial Purchaser Designee, the “Purchaser
Designees”),
to
fill the two (2) additional vacancies that will exist following the Closing.
Upon the Bridge Lenders’ request at the Closing or from time to time thereafter,
the Company shall cause the Purchaser Designees or any successor designee
identified in writing by the Bridge Lenders to become members of the Board
of
Directors. The Company further covenants and agrees that it will take all
reasonably necessary actions to ensure that the Purchaser Designees will be
included on the Company’s slate of nominees for the Board of Directors submitted
for a shareholder vote at any applicable annual meeting of stockholders after
the Closing, including preparation of proxy materials and solicitation of the
Company’s stockholders to give effect to this Section 4.13.
4.14
Option
Pool Increase.
On or
before the Closing the Company shall cause an increase in the shares of Common
Stock reserved for issuance as incentive awards to the Company’s management and
other employees, directors and consultants pursuant to its equity incentive
plan
for purposes of additional grants to current employees and initial grants to
new
hires, in an aggregate amount equal to the sum of (i) 10% of the Series B
Preferred Stock (on
an
as-converted basis) issued at the Closing (excluding the Warrants) and
(ii) 13,000,000 shares of Common Stock calculated prior to the Reverse
Stock Split.
4.15
Protective
Provisions.
At any
time when any shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued pursuant to this
Agreement, including upon exercise of the Warrants, are outstanding, the Company
shall not, without first obtaining the approval (by vote or written consent,
as
provided by law) of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of the
Series B Preferred Stock then held by Significant Holders, if any (it shall
be
understood, however, that the following Protective Provisions are identical
to
those set forth in Subsection 3.2 of the rights and preferences of the
Series B Preferred Stock set forth in Article Fourth of the Company’s
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and approval or waiver of
any
of the following provisions in accordance with the Company’s Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, will be deemed approval or waiver of
the
same provision hereunder):
a)
authorize or incur any Indebtedness in excess of $2,000,000;
b)
issue
or sell any convertible debt, preferred stock (convertible or otherwise) or
any
other equity or equity-linked security at a price that values the Company’s
Common Stock at a price less than the Per Share Purchase Price (as adjusted
for
all subsequent stock splits, stock dividends, consolidations, recapitalizations
and reorganizations) other than any equity or equity linked security that
is issued pursuant to any transactions approved under Subsection 4.15(k)
hereof;
c)
increase or decrease the authorized number of shares of capital stock of the
Company;
d)
create
or issue any new class or series of shares having rights, preferences or
privileges senior to the Common Stock;
e)
issue
any shares of Series A Preferred Stock other than pursuant to the terms of
that
certain Amended and Restated Stockholders’ Rights Agreement, dated as of
July 25, 2005, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company;
f)
amend,
alter, or repeal any provision of the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation or Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (including any
filing of a certificate of designation), that alters or changes the voting
powers, preferences, or other special rights or privileges, or restrictions
of
the Series B Preferred Stock;
g)
pay or
declare any dividends or make other distributions upon its shares of capital
stock;
h)
purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the Company’s equity securities
(including warrants, options and other rights to acquire equity securities)
other than the repurchase of equity securities pursuant to existing agreements
disclosed to the Purchasers in writing prior to the date hereof specifically
referencing this Subsection 4.15(h);
i)
issue
any equity or equity-linked securities to any employee other than pursuant
to
the Company’s Approved Stock Plans, or increase the shares of Common Stock or
other securities reserved for issuance as incentive awards to the Company’s
management and other employees, directors and consultants pursuant to the
Approved Stock Plans or any other any equity incentive plan or similar
arrangement, other than the increase contemplated by Section 4.14
hereof;
j)
liquidate, dissolve or wind-up;
k)
merge
or consolidate with another corporation in which the holders of the Company’s
voting equity securities immediately prior to the transaction would own 50%
or
less of the voting securities of the surviving corporation or engage in any
other Deemed Liquidation Event (as defined in the Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation);
l)
sell,
license or dispose of any material assets of the Company, including intellectual
property or other rights to the Company’s development stage, pre-clinical and/or
diagnostic assets, including, without limitation, pursuant to any license,
development, commercialization, distribution, marketing, co-marketing,
collaboration, partnering or other agreement, other than licenses of immaterial
technology in the ordinary course of business on commercially reasonable terms
and consistent with past practices;
m)
change
the authorized number of directors of the Company;
n)
amend
or waive any material provision of the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation or the Company’s By-Laws;
o)
materially change the nature of the Company’s business from that engaged in on
the date hereof;
p)
intentionally
take any action which is reasonably likely to result in (i) the Common
Stock of the Company no longer being approved for quotation on the American
Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market or (ii) the Common Stock of the
Company ceasing to be registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act;
or
q)
agree,
consent or acquiesce to any amendment, supplement or other modification to,
or
termination of, any of its material agreements, including, without limitation
any Material License Agreement or any other agreement filed with the Commission
pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
ARTICLE
V.
TERMINATION
5.1
Termination.
If the
conditions to the Purchasers’ obligations at Closing have not been satisfied or
waived on before the date that is fifteen (15) days after the applicable
deadline for the Shareholder Meeting (i.e.,
May 15, 2007, unless the proxy statement relating to the Shareholder
Meeting is reviewed by the Commission, in which case such date shall be extended
to June 15, 2007), then this Agreement may be terminated at any time
thereafter upon written notice to the Company by Purchasers representing at
least a majority in interest of the Shares to be purchased hereunder. The
provisions of Article VI shall survive the termination of this
Agreement.
ARTICLE
VI.
MISCELLANEOUS
6.1
Fees
and Expenses.
Except
as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents to the contrary, each party
shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers, counsel, accountants and other
experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such party incident to
the
negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement;
provided that the Company shall reimburse the holders of Convertible Promissory
Notes for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with this
Agreement, the Proxy Statement and the Shareholder Meeting (including all
reasonable legal fees and disbursements in connection therewith, documentation
and implementation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and due
diligence in connection therewith) subject to a maximum of One Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($100,000), including any amounts previously reimbursed under the Note
and Warrant Purchase Agreement. The Company shall pay all transfer agent fees,
stamp taxes and other taxes and duties levied in connection with the delivery
of
any Securities to the Purchasers.
6.2
Entire
Agreement.
The
Transaction Documents, together with the exhibits and schedules thereto, and
the
Note and Warrant Purchase Agreement and other agreements entered into and
securities issued in connection therewith, contain the entire understanding
of
the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior
agreements and understandings, oral or written, with respect to such matters,
which the parties acknowledge have been merged into such documents, exhibits
and
schedules.
6.3
Notices.
Any and
all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to
be
provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective
on the earliest of (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication
is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number set forth on the signature
pages attached hereto prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on a Trading
Day,
(b) the next Trading Day after the date of transmission, if such notice or
communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number set forth
on
the signature pages attached hereto on a day that is not a Trading Day or later
than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (c) the 2nd Trading
Day
following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight
courier service, or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice
is
required to be given. The address for such notices and communications shall
be as set forth on the signature pages attached hereto.
6.4
Amendments;
Waivers.
No
provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended except in a written
instrument signed by the Company and Purchasers representing at least a majority
in interest of the Shares to be purchased hereunder. No waiver of any default
with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall
be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any subsequent
default or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof,
nor
shall any delay or omission of any party to exercise any right hereunder in
any
manner impair the exercise of any such right.
6.5
Headings.
The
headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this
Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions
hereof.
6.6
Successors
and Assigns.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and
their successors and permitted assigns. The Company may not assign this
Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written
consent of each Purchaser (other than by merger). Any Purchaser may assign
any
or all of its rights under this Agreement to any Person to whom such Purchaser
assigns or transfers any Securities, provided such assignment is otherwise
permitted by law, provided such transferee agrees in writing to be bound, with
respect to the transferred Securities, by the provisions of the Transaction
Documents that apply to the “Purchasers.”
6.7
No
Third-Party Beneficiaries.
This
Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any
provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person, except as otherwise set
forth
in Section 4.9.
6.8
Survival.
The
representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the Closing and
the delivery of the Shares, the Conversion Shares and Warrant
Shares.
6.9
Governing
Law.
All
questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation
of the Transaction Documents shall be governed by and construed and enforced
in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard
to
the principles of conflicts of law thereof.
6.10
Execution.
This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken
together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become
effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to
the
other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same
counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile
transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature
shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose
behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such
facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.
6.11
Severability.
If any
term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court
of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the
remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein
shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired
or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their good faith commercially
reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same
or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision,
covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the
intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms,
provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may
be
hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
6.12
Rescission
and Withdrawal Right.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in (and without limiting
any
similar provisions of) any of the other Transaction Documents, whenever any
Purchaser exercises a right, election, demand or option under a Transaction
Document and the Company does not timely perform its related obligations within
the periods therein provided, then such Purchaser may rescind or withdraw,
in
its sole discretion from time to time upon written notice to the Company, any
relevant notice, demand or election in whole or in part without prejudice to
its
future actions and rights.
6.13
Replacement
of Securities.
If any
certificate or instrument evidencing any Securities is mutilated, lost, stolen
or destroyed, the Company shall issue or cause to be issued in exchange and
substitution for and upon cancellation thereof (in the case of mutilation),
or
in lieu of and substitution therefor, a new certificate or instrument, but
only
upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of such loss,
theft or destruction. The applicant for a new certificate or instrument under
such circumstances shall also pay any reasonable third-party costs (including
customary indemnity) associated with the issuance of such replacement
Securities.
6.14
Remedies.
In
addition to being entitled to exercise all rights provided herein or granted
by
law, including recovery of damages, each of the Purchasers and the Company
will
be entitled to specific performance under the Transaction Documents. The parties
agree that monetary damages will not be adequate compensation for any loss
incurred by reason of any breach of obligations contained in the Transaction
Documents and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert in any action for
specific performance of any such obligation the defense that a remedy at law
would be adequate, and hereby further agrees to waive any requirement that
the
other party post a bond as a condition for obtaining any such
relief.
6.15
Payment
Set Aside.
To the
extent that the Company makes a payment or payments to any Purchaser pursuant
to
any Transaction Document or a Purchaser enforces or exercises its rights
thereunder, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement
or
exercise or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be
fraudulent or preferential, set aside, recovered from, disgorged by or are
required to be refunded, repaid or otherwise restored to the Company, a trustee,
receiver or any other person under any law (including, without limitation,
any
bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause of action),
then to the extent of any such restoration the obligation or part thereof
originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full
force
and effect as if such payment had not been made or such enforcement or setoff
had not occurred.
6.16
Independent
Nature of Purchasers’ Obligations and Rights.
The
obligations of each Purchaser under any Transaction Document are several and
not
joint with the obligations of any other Purchaser, and no Purchaser shall be
responsible in any way for the performance or non-performance of the obligations
of any other Purchaser under any Transaction Document. Nothing contained herein
or in any other Transaction Document, and no action taken by any Purchaser
pursuant thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Purchasers as a partnership,
an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a
presumption that the Purchasers are in any way acting in concert or as a group
with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by the
Transaction Documents. Each Purchaser shall be entitled to independently protect
and enforce its rights, including without limitation, the rights arising out
of
this Agreement or out of the other Transaction Documents, and it shall not
be
necessary for any other Purchaser to be joined as an additional party in any
proceeding for such purpose.
6.17
Liquidated
Damages.
The
Company’s obligations to pay any partial liquidated damages or other amounts
owing under the Transaction Documents is a continuing obligation of the Company
and shall not terminate until all unpaid partial liquidated damages and other
amounts have been paid notwithstanding the fact that the instrument or security
pursuant to which such partial liquidated damages or other amounts are due
and
payable shall have been canceled.
6.18
Construction.
The
parties agree that each of them and/or their respective counsel has reviewed
and
had an opportunity to revise the Transaction Documents and, therefore, the
normal rule of construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be
resolved against the drafting party shall not be employed in the interpretation
of the Transaction Documents or any amendments hereto.
(Signature
Pages Follow)
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Series B Stock and Warrant
Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized
signatories as of the date first indicated above.
ALTEON
INC.
|
|
Address
for Notice:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Noah
Berkowitz
|
|
221
West Grand Avenue
|
|
Name:
Noah Berkowitz
|
|
Montvale,
NJ 07645
|
|
Title:
President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
With
a
copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Mintz
Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
One
Financial Center
Boston,
MA 02110
Attn:
William T. Whelan, Esq.
[REMAINDER
OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
SIGNATURE
PAGE FOR PURCHASER FOLLOWS]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Series B Stock and Warrant
Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized
signatories as of the date first indicated above.
BAKER/TISCH
INVESTMENTS, L.P.
|
|
Address
for Notice:
|
By:
|
Baker/Tisch
Capital,
L.P.,
|
|
|
|
its
general partner
|
|
667
Madison Avenue
|
By:
|
Baker/Tisch
Capital (GP), LLC,
|
|
17th
Floor
|
|
its
general partner
|
|
New
York, NY 10021
|
|
|
Fax:
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Felix Baker
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|
|
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Name:
Felix Baker, Ph.D.
|
|
|
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Title:
Managing Member
|
|
|
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BAKER
BIOTECH FUND I, L.P.
|
|
|
By:
|
Baker
Biotech Capital, L.P.,
|
|
|
|
its
general partner
|
|
|
By:
|
Baker
Biotech Capital (GP), LLC,
|
|
|
|
its
general partner
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Felix Baker
|
|
|
|
Name:
Felix Baker, Ph.D.
|
|
|
|
Title:
Managing Member
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Baker
Brothers Life Sciences, L.P.
|
|
|
By:
|
Baker
Brothers Life Sciences Capital, L.P.
|
|
|
|
its
general partner
|
|
|
By:
|
Baker
Brothers Life Sciences Capital (GP), LLC
|
|
|
|
its
general partner
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Felix Baker
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|
|
|
Name:
Felix Baker, Ph.D.
|
|
|
|
Title:
Managing Member
|
|
|
|
|
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14159,
L.P.
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|
|
By:
|
14159
Capital, L.P.,
|
|
|
|
its
general partner
|
|
|
By:
|
14159
Capital (GP), LLC,
|
|
|
|
its
general partner
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/
Felix Baker
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|
|
|
Name:
Felix Baker, Ph.D.
|
|
|
|
Title:
Managing Member
|
|
|
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Series B Stock and Warrant
Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized
signatories as of the date first indicated above.
Atticus
Global Advisors,
ltd.
|
|
Address
for Notice:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
c/o
Atticus Capital LP
|
By:
|
/s/
Mattew Edmonds
|
|
152
West 57th Street
|
|
Name:
Matthew Edmonds
|
|
New
York, NY 10019
|
|
Title:
Director
|
|
Attn:
Legal Department
|
|
|
Fax:
(212) 373-0871
|
|
|
|
|
Green
Way Managed Account Series, Ltd.,
|
|
|
in
respect to its segregated account, Green Way Portfolio D
|
|
|
|
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|
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By:
|
/s/
Dominique
Ould-Ferhat
|
|
|
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Name:
Dominique Ould-Ferhat
|
|
|
|
Title:
President and Director
|
|
|
SCHEDULE
A
LIST
OF PURCHASERS
|
|
Subscription
Amount
|
|
|
|
|
Name
of Purchaser
|
|
Cash
at Closing
|
|
Conversion of
Convertible
Promissory
Notes
(plus interest)
|
|
Series B
Preferred
Stock
Purchased
|
|
Warrants
Purchased
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Baker
Brother Investments(1)
|
|
$
|
18,000,000
|
(2)
|
3,000,0000
|
(3)
|
(4)
|
|
(5)
|
Atticus
Global Advisors, Ltd.
|
|
$
|
3,500,000
|
|
N/A
|
|
(4)
|
|
(5)
|
Green
Way Managed Account Series, Ltd., in respect
to its segregated account, Green Way Portfolio D
|
|
$
|
500,000
|
|
N/A
|
|
(4)
|
|
(5)
|
Total
|
|
$
|
22,000,000
|
(2)
|
3,000,000
|
(3)
|
(4)
|
|
(5)
|
——————
(1)
|
Baker
Brothers Investments includes investments by the following funds:
Baker/Tisch Investments, L.P., Baker Biotech Fund I, L.P., Baker
Brothers
Life Sciences, L.P., 14159, L.P., Baker Bros. Investments II,
L.P.
|
(2)
|
To
be amended at Closing. The aggregate cash paid at closing by Baker
Brothers Investments shall be reduced by the aggregate accrued and
unpaid
interest on the Convertible Promissory Notes through the Closing.
|
(3)
|
To
be amended at closing to reflect the accrued and unpaid interest
on the
Convertible Promissory Notes.
|
(4)
|
To
be completed at Closing. The number of shares of Series B Preferred
Stock
allocated to each Purchaser shall be determined at the Closing based
upon
each Purchaser's respective Subscription Amount divided by the Per
Share
Purchase Price.
|
(5)
|
To
be completed at Closing. The number of Warrants shall represent 25%
of
total Subscription Amount divided by the Per Share Purchase
Price.
|
Exhibit
A
Form
of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
[See
Annex D]
Exhibit
B
Form
of Registration Rights Agreement
[See
Annex C]
Exhibit
C
Form
of Warrant
[See
Annex B]
Exhibit
D
Form
of Opinion of Company Counsel
1.
The
Company and the Subsidiary are corporations duly incorporated, validly existing
and in good standing under the Delaware Law and have all requisite corporate
power and authority to conduct their business as described in the Company’s
Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, as
amended.
2.
The
Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and
perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents and to issue the Series
B Preferred Stock and the Warrants in accordance with their terms. The execution
and delivery of the Transaction Documents by the Company have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action. Each of the Transaction Documents
has been duly executed and delivered, and each of the Transaction Documents
constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against
it
in accordance with their respective terms.
3.
The
shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be issued to you at the Closing have
been
duly and validly authorized, and, when issued and delivered against payment
therefor pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, will be duly and validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable.
4.
The
number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock initially issuable upon exercise
of
the Warrants has been duly and validly authorized and reserved for issuance
and,
upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Warrants, will be duly and
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
5.
The
number of shares of Common Stock initially issuable upon conversion of the
Series B Prefered Stock, including the Series B Preferred Stock issuable upon
exercise of the Warrants, has been duly and validly authorized and reserved
for
issuance and, upon issuance in accordance with the terms of the Transaction
Documents, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
6.
The
execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by the Company will not
(i)
result in a violation of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws;
or (ii) to our knowledge, violate, breach or constitute a default under, or
(except as created pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Documents) result
in
the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance on any property or assets of
the
Company, pursuant to the terms of any material agreement, indenture or
instrument to which the Company is a party.
7.
Based
upon your representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Transaction
Documents, the shares of Series B Preferred Stock, Warrants and underlying
shares of Common Stock may be issued to you without registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
8.
No
registration with, consent or approval of, notice to, or other action by, any
governmental entity is required on the part of the Company for the execution
or
delivery by the Company of the Transaction Documents, or if required, such
registration has been made, such consent or approval has been obtained, such
notice has been given or such other appropriate action has been
taken.
AMENDMENT
NO. 1 TO
SERIES
B
PREFERRED STOCK AND WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This
AMENDMENT
NO. 1 TO SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK AND WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT
(this
“Amendment”)
is
dated June 1, 2007 and is entered into by and among Alteon Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”),
and
the purchasers (the “Purchasers”)
identified on the signature pages to that certain Series B Preferred Stock
and
Warrant Purchase Agreement dated as of April 5, 2007 (the “Purchase
Agreement”),
by
and among the Company and the purchasers named therein.
WHEREAS,
the Company and the Purchasers are parties to the Purchase Agreement;
and
WHEREAS,
in accordance with Section 6.4 of the Purchase Agreement, the Company and the
Purchasers desire to amend the Purchase Agreement as set forth
herein.
NOW
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and for
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the Company and each of the Purchasers agree as follows:
1. Amendments.
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a)
|
The
definition of Per Share Purchase Price is hereby deleted in its entirety
and replaced with the following:
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“‘Per
Share Purchase Price’
means
$0.05 per share (to be adjusted for all subsequent stock splits, stock
dividends, consolidations, recapitalizations and reorganizations, including,
but
not limited to, the Reverse Stock Split).”
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b)
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Section
4.11(a) of the Purchase Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety
and
replaced with the following:
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“As
promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, the Company
shall
prepare and file with the Commission the Proxy Statement in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Purchasers in order to duly
call,
give notice of and hold the Shareholder Meeting on or prior to July 31, 2007.
The Company shall respond to any comments of the Commission and use its
commercially reasonable efforts to complete the Commission’s review of the Proxy
Statement and distribute the same to the Company’s stockholders as promptly as
practicable.”
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c)
|
Section
4.11(b)(i) of the Purchase Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety
and
replaced with the following:
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“the
approval of a reverse split of 1-for-75 of the Company’s outstanding shares of
Common Stock, or such other amount within the range of 1-for-50 to 1-for-100
as
may be determined by the Board of Directors and reasonably acceptable to the
Purchasers who surrender Convertible Promissory Notes (the “Reverse
Stock Split”)”
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d)
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Section
4.13 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety
and
replaced with the following:
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“Board
of
Directors. At the Shareholder Meeting, the Company will fix the size of its
Board of Directors at seven (7) persons, which will consist of the following:
(a) upon and after the Closing, three (3) incumbent directors, (b) one (1)
vacancy that may be filled at any time after the Closing with a new director
designated by the Purchasers who surrender Convertible Promissory Notes (the
“Bridge
Lenders”),
which
new director shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company (the “Initial Purchaser
Designee”),
and
(c) three (3) additional vacancies. For so long as the Bridge Lenders hold
at
least that number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock that is equal to 50%
of
the Shares issued to the Bridge Lenders at the Closing, such Purchasers will
have the right, but not the obligation, to designate the Initial Purchaser
Designee and two (2) additional directors to the Board of Directors
(the “Subsequent Purchaser
Designees”
and,
together with the Initial Purchaser Designee, the “Purchaser
Designees”),
to
fill the two (2) additional vacancies that will exist following the Closing.
Upon the Bridge Lenders’ request at the Closing or from time to time thereafter,
the Company shall cause the Purchaser Designees or any successor designee
identified in writing by the Bridge Lenders to become members of the Board
of
Directors. The Company further covenants and agrees that it will take all
reasonably necessary actions to ensure that the Purchaser Designees will be
included on the Company’s slate of nominees for the Board of Directors submitted
for a shareholder vote at any applicable annual meeting of stockholders after
the Closing, including preparation of proxy materials and solicitation of the
Company’s stockholders to give effect to this Section 4.13.”
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e)
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Section
5.1 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and
replaced with the following:
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“Termination.
If the conditions to the Purchasers’ obligations at Closing have not been
satisfied or waived on before the date that is fifteen (15) days after the
applicable deadline for the Shareholder Meeting (i.e.,
May 31,
2007, unless the proxy statement relating to the Shareholder Meeting is reviewed
by the Commission, in which case such date shall be extended to July 31, 2007),
then this Agreement may be terminated at any time thereafter upon written notice
to the Company by Purchasers representing at least a majority in interest of
the
Shares to be purchased hereunder. The provisions of Article VI shall survive
the
termination of this Agreement.”
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f)
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Fees
and Expenses.
The Company’s obligation to reimburse the holders of Convertible
Promissory Notes (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement)
for
fees and expenses in Section 6.1 of the Purchase Agreement is hereby
amended from a maximum of “One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000)” to
“One Hundred Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars
($175,000).”
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2. Ratification.
The
parties hereby ratify and confirm in all respects the Purchase Agreement, as
amended by this Amendment.
3. Governing
Law.
All
questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation
of the Transaction Documents shall be governed by and construed and enforced
in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard
to
the principles of conflicts of law thereof.
4. Other
Matters.
The
Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that the execution and delivery by the
Purchasers of this Amendment shall not be deemed to create a course of dealing
or otherwise obligate the Purchasers to execute similar extensions, amendments
or waivers under the same or similar circumstances in the future.
5. Execution.
This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken
together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become
effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to
the
other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same
counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile
transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature
shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose
behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such
facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.
[remainder
left intentionally blank]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment No. 1 to Series
B
Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective
authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.
ALTEON
INC.
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Address
for Notice:
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By:
/s/Noah Berkowitz
Name:
Noah Berkowitz
Title:
President
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221
West Grand Avenue
Montvale,
NJ 07645
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With
a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Mintz
Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
One
Financial Center
Boston,
MA 02110
Attn:
William T. Whelan, Esq.
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[REMAINDER
OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
SIGNATURE
PAGE FOR PURCHASER FOLLOWS]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Amendment No. 1 Series B
Stock
and Warrant Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective
authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.
BAKER/TISCH
INVESTMENTS, L.P.
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Address
for Notice:
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By:
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Baker/Tisch
Capital,
L.P.,
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its
general partner
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667
Madison Avenue
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By:
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Baker/Tisch
Capital (GP), LLC,
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17th
Floor
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its
general partner
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New
York, NY 10021
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Fax:
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By:
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/s/
Felix Baker
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Name:
Felix Baker, Ph.D.
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Title:
Managing Member
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BAKER
BIOTECH FUND I, L.P.
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By:
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Baker
Biotech Capital, L.P.,
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its
general partner
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By:
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Baker
Biotech Capital (GP), LLC,
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its
general partner
|
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By:
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/s/
Felix Baker
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Name:
Felix Baker, Ph.D.
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Title:
Managing Member
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Baker
Brothers Life Sciences, L.P.
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By:
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Baker
Brothers Life Sciences Capital, L.P.
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its
general partner
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By:
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Baker
Brothers Life Sciences Capital (GP), LLC
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|
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its
general partner
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By:
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/s/
Felix Baker
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Name:
Felix Baker, Ph.D.
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Title:
Managing Member
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14159,
L.P.
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By:
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14159
Capital, L.P.,
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its
general partner
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By:
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14159
Capital (GP), LLC,
|
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its
general partner
|
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By:
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/s/
Felix Baker
|
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Name:
Felix Baker, Ph.D.
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Title:
Managing Member
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Amendment No.1 to Series
B
Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement to be duly executed by their respective
authorized signatories as of the date first indicated above.
Atticus Global Advisors, Ltd.
By:
______________________________________
Name:
Matthew Edmonds
Title:
Director
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Address for Notice:
c/o
Atticus Capital LP
152
West 57th
Street
New
York, NY 10019
Attn:
Legal Department
Fax:
(212) 373-0871
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Green
Way Managed Account Series, Ltd.,
in
respect to its segregated account, Green Way Portfolio D
By:
______________________________________
Name:
Dominique Ould-Ferhat
Title:
President and Director
ANNEX
B
NEITHER
THIS SECURITY NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS EXERCISABLE HAVE
BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR THE SECURITIES
COMMISSION OF ANY STATE IN RELIANCE UPON AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND, ACCORDINGLY,
MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR PURSUANT TO AN AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM,
OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE
SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS AS
EVIDENCED BY A LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE TRANSFEROR TO SUCH EFFECT, THE
SUBSTANCE OF WHICH SHALL BE REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY. THIS SECURITY
AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE PLEDGED IN
CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN SECURED BY SUCH
SECURITIES.
FORM
OF PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT
To
Purchase [____________] Shares of Series B Preferred Stock of
ALTEON
INC.
THIS
PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”)
certifies that, for value received, [________________] (the “Holder”),
is
entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the
conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the
“Initial
Exercise Date”)
and on
or prior to the close of business on the fifth anniversary of the Initial
Exercise Date (the “Termination
Date”)
but not
thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Alteon Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”),
up to
______ shares of the following class of securities of the Company (the
“Warrant
Shares”):
initially, Series B Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company
(the “Preferred
Stock”),
and
from and after the date that all of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock
have been automatically converted by the Company into Common Stock, par value
$0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Common
Stock”)
in
accordance with the rights and preferences of the Series B Preferred Stock
set
forth in Section 5 of Article Fourth of the Company’s Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, the Warrant Shares shall be deemed to be Common
Stock on the same terms as the conversion of the outstanding shares of Preferred
Stock. The purchase price of one Warrant Share under this Warrant shall be
equal
to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).
Section
1. Definitions.
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings
set forth in that certain Series B Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase
Agreement (the “Purchase
Agreement”),
dated
April 5, 2007, between the Company and the purchasers signatory
thereto.
Section
2. Exercise.
a)
Exercise
of Warrant.
Exercise
of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or
in
part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or
before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed
facsimile copy of the Notice of Exercise Form annexed hereto (or such other
office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice in writing to
the
registered Holder at the address of such Holder appearing on the books of the
Company); and, within three (3) Trading Days of the date said Notice of Exercise
is delivered to the Company, the Company shall have received payment of the
aggregate Exercise Price of the shares thereby purchased by wire transfer or
cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank. Notwithstanding anything herein
to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this
Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares
available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case,
the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within
three (3) Trading Days of the date the final Notice of Exercise is delivered
to
the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a
portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have
the
effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable
hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares
purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number
of Warrant Shares purchased hereunder and the date of such purchases. The
Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise Form within three
(3) Business Days of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by
acceptance
of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of
this
paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder,
the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given
time
may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.
b)
Exercise
Price.
The
exercise price per share of the Preferred Stock under this Warrant shall be
$[____] [NOTE:
Insert the Initial Purchase Price from Purchase Agreement],
subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise
Price”).
c)
Cashless
Exercise.
This
Warrant may also be exercised by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the
Holder shall be entitled to receive a certificate for the number of Warrant
Shares issuable hereunder equal to the quotient obtained by dividing ((A-B)
(X))
by (A), where:
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(A)
=
|
the
VWAP (as defined below) on the Trading Day immediately preceding
the date
of such election;
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(B)
=
|
the
Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted;
and
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(X)
=
|
the
number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in
accordance with the terms of this Warrant by means of a cash exercise
rather than a cashless exercise.
|
“VWAP”
means,
for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that
applies: (1) if the Warrant Shares are Preferred Stock, the fair market
value of a share of Preferred Stock as determined by an independent appraiser
selected in good faith by the Holder and reasonably acceptable to the Company,
and (2) if the Warrant Shares are Common Stock, (a) if the Common
Stock is then listed or quoted on the American Stock Exchange or another
exchange (the “Trading
Market”),
the
daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the
nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is
then
listed or quoted for trading as reported by Bloomberg Financial L.P. (based
on a
Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City
time); (b) if the OTC Bulletin Board is not a Trading Market, the volume
weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest
preceding date) on the OTC Bulletin Board; (c) if the Common Stock is not
then quoted for trading on the OTC Bulletin Board and if prices for the Common
Stock are then reported in the “Pink Sheets” published by Pink Sheets, LLC (or a
similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices),
the most recent price per share of the Common Stock so reported; or (d) in
all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined
by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holder and reasonably
acceptable to the Company.
Except
in
connection with the termination of this Warrant as set forth in the final
sentence of Section 2(a), if the VWAP exceeds the Exercise Price on the
Termination Date, this Warrant shall be automatically exercised on the
Termination Date via cashless exercise pursuant to this Section
2(c).
d)
[Reserved].
e)
Mechanics of Exercise.
i.
Authorization
of Warrant Shares.
Subject
to the Holder’s compliance with the limitations of Section 2(d) hereof, the
Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise
of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the
purchase rights represented by this Warrant, be duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created
by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect
of
any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).
ii.
Delivery
of Certificates Upon Exercise.
Certificates for shares purchased hereunder shall be transmitted by the transfer
agent of the Company to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s
prime broker with the Depository Trust Company through its Deposit Withdrawal
Agent Commission (“DWAC”)
system
if the Company is a participant in such system, and otherwise by physical
delivery to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise within
three (3) Trading Days from the delivery to the Company of the Notice of
Exercise Form, surrender of this Warrant (if required) and payment of the
aggregate Exercise Price as set forth above (“Warrant
Share Delivery Date”).
This
Warrant shall be deemed to have been exercised on the date the Exercise Price
is
received by the Company. The Warrant Shares shall be deemed to have been issued,
and Holder or any other person so designated to be named therein shall be deemed
to have become a holder of record of such shares for all purposes, as of the
date the Warrant has been exercised by payment to the Company of the Exercise
Price (or by cashless exercise, if permitted) and all taxes required to be
paid
by the Holder, if any, pursuant to Section 2(e)(vii) prior to the issuance
of
such shares, have been paid.
iii.
Delivery
of New Warrants Upon Exercise.
If this
Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request
of
a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery
of the certificate or certificates representing Warrant Shares, deliver to
Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of Holder to purchase the unpurchased
Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other
respects be identical with this Warrant.
iv.
Rescission
Rights.
If the
Company fails to cause its transfer agent to transmit to the Holder a
certificate or certificates representing the Warrant Shares pursuant to this
Section 2(e)(iv) by the close of business on the third Trading Day after the
Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind
such
exercise.
v.
Compensation
for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Certificates Upon
Exercise.
In
addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails
to
cause its transfer agent to transmit to the Holder a certificate or certificates
representing the Warrant Shares pursuant to an exercise by the close of business
on the third Trading Day after the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after
such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market
transaction or otherwise) Warrant Shares to deliver in satisfaction of a sale
by
the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon
such exercise (a “Buy-In”),
then
the Company shall (1) pay in cash to the Holder the amount by which
(x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if
any) for the Warrant Shares so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by
multiplying (A) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required
to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times
(B) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase
obligation was executed, and (2) at the option of the Holder, either
reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares
for
which such exercise was not honored or deliver to the Holder the number of
Warrant Shares that would have been issued had the Company timely complied
with
its exercise and Warrant Shares having a total purchase price of $11,000 to
cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of Warrant Shares with
an
aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under
clause (1) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required
to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice
indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and,
upon
request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein
shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it
hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of
specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s
failure to timely deliver certificates representing Warrant Shares upon exercise
of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.
vi.
No
Fractional Shares or Scrip.
No
fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon
the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which Holder would
otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall at
its
election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in
an
amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up
to
the next whole share.
vii.
Charges,
Taxes and Expenses.
Issuance
of certificates for Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder
for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the
issuance of such certificate, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid
by
the Company, and such certificates shall be issued in the name of the Holder
or
in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided,
however,
that in
the event certificates for Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other
than
the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be
accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder;
and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum
sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto.
viii.
Closing
of Books.
The
Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which
prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms
hereof.
Section
3. Certain Adjustments.
a)
Stock
Dividends and Splits.
If the
Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (A) pays a stock
dividend or otherwise make a distribution or distributions on the Warrant Shares
payable in shares of Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent
securities, (B) subdivides outstanding Warrant Shares into a larger number
of shares, (C) combines (including by way of reverse stock split)
outstanding Warrant Shares into a smaller number of shares, or (D) issues by
reclassification of the Warrant Shares any shares of capital stock of the
Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction
of which the numerator shall be the number of Warrant Shares (excluding treasury
shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the
denominator
shall be the number of Warrant Shares outstanding immediately after such event
and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be
proportionately adjusted. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a)
shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination
of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall
become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a
subdivision, combination or re-classification.
b)
Subsequent
Rights Offerings.
If the
Company, at any time while the Warrant is outstanding, shall issue rights,
options or warrants to all holders of Warrant Shares (and not to Holders)
entitling them to subscribe for or purchase Warrant Shares at a price per share
less than the VWAP at the record date mentioned below, then the Exercise Price
shall be multiplied by a fraction, of which the denominator shall be the number
of Warrant Shares outstanding on the date of issuance of such rights or warrants
plus the number of additional Warrant Shares offered for subscription or
purchase, and of which the numerator shall be the number of Warrant Shares
outstanding on the date of issuance of such rights or warrants plus the number
of shares which the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares
so
offered (assuming receipt by the Company in full of all consideration payable
upon exercise of such rights, options or warrants) would purchase at such VWAP.
Such adjustment shall be made whenever such rights or warrants are issued,
and
shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination
of stockholders entitled to receive such rights, options or
warrants.
c)
Pro
Rata Distributions.
If the
Company, at any time prior to the Termination Date, shall distribute to all
holders of Warrant Shares (and not to Holders of the Warrants) evidences of
its
indebtedness or assets (including cash and cash dividends) or rights or warrants
to subscribe for or purchase any security other than the Common Stock (which
shall be subject to Section 3(b)), then in each such case the Exercise Price
shall be adjusted by multiplying the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior
to the record date fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to receive
such distribution by a fraction of which the denominator shall be the VWAP
determined as of the record date mentioned above, and of which the numerator
shall be such VWAP on such record date less the then per share fair market
value
at such record date of the portion of such assets or evidence of indebtedness
so
distributed applicable to one outstanding Warrant Share as determined by the
Board of Directors in good faith. In either case the adjustments shall be
described in a statement provided to the Holder of the portion of assets or
evidences of indebtedness so distributed or such subscription rights applicable
to one Warrant Share. Such adjustment shall be made whenever any such
distribution is made and shall become effective immediately after the record
date mentioned above.
d)
Fundamental
Transaction.
If, at
any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (A) the Company effects any merger
or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (B) the Company
effects any sale of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series
of
related transactions, (C) any tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the
Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Warrant
Shares are permitted to tender or exchange their shares for other securities,
cash or property, or (D) the Company effects any reclassification of the Warrant
Shares or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Warrant Shares
are
effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property
(in any such case, a “Fundamental
Transaction”),
then,
upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right
to
receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise
immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the
option of the Holder, (a) upon exercise of this Warrant, the number of
shares of stock, or other securities or property of the successor or acquiring
corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any
additional consideration (the “Alternate
Consideration”)
receivable upon or as a result of such reorganization, reclassification, merger,
consolidation or disposition of assets by a Holder to which the Holder would
have been entitled if the Holder had exercised its rights pursuant to the
Warrant immediately prior thereto or (b) if the Company is acquired in an
all cash transaction, cash equal to the value of this Warrant as determined
in
accordance with the Black-Scholes option pricing formula. For purposes of any
such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately
adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of
Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one Warrant Share in such
Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price
among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative
value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders
of
Warrant Shares are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property
to be
received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same
choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this
Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. To the extent necessary to
effectuate the foregoing provisions, any successor to the Company or surviving
entity in such Fundamental Transaction shall issue to the Holder a new warrant
consistent with the foregoing provisions and evidencing the Holder’s right to
exercise such warrant into Alternate Consideration. The terms of any agreement
pursuant to which a Fundamental Transaction is effected shall include terms
requiring any such successor or surviving entity to comply with the provisions
of this Section 3(b) and insuring that this Warrant (or any such replacement
security) will be similarly adjusted
upon any subsequent transaction analogous to a Fundamental Transaction.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall have the
right
to exercise this Warrant immediately prior to any Fundamental Transaction,
including any Fundamental Transaction occuring on or before the Initial Exercise
Date.
e)
Dilutive
Issuances and Other Adjustments to Series B Conversion Price.
The
Exercise Price and the number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this
Warrant or, if the Warrant Shares are Preferred Stock, the number of shares
of
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Warrant Shares, shall be subject
to
adjustment, from time to time in the manner set forth in Company’s Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation as if the Warrant Shares were issued
and
outstanding on and as of the date of any such required adjustment. The
provisions set forth for the Warrant Shares in Company’s Certificate of
Incorporation relating to the above in effect as of the date hereof may not
be
amended, modified or waived, without the prior written consent of Holder unless
such amendment, modification or waiver affects the rights associated with the
Warrant Shares issuable hereunder in the same manner as such amendment,
modification or waiver affects the rights associated with all other shares
of
the same series and class as the Warrant Shares.
f)
Calculations.
All
calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the
nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section
3,
the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as
of a
given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding
treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.
g)
Voluntary
Adjustment By Company.
The
Company may at any time during the term of this Warrant reduce the then current
Exercise Price to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate
by
the Board of Directors of the Company.
h)
Notice
to Holders.
i.
Adjustment
to Exercise Price.
Whenever
the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3,
the
Company shall promptly mail to each Holder a notice setting forth the Exercise
Price after such adjustment and setting forth a brief statement of the facts
requiring such adjustment.
ii.
Notice
to Allow Exercise by Holder.
If
(A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in
whatever form) on the Common Stock; (B) the Company shall declare a special
nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock; (C) the
Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights
or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any
class or of any rights; (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company
shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock,
any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or
transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, of any
compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other
securities, cash or property; (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary
or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the
Company; then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be mailed to the Holder
at its last address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company,
at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date
hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is
to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights
or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders
of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions,
redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on
which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share
exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which
it
is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to
exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property
deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer
or
share exchange; provided that the failure to mail such notice or any defect
therein or in the mailing thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate
action required to be specified in such notice. The Holder is entitled to
exercise this Warrant during the 20-day period commencing on the date of such
notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice.
Section
4.
Transfer of Warrant.
a)
Transferability.
Subject
to compliance with any applicable securities laws and the conditions set forth
in Section 4(d) hereof, this Warrant and all rights hereunder (including,
without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or
in
part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company
or
its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant
substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its
agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon
the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment,
the Company shall execute and deliver a
new
Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees and in the
denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and
shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant
not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. A Warrant, if
properly assigned, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant
Shares without having a new Warrant issued.
b)
New
Warrants.
This
Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof
at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice
specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued,
signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with
Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or
combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants
in
exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance
with such notice.
c)
Warrant
Register.
The
Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the
Company for that purpose (the “Warrant
Register”),
in the
name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and
treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for
the
purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all
other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.
d)
Transfer
Restrictions.
If, at
the time of the surrender of this Warrant in connection with any permitted
transfer of this Warrant, the transfer of this Warrant shall not be registered
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and
under applicable state securities or blue sky laws, the Company may require,
as
a condition of allowing such transfer (i) that the Holder or transferee of
this
Warrant, as the case may be, furnish to the Company a written opinion of counsel
(which opinion shall be in form, substance and scope customary for opinions
of
counsel in comparable transactions) to the effect that such transfer may be
made
without registration under the Securities Act and under applicable state
securities or blue sky laws, (ii) that the holder or transferee execute and
deliver to the Company an investment letter in form and substance acceptable
to
the Company and (iii) that the transferee be an “accredited investor” as defined
in Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7), or (a)(8) promulgated under the
Securities Act or a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A(a)
under the Securities Act.
Section
5.
Miscellaneous.
a)
No
Rights as Shareholder Until Exercise.
This
Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights or other rights as
a
shareholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section
2(e)(ii).
b)
Loss,
Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant.
The
Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably
satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant
or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss,
theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it
(which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond),
and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if
mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate
of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or
stock certificate.
c)
Saturdays,
Sundays, Holidays, etc.
If the
last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any
right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action
may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business
Day.
d)
Authorized
Shares.
The
Company covenants that during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will
reserve from its authorized and unissued Preferred Stock a sufficient number
of
shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise
of
any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that
its
issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who
are
charged with the duty of executing stock certificates to execute and issue
the
necessary certificates for the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase
rights under this Warrant. Upon receipt of notice of exercise of the Warrant,
the Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure
that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation
of
any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market
upon which the Common Stock may be listed.
Except
and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall
not
by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of
incorporation 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 of this Warrant, but will
at
all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in
the
taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the
rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (a) not increase
the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon
such
exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (b) take all such
action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly
and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise
of this Warrant, and (c) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all
such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body
having jurisdiction thereof as may be necessary to enable the Company to perform
its obligations under this Warrant.
Before
taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant
Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the
Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents
thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having
jurisdiction thereof.
e)
Jurisdiction.
All
questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation
of this Warrant shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the
Purchase Agreement.
f)
Restrictions.
The
Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this
Warrant, if not registered, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by
state and federal securities laws.
g)
Nonwaiver
and Expenses.
No
course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on
the
part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice
Holder’s rights, powers or remedies, notwithstanding the fact that all rights
hereunder terminate on the Termination Date. If the Company willfully and
knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results
in
any damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to Holder such amounts as
shall
be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to,
reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred
by Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise
enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.
h)
Notices.
Any
notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered
to the Holder by the Company shall be delivered in accordance with the notice
provisions of the Purchase Agreement.
i)
Limitation
of Liability.
No
provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by Holder to exercise
this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights
or privileges of Holder, shall give rise to any liability of Holder for the
purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether
such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the
Company.
j)
Remedies.
Holder,
in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including
recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights
under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be
adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of
the
provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the
defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be
adequate.
k)
Successors
and Assigns.
Subject
to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations
evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
successors of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder.
The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of all Holders
from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by any such Holder
or
holder of Warrant Shares.
l)
Amendment.
Except
as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Warrant may be amended
and
the Company may take any action herein prohibited, or omit to perform any act
herein required to be performed by it, if the Company has obtained the written
consent of the Holders representing at least fifty percent (50%) of the Warrant
Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrant then outstanding.
m)
Severability.
Wherever
possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner
as
to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this
Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision
shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without
invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of
this Warrant.
n)
Headings.
The
headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and
shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its
officer thereunto duly authorized.
Dated:
[____________], 2007
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ALTEON
INC.
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By:
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Name:
Noah Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.
Title:
President and Chief Executive
Officer
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NOTICE
OF EXERCISE
TO:
ALTEON INC.
(1)
The
undersigned hereby elects to purchase Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant
to
the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders
herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable
transfer taxes, if any.
(2)
Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):
[
] in
lawful money of the United States; or
[
] the
cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance
with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with
respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the
cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).
(3)
Please issue a certificate or certificates representing said Warrant Shares
in
the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified
below:
________________________________
The
Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number or by
physical delivery of a certificate to:
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
(4)
Accredited
Investor.
The
undersigned is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D promulgated
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
[SIGNATURE
OF HOLDER]
Name
of Investing
Entity:__________________________________________________________
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Signature
of Authorized Signatory of Investing
Entity:____________________________________
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Name
of Authorized
Signatory:______________________________________________________
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Title
of Authorized
Signatory:_______________________________________________________
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Date:__________________________________________________________________________
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ASSIGNMENT
FORM
(To
assign the foregoing warrant, execute
this
form
and supply required information.
Do
not
use this form to exercise the warrant.)
FOR
VALUE
RECEIVED, [_____] all of or [_____] shares of the foregoing Warrant and all
rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to
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whose
address is
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Dated:
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,
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Holder’s
Signature:
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Holder’s
Address:
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Signature
Guaranteed:
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NOTE:
The
signature to this Assignment Form must correspond with the name as it appears
on
the face of the Warrant, without alteration or enlargement or any change
whatsoever, and must be guaranteed by a bank or trust company. Officers of
corporations and those acting in a fiduciary or other representative capacity
should file proper evidence of authority to assign the foregoing
Warrant.
ANNEX
C
FORM
OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This
Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”)
is made
and entered into as of [___________], 2007, among Alteon Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”),
and
the several purchasers signatory hereto (each such purchaser is a “Purchaser”
and
collectively, the “Purchasers”).
This
Agreement is made pursuant to the Series B Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase
Agreement, dated as of April 5, 2007 between the Company and each Purchaser
(the “Purchase
Agreement”).
The
Company and each Purchaser hereby agrees as follows:
1.
Definitions.
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein that are defined in
the
Purchase Agreement shall have the meanings given such terms in the Purchase
Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
“Advice”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 6(d).
“Effective
Date”
shall
mean the date that the initial Registration Statement filed by the Company
pursuant to this Agreement is declare effective by the SEC.
“Effectiveness
Date”
means,
with respect to the initial Registration Statement required to be filed
hereunder, the 90th calendar day following the date hereof (the 120th calendar
day in the case of a “full review” by the Commission) if the initial
Registration Statement is on Form S-3 or the 270th calendar day following the
date hereof if the initial Registration Statement is on Form S-1 and, with
respect to any additional Registration Statements which may be required pursuant
to Section 3(c), the 90th calendar day following the date on which the Company
first knows, or reasonably should have known, that such additional Registration
Statement on Form S-3 is required hereunder (the 270th calendar day if such
Registration Statement is on Form S-1); provided,
however,
in the
event the Company is notified by the Commission that one of the above
Registration Statements will not be reviewed or is no longer subject to further
review and comments, the Effectiveness Date as to such Registration Statement
shall be the fifth Trading Day following the date on which the Company is so
notified if such date precedes the dates required above
“Effectiveness
Period”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
“Event”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).
“Event
Date”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).
“Filing
Date”
means,
with respect to the initial Registration Statement required hereunder, the
30th
calendar day following the date hereof and, with respect to any additional
Registration Statements which may be required pursuant to Section 3(c), the
30th
day following the date on which the Company first knows, or reasonably should
have known that such additional Registration Statement is required
hereunder.
“Holder”
or
“Holders”
means
the holder or holders, as the case may be, from time to time of Registrable
Securities.
“Indemnified
Party”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).
“Indemnifying
Party”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c).
“Losses”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).
“Plan
of Distribution”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a).
“Preferred
Stock”
means
the Series B Preferred Stock, $0.01 par vale per share, of the Company issued
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.
“Prospectus”
means
the prospectus included in a Registration Statement (including, without
limitation, a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from
a
prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance
upon
Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented
by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of
any
portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement,
and
all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective
amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
“Registrable
Securities”
means
all of the Common Stock issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Warrants and
conversion of the Preferred Stock sold pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and
any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon any stock split, dividend
or
other distribution, recapitalization or similar event with thereto.
“Registration
Statement”
means
the registration statements required to be filed hereunder and any additional
registration statements contemplated by Section 3(c), including (in each case)
the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement or
Prospectus, including pre- and post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto,
and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by
reference in such registration statement.
“Rule
415”
means
Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and
effect as such Rule.
“Rule
424”
means
Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and
effect as such Rule.
“Selling
Shareholder Questionnaire”
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).
“Trading
Day”
shall
mean a day on which the Common Stock of the Company is traded on the American
Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or the New York Stock
Exchange.
2.
Shelf
Registration.
(a)
On or
prior to each Filing Date, the Company shall prepare and file with the
Commission a “Shelf” Registration Statement covering the resale of one hundred
percent (100%) of the Registrable Securities on such Filing Date for an offering
to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415. The Registration
Statement shall be on Form S-3 (except if the Company is not then eligible
to
register for resale the Registrable Securities on Form S-3, in which case such
registration shall be on another appropriate form in accordance herewith) and
shall contain (unless otherwise directed by at least an 85% majority in interest
of the Holders) substantially the “Plan
of Distribution”
attached
hereto as Annex
A.
Subject
to the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall use its good faith
commercially reasonable efforts to cause a Registration Statement to be declared
effective under the Securities Act as promptly as possible after the filing
thereof, but in any event prior to the applicable Effectiveness Date, and shall
use its good faith commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Registration
Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act until all Registrable
Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold, or may be
sold
without volume restrictions pursuant to Rule 144(k), as determined by the
counsel to the Company pursuant to a written opinion letter to such effect,
addressed and acceptable to the Company’s transfer agent and the affected
Holders (the “Effectiveness
Period”).
The
Company shall telephonically request effectiveness of a Registration Statement
as of 5:00 pm Eastern Time on a Trading Day. The Company shall immediately
notify the Holders via facsimile or electronic transmission of the effectiveness
of a Registration Statement on the same Trading Day that the Company
telephonically confirms effectiveness with the Commission, which shall be the
date requested for effectiveness of a Registration Statement. The Company shall,
by 9:30 am Eastern Time on the Trading Day after the Effective Date, file a
final Prospectus with the Commission as required by Rule 424. Failure to so
notify the Holder within one (1) Trading Day of such notification or
effectiveness or failure to file a final Prospectus as aforesaid shall be deemed
an Event under Section 2(b).
(b)
If:
(i) a Registration Statement is not filed on or prior to its Filing Date (if
the
Company files a Registration Statement without affording the Holders the
opportunity to review and comment on the same as required by Section 3(a),
the
Company shall not be deemed to have satisfied this clause (i)), or (ii) the
Company fails to file with the Commission a request for acceleration in
accordance with Rule 461 promulgated under the Securities Act, within five
Trading Days of the date that the Company is notified (orally or in writing,
whichever
is earlier) by the Commission that a Registration Statement will not be
“reviewed,” or not subject to further review, or (iii) prior to its
Effectiveness Date, the Company fails to file a pre-effective amendment and
otherwise respond in writing to comments made by the Commission in respect
of
such Registration Statement within 15 calendar days after the receipt of
comments by or notice from the Commission that such amendment is required in
order for a Registration Statement to be declared effective, or (iv) a
Registration Statement filed or required to be filed hereunder is not declared
effective by the Commission by its Effectiveness Date, or (v) after the
Effectiveness Date, a Registration Statement ceases for any reason to remain
continuously effective as to all Registrable Securities for which it is required
to be effective, or the Holders are otherwise not permitted to utilize the
Prospectus therein to resell such Registrable Securities for more than 15
consecutive calendar days or more than an aggregate of 25 calendar days during
any 12-month period (which need not be consecutive calendar days) (any such
failure or breach being referred to as an “Event”,
and for
purposes of clause (i) or (iv) the date on which such Event occurs, or for
purposes of clause (ii) the date on which such five Trading Day period is
exceeded, or for purposes of clause (iii) the date which such 15 calendar day
period is exceeded, or for purposes of clause (v) the date on which such 15
or
25 calendar day period, as applicable, is exceeded being referred to as the
“Event
Date”),
then
in addition to any other rights the Holders may have hereunder or under
applicable law, on such Event Date and on each monthly anniversary of such
Event
Date (if the applicable Event shall not have been cured by such date) until
the
applicable Event is cured, the Company shall pay to each Holder an amount in
cash, as partial liquidated damages and not as a penalty, equal to 1% of the
aggregate purchase price paid by such Holder pursuant to the Purchase Agreement
for any Securities then held by such Holder, subject to an overall limit of
8%
for each calendar year. The partial liquidated damages pursuant to the terms
hereof shall apply on a daily pro-rata basis for any portion of a month prior
to
the cure of an Event.
3.
Registration
Procedures
In
connection with the Company’s registration obligations hereunder, the Company
shall:
(a)
Not
less than five (5) Trading Days prior to the filing of each Registration
Statement and not less than one (1) Trading Day prior to the filing of any
related Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto (including any
document that would be incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference), the Company shall, (i) furnish to each Holder copies of all
such documents proposed to be filed, which documents (other than those
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference) will be subject to
the
review of such Holders, and (ii) use its good faith commercially reasonable
efforts to cause its officers and directors, counsel and independent certified
public accountants to respond to such inquiries as shall be necessary, in the
reasonable opinion of respective counsel to each Holder to conduct a reasonable
investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Company shall not
file a Registration Statement or any such Prospectus or any amendments or
supplements thereto to which the Holders of a majority of the Registrable
Securities shall reasonably object in good faith, provided that, the Company
is
notified of such objection in writing no later than five (5) Trading Days after
the Holders have been so furnished copies of a Registration Statement or one
(1)
Trading Day after the Holders have been so furnished copies of any related
Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto. Each Holder agrees to furnish
to
the Company a completed Questionnaire in the form attached to this Agreement
as
Annex B (a “Selling
Shareholder Questionnaire”)
not
less than two (2) Trading Days prior to the Filing Date or by the end of the
fourth Trading Day following the date on which such Holder receives draft
materials in accordance with this Section.
(b)
(i)
Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective
amendments, to a Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection
therewith as may be necessary to keep a Registration Statement continuously
effective as to the applicable Registrable Securities for the Effectiveness
Period and prepare and file with the Commission such additional Registration
Statements in order to register for resale under the Securities Act all of
the
Registrable Securities; (ii) cause the related Prospectus to be amended or
supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement (subject to the terms of
this
Agreement), and as so supplemented or amended to be filed pursuant to Rule
424;
(iii) respond as promptly as reasonably possible to any comments received
from the Commission with respect to a Registration Statement or any amendment
thereto and as promptly as reasonably possible provide the Holders true and
complete copies of all correspondence from and to the Commission relating to
a
Registration Statement (provided that the Company may excise any information
contained therein which would constitute material non-public information as
to
any Holder which has not executed a confidentiality agreement with the Company);
and (iv) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities
Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable
Securities covered by a Registration Statement during the applicable period
in
accordance (subject to
the
terms of this Agreement) with the intended methods of disposition by the Holders
thereof set forth in such Registration Statement as so amended or in such
Prospectus as so supplemented.
(c)
If
during the Effectiveness Period, the number of Registrable Securities at any
time exceeds one hundred percent (100%) of the number of shares of Common Stock
then registered in a Registration Statement, then the Company shall file as
soon
as reasonably practicable but in any case prior to the applicable Filing Date,
an additional Registration Statement covering the resale by the Holders of
not
less than one hundred percent (100%) of the number of such Registrable
Securities.
(d)
Notify the Holders of Registrable Securities to be sold (which notice shall,
pursuant to clauses (iii) through (vi) hereof, be accompanied by an instruction
to suspend the use of the Prospectus until the requisite changes have been
made)
as promptly as reasonably possible (and, in the case of (i)(A) below, not less
than one (1) Trading Day prior to such filing) and (if requested by any such
Person) confirm such notice in writing no later than one (1) Trading Day
following the day (i)(A) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement is proposed to be filed;
(B) when the Commission notifies the Company whether there will be a “review” of
such Registration Statement and whenever the Commission comments in writing
on
such Registration Statement; and (C) with respect to a Registration Statement
or
any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective; (ii) of
any request by the Commission or any other Federal or state governmental
authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or
Prospectus or for additional information; (iii) of the issuance by the
Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop
order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement covering any
or
all of the Registrable Securities or the initiation of any Proceedings for
that
purpose; (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with
respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification
of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the
initiation or threatening of any Proceeding for such purpose; (v) of the
occurrence of any event or passage of time that makes the financial statements
included in a Registration Statement ineligible for inclusion therein or any
statement made in a Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any
material respect or that requires any revisions to a Registration Statement,
Prospectus or other documents so that, in the case of a Registration Statement
or the Prospectus, as the case may be, it will not contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and (vi) the
occurrence or existence of any pending corporate development with respect to
the
Company that the Company believes may be material and that, in the determination
of the Company, makes it not in the best interest of the Company to allow
continued availability of a Registration Statement or Prospectus; provided
that
any and all of such information shall remain confidential to each Holder until
such information otherwise becomes public, unless disclosure by a Holder is
required by law; provided,
further,
notwithstanding each Holder’s agreement to keep such information confidential,
the Holders make no acknowledgement that any such information is material,
non-public information.
(e)
Use
its good faith commercially reasonable efforts to avoid the issuance of, or,
if
issued, obtain the withdrawal of (i) any order suspending the effectiveness
of a
Registration Statement, or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or
exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale
in
any jurisdiction, at the earliest practicable moment.
(f)
Furnish to each Holder, without charge, at least one (1) conformed copy of
each
such Registration Statement and each amendment thereto, including financial
statements and schedules, all documents incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated therein by reference to the extent requested by such Person, and
all exhibits to the extent requested by such Person (including those previously
furnished or incorporated by reference) promptly after the filing of such
documents with the Commission.
(g)
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Company hereby consents to the
use
of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the
selling Holders in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable
Securities covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto,
except after the giving of any notice pursuant to Section 3(d).
(h)
If
NASDR Rule 2710 requires any broker-dealer to make a filing prior to executing
a
sale by a Holder, the Company shall (i) make an Issuer Filing with the NASDR,
Inc. Corporate Financing Department pursuant to proposed NASDR Rule
2710(b)(10)(A)(i), (ii) respond within five (5) Trading Days to any comments
received from NASDR in connection therewith, and (iii) pay the filing fee
required in connection therewith.
(i)
Prior
to any resale of Registrable Securities by a Holder, use its commercially
reasonable efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the selling Holders
in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from the
Registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for the resale
by
the Holder under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within
the United States as any Holder reasonably requests in writing, to keep each
registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the
Effectiveness Period and to do any and all other acts or things reasonably
necessary to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable
Securities covered by each Registration Statement; provided, that the Company
shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction
where it is not then so qualified, subject the Company to any material tax
in
any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or file a general consent
to service of process in any such jurisdiction.
(j)
If
requested by the Holders, cooperate with the Holders to facilitate the timely
preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities
to
be delivered to a transferee pursuant to a Registration Statement, which
certificates shall be free, to the extent permitted by the Purchase Agreement,
of all restrictive legends, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be
in
such denominations and registered in such names as any such Holders may
request.
(k)
Upon
the occurrence of any event contemplated by this Section 3, as promptly as
reasonably possible under the circumstances taking into account the Company’s
good faith assessment of any adverse consequences to the Company and its
stockholders of the premature disclosure of such event, prepare a supplement
or
amendment, including a post-effective amendment, to a Registration Statement
or
a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed
to
be incorporated therein by reference, and file any other required document
so
that, as thereafter delivered, neither a Registration Statement nor such
Prospectus will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading. If the Company notifies the Holders in accordance with clauses
(iii) through (vi) of Section 3(d) above to suspend the use of any Prospectus
until the requisite changes to such Prospectus have been made, then the Holders
shall suspend use of such Prospectus. The Company will use its good faith
commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may
be
resumed as promptly as is practicable. The Company shall be entitled to exercise
its right under this Section 3(k) to suspend the availability of a Registration
Statement and Prospectus, subject to the payment of partial liquidated damages
pursuant to Section 2(b), for a period not to exceed sixty (60) calendar days
(which need not be consecutive days) in any 12- month period.
(l)
Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission.
(m)
The
Company may require each selling Holder to furnish to the Company a certified
statement as to the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by
such
Holder and, if required by the Commission, the natural persons thereof that
have
voting and dispositive control over the Shares. During any periods that the
Company is unable to meet its obligations hereunder with respect to the
registration of the Registrable Securities solely because any Holder fails
to
furnish such information within three Trading Days of the Company’s request, any
liquidated damages that are accruing at such time as to such Holder only shall
be tolled and any Event that may otherwise occur solely because of such delay
shall be suspended as to such Holder only, until such information is delivered
to the Company.
4.
Registration
Expenses.
All fees
and expenses (exclusive of underwriting discounts and commissions) incident
to
the performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Company shall be
borne by the Company whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant
to a Registration Statement; provided,
however,
the
Company shall pay up to a maximum of $30,000 for reasonable fees and expenses
of
no more than one special counsel for the Purchasers if the Registration
Statement is on Form S-3 or up to a maximum of $60,000 for reasonable fees
and
expenses of no more than one special counsel for the Purchasers if the Company
is not then eligible to register for resale the Registrable Securities on Form
S-3. Subject to the foregoing sentence, the fees and expenses shall include
(i)
all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and
expenses (A) with respect to filings required to be made with any Trading Market
on which the Common Stock is then listed for trading, (B) in compliance with
applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws reasonably agreed to by the Company
in writing (including, without limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel
for
the Company in connection with Blue Sky qualifications or exemptions of the
Registrable Securities) and (C) if not previously paid by the Company in
connection with an Issuer Filing, with respect to any filing that may be
required to be made by any broker through which a Holder intends to make sales
of Registrable Securities with NASD Regulation, Inc. pursuant to the NASD
Rule
2710, so long as the broker is receiving no more than a customary brokerage
commission in connection with such sale, (ii) printing expenses (including,
without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable
Securities, (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Company, (v) Securities Act liability
insurance, if the Company so desires such insurance, and (vi) fees and expenses
of all other Persons retained by the Company in connection with the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In addition, the Company
shall be responsible for all of its internal expenses incurred in connection
with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and
employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual
audit and the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of
the
Registrable Securities on any securities exchange as required hereunder. In
no
event shall the Company be responsible for any broker or similar commissions
of
any Holder or, except to the extent provided for in the Transaction Documents,
any legal fees or other costs of the Holders.
5.
Indemnification
(a)
Indemnification
by the Company.
The
Company shall, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, indemnify
and
hold harmless each Holder, the officers, directors, members, partners, agents,
brokers (including brokers who offer and sell Registrable Securities as
principal as a result of a pledge or any failure to perform under a margin
call
of Common Stock), investment advisors and employees (and any other Persons
with
a functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles, notwithstanding
a lack of such title or any other title) of each of them, each Person who
controls any such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities
Act
or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, members,
shareholders, partners, agents and employees (and any other Persons with a
functionally equivalent role of a Person holding such titles, notwithstanding
a
lack of such title or any other title)of each such controlling Person, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses,
claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable
attorneys’ fees) and expenses (collectively, “Losses”),
as
incurred, arising out of or relating to (1) any untrue or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, any
Prospectus or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto
or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission
or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or
form
of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made) not misleading, or (2) any violation or alleged violation by
the
Company of the Securities Act, Exchange Act or any state securities law, or
any
rule or regulation thereunder, in connection with the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent, but only to the extent,
that (i) such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information
regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder
expressly for use therein, or to the extent that such information relates to
such Holder or such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable
Securities and was reviewed and expressly approved in writing by such Holder
expressly for use in a Registration Statement, such Prospectus or such form
of
Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (it being understood that
the Holder has approved Annex A hereto for this purpose), (ii) in the case
of an
occurrence of an event of the type specified in Section 3(d)(iii)-(vi), the
use
by such Holder of an outdated or defective Prospectus after the Company has
notified such Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated or defective
and
prior to the receipt by such Holder of the Advice contemplated in Section 6(d)
or (iii) willful misconduct on the part of such Holder. The Company shall notify
the Holders promptly of the institution, threat or assertion of any Proceeding
arising from or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement of which the Company is aware.
(b)
Indemnification
by Holders.
Each
Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, its directors, officers, agents and employees, each Person who controls
the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section
20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, agents or employees of
such controlling Persons, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
from and against all Losses, as incurred, to the extent arising out of or based
solely upon: (x) such Holder’s failure to comply with the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act or (y) any untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus,
or
any form of prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any
preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged
omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading (i) to the extent, but only to the extent,
that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information so
furnished in writing by such Holder to the Company specifically for inclusion
in
such Registration Statement or such Prospectus or (ii) to the extent that such
information relates to such Holder’s
proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was reviewed
and
expressly approved in writing by such Holder expressly for use in a Registration
Statement (it being understood that the Holder has approved Annex A hereto
for
this purpose), such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or in any amendment
or
supplement thereto or (iii) in the case of an occurrence of an event of the
type
specified in Section 3(d)(iii)-(vi), the use by such Holder of an outdated
or
defective Prospectus after the Company has notified such Holder in writing
that
the Prospectus is outdated or defective and prior to the receipt by such Holder
of the Advice contemplated in Section 6(d). In no event shall the liability
of
any selling Holder hereunder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of
the
net proceeds received by such Holder upon the sale of the Registrable Securities
giving rise to such indemnification obligation.
(c)
Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings.
If any
Proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity
hereunder (an “Indemnified
Party”),
such
Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Person from whom indemnity is sought
(the “Indemnifying
Party”)
in
writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense
thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnified Party and the payment of all fees and expenses incurred in
connection with defense thereof; provided, that the failure of any Indemnified
Party to give such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its
obligations or liabilities pursuant to this Agreement, except (and only) to
the
extent that it shall be finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction
(which determination is not subject to appeal or further review) that such
failure shall have prejudiced the Indemnifying Party.
An
Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such
Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses
of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or Parties
unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and
expenses; (2) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to assume the
defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to
such
Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding; or (3) the named parties to any such
Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified
Party
and the Indemnifying Party, and counsel to the Indemnified Party shall
reasonably believe that a material conflict of interest is likely to exist
if
the same counsel were to represent such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying
Party (in which case, if such Indemnified Party notifies the Indemnifying Party
in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the
Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume
the defense thereof and the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one
separate counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnifying Party). The
Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such Proceeding
effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written
consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending
Proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is a party, unless such
settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from
all
liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceeding.
Subject
to the terms of this Agreement, all reasonable fees and expenses of the
Indemnified Party (including reasonable fees and expenses to the extent incurred
in connection with investigating or preparing to defend such Proceeding in
a
manner not inconsistent with this Section) shall be paid to the Indemnified
Party, as incurred, within ten (10) Trading Days of written notice thereof
to
the Indemnifying Party; provided, that the Indemnified Party shall promptly
reimburse the Indemnifying Party for that portion of such fees and expenses
applicable to such actions for which such Indemnified Party is judicially
determined to be not entitled to indemnification hereunder.
(d)
Contribution.
If the
indemnification under Section 5(a) or 5(b) is unavailable to an Indemnified
Party or insufficient to hold an Indemnified Party harmless for any Losses,
then
each Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
Indemnified Party, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
fault of the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party in connection with the
actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any
other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying
Party and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material
fact,
has been taken or made by, or relates to information supplied by, such
Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
action, statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result
of any Losses shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth
in this Agreement, any reasonable attorneys’ or other reasonable fees or
reasonable expenses incurred by such party in connection with any Proceeding
to
the extent such party would have been indemnified for such fees or expenses
if
the indemnification provided for in this Section was available to such party
in
accordance with its terms.
The
parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution
pursuant to this Section 5(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by
any
other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable
considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5(d), no Holder shall be required
to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which
the
proceeds actually received by such Holder from the sale of the Registrable
Securities subject to the Proceeding exceeds the amount of any damages that
such
Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission, except in the case of fraud
by
such Holder.
The
indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section are in addition
to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the Indemnified
Parties.
6.
Miscellaneous
(a)
Remedies.
In the
event of a breach by the Company or by a Holder, of any of their respective
obligations under this Agreement, each Holder or the Company, as the case may
be, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law and
under this Agreement, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to seek
specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Company and each
Holder agree that monetary damages may not provide adequate compensation for
any
losses incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the provisions of this
Agreement and hereby further agrees that, in the event of any action for
specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall not assert or shall
waive the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b)
Subsequent
Registration Rights.
The
Company shall not file any other registration statements until the initial
Registration Statement required hereunder is declared effective by the
Commission, provided that this Section 6(b) shall not prohibit the Company
from
filing amendments to registration statements already filed.
(c)
No
Piggyback on Registrations.
Neither
the Company nor any of its security holders (other than the Holders in such
capacity pursuant hereto) may include securities of the Company in the initial
Registration Statement other than the Registrable Securities.
(d)
Compliance.
Each
Holder covenants and agrees that it will comply with the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to it in connection with sales
of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.
(e)
Discontinued
Disposition.
Each
Holder agrees by its acquisition of Registrable Securities that, upon receipt
of
a notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event of the kind described
in Section 3(d), such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such
Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement until it is advised in
writing (the “Advice”)
by the
Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus (as it may have been
supplemented or amended) may be resumed. The Company will use its good faith
commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may
be
resumed as promptly as it practicable. The Company agrees and acknowledges
that
any periods during which the Holder is required to discontinue the disposition
of the Registrable Securities hereunder shall be subject to the provisions
of
Section 2(b).
(f)
Piggy-Back
Registrations.
If at
any time during the Effectiveness Period there is not an effective Registration
Statement covering all of the Registrable Securities and the Company shall
determine to prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement
relating to an offering for its own account or the account of others under
the
Securities Act of any of its equity securities, other than on Form S-4 or Form
S-8 (each as promulgated under the Securities Act) or their then equivalents
relating to equity securities to be issued solely in connection with any
acquisition of any entity or business or equity securities issuable in
connection with the stock option or other employee benefit plans, then the
Company shall send to each Holder a written notice of such determination and,
if
within fifteen days after the date of such notice, any such Holder shall so
request in writing, the Company shall include in such registration statement
all
or any part of such Registrable Securities such Holder requests to be
registered; provided,
however,
that,
the Company shall not be required to register any Registrable Securities
pursuant to this Section 6(e) that are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule
144(k) promulgated under the Securities Act or that are the subject of a then
effective Registration Statement.
(g)
Amendments
and Waivers.
The
provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may
not
be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures
from
the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the same shall be in writing
and
signed by the Company and each Holder of the then outstanding Registrable
Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from
the provisions
hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of
Holders and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other
Holders may be given by Holders of all of the Registrable Securities to which
such waiver or consent relates; provided,
however,
that
the provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or supplemented
except in accordance with the provisions of the immediately preceding
sentence.
(h)
Notices.
Any and
all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to
be
provided hereunder shall be delivered as set forth in the Purchase
Agreement.
(i)
Successors
and Assigns.
This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors
and
permitted assigns of each of the parties and shall inure to the benefit of
each
Holder. Each Holder may assign their respective rights hereunder in the manner
and to the Persons as permitted under the Purchase Agreement.
(j)
No
Inconsistent Agreements.
Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered, as of the date hereof,
nor
shall the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on or after the date of this
Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities, that would
have the effect of impairing the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement
or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. Except as set forth on
Schedule 6(i), neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has previously
entered into any agreement granting any registration rights with respect to
any
of its securities to any Person that have not been satisfied in
full.
(k)
Execution
and Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken
together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become
effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to
the
other party, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same
counterpart. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile
transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature
shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose
behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such
facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.
(l)
Governing
Law.
All
questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation
of this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of
the
Purchase Agreement.
(m)
Cumulative
Remedies.
The
remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any other remedies
provided by law.
(n)
Severability.
If any
term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court
of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the
remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein
shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired
or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their good faith commercially
reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same
or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision,
covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the
intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms,
provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may
be
hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(o)
Termination.
Without
any additional action of the parties, this Agreement shall automatically
terminate and be of no further force and effect at the earlier of such time
as
(a) the Preferred Financing (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) has occurred
or (b) the Holders no longer hold Registrable Securities.
(p)
Headings.
The
headings in this Agreement are for convenience only, do not constitute a part
of
this Agreement, and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions
hereof.
(q)
Independent
Nature of Holders’ Obligations and Rights.
The
obligations of each Holder hereunder are several and not joint with the
obligations of any other Holder hereunder, and no Holder shall be responsible
in
any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Holder hereunder.
Nothing contained herein or in any other agreement or document delivered at
any
closing, and no action taken by any Holder pursuant hereto or thereto, shall
be
deemed to constitute the Holders as a partnership, an association, a joint
venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Holders
are in any way acting in concert with respect to such obligations or the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each Holder shall be entitled
to
protect and enforce its rights, including without limitation the rights arising
out of this Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any other Holder to
be
joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement
as
of the date first written above.
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ALTEON
INC.
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By:
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Name:
Noah Berkowitz, M.D., Ph.D.
Title:
President and Chief Executive
Officer
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[SIGNATURE
PAGE OF HOLDERS FOLLOWS]
[SIGNATURE
PAGE OF HOLDERS TO ALTEON REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT]
BAKER/TISCH
INVESTMENTS, L.P.
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By:
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Baker/Tisch
Capital,
L.P.,
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its
general partner
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By:
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Baker/Tisch
Capital (GP), LLC,
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its
general partner
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By:
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Name:
Felix Baker, Ph.D.
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Title:
Managing Member
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BAKER
BIOTECH FUND I, L.P.
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By:
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Baker
Biotech Capital, L.P.,
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its
general partner
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By:
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Baker
Biotech Capital (GP), LLC,
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its
general partner
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By:
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Name:
Felix Baker, Ph.D.
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Title:
Managing Member
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Baker
Brothers Life Sciences, L.P.
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By:
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Baker
Brothers Life Sciences Capital, L.P.
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its
general partner
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By:
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Baker
Brothers Life Sciences Capital (GP), LLC
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its
general partner
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By:
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Name:
Felix Baker, Ph.D.
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Title:
Managing Member
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14159,
L.P.
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By:
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14159
Capital, L.P.,
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its
general partner
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By:
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14159
Capital (GP), LLC,
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its
general partner
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By:
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Name:
Felix Baker, Ph.D.
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Title:
Managing Member
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[SIGNATURE
PAGE OF HOLDERS TO ALTEON REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT]
Atticus
Global Advisors,
Ltd.
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Address
for Notice:
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c/o
Atticus Capital LP
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By:
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152
West 57th Street
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Name:
Matthew Edmonds
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New
York, NY 10019
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Title:
Director
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Attn:
Legal Department
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Fax:
(212) 373-0871
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Green
Way Managed Account Series, Ltd.,
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in
respect to its segregated account, Green Way Portfolio D
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By:
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Name:
Dominique Ould-Ferhat
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Title:
President and Director
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Annex
A
Plan
of Distribution
Each
Selling Stockholder (the “Selling
Stockholders”)
of the
common stock and any of their pledgees, assignees and successors-in-interest
may, from time to time, sell any or all of their shares of common stock on
the
American Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange, market or trading facility
on which the shares are traded or in private transactions. These sales may
be at
fixed or negotiated prices. A Selling Stockholder may use any one or more of
the
following methods when selling shares:
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·
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ordinary
brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer
solicits purchasers;
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·
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block
trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares
as agent
but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to
facilitate the transaction;
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·
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purchases
by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for
its
account;
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·
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an
exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable
exchange;
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·
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privately
negotiated transactions;
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·
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settlement
of short sales entered into after the effective date of the registration
statement of which this prospectus is a
part;
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·
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broker-dealers
may agree with the Selling Stockholders to sell a specified number
of such
shares at a stipulated price per
share;
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·
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through
the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions,
whether through an options exchange or
otherwise;
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·
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a
combination of any such methods of sale;
or
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·
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any
other method permitted pursuant to applicable
law.
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The
Selling Stockholders may also sell shares under Rule 144 under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities
Act”),
if
available, rather than under this prospectus.
Broker-dealers
engaged by the Selling Stockholders may arrange for other brokers-dealers to
participate in sales. Broker-dealers may receive commissions or discounts from
the Selling Stockholders (or, if any broker-dealer acts as agent for the
purchaser of shares, from the purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated, but,
except as set forth in a supplement to this Prospectus, in the case of an agency
transaction not in excess of a customary brokerage commission in compliance
with
NASDR Rule 2440; and in the case of a principal transaction a markup or markdown
in compliance with NASDR IM-2440.
In
connection with the sale of the common stock or interests therein, the Selling
Stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other
financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the Common
Stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The Selling
Stockholders may also sell shares of the common stock short and deliver these
securities to close out their short positions, or loan or pledge the common
stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The Selling
Stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with
broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more
derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other
financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such
broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this
prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such
transaction).
The
Selling Stockholders and any broker-dealers or agents that are involved in
selling the shares may be deemed to be “underwriters”
within
the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event,
any commissions received by such broker-dealers or agents and any profit on
the
resale of the shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting
commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. Each Selling Stockholder
has
informed the Company that it does not have any written or oral agreement or
understanding, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the Common
Stock. In no event shall any broker-dealer receive fees, commissions and markups
which, in the aggregate, would exceed eight percent (8%).
The
Company is required to pay certain fees and expenses incurred by the Company
incident to the registration of the shares. The Company has agreed to indemnify
the Selling Stockholders against certain losses, claims, damages and
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Because
Selling Stockholders may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of
the Securities Act, they will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements
of the Securities Act including Rule 172 thereunder. In addition, any securities
covered by this prospectus which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 under
the
Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144 rather than under this prospectus.
Each Selling Stockholder has advised us that they have not entered into any
written or oral agreements, understandings, or arrangements with any underwriter
or broker-dealer regarding the sale of the resale shares. There is no
underwriter or coordinating broker acting in connection with the proposed sale
of the resale shares by the Selling Stockholders.
We
agreed
to keep this prospectus effective until the earlier of (i) the date on which
the
shares may be resold by the Selling Stockholders without registration and
without regard to any volume limitations by reason of Rule 144(k) under the
Securities Act or any other rule of similar effect or (ii) all of the shares
have been sold pursuant to this prospectus or Rule 144 under the Securities
Act
or any other rule of similar effect. The resale shares will be sold only through
registered or licensed brokers or dealers if required under applicable state
securities laws. In addition, in certain states, the resale shares may not
be
sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable
state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is
available and is complied with.
Under
applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person engaged
in
the distribution of the resale shares may not simultaneously engage in market
making activities with respect to the common stock for the applicable restricted
period, as defined in Regulation M, prior to the commencement of the
distribution. In addition, the Selling Stockholders will be subject to
applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder, including Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases
and
sales of shares of the common stock by the Selling Stockholders or any other
person. We will make copies of this prospectus available to the Selling
Stockholders and have informed them of the need to deliver a copy of this
prospectus to each purchaser at or prior to the time of the sale.
Annex
B
ALTEON
INC.
Selling
Securityholder Notice and Questionnaire
The
undersigned beneficial owner of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the
“Common
Stock”),
of
Alteon Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”),
(the
“Registrable
Securities”)
understands that the Company has filed or intends to file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”)
a
registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration
Statement”)
for the
registration and resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the “Securities
Act”),
of the
Registrable Securities, in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as of [____________], 2007 (the “Registration
Rights Agreement”),
among
the Company and the Purchasers named therein. A copy of the Registration Rights
Agreement is available from the Company upon request at the address set forth
below. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the
meanings ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Certain
legal consequences arise from being named as a selling securityholder in the
Registration Statement and the related prospectus. Accordingly, holders and
beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised to consult their own
securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being named or not being
named as a selling securityholder in the Registration Statement and the related
prospectus.
NOTICE
The
undersigned beneficial owner (the “Selling
Securityholder”)
of
Registrable Securities hereby elects to include the Registrable Securities
owned
by it and listed below in Item 3 (unless otherwise specified under such Item
3)
in the Registration Statement.
The
undersigned hereby provides the following information to the Company and
represents and warrants that such information is accurate:
QUESTIONNAIRE
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1.
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Name.
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(a)
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Full
Legal Name of Selling Securityholder
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(b)
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Full
Legal Name of Registered Holder (if not the same as (a) above) through
which Registrable Securities Listed in Item 3 below are
held:
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(c)
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Full
Legal Name of Natural Control Person (which means a natural person
who
directly or indirectly alone or with others has power to vote or
dispose
of the securities covered by the questionnaire):
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2.
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Address
for Notices to Selling
Securityholder:
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Telephone: |
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Fax: |
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Contact
Person: |
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3.
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Beneficial
Ownership of Registrable Securities:
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(a)
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Type
and Number of Registrable Securities beneficially owned (not including
the
Registrable Securities that are issuable pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement):
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4.
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Broker-Dealer
Status:
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(a)
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Are
you a broker-dealer?
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Yes ¨
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No ¨
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(b)
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If
“yes” to Section 4(a), did you receive your Registrable Securities as
compensation for investment banking services to the
Company.
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Yes ¨
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No ¨
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Note:
If
no, the Commission’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as an
underwriter in the Registration Statement.
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(c)
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Are
you an affiliate of a broker-dealer?
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Yes ¨
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No ¨
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(d)
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If
you are an affiliate of a broker-dealer, do you certify that you
bought
the Registrable Securities in the ordinary course of business, and
at the
time of the purchase of the Registrable Securities to be resold,
you had
no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any
person
to distribute the Registrable Securities?
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Yes ¨
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No ¨
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Note:
If
no, the Commission’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as an
underwriter in the Registration Statement.
|
5.
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Beneficial
Ownership of Other Securities of the Company Owned by the Selling
Securityholder.
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Except
as set forth below in this Item 5, the undersigned is not the beneficial
or registered owner of any securities of the Company other than the
Registrable Securities listed above in Item 3.
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(a)
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Type
and Amount of Other Securities beneficially owned by the Selling
Securityholder:
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6.
|
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Relationships
with the Company:
|
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Except
as set forth below, neither the undersigned nor any of its affiliates,
officers, directors or principal equity holders (owners of 5% of
more of
the equity securities of the undersigned) has held any position or
office
or has had any other material relationship with the Company (or its
predecessors or affiliates) during the past three
years.
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State
any exceptions here:
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The
undersigned agrees to promptly notify the Company of any inaccuracies or changes
in the information provided herein that may occur subsequent to the date hereof
at any time while the Registration Statement remains effective.
By
signing below, the undersigned consents to the disclosure of the information
contained herein in its answers to Items 1 through 6 and the inclusion of such
information in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus and any
amendments or supplements thereto. The undersigned understands that such
information will be relied upon by the Company in connection with the
preparation or amendment of the Registration Statement and the related
prospectus.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Notice
and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its duly
authorized agent.
Dated:
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Beneficial
Owner:
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By:
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Name:
Title:
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PLEASE
FAX A COPY OF THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE, AND RETURN
THE ORIGINAL BY OVERNIGHT MAIL, TO:
Evan
Bienstock
Mintz
Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.
One
Financial Center
Boston,
MA 02110
Fax:
(617)542-2241
ANNEX
D
FORM
OF AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE
OF INCORPORATION
OF
ALTEON
INC.
The
undersigned, for the purpose of amending and restating the Restated Certificate
of Alteon Inc. filed December 7, 1990, as amended, hereby certifies as
follows:
1.
The
name of the Corporation is ALTEON INC. (the “Corporation”).
The
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary
of
State of Delaware on October 22, 1986 under the name Geritech Inc.
A Restated Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware on December 7, 1990. A Certificate of
Amendment, changing the Corporation’s name from Geritech Inc. to Alteon Inc. was
filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 29,
1991. Thereafter the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, was
further amended by the following documents filed with the Secretary of State
of
the State of Delaware (a) a Certificate of Retirement filed June 14, 1993;
(b) a Certificate of Designation filed August 3, 1995; (c) a Certificate of
Designation filed April 23, 1997; (d) two Certificates of Designation filed
December 11, 1997; (e) a Certificate of Retirement filed February 10,
1998; (f) a Certificate of Amendment filed May 8, 1998; (g) a
Certificate of Designation filed May 8, 1998; (h) a Certificate of
Retirement filed September 16, 1999; (i) a Certificate of
Amendment filed September 16, 1999; (j) a Certificate of Retirement filed
November 21, 2000; (k) a Certificate of Amendment filed
June 7, 2001; (l) a Certificate of Amendment filed June 2, 2004;
(m) a Certificate of Amendment filed September 17, 2004; (n) a
Certificate of Designation filed October 6, 2004; (o) a Certificate of
Designation filed July 27, 2005; (p) a Certificate of Amendment filed
October 24, 2005; (q) a Certificate of Amendment filed
July 20, 2006; and (r) a Certificate of Amendment filed July 20,
2006.
2.
The
Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation filed on
December 7, 1990, as amended, is hereby further amended, among other
provisions, to amend Article FIRST to reflect a change of the name of the
Corporation and to amend Article FOURTH by substituting in lieu of said Article
FOURTH a new Article FOURTH as set forth in the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation set forth below.
3.
This
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in
accordance with the provisions of Sections 141, 228, 242 and 245 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
4.
The
text of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended
and restated herein, shall read in its entirety as follows:
RESTATED
CERTIFICATE
OF INCORPORATION
OF
SYNVISTA
THERAPEUTICS, INC.
(Originally
incorporated on October 22, 1986
under
the
name Geritech, Inc. and formerly known as Alteon Inc.)
FIRST:
The name of the corporation is Synvista Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Corporation”).
SECOND:
The name and address of the Corporation’s registered agent in the State of
Delaware is The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange
Street, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle.
THIRD:
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity or
carry on any business for which corporations may be organized under the Delaware
General Corporation Law or any successor statute.
FOURTH:
A.
Designation
and Number of Shares.
The
total
number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have the
authority to issue is [________] shares, consisting of [________] shares of
common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common
Stock”)
and
[________] shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the
“Preferred
Stock”).
The
number of authorized shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock may be increased
or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding)
by
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all
of
the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote
thereon, without a vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series
thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms
of
any Preferred Stock designation.
B.
Common
Stock.
The
holders of the Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held;
provided,
however,
that,
except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock shall not be
entitled to vote on any amendment to this Restated Certificate of Incorporation
(including any certificate of designation relating to Preferred Stock) that
relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred
Stock
if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or
together as a class with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote
thereon by law or pursuant to this Restated Certificate of Incorporation
(including any certificate of designation relating to Preferred
Stock).
C.
Preferred
Stock.
Undesignated
Preferred Stock.
1.
[________] shares of Preferred Stock may be issued in one or more series at
such
time or times and for such consideration as the Board of Directors may
determine.
2.
Authority is hereby expressly granted to the Board of Directors to fix from
time
to time, by resolution or resolutions providing for the establishment and/or
issuance of any series of Preferred Stock, the designation and number of the
shares of such series and the powers, preferences and rights of such series,
and
the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, to the fullest extent
such authority may be conferred upon the Board of Directors under the Delaware
General Corporation Law.
Series
A Preferred Stock
1.
Designation
and Number of Shares.
The
shares of such series shall be designated as “Series
A Preferred Stock”
(the
“Series
A Preferred Stock”),
par
value $0.01 per share. The number of shares initially constituting the Series
A
Preferred Stock shall be 400,000; provided, however, that, if more than a total
of 400,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be issuable upon the
exercise of Rights (the “Rights”)
issued
pursuant to the Stockholders Rights Agreement dated as of July 27, 1995,
between the Corporation and Registrar and Transfer Company, as Rights Agent,
as
amended by the Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement dated as of
July 27, 2005, as
amended, between the Corporation and American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company, as Rights Agent (the “Rights
Agreement”),
the
Board of Directors of the Corporation, pursuant to Section 151(g) of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, shall direct by resolution or
resolutions that a certificate be properly executed, acknowledged, filed and
recorded, in accordance with the provisions of Section 103 thereof, providing
for the total number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock authorized to be
issued to be increased (to the extent that the Certificate of Incorporation
then
permits) to the largest number of whole shares (rounded up to the nearest whole
number) issuable upon exercise of such Rights.
2.
Dividends
or Distributions.
2.1
Subject to the prior and superior rights of the holders of shares of any other
series of Preferred Stock or other class of capital stock of the Corporation
ranking prior and superior to the shares of Series A Preferred Stock with
respect to dividends, the holders of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock
shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of
Directors, out of the assets of the Corporation legally available therefor,
(1)
quarterly dividends payable in cash on the last day of each fiscal quarter
in
each year, or such other dates as the Board of Directors of the Corporation
shall approve (each such date being referred to herein as a “Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date”),
commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance
of a share or a fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, in the amount
of $.01 per whole share (rounded to the nearest cent) less the amount of all
cash dividends declared on the Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to the
following clause (2) since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the
first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock
(the total of which shall not, in any event, be less than zero) and
(2) dividends payable in cash on the payment date for each cash dividend
declared on the Common Stock in an amount per whole share (rounded to the
nearest cent) equal to the Formula Number (as hereinafter defined) then in
effect times the cash dividends then to be paid on each share of Common Stock.
In addition, if the Corporation shall pay any dividend or make any distribution
on the Common Stock payable in assets, securities or other forms of noncash
consideration (other than dividends or distributions solely in shares of Common
Stock), then, in each such case, the Corporation shall simultaneously pay or
make on each outstanding whole share of Series A Preferred Stock a dividend
or
distribution in like kind equal to the Formula Number then in effect times
such
dividend or distribution on each share of the Common Stock. As used herein,
the
“Formula
Number”
shall be
1,000; provided, however, that, if at any time after July 20, 1995, the
Corporation shall (i) declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock
payable in shares of Common Stock or make any distribution on the Common Stock
in share of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide (by a stock split or otherwise)
the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares of Common
Stock or (iii) combine (by a reverse stock split or otherwise) the outstanding
shares of Common Stock, into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, then
in
each such event the Formula Number shall be adjusted to a number determined
by
multiplying the Formula Number in effect immediately prior to such event by
a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that
are outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is
the
number of shares of Common Stock that are outstanding immediately prior to
such
event (and rounding the result to the nearest whole number); and provided
further, that, if at any time after July 20, 1995, the Corporation shall
issue any shares of its capital stock in a merger, reclassification, or change
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, then in each such event the Formula
Number shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect such merger, reclassification
or change so that each share of Preferred Stock continues to be the economic
equivalent of a Formula Number of shares of Common Stock prior to such merger,
reclassification or change.
2.2
The
Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on any outstanding Series
A
Preferred Stock as provided in Section
2.1
immediately prior to or at the same time it declares a dividend or distribution
on the Common Stock (other than a dividend or distribution solely in shares
of
Common Stock); provided, however, that, in the event no dividend or distribution
(other than a dividend or distribution in shares of Common Stock) shall have
been declared on the Common Stock during the period between any Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date and the next subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date,
a
dividend of $.01 per share on the Series A Preferred Stock shall nevertheless
be
payable on such subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. The Board of
Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of shares
of
Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive a dividend or distribution declared
thereon, which record date shall be the same as the record date for a
corresponding dividend or distribution on the Common Stock.
2.3
Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on any outstanding shares
of
Series A Preferred Stock from and after the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date
next
preceding the date of original issue of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock;
provided, however, that dividends on such shares which are originally issued
after the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series
A
Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and on or prior to
the
next succeeding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date shall begin to accrue and be
cumulative from and after such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, dividends on shares of Series A Preferred Stock which are
originally issued prior to the record date for the determination of holders
of
shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend
on
the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date shall be calculated as if cumulative
from and after the last day of the fiscal quarter next preceding the date of
original issuance of such shares. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear
interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock in an amount
less than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable
on
such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all
such
shares at the time outstanding.
2.4
So
long as any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding, no dividends
or other distributions shall be declared, paid or distributed, or set aside
for
payment or distribution, on the Common Stock unless, in each case, the dividend
required by this Section 2 to be declared on the Series A Preferred Stock shall
have been declared.
2.5
The
holders of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to
receive any dividends or other distribution except as provided
herein.
3.
Voting
Rights.
The
holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the following voting
rights:
3.1
Each
holder of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to a number of votes equal
to the Formula Number then in effect, for each share of Series A Preferred
Stock
held of record on each matter on which holders of the Common Stock or
stockholders generally are entitled to vote, multiplied by the maximum number
of
votes per share which any holder of the Common Stock or stockholders generally
then have with respect to such matter (assuming any holding period or other
requirement to vote a greater number of shares is satisfied).
3.2
Except as otherwise provided herein or by applicable law, the holders of shares
of Series A Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock shall
vote
together as one class for the election of directors of the Corporation and
on
all other matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the
Corporation.
3.3
If,
at the time of any annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors,
the equivalent of six quarterly dividends (whether or not consecutive) payable
on any share or shares of Series A Preferred Stock are in default, the number
of
directors constituting the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be
increased by two. In addition to voting together with the holders of Common
Stock for the election of other directors of the Corporation, the holders of
record of the Series A Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class to the
exclusion of the holders of Common Stock, shall be entitled at said meeting
of
stockholders (and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders), unless
all
dividends in arrears have been paid or declared and set apart for payment prior
thereto, to vote for the election of two directors of the Corporation, the
holders of any Series A Preferred Stock being entitled to cast a number of
votes
per share of Series A Preferred Stock equal to the Formula Number. Until the
default in payments of all dividends which permitted the election of said
directors shall cease to exist, any director who shall have been so elected
pursuant to the next preceding sentence may be removed at any time, either
with
or without cause, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of the shares
of
Series A Preferred Stock at the time entitled to cast a majority of the votes
entitled to be cast for the election of any such director at a special meeting
of such holders called for that purpose, and any vacancy thereby created may
be
filled by the vote of such holders. If and when such default shall cease to
exist, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be divested of the
foregoing special voting rights, subject to revesting in the event of each
and
every subsequent like default in payments of dividends. Upon the termination
of
the foregoing special voting rights, the terms of office of all persons who
may
have been elected directors pursuant to said special voting rights shall
forthwith terminate, and the number of directors constituting the Board of
Director shall be reduced by two. The voting rights granted by this Section
3.3
shall be in addition to any other voting rights granted to the holders of the
Series A Preferred Stock in this Section 3.
3.4
Except as provided herein, in Section
11
or by
applicable law, holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall have no special voting
rights and their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are
entitled to vote with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for
authorizing or taking any corporate action.
4.
Certain
Restrictions.
4.1
Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on
the
Series A Preferred Stock as provided in Section
2
are in
arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and
distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A Preferred Stock
outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not
4.1.1
declare or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on, or redeem or
purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock ranking
junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding
up)
to the Series A Preferred Stock;
4.1.2
declare or pay dividends on, or make any other distributions on any shares
of
stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Preferred Stock, except dividends
paid ratably on the Series A Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on which
dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the total amounts to which
the holders of all such shares are then entitled;
4.1.3
redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration shares of any stock
ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution
or
winding up) with the Series A Preferred Stock; provided that the Corporation
may
at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such parity
stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the Corporation ranking junior
(either as to dividends or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to
the
Series A Preferred Stock; or
4.1.4
purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of Series A Preferred
Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred
Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by
publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all holders of such
shares upon such terms as the Board of Directors, after consideration of the
respective annual dividend rates and other relative rights and preferences
of
the respective series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result
in
fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or
classes.
4.2
The
Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the Corporation to purchase
or
otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of stock of the Corporation
unless the Corporation could, under Section
4.1,
purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such time and in such
manner.
5.
Liquidation
Rights.
Upon the
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary
or
involuntary, no distribution shall be made (1) to the holders of shares of
stock
ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders
of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have received an amount equal to
the
accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared,
to the date of such payment, plus an amount equal to the greater of (x) $.01
per
whole share or (y) an aggregate amount per share equal to the Formula Number
then in effect times the aggregate amount to be distributed per share to holders
of Common Stock or (2) to the holders of stock ranking on a parity (either
as to
dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A
Preferred Stock, except distributions made ratably on the Series A Preferred
Stock and all other such parity stock in proportion to the total amounts to
which the holders of all such shares are entitled upon such liquidation,
dissolution or winding up.
6.
Consolidation,
Merger, etc.
In case
the Corporation shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or
other
transaction in which the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed
into other stock or securities, cash or any other property, then in any such
case the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall at the same
time be similarly exchanged or changed into an amount per share equal to the
Formula Number then in effect times the aggregate amount of stock, securities,
cash or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which
or
for which each share of Common Stock is exchanged or changed. In the event
both
this Section 6 and Section 2 appear to apply to a transaction, this Section
6
will control.
7.
No
Redemption; No Sinking Fund.
7.1
The
shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be subject to redemption by the
Corporation or at the option of any holder of Series A Preferred Stock except
as
set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation; provided,
however, that the Corporation may purchase or otherwise acquire outstanding
shares of Series A Preferred Stock in the open market or by offer to any holder
or holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock.
7.2
The
shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be subject to or entitled to the
operation of a retirement or sinking fund.
8.
Ranking.
The
Series A Preferred Stock shall rank junior to all other series of Preferred
Stock of the Corporation, unless the Board of Directors shall specifically
determine otherwise in fixing the powers, preferences and relative,
participating, optional and other special rights of the shares of such series
and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof.
9.
Fractional
Shares.
The
Series A Preferred Stock shall be issuable upon exercise of the Rights issued
pursuant to the Rights Agreement in whole shares or in any fraction of a share
that is one one-thousandth (1/1,000ths) of a share of any integral multiple
of
such fraction which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such holder’s
fractional shares, to receive dividends, exercise voting rights, participate
in
distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of holders of Series
A
Preferred Stock. In lieu of fractional shares, the Corporation, prior to the
first issuance of a share or a fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock,
may elect (1) to make a cash payment as provided in the Rights Agreement for
fractions of a share other than one one-thousandth (1/1,000th) of a share or
any
integral multiple thereof or (2) to issue depository receipts evidencing such
authorized fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to an
appropriate agreement between the Corporation and a depository selected by
the
Corporation; provided that such agreement shall provide that the holders of
such
depository receipts shall have all the rights, privileges and preferences to
which they are entitled as holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.
10.
Reacquired
Shares.
Any
shares of Series A Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the
Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be retired and canceled promptly
after the acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancellation
become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without designation
as
to series until such shares are once more designated as part of a particular
series by the Board of Directors pursuant to the provisions of Article Fourth
of
the Certificate of Incorporation.
11.
Amendment.
None of
the powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special
rights of the Series A Preferred Stock as provided herein or in the Certificate
of Incorporation shall be amended in any manner which would alter or change
the
powers, preferences, rights or privileges of the holders of Series A Preferred
Stock so as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders
of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock,
voting as a separate class; provided, however, that no such amendment approved
by the holders of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding shares of Series A
Preferred Stock shall be deemed to apply to the powers, preferences, rights
or
privileges of any holder of shares of Series A Preferred Stock originally issued
upon exercise of the Rights after the time of such approval without the approval
of such holder.
Series
B Preferred Stock
[____________]
shares of the authorized and unissued Preferred Stock of the Corporation are
hereby designated “Series
B Preferred Stock”
with the
following rights, preferences, powers, privileges and restrictions,
qualifications and limitations. Unless otherwise indicated, references to
“Sections” or “Subsections” in this Part C of this Article Fourth refer to
sections and subsections of this subpart of Part C of this subpart of Article
Fourth.
1.
Dividends.
1.1
The
holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders
of
any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to the Series B Preferred
Stock including, without limitation, Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock
(collectively, the “Junior
Stock”),
shall
be entitled to receive cumulative dividends, out of funds legally available
therefor, at the annual rate of eight percent (8%) of the Series B Original
Issue Price (as defined below) for each share of Series B Preferred Stock.
Dividends on shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall, at the option of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding Series B Preferred Stock, be payable
in
cash or in shares of Preferred Stock, regardless of whether declared by the
Board of Directors, and for a period of
five
(5) years from the Series B Original Issue Date (as defined below). For purposes
of this Certificate of Incorporation, the term “Series
B Original Issue Price”
shall
mean $[________] per share of Series B Preferred Stock (subject to appropriate
adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or
other
similar recapitalization with respect to the Series B Preferred
Stock).
1.2
The
Corporation shall not declare or pay any dividends on any shares of Junior
Stock
unless all dividends accrued pursuant to Section
1.1
above
have been paid with respect to all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred
Stock. Subject to Section
3.2(g),
if the
Board of Directors of the Corporation thereafter shall declare a dividend
payable upon the then outstanding shares of the Common Stock (other than a
dividend payable entirely in shares of the Common Stock of the Corporation),
then the Board of Directors shall declare at the same time a dividend upon
the
then outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock payable at the same
time
as the dividend is paid on the Common Stock, in an amount equal to the amount
of
dividends per share of Series B Preferred Stock as would have been payable
on
the number of shares of Common Stock which each share of Series B Preferred
Stock held by each holder thereof would have received if such Series B Preferred
Stock had been converted to Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of
Section
4
hereof
as of the record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled
to receive such dividends. In the event the Board of Directors of the
Corporation shall declare a dividend payable upon any class or series of Junior
Stock of the Corporation other than Common Stock, the Board of Directors shall
declare at the same time a dividend upon the then outstanding shares of Series
B
Preferred Stock, payable at the same time as such dividend on such other class
or series of Junior Stock in an amount equal to (i) in the case of any series
or
class convertible into Common Stock, a dividend per share of Series B Preferred
Stock as would equal the dividend payable on such other class or series
determined as if all such shares of such class or series had been converted
to
Common Stock and all shares of Series B Preferred Stock have been converted
to
Common Stock on the record date for the determination of holders entitled to
receive such dividend or (ii) if such class or series of capital stock is not
convertible into Common Stock, at a rate per share of Series B Preferred Stock
determined by dividing the amount of the dividend payable on each share of
such
class or series of capital stock by the original issuance price of such class
or
series of capital stock and multiplying such fraction by the Series B Original
Issue Price.
1.3
Participation
Rights.
If,
after dividends in the full preferential amounts specified in Section
1.1
for the
Series B Preferred Stock have been paid or declared and set apart, the Board
of
Directors shall declare an additional dividend or dividends out of the funds
legally available therefore, then such additional dividend or dividends shall
be
declared pro rata on the Common Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock on a
pari
passu
basis
according to the number of shares of Common Stock held by such holders, where
each holder of shares of Series B Preferred Stock is to be treated for this
purpose as holding the greatest whole number of shares of Common Stock then
issuable upon conversion of all shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by
such
holder pursuant Section
4
hereof.
2.
Liquidation,
Dissolution or Winding Up; Certain Mergers, Consolidations and Asset
Sales.
2.1
Preferential
Payments to Holders of Series B Preferred Stock.
In the
event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of
the Corporation or any Deemed Liquidation Event (as defined below), the
holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled
to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution
to
its stockholders before any payment shall be made to the holders of Junior
Stock
by reason of their ownership thereof, an amount per share equal to the Series
B
Original Issue Price, plus all dividends accrued, but unpaid pursuant to Section
1.1 above, including dividends with respect to any partial year at the
appropriate pro rata rate consistent with Section 1.1 above, and any other
dividends declared but unpaid thereon. If upon any such liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of the Corporation or any Deemed Liquidation Event, the assets
of
the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders shall be
insufficient to pay the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock the full
amount to which they shall be entitled under this Subsection
2.1,
the
holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall share ratably in any
distribution of the assets available for distribution in proportion to the
respective amounts which would otherwise be payable in respect of the shares
held by them upon such distribution if all amounts payable on or with respect
to
such shares were paid in full.
2.2
Distribution
of Remaining Assets.
In the
event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of
the Corporation or any Deemed Liquidation Event, after the payment of all
preferential amounts required to be paid to the holders of shares of Series
B
Preferred Stock, the remaining assets of the Corporation available for
distribution to its stockholders shall be distributed among the holders of
the
shares of Common Stock, pro rata based on the number of shares held by each
such
holder, provided, however, that the holders
of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive upon such dissolution,
liquidation or winding up of the Corporation the greater of (i) any amount
such
holder would receive pursuant to Subsection
2.1
hereof
and (ii) the amount such holder would have received if such holder had converted
his, her or its shares of Series B Preferred Stock into Common Stock immediately
prior to such dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation. The
aggregate amount which a holder of a share of Series B Preferred Stock is
entitled to receive under Subsections
2.1
or
2.2
is
hereinafter referred to as the “Series
B Liquidation Amount.”
2.3
Deemed
Liquidation Events.
2.3.1
Definition.
Each of
the following events shall be considered a “Deemed
Liquidation Event”
unless
the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Series B
Preferred Stock elect otherwise by written notice sent to the Corporation at
least five (5) days prior to the effective date of any such event:
(a)
a
merger or consolidation in which
(i)
the
Corporation is a constituent party, or
(ii)
a
subsidiary of the Corporation is a constituent party,
except
any such merger or consolidation involving the Corporation or a subsidiary
in
which the shares of capital stock of the Corporation outstanding immediately
prior to such merger or consolidation continue to represent, or are converted
into or exchanged for shares of capital stock that represent, immediately
following such merger or consolidation, at least a majority, by voting power,
of
the capital stock of (1) the surviving or resulting corporation or (2) if the
surviving or resulting corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of another
corporation immediately following such merger or consolidation, the parent
corporation of such surviving or resulting corporation; or
(b)
the
sale, lease, license, transfer or other disposition, in a single transaction
or
series of related transactions, by the Corporation or any subsidiary of the
Corporation of all or substantially all the assets of the Corporation and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole, or the sale or disposition (whether by merger
or
otherwise) of one or more subsidiaries of the Corporation if substantially
all
of the assets of the Corporation and its subsidiaries taken as a whole are
held
by such subsidiary or subsidiaries, except where such sale, lease, license,
transfer or other disposition is to a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Corporation.
2.3.2
Amount
Deemed Paid or Distributed.
If the
amount deemed paid or distributed under this Subsection 2.3
is made
in property other than in cash, the value of such distribution shall be the
fair
market value of such property, determined as follows:
(i)
if
traded on a securities exchange, the value shall be deemed to be the average
of
the closing prices of the securities on such exchange or market over the ten
(10) day period ending one (1) day prior to the distribution;
(ii)
if
actively traded over-the-counter, the value shall be deemed to be the average
of
the closing bid prices over the ten (10) day period ending one (1) day prior
to
the distribution; or
(iii)
if
there is no active public market, the value shall be the fair market value
thereof, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation after reasonable consultation with the holders of at least a
majority of the then outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock (the
“Requisite
Holders”).
In the event that the Requisite Holders disagree with the fair market value
as determined by the Board of Directors, the Requisite Holders shall select
an
appraiser that is reasonably acceptable to the Corporation who is experienced
in
such matters to determine the fair market value for purposes of this
Subsection
2.3.2(iii);
and
such appraiser’s determination shall be binding upon the Corporation and the
holders of Series B Preferred Stock.
3.
Voting.
3.1
General.
On any
matter presented to the stockholders of the Corporation for their action or
consideration at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, each holder
of
outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to cast the
number of votes equal to one-half of the number of whole shares of Common Stock
into which the shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by such holder are
convertible as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to
vote
on such matter. Except as provided by law or by the other
provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, holders of Series B Preferred
Stock shall vote together with the holders of Common Stock as a single class.
From and after the conversion of any share of Series B Preferred Stock into
Common Stock, such resulting share or shares of Common Stock shall have the
full
voting rights applicable to the Common Stock generally.
3.2
Series
B Preferred Stock Protective Provisions.
At any
time when any shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued pursuant to that certain
Series B Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated as of
April 5, 2007 among this Corporation and the purchasers named therein (the
“Series
B Purchase Agreement”),
including upon exercise of warrants, are outstanding, the Corporation shall
not,
without first obtaining the approval (by vote or written consent, as provided
by
law) of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of the Series B
Preferred Stock held by Significant Holders (defined below), if
any:
a)
authorize or incur any Indebtedness (as defined below) in excess of
$2,000,000;
b)
issue
or sell any convertible debt, preferred stock (convertible or otherwise) or
any
other equity or equity-linked security at a price that values the Corporation’s
Common Stock at a price less than the Series B Original Issue Price (as adjusted
for all subsequent stock splits, stock dividends, consolidations,
recapitalizations and reorganizations), other than any equity or equity linked
security that is issued pursuant to any transaction or transactions approved
under Subsection
3.2(k)
hereof;
c)
increase or decrease the authorized number of shares of capital stock of the
Corporation;
d)
create
or issue any new class or series of shares having rights, preferences or
privileges senior to the Common Stock, or create or issue any other new equity
or equity-linked securities, including convertible debt;
e)
issue
any shares of Series A Preferred Stock other than pursuant to the terms of
that
certain Amended and Restated Stockholders’ Rights Agreement, dated as of
July 25, 2005, as amended, between the Company and American Stock Transfer
& Trust Company;
f)
amend,
alter, or repeal any provision of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation
or
the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation (including any filing of
a
certificate of designation), that alters or changes the voting powers,
preferences, or other special rights or privileges, or restrictions of the
Series B Preferred Stock
g)
pay or
declare any dividends or make other distributions upon its shares of capital
stock;
h)
purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the Corporation’s equity securities
(including warrants, options and other rights to acquire equity securities)
other than the repurchase of equity securities pursuant to existing agreements
disclosed to the Purchasers in writing prior to the date of this Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation specifically referencing this Subsection
3.2(h);
i)
issue
any equity or equity-linked securities to any employee other than pursuant
to
the Corporation’s Approved Stock Plans (as defined below), or increase the
shares of Common Stock or other securities reserved for issuance as incentive
awards to the Corporation’s management and other employees, directors and
consultants pursuant to the Approved Stock Plans or any other any equity
incentive plan or similar arrangement;
j)
liquidate, dissolve or wind-up;
k)
merge
or consolidate with another corporation in which the holders of the
Corporation’s voting equity securities immediately prior to the transaction
would own 50% or less of the voting securities of the surviving corporation
or
engage in any other Deemed Liquidation Event;
l)
sell,
license or dispose of any material assets of the Corporation, including
intellectual property or other rights to the Corporation’s development stage,
pre-clinical and/or diagnostic assets, including, without limitation, pursuant
to any license, development, commercialization, distribution, marketing,
co-marketing, collaboration, partnering or other agreement, other than licenses
of immaterial technology in the ordinary course of business on commercially
reasonable terms and consistent with past practices;
m)
change
the authorized number of directors of the Corporation;
n)
amend
or waive any material provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation or the Corporation’s By-Laws;
o)
materially change the nature of the Corporation’s business from that engaged in
on the Series B Original Issue Date (as defined below);
p)
intentionally take any action which is reasonably likely to result in (i) the
Common Stock of the Corporation no longer being approved for quotation on the
American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market or (ii) the Common Stock
of
the Corporation ceasing to be registered pursuant to Section 12 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; or
q)
agree,
consent or acquiesce to any amendment, supplement or other modification to,
or
termination of, any of its material agreements, including, without limitation
any Material License Agreement (as defined below) or any other agreement filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation
S-K;
For
the
purposes hereof:
“Significant
Holder”
shall
mean any beneficial holder or holder of record of at least that number of shares
of Series B Preferred Stock as is equal to $4,000,000 divided by the Series
B
Original Issue Price (as defined below) (as adjusted for stock splits, stock
dividends, reverse stock splits or the like). All shares of Series B
Preferred Stock held or acquired by affiliated entities or persons shall be
aggregated together for the purpose of determining the status of a holder as
a
Significant Holder.
“Indebtedness”
shall
mean (a) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed (other than trade
accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (b) all
guaranties, endorsements and other contingent obligations in respect of
Indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be reflected
in
the Corporation’s balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by
endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar
transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (c) the present value
of
any lease payments due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance
with GAAP;
“Approved
Stock Plan”
shall
mean any employee benefit plan which has been approved by the Board of Directors
and stockholders of the Corporation, pursuant to which the Corporation’s
securities may be issued to any employee, officer or director for services
provided to the Corporation; and
“Material
License Agreement”
shall
mean (i) Exclusive License Agreement dated as of September 28, 2004 by and
between Oxis International, a Delaware corporation, and HaptoGuard, as amended
on March 22, 2005, as further amended on July 19, 2006, and as further
amended on April 2, 2007; and (ii) License and Research Agreement dated as
of July 12, 2004 by and between BIO-RAP Technologies, Ltd., an Israeli
corporation, on its own behalf and on behalf of the Rappaport Family Institute
for Research in the Medical Sciences, and HaptoGaurd, as amended on
April 1, 2007.
4.
Optional Conversion.
The
holders of the Series B Preferred Stock shall have conversion rights as follows
(the “Conversion
Rights”):
4.1
Right
to Convert.
4.1.1
Conversion
Ratio.
Each
share of Series B Preferred Stock, plus, prior to the fifth anniversary of
the
Series B Original Issue Date, all accrued and unpaid dividends, shall be
convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time
to
time, and without the payment of additional consideration by the holder thereof,
into such number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock as
is
determined by dividing the Series B Original Issue Price by the Series B
Conversion Price (as defined below) in effect at the time of conversion. The
“Series
B Conversion Price”
shall
initially be equal to $[________]. Such initial Series B Conversion Price,
and
the rate at which shares of Series B Preferred Stock may be converted into
shares of Common Stock, shall be subject to adjustment as provided
below.
4.1.2
Termination
of Conversion Rights.
In the
event of a notice of redemption of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock
pursuant to Section
6,
the
Conversion Rights of the shares designated for redemption shall terminate at
the
close of business on the last full day preceding the date fixed for redemption,
unless the
redemption price is not fully paid on such redemption date, in which case the
Conversion Rights for such shares shall continue until such price is paid in
full. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation or a Deemed Liquidation Event, the Conversion Rights shall terminate
at the close of business on the last full day preceding the date fixed for
the
payment of any such amounts distributable on such event to the holders of Series
B Preferred Stock.
4.2
Fractional
Shares.
No
fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of the Series
B Preferred Stock. In lieu of any fractional shares to which the holder would
otherwise be entitled, the Corporation shall pay cash equal to such fraction
multiplied by the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined
in
good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. In the event that
the
Requisite Holders disagree with the fair market value as determined by the
Board
of Directors, the Requisite Holders shall select an appraiser that is reasonably
acceptable to the Corporation who is experienced in such matters to determine
the fair market value for purposes of this Section
4.2;
and
such appraiser’s determination shall be binding upon the Corporation and the
holders of Series B Preferred Stock. Whether or not fractional shares would
be
issuable upon such conversion shall be determined on the basis of the total
number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock the holder is at the time
converting into Common Stock and the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
issuable upon such conversion.
4.3
Mechanics
of Conversion.
4.3.1
Notice
of Conversion.
In order
for a holder of Series B Preferred Stock to voluntarily convert shares of Series
B Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock, such holder shall surrender
the
certificate or certificates for such shares of Series B Preferred Stock (or,
if
such registered holder alleges that such certificate has been lost, stolen
or
destroyed, a lost certificate affidavit and agreement reasonably acceptable
to
the Corporation to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be
made
against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction
of
such certificate), at the office of the transfer agent for the Series B
Preferred Stock (or at the principal office of the Corporation if the
Corporation serves as its own transfer agent), together with written notice
that
such holder elects to convert all or any number of the shares of the Series
B
Preferred Stock represented by such certificate or certificates and, if
applicable, any event on which such conversion is contingent. Such notice shall
state such holder’s name or the names of the nominees in which such holder
wishes the certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock to be issued.
If 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
his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing. The close of business
on
the date of receipt by the transfer agent (or by the Corporation if the
Corporation serves as its own transfer agent) of such certificates (or lost
certificate affidavit and agreement) and notice shall be the time of conversion
(the “Conversion
Time”),
and
the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the shares represented
by
such certificate shall be deemed to be outstanding of record as of such date.
The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable after the Conversion Time, issue
and deliver to such holder of Series B Preferred Stock, or to his, her or its
nominees, a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Common
Stock issuable upon such conversion in accordance with the provisions hereof,
a
certificate for the number (if any) of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock
represented by the surrendered certificate that were not converted into Common
Stock, and cash as provided in Subsection
4.2
in lieu
of any fraction of a share of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon such
conversion and payment of any declared but unpaid dividends on the shares of
Series B Preferred Stock converted.
4.3.2
Reservation
of Shares.
The
Corporation shall at all times when the Series B Preferred Stock shall be
outstanding, reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued
capital stock, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the Series B
Preferred Stock, such number of its duly authorized shares of Common Stock
as
shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all
outstanding Series B Preferred Stock; and if at any time the number of
authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect
the conversion of all then outstanding shares of the Series B Preferred Stock,
the Corporation shall take such corporate action as may be necessary to increase
its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to such number of shares
as
shall be sufficient for such purposes, including, without limitation, engaging
in best efforts to obtain the requisite stockholder approval of any necessary
amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation. Before taking any action which
would cause an adjustment reducing the Series B Conversion Price below the
then
par value of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series
B
Preferred Stock, the Corporation will take any corporate action which may,
in
the
opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Corporation may validly
and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock at such
adjusted Series B Conversion Price.
4.3.3
Effect
of Conversion.
All
shares of Series B Preferred Stock which shall have been surrendered for
conversion as herein provided shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and
all rights with respect to such shares shall immediately cease and terminate
at
the Conversion Time, except only the right of the holders thereof to receive
shares of Common Stock in exchange therefor and to receive payment of any
dividends declared but unpaid thereon. Any shares of Series B Preferred Stock
so
converted shall be retired and cancelled and may not be reissued as shares
of
such series, and the Corporation may thereafter take such appropriate action
(without the need for stockholder action) as may be necessary to reduce the
authorized number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock
accordingly.
4.3.4
No
Further Adjustment.
Upon any
such conversion, no adjustment to the Series B Conversion Price shall be made
for any declared but unpaid dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock
surrendered for conversion or on the Common Stock delivered upon
conversion.
4.3.5
Taxes.
The
Corporation shall pay any and all issue and other similar taxes that may be
payable in respect of any issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon
conversion of shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section
4.
The
Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable
in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of shares
of
Common Stock in a name other than that in which the shares of Series B Preferred
Stock so converted were registered, and no such issuance or delivery shall
be
made unless and until the person or entity requesting such issuance has paid
to
the Corporation the amount of any such tax or has established, to the
satisfaction of the Corporation, that such tax has been paid.
4.4
Adjustments
to Series B Conversion Price for Diluting Issues.
4.4.1
Special
Definitions.
For
purposes of this Article Fourth, the following definitions shall
apply:
a)
“Option”
shall
mean rights, options or warrants to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire
Common Stock or Convertible Securities.
b)
“Series
B Original Issue Date”
shall
mean the date on which the first share of Series B Preferred Stock was
issued.
c)
“Convertible
Securities”
shall
mean any evidences of indebtedness, shares or other securities directly or
indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, but excluding
Options.
d)
“Additional
Shares of Common Stock”
shall
mean all shares of Common Stock issued (or, pursuant to Subsection
4.4.3
below,
deemed to be issued) by the Corporation after the Series B Original Issue Date,
other than the following shares of Common Stock, and shares of Common Stock
deemed issued pursuant to the following Options and Convertible Securities
(collectively “Exempted
Securities”):
i.
shares
of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities issued as a dividend or
distribution on Series B Preferred Stock;
ii.
shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities issued by reason
of a
dividend, stock split, split-up or other distribution on shares of Common Stock
that is covered by Subsection
4.5, 4.6, 4.7
or
4.8
below;
iii.
shares of Common Stock or Options issued to employees or directors of, or
consultants or advisors to, the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries pursuant
to an Approved Stock Plan;
iv.
shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities actually issued upon the
exercise of Options or shares of Common Stock actually issued upon the
conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities issued pursuant to Subsections 4.4.1(i),
(ii), (iii)
and
(v);
or
v.
shares
of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities issued to banks, equipment
lessors or other financial institutions, or to real property lessors, pursuant
to a debt financing, equipment leasing or real property leasing transaction
approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
4.4.2
No
Adjustment of Series B Conversion Price.
No
adjustment in the Series B Conversion Price shall be made as the result of
the
issuance or deemed issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock if the
Corporation receives written notice from the holders of at least a majority
of
the then outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock agreeing that no such
adjustment shall be made as the result of the issuance or deemed issuance of
such Additional Shares of Common Stock.
4.4.3
Deemed
Issue of Additional Shares of Common Stock.
a)
If the
Corporation at any time or from time to time after the Series B Original Issue
Date shall issue any Options or Convertible Securities (excluding Options or
Convertible Securities which are themselves Exempted Securities) or shall fix
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 shares of Common Stock (as set forth in the instrument relating thereto,
assuming the satisfaction of any conditions to exercisability, convertibility
or
exchangeability but 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 of such Convertible Securities, shall be deemed to be Additional
Shares of Common Stock issued as of the time of the issuance of such Options
or
Convertible Securities or, in case such a record date shall have been fixed,
as
of the close of business on such record date.
b)
If the
terms of any Option or Convertible Security, the issuance of which resulted
in
an adjustment to the Series B Conversion Price pursuant to the terms of
Subsection
4.4.4
below,
are revised as a result of an amendment to such terms or any other adjustment
pursuant to the provisions of such Option or Convertible Security (but excluding
automatic adjustments to such terms pursuant to anti-dilution or similar
provisions of such Option or Convertible Security) to provide for either
(1) any increase or decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock
issuable upon the exercise, conversion and/or exchange of any such Option or
Convertible Security or (2) any increase or decrease in the consideration
payable to the Corporation upon such exercise, conversion and/or exchange,
then,
effective upon such increase or decrease becoming effective, the Series B
Conversion Price computed upon the original issue of such Option or Convertible
Security (or upon the occurrence of a record date with respect thereto) shall
be
readjusted to such Series B Conversion Price as would have obtained had such
revised terms been in effect upon the original date of issuance of such Option
or Convertible Security. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no readjustment pursuant
to this clause (b) shall have the effect of increasing the Series B
Conversion Price to an amount which exceeds the lower of (i) the Series B
Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the original adjustment made
as
a result of the issuance of such Option or Convertible Security, or
(ii) the Series B Conversion Price that would have resulted from any
issuances of Additional Shares of Common Stock (other than deemed issuances
of
Additional Shares of Common Stock as a result of the issuance of such Option
or
Convertible Security) between the original adjustment date and such readjustment
date.
c)
If the
terms of any Option or Convertible Security (excluding Options or Convertible
Securities which are themselves Exempted Securities), the issuance of which
did
not result in an adjustment to the Series B Conversion Price pursuant to the
terms of Subsection
4.4.4
below
(either because the consideration per share (determined pursuant to Subsection
4.4.5
hereof)
of the Additional Shares of Common Stock subject thereto was equal to or greater
than the Series B Conversion Price then in effect, or because such Option or
Convertible Security was issued before the Series B Original Issue Date), are
revised after the Series B Original Issue Date as a result of an amendment
to
such terms or any other adjustment pursuant to the provisions of such Option
or
Convertible Security (but excluding automatic adjustments to such terms pursuant
to anti-dilution or similar provisions of such Option or Convertible Security)
to provide for either (1) any increase or decrease in the number of shares
of
Common Stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of any such
Option or Convertible Security or (2) any increase or decrease in the
consideration payable to the Corporation upon such exercise, conversion or
exchange, then such Option or Convertible Security, as so amended or adjusted,
and the Additional Shares of Common Stock subject thereto (determined in the
manner provided in Subsection
4.4.3(a)
above)
shall be deemed to have been issued effective upon such increase or decrease
becoming effective.
d)
Upon
the expiration or termination of any unexercised Option or unconverted or
unexchanged Convertible Security (or portion thereof) which resulted (either
upon its original issuance or upon a revision
of its terms) in an adjustment to the Series B Conversion Price pursuant to
the
terms of Subsection
4.4.4
below,
the Series B Conversion Price shall be readjusted to such Series B Conversion
Price as would have obtained had such Option or Convertible Security (or portion
thereof) never been issued.
e)
If the
number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion and/or
exchange of any Option or Convertible Security, or the consideration payable
to
the Corporation upon such exercise, conversion and/or exchange, is calculable
at
the time such Option or Convertible Security is issued or amended but is subject
to adjustment based upon subsequent events, any adjustment to the Series B
Conversion Price provided for in this Subsection
4.4.3
shall be
effected at the time of such issuance or amendment based on such number of
shares or amount of consideration without regard to any provisions for
subsequent adjustments (and any subsequent adjustments shall be treated as
provided in clauses (b) and (c) of this Subsection
4.4.3).
If the
number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion and/or
exchange of any Option or Convertible Security, or the consideration payable
to
the Corporation upon such exercise, conversion and/or exchange, cannot be
calculated at all at the time such Option or Convertible Security is issued
or
amended, any adjustment to the Series B Conversion Price that would result
under
the terms of this Subsection
4.4.3
at the
time of such issuance or amendment shall instead be effected at the time such
number of shares and/or amount of consideration is first calculable (even if
subject to subsequent adjustments), assuming for purposes of calculating such
adjustment to the Series B Conversion Price that such issuance or amendment
took
place at the time such calculation can first be made.
4.4.4
Adjustment
of Series B Conversion Price Upon Issuance of Additional Shares of Common
Stock.
In the
event the Corporation shall at any time after the Series B Original Issue Date
issue Additional Shares of Common Stock (including Additional Shares of Common
Stock deemed to be issued pursuant to Subsection
4.4.3),
without consideration or for a consideration per share less than the Series
B
Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issue, then the Series
B
Conversion Price shall be reduced, concurrently with such issue, to a price
(calculated to the nearest one-hundredth of a cent) determined in accordance
with the following formula:
CP2
=
CP1
* (A +
B) ÷ (A + C).
For
purposes of the foregoing formula, the following definitions shall
apply:
a)
“CP2”
shall
mean the Series B Conversion Price in effect immediately after such issue of
Additional Shares of Common Stock
b)
“CP1”
shall
mean the Series B Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issue
of
Additional Shares of Common Stock;
c)
“A”
shall
mean the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to
such
issue of Additional Shares of Common Stock (including for this purpose as
outstanding all shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock but otherwise excluding all
shares of Common Stock subject to repurchase by the Corporation at cost or
issuable upon exercise or conversion of Options or Convertible
Securities);
d)
“B”
shall
mean the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued if such
Additional Shares of Common Stock had been issued at a price per share equal
to
CP1 (determined by dividing the aggregate consideration received by the
Corporation in respect of such issue by CP1); and
e)
“C”
shall
mean the number of such Additional Shares of Common Stock issued in such
transaction.
4.4.5
Determination
of Consideration.
For
purposes of this Subsection
4.4,
the
consideration received by the Corporation for the issue of any Additional Shares
of Common Stock shall be computed as follows:
a)
Cash
and Property:
Such
consideration shall:
i.
insofar as it consists of cash, be computed at the aggregate amount of cash
received by the Corporation, excluding amounts paid or payable for accrued
interest;
ii.
insofar as it consists of property other than cash, be computed at the fair
market value thereof at the time of such issue, as determined in good faith
by
the Board of Directors of the Corporation. In the event that the Requisite
Holders disagree with the fair market value as determined by the Board of
Directors, the Requisite Holders shall select an appraiser that is reasonably
acceptable to the Corporation who is experienced in such matters to determine
the fair market value for purposes of this Section
4.4.5;
and
such appraiser’s determination shall be binding upon the Corporation and the
holders of Series B Preferred Stock;
iii.
in
the event Additional Shares of Common Stock are issued together with other
shares or securities or other assets of the Corporation for consideration which
covers both, be the proportion of such consideration so received, computed
as
provided in clauses
(i)
and
(ii)
above,
as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation. In
the
event that the Requisite Holders disagree with the fair market value as
determined by the Board of Directors, the Requisite Holders shall select an
appraiser that is reasonably acceptable to the Corporation who is experienced
in
such matters to determine the fair market value for purposes of this
Section
4.4.5;
and
such appraiser’s determination shall be binding upon the Corporation and the
holders of Series B Preferred Stock.
b)
Options
and Convertible Securities.
The
consideration per share received by the Corporation for Additional Shares of
Common Stock deemed to have been issued pursuant to Subsection
4.4.3,
relating to Options and Convertible Securities, shall be determined by
dividing:
i.
the
total amount, if any, received or receivable 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 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 of
such Convertible Securities, by
ii.
the
maximum number of shares of Common Stock (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 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 of such Convertible
Securities.
4.4.6
Multiple
Closing Dates.
In the
event the Corporation shall issue on more than one date Additional Shares of
Common Stock that are a part of one transaction or a series of related
transactions and that would result in an adjustment to the Series B
Conversion Price pursuant to the terms of Subsection 4.4.4
above
then, upon the final such issuance, the Series B Conversion Price shall be
readjusted to give effect to all such issuances as if they occurred on the
date
of the first such issuance (and without giving effect to any additional
adjustments as a result of any such subsequent issuances within such
period).
4.5
Adjustment
for Stock Splits and Combinations.
If the
Corporation shall at any time or from time to time after the Series B Original
Issue Date effect a subdivision of the outstanding Common Stock, the Series
B
Conversion Price in effect immediately before that subdivision shall be
proportionately decreased so that the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
on conversion of each share of such series shall be increased in proportion
to
such increase in the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.
If
the Corporation shall at any time or from time to time after the Series B
Original Issue Date combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the Series
B
Conversion Price in effect immediately before the combination shall be
proportionately increased so that the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
on conversion of each share of such series shall be decreased in proportion
to
such decrease in the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.
Any
adjustment under this subsection shall become effective at the close of business
on the date the subdivision or combination becomes effective.
4.6
Adjustment
for Certain Dividends and Distributions.
In the
event the Corporation at any time or from time to time after the Series B
Original Issue Date shall make or issue, or fix a record date for the
determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive, a dividend or
other distribution payable on the Common Stock in additional shares of Common
Stock, then and in each such event the Series B Conversion Price in effect
immediately
before such event shall be decreased as of the time of such issuance or, in
the
event such a record date shall have been fixed, as of the close of business
on
such record date, by multiplying the Series B Conversion Price then in effect
by
a fraction:
i.
the
numerator of which shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock issued
and outstanding immediately prior to the time of such issuance or the close
of
business on such record date, and
ii.
the
denominator of which shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock issued
and outstanding immediately prior to the time of such issuance or the close
of
business on such record date plus the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
in payment of such dividend or distribution.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, (a) if such record date shall have been fixed and such dividend
is not fully paid or if such distribution is not fully made on the date fixed
therefor, the Series B Conversion Price shall be recomputed accordingly as
of
the close of business on such record date and thereafter the Series B Conversion
Price shall be adjusted pursuant to this subsection as of the time of actual
payment of such dividends or distributions; and (b) that no such adjustment
shall be made if the holders of Series B Preferred Stock simultaneously receive
a dividend or other distribution of shares of Common Stock in a number equal
to
the number of shares of Common Stock as they would have received if all
outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock had been converted into Common
Stock on the date of such event.
4.7
Adjustments
for Other Dividends and Distributions.
In the
event the Corporation at any time or from time to time after the Series B
Original Issue Date shall make or issue, or fix a record date for the
determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive, a dividend or
other distribution payable in securities of the Corporation (other than a
distribution of shares of Common Stock in respect of outstanding shares of
Common Stock) or in other property and the provisions of Section
1 do
not
apply to such dividend or distribution, then and in each such event the holders
of Series B Preferred Stock shall receive, simultaneously with the distribution
to the holders of Common Stock, a dividend or other distribution of such
securities or other property in an amount equal to the amount of such securities
or other property as they would have received if all outstanding shares of
Series B Preferred Stock had been converted into Common Stock on the date of
such event.
4.8
Adjustment
for Merger or Reorganization, etc.
Subject
to the provisions of Subsection
2.3,
if
there shall occur any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification,
consolidation or merger involving the Corporation in which the Common Stock
(but
not the Series B Preferred Stock) is converted into or exchanged for securities,
cash or other property (other than a transaction covered by Subsections
4.4, 4.6
or
4.7),
then,
following any such reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification,
consolidation or merger, each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall thereafter
be convertible in lieu of the Common Stock into which it was convertible prior
to such event into the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property
which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation
issuable upon conversion of one share of Series B Preferred Stock immediately
prior to such reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, consolidation
or merger would have been entitled to receive pursuant to such transaction;
and,
in such case, appropriate adjustment (as determined in good faith by the Board
of Directors of the Corporation, and in the event that the Requisite Holders
disagree with the determination of the Board of Directors, the Requisite Holders
shall select an appraiser that is reasonably acceptable to the Corporation
who
is experienced in such matters to make the determination for purposes of this
Section
4.8;
and
such appraiser’s determination shall be binding upon the Corporation and the
holders of Series B Preferred Stock) shall be made in the application of the
provisions in this Section
4
with
respect to the rights and interests thereafter of the holders of the Series
B
Preferred Stock, to the end that the provisions set forth in this Section
4
(including provisions with respect to changes in and other adjustments of the
Series B Conversion Price) shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as
reasonably may be, in relation to any securities or other property thereafter
deliverable upon the conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock.
4.9
Certificate
as to Adjustments.
Upon the
occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment of the Series B Conversion Price
pursuant to this Section
4,
the
Corporation at its expense shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable but
in
any event not later than ten (10) days thereafter, compute such adjustment
or
readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and furnish to each holder
of
Series B Preferred Stock a certificate setting forth such adjustment or
readjustment (including the kind and amount of securities, cash or other
property into which
the
Series B Preferred Stock is convertible) and showing in detail the facts upon
which such adjustment or readjustment is based. The Corporation shall, as
promptly as reasonably practicable after the written request at any time of
any
holder of Series B Preferred Stock (but in any event not later than ten (10)
days thereafter), furnish or cause to be furnished to such holder a certificate
setting forth (i) the Series B Conversion Price then in effect, and (ii) the
number of shares of Common Stock and the amount, if any, of other securities,
cash or property which then would be received upon the conversion of Series
B
Preferred Stock.
4.10
Notice
of Record Date. In
the
event:
a)
the
Corporation shall take a record of the holders of its Common Stock (or other
capital stock or securities at the time issuable upon conversion of the Series
B
Preferred Stock) for the purpose of entitling or enabling them to receive any
dividend or other distribution, or to receive any right to subscribe for or
purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or any other securities,
or to
receive any other security; or
b)
of any
capital reorganization of the Corporation, any reclassification of the Common
Stock of the Corporation, or any Deemed Liquidation Event; or
c)
of the
voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the
Corporation,
then,
and
in each such case, the Corporation will send or cause to be sent to the holders
of the Series B Preferred Stock a notice specifying, as the case may be, (i)
the
record date for such dividend, distribution or right, and the amount and
character of such dividend, distribution or right, or (ii) the effective date
on
which such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, transfer,
dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is proposed to take place, and the time,
if any is to be fixed, as of which the holders of record of Common Stock (or
such other capital stock or securities at the time issuable upon the conversion
of the Series B Preferred Stock) shall be entitled to exchange their shares
of
Common Stock (or such other capital stock or securities) for securities or
other
property deliverable upon such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation,
merger, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, and the amount per
share and character of such exchange applicable to the Series B Preferred Stock
and the Common Stock. Such notice shall be sent at least twenty (20) days prior
to the record date or effective date for the event specified in such
notice.
5.
Mandatory
Conversion.
5.1
Trigger
Event.
At such
time when (A) (i) the thirty (30) day prior trailing average Closing Price
of
the Common Stock for the entire six-months preceding such time is equal to
at
least the Series B Original Issue Price, and (ii) one and one half (1.5) years
have elapsed after the Corporation has had declared effective by the Securities
and Exchange Commission and continuously maintained for such one and one half
(1.5) year period the effectiveness of a shelf registration statement providing
for the resale of all of the Common Stock underlying the Series B Preferred
Stock and those certain warrants issued in connection with the Series B
Preferred Stock under the Series B Purchase Agreement, an equivalent of
$7,500,000 (measured as of the Series B Original Issue Date) of the Series
B
Preferred Stock shall (a) automatically be converted into shares of Common
Stock, at the then effective Series B Conversion Price, as may be adjusted
pursuant to Section 4 above, and (b) such shares may not be reissued by the
Corporation, or (B) (i) the thirty (30) day prior trailing average Closing
Price
of the Common Stock for the entire six (6)-months preceding such time is equal
to at least two (2)-times the Series B Original Issue Price, and (ii) one and
one half (1.5) years have elapsed after the Corporation has had declared
effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission and continuously maintained
for such one and one half (1.5) year period the effectiveness of a shelf
registration statement providing for the resale of all of the Common Stock
underlying the Series B Preferred Stock and those certain warrants issued in
connection with the Series B Preferred Stock, the remainder of the outstanding
Series B Preferred Stock shall (a) automatically be converted into shares of
Common Stock, at the then effective Series B Conversion Price, as may be
adjusted pursuant to Section 4 above, and (b) such shares may not be reissued
by
the Corporation (the occurrence of the events specified in these Sections
5.1(A)
and
(B)
is
referred to herein as the “Mandatory
Conversion Time”).
For
purposes of this Section
5
the
following terms are defined as follows:
“Closing
Price”
means on
any particular date (a) the last reported closing price per share of Common
Stock on such date on the Trading Market (as reported by Bloomberg L.P. at
4:15
PM (New York time)), or
(b) if
there is no such price on such date, then the closing price on the Trading
Market on the date nearest preceding such date (as reported by Bloomberg L.P.
at
4:15 PM (New York time)), or (c) if the OTC Bulletin Board is not a Trading
Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date
(or
the nearest preceding date) on the OTC Bulletin Board or (d) if the Common
Stock
is not then listed or quoted on the Trading Market or the OTC Bulletin Board
and
if prices for the Common Stock are then reported in the “pink sheets” published
by Pink Sheets LLC (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its
functions of reporting prices), the most recent price per share of the Common
Stock so reported, or (e) if the shares of Common Stock are not then publicly
traded the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an
appraiser selected in good faith by the Purchasers of a majority in interest
of
the Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding.
“Trading
Market”
means
the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted
for trading on the date in question: the Nasdaq Capital Market, the American
Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, or the Nasdaq Global
Market.
5.2
Procedural
Requirements.
All
holders of record of shares of Series B Preferred Stock subject to conversion
shall be sent written notice of the Mandatory Conversion Time and the place
designated for mandatory conversion of all such shares of Series B Preferred
Stock pursuant to this Section
5.
Such
notice need not be sent in advance of the occurrence of the Mandatory Conversion
Time. Upon receipt of such notice, each holder of shares of Series B Preferred
Stock subject to conversion shall surrender his, her or its certificate or
certificates for all such shares (or, if such holder alleges that such
certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, a lost certificate
affidavit and agreement reasonably acceptable to the Corporation to indemnify
the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation
on
account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of such certificate) to the
Corporation at the place designated in such notice, and shall thereafter receive
certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder
is
entitled pursuant to this Section 5.
At the
Mandatory Conversion Time, all outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock
subject to conversion shall be deemed to have been converted into shares of
Common Stock, which shall be deemed to be outstanding of record, and all rights
with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock so converted, including the rights,
if any, to receive notices and vote (other than as a holder of Common Stock),
will terminate, except only the rights of the holders thereof, upon surrender
of
their certificate or certificates (or lost certificate affidavit and agreement)
therefor, to receive the items provided for in the last sentence of this
Subsection
5.2.
If so
required by the Corporation, certificates surrendered for conversion shall
be
endorsed or accompanied by written instrument or instruments of transfer, in
form satisfactory to the Corporation, duly executed by the registered holder
or
by his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing. As soon as practicable
after the Mandatory Conversion Time and the surrender of the certificate or
certificates (or lost certificate affidavit and agreement) for Series B
Preferred Stock subject to conversion, the Corporation shall issue and deliver
to such holder, or to his, her or its nominees, a certificate or certificates
for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable on such conversion in
accordance with the provisions hereof, together with cash as provided in
Subsection
4.2
in lieu
of any fraction of a share of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon such
conversion and the payment of any declared but unpaid dividends on the shares
of
Series B Preferred Stock converted.
5.3
Effect
of Mandatory Conversion.
All
shares of Series B Preferred Stock subject to conversion shall, from and after
the Mandatory Conversion Time, no longer be deemed to be outstanding and,
notwithstanding the failure of the holder or holders thereof to surrender the
certificates for such shares on or prior to such time, all rights with respect
to such shares shall immediately cease and terminate at the Mandatory Conversion
Time, except only the right of the holders thereof to receive shares of Common
Stock in exchange therefor and to receive payment of any dividends declared
but
unpaid thereon. Such converted Series B Preferred Stock shall be retired and
cancelled and may not be reissued as shares of such series, and the Corporation
may thereafter take such appropriate action (without the need for stockholder
action) as may be necessary to reduce the authorized number of shares of Series
B Preferred Stock accordingly.
6.
Redeemed
or Otherwise Acquired Shares.
Any
shares of Series B Preferred Stock which are redeemed or otherwise acquired
by
the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries shall be automatically and
immediately cancelled and retired and shall not be reissued, sold or
transferred. Neither the Corporation nor any of its subsidiaries may exercise
any voting or other rights granted to the holders of Series B Preferred Stock
following redemption.
7.
Waiver.
Any of
the rights, powers, preferences and other terms of the Series B Preferred Stock
set forth herein may be waived on behalf of all holders of Series B Preferred
Stock by the affirmative written consent or vote of the holders of at least
a
majority of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock then
outstanding.
8.
Notices.
Any
notice required or permitted by the provisions of this Article Fourth to be
given to a holder of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be mailed, postage
prepaid, to the post office address last shown on the records of the
Corporation, or given by electronic communication in compliance with the
provisions of the General Corporation Law, and shall be deemed sent upon such
mailing or electronic transmission.
FIFTH:
The following provisions are inserted for the management of the business and
the
conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and for further definition,
limitation and regulation of the powers of the Corporation and of its directors
and stockholders:
A.
The
business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the
direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authority
expressly conferred upon them by statute or by this Restated Certificate of
Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation as in effect from time to time,
the directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such
acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation.
B.
The
directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the
Bylaws so provide.
C.
Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then
outstanding, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders
of
the Corporation may be effected only at a duly called annual or special meeting
of stockholders of the Corporation and not by written consent.
D.
Special meetings of the stockholders may only be called by the Board of
Directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole
Board. For the purposes of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the
term
“Whole Board” shall mean the total number of authorized directors whether or not
there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships.
SIXTH:
A.
Subject to the rights of the holders of shares of any series of Preferred Stock
then outstanding to elect additional directors under specified circumstances,
the number of directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by the
Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole
Board.
B.
The
directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of shares of
any
series of Preferred Stock under specified circumstances, shall be divided into
three classes, with the term of office of the first class to expire at the
first
annual meeting of stockholders following the initial classification of
directors, the term of office of the second class to expire at the second annual
meeting of stockholders following the initial classification of directors,
and
the term of office of the third class to expire at the third annual meeting
of
stockholders following the initial classification of directors. At each annual
meeting of stockholders, directors elected to succeed those directors whose
terms expire, other than directors elected by the holders of any series of
Preferred Stock under specified circumstances, shall be elected for a term
of
office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after
their election and until their successors are duly elected and
qualified.
C.
Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then
outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the
authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors
resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from
office or other cause shall, unless otherwise required by law or by resolution
of the Board of Directors, be filled only by a majority vote of the directors
then in office even though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director,
and not by stockholders, and directors so chosen shall serve for a term expiring
at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class
to which they have been chosen expires or until such director’s successor shall
have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the authorized number
of
directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
D.
Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and
of
business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders
of
the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the
Corporation.
E.
Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then
outstanding, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed
from
office at any time only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least eighty percent (80%) of the voting power of all of the
then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote
at
an election of the directors, voting together as a single class.
SEVENTH:
The Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws
of the Corporation. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the
Corporation by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority
of the Whole Board. The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend
or
repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation; provided, that in addition to any vote
of
the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by
law
or by this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least eighty (80%) of the voting power of all of the then
outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class,
shall
be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal any provision of
the
Bylaws of the Corporation.
EIGHTH:
A.
Each
person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or
is
otherwise involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative,
by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director or an officer of the Corporation
or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer,
or trustee of another corporation, or of a partnership, joint venture, trust
or
other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan
(hereinafter an “Indemnitee”),
whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity
as a director, officer or trustee or in any other capacity while serving as
a
director, officer or trustee, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the
Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation
Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any
such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation
to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the
Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability
and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or
penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by
such Indemnitee in connection therewith; provided, however, that, except as
provided in Paragraph C of this Article EIGHTH with respect to proceedings
to
enforce rights to indemnification or as otherwise required by law, the
Corporation shall not be required to indemnify or advance expenses to any such
Indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such
Indemnitee unless such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board
of Directors of the Corporation.
B.
In
addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Paragraph A of this
Article EIGHTH, an Indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the
Corporation the expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred in defending any
such proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that,
if
the Delaware General Corporation Law requires, an advancement of expenses
incurred by an Indemnitee in his capacity as a director or officer (and not
in
any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such Indemnitee,
including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be
made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf
of
such Indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be
determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right
to
appeal that such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses
under this Paragraph B or otherwise.
C.
If a
claim under Paragraph A or B of this Article EIGHTH is not paid in full by
the
Corporation within sixty (60) days after a written claim has been received
by
the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses,
in which case the applicable period shall be twenty (20) days, the Indemnitee
may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the
unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit,
or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses
pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Indemnitee shall also be entitled
to be paid the expenses of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (i) any suit
brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but
not in a suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement
of
expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (ii) in any suit brought by the
Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of
an
undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon
a
final adjudication that, the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard
for
indemnification set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law. Neither
the
failure of the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to
such
action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its
stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such
suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances
because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard
of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual
determination by the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties
to
such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its
stockholders) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of
conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the
applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the
Indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the Indemnitee
to
enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder,
or brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant
to
the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not
entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this
Article EIGHTH or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.
D.
The
rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this
Article EIGHTH shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may
have or hereafter acquire under any statute, the Corporation’s Certificate of
Incorporation as amended from time to time, the Corporation’s Bylaws, any
agreement, any vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or
otherwise.
E.
The
Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any
director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense,
liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to
indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Delaware
General Corporation Law.
F.
The
Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of
Directors, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses
to
any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions
of this Article EIGHTH with respect to the indemnification and advancement
of
expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.
G.
The
rights conferred upon Indemnitees in this Article EIGHTH shall be contract
rights and such rights shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to
be a
director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the
Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. Any amendment, alteration or
repeal of this Article EIGHTH that adversely affects any right of an Indemnitee
or its successors shall be prospective only and shall not limit or eliminate
any
such right with respect to any proceeding involving any occurrence or alleged
occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to any such
amendment, alteration or repeal.
NINTH:
No
director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders
for
any monetary damages for breaches of fiduciary duty as a director; provided
that
this provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director, to
the
extent that such liability is imposed by applicable law, (i) for any breach
of
the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for
acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct
or a
knowing violation of law; (iii) under Section 174 or successor provisions of
the
Delaware General Corporation Law; or (iv) for any transaction from which the
director derived an improper personal benefit. No amendment to or repeal of
this
provision shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged
liability of any director for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such
director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal. If the Delaware General
Corporation Law is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating
or
limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director
of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent
permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as so amended. All references
in this Article NINTH to a director shall also be deemed to refer to any such
director acting in his or her capacity as a Continuing Director (as defined
in
Article ELEVENTH).
TENTH:
The Corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any provision contained
in
this Restated Certificate of Incorporation in the manner prescribed by the
Delaware General Corporation Law and all rights conferred upon stockholders
are
granted subject to this reservation; provided that in addition to the vote
of
the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by
law
or by this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the
holders of shares of voting stock of the Corporation representing at least
eighty (80%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of the
capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election
of
directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend, alter
or repeal, or adopt any provision inconsistent with, Articles FIFTH, SIXTH,
SEVENTH, EIGHTH, NINTH, this Article TENTH and Article ELEVENTH of this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation.
ELEVENTH:
The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to cause the Corporation to
issue
rights pursuant to Section 157 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and,
in
that connection, to enter into any agreements necessary or convenient for such
issuance, and to enter into other agreements necessary and convenient to the
conduct
of the business of the Corporation. Any such agreement may include provisions
limiting, in certain circumstances, the ability of the Board of Directors of
the
Corporation to redeem the securities issued pursuant thereto or to take other
action thereunder or in connection therewith unless there is a specified number
or percentage of Continuing Directors then in office. Pursuant to Section 141(a)
of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Continuing Directors shall have
the
power and authority to make all decisions and determinations, and exercise
or
perform such other acts, that any such agreement provides that such Continuing
Directors shall make, exercise or perform. For purposes of this Article ELEVENTH
and any such agreement, the term, “Continuing
Directors,”
shall
mean (1) those directors who were members of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation at the time the Corporation entered into such agreement and any
director who subsequently becomes a member of the Board of Directors, if such
director’s nomination for election to the Board of Directors is recommended or
approved by the majority vote of the Continuing Directors then in office or
(2)
such members of the Board of Directors designated in, or in the manner provided
in, such agreement as Continuing Directors.
[remainder
left intentionally blank]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which restates
and
integrates and further amends the provisions of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of this Corporation, and which has been duly adopted in accordance
with Sections 242 and 245 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, has been
executed by its duly authorized President and Chief Executive Officer this
day
_____ of ______________, 2007.
|
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ALTEON
INC.
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|
|
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By:
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|
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Noah
Berkowitz,
Its
President and Chief Executive
Officer
|
ANNEX
E
REVOCABLE
PROXY
ALTEON
INC.
PROXY
SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
THE
CORPORATION FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
The
undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Noah Berkowitz his or her true
and
lawful agent and proxy to represent and to vote on behalf of the undersigned
all
of the shares of Alteon Inc. (the “Company”) which the undersigned is entitled
to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held at
[_]
at 10:00 A.M., local time, on July [__], 2007, and at any adjournment or
adjournments thereof, upon the following proposals more fully described in
the
Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement for the
Meeting
(receipt of which is hereby acknowledged).
THIS
PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN
BY THE
UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS PROVIDED, THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED
“FOR” PROPOSALS 1-10 AND, WITH RESPECT TO SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY
COME BEFORE THE MEETING, AND ANY ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT THEREOF, IN
THE
DISCRETION OF THE PERSON NAMED ABOVE AS PROXY
HOLDER.
(CONTINUED
AND TO BE SIGNED ON THE REVERSE SIDE)
ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
ALTEON
INC.
[_____]
[__], 2007
Please
date, sign and mail
your
proxy card in the
envelope
provided as soon
as
possible.
Please
detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR”
EACH OF THE PROPOSALS
PLEASE
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE
IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE ý
To
change the address on your account, please check the box at right
and
indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note
that
changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted
via
this method.
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FOR
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AGAINST
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ABSTAIN
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1.
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To
approve an amendment to the Alteon 2005 Stock Plan to reserve an
additional 53,000,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the
Plan;
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2.
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To
approve the issuance of Alteon Series B Preferred Stock, warrants
to
purchase Series B Preferred Stock, shares of Series B Preferred Stock
issuable upon exercise of such warrants and Alteon common stock issuable
upon conversion of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to the Series
B
Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 5,
2007, as amended, by and among Alteon and certain institutional investors
associated with Baker Brothers Investments, LLC, as described in
the
attached proxy statement;
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3.
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To
approve the increase in the number of shares of preferred stock authorized
for issuance;
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4.
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To
approve the designation of the Series B Preferred Stock to be issued
in
the Financing;
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5.
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To
approve the change of the name of the Company to Synvista Therapeutics,
Inc.;
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6.
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To
approve an amendment to the provisions relating to the indemnification
of
directors as set forth in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation;
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7.
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To
eliminate references to any retired or cancelled series of preferred
stock
in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation;
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8.
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To
approve a reverse stock split of the issued and outstanding shares
of
Alteon common stock to be effected by filing of Alteon’s Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation (such split to combine a number
of
outstanding shares of Alteon common stock between fifty (50) and
one
hundred (100), such number consisting of only whole shares, into
one (1)
share of Alteon common stock);
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9.
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To
consider and vote upon an adjournment of the annual meeting, if necessary,
if a quorum is present, to solicit additional proxies if there are
not
sufficient votes in favor of Proposals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and
8;
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10.
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To
ratify the appointment of J.H. Cohn LLP as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2007; and
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11.
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To
transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting
or
any adjournment or postponement thereof.
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PLEASE
CHECK HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING.
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Signature
of Stockholder
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Date
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Signature
of Stockholder
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Date
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Note: |
Please
sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares
are
held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor,
administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title
as
such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate
name by
duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is
a
partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized
person.
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