As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1, 2022.
Registration Statement No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM F-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Opthea Limited
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
| Australia | Not applicable | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
Level 4
650 Chapel Street
South Yarra, Victoria 3141
Australia
Tel: + 61 3 9826 0399
(Address and telephone number of Registrants principal executive offices)
Corporation Service Company
19 West 44th Street, Suite 200
New York, New York 10036
(800) 927-9800
(Name, address, and telephone number of agent for service)
Copies to:
Timothy Pitrelli
Milson Yu
Ferish Patel
Cooley LLP
182 Cecil Street, Level 38
Frasers Tower
Singapore 069547
+65 6962 7500
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Emerging growth company ☒
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
| | The term new or revised financial accounting standards refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012. |
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This registration statement contains:
| | a base prospectus, which covers the offering, issuance and sale by us of up to a maximum aggregate offering price of US$350,000,000 of the securities identified therein from time to time in one or more offerings; and |
| | a sales agreement prospectus covering the offering, issuance and sale by us of up to a maximum aggregate offering price of US$75,000,000 of American Depositary Shares representing our ordinary shares, or ADSs, that may be issued and sold under a sales agreement, dated February 1, 2022, between us and Jefferies LLC. |
The base prospectus immediately follows this explanatory note. The prospectus relating to the sales agreement immediately follows the base prospectus. The ADSs that may be offered and sold by us under the sales agreement prospectus are included in the US$350,000,000 of securities that may be offered and sold by us under the base prospectus. Upon termination of the sales agreement with Jefferies LLC, any portion of the US$75,000,000 included in the sales agreement prospectus that is not sold pursuant to the sales agreement will be available for sale in other offerings pursuant to the base prospectus and a corresponding prospectus supplement, and if no ADSs are sold under the sales agreement, the full US$75,000,000 of securities may be sold in other offerings pursuant to the base prospectus and a corresponding prospectus supplement.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion, dated February 1, 2022
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
US$350,000,000
Opthea Limited
Ordinary Shares
(including Ordinary Shares represented by American Depositary Shares)
Debt Securities
Warrants
We may offer and sell up to US$350,000,000 of any combination of the securities described in this prospectus from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus describes the general manner in which these securities will be offered. We will provide the specific terms of these offerings in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents incorporated by reference, before investing in any of the securities being offered.
This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
Our ordinary shares may be represented by American Depositary Shares, or ADSs. Each ADS represents the right to receive eight ordinary shares.
ADSs representing our ordinary shares are listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol OPT. Our ordinary shares are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, or ASX, under the symbol OPT. On January 28, 2022, the last reported sale price of ADSs, as reported on Nasdaq, was US$6.52 per ADS, and the last reported sale price of our ordinary shares, as reported on the ASX, was A$1.13 per ordinary share. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to other listings, if any, on Nasdaq or any other securities exchange of the securities covered by the prospectus supplement.
Securities may be sold to or through one or more underwriters, agents or dealers, directly to purchasers or through agents designated from time to time. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section titled Plan of Distribution in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement. If any underwriters or agents are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters, agents or dealers and any applicable discounts or commissions and options to purchase additional shares will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds that we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement. No securities may be sold without delivery of this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.
We are an emerging growth company as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus and future filings. Please also see the section titled Prospectus SummaryImplications of Being an Emerging Growth Company and Prospectus SummaryImplications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer for additional information.
Investing in these securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading Risk Factors on page 6 of this prospectus and any similar section contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, or any other foreign securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2022.
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form F-3 that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a shelf registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer ordinary shares, including ordinary shares represented by ADSs, debt securities and/or warrants in one or more offerings, with a total aggregate offering price of up to US$350,000,000.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the terms of that offering, including the securities to be offered. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We urge you to read carefully this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectuses we have authorized for use in connection with a specific offering, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading Incorporation by Reference, before investing in any of the securities being offered.
This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement. Neither we, nor any agent, underwriter or dealer has authorized any person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus, any applicable supplement to this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor do this prospectus, any applicable supplement to this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.
You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is delivered, or securities are sold, on a later date.
This prospectus and the information incorporated herein by reference contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the heading Where You Can Find Additional Information.
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus to the terms Opthea, the Company, we, us and our refer to Opthea Limited and its wholly owned subsidiaries. In this prospectus, any reference to any provision of any legislation shall include any amendment, modification, re-enactment or extension thereof. All references to shares in this prospectus refer to ordinary shares of Opthea Limited with no par value.
For investors outside the United States: We have not done anything that would permit the offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the securities described herein and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.
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We are incorporated in Australia, and many of our outstanding securities are owned by non-U.S. residents. Under the rules of the SEC, we are currently eligible for treatment as a foreign private issuer. As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. domestic registrants whose securities are registered under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
Opthea, the Opthea logo and other trademarks or service marks of Opthea appearing in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein are the property of Opthea or its subsidiary. Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus are listed without the ® and symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their right thereto. All other trademarks, trade names and service marks appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners.
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain estimates and information concerning our industry and our business, including estimated market size and projected growth rates of the markets for our product candidates. Unless otherwise expressly stated, we obtained this industry, business, market, medical and other information from reports, research surveys, studies and similar data prepared by third parties, industry, medical and general publications, government data and similar sources.
PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Our reporting and functional currency is the U.S. dollar, and our financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus are presented in U.S. dollars. The consolidated financial statements and related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been prepared under the International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IASB, which differs in certain significant respects from U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP.
Except where the context requires otherwise and for purposes of this prospectus only:
| | ADSs refers to American depositary shares, each of which represents eight of our ordinary shares, no par value, and ADRs refers to American depositary receipts that may evidence ADSs. |
| | A$ or Australian dollar refers to the legal currency of Australia. |
| | IFRS refers to the International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IASB. |
| | U.S. GAAP refers to the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States. |
| | FDA refers to the United States Food and Drug Administration. |
| | US$ or U.S. dollars refers to the legal currency of the United States. |
| | U.S. or United States refers to the United States of America. |
Except with respect to U.S. dollar amounts presented as contractual terms, amounts denominated in U.S. dollars when received or paid and unless otherwise indicated, certain Australian dollar amounts contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus have been translated into U.S. dollars at the rate published by the
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Reserve Bank of Australia as of June 30, 2021. These translations should not be considered representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or Australian dollars at that or any other exchange rate as of that or any other rate. We have made rounding adjustments to some of the figures included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Accordingly, numerical figures shown as totals in some tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them.
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This summary does not contain all of the information that may be important to you in making your investment decision. In addition to this summary, you should carefully read the entire prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed under the heading Risk Factors contained herein and in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus before deciding whether to invest in our securities. You should also carefully read the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our financial statements, and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Overview
We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel therapy for the treatment of highly prevalent and progressive retinal diseases. We are developing our product candidate, OPT-302, a biologic designed to inhibit VEGF-C and VEGF-D, to complement VEGF-A inhibitors for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases. Anti-VEGF-A therapies represent the standard of care for wet age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, and other retinal diseases; however, there remains a significant unmet medical need as many patients do not adequately respond to these treatments. As the only biologic inhibitor of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in clinical development, OPT-302 differs from standard of care therapies and when administered in combination with a VEGF-A inhibitor, is designed to achieve broader inhibition of the vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF, family and target a mechanism of clinical resistance to improve visual acuity. Our lead indication for OPT-302 combination therapy is wet AMD, a chronic, progressive disease and the leading cause of vision loss for individuals over the age of 50. In a 366-patient Phase 2b clinical trial for the treatment of wet AMD, 2.0 mg OPT-302, in combination with a standard of care anti-VEGF-A therapy, ranibizumab (Lucentis), met the primary endpoint of a statistically significant superior mean gain in visual acuity over ranibizumab monotherapy at week 24. We initiated two pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials in treatment-naive patients with wet AMD to evaluate the efficacy and safety of OPT-302 in combination with anti-VEGF-A therapies compared to anti-VEGF-A monotherapy in March 2021. We expect to report topline data from these Phase 3 clinical trials in 2023. In addition to our clinical trials in wet AMD, we have observed evidence of improved clinical outcomes in a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of OPT-302 in combination with another standard of care anti-VEGF-A therapy, aflibercept (Eylea), in patients with treatment-refractory diabetic macular edema, or DME. We retain worldwide rights to develop and commercialize OPT-302 for the treatment of wet AMD and DME and believe that the novel treatment mechanism of OPT-302 has the potential to provide therapeutic benefit for other progressive eye diseases.
Summary Risk Factors
Our business is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, among others, the following:
Risks Related to our Financial Position and Need for Capital
| | We have not received approval for any product candidate for commercial sale and, as a result, we have never generated any revenue, have incurred significant financial losses and expect to continue to incur significant financial losses in the future, which makes it difficult to assess our future viability. |
| | We will require additional capital in the future, which may not be available to us on commercially favorable terms, or at all. Raising additional capital may cause dilution to holders of our ADSs and ordinary shares. |
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Risks Related to Development and Commercialization of Our Product Candidate
| | Clinical trials being conducted to test our product candidate, OPT-302, may not obtain the desired safety and efficacy results or may be delayed or more costly than anticipated. |
| | We may encounter difficulties in enrolling patients in our clinical trials. |
| | OPT-302 may be shown to cause undesirable side effects or other adverse events that could delay or prevent its regulatory approval, limit its commercial profile or result in significant negative consequences following regulatory approval, if such approval is granted. |
| | The marketing approval process is expensive, time-consuming and uncertain, and even if OPT-302 receives marketing approval, we may not be successful in our commercialization efforts and OPT-302 may fail to achieve the degree of market acceptance by physicians, patients, healthcare payors and others in the medical community necessary for commercial success. |
| | We may face substantial competition, which may result in others discovering, developing or commercializing competing products before or more successfully than us. |
| | Our business could be negatively affected by the effects of health epidemics, including the evolving effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, in regions where we or third parties on which we rely have significant manufacturing facilities, concentrations of clinical trial sites or other business operations. |
Risks Related to Legal and Regulatory Compliance Matters
| | Disruptions at the FDA could delay or prevent new products from being developed, approved or commercialized. |
| | Changes in U.S. healthcare law may impact our business in ways that we cannot currently predict. |
| | We are subject to economic, political, regulatory and other risks associated with international operations. |
Risks Related to Our Reliance on Third Parties
| | We rely on third-party manufacturers to produce OPT-302 or any future product candidates. If such manufacturers do not produce acceptable product candidates, this could have a material adverse effect on our business. |
| | We are currently dependent on third parties to conduct clinical trials and some aspects of our research and development activities. Such third parties may not perform satisfactorily, including failing to meet deadlines for completion of such trial, research or testing. |
Risks Related to Employee Matters and Managing Our Growth
| | We may not be able to attract, integrate, manage and retain qualified personnel or key employees. |
| | We are increasing and expect to continue increasing the size of our organization. If we are unable to effectively manage the anticipated growth, our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and/or prospects will be negatively affected. |
Risks Related to Intellectual Property
| | If we are unable to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our products and technologies, or if we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, we may not be able to compete effectively in our markets. |
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| | We may become involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our intellectual property, or third parties may initiate legal proceedings against us alleging that we infringe their intellectual property rights. |
| | Our current intellectual property portfolio may not prove to be sufficient to protect our competitive advantage. Additional competitors could enter the market, including with biosimilar products, and sales of affected products may decline materially. |
Risks Related to Ownership of the ADSs
| | The rights of our shareholders may be different from the rights of shareholders in companies governed by the laws of U.S. jurisdictions. |
| | As a foreign private issuer and as permitted by the listing requirements of Nasdaq, we will rely on certain home country corporate governance practices rather than the corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq. We may lose our foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional costs and expenses. |
| | Both foreign private issuers and emerging growth companies are also exempt from certain more stringent executive compensation disclosure rules for U.S. public companies under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Even if we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, so long as we remain a foreign private issuer, we will continue to be exempt from such compensation disclosures. |
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company
As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an emerging growth company, as defined in the U.S. Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other burdens that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include an exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and to the extent that we no longer qualify as a foreign private issuer, (i) reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and (ii) exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation, including golden parachute compensation.
We may take advantage of these provisions for up to five years from the initial public offering of our ADSs or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We will cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest of the following:
| | the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual revenues were at least US$1.07 billion; |
| | June 30, 2026 (the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the initial public offering of ADSs); |
| | the date on which we have issued more than US$1 billion of non-convertible debt securities over a three-year period; and |
| | the last day of the fiscal year during which we meet the following conditions: (i) the worldwide market value of our common equity securities held by non-affiliates as of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter is at least US$700 million, (ii) we have been subject to U.S. public company reporting requirements for at least 12 months and (iii) we have filed at least one annual report as a U.S. public company. |
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Implications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer
We are also considered a foreign private issuer under U.S. securities laws. In our capacity as a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain rules under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that impose certain disclosure obligations and procedural requirements for proxy solicitations under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules under the Exchange Act with respect to their purchases and sales of our securities. Moreover, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required to comply with Regulation FD, which restricts the selective disclosure of material information.
Both foreign private issuers and emerging growth companies are also exempt from certain more stringent executive compensation disclosure rules for public companies in the United States under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Even if we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, so long as we remain a foreign private issuer, we will continue to be exempt from such compensation disclosures.
We may take advantage of these exemptions until such time as we are no longer a foreign private issuer. We will remain a foreign private issuer until such time that more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities are held by U.S. residents and any of the following three circumstances applies: (1) the majority of our executive officers or directors are U.S. citizens or residents; (2) more than 50% of our assets are located in the United States; or (3) our business is administered principally in the United States.
Corporate History and Information
We were incorporated under the laws of Australia in 1984 under the name Circadian Technologies Limited. In 1985, we completed an initial public offering of our ordinary shares and the listing of our ordinary shares on the Australian Securities Exchange, or ASX. In December 2015, we changed the name of our company to Opthea Limited. In October 2020, we completed our U.S. initial public offering and listed our ADSs on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or Nasdaq.
Our headquarters and registered offices are located at Suite 0403, Level 4, 650 Chapel Street, South Yarra, VIC 3141, Australia. Our telephone number is +61 3 9826 0399. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Corporation Service Company, located at 19 West 44th Street, Suite 200, New York, NY 10036. Our website address is www.opthea.com. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference only and information contained in, or that can be assessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus. The SEC maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants, such as us, that file electronically with the SEC.
The Securities We May Offer
Under this prospectus, we may offer ordinary shares, ADSs representing our ordinary shares, various series of debt securities or warrants to purchase any of such securities, either individually or in units, with a total aggregate offering price of up to US$350,000,000, from time to time at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of the offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:
| | designation or classification; |
| | aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price; |
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| | maturity, if applicable; |
| | rates and times of payment of interest or dividends, if any; |
| | redemption, conversion or sinking fund terms, if any; |
| | voting or other rights, if any; and |
| | conversion or exercise prices, if any. |
The prospectus supplement, and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you, also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
We may sell the securities directly to investors or to or through agents, underwriters or dealers. We, and our agents or underwriters, reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we offer securities through agents or underwriters, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:
| | the names of those agents or underwriters; |
| | applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them; |
| | details regarding over-allotment options, if any; and |
| | the net proceeds to us. |
This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of any securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
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Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully review the risks and uncertainties described under the heading Risk Factors contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K as updated by our subsequent filings, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, before deciding whether to purchase any of the securities being registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Each of the risk factors could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, as well as adversely affect the value of an investment in our securities, and the occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also significantly impair our business operations.
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, that reflect our current expectations and views of future events. Discussions containing these forward-looking statements may be found, among other places, under the headings Information on the Company, Risk Factors and Operating and Financial Review and Prospects incorporated by reference from our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those listed under the heading Risk Factors in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and in any related free writing prospectuses and under similar headings in documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K, as updated by our subsequent filings, may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
You can identify some of these forward-looking statements by words or phrases, such as may, will, expect, anticipate, aim, estimate, intend, plan, believe, is/are likely to, potential, continue or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to:
| | the success, cost and timing of our product development activities and clinical trials; |
| | our expectations about the timing or likelihood of achieving regulatory approval and the cost of our development programs; |
| | our reliance on the success of OPT-302 as our only product candidate; |
| | our ability to obtain funding for our operations, including funding necessary to complete further development and commercialization of our product candidates; |
| | the commercialization of our product candidates, if approved; |
| | our plans to research, develop and commercialize our product candidates; |
| | our ability to maintain, expand, protect and enforce our intellectual property portfolio; |
| | our ability to operate our business without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the intellectual property rights of third parties; |
| | our ability to attract collaborators with development, regulatory and commercialization expertise; |
| | business disruptions affecting the initiation, patient enrollment, development and operation of our clinical trials, including as a result of a public health emergency, such as the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic; |
| | our expectations regarding our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our product candidate; |
| | future agreements with third parties in connection with the commercialization of our product candidates; |
| | the rate and degree of market acceptance of our product candidates; |
| | regulatory developments in the United States, Australia, Europe and other jurisdictions; |
| | our ability to contract with third-party suppliers and manufacturers and their ability to perform adequately; |
| | the success of competing therapies that are or may become available; |
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| | our ability to attract and retain key scientific or management personnel; |
| | the accuracy of our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; |
| | our expectations regarding the period during which we qualify as an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act; |
| | the future trading price of the ADSs and impact of securities analysts reports on these prices; |
| | the potential impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on our business or operations; and |
| | other risks and uncertainties, including those listed under the heading Risk Factors. |
You should refer to the Risk Factors section contained in this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, for a discussion of important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. As a result of these factors, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this prospectus will prove to be accurate. Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame or at all.
The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference herein and the documents that we refer to in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. For all forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
In addition, statements that we believe and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this prospectus, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
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Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you in connection with a specific offering, we intend to use any net proceeds from the sale of securities under this prospectus to fund activities relating to the continued clinical development of our product candidates and for other general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, working capital, capital expenditures, investments, acquisitions, should we choose to pursue any, and collaborations. We have not determined the amounts we plan to spend on any of the areas listed above or the timing of these expenditures. As a result, our management will have broad discretion to allocate the net proceeds, if any, we receive in connection with securities offered pursuant to this prospectus for any purpose. Pending application of the net proceeds as described above, we may initially invest the net proceeds in short-term, investment-grade and interest-bearing securities.
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General
The following description of our ordinary shares is only a summary. We encourage you to read our Constitution, which is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.
We are a public company limited by shares incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Corporations Act, by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, or ASIC. Our corporate affairs are principally governed by our Constitution, the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules. Our ordinary shares trade on the ASX.
The Australian law applicable to our Constitution is not significantly different than a U.S. companys charter documents except we do not have a limit on our authorized share capital, the concept of par value is not recognized under Australian law and as further discussed under Our Constitution.
Subject to any restrictions on the issue of securities in our Constitution, the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules and any other applicable law, we may from time to time issue shares and grant options on any terms, with the rights and restrictions and for the consideration that our board of directors determine. The rights and restrictions attaching to ordinary shares are derived through a combination of our Constitution, the common law applicable in Australia, the ASX Listing Rules, the Corporations Act and other applicable law. A general summary of some of the rights and restrictions attaching to our ordinary shares are summarized below. Each ordinary shareholder is entitled to receive notice of, and to be present, vote and speak at, general meetings.
As of June 30, 2021, we had (i) 351,003,541 ordinary shares outstanding and (ii) outstanding options to purchase 16,644,000 ordinary shares at a weighted-average exercise price of US$0.86 per share.
Our Constitution
Our Constitution is similar in nature to the bylaws of a U.S. corporation. It does not provide for or prescribe any specific objectives or purposes of our company. Our Constitution is subject to the terms of the Corporations Act. It may be amended or repealed and replaced by special resolution of shareholders, which is a resolution passed by at least 75% of the votes cast by shareholders (in person or by proxy) entitled to vote on the resolution.
Under Australian law, a company has the legal capacity and powers of an individual both within and outside Australia. The material provisions of our Constitution are summarized below. This summary is not intended to be complete nor to constitute a definitive statement of the rights and liabilities of our shareholders, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of our Constitution, a copy of which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Interested Directors
A director or that directors alternate who has a material personal interest in a matter that is being considered at a directors meeting must not be present while the matter is being considered at the meeting or vote in respect of that matter according to our Constitution unless permitted to do so by the Corporations Act, in which case such director may (i) be counted in determining whether or not a quorum is present at any meeting of directors considering that contract or arrangement or proposed contract or arrangement; (ii) sign or countersign any document relating to that contract or arrangement or proposed contract or arrangement; and (iii) vote in respect of, or in respect of any matter arising out of, the contract or arrangement or proposed contract or arrangement.
Unless a relevant exception applies, the Corporations Act requires our directors to provide disclosure of any material personal interest, and prohibits directors from voting on matters in which they have a material personal
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interest and from being present at the meeting while the matter is being considered, unless directors who do not have a material personal interest in the relevant matter have passed a resolution that identifies the director, the nature and extent of the directors interest in the matter and its relation to our affairs and states that those directors are satisfied that the interest should not disqualify the director from voting or being present. In addition, the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules may require shareholder approval of any provision of related party benefits to our directors, unless a relevant exception applies.
Directors Compensation
Our non-employee directors are paid remuneration for their services as directors. Subject to the ASX Listing Rules, non-employee directors as a whole may be paid or provided remuneration for their services a total amount or value not to exceed A$500,000 per annum. Subject to the ASX Listing Rules, the aggregate, capped sum for non-employee directors remuneration is to be divided among the directors in such proportion as the directors themselves agree and in accordance with our Constitution. The capped sum remuneration for non-employee directors may not be increased except at a general meeting of shareholders and the particulars of the proposed increase are required to have been provided to shareholders in the notice convening the meeting. In addition, our board of directors may fix the remuneration of each executive director, which may comprise salary or commission on or participation in our profits (or comprising a combination of each) as our directors determine.
Fees payable to our non-employee directors must be by way of a fixed sum and not by way of a commission on or a percentage of profits or operating revenue. Remuneration paid to our executive directors must also not include a commission or percentage of operating revenue.
Pursuant to our Constitution, any director who performs extra services or makes any special exertions, whether in going or residing abroad or otherwise for any of the purposes of the Company, that director may be paid an additional sum for those services and exertions.
In addition to other remuneration provided in our Constitution, all of our directors are entitled to be paid by us for all travelling and other expenses properly incurred by the directors in attending general meetings, board meetings, committee meetings or otherwise in connection with our business.
In addition, in accordance with our Constitution, a director may be paid a retirement benefit as determined by our board of directors subject to the requirements of the Corporations Act.
Borrowing Powers Exercisable by Directors
Pursuant to our Constitution, the management and control of our business affairs are vested in our board of directors. Our board of directors has the power to raise or borrow money or obtain other financial accommodation for the purposes of the Company, and may grant security for the repayment of that sum or sums or the payment, performance or fulfilment of any debts, liabilities, contracts or obligations incurred or undertaken by the Company in any manner and upon any terms and conditions as our board of directors deems appropriate.
Retirement of Directors
Pursuant to our Constitution, one-third of our directors, other than the managing director, must retire from office at every annual general meeting. If the number of directors is not a multiple of three, then the number nearest, to but not exceeding, one-third must retire from office. The directors who retire in this manner are required to be the directors or director longest in office since last being elected. A director, other than the managing director, must retire from office at the conclusion of the third annual general meeting after which the director was elected. A retiring director remains in office until the end of the meeting and will be eligible for re-election at the meeting.
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Rights and Restrictions on Classes of Shares
The rights attaching to our ordinary shares are detailed in our Constitution. Our Constitution provides that, subject to the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules and our Constitution, our directors may issue shares with preferential, deferred or special rights, privileges or conditions or with any restrictions, whether in relation to dividends, voting, return of share capital, or otherwise as our board of directors may determine. Subject to the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules and our Constitution (see Change of Control), we may issue further shares on such terms and conditions as our board of directors resolve. We may only issue preference shares if the rights attaching to the preference shares relating to repayment of capital, participation in surplus assets and profits, cumulative and non-cumulative dividends, voting and priority of payment of capital and dividends in respect of other shares (including ordinary shares) are set out in our Constitution or otherwise approved by special resolution passed at a general meeting. Our outstanding share capital consists of only one class of ordinary shares.
Dividend Rights
Under the Corporations Act, a company must not pay a dividend unless (a) the companys assets exceed its liabilities immediately before the dividend is declared and the excess is sufficient for the payment of the dividend; (b) the payment of the dividend is fair and reasonable to the companys shareholders as a whole; and (c) the payment of the dividend does not materially prejudice the companys ability to pay its creditors. Subject to this requirement, our board of directors may from time to time determine to pay and declare dividends to shareholders. All dividends unclaimed for one year after the time for payment has passed may be invested or otherwise made use of by our board of directors for our benefit until claimed or until dealt with under any law relating to unclaimed moneys.
Voting Rights
Under our Constitution, and subject to any voting exclusions imposed under the ASX Listing Rules (which typically exclude parties from voting on resolutions in which they have an interest), the rights and restrictions attaching to a class of shares, each shareholder has one vote on a show of hands at a meeting of the shareholders unless a poll is demanded under the Constitution or the Corporations Act. On a poll vote, each shareholder shall have one vote for each fully paid share and a fractional vote for each share held by that shareholder that is not fully paid, such fraction being equivalent to the proportion of the amount that has been paid to such date on that share. Shareholders may vote in person or by proxy, attorney or representative. Under Australian law, shareholders of a public company are generally not permitted to approve corporate matters by written consent. Our Constitution does not provide for cumulative voting.
Under Australian law, an ordinary resolution is passed if a majority of the votes cast on the resolution (in person or by proxy) by members entitled to vote on the resolution are in favor of the resolution. Under Australian law, a special resolution is passed if at least 75% of the votes cast on the resolution (in person or by proxy) are in favor of the resolution.
ADS holders may not directly vote at a meeting of the shareholders but may instruct the depositary to vote the number of deposited ordinary shares their ADSs represent.
Right to Share in Our Profits
Pursuant to our Constitution, our shareholders are entitled to participate in our profits only by payment of dividends. Our board of directors may from time to time determine to pay dividends to the shareholders. However, any such dividend may only be payable in accordance with the requirements set out in the Corporations Act described above.
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Rights to Share in the Surplus in the Event of Winding Up
Our Constitution provides for the right of shareholders to participate in a surplus in the event of our winding up, subject to the rights attaching to a class of shares.
No Redemption Provision for Ordinary Shares
There are no redemption provisions in our Constitution in relation to ordinary shares. Under our Constitution, shares may be issued and allotted, which are liable to be redeemed. Under the Corporations Act, redeemable preference shares may only be redeemed if those preference shares are fully paid-up and payment in satisfaction of redemption is out of profits or the proceeds of a new issue of shares made for the purposes of the redemption.
Variation or Cancellation of Share Rights
Subject to the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules and the terms of issue of shares of that class, the rights and privileges attached to shares in a class of shares may only be varied or cancelled by a special resolution, together with either:
| | a special resolution passed at a meeting of members holding shares in the class; or |
| | the written consent of members with at least 75% of the shares in the class. |
Directors May Make Calls
Our Constitution provides that subject to compliance with the Corporations Act and the terms on which partly paid shares are issued, directors may make calls on the holders of the shares for any money unpaid on them.
General Meetings of Shareholders
General meetings of shareholders may be called by our board of directors. Except as permitted under the Corporations Act, shareholders may not convene a meeting. The Corporations Act requires the directors to call and arrange to hold a general meeting on the request of shareholders with at least 5% of the votes that may be cast at a general meeting. Notice of the proposed meeting of our shareholders is required at least 28 days prior to such meeting under the Corporations Act.
Foreign Ownership Regulation
Our Constitution does not impose specific limitations on the rights of non-residents to own securities. However, acquisitions and proposed acquisitions of securities in Australian companies may be subject to review and approval by the Australian Federal Treasurer under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth), or the FATA, which generally applies to acquisitions or proposed acquisitions:
| | by a foreign person (as defined in the FATA) or associated foreign persons that would result in such persons having an interest in 20% or more of the issued shares of, or control of 20% or more of the voting power in, an Australian company; and |
| | by non-associated foreign persons that would result in such foreign persons having an aggregate interest in 40% or more of the issued shares of, or control of 40% or more of the voting power in, an Australian company, where the Australian company is valued above the monetary threshold prescribed by FATA. |
However, no such review or approval under the FATA is required if the foreign acquirer is a U.S. entity or an entity from certain other free-trade agreement countries and the value of the Australian target is less than A$1,216 million for foreign acquirers from all other countries (and assuming we are not considered a sensitive business.)
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The Australian Federal Treasurer may prevent a proposed acquisition in the above categories or impose conditions on such acquisition if the Treasurer is satisfied that the acquisition would be contrary to the national interest. If a foreign person acquires shares or an interest in shares in an Australian company in contravention of the FATA, the Australian Federal Treasurer may make a range of orders including an order the divestiture of such persons shares or interest in shares in that Australian company.
Ownership Threshold
There are no specific provisions in our Constitution that require a shareholder to disclose ownership above a certain threshold. The Corporations Act, however, requires a shareholder to notify us and the ASX once it, together with its associates, acquires an interest of 5% or more in our ordinary shares (or voting power (as defined in the Corporations Act) of 5% or more of the votes in our ordinary shares), at which point the shareholder will be considered to be a substantial shareholder. Further, once a shareholder owns (alone or together with associates) an interest of 5% or more in us, such shareholder must notify us and the ASX of any increase or decrease of 1% or more in its holding of our ordinary shares, and must also notify us and the ASX on its ceasing to be a substantial shareholder.
Issues of Shares and Change in Capital
Subject to our Constitution, the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules and any other applicable law, we may at any time issue shares and give any person a call or option over any shares on any terms, with preferential, deferred or other special rights, privileges or conditions or with restrictions and for the consideration and other terms that the directors determine. We may only issue preference shares if the rights attaching to the preference shares relating to repayment of capital, participation in surplus assets and profits, cumulative and non-cumulative dividends, voting and priority of payment of capital and dividends in respect of other shares (including ordinary shares) are set out in our Constitution or otherwise approved by special resolution passed at a general meeting of shareholders.
Subject to the requirements of our Constitution, the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules and any other applicable law, including relevant shareholder approvals, we may consolidate or divide our share capital into a larger or smaller number by resolution, reduce our share capital in any manner (provided that the reduction is fair and reasonable to our shareholders as a whole, does not materially prejudice our ability to pay creditors and obtains the necessary shareholder approval) or buy back our ordinary shares whether under an equal access buy-back or on a selective basis.
Change of Control
Takeovers of listed Australian public companies, including us, are regulated by the Corporations Act, which prohibits the acquisition of a relevant interest in issued voting shares in a listed company if the acquisition will lead to that persons or someone elses voting power in our company increasing from 20% or below to more than 20% or increasing from a starting point that is above 20% and below 90%, which we refer to as the Takeover Prohibition, subject to a range of exceptions.
Generally, a person will have a relevant interest in securities if the person:
| | is the holder of the securities (other than if the person holds those securities as a bare trustee); |
| | has power to exercise, or control the exercise of, a right to vote attached to the securities; or |
| | has the power to dispose of, or control the exercise of a power to dispose of, the securities. |
If, at a particular time,
| | a person has a relevant interest in issued securities; and |
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| | the person (whether before or after acquiring the relevant interest) has: |
| | entered or enters into an agreement with another person with respect to the securities; |
| | given or gives another person an enforceable right, or has been or is given an enforceable right by another person, in relation to the securities (whether the right is enforceable presently or in the future and whether or not on the fulfillment of a condition); or |
| | granted or grants an option to, or has been or is granted an option by, another person with respect to the securities; and |
| | the other person would have a relevant interest in the securities if the agreement were performed, the right enforced or the option exercised, then the other person is taken to have a relevant interest in the relevant securities. |
There are a number of exceptions to the Takeover Prohibition. In general terms, some of the more significant exceptions include:
| | when the acquisition results from the acceptance of an offer under a formal takeover bid that complies with the Corporations Act; |
| | when the acquisition is conducted on market by or on behalf of the bidder during the bid period for a full takeover bid that is unconditional or only conditional on certain prescribed matters set out in the Corporations Act; |
| | when the acquisition has been previously approved by our shareholders by resolution passed at general meeting; |
| | an acquisition by a person if, throughout the six months before the acquisition, that person or any other person has had voting power in our company of at least 19% and, as a result of the acquisition, none of the relevant persons would have voting power in our company more than three percentage points higher than they had six months before the acquisition; |
| | when the acquisition results from the issue of securities under a rights issue; |
| | when the acquisition results from the issue of securities under a dividend reinvestment scheme or bonus share plan; |
| | when the acquisition results from the issue of securities under certain underwriting arrangements; |
| | when the acquisition results from the issue of securities through a will or through operation of law; |
| | an acquisition that arises through the acquisition of a relevant interest in another listed company which is listed on a prescribed financial market or a financial market approved by ASIC; |
| | an acquisition arising from an auction of forfeited shares conducted on-market; or |
| | an acquisition arising through a compromise, arrangement, liquidation or buy-back. |
Breaches of the takeovers provisions of the Corporations Act are criminal offenses. ASIC and the Australian Takeover Panel have a wide range of powers relating to breaches of takeover provisions, including the ability to make orders, canceling contracts, freezing transfers of, and rights attached to, securities and forcing a party to dispose of securities. There are certain defenses to breaches of the Takeover Prohibition provided in the Corporations Act.
Access to and Inspection of Documents
Inspection of our records is governed by our Constitution and the Corporations Act. Any member of the Company has the right to inspect or obtain copies of our share register on the payment of a prescribed fee. Our
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books containing the minutes of general meetings will be kept at our registered office and will be open to inspection of members at all times when the office is required to be open to the public. Other corporate records, including minutes of directors meetings, financial records and other documents, are not open for inspection by shareholders (who are not directors). Where a shareholder is acting in good faith and an inspection is deemed to be made for a proper purpose, a shareholder may apply to the court to make an order for inspection of our books.
Legal Name; Formation; Registered Office
We were incorporated under the laws of Australia in 1984 under the name Circadian Technologies Limited. In 1985, we completed an initial public offering of our ordinary shares and the listing of our ordinary shares on the ASX. In December 2015, we changed the name of our company to Opthea Limited. In October 2020, we completed a U.S. initial public offering of ADSs on Nasdaq.
Our headquarters and registered offices are located at Suite 0403, Level 4, 650 Chapel Street, South Yarra, VIC 3141, Australia. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Corporation Service Company, located at 19 West 44th Street, Suite 200, New York, NY 10036. Our website address is www.opthea.com. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference only and information contained in, or that can be assessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus.
Listing
ADSs representing our ordinary shares are listed on Nasdaq under the symbol OPT. Our ordinary shares are listed on the ASX under the symbol OPT.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for the ADSs is National Australia Bank Ltd. Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited is our transfer agent and registrar for our ordinary shares and maintains our share register for our ordinary shares. The share register reflects only record owners of our ordinary shares. Holders of the ADSs are not treated as one of our shareholders and their names are therefore not entered in our share register. The depositary, the custodian or their nominees are the holder of the shares underlying the ADSs. Holders of the ADSs have a right to receive the ordinary shares underlying their ADSs. See Description of American Depositary Shares.
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DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
American Depositary Shares
The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, registers and delivers ADSs. Each ADS represents eight ordinary shares (or a right to receive eight ordinary shares) deposited with HSBC Bank Australia Limited, as custodian for the depositary in Australia. Each ADS also represents any other securities, cash or other property that may be held by the depositary. The deposited shares together with any other securities, cash or other property held by the depositary are referred to as the deposited securities. A copy of our Deposit Agreement among us, the depositary and the owners and holders of ADSs was filed with the SEC as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended June 30, 2021, filed on October 28, 2021 (File No. 001-39621).
Any ordinary shares that may be issued pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, whether directly or upon exercise of warrants, can be deposited for delivery of ADSs. The ADSs may be uncertificated securities or certificated securities evidenced by American Depositary Receipts, or ADRs. The depositarys office at which the ADSs will be administered and its principal executive office are located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.
You may hold ADSs either (A) directly (i) by having an American Depositary Receipt, also referred to as an ADR, which is a certificate evidencing a specific number of ADSs, registered in your name, or (ii) by having uncertificated ADSs registered in your name, or (B) indirectly by holding a security entitlement in ADSs through your broker or other financial institution that is a direct or indirect participant in The Depository Trust Company, or DTC. If you hold ADSs directly, you are a registered ADS holder, also referred to as an ADS holder. This description assumes you are an ADS holder. If you hold the ADSs indirectly, you must rely on the procedures of your broker or other financial institution to assert the rights of ADS holders described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.
Registered holders of uncertificated ADSs will receive statements from the depositary confirming their holdings.
As an ADS holder, we will not treat you as one of our shareholders and you will not have shareholder rights. Australian law governs shareholder rights. The depositary will be the holder of the shares underlying your ADSs. As a registered holder of ADSs, you will have ADS holder rights. A deposit agreement among us, the depositary, ADS holders and all other persons indirectly or beneficially holding ADSs sets out ADS holder rights as well as the rights and obligations of the depositary. New York law governs the deposit agreement and the ADSs.
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the deposit agreement. For more complete information, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of ADR. Directions on how to obtain copies of those documents are provided in the section titled Where You Can Find Additional Information.
Dividends and Other Distributions
How Will You Receive Dividends and Other Distributions on the Shares?
The depositary has agreed to pay or distribute to ADS holders the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on shares or other deposited securities, upon payment or deduction of its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of shares your ADSs represent.
Cash
We do not expect to declare or pay any cash dividends or cash distributions on our ordinary shares for the foreseeable future. The depositary will convert any cash dividend or other cash distribution we pay on the shares into U.S. dollars, if it can do so on a reasonable basis and can transfer the U.S. dollars to the United States. If that
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is not possible or if any government approval is needed and cannot be obtained, the deposit agreement allows the depositary to distribute the foreign currency only to those ADS holders to whom it is possible to do so. It will hold the foreign currency it cannot convert for the account of the ADS holders who have not been paid. It will not invest the foreign currency and it will not be liable for any interest.
Before making a distribution, any withholding taxes, or other governmental charges that must be paid will be deducted. The depositary will distribute only whole U.S. dollars and cents and will round fractional cents to the nearest whole cent. If the exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, you may lose some of the value of the distribution.
Shares
The depositary may distribute additional ADSs representing any shares we distribute as a dividend or free distribution. The depositary will only distribute whole ADSs. It will sell shares which would require it to deliver a fraction of an ADS (or ADSs representing those shares) and distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash. If the depositary does not distribute additional ADSs, the outstanding ADSs will also represent the new shares. The depositary may sell a portion of the distributed shares (or ADSs representing those shares) sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in connection with that distribution.
Rights to Purchase Additional Shares
If we offer holders of our securities any rights to subscribe for additional shares or any other rights, the depositary may (i) exercise those rights on behalf of ADS holders, (ii) distribute those rights to ADS holders or (iii) sell those rights and distribute the net proceeds to ADS holders, in each case after deduction or upon payment of its fees and expenses. To the extent the depositary does not do any of those things, it will allow the rights to lapse. In that case, you will receive no value for them. The depositary will exercise or distribute rights only if we ask it to and provide satisfactory assurances to the depositary that it is legal to do so. If the depositary will exercise rights, it will purchase the securities to which the rights relate and distribute those securities or, in the case of shares, new ADSs representing the new shares, to subscribing ADS holders, but only if ADS holders have paid the exercise price to the depositary. U.S. securities laws may restrict the ability of the depositary to distribute rights or ADSs or other securities issued on exercise of rights to all or certain ADS holders, and the securities distributed may be subject to restrictions on transfer.
Other Distributions
The depositary will send to ADS holders anything else we distribute on deposited securities by any means it thinks is legal, fair and practical. If it cannot make the distribution in that way, the depositary has a choice. It may decide to sell what we distributed and distribute the net proceeds, in the same way as it does with cash. Or, it may decide to hold what we distributed, in which case ADSs will also represent the newly distributed property. However, the depositary is not required to distribute any securities (other than ADSs) to ADS holders unless it receives satisfactory evidence from us that it is legal to make that distribution. The depositary may sell a portion of the distributed securities or property sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in connection with that distribution. U.S. securities laws may restrict the ability of the depositary to distribute securities to all or certain ADS holders, and the securities distributed may be subject to restrictions on transfer.
The depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any ADS holders. We have no obligation to register ADSs, shares, rights or other securities under the Securities Act. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, shares, rights or anything else to ADS holders. This means that you may not receive the distributions we make on our shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to you.
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Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation
How are ADSs Issued?
The depositary will deliver ADSs if you or your broker deposits shares or evidence of rights to receive shares with the custodian. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will register the appropriate number of ADSs in the names you request and will deliver the ADSs to or upon the order of the person or persons that made the deposit.
How Can ADS Holders Withdraw the Deposited Securities?
You may surrender your ADSs to the depositary for the purpose of withdrawal. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will deliver the shares and any other deposited securities underlying the ADSs to the ADS holder or a person the ADS holder designates at the office of the custodian. Or, at your request, risk and expense, the depositary will deliver the deposited securities at its office, if feasible. However, the depositary is not required to accept surrender of ADSs to the extent it would require delivery of a fraction of a deposited share or other security. The depositary may charge you a fee and its expenses for instructing the custodian regarding delivery of deposited securities.
How do ADS Holders Interchange Between Certificated ADSs and Uncertificated ADSs?
You may surrender your ADR to the depositary for the purpose of exchanging your ADR for uncertificated ADSs. The depositary will cancel that ADR and will send to the ADS holder a statement confirming that the ADS holder is the registered holder of uncertificated ADSs. Upon receipt by the depositary of a proper instruction from a registered holder of uncertificated ADSs requesting the exchange of uncertificated ADSs for certificated ADSs, the depositary will execute and deliver to the ADS holder an ADR evidencing those ADSs.
Voting Rights
How do You Vote?
ADS holders may instruct the depositary how to vote the number of deposited shares their ADSs represent. If we request the depositary to solicit your voting instructions (and we are not required to do so), the depositary will notify you of a shareholders meeting and send or make voting materials available to you. Those materials will describe the matters to be voted on and explain how ADS holders may instruct the depositary how to vote. For instructions to be valid, they must reach the depositary by a date set by the depositary. The depositary will try, as far as practical, subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the provisions of our articles of association or similar documents, to vote or to have its agents vote the shares or other deposited securities as instructed by ADS holders. If we do not request the depositary to solicit your voting instructions, you can still send voting instructions, and, in that case, the depositary may try to vote as you instruct, but it is not required to do so. In any event, the depositary will not exercise any discretion in voting deposited securities and it will only vote or attempt to vote as instructed.
We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise voting rights and there may be nothing you can do if your shares are not voted as you requested.
In order to give you a reasonable opportunity to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to Deposited Securities, if we request the Depositary to act, we agree to give the depositary notice of any such meeting and details concerning the matters to be voted upon at least 30 days in advance of the meeting date. Except by instructing the depositary as described above, you will not be able to exercise voting rights unless you surrender your ADSs and withdraw the shares. However, you may not know about the meeting enough in advance to withdraw the shares.
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Fees and Expenses
| Persons depositing or withdrawing shares or ADS holders must pay: |
For: | |
| US$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs) | Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property
Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates | |
| US$0.05 (or less) per ADS | Any cash distribution to ADS holders | |
| A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to you had been shares and the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs | Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities (including rights) that are distributed by the depositary to ADS holders | |
| US$0.05 (or less) per ADS per calendar year | Depositary services | |
| Registration or transfer fees | Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares | |
| Expenses of the depositary | Cable (including SWIFT) and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement)
Converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars | |
| Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian has to pay on any ADSs or shares underlying ADSs, such as stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes | As necessary | |
| Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities | As necessary | |
The depositary collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary may collect any of its fees by deduction from any cash distribution payable (or by selling a portion of securities or other property distributable) to ADS holders that are obligated to pay those fees. The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.
From time to time, the depositary may make payments to us to reimburse us for costs and expenses generally arising out of establishment and maintenance of the ADS program, waive fees and expenses for services provided to us by the depositary or share revenue from the fees collected from ADS holders. In performing its duties under the deposit agreement, the depositary may use brokers, dealers, foreign currency dealers or other service providers that are owned by or affiliated with the depositary and that may earn or share fees, spreads or commissions.
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The depositary may convert currency itself or through any of its affiliates, or the custodian or we may convert currency and pay U.S. dollars to the depositary. Where the depositary converts currency itself or through any of its affiliates, the depositary acts as principal for its own account and not as agent, advisor, broker or fiduciary on behalf of any other person and earns revenue, including, without limitation, transaction spreads, that it will retain for its own account. The revenue is based on, among other things, the difference between the exchange rate assigned to the currency conversion made under the deposit agreement and the rate that the depositary or its affiliate receives when buying or selling foreign currency for its own account. The depositary makes no representation that the exchange rate used or obtained by it or its affiliate in any currency conversion under the deposit agreement will be the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to ADS holders, subject to the depositarys obligation to act without negligence or bad faith. The methodology used to determine exchange rates used in currency conversions made by the depositary is available upon request. Where the custodian converts currency, the custodian has no obligation to obtain the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or to ensure that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to ADS holders, and the depositary makes no representation that the rate is the most favorable rate and will not be liable for any direct or indirect losses associated with the rate. In certain instances, the depositary may receive dividends or other distributions from us in U.S. dollars that represent the proceeds of a conversion of foreign currency or translation from foreign currency at a rate that was obtained or determined by us and, in such cases, the depositary will not engage in, or be responsible for, any foreign currency transactions and neither it nor we make any representation that the rate obtained or determined by us is the most favorable rate and neither it nor we will be liable for any direct or indirect losses associated with the rate.
Payment of Taxes
You will be responsible for any taxes or other governmental charges payable on your ADSs or on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs. The depositary may refuse to register any transfer of your ADSs or allow you to withdraw the deposited securities represented by your ADSs until those taxes or other charges are paid. It may apply payments owed to you or sell deposited securities represented by your ADSs to pay any taxes owed and you will remain liable for any deficiency. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs to reflect the sale and pay to ADS holders any proceeds, or send to ADS holders any property, remaining after it has paid the taxes.
Tender and Exchange Offers; Redemption, Replacement or Cancellation of Deposited Securities
The depositary will not tender deposited securities in any voluntary tender or exchange offer unless instructed to do so by an ADS holder surrendering ADSs and subject to any conditions or procedures the depositary may establish.
If deposited securities are redeemed for cash in a transaction that is mandatory for the depositary as a holder of deposited securities, the depositary will call for surrender of a corresponding number of ADSs and distribute the net redemption money to the holders of called ADSs upon surrender of those ADSs.
If there is any change in the deposited securities such as a sub-division, combination or other reclassification, or any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization affecting the issuer of deposited securities in which the depositary receives new securities in exchange for or in lieu of the old deposited securities, the depositary will hold those replacement securities as deposited securities under the deposit agreement. However, if the depositary decides it would not be lawful and practical to hold the replacement securities because those securities could not be distributed to ADS holders or for any other reason, the depositary may instead sell the replacement securities and distribute the net proceeds upon surrender of the ADSs.
If there is a replacement of the deposited securities and the depositary will continue to hold the replacement securities, the depositary may distribute new ADSs representing the new deposited securities or ask you to surrender your outstanding ADRs in exchange for new ADRs identifying the new deposited securities.
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If there are no deposited securities underlying ADSs, including if the deposited securities are cancelled, or if the deposited securities underlying ADSs have become apparently worthless, the depositary may call for surrender of those ADSs or cancel those ADSs upon notice to the ADS holders.
Amendment and Termination
How May the Deposit Agreement be Amended?
We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the ADRs without your consent for any reason. If an amendment adds or increases fees or charges, except for taxes and other governmental charges or expenses of the depositary for registration fees, facsimile costs, delivery charges or similar items, or prejudices a substantial right of ADS holders, it will not become effective for outstanding ADSs until 30 days after the depositary notifies ADS holders of the amendment. At the time an amendment becomes effective, you are considered, by continuing to hold your ADSs, to agree to the amendment and to be bound by the ADRs and the deposit agreement as amended.
How May the Deposit Agreement be Terminated?
The depositary will initiate termination of the deposit agreement if we instruct it to do so. The depositary may initiate termination of the deposit agreement if
| | 60 days have passed since the depositary told us it wants to resign but a successor depositary has not been appointed and accepted its appointment; |
| | we delist the ADSs from an exchange in the United States on which they were listed and do not list the ADSs on another exchange in the United States or make arrangements for trading of ADSs on the U.S. over-the-counter market; |
| | we delist our shares from an exchange outside the United States on which they were listed and do not list the shares on another exchange outside the United States; |
| | the depositary has reason to believe the ADSs have become, or will become, ineligible for registration on Form F-6 under the Securities Act; |
| | we appear to be insolvent or enter insolvency proceedings; |
| | all or substantially all the value of the deposited securities has been distributed either in cash or in the form of securities; |
| | there are no deposited securities underlying the ADSs or the underlying deposited securities have become apparently worthless; or |
| | there has been a replacement of deposited securities. |
If the deposit agreement will terminate, the depositary will notify ADS holders at least 90 days before the termination date. At any time after the termination date, the depositary may sell the deposited securities. After that, the depositary will hold the money it received on the sale, as well as any other cash it is holding under the deposit agreement, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the ADS holders that have not surrendered their ADSs. Normally, the depositary will sell as soon as practicable after the termination date.
After the termination date and before the depositary sells, ADS holders can still surrender their ADSs and receive delivery of deposited securities, except that the depositary may refuse to accept a surrender for the purpose of withdrawing deposited securities or reverse previously accepted surrenders of that kind that have not settled if it would interfere with the selling process. The depositary may refuse to accept a surrender for the purpose of withdrawing sale proceeds until all the deposited securities have been sold. The depositary will
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continue to collect distributions on deposited securities, but, after the termination date, the depositary is not required to register any transfer of ADSs or distribute any dividends or other distributions on deposited securities to the ADSs holder (until they surrender their ADSs) or give any notices or perform any other duties under the deposit agreement except as described in this paragraph.
Limitations on Obligations and Liability
Limits on our Obligations and the Obligations of the Depositary; Limits on Liability to Holders of ADSs
The deposit agreement expressly limits our obligations and the obligations of the depositary. It also limits our liability and the liability of the depositary. We and the depositary:
| | are only obligated to take the actions specifically set forth in the deposit agreement without negligence or bad faith, and the depositary will not be a fiduciary or have any fiduciary duty to holders of ADSs; |
| | are not liable if we are or it is prevented or delayed by law or by events or circumstances beyond our or its ability to prevent or counteract with reasonable care or effort from performing our or its obligations under the deposit agreement; |
| | are not liable if we or it exercises discretion permitted under the deposit agreement; |
| | are not liable for the inability of any holder of ADSs to benefit from any distribution on deposited securities that is not made available to holders of ADSs under the terms of the deposit agreement, or for any special, consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the deposit agreement; |
| | have no obligation to become involved in a lawsuit or other proceeding related to the ADSs or the deposit agreement on your behalf or on behalf of any other person; |
| | may rely upon any documents we believe or it believes in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person; |
| | are not liable for the acts or omissions of any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system; and |
| | the depositary has no duty to make any determination or provide any information as to our tax status, or any liability for any tax consequences that may be incurred by ADS holders as a result of owning or holding ADSs or be liable for the inability or failure of an ADS holder to obtain the benefit of a foreign tax credit, reduced rate of withholding or refund of amounts withheld in respect of tax or any other tax benefit. |
In the deposit agreement, we and the depositary agree to indemnify each other under certain circumstances.
Requirements for Depositary Actions
Before the depositary will deliver or register a transfer of ADSs, make a distribution on ADSs, or permit withdrawal of shares, the depositary may require:
| | payment of stock transfer or other taxes or other governmental charges and transfer or registration fees charged by third parties for the transfer of any shares or other deposited securities; |
| | satisfactory proof of the identity and genuineness of any signature or other information it deems necessary; and |
| | compliance with regulations it may establish, from time to time, consistent with the deposit agreement, including presentation of transfer documents. |
The depositary may refuse to deliver ADSs or register transfers of ADSs when the transfer books of the depositary or our transfer books are closed or at any time if the depositary or we think it advisable to do so.
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Your Right to Receive the Shares Underlying your ADSs
ADS holders have the right to cancel their ADSs and withdraw the underlying shares at any time except:
| | when temporary delays arise because: (i) the depositary has closed its transfer books or we have closed our transfer books; (ii) the transfer of shares is blocked to permit voting at a shareholders meeting; or (iii) we are paying a dividend on our shares; |
| | when you owe money to pay fees, taxes and similar charges; or |
| | when it is necessary to prohibit withdrawals in order to comply with any laws or governmental regulations that apply to ADSs or to the withdrawal of shares or other deposited securities. |
This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.
Direct Registration System
In the deposit agreement, all parties to the deposit agreement acknowledge that the Direct Registration System, also referred to as DRS, and Profile Modification System, also referred to as Profile, will apply to the ADSs. DRS is a system administered by DTC that facilitates interchange between registered holding of uncertificated ADSs and holding of security entitlements in ADSs through DTC and a DTC participant. Profile is a feature of DRS that allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of a registered holder of uncertificated ADSs, to direct the depositary to register a transfer of those ADSs to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those ADSs to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the depositary of prior authorization from the ADS holder to register that transfer.
In connection with and in accordance with the arrangements and procedures relating to DRS/Profile, the parties to the deposit agreement understand that the depositary will not determine whether the DTC participant that is claiming to be acting on behalf of an ADS holder in requesting registration of transfer and delivery as described in the paragraph above has the actual authority to act on behalf of the ADS holder (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). In the deposit agreement, the parties agree that the depositarys reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the depositary through the DRS/Profile system and in accordance with the deposit agreement will not constitute negligence or bad faith on the part of the depositary.
Shareholder Communications; Inspection of Register of Holders of ADSs
The depositary will make available for your inspection at its office all communications that it receives from us as a holder of deposited securities that we make generally available to holders of deposited securities. The depositary will send you copies of those communications or otherwise make those communications available to you if we ask it to which we may choose not to. You have a right to inspect the register of holders of ADSs, but not for the purpose of contacting those holders about a matter unrelated to our business or the ADSs.
Jury Trial Waiver
The deposit agreement provides that, to the extent permitted by law, ADS holders waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may have against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws. If we or the depositary opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable in the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with applicable case law.
You will not, by agreeing to the terms of the deposit agreement, be deemed to have waived our or the depositarys compliance with U.S. federal securities laws or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplements, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future debt securities we may offer pursuant to this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we so indicate in a prospectus supplement, the terms of any debt securities offered under such prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below, and to the extent the terms set forth in a prospectus supplement differ from the terms described below, the terms set forth in the prospectus supplement shall control.
We may sell from time to time, in one or more offerings under this prospectus, debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated. We will issue any such senior debt securities under a senior indenture that we will enter into with a trustee to be named in the senior indenture. We will issue any such subordinated debt securities under a subordinated indenture, which we will enter into with a trustee to be named in the subordinated indenture. We have filed a form of these documents as an exhibit to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part. We use the term indentures to refer to either the senior indenture or the subordinated indenture, as applicable. Any indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect on the date of the indenture, or the Trust Indenture Act. We use the term debenture trustee to refer to either the trustee under the senior indenture or the trustee under the subordinated indenture, as applicable.
The following summaries of material provisions of the senior debt securities, the subordinated debt securities and the indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities.
General
Each indenture provides that debt securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series and may be denominated and payable in foreign currencies or units based on or relating to foreign currencies. Neither indenture limits the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder, and each indenture provides that the specific terms of any series of debt securities shall be set forth in, or determined pursuant to, an authorizing resolution and/or a supplemental indenture, if any, relating to such series.
We will describe in each prospectus supplement the following terms relating to a series of debt securities:
| | title or designation; |
| | the aggregate principal amount and any limit on the amount that may be issued; |
| | the currency or units based on or relating to currencies in which debt securities of such series are denominated and the currency or units in which principal or interest or both will or may be payable; |
| | whether we will issue the series of debt securities in global form, the terms of any global securities and who the depositary will be; |
| | the maturity date and the date or dates on which principal will be payable; |
| | the interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the date or dates interest will be payable and the record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates; |
| | whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt; |
| | the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt; |
| | the place or places where payments will be payable; |
| | our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period; |
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| | the date, if any, after which, and the price at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional redemption provisions; |
| | the date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holders option to purchase, the series of debt securities; |
| | whether the indenture will restrict our ability to pay dividends, or will require us to maintain any asset ratios or reserves; |
| | whether we will be restricted from incurring any additional indebtedness; |
| | a discussion of any material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to a series of debt securities; |
| | the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of US$1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; and |
| | any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities. We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
Conversion or Exchange Rights
We will set forth in the prospectus supplement the terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our ordinary shares or our other securities. We will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of ordinary shares or our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.
Consolidation, Merger or Sale; No Protection in Event of a Change of Control or Highly Leveraged Transaction
The indentures do not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets must assume all of our obligations under the indentures or the debt securities, as appropriate.
Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change of control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change of control), which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.
Events of Default Under the Indenture
The following are events of default under the indentures with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:
| | if we fail to pay interest when due and our failure continues for 90 days and the time for payment has not been extended or deferred; |
| | if we fail to pay the principal, or premium, if any, when due and the time for payment has not been extended or delayed; |
| | if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant set forth in the debt securities of such series or the applicable indentures, other than a covenant specifically relating to and for the benefit of holders of |
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| another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive written notice from the debenture trustee or holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and |
| | if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur as to us. |
No event of default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an event of default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of an event of default may constitute an event of default under any bank credit agreements we may have in existence from time to time. In addition, the occurrence of certain events of default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain of our other indebtedness outstanding from time to time.
If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the debenture trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of and premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. Before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained with respect to debt securities of any series, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series (or, at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series represented at such meeting) may rescind and annul the acceleration if all events of default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the applicable indenture (including payments or deposits in respect of principal, premium or interest that had become due other than as a result of such acceleration). We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an event of default.
Subject to the terms of the indentures, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the debenture trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the debenture trustee reasonable indemnity. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the debenture trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the debenture trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:
| | the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and |
| | subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the debenture trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding. |
A holder of the debt securities of any series will only have the right to institute a proceeding under the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies if:
| | These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities. |
| | the holder previously has given written notice to the debenture trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series; |
| | the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and such holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the debenture trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee; and |
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| | the debenture trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series (or at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series represented at such meeting) other conflicting directions within 60 days after the notice, request and offer. |
We will periodically file statements with the applicable debenture trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the applicable indenture.
Modification of Indenture; Waiver
The debenture trustee and we may change the applicable indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters, including:
| | to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture; and |
| | to change anything that does not materially adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series issued pursuant to such indenture. |
In addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the debenture trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series (or, at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series represented at such meeting) that is affected. However, the debenture trustee and we may make the following changes only with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:
| | extending the fixed maturity of the series of debt securities; |
| | reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or any premium payable upon the redemption of any debt securities; |
| | reducing the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity; |
| | making the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security; or |
| | reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment or waiver. |
Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series (or, at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series represented at such meeting) may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series or in respect of a covenant or provision, which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series affected; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.
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Discharge
Each indenture provides that we can elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for obligations to:
| | the transfer or exchange of debt securities of the series; |
| | replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of the series; |
| | maintain paying agencies; |
| | hold monies for payment in trust; |
| | compensate and indemnify the trustee; and |
| | appoint any successor trustee. |
In order to exercise our rights to be discharged with respect to a series, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, the premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.
Form, Exchange, and Transfer
We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of US$1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indentures provide that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC or another depositary named by us and identified in a prospectus supplement with respect to that series.
At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange the debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the debt securities may present the debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange or in the applicable indenture, we will make no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.
We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.
If we elect to redeem the debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:
| | issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or |
| | register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part. |
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Information Concerning the Debenture Trustee
The debenture trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the applicable indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture. Upon an event of default under an indenture, the debenture trustee under such indenture must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the debenture trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indentures at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur.
Payment and Paying Agents
Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest.
We will pay the principal of and any premium and interest due on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, will we make interest payments by check which we will mail to the holder. Unless we otherwise indicate in a prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the debenture trustee in the City of New York as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for the debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.
All money we pay to a paying agent or the debenture trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities which remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Governing Law
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.
Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities
Our obligations pursuant to any subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to certain of our other indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement. Any subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of senior indebtedness we may incur. It also does not limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.
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General
We may issue warrants to purchase our ordinary shares represented by ADSs and/or debt securities in one or more series together with other securities or separately, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Below is a description of certain general terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer. Particular terms of the warrants will be described in the warrant agreements and the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants.
The applicable prospectus supplement will contain, where applicable, the following terms of and other information relating to the warrants:
| | the specific designation and aggregate number of, and the price at which we will issue, the warrants; |
| | the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; |
| | the designation, amount and terms of the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants; |
| | if applicable, the exercise price for ADSs and the number of ADSs to be received upon exercise; |
| | if applicable, the exercise price for our debt securities, the amount of debt securities to be received upon exercise, and a description of that series of debt securities; |
| | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the date on which that right will expire or, if you may not continuously exercise the warrants throughout that period, the specific date or dates on which you may exercise the warrants; |
| | whether the warrants will be issued in fully registered form or bearer form, in definitive or global form or in any combination of these forms; |
| | any applicable material U.S. federal income tax consequences and any applicable material Australian tax consequences; |
| | the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents; |
| | the proposed listing, if any, of the warrants or any securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants on any securities exchange; |
| | if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and the ADSs and/or debt securities will be separately transferable; |
| | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
| | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| | the anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any; |
| | any redemption or call provisions; and |
| | any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants. |
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for any warrants will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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We may offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more of the following ways (or in any combination) from time to time:
| | through underwriters or dealers; |
| | directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser; |
| | through agents; or |
| | through any other method permitted by applicable law and described in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
The distribution of securities may be carried out, from time to time, in one or more transactions, including:
| | block transactions and transactions on Nasdaq or any other securities exchange or quotation or trading service on which such securities may be listed, quoted or traded at the time of sale; |
| | purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its own account pursuant to a prospectus supplement; |
| | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker-dealer solicits purchasers; |
| | sales at the market to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise; or |
| | sales in other ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including direct sales to purchasers. |
A prospectus supplement or supplements (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:
| | the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them, if any; |
| | the method of distribution; |
| | the public offering price or purchase price and the proceeds to us from that sale; |
| | the expenses of the offering; |
| | any discounts or commissions to be allowed or paid to the underwriters, dealers or agents; |
| | all other items constituting underwriting compensation and the discounts and commissions to be allowed or paid to dealers, if any; and |
| | any other information regarding the distribution of the securities that we believe to be material. |
Any ordinary shares will be listed on the ASX and any ADSs will be listed on Nasdaq. Underwriters may offer and sell the securities at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or from time to time at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. We may, from time to time, authorize agents acting on a best or reasonable efforts basis as our agents to solicit or receive offers to purchase the securities upon the terms and conditions as are set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, and may be deemed to have received compensation from us in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters may sell securities to or through dealers, and dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.
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Underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of securities and their controlling persons may be entitled, under agreements that may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments that the underwriters, dealers or agents and their controlling persons may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
We may also make direct sales through subscription rights distributed to our existing shareholders on a pro rata basis, which may or may not be transferable. In any distribution of subscription rights to our shareholders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may then sell the unsubscribed securities directly to third parties or may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the unsubscribed securities to third parties.
Certain persons participating in an offering may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, including Regulation M under the Exchange Act, that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the offered securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Over-allotments or short sales of the securities involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than were sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. If any such activities will occur, they will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.
The specific terms of any lock-up provisions in respect of any given offering will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.
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Unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, the validity of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered and certain other matters of Australian law will be passed upon for us by Gilbert + Tobin, Melbourne, Australia. Certain matters as to U.S. federal law and New York state law will be passed upon for us by Cooley LLP, Palo Alto, California and Cooley LLP, Singapore. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for any underwriters, dealers or agents by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The financial statements of Opthea Limited as of June 30, 2021 and 2020, and for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2021, incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The offices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu are located at Tower 2, Brookfield Place, 123 St. Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia.
SERVICE OF PROCESS AND ENFORCEMENT OF LIABILITIES
We are a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Australia. Certain of our directors are non-residents of the United States and substantially all of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible or practicable for you to:
| | effect service of process within the United States upon our non-U.S. resident directors or on us; |
| | enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained against our non-U.S. resident directors or us in the United States courts in any action, including actions under the civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; |
| | enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained against our non-U.S. resident directors or us in courts of jurisdictions outside the United States in any action, including actions under the civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; or |
| | bring an original action in an Australian court to enforce liabilities against our non-U.S. resident directors or us based solely upon U.S. securities laws. |
You may also have difficulties enforcing in courts outside the United States judgments that are obtained in U.S. courts against any of our non-U.S. resident directors or us, including actions under the civil liability provisions of the U.S. securities laws.
With that noted, there are no treaties between Australia and the United States that would affect the recognition or enforcement of foreign judgments in Australia. We also note that investors may be able to bring an original action in an Australian court against us to enforce liabilities based in part upon U.S. federal securities laws. The disclosure in this section is not based on the opinion of counsel.
We have appointed Corporation Service Company as our agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against us under the federal securities laws of the United States.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This prospectus is part of the registration statement on Form F-3 we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the securities we are offering under this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the registration statement, which may be obtained from the SEC or us, as provided below. Statements in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters.
We are subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Under the Exchange Act, we file annual reports and other information with the SEC. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from, among other things, the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including us. The address of the SEC website is www.sec.gov.
We also maintain a website at www.opthea.com through which you can access our SEC filings. The information contained on, or accessible through, our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider any information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus or in deciding whether to purchase ordinary shares, including ordinary shares in the form of ADSs. We have included our website address as an inactive textual reference only.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and subsequent information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any statement contained in a previously filed document incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus modifies or replaces that statement.
This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:
| | our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on October 28, 2021; |
| | our reports on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on July 6, 2021, August 9, 2021, September 13, 2021, September 20, 2021, October 4, 2021, October 20, 2021, and October 26, 2021; and |
| | the description of our ordinary shares and American Depositary Shares contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-39621), filed with the SEC on October 14, 2020, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
We are also incorporating by reference all subsequent annual reports on Form 20-F that we file with the SEC and certain reports on Form 6-K that we furnish to the SEC after the date of this prospectus (if such reports on Form 6-K expressly state that they are incorporated in whole or in part by reference into the registration
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statement of which this prospectus forms a part) prior to the termination of this offering. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement.
Unless expressly incorporated by reference, nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate by reference information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC. Copies of all documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus, will be provided at no cost to each person, including any beneficial owner, who receives a copy of this prospectus on the written or oral request of that person made to:
Opthea Limited
Suite 0403, Level 4
650 Chapel Street
South Yarra, VIC 3141, Australia
Tel: (+61) 3 9826 0399
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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities or accept an offer to buy these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where such offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 1, 2022
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS
Up to US$75,000,000
Opthea Limited
Ordinary Shares
(including Ordinary Shares represented by American Depositary Shares)
On February 1, 2022, we entered into a sales agreement with Jefferies LLC, as Sales Agent, forward purchaser and forward seller, relating to American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, representing ordinary shares of Opthea Limited offered by this prospectus having an aggregate offering price of up to US$75,000,000. Each ADS represents the right to receive eight ordinary shares. We refer to Jefferies LLC, when acting in its capacity as the Sales Agent for us or as principals, individually, and when acting in its capacity as agent for the Forward Purchasers (as defined below), as a Forward Seller.
ADSs representing our ordinary shares are listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol OPT. Our ordinary shares are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, or ASX, under the symbol OPT. On January 28, 2022, the last reported sale price of ADSs, as reported on Nasdaq, was US$6.52 per ADS, and the last reported sale price of our ordinary shares, as reported on the ASX, was A$1.13 per ordinary share.
Sales of the ADSs, if any, under this prospectus may be made in sales deemed to be an at the market offering as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. The Sales Agent is not required to sell any specific amount of securities, but will act as our sales agent using commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices, on mutually agreed terms between the Sales Agent and us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in any escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
The sales agreement provides that, in addition to the issuance and sale of ADSs by us through the Sales Agent, we also may enter into one or more forward sale agreements under separate master forward confirmations and related supplemental confirmations, each between us and the Forward Purchaser. When acting in its capacity as a purchaser under any forward sale transactions, we refer to Jefferies LLC as a Forward Purchaser. In connection with any forward sale agreement, the Forward Purchaser will borrow from third parties and, through its the Forward Seller, sell a number of ADSs equal to the number of ADSs underlying the particular forward sale agreement. In no event will the aggregate number of ADSs sold through the Sales Agent or the Forward Seller under the sales agreement and under any forward sale agreement have an aggregate sales price in excess of US$75,000,000.
We will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of borrowed common shares by the Forward Seller. We currently expect to fully physically settle each particular forward sale agreement with the Forward Purchaser on one or more dates specified by us on or prior to the maturity date of that particular forward sale agreement, in which case we will expect to receive aggregate net cash proceeds at settlement equal to the number of ADSs underlying the particular forward sale agreement multiplied by the applicable forward sale price. However, subject to certain exceptions, we may also elect to cash settle or net share settle a particular forward sale agreement, in which case we may not receive any proceeds from the issuance of ADSs, and we will instead receive or pay cash (in the case of cash settlement) or receive or deliver ADSs (in the case of net share settlement).
The compensation to the Sales Agent for sales of ADSs sold pursuant to the sales agreement will be an amount equal to 3.0% of the gross proceeds of any ADSs sold under the sales agreement. In connection with each forward sale, we will pay the Forward Seller, in the form of a reduced initial forward sale price under the forward sale agreement with the Forward Purchaser, commissions at a mutually agreed rate that shall be 4.0% of the gross sales prices of all borrowed ADSs sold by it as a Forward Seller. Please also see the section titled Plan of Distribution beginning on page 38 for additional information regarding the compensation to be paid to the Sales Agent. In connection with the sale (including forward sale) of the ADSs on our behalf, the Sales Agent, the Forward Sellers and/or the Forward Purchasers will be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of the Sales Agent, the Forward Sellers and/or the Forward Purchasers will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have also agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to Sales Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser with respect to certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
We are an emerging growth company as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus and future filings. Please also see the section titled Prospectus SummaryImplications of Being an Emerging Growth Company and Prospectus SummaryImplications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer for additional information.
Investing in these securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading Risk Factors on page 7 of this prospectus and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, or any other foreign securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Jefferies
The date of this prospectus is , 2022.
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form F-3 that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a shelf registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may offer ordinary shares, including ordinary shares represented by ADSs, debt securities and/or warrants having an aggregate offering price of up to US$350,000,000. Under this prospectus, we may offer ADSs having an aggregate offering price of up to US$75,000,000 from time to time at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of offering. This prospectus describes the specific terms of this offering of ADSs and also adds to and updates the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Neither we, the Sales Agent, the Forward Seller nor the Forward Purchaser has authorized any person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus. We, the Sales Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor does this prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.
You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus is delivered, or securities are sold, on a later date. Our business, financial conditions, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates. You should read this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, in their entirety before making an investment decision.
This prospectus and the information incorporated herein by reference contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the section titled Where You Can Find Additional Information.
We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part or any document that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus to the terms Opthea, the Company, we, us and our refer to Opthea Limited and its wholly owned subsidiaries. In this prospectus, any reference to any provision of any legislation shall include any amendment, modification, re-enactment or extension thereof. All references to shares in this prospectus refer to ordinary shares of Opthea Limited with no par value.
For investors outside the United States: Neither we, the Sales Agent, the Forward Seller nor the Forward Purchaser has done anything that would permit the offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the securities described herein and the distribution of this prospectus outside the United States.
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We are incorporated in Australia, and many of our outstanding securities are owned by non-U.S. residents. Under the rules of the SEC, we are currently eligible for treatment as a foreign private issuer. As a foreign private issuer, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as domestic registrants whose securities are registered under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
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Opthea, the Opthea logo and other trademarks or service marks of Opthea appearing in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein are the property of Opthea or its subsidiary. Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this prospectus are listed without the ® and symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that their respective owners will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, their right thereto. All other trademarks, trade names and service marks appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners.
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This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain estimates and information concerning our industry and our business, including estimated market size and projected growth rates of the markets for our product candidates. Unless otherwise expressly stated, we obtained this industry, business, market, medical and other information from reports, research surveys, studies and similar data prepared by third parties, industry, medical and general publications, government data and similar sources.
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PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Our reporting and functional currency is the U.S. dollar, and our financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus are presented in U.S. dollars. The consolidated financial statements and related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been prepared under the International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IASB, which differs in certain significant respects from U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP.
Except where the context requires otherwise and for purposes of this prospectus only:
| ∎ | ADSs refers to American depositary shares, each of which represents eight of our ordinary shares, no par value, and ADRs refers to the American depositary receipts that may evidence ADSs. |
| ∎ | A$ or Australian dollar refers to the legal currency of Australia. |
| ∎ | IFRS refers to the International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, or IASB. |
| ∎ | U.S. GAAP refers to the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States. |
| ∎ | FDA refers to the United States Food and Drug Administration. |
| ∎ | US$ or U.S. dollars refers to the legal currency of the United States. |
| ∎ | U.S. or United States refers to the United States of America. |
Except with respect to U.S. dollar amounts presented as contractual terms, amounts denominated in U.S. dollars when received or paid and unless otherwise indicated, certain Australian dollar amounts contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus have been translated into U.S. dollars at the rate published by the Reserve Bank of Australia as of June 30, 2021. These translations should not be considered representations that any such amounts have been, could have been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or Australian dollars at that or any other exchange rate as of that or any other rate. We have made rounding adjustments to some of the figures included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Accordingly, numerical figures shown as totals in some tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them.
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This summary does not contain all of the information that may be important to you in making your investment decision. In addition to this summary, we urge you to read the entire prospectus and any related free writing prospectus carefully, especially the risks of investing in the securities discussed under Risk Factors beginning on page 7 of this prospectus and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus before deciding whether to invest in the securities. You should also carefully read the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our financial statements, and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Overview
We are a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing a novel therapy for the treatment of highly prevalent and progressive retinal diseases. We are developing our product candidate, OPT-302, a biologic designed to inhibit VEGF-C and VEGF-D, to complement VEGF-A inhibitors for the treatment of ophthalmic diseases. Anti-VEGF-A therapies represent the standard of care for wet age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, and other retinal diseases; however, there remains a significant unmet medical need as many patients do not adequately respond to these treatments. As the only biologic inhibitor of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in clinical development, OPT-302 differs from standard of care therapies and when administered in combination with a VEGF-A inhibitor, is designed to achieve broader inhibition of the vascular endothelial growth factor, or VEGF, family and target a mechanism of clinical resistance to improve visual acuity. Our lead indication for OPT-302 combination therapy is wet AMD, a chronic, progressive disease and the leading cause of vision loss for individuals over the age of 50. In a 366-patient Phase 2b clinical trial for the treatment of wet AMD, 2.0 mg OPT-302, in combination with a standard of care anti-VEGF-A therapy, ranibizumab (Lucentis), met the primary endpoint of a statistically significant superior mean gain in visual acuity over ranibizumab monotherapy at week 24. We initiated two pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials in treatment-naive patients with wet AMD to evaluate the efficacy and safety of OPT-302 in combination with anti-VEGF-A therapies compared to anti-VEGF-A monotherapy in March 2021. We expect to report topline data from these Phase 3 clinical trials in the second half of 2023. In addition to our clinical trials in wet AMD, we have observed evidence of improved clinical outcomes in a Phase 1b/2a clinical trial of OPT-302 in combination with another standard of care anti-VEGF-A therapy, aflibercept (Eylea), in patients with treatment-refractory diabetic macular edema, or DME. We retain worldwide rights to develop and commercialize OPT-302 for the treatment of wet AMD and DME and believe that the novel treatment mechanism of OPT-302 has the potential to provide therapeutic benefit for other progressive eye diseases.
Summary Risk Factors
Our business is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among others, the following:
Risks Related to our Financial Position and Need for Capital
| ∎ | We have not received approval for any product candidate for commercial sale and, as a result, we have never generated any revenue, have incurred significant financial losses and expect to continue to incur significant financial losses in the future, which makes it difficult to assess our future viability. |
| ∎ | We will require additional capital in the future, which may not be available to us on commercially favorable terms, or at all. Raising additional capital may cause dilution to holders of our securities. |
Risks Related to Development and Commercialization of Our Product Candidate
| ∎ | Clinical trials being conducted to test our product candidate, OPT-302, may not obtain the desired safety and efficacy results or may be delayed or more costly than anticipated. |
| ∎ | We may encounter difficulties in enrolling patients in our clinical trials. |
| ∎ | OPT-302 may be shown to cause undesirable side effects or other adverse events that could delay or prevent its regulatory approval, limit its commercial profile or result in significant negative consequences following regulatory approval, if such approval is granted. |
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| ∎ | The marketing approval process is expensive, time-consuming and uncertain, and even if OPT-302 receives marketing approval, we may not be successful in our commercialization efforts and OPT-302 may fail to achieve the degree of market acceptance by physicians, patients, healthcare payors and others in the medical community necessary for commercial success. |
| ∎ | We may face substantial competition, which may result in others discovering, developing or commercializing competing products before or more successfully than us. |
| ∎ | Our business could be negatively affected by the effects of health epidemics, including the evolving effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, in regions where we or third parties on which we rely have significant manufacturing facilities, concentrations of clinical trial sites or other business operations. |
Risks Related to Legal and Regulatory Compliance Matters
| ∎ | Disruptions at the FDA could delay or prevent new products from being developed, approved or commercialized. |
| ∎ | Changes in U.S. healthcare law may impact our business in ways that we cannot currently predict. |
| ∎ | We are subject to economic, political, regulatory and other risks associated with international operations. |
Risks Related to Our Reliance on Third Parties
| ∎ | We rely on third-party manufacturers to produce OPT-302 or any future product candidates. If such manufacturers do not produce acceptable product candidates, this could have a material adverse effect on our business. |
| ∎ | We are currently dependent on third parties to conduct clinical trials and some aspects of our research and development activities. Such third parties may not perform satisfactorily, including failing to meet deadlines for completion of such trial, research or testing. |
Risks Related to Employee Matters and Managing Our Growth
| ∎ | We may not be able to attract, integrate, manage and retain qualified personnel or key employees. |
| ∎ | We are increasing and expect to continue increasing the size of our organization. If we are unable to effectively manage the anticipated growth, our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and/or prospects will be negatively affected. |
Risks Related to Intellectual Property
| ∎ | If we are unable to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our products and technologies, or if we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights, we may not be able to compete effectively in our markets. |
| ∎ | We may become involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our intellectual property, or third parties may initiate legal proceedings against us alleging that we infringe their intellectual property rights. |
| ∎ | Our current intellectual property portfolio may not prove to be sufficient to protect our competitive advantage. Additional competitors could enter the market, including with biosimilar products, and sales of affected products may decline materially. |
Risks Related to Ownership of the ADSs
| ∎ | The rights of our shareholders may be different from the rights of shareholders in companies governed by the laws of U.S. jurisdictions. |
| ∎ | As a foreign private issuer and as permitted by the listing requirements of Nasdaq, we will rely on certain home country corporate governance practices rather than the corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq. We may lose our foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional costs and expenses. |
| ∎ | Both foreign private issuers and emerging growth companies are also exempt from certain more stringent executive compensation disclosure rules for U.S. public companies under the Dodd-Frank |
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| Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Even if we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, so long as we remain a foreign private issuer, we will continue to be exempt from such compensation disclosures. |
Risks Related to this Offering
| ∎ | You may experience dilution from the issuance of ADSs pursuant to this offering. |
| ∎ | We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may not use them effectively. |
| ∎ | Settlement provisions contained in any forward sale agreement subject us to certain risks. |
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company
As a company with less than US$1.07 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an emerging growth company, as defined in the U.S. Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or JOBS Act. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other burdens that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include an exemption from the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Sarbanes-Oxley Act and to the extent that we no longer qualify as a foreign private issuer, (i) reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and (ii) exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation, including golden parachute compensation.
We may take advantage of these provisions for up to five years from the initial public offering of ADSs or such earlier time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We will cease to be an emerging growth company upon the earliest of the following:
| ∎ | the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual revenues were at least US$1.07 billion; |
| ∎ | June 30, 2026 (the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the initial public offering of ADSs); |
| ∎ | the date on which we have issued more than US$1 billion of non-convertible debt securities over a three-year period; and |
| ∎ | the last day of the fiscal year during which we meet the following conditions: (i) the worldwide market value of our common equity securities held by non-affiliates as of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter is at least US$700 million, (ii) we have been subject to U.S. public company reporting requirements for at least 12 months and (iii) we have filed at least one annual report as a U.S. public company. |
Implications of Being a Foreign Private Issuer
We are also considered a foreign private issuer under U.S. securities laws. In our capacity as a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from certain rules under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that impose certain disclosure obligations and procedural requirements for proxy solicitations under Section 14 of the Exchange Act. In addition, our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules under the Exchange Act with respect to their purchases and sales of our securities. Moreover, we are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required to comply with Regulation FD, which restricts the selective disclosure of material information.
Both foreign private issuers and emerging growth companies are also exempt from certain more stringent executive compensation disclosure rules for public companies in the United States under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Even if we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, so long as we remain a foreign private issuer, we will continue to be exempt from such compensation disclosures.
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We may take advantage of these exemptions until such time as we are no longer a foreign private issuer. We will remain a foreign private issuer until such time that more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities are held by U.S. residents and any of the following three circumstances applies: (1) the majority of our executive officers or directors are U.S. citizens or residents; (2) more than 50% of our assets are located in the United States; or (3) our business is administered principally in the United States.
Corporate History and Information
We were incorporated under the laws of Australia in 1984 under the name Circadian Technologies Limited. In 1985, we completed an initial public offering of our ordinary shares and the listing of our ordinary shares on the Australian Securities Exchange, or the ASX. In December 2015, we changed the name of our company to Opthea Limited. In October 2020, we completed our U.S. initial public offering and listed our ADSs on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or Nasdaq. Our headquarters and registered offices are located at Suite 0403, Level 4, 650 Chapel Street, South Yarra, VIC 3141, Australia. Our telephone number is +61 3 9826 0399. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Corporation Service Company, located at 19 West 44th Street, Suite 200, New York, NY 10036. Our website address is www.opthea.com. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference only and information contained in, or that can be assessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus. The SEC maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports and other information regarding registrants, such as us, that file electronically with the SEC.
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| Securities offered by us or the forward purchaser or its affiliates |
ADSs representing our ordinary shares having an aggregate offering price of up to US$75,000,000. |
| Ordinary shares to be outstanding after this offering |
Up to 443,028,077 ordinary shares, including 55,378,509 ordinary shares underlying ADSs, assuming the sale of 11,503,067 ADSs in this offering at a public offering price of US$6.52 per share, the last reported sale price of ADSs on Nasdaq on January 28, 2022. The actual number of ADSs issued in this offering will vary depending on the actual sales prices and actual amounts sold. |
| Manner of offering |
At the market offering that may be made from time to time through the Sales Agent, including through the Forward Seller or Forward Purchaser in forward sale agreements. Please also see the section titled Plan of Distribution on page 38. |
| ADSs |
Each ADS represents eight ordinary shares, no par value per share. The offered ADSs may be evidenced by American Depositary Receipts, or ADRs. The depositary will hold ordinary shares underlying your ADSs. As an ADS holder, you will not be treated as one of our shareholders, you will not have shareholder rights and you may not be able to exercise your right to vote the shares underlying your ADSs. You will have the contractual rights of an ADS holder, as provided in the deposit agreement among us, the depositary and holders and beneficial owners of ADSs from time to time. ADS holders may only exercise voting rights with respect to the shares underlying the ADSs in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement, which will provide that a holder may vote the shares underlying any ADSs for any particular matter to be voted on by our shareholders either by withdrawing the shares underlying the ADSs or by instructing the depositary how to vote those shares. The depositary will try, to the extent practical, to vote the shares underlying the ADSs as instructed by the ADS holders. |
| You may surrender your ADSs to the depositary for cancellation in exchange for ordinary shares. The depositary will charge you fees for any cancellation. |
| We may amend or terminate the deposit agreement without your consent. If you continue to hold your ADSs after an amendment to the deposit agreement, you agree to be bound by the deposit agreement as amended. |
| To better understand the terms of the ADSs, you should carefully read the Description of American Depositary Shares section of this prospectus. |
| ADS Depositary |
The Bank of New York Mellon. |
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| Use of Proceeds |
We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering, if any, we receive from sales of our ADSs to or thorough the Sales Agent and upon settlement of any forward sale agreements, together with our existing cash, to continue the regulatory approval process for and fund the commercial launch, if approved, of OPT-302 for the treatment of wet AMD and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. |
| Please also see the section titled Use of Proceeds for a more complete description of the intended use of proceeds from this offering. |
| Risk Factors |
Please also see the section titled Risk Factors and the other information included in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in the ADSs. |
| Nasdaq Global Select Market and Australian Securities Exchange symbol |
OPT. |
The number of ordinary shares issued and outstanding is based on 351,003,541 of our ordinary shares outstanding as of June 30, 2021, and excludes:
| ∎ | subject to certain vesting criteria being satisfied, up to 10,000,000 ordinary shares that may be issued to cover the delivery of ordinary shares to participants of our Non-Executive Director Share and Option Plan, or the NED Plan, as of June 30, 2021; |
| ∎ | subject to certain vesting criteria being satisfied, up to 6,644,000 ordinary shares that may be issued to cover the delivery of ordinary shares to participants of our Long Term Incentive Program, or the LTIP, as of June 30, 2021; and |
| ∎ | 20,631,354 ordinary shares reserved for future issuance under the LTIP. |
From June 30, 2021 to December 31, 2021:
| ∎ | we granted options to purchase 4,175,000 ordinary shares with a weighted-average exercise price of A$1.54 per share; |
| ∎ | we granted performance rights for 1,600,000 ordinary shares that will vest upon achievement of certain performance milestones relating to our Phase 3 clinical trials of OPT-302 for the treatment of wet AMD; and |
| ∎ | we issued 935,739 ordinary shares upon the exercise of options with a weighted-average exercise price of A$0.57 per share. |
As of December 31, 2021, we had 351,939,280 ordinary shares outstanding, including 12,453,716 ordinary shares underlying ADSs outstanding.
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Investing in our ordinary shares and the ADSs involves a high degree of risk. Before you invest in the ordinary shares and the ADSs, you should consider carefully the risks described below and discussed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, as updated by our reports on Form 6-K, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, together with other information in this prospectus and the information and documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering, before you make a decision to invest in the ordinary shares and the ADSs. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and/or prospects could suffer materially. In such event, the trading price of the ordinary shares and the ADSs could decline, which would cause you to lose all or part of your investment. Please also see the section titled Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements in this prospectus.
Risks Relating to this Offering
You may experience dilution from the issuance of ADSs pursuant to this offering.
The offering price per ADS in this offering may exceed the net tangible book value per ADS outstanding prior to this offering. Assuming that an aggregate of 11,503,067 ADSs are sold at an assumed public offering price of US$6.52 per ADS, the last reported sale price of our ADSs on Nasdaq on January 28, 2022, for aggregate gross proceeds of US$75,000,000, and after deducting estimated commissions and offering expenses payable by us (assuming no forward sales), you would incur immediate dilution of US$2.78 per ADS, representing the difference between our as adjusted net tangible book value per ADS as of June 30, 2021, and the assumed public offering price per ADS. Because the sales of the ADSs offered hereby will be made directly into the market or in negotiated transactions, the prices at which we sell these ADSs will vary and these variations may be significant. Purchasers of the ADSs we sell, as well as our existing shareholders, will experience significant dilution if we or the forward purchaser sells ADSs at prices significantly below the price at which they invested. Further, the future exercise of any outstanding options to purchase ordinary shares will cause you to experience additional dilution. See the section titled Dilution for more information.
You may experience future dilution as a result of future equity offerings.
To raise additional capital, we may in the future offer additional ADSs, ordinary shares or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for our ordinary shares at prices that may not be the same as the price per ADS in this offering. We may sell ADSs, ordinary shares or other securities in any other offering at a price that is less than the price per ADS paid by investors in this offering, and investors purchasing ADSs, ordinary shares or other securities in the future could have rights superior to existing shareholders. The price at which we sell additional ADSs, ordinary shares or other securities in future transactions may be higher or lower than the price per ADS paid by investors in this offering.
Raising funds through lending and licensing arrangements may restrict our operations or require us to relinquish proprietary rights.
If we raise additional funds through collaborations, strategic alliances or marketing, distribution, royalty or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development or future commercialization efforts or grant rights to develop and market product candidates that we would otherwise develop and market ourselves.
We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may not use them effectively.
Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering, including for any of the purposes described in the section entitled Use of Proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity as part of your investment decision to assess whether the net proceeds are being used appropriately. Because of the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of the net proceeds from this offering, their ultimate use may vary substantially from their currently intended use. Our management might not apply our net proceeds in ways that ultimately increase the value of your investment. We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering, if any,
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together with our existing cash, to continue the regulatory approval process for and fund the commercial launch, if approved, of OPT-302 for the treatment of wet AMD and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. If we do not invest or apply the net proceeds from this offering in ways that enhance shareholder value, we may fail to achieve expected financial results, which could cause the price of our ADSs to decline.
Future sales or issuances of our ordinary shares or ADSs in the public markets, or the perception of such sales, could depress the trading price of our ADSs.
The sale of a substantial number of our ordinary shares, ADSs or other equity-related securities in the public markets, or the perception that such sales could occur, could depress the market price of our ordinary shares or ADSs and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. We may sell large quantities of our ordinary shares or ADSs at any time pursuant to this prospectus or in one or more separate offerings. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of ordinary shares, ADSs or other equity-related securities would have on the market price of our ordinary shares or ADSs.
The actual number of ADSs we will sell under the sales agreement, at any one time or in total, is uncertain.
Subject to certain limitations in the sales agreement and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver a placement notice or forward placement notice to the Sales Agent or Forward Seller, respectively, at any time throughout the term of the sales agreement. The number of ADSs that are sold by the Sales Agent or Forward Seller, as applicable, after delivering a placement notice will fluctuate based on the market price of ADSs during the sales period and limits we set with the agent. Because the price of each ADS sold will fluctuate based on the market price of ADSs during the sales period, it is not possible at this stage to predict the number of ADSs that will be ultimately issued.
Provisions contained in a forward sale agreement could result in substantial dilution to our earnings per share and return on equity or result in substantial cash payment obligations.
If we enter into one or more forward sale agreements, the Forward Purchaser will have the right to accelerate all or any portion of such forward sale agreement and require us to physically settle on a date specified by such forward purchaser if:
| ∎ | the Forward Purchaser, after using commercially reasonable efforts, is unable to, or would incur a materially increased cost to, establish, maintain or unwind its hedge position with respect to the relevant forward sale agreement; |
| ∎ | the Forward Purchaser determines that it is unable, or it is commercially impracticable for it, to continue to borrow a number of ADSs equal to the number of ADSs underlying the relevant forward sale agreement (and we do not refer a satisfactory lending party to lend the shares required) or that, with respect to borrowing such number of ADSs, it would incur a cost that is greater than the borrow cost specified in the relevant forward sale agreement, subject to a prior notice requirement; |
| ∎ | we declare a dividend or distribution on our ordinary shares with a cash value in excess of a specified amount per calendar quarter, or with an ex-dividend date prior to the anticipated ex-dividend date for such cash dividend; |
| ∎ | certain ownership thresholds applicable to the Forward Purchaser are exceeded; |
| ∎ | there is a public announcement of any event or transaction that, if consummated, would result in a merger event, tender offer, nationalization, delisting or change in law (in each case, as determined pursuant to the terms of any forward sale agreement); or |
| ∎ | certain other events of default, termination events or other specified events occur, including, among other things, any material misrepresentation made by us in connection with entering into a forward sale agreement, a market disruption event during a specified period that lasts for more than at least eight scheduled trading days or a change in law (as such terms are defined in the forward sale agreement). |
The Forward Purchasers decision to exercise its right to accelerate the settlement of any forward sale agreement will be made irrespective of our interests, including our need for capital. In such cases, we could be required to deliver ADSs under the physical settlement provisions of the applicable forward sale agreement or, if we so elect and such Forward Purchaser so permits our election, net share settlement provisions of the applicable forward sale agreement irrespective of our capital needs.
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We expect that each forward sale agreement will settle no later than the date specified in the particular forward sale agreement. However, any forward sale agreement may be settled earlier than such specified date in whole or in part at our option. Subject to certain conditions, we have the right to elect physical, cash or net share settlement under each forward sale agreement. We expect that each forward sale agreement will be physically settled by delivery of ADSs, unless we elect to cash settle or net share settle any particular forward sale agreement. If we elect cash settlement or net share settlement with respect to all or a portion of the common shares underlying any forward sale agreement, we expect the Forward Purchaser (or an affiliate thereof) to purchase a number of ADSs in secondary market transactions over an unwind period to:
| ∎ | return ADSs to securities lenders in order to unwind the Forward Purchasers hedge (after taking into consideration any common shares to be delivered by us to the Forward Purchaser, in the case of net share settlement); and |
| ∎ | if applicable, in the case of net share settlement, deliver ADSs to us to the extent required in settlement of such forward sale agreement. |
In addition, the purchase of ADSs in connection with the Forward Purchaser or its affiliate unwinding the Forward Purchasers hedge positions could cause the price of ADSs or ordinary shares to increase over such time (or prevent or reduce the amount of a decrease over such time), thereby increasing the amount of cash we would owe to such forward purchaser (or decreasing the amount of cash that such forward purchaser would owe us) upon a cash settlement of any forward sale agreement or increasing the number of ADSs we would deliver to the Forward Purchaser (or decreasing the number of ADSs that the Forward Purchaser would deliver to us) upon net share settlement of the applicable forward sale agreement.
The forward sale price that we expect to receive upon physical settlement of any particular forward sale agreement will be subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor equal to the overnight bank funding rate less a spread and will be decreased on certain dates, based on amounts related to expected dividends on ordinary shares during the term of a particular forward sale agreement. If the overnight bank funding rate is less than the spread for a particular forward sale agreement on any day, the interest factor will result in a reduction of the forward sale price for such day. If the weighted average price for ADSs specified in a particular forward sale agreement during any applicable unwind period under such forward sale agreement is above the applicable forward sale price, in the case of cash settlement, we would pay the Forward Purchaser under such forward sale agreement an amount in cash equal to the difference or, in the case of net share settlement, we would deliver to the Forward Purchaser a number of ADSs having a value equal to the difference. Thus, we could be responsible for a potentially substantial cash payment in the case of cash settlement. If such weighted average price during any applicable unwind period under such forward sale agreement is below the applicable forward sale price, in the case of cash settlement, we would be paid the difference in cash by such Forward Purchaser under the forward sale agreement or, in the case of net share settlement, we would receive from the Forward Purchaser a number of ADSs having a value equal to the difference. See the section titled Plan of Distribution for information on the forward sale agreements.
In case of our bankruptcy or insolvency, the forward sale agreement that is in effect would automatically terminate, and we would not receive the expected proceeds from any forward sales of ADSs thereunder.
If we file for, or a regulatory authority with jurisdiction over us institutes, or we consent to, a proceeding seeking a judgment in bankruptcy or insolvency or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors rights, or we or a regulatory authority with jurisdiction over us presents a petition for our winding-up or liquidation, or we consent to such a petition, or any other bankruptcy proceeding commences with respect to us, the forward sale agreement that is then in effect will automatically terminate. If any such forward sale agreement so terminates, we would not be obligated to deliver to the relevant forward purchaser any ADSs not previously delivered, and the relevant forward purchaser would be discharged from its obligation to pay the applicable forward sale price per ADS in respect of any ADSs not previously settled. Therefore, to the extent that there are any ADSs with respect to which any forward sale agreement has not been settled at the time of the commencement of or consent to any such bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or the presentation of any such petition, we would not receive the applicable forward sale price per ADS in respect of those ADSs.
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, that reflect our current expectations and views of future events. Discussions containing these forward-looking statements may be found, among other places, in the sections titled Information on the Company, Risk Factors and Operating and Financial Review and Prospects incorporated by reference from our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those listed under the section titled Risk Factors in this prospectus and in any related free writing prospectuses and under similar headings in documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K, as updated by our subsequent filings, may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
You can identify some of these forward-looking statements by words or phrases, such as may, will, expect, anticipate, aim, estimate, intend, plan, believe, is/are likely to, potential, continue or other similar expressions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include statements relating to:
| ∎ | the success, cost and timing of our product development activities and clinical trials; |
| ∎ | our expectations about the timing or likelihood of achieving regulatory approval and the cost of our development programs; |
| ∎ | our reliance on the success of OPT-302 as our only product candidate; |
| ∎ | our ability to obtain funding for our operations, including funding necessary to complete further development and commercialization of our product candidates; |
| ∎ | the commercialization of our product candidates, if approved; |
| ∎ | our plans to research, develop and commercialize our product candidates; |
| ∎ | our ability to maintain, expand, protect and enforce our intellectual property portfolio; |
| ∎ | our ability to operate our business without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the intellectual property rights of third parties; |
| ∎ | our ability to attract collaborators with development, regulatory and commercialization expertise; |
| ∎ | business disruptions affecting the initiation, patient enrollment, development and operation of our clinical trials, including as a result of a public health emergency, such as the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic; |
| ∎ | our expectations regarding our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our product candidate; |
| ∎ | future agreements with third parties in connection with the commercialization of our product candidates; |
| ∎ | the rate and degree of market acceptance of our product candidates; |
| ∎ | regulatory developments in the United States, Australia, Europe and other jurisdictions; |
| ∎ | our ability to contract with third-party suppliers and manufacturers and their ability to perform adequately; |
| ∎ | the success of competing therapies that are or may become available; |
| ∎ | our ability to attract and retain key scientific or management personnel; |
| ∎ | the accuracy of our estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; |
| ∎ | our expectations regarding the period during which we qualify as an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act; |
| ∎ | the future trading price of the ADSs and impact of securities analysts reports on these prices; |
| ∎ | the potential impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on our business or operations; |
| ∎ | our expected use of proceeds in this offering; and |
| ∎ | other risks and uncertainties, including those listed under the section titled Risk Factors. |
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You should refer to the section titled Risk Factors contained in this prospectus and any related free writing prospectus, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, for a discussion of important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. As a result of these factors, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking statements in this prospectus will prove to be accurate. Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by us or any other person that we will achieve our objectives and plans in any specified time frame or at all.
The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein relate only to events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference herein and the documents that we refer to in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. For all forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
In addition, statements that we believe and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this prospectus, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.
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We may offer and sell up to $75,000,000 of ADSs from time to time in this offering. The actual amount of proceeds to us from this offering or upon settlement of any forward sale agreement, will depend upon the actual number of ADSs sold and the market prices at which they are sold. There can be no assurance that we or the forward purchaser will be able to sell any ADSs under the sales agreement as a source of financing.
We will not initially receive any proceeds from any sales of ADSs by the Forward Seller in connection with any forward sale agreements. We currently expect to fully physically settle each particular forward sale agreement, in which case we will expect to receive aggregate net cash proceeds at settlement equal to the number of ADSs underlying the particular forward sale agreement multiplied by the applicable forward sale price. However, subject to certain exceptions, we may also elect to cash settle or net share settle a particular forward sale agreement, as described in the next paragraph. The forward sale price that we expect to receive upon physical settlement of any particular forward sale agreement initially will be equal to the gross sales price of all borrowed ADSs sold by the Forward Seller during the applicable forward hedge selling period less a forward hedge selling commission of 4.0% of the gross sales prices of all borrowed ADSs sold during the applicable forward hedge selling period by it as a Forward Seller, subject to adjustment on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor equal to the overnight bank funding rate less a spread, and will be decreased based on amounts related to expected dividends on our ordinary shares during the term of the particular forward sale agreement. If the overnight bank funding rate is less than the spread for any forward sale agreement on any day, the interest factor will result in a reduction of the applicable forward sale price for such day.
If we elect to cash settle all or a portion of any particular forward sale agreement, we may not receive any proceeds from the sale of ADSs related to such election (or may owe cash to the forward purchaser). If we elect to net share settle all or a portion of any particular forward sale agreement in full, we will not receive any proceeds from the Forward Purchaser (and may owe ADSs to the forward purchaser).
We currently intend to use the net proceeds of this offering to continue the regulatory approval process for and fund the commercial launch, if approved, of OPT-302 for the treatment of wet AMD and for working capital and other general corporate purposes.
The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures will depend on numerous factors, including the progress of our clinical trials and other development efforts and other factors described under the section titled Risk Factors in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein, as well as the amount of cash used in our operations. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds for other purposes, and we will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds. Pending the uses described above, we plan to invest the net proceeds from this offering in short- and intermediate-term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government.
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We have not declared or paid any dividends on our ordinary shares since February 2005. We intend to retain any earnings for use in our business and do not currently intend to pay cash dividends on our ordinary shares. Dividends, if any, on our outstanding ordinary shares will be declared by and subject to the discretion of our board of directors, and subject to Australian law.
Any dividend we declare will be paid to the holders of ADSs, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, to the same extent as holders of our ordinary shares, to the extent permitted by applicable law and regulations, less the fees and expenses payable under the deposit agreement. Any dividend we declare will be distributed by the depositary bank to the holders of the ADSs, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement.
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If you invest in ADSs, your interest will be immediately diluted to the extent of the difference between the offering price per ADS you pay in this offering and our net tangible book value per ADS immediately after this offering, assuming we fully or partially physically settle any forward sale agreement. Dilution results from the fact that the offering price is substantially in excess of the net book value per ADS. Our historical net tangible book value as of June 30, 2021 was US$0.39 per ordinary share (equivalent to US$3.08 per ADS). Historical net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our total consolidated tangible assets, less the amount of our total consolidated liabilities, by the number of ordinary shares outstanding as of June 30, 2021. Dilution in net tangible book value per share represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of ADSs in this offering and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our ordinary shares immediately after giving effect to this offering.
After giving effect to the sale of 11,503,067 ADSs in the aggregate amount of US$75.0 million in this offering at an assumed offering price of US$6.52 per ADS, the last reported sale price of the ADSs on Nasdaq on January 28, 2022, after deducting estimated commissions and offering expenses payable by us (assuming no forward sales of ADSs), our as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2021 would have been US$207.1 million, or US$3.74 per ADS. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of US$0.66 per ADS to existing shareholders and holders of ADSs and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of US$2.78 per ADS to new investors purchasing the ADSs in this offering.
The following table illustrates this dilution on a per ADS basis. The information is illustrative only and will adjust based on the actual prices at which ADSs are sold, the amount of forward sales of ADSs and their method of settlement (given the table below assumes no forward sales of ADSs), the actual number of ADSs sold and other terms of the offering determined at the time ADSs are sold pursuant to this prospectus. The ADSs sold in this offering, if any, will be sold from time to time at various prices.
| Assumed initial offering price per ADS |
US$ | 6.52 | ||||||
| Historical net tangible book value per ADS as of June 30, 2021 |
US$ | 3.08 | ||||||
| Increase in net tangible book value per ADS attributable to this offering |
0.66 | |||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
| As adjusted net tangible book value per ADS as of June 30, 2021 |
3.74 | |||||||
|
|
|
|||||||
| Dilution per ADS to investors participating in this offering |
US$ | 2.78 | ||||||
|
|
|
The foregoing tables and calculations are based on 351,003,541 of our ordinary shares outstanding as of June 30, 2021, and excludes:
| ∎ | subject to certain vesting criteria being satisfied, up to 10,000,000 ordinary shares that may be issued to cover the delivery of ordinary shares to participants of our NED Plan, as of June 30, 2021; and |
| ∎ | subject to certain vesting criteria being satisfied, up to 6,644,000 ordinary shares that may be issued to cover the delivery of ordinary shares to participants of our LTIP, as of June 30, 2021; and |
| ∎ | 20,631,354 ordinary shares reserved for future issuance under the LTIP. |
From June 30, 2021 to December 31, 2021:
| ∎ | we granted options to purchase 4,175,000 ordinary shares with a weighted-average exercise price of A$1.54 per share; |
| ∎ | we granted performance rights for 1,600,000 ordinary shares that will vest upon achievement of certain performance milestones relating to our Phase 3 clinical trials of OPT-302 for the treatment of wet AMD; and |
| ∎ | we issued 935,739 ordinary shares upon the exercise of options with a weighted-average exercise price of A$0.57 per share. |
As of December 31, 2021, we had 351,939,280 ordinary shares outstanding, including 12,453,716 ordinary shares underlying ADSs outstanding.
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The following is a general summary of certain Australian and United States federal income tax consequences relevant to the decision to acquire securities in this offering. The discussion is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, legal or tax advice to any particular prospective purchaser. The discussion is based on laws and relevant interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which are subject to change or different interpretations, possibly with retroactive effect. The discussion does not address tax laws of jurisdictions other than Australia and the United States. You should consult your tax advisors with respect to the consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the ordinary shares or ADSs.
Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion is a summary of U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the ownership and disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares by a U.S. holder (as defined below). This summary applies only to U.S. holders that hold such ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets (generally, property held for investment) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. This summary does not address all U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to a particular U.S. holder and does not represent a detailed discussion of all of the U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to a holder of our ordinary shares or ADSs that may be subject to special tax rules including, without limitation:
| ∎ | banks, financial institutions or insurance companies |
| ∎ | brokers, dealers or traders in securities, currencies, commodities, or notional principal contracts; |
| ∎ | tax-exempt entities or organizations, including an individual retirement account or Roth IRA as defined in Section 408 or 408A of the Code (as defined below), respectively; |
| ∎ | real estate investment trusts, regulated investment companies or grantor trusts; |
| ∎ | persons that hold ADSs or ordinary shares as part of a hedging, integrated, wash sale or conversion transaction or as a position in a straddle for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| ∎ | S corporations, partnerships, or other entities or arrangements classified as passthrough entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or U.S. holders who hold the ADSs or ordinary shares through such an entity; |
| ∎ | certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States; |
| ∎ | persons that received ADSs or ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of any employee share option or otherwise as compensation for the performance of services; |
| ∎ | holders that own or have owned directly, indirectly, or through attribution 10% or more of the voting power or value of our ordinary shares or ADSs; and |
| ∎ | holders that have a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar. |
Holders of the ADSs or ordinary shares who fall within one of the categories above are advised to consult their tax advisor regarding the specific tax consequences which may apply to their particular situation.
If a partnership (or any other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds the ADSs or ordinary shares, the tax consequences relating to an investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares will depend in part upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Such a partner or partnership should consult its tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax considerations of owning and disposing of the ADSs or ordinary shares in its particular circumstances.
The discussion in this section is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, existing, proposed and temporary U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, and the Convention between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Australia for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income, signed on August 6, 1982, as amended and currently in force, or the Treaty, in each case as in effect and available on the date hereof. Such authorities are subject to change, which change could apply retroactively, and to differing interpretations, all of which could affect the tax considerations described below. There can be no assurances that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, will not take a position concerning the tax
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consequences of the ownership and disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares or that such a position would not be sustained by a court. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of owning and disposing of ADSs or ordinary shares in their particular circumstances.
This summary does not address gift or estate tax considerations, alternative minimum tax considerations, the potential application of the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income, the special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Code, or any U.S. state, local, or non-U.S. tax considerations applicable to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs or ordinary shares.
For the purposes of this description, a U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of the ADSs or ordinary shares that is (or is treated as), for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
| ∎ | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| ∎ | a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state therein or the District of Columbia; |
| ∎ | an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| ∎ | a trust, if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over its administration and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all of the substantial decisions of such trust, or if such trust has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
The discussion in this section is based in part upon the representations of the depositary and the assumption that each obligation in the amended and restated deposit agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms.
In general, and taking into account the earlier assumptions, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, a U.S. holder holding ADSs will be treated as the owner of the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs. Exchanges of ordinary shares for ADSs, and ADSs for ordinary shares, generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax.
ALL HOLDERS AND POTENTIAL HOLDERS OF THE ADSs SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES APPLICABLE TO THEM RELATING TO THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE ADSs OR ORDINARY SHARES, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY OF U.S. FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAX LAWS, AUSTRALIAN TAX LAWS AND OTHER NON-U.S. TAX LAWS.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations.
If we are classified as a passive foreign investment company, or a PFIC, in any taxable year, during which a U.S. holder holds the ADSs or ordinary shares, such U.S. holder will be subject to special rules generally intended to reduce or eliminate any benefits from the deferral of U.S. federal income tax that a U.S. holder could derive from investing in a non-U.S. company that does not distribute all of its earnings on a current basis.
We will be classified as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes in any taxable year in which, after applying certain look-through rules with respect to the income and assets of our subsidiaries, either: (1) at least 75% of the gross income is passive income or (2) at least 50% of the average quarterly value of our total gross assets (which would generally be measured by fair market value of our assets, and for which purpose the total value of our assets may be determined in part by the market value of the ADSs and our ordinary shares, which are subject to change) is attributable to assets that produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income.
Passive income for this purpose generally includes dividends, interest, royalties, rents, gains from commodities and securities transactions, the excess of gains over losses from the disposition of assets which produce passive income, and amounts derived by reason of the temporary investment of funds raised in offerings of our securities. If a non-U.S. corporation owns directly or indirectly at least 25% by value of the stock of another corporation or the partnership interests in a partnership, the non-U.S. corporation is treated for purposes of the PFIC tests as owning its proportionate share of the assets of the other corporation or partnership and as receiving directly its proportionate share of the other corporations or partnerships income.
There can be no assurance that we will not be considered a PFIC in any past, current or future taxable year, and based on the nature and composition of our income, assets, activities and market capitalization, it is likely that we
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will be a PFIC for our taxable year ended June 30, 2021 and in our current taxable year. However, our PFIC status is based on an annual determination and may change from year to year. Our status as a PFIC will depend on the composition of our income and the composition and value of our assets, which may be determined in large part by reference to the market value of the ADSs and our ordinary shares, which may be volatile, from time to time. Our status may also depend, in part, on how quickly we utilize the cash we raise in any offering of our securities. Our U.S. counsel expresses no opinion regarding our conclusions or our expectations regarding our PFIC status.
If we are classified as a PFIC in any year with respect to which a U.S. holder owns the ADSs or ordinary shares, we will continue to be treated as a PFIC with respect to such U.S. holder in all succeeding years during which the U.S. holder owns the ADSs or ordinary shares, regardless of whether we continue to meet the tests described above unless we cease to be a PFIC and the U.S. holder has made a deemed sale election under the PFIC rules. If the deemed sale election is made, a U.S. holder will be deemed to have sold the securities the U.S. holder holds at their fair market value as of the date of such deemed sale and any gain from such deemed sale would be subject to the rules described below. After the deemed sale election, so long as we do not become a PFIC in a subsequent taxable year, the U.S. holders securities with respect to which such election was made will not be treated as shares in a PFIC and the U.S. holder will not be subject to the rules described below with respect to any excess distribution the U.S. holder receives from us or any gain from an actual sale or other disposition of the securities. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors as to the possibility and consequences of making a deemed sale or other purging election if such election becomes available
If we are a PFIC, and you are a U.S. holder that does not make one of the elections described herein, a special tax regime will apply to both (a) any excess distribution by us to you (generally, your ratable portion of distributions in any year, other than the taxable year in which your holding period in the shares or ADSs begins, which are greater than 125% of the average annual distribution received by you in the shorter of the three preceding years or the portion of your holding period for the ADSs or ordinary shares that preceded the year of the distribution) and (b) any gain realized on the sale or other disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares. Under this regime, any excess distribution and realized gain will be treated as ordinary income and will be subject to tax as if (a) the excess distribution or gain had been realized ratably over your holding period, (b) the amount deemed realized in each year had been subject to tax in each year of that holding period at the highest marginal rate for such year (other than income allocated to the current period or any taxable period before we became a PFIC, which would be subject to tax at the U.S. holders regular ordinary income rate for the current year and would not be subject to the interest charge discussed below) and (c) the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax had been imposed on the taxes deemed to have been payable in those years. In addition, dividend distributions made to you will not qualify for the lower rates of taxation applicable to qualified dividends discussed above under Distributions.
Certain elections may alleviate some of the adverse consequences of PFIC status and would result in an alternative treatment of our ordinary shares or ADSs
If a U.S. holder makes a mark-to-market election, with respect to our ordinary shares or ADSs, the U.S. holder generally will recognize as ordinary income any excess of the fair market value of our ordinary shares or ADSs at the end of each taxable year over their adjusted tax basis, and will recognize an ordinary loss in respect of any excess of the adjusted tax basis of our ordinary shares or ADSs over their fair market value at the end of the taxable year (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). If a U.S. holder makes the election, the U.S. holders tax basis in our ordinary shares or ADSs will be adjusted to reflect these income or loss amounts. Any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of our ordinary shares or ADSs in a year in which we are a PFIC will be treated as ordinary income and any loss will be treated as an ordinary loss (but only to the extent of the net amount of income previously included as a result of the mark-to-market election). The mark-to-market election is available only if we are a PFIC and our ordinary shares or ADSs are regularly traded on a qualified exchange. Our ordinary shares or ADSs will be treated as regularly traded in any calendar year in which more than a de minimis quantity of our ordinary shares or ADSs are traded on a qualified exchange on at least 15 days during each calendar quarter (subject to the rule that trades that have as one of their principal purposes the meeting of the trading requirement are disregarded). Nasdaq is a qualified exchange for this purpose and, consequently, if the ADSs are regularly traded, the mark-to-market election will be available to a U.S. holder. It should be noted that only the ADSs and not our ordinary shares are listed on Nasdaq. Consequently, our ordinary
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shares may not be marketable if the ASX (where our ordinary shares are currently listed) does not meet the applicable requirements. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the availability of the mark-to-market election for ordinary shares that are not represented by ADSs.
However, a mark-to-market election generally cannot be made for equity interests in any lower-tier PFICs that we own, unless shares of such lower-tier PFIC are themselves marketable. As a result, even if a U.S. holder validly makes a mark-to-market election with respect to our ordinary shares or ADSs, the U.S. holder may continue to be subject to the PFIC rules (described above) with respect to its indirect interest in any of our investments that are treated as an equity interest in a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors as to the availability and desirability of a mark-to-market election, as well as the impact of such election on interests in any lower-tier PFICs.
We do not currently intend to provide the information necessary for U.S. holders to make qualified electing fund elections if we were treated as a PFIC for any taxable year. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors to determine whether any of the other elections described above would be available and if so, what the consequences of the alternative treatments would be in their particular circumstances.
If we are determined to be a PFIC, the general tax treatment for U.S. holders described in this section would apply to indirect distributions and gains deemed to be realized by U.S. holders in respect of any of our subsidiaries that also may be determined to be PFICs. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the PFIC rules to our subsidiaries.
If a U.S. holder owns ordinary shares or ADSs during any taxable year in which we are a PFIC, the U.S. holder may be required to file an IRS Form 8621 (Information Return by a Shareholder of a Passive Foreign Investment Company or Qualified Electing Fund) with respect to the company, generally with the U.S. holders federal income tax return for that year. You should consult your tax advisor concerning any filing requirements arising from the PFIC rules.
The U.S. federal income tax rules relating to PFICs are complex. Prospective U.S. investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares or ADSs, the consequences to them of an investment in a PFIC, any elections available with respect to ordinary shares and ADSs and the IRS information reporting obligations with respect to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares and ADSs.
Distributions
We do not expect to make any distributions in respect of the ADSs or ordinary shares. Subject to the discussion under Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations above, the gross amount of any distribution (including any amounts withheld in respect of foreign tax) actually or constructively received by a U.S. holder with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares will generally be taxable to the U.S. holder as a dividend to the extent of the U.S. holders pro rata share of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of earnings and profits will generally be non-taxable to the U.S. holder to the extent of, and will be applied against and reduce (but not below zero), the U.S. holders adjusted tax basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares. Distributions in excess of earnings and profits and such adjusted tax basis will generally be taxable to the U.S. holder as either long-term or short-term capital gain depending upon whether the U.S. holder has held the ADSs or ordinary shares for more than one year as of the time such distribution is received. However, since we do not calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax principles, it is expected that any distribution will be reported as a dividend, even if that distribution would otherwise be treated as a non-taxable return of capital or as capital gain under the rules described above.
Non-corporate U.S. holders may qualify for the preferential rates of taxation with respect to dividends on the ADSs or ordinary shares applicable to long-term capital gains (i.e., gains from the sale of capital assets held for more than one year) and qualified dividend income (as discussed below) if we are a qualified foreign corporation and certain other requirements (discussed below) are met. A non-U.S. corporation generally will be considered to be a qualified foreign corporation (a) if it is eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive tax treaty with the United States which the Secretary of Treasury of the United States determines is satisfactory for purposes of this provision and
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which includes an exchange of information provision, or (b) with respect to any dividend it pays on ADSs or ordinary shares which are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. The ADSs are listed on Nasdaq, which is an established securities market in the United States, and we expect the ADSs to be readily tradable on Nasdaq. However, there can be no assurance that the ADSs will be considered readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States in later years. The Company, which is incorporated under the laws of Australia, believes that it qualifies as a resident of Australia for purposes of, and is eligible for the benefits of, the Treaty, although there can be no assurance in this regard. Further, the IRS has determined that the Treaty is satisfactory for purposes of the qualified dividend rules and that it includes an exchange-of-information program. However, the preferential tax rates available for qualified dividend income do not apply if we are a PFIC in the taxable year in which such dividends are paid or in the preceding taxable year. Therefore, in light of the discussion under Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations above, you should assume that dividends generally will not constitute qualified dividend income eligible for reduced rates of taxation. In addition, the dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to corporate U.S. holders.
A U.S. holder generally may claim the amount of any Australian withholding tax as either a deduction from gross income or a credit against its U.S. federal income tax liability. The foreign tax credit is subject to numerous complex limitations that must be determined and applied on an individual basis. In addition, the creditability of foreign taxes could be affected by actions taken by intermediaries in the chain of ownership between the holders of the ADSs and our company if, as a result of such actions, the holders of the ADSs are not properly treated as beneficial owners of the underlying ordinary shares. Each U.S. holder should consult its own tax advisors regarding the foreign tax credit rules.
In general, the amount of a distribution paid to a U.S. holder in a foreign currency will be the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency calculated by reference to the spot exchange rate on the day the depositary receives the distribution, in the case of the ADSs, or on the day the distribution is received by the U.S. holder, in the case of ordinary shares, regardless of whether the foreign currency is converted into U.S. dollars at that time. Any foreign currency gain or loss a U.S. holder realizes on a subsequent conversion of foreign currency into U.S. dollars will be U.S. source ordinary income or loss. If dividends received in a foreign currency are converted into U.S. dollars on the day they are received, a U.S. holder should not be required to recognize foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend.
Sale, Exchange or Other Taxable Disposition
A U.S. holder will generally recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized from such sale or exchange and the U.S. holders adjusted tax basis in those securities, determined in U.S. dollars. Subject to the discussion under Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations above, this gain or loss will generally be a capital gain or loss. The adjusted tax basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares generally will be equal to the cost of such ADSs or ordinary shares. Capital gain from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares by a non-corporate U.S. holder is generally eligible for a preferential rate of taxation applicable to capital gains if the non-corporate U.S. holders holding period determined at the time of such sale, exchange or other taxable disposition for such securities exceeds one year (i.e., such gain is long-term taxable gain). The deductibility of capital losses for U.S. federal income tax purposes is subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that a U.S. holder recognizes generally will be treated as U.S. source gain or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.
For a cash basis taxpayer, units of foreign currency paid or received are translated into U.S. dollars at the spot rate on the settlement date of the purchase or sale. In that case, no foreign currency exchange gain or loss will result from currency fluctuations between the trade date and the settlement date of such a purchase or sale.
An accrual basis taxpayer, however, may elect the same treatment required of cash basis taxpayers with respect to purchases and sales of our ordinary shares or ADSs that are traded on an established securities market, provided the election is applied consistently from year to year. Such election may not be changed without the consent of the IRS. For an accrual basis taxpayer who does not make such election, units of foreign currency paid or received are translated into U.S. dollars at the spot rate on the trade date of the purchase or sale. Such an accrual basis taxpayer
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may recognize exchange gain or loss based on currency fluctuations between the trade date and the settlement date. Any foreign currency gain or loss a U.S. holder realizes will be U.S. source ordinary income or loss.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting.
U.S. holders generally will be subject to information reporting requirements with respect to dividends on the ordinary shares or ADSs and on the proceeds from the sale, exchange or disposition of the ordinary shares or ADSs that are paid within the United States or through U.S.-related financial intermediaries, unless the U.S. holder is an exempt recipient. In addition, U.S. holders may be subject to backup withholding on such payments, unless the U.S. holder provides a taxpayer identification number and a duly executed IRS Form W-9 or otherwise establishes an exemption. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, and the amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit against a U.S. holders U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle such holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Foreign Asset Reporting.
Certain individual U.S. holders are required to report information relating to an interest in the ordinary shares or ADSs, subject to certain exceptions (including an exception for shares held in accounts maintained by U.S. financial institutions) by filing IRS Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets) with their federal income tax return. U.S. holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding their information reporting obligations, if any, with respect to their ownership and disposition of the ordinary shares or ADSs.
THE DISCUSSION ABOVE IS A SUMMARY OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE ADSs OR ORDINARY SHARES AND IS BASED UPON LAWS AND RELEVANT INTERPRETATIONS THEREOF IN EFFECT AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS, ALL OF WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, POSSIBLY WITH RETROACTIVE EFFECT. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR ABOUT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO IT OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE ADSs OR ORDINARY SHARES IN LIGHT OF THE INVESTORS OWN CIRCUMSTANCES.
Material Australian Tax Considerations
In this section, we discuss the material Australian income tax, stamp duty and goods and services tax considerations related to the acquisition, ownership and disposal by the absolute beneficial owners of the ADSs or ordinary shares represented by ADSs. It is based upon existing Australian tax law as of the date of this registration statement, which is subject to change, possibly retrospectively. This discussion does not address all aspects of Australian tax law which may be important to particular investors in light of their individual investment circumstances, such as ADSs or shares held by investors subject to special tax rules (for example, financial institutions, insurance companies or tax exempt organizations). In addition, this summary does not discuss any non-Australian or state tax considerations, other than stamp duty and goods and services tax.
Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the Australian and non-Australian income and other tax considerations of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the ADSs or shares. This summary is based upon the premise that the holder of an ADS is not an Australian tax resident and is not carrying on business in Australia through a permanent establishment (referred to as a Non-Australian Holder in this summary). This summary is also based on the assumption that a Non-Australian Holder is absolutely entitled to the ordinary shares represented by an ADS (please also see the section titled Nature of ADSs for Australian Taxation Purposes below).
Nature of ADSs for Australian Taxation Purposes
Non-Australian Holders of ADSs should obtain specialist Australian tax advice regarding their rights and obligations under the deposit agreement with the depositary, including whether the deposit arrangement constitutes a bare trust resulting in the holders of an ADS being absolutely entitled to the underlying shares represented by the ADS for Australian taxation purposes. Apart from certain aspects of the Australian tax legislation (for example, the Australian capital gains tax and withholding tax provisions, which are discussed below), there is no express legislative basis for disregarding bare trusts for Australian tax purposes generally.
This summary proceeds on the assumption that the deposit arrangement constitutes a bare trust, which results in holders of ADSs being absolutely entitled to the underlying shares. On this basis, holders of ADSs can be treated
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as the owners of the underlying ordinary shares for Australian capital gains tax purposes. Dividends paid on the underlying ordinary shares will also be treated as dividends derived by the holders of ADSs as the persons presently entitled to those dividends.
Taxation of Dividends
Australia operates a dividend imputation system under which dividends may be declared to be franked to the extent they are paid out of company profits that have been subject to income tax. Fully franked dividends are not subject to dividend withholding tax. To the extent that they are unfranked, dividends payable to Non-Australian Holders will be subject to dividend withholding tax except to the extent they are declared to be conduit foreign income, or CFI. Dividend withholding tax will be imposed at 30%, unless a shareholder is a resident of a country with which Australia has a double taxation treaty and qualifies for the benefits of the treaty. Under the provisions of the current Double Taxation Convention between Australia and the United States, the Australian tax withheld on unfranked dividends that are not declared to be CFI paid by us to which a resident of the United States is beneficially entitled is limited to 15%.
Under the Double Taxation Convention between Australia and the United States, if a U.S. resident company that is a Non-Australian Holder directly owns 10% or more of the voting interests in us, the Australian tax withheld on unfranked dividends that are not declared to be CFI paid by us to which the company is beneficially entitled is limited to 5%.
Character of ADSs or Shares for Australian Taxation Purposes
The Australian tax treatment of a sale or disposal of the ADSs or underlying shares will depend on whether they are held on revenue or capital account. ADSs may be held on revenue rather than capital account, for example, where they are held by share traders or any profit arises from a profit-making undertaking or scheme entered into by the holder. Non-Australian Holders of ADSs should obtain specialist Australian tax advice regarding the characterization of any gain or loss on a sale or disposal of the ADSs or underlying shares as revenue or capital in nature.
Tax on Sales or other Dispositions of Shares or ADSsCapital Gains Tax
Non-Australian Holders who are treated as the owners of the underlying shares on the basis that they are absolutely entitled to those shares will not be subject to Australian capital gains tax on the gain made on a sale or other disposal of ordinary shares, provided the shares are not taxable Australian property. Taxable Australian property includes indirect Australian real property interests, which are interests in a company where:
| ∎ | the Non-Australian Holders, together with associates, hold 10% or more of our issued shares, at the time of disposal or for a 12 month period during the two years prior to disposal; and |
| ∎ | more than 50% of our assets held directly or indirectly, determined by reference to market value, consists of Australian real property (which includes land and leasehold interests) or Australian mining, quarrying or prospecting rights at the time of disposal. |
Australian capital gains tax applies to net capital gains at a taxpayers marginal tax rates. Net capital gains are calculated after reduction for capital losses, which may only be offset against capital gains.
If a Non-Australian Holder of ADSs was not absolutely entitled to the underlying shares, and the ADSs were held on capital account, the same principles would apply in determining whether a gain on the sale or disposal of the ADSs would be subject to Australian capital gains tax. That is, a Non-Australian Holder should not be subject to Australian capital gains tax provided the ADSs are not taxable Australian property.
The 50% capital gains tax discount is not available to Non-Australian Holders on gains from assets acquired after May 8, 2012 where they were non-Australian residents during the entire holding period. Companies are not entitled to a capital gains tax discount.
Broadly, where there is a disposal of taxable Australian property, which includes indirect Australian real property interests, the purchaser will be required to withhold and remit to the Australian Taxation Office, or the ATO, 12.5% of the proceeds from the sale. A transaction is excluded from the withholding requirements in certain circumstances, including where the transaction is an on-market transaction conducted on an approved stock exchange, a securities lending arrangement, or the transaction is conducted using a broker operated crossing system. There may also be an
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exception to the requirement to withhold where a Non-Australian Holder provides a declaration that their ordinary shares are not indirect Australian real property interests. The Non-Australian Holder may be entitled to receive a tax credit for the tax withheld by the purchaser which they may claim in their Australian income tax return.
Tax on Sales or other Dispositions of ADSsRevenue Account
Non-Australian Holders who hold their ADSs on revenue account may have the gains made on the sale or other disposal of the ADSs included in their assessable income under the ordinary income provisions of the income tax law, if the gains are sourced in Australia. In the case of gains which are ordinary income, there are no express provisions which treat holders of ADSs as the owners of the underlying shares where they are absolutely entitled to those shares under a bare trust.
Non-Australian Holders assessable under these ordinary income provisions in respect of gains made on ADSs held on revenue account would be assessed for such gains at the Australian tax rates for non-Australian residents, which start at a marginal rate of 32.5% for individuals and would be required to file an Australian tax return. Some relief from Australian income tax may be available to a Non-Australian Holder who is resident of a country with which Australia has a double taxation treaty, qualifies for the benefits of the treaty and does not, for example, derive the gain in carrying on business through a permanent establishment in Australia.
To the extent an amount would be included in a Non-Australian Holders assessable income under both the capital gains tax provisions and the ordinary income provisions, the capital gain amount may be reduced, so that the holder may not be subject to double Australian tax on any part of the gain.
The statements under Tax on Sales or Other Dispositions of Shares or ADSsCapital Gains Tax regarding a purchaser being required to withhold 12.5% tax on the acquisition of certain taxable Australian property are also relevant where the disposal of the ADSs by a Non-Australian Holder is likely to generate gains on revenue account, rather than a capital gain.
Dual Residency
If a holder of ADSs is a resident of both Australia and the United States under those countries domestic taxation laws, that holder may be subject to tax as an Australian resident. If, however, the holder is determined to be a U.S. resident for the purposes of the Double Taxation Convention between the United States and Australia and qualifies for the benefit of that treaty, the Australian tax may be subject to limitation by the Double Taxation Convention. Holders should obtain specialist taxation advice in these circumstances.
Stamp Duty
No Australian stamp duty is payable by Australian residents or non-Australian residents on the issue, transfer and/or surrender of the ADSs or ordinary shares, provided that the securities issued, transferred and/or surrendered do not represent 90% or more of our issued shares.
Australian Death Duty
Australia does not have estate or death duties. As a general rule, no capital gains tax liability is realized upon the inheritance of a deceased persons shares. The disposal of inherited shares by beneficiaries may, however, give rise to a capital gains tax liability if the gain falls within the scope of Australias jurisdiction to tax.
Goods and Services Tax
No Australian goods and services tax will be payable on the supply of the ADSs or ordinary shares.
THE DISCUSSION ABOVE IS A SUMMARY OF THE AUSTRALIAN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN OUR ORDINARY SHARES OR ADSs AND IS BASED UPON LAWS AND RELEVANT INTERPRETATIONS THEREOF IN EFFECT AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS, ALL OF WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE, POSSIBLY WITH RETROACTIVE EFFECT. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR IS URGED TO CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR ABOUT THE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO IT OF AN INVESTMENT IN OUR ORDINARY SHARES OR ADSs IN LIGHT OF THE INVESTORS OWN CIRCUMSTANCES.
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General
The following description of our ordinary shares is only a summary. We encourage you to read our Constitution, which is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. We are a public company limited by shares incorporated under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Corporations Act, by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, or ASIC. Our corporate affairs are principally governed by our Constitution, the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules. Our ordinary shares trade on the ASX.
The Australian law applicable to our Constitution is not significantly different than a U.S. companys charter documents except we do not have a limit on our authorized share capital, the concept of par value is not recognized under Australian law and as further discussed under Our Constitution.
Subject to any restrictions on the issue of securities in our Constitution, the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules and any other applicable law, we may from time to time issue shares and grant options on any terms, with the rights and restrictions and for the consideration that our board of directors determine. The rights and restrictions attaching to ordinary shares are derived through a combination of our Constitution, the common law applicable in Australia, the ASX Listing Rules, the Corporations Act and other applicable law. A general summary of some of the rights and restrictions attaching to our ordinary shares are summarized below. Each ordinary shareholder is entitled to receive notice of, and to be present, vote and speak at, general meetings.
As of June 30, 2021, we had (i) 351,003,541 ordinary shares outstanding and (ii) outstanding options to purchase 16,644,000 ordinary shares at a weighted-average exercise price of US$0.86 per share.
Our Constitution
Our Constitution is similar in nature to the bylaws of a U.S. corporation. It does not provide for or prescribe any specific objectives or purposes of our company. Our Constitution is subject to the terms of the Corporations Act. It may be amended or repealed and replaced by special resolution of shareholders, which is a resolution passed by at least 75% of the votes cast by shareholders (in person or by proxy) entitled to vote on the resolution.
Under Australian law, a company has the legal capacity and powers of an individual both within and outside Australia. The material provisions of our Constitution are summarized below. This summary is not intended to be complete nor to constitute a definitive statement of the rights and liabilities of our shareholders, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of our Constitution, a copy of which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Interested Directors
A director or that directors alternate who has a material personal interest in a matter that is being considered at a directors meeting must not be present while the matter is being considered at the meeting or vote in respect of that matter according to our Constitution unless permitted to do so by the Corporations Act, in which case such director may (i) be counted in determining whether or not a quorum is present at any meeting of directors considering that contract or arrangement or proposed contract or arrangement; (ii) sign or countersign any document relating to that contract or arrangement or proposed contract or arrangement; and (iii) vote in respect of, or in respect of any matter arising out of, the contract or arrangement or proposed contract or arrangement.
Unless a relevant exception applies, the Corporations Act requires our directors to provide disclosure of any material personal interest, and prohibits directors from voting on matters in which they have a material personal
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interest and from being present at the meeting while the matter is being considered, unless directors who do not have a material personal interest in the relevant matter have passed a resolution that identifies the director, the nature and extent of the directors interest in the matter and its relation to our affairs and states that those directors are satisfied that the interest should not disqualify the director from voting or being present. In addition, the Corporations Act and the ASX Listing Rules may require shareholder approval of any provision of related party benefits to our directors, unless a relevant exception applies.
Directors Compensation
Our non-employee directors are paid remuneration for their services as directors. Subject to the ASX Listing Rules, non-employee directors as a whole may be paid or provided remuneration for their services a total amount or value not to exceed A$500,000 per annum. Subject to the ASX Listing Rules, the aggregate, capped sum for non-employee directors remuneration is to be divided among the directors in such proportion as the directors themselves agree and in accordance with our Constitution. The capped sum remuneration for non-employee directors may not be increased except at a general meeting of shareholders and the particulars of the proposed increase are required to have been provided to shareholders in the notice convening the meeting. In addition, our board of directors may fix the remuneration of each executive director, which may comprise salary or commission on or participation in our profits (or comprising a combination of each) as our directors determine.
Fees payable to our non-employee directors must be by way of a fixed sum and not by way of a commission on or a percentage of profits or operating revenue. Remuneration paid to our executive directors must also not include a commission or percentage of operating revenue.
Pursuant to our Constitution, any director who performs extra services or makes any special exertions, whether in going or residing abroad or otherwise for any of the purposes of the Company, that director may be paid an additional sum for those services and exertions.
In addition to other remuneration provided in our Constitution, all of our directors are entitled to be paid by us for all travelling and other expenses properly incurred by the directors in attending general meetings, board meetings, committee meetings or otherwise in connection with our business.
In addition, in accordance with our Constitution, a director may be paid a retirement benefit as determined by our board of directors subject to the requirements of the Corporations Act.
Borrowing Powers Exercisable by Directors
Pursuant to our Constitution, the management and control of our business affairs are vested in our board of directors. Our board of directors has the power to raise or borrow money or obtain other financial accommodation for the purposes of the Company, and may grant security for the repayment of that sum or sums or the payment, performance or fulfilment of any debts, liabilities, contracts or obligations incurred or undertaken by the Company in any manner and upon any terms and conditions as our board of directors deems appropriate.
Retirement of Directors
Pursuant to our Constitution, one-third of our directors, other than the managing director, must retire from office at every annual general meeting. If the number of directors is not a multiple of three, then the number nearest, to but not exceeding, one-third must retire from office. The directors who retire in this manner are required to be the directors or director longest in office since last being elected. A director, other than the managing director, must retire from office at the conclusion of the third annual general meeting after which the director was elected. A retiring director remains in office until the end of the meeting and will be eligible for re-election at the meeting.
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Rights and Restrictions on Classes of Shares
The rights attaching to our ordinary shares are detailed in our Constitution. Our Constitution provides that, subject to the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules and our Constitution, our directors may issue shares with preferential, deferred or special rights, privileges or conditions or with any restrictions, whether in relation to dividends, voting, return of share capital, or otherwise as our board of directors may determine. Subject to the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules and our Constitution (see Change of Control), we may issue further shares on such terms and conditions as our board of directors resolve. We may only issue preference shares if the rights attaching to the preference shares relating to repayment of capital, participation in surplus assets and profits, cumulative and non-cumulative dividends, voting and priority of payment of capital and dividends in respect of other shares (including ordinary shares) are set out in our Constitution or otherwise approved by special resolution passed at a general meeting. Our outstanding share capital consists of only one class of ordinary shares.
Dividend Rights
Under the Corporations Act, a company must not pay a dividend unless (a) the companys assets exceed its liabilities immediately before the dividend is declared and the excess is sufficient for the payment of the dividend; (b) the payment of the dividend is fair and reasonable to the companys shareholders as a whole; and (c) the payment of the dividend does not materially prejudice the companys ability to pay its creditors. Subject to this requirement, our board of directors may from time to time determine to pay and declare dividends to shareholders. All dividends unclaimed for one year after the time for payment has passed may be invested or otherwise made use of by our board of directors for our benefit until claimed or until dealt with under any law relating to unclaimed moneys.
Voting Rights
Under our Constitution, and subject to any voting exclusions imposed under the ASX Listing Rules (which typically exclude parties from voting on resolutions in which they have an interest), the rights and restrictions attaching to a class of shares, each shareholder has one vote on a show of hands at a meeting of the shareholders unless a poll is demanded under the Constitution or the Corporations Act. On a poll vote, each shareholder shall have one vote for each fully paid share and a fractional vote for each share held by that shareholder that is not fully paid, such fraction being equivalent to the proportion of the amount that has been paid to such date on that share. Shareholders may vote in person or by proxy, attorney or representative. Under Australian law, shareholders of a public company are generally not permitted to approve corporate matters by written consent. Our Constitution does not provide for cumulative voting.
Under Australian law, an ordinary resolution is passed if a majority of the votes cast on the resolution (in person or by proxy) by members entitled to vote on the resolution are in favor of the resolution. Under Australian law, a special resolution is passed if at least 75% of the votes cast on the resolution (in person or by proxy) are in favor of the resolution.
ADS holders may not directly vote at a meeting of the shareholders but may instruct the depositary to vote the number of deposited ordinary shares their ADSs represent.
Right to Share in Our Profits
Pursuant to our Constitution, our shareholders are entitled to participate in our profits only by payment of dividends. Our board of directors may from time to time determine to pay dividends to the shareholders. However, any such dividend may only be payable in accordance with the requirements set out in the Corporations Act described above.
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Rights to Share in the Surplus in the Event of Winding Up
Our Constitution provides for the right of shareholders to participate in a surplus in the event of our winding up, subject to the rights attaching to a class of shares.
No Redemption Provision for Ordinary Shares
There are no redemption provisions in our Constitution in relation to ordinary shares. Under our Constitution, shares may be issued and allotted, which are liable to be redeemed. Under the Corporations Act, redeemable preference shares may only be redeemed if those preference shares are fully paid-up and payment in satisfaction of redemption is out of profits or the proceeds of a new issue of shares made for the purposes of the redemption.
Variation or Cancellation of Share Rights
Subject to the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules and the terms of issue of shares of that class, the rights and privileges attached to shares in a class of shares may only be varied or cancelled by a special resolution, together with either:
| ∎ | a special resolution passed at a meeting of members holding shares in the class; or |
| ∎ | the written consent of members with at least 75% of the shares in the class. |
Directors May Make Calls
Our Constitution provides that subject to compliance with the Corporations Act and the terms on which partly paid shares are issued, directors may make calls on the holders of the shares for any money unpaid on them.
General Meetings of Shareholders
General meetings of shareholders may be called by our board of directors. Except as permitted under the Corporations Act, shareholders may not convene a meeting. The Corporations Act requires the directors to call and arrange to hold a general meeting on the request of shareholders with at least 5% of the votes that may be cast at a general meeting. Notice of the proposed meeting of our shareholders is required at least 28 days prior to such meeting under the Corporations Act.
Foreign Ownership Regulation
Our Constitution does not impose specific limitations on the rights of non-residents to own securities. However, acquisitions and proposed acquisitions of securities in Australian companies may be subject to review and approval by the Australian Federal Treasurer under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (Cth), or the FATA, which generally applies to acquisitions or proposed acquisitions:
| ∎ | by a foreign person (as defined in the FATA) or associated foreign persons that would result in such persons having an interest in 20% or more of the issued shares of, or control of 20% or more of the voting power in, an Australian company; and |
| ∎ | by non-associated foreign persons that would result in such foreign persons having an aggregate interest in 40% or more of the issued shares of, or control of 40% or more of the voting power in, an Australian company, where the Australian company is valued above the monetary threshold prescribed by FATA. |
However, no such review or approval under the FATA is required if the foreign acquirer is a U.S. entity or an entity from certain other free-trade agreement countries and the value of the Australian target is less than A$1,216 million for foreign acquirers from all other countries (and assuming we are not considered a sensitive business.)
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The Australian Federal Treasurer may prevent a proposed acquisition in the above categories or impose conditions on such acquisition if the Treasurer is satisfied that the acquisition would be contrary to the national interest. If a foreign person acquires shares or an interest in shares in an Australian company in contravention of the FATA, the Australian Federal Treasurer may make a range of orders including an order the divestiture of such persons shares or interest in shares in that Australian company.
Ownership Threshold
There are no specific provisions in our Constitution that require a shareholder to disclose ownership above a certain threshold. The Corporations Act, however, requires a shareholder to notify us and the ASX once it, together with its associates, acquires an interest of 5% or more in our ordinary shares (or voting power (as defined in the Corporations Act) of 5% or more of the votes in our ordinary shares), at which point the shareholder will be considered to be a substantial shareholder. Further, once a shareholder owns (alone or together with associates) an interest of 5% or more in us, such shareholder must notify us and the ASX of any increase or decrease of 1% or more in its holding of our ordinary shares, and must also notify us and the ASX on its ceasing to be a substantial shareholder.
Issues of Shares and Change in Capital
Subject to our Constitution, the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules and any other applicable law, we may at any time issue shares and give any person a call or option over any shares on any terms, with preferential, deferred or other special rights, privileges or conditions or with restrictions and for the consideration and other terms that the directors determine. We may only issue preference shares if the rights attaching to the preference shares relating to repayment of capital, participation in surplus assets and profits, cumulative and non-cumulative dividends, voting and priority of payment of capital and dividends in respect of other shares (including ordinary shares) are set out in our Constitution or otherwise approved by special resolution passed at a general meeting of shareholders.
Subject to the requirements of our Constitution, the Corporations Act, the ASX Listing Rules and any other applicable law, including relevant shareholder approvals, we may consolidate or divide our share capital into a larger or smaller number by resolution, reduce our share capital in any manner (provided that the reduction is fair and reasonable to our shareholders as a whole, does not materially prejudice our ability to pay creditors and obtains the necessary shareholder approval) or buy back our ordinary shares whether under an equal access buy-back or on a selective basis.
Change of Control
Takeovers of listed Australian public companies, including us, are regulated by the Corporations Act, which prohibits the acquisition of a relevant interest in issued voting shares in a listed company if the acquisition will lead to that persons or someone elses voting power in our company increasing from 20% or below to more than 20% or increasing from a starting point that is above 20% and below 90%, which we refer to as the Takeover Prohibition, subject to a range of exceptions.
Generally, a person will have a relevant interest in securities if the person:
| ∎ | is the holder of the securities (other than if the person holds those securities as a bare trustee); |
| ∎ | has power to exercise, or control the exercise of, a right to vote attached to the securities; or |
| ∎ | has the power to dispose of, or control the exercise of a power to dispose of, the securities. |
If, at a particular time,
| ∎ | a person has a relevant interest in issued securities; and |
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| ∎ | the person (whether before or after acquiring the relevant interest) has: |
| ∎ | entered or enters into an agreement with another person with respect to the securities; |
| ∎ | given or gives another person an enforceable right, or has been or is given an enforceable right by another person, in relation to the securities (whether the right is enforceable presently or in the future and whether or not on the fulfillment of a condition); or |
| ∎ | granted or grants an option to, or has been or is granted an option by, another person with respect to the securities; and |
| ∎ | the other person would have a relevant interest in the securities if the agreement were performed, the right enforced or the option exercised, then the other person is taken to have a relevant interest in the relevant securities. |
There are a number of exceptions to the Takeover Prohibition. In general terms, some of the more significant exceptions include:
| ∎ | when the acquisition results from the acceptance of an offer under a formal takeover bid that complies with the Corporations Act; |
| ∎ | when the acquisition is conducted on market by or on behalf of the bidder during the bid period for a full takeover bid that is unconditional or only conditional on certain prescribed matters set out in the Corporations Act; |
| ∎ | when the acquisition has been previously approved by our shareholders by resolution passed at general meeting; |
| ∎ | an acquisition by a person if, throughout the six months before the acquisition, that person or any other person has had voting power in our company of at least 19% and, as a result of the acquisition, none of the relevant persons would have voting power in our company more than three percentage points higher than they had six months before the acquisition; |
| ∎ | when the acquisition results from the issue of securities under a rights issue; |
| ∎ | when the acquisition results from the issue of securities under a dividend reinvestment scheme or bonus share plan; |
| ∎ | when the acquisition results from the issue of securities under certain underwriting arrangements; |
| ∎ | when the acquisition results from the issue of securities through a will or through operation of law; |
| ∎ | an acquisition that arises through the acquisition of a relevant interest in another listed company which is listed on a prescribed financial market or a financial market approved by ASIC; |
| ∎ | an acquisition arising from an auction of forfeited shares conducted on-market; or |
| ∎ | an acquisition arising through a compromise, arrangement, liquidation or buy-back. |
Breaches of the takeovers provisions of the Corporations Act are criminal offenses. ASIC and the Australian Takeover Panel have a wide range of powers relating to breaches of takeover provisions, including the ability to make orders, canceling contracts, freezing transfers of, and rights attached to, securities and forcing a party to dispose of securities. There are certain defenses to breaches of the Takeover Prohibition provided in the Corporations Act.
Access to and Inspection of Documents
Inspection of our records is governed by our Constitution and the Corporations Act. Any member of the Company has the right to inspect or obtain copies of our share register on the payment of a prescribed fee. Our
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books containing the minutes of general meetings will be kept at our registered office and will be open to inspection of members at all times when the office is required to be open to the public. Other corporate records, including minutes of directors meetings, financial records and other documents, are not open for inspection by shareholders (who are not directors). Where a shareholder is acting in good faith and an inspection is deemed to be made for a proper purpose, a shareholder may apply to the court to make an order for inspection of our books.
Legal Name; Formation; Registered Office
We were incorporated under the laws of Australia in 1984 under the name Circadian Technologies Limited. In 1985, we completed an initial public offering of our ordinary shares and the listing of our ordinary shares on the ASX. In December 2015, we changed the name of our company to Opthea Limited. In October 2020, we completed a U.S. initial public offering of ADSs on Nasdaq.
Our headquarters and registered offices are located at Suite 0403, Level 4, 650 Chapel Street, South Yarra, VIC 3141, Australia. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Corporation Service Company, located at 19 West 44th Street, Suite 200, New York, NY 10036. Our website address is www.opthea.com. The reference to our website is an inactive textual reference only and information contained in, or that can be assessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus.
Listing
ADSs representing our ordinary shares are listed on Nasdaq under the symbol OPT. Our ordinary shares are listed on the ASX under the symbol OPT.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for the ADSs is National Australia Bank Ltd. Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited is our transfer agent and registrar for our ordinary shares and maintains our share register for our ordinary shares. The share register reflects only record owners of our ordinary shares. Holders of the ADSs are not treated as one of our shareholders and their names are therefore not entered in our share register. The depositary, the custodian or their nominees are the holder of the shares underlying the ADSs. Holders of the ADSs have a right to receive the ordinary shares underlying their ADSs. See Description of American Depositary Shares.
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DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
American Depositary Shares
The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, registers and delivers ADSs. Each ADS represents eight ordinary shares (or a right to receive eight ordinary shares) deposited with HSBC Bank Australia Limited, as custodian for the depositary in Australia. Each ADS also represents any other securities, cash or other property that may be held by the depositary. The deposited shares together with any other securities, cash or other property held by the depositary are referred to as the deposited securities. A copy of our Deposit Agreement among us, the depositary and the owners and holders of ADSs was filed with the SEC as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended June 30, 2021, filed on October 28, 2021 (File No. 001-39621).
Any ordinary shares that may be issued pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, whether directly or upon exercise of warrants, can be deposited for delivery of ADSs. The ADSs may be uncertificated securities or certificated securities evidenced by American Depositary Receipts, or ADRs. The depositarys office at which the ADSs will be administered and its principal executive office are located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.
You may hold ADSs either (A) directly (i) by having an American Depositary Receipt, also referred to as an ADR, which is a certificate evidencing a specific number of ADSs, registered in your name, or (ii) by having uncertificated ADSs registered in your name, or (B) indirectly by holding a security entitlement in ADSs through your broker or other financial institution that is a direct or indirect participant in The Depository Trust Company, or DTC. If you hold ADSs directly, you are a registered ADS holder, also referred to as an ADS holder. This description assumes you are an ADS holder. If you hold the ADSs indirectly, you must rely on the procedures of your broker or other financial institution to assert the rights of ADS holders described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.
Registered holders of uncertificated ADSs will receive statements from the depositary confirming their holdings.
As an ADS holder, we will not treat you as one of our shareholders and you will not have shareholder rights. Australian law governs shareholder rights. The depositary will be the holder of the shares underlying your ADSs. As a registered holder of ADSs, you will have ADS holder rights. A deposit agreement among us, the depositary, ADS holders and all other persons indirectly or beneficially holding ADSs sets out ADS holder rights as well as the rights and obligations of the depositary. New York law governs the deposit agreement and the ADSs.
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the deposit agreement. For more complete information, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the form of ADR. Directions on how to obtain copies of those documents are provided in the section titled Where You Can Find Additional Information.
Dividends and Other Distributions
How Will You Receive Dividends and Other Distributions on the Shares?
The depositary has agreed to pay or distribute to ADS holders the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on shares or other deposited securities, upon payment or deduction of its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of shares your ADSs represent.
Cash
We do not expect to declare or pay any cash dividends or cash distributions on our ordinary shares for the foreseeable future. The depositary will convert any cash dividend or other cash distribution we pay on the shares into U.S. dollars, if it can do so on a reasonable basis and can transfer the U.S. dollars to the United States. If that
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is not possible or if any government approval is needed and cannot be obtained, the deposit agreement allows the depositary to distribute the foreign currency only to those ADS holders to whom it is possible to do so. It will hold the foreign currency it cannot convert for the account of the ADS holders who have not been paid. It will not invest the foreign currency and it will not be liable for any interest.
Before making a distribution, any withholding taxes, or other governmental charges that must be paid will be deducted. The depositary will distribute only whole U.S. dollars and cents and will round fractional cents to the nearest whole cent. If the exchange rates fluctuate during a time when the depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, you may lose some of the value of the distribution.
Shares
The depositary may distribute additional ADSs representing any shares we distribute as a dividend or free distribution. The depositary will only distribute whole ADSs. It will sell shares which would require it to deliver a fraction of an ADS (or ADSs representing those shares) and distribute the net proceeds in the same way as it does with cash. If the depositary does not distribute additional ADSs, the outstanding ADSs will also represent the new shares. The depositary may sell a portion of the distributed shares (or ADSs representing those shares) sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in connection with that distribution.
Rights to Purchase Additional Shares
If we offer holders of our securities any rights to subscribe for additional shares or any other rights, the depositary may (i) exercise those rights on behalf of ADS holders, (ii) distribute those rights to ADS holders or (iii) sell those rights and distribute the net proceeds to ADS holders, in each case after deduction or upon payment of its fees and expenses. To the extent the depositary does not do any of those things, it will allow the rights to lapse. In that case, you will receive no value for them. The depositary will exercise or distribute rights only if we ask it to and provide satisfactory assurances to the depositary that it is legal to do so. If the depositary will exercise rights, it will purchase the securities to which the rights relate and distribute those securities or, in the case of shares, new ADSs representing the new shares, to subscribing ADS holders, but only if ADS holders have paid the exercise price to the depositary. U.S. securities laws may restrict the ability of the depositary to distribute rights or ADSs or other securities issued on exercise of rights to all or certain ADS holders, and the securities distributed may be subject to restrictions on transfer.
Other Distributions
The depositary will send to ADS holders anything else we distribute on deposited securities by any means it thinks is legal, fair and practical. If it cannot make the distribution in that way, the depositary has a choice. It may decide to sell what we distributed and distribute the net proceeds, in the same way as it does with cash. Or, it may decide to hold what we distributed, in which case ADSs will also represent the newly distributed property. However, the depositary is not required to distribute any securities (other than ADSs) to ADS holders unless it receives satisfactory evidence from us that it is legal to make that distribution. The depositary may sell a portion of the distributed securities or property sufficient to pay its fees and expenses in connection with that distribution. U.S. securities laws may restrict the ability of the depositary to distribute securities to all or certain ADS holders, and the securities distributed may be subject to restrictions on transfer.
The depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any ADS holders. We have no obligation to register ADSs, shares, rights or other securities under the Securities Act. We also have no obligation to take any other action to permit the distribution of ADSs, shares, rights or anything else to ADS holders. This means that you may not receive the distributions we make on our shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to you.
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Deposit, Withdrawal and Cancellation
How are ADSs Issued?
The depositary will deliver ADSs if you or your broker deposits shares or evidence of rights to receive shares with the custodian. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will register the appropriate number of ADSs in the names you request and will deliver the ADSs to or upon the order of the person or persons that made the deposit.
How Can ADS Holders Withdraw the Deposited Securities?
You may surrender your ADSs to the depositary for the purpose of withdrawal. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will deliver the shares and any other deposited securities underlying the ADSs to the ADS holder or a person the ADS holder designates at the office of the custodian. Or, at your request, risk and expense, the depositary will deliver the deposited securities at its office, if feasible. However, the depositary is not required to accept surrender of ADSs to the extent it would require delivery of a fraction of a deposited share or other security. The depositary may charge you a fee and its expenses for instructing the custodian regarding delivery of deposited securities.
How do ADS Holders Interchange Between Certificated ADSs and Uncertificated ADSs?
You may surrender your ADR to the depositary for the purpose of exchanging your ADR for uncertificated ADSs. The depositary will cancel that ADR and will send to the ADS holder a statement confirming that the ADS holder is the registered holder of uncertificated ADSs. Upon receipt by the depositary of a proper instruction from a registered holder of uncertificated ADSs requesting the exchange of uncertificated ADSs for certificated ADSs, the depositary will execute and deliver to the ADS holder an ADR evidencing those ADSs.
Voting Rights
How do You Vote?
ADS holders may instruct the depositary how to vote the number of deposited shares their ADSs represent. If we request the depositary to solicit your voting instructions (and we are not required to do so), the depositary will notify you of a shareholders meeting and send or make voting materials available to you. Those materials will describe the matters to be voted on and explain how ADS holders may instruct the depositary how to vote. For instructions to be valid, they must reach the depositary by a date set by the depositary. The depositary will try, as far as practical, subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the provisions of our articles of association or similar documents, to vote or to have its agents vote the shares or other deposited securities as instructed by ADS holders. If we do not request the depositary to solicit your voting instructions, you can still send voting instructions, and, in that case, the depositary may try to vote as you instruct, but it is not required to do so. In any event, the depositary will not exercise any discretion in voting deposited securities and it will only vote or attempt to vote as instructed.
We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote your shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner of carrying out voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise voting rights and there may be nothing you can do if your shares are not voted as you requested.
In order to give you a reasonable opportunity to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to Deposited Securities, if we request the Depositary to act, we agree to give the depositary notice of any such meeting and details concerning the matters to be voted upon at least 30 days in advance of the meeting date. Except by instructing the depositary as described above, you will not be able to exercise voting rights unless you surrender your ADSs and withdraw the shares. However, you may not know about the meeting enough in advance to withdraw the shares.
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Fees and Expenses
| Persons depositing or withdrawing shares or ADS holders must pay: |
For: | |
| US$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs) | Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other property
Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates | |
| US$0.05 (or less) per ADS | Any cash distribution to ADS holders | |
| A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if securities distributed to you had been shares and the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs | Distribution of securities distributed to holders of deposited securities (including rights) that are distributed by the depositary to ADS holders | |
| US$0.05 (or less) per ADS per calendar year | Depositary services | |
| Registration or transfer fees | Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares | |
| Expenses of the depositary | Cable (including SWIFT) and facsimile transmissions (when expressly provided in the deposit agreement)
Converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars | |
| Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian has to pay on any ADSs or shares underlying ADSs, such as stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes | As necessary | |
| Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the deposited securities | As necessary | |
The depositary collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary may collect any of its fees by deduction from any cash distribution payable (or by selling a portion of securities or other property distributable) to ADS holders that are obligated to pay those fees. The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.
From time to time, the depositary may make payments to us to reimburse us for costs and expenses generally arising out of establishment and maintenance of the ADS program, waive fees and expenses for services provided to us by the depositary or share revenue from the fees collected from ADS holders. In performing its duties under the deposit agreement, the depositary may use brokers, dealers, foreign currency dealers or other service providers that are owned by or affiliated with the depositary and that may earn or share fees, spreads or commissions.
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The depositary may convert currency itself or through any of its affiliates, or the custodian or we may convert currency and pay U.S. dollars to the depositary. Where the depositary converts currency itself or through any of its affiliates, the depositary acts as principal for its own account and not as agent, advisor, broker or fiduciary on behalf of any other person and earns revenue, including, without limitation, transaction spreads, that it will retain for its own account. The revenue is based on, among other things, the difference between the exchange rate assigned to the currency conversion made under the deposit agreement and the rate that the depositary or its affiliate receives when buying or selling foreign currency for its own account. The depositary makes no representation that the exchange rate used or obtained by it or its affiliate in any currency conversion under the deposit agreement will be the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to ADS holders, subject to the depositarys obligation to act without negligence or bad faith. The methodology used to determine exchange rates used in currency conversions made by the depositary is available upon request. Where the custodian converts currency, the custodian has no obligation to obtain the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or to ensure that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to ADS holders, and the depositary makes no representation that the rate is the most favorable rate and will not be liable for any direct or indirect losses associated with the rate. In certain instances, the depositary may receive dividends or other distributions from us in U.S. dollars that represent the proceeds of a conversion of foreign currency or translation from foreign currency at a rate that was obtained or determined by us and, in such cases, the depositary will not engage in, or be responsible for, any foreign currency transactions and neither it nor we make any representation that the rate obtained or determined by us is the most favorable rate and neither it nor we will be liable for any direct or indirect losses associated with the rate.
Payment of Taxes
You will be responsible for any taxes or other governmental charges payable on your ADSs or on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs. The depositary may refuse to register any transfer of your ADSs or allow you to withdraw the deposited securities represented by your ADSs until those taxes or other charges are paid. It may apply payments owed to you or sell deposited securities represented by your ADSs to pay any taxes owed and you will remain liable for any deficiency. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs to reflect the sale and pay to ADS holders any proceeds, or send to ADS holders any property, remaining after it has paid the taxes.
Tender and Exchange Offers; Redemption, Replacement or Cancellation of Deposited Securities
The depositary will not tender deposited securities in any voluntary tender or exchange offer unless instructed to do so by an ADS holder surrendering ADSs and subject to any conditions or procedures the depositary may establish.
If deposited securities are redeemed for cash in a transaction that is mandatory for the depositary as a holder of deposited securities, the depositary will call for surrender of a corresponding number of ADSs and distribute the net redemption money to the holders of called ADSs upon surrender of those ADSs.
If there is any change in the deposited securities such as a sub-division, combination or other reclassification, or any merger, consolidation, recapitalization or reorganization affecting the issuer of deposited securities in which the depositary receives new securities in exchange for or in lieu of the old deposited securities, the depositary will hold those replacement securities as deposited securities under the deposit agreement. However, if the depositary decides it would not be lawful and practical to hold the replacement securities because those securities could not be distributed to ADS holders or for any other reason, the depositary may instead sell the replacement securities and distribute the net proceeds upon surrender of the ADSs.
If there is a replacement of the deposited securities and the depositary will continue to hold the replacement securities, the depositary may distribute new ADSs representing the new deposited securities or ask you to surrender your outstanding ADRs in exchange for new ADRs identifying the new deposited securities.
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If there are no deposited securities underlying ADSs, including if the deposited securities are cancelled, or if the deposited securities underlying ADSs have become apparently worthless, the depositary may call for surrender of those ADSs or cancel those ADSs upon notice to the ADS holders.
Amendment and Termination
How May the Deposit Agreement be Amended?
We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the ADRs without your consent for any reason. If an amendment adds or increases fees or charges, except for taxes and other governmental charges or expenses of the depositary for registration fees, facsimile costs, delivery charges or similar items, or prejudices a substantial right of ADS holders, it will not become effective for outstanding ADSs until 30 days after the depositary notifies ADS holders of the amendment. At the time an amendment becomes effective, you are considered, by continuing to hold your ADSs, to agree to the amendment and to be bound by the ADRs and the deposit agreement as amended.
How May the Deposit Agreement be Terminated?
The depositary will initiate termination of the deposit agreement if we instruct it to do so. The depositary may initiate termination of the deposit agreement if
| ∎ | 60 days have passed since the depositary told us it wants to resign but a successor depositary has not been appointed and accepted its appointment; |
| ∎ | we delist the ADSs from an exchange in the United States on which they were listed and do not list the ADSs on another exchange in the United States or make arrangements for trading of ADSs on the U.S. over-the-counter market; |
| ∎ | we delist our shares from an exchange outside the United States on which they were listed and do not list the shares on another exchange outside the United States; |
| ∎ | the depositary has reason to believe the ADSs have become, or will become, ineligible for registration on Form F-6 under the Securities Act; |
| ∎ | we appear to be insolvent or enter insolvency proceedings; |
| ∎ | all or substantially all the value of the deposited securities has been distributed either in cash or in the form of securities; |
| ∎ | there are no deposited securities underlying the ADSs or the underlying deposited securities have become apparently worthless; or |
| ∎ | there has been a replacement of deposited securities. |
If the deposit agreement will terminate, the depositary will notify ADS holders at least 90 days before the termination date. At any time after the termination date, the depositary may sell the deposited securities. After that, the depositary will hold the money it received on the sale, as well as any other cash it is holding under the deposit agreement, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the ADS holders that have not surrendered their ADSs. Normally, the depositary will sell as soon as practicable after the termination date.
After the termination date and before the depositary sells, ADS holders can still surrender their ADSs and receive delivery of deposited securities, except that the depositary may refuse to accept a surrender for the purpose of withdrawing deposited securities or reverse previously accepted surrenders of that kind that have not settled if it would interfere with the selling process. The depositary may refuse to accept a surrender for the purpose of withdrawing sale proceeds until all the deposited securities have been sold. The depositary will
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continue to collect distributions on deposited securities, but, after the termination date, the depositary is not required to register any transfer of ADSs or distribute any dividends or other distributions on deposited securities to the ADSs holder (until they surrender their ADSs) or give any notices or perform any other duties under the deposit agreement except as described in this paragraph.
Limitations on Obligations and Liability
Limits on our Obligations and the Obligations of the Depositary; Limits on Liability to Holders of ADSs
The deposit agreement expressly limits our obligations and the obligations of the depositary. It also limits our liability and the liability of the depositary. We and the depositary:
| ∎ | are only obligated to take the actions specifically set forth in the deposit agreement without negligence or bad faith, and the depositary will not be a fiduciary or have any fiduciary duty to holders of ADSs; |
| ∎ | are not liable if we are or it is prevented or delayed by law or by events or circumstances beyond our or its ability to prevent or counteract with reasonable care or effort from performing our or its obligations under the deposit agreement; |
| ∎ | are not liable if we or it exercises discretion permitted under the deposit agreement; |
| ∎ | are not liable for the inability of any holder of ADSs to benefit from any distribution on deposited securities that is not made available to holders of ADSs under the terms of the deposit agreement, or for any special, consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the deposit agreement; |
| ∎ | have no obligation to become involved in a lawsuit or other proceeding related to the ADSs or the deposit agreement on your behalf or on behalf of any other person; |
| ∎ | may rely upon any documents we believe or it believes in good faith to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person; |
| ∎ | are not liable for the acts or omissions of any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system; and |
| ∎ | the depositary has no duty to make any determination or provide any information as to our tax status, or any liability for any tax consequences that may be incurred by ADS holders as a result of owning or holding ADSs or be liable for the inability or failure of an ADS holder to obtain the benefit of a foreign tax credit, reduced rate of withholding or refund of amounts withheld in respect of tax or any other tax benefit. |
In the deposit agreement, we and the depositary agree to indemnify each other under certain circumstances.
Requirements for Depositary Actions
Before the depositary will deliver or register a transfer of ADSs, make a distribution on ADSs, or permit withdrawal of shares, the depositary may require:
| ∎ | payment of stock transfer or other taxes or other governmental charges and transfer or registration fees charged by third parties for the transfer of any shares or other deposited securities; |
| ∎ | satisfactory proof of the identity and genuineness of any signature or other information it deems necessary; and |
| ∎ | compliance with regulations it may establish, from time to time, consistent with the deposit agreement, including presentation of transfer documents. |
The depositary may refuse to deliver ADSs or register transfers of ADSs when the transfer books of the depositary or our transfer books are closed or at any time if the depositary or we think it advisable to do so.
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Your Right to Receive the Shares Underlying your ADSs
ADS holders have the right to cancel their ADSs and withdraw the underlying shares at any time except:
| ∎ | when temporary delays arise because: (i) the depositary has closed its transfer books or we have closed our transfer books; (ii) the transfer of shares is blocked to permit voting at a shareholders meeting; or (iii) we are paying a dividend on our shares; |
| ∎ | when you owe money to pay fees, taxes and similar charges; or |
| ∎ | when it is necessary to prohibit withdrawals in order to comply with any laws or governmental regulations that apply to ADSs or to the withdrawal of shares or other deposited securities. |
This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.
Direct Registration System
In the deposit agreement, all parties to the deposit agreement acknowledge that the Direct Registration System, also referred to as DRS, and Profile Modification System, also referred to as Profile, will apply to the ADSs. DRS is a system administered by DTC that facilitates interchange between registered holding of uncertificated ADSs and holding of security entitlements in ADSs through DTC and a DTC participant. Profile is a feature of DRS that allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of a registered holder of uncertificated ADSs, to direct the depositary to register a transfer of those ADSs to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those ADSs to the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the depositary of prior authorization from the ADS holder to register that transfer.
In connection with and in accordance with the arrangements and procedures relating to DRS/Profile, the parties to the deposit agreement understand that the depositary will not determine whether the DTC participant that is claiming to be acting on behalf of an ADS holder in requesting registration of transfer and delivery as described in the paragraph above has the actual authority to act on behalf of the ADS holder (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). In the deposit agreement, the parties agree that the depositarys reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the depositary through the DRS/Profile system and in accordance with the deposit agreement will not constitute negligence or bad faith on the part of the depositary.
Shareholder Communications; Inspection of Register of Holders of ADSs
The depositary will make available for your inspection at its office all communications that it receives from us as a holder of deposited securities that we make generally available to holders of deposited securities. The depositary will send you copies of those communications or otherwise make those communications available to you if we ask it to which we may choose not to. You have a right to inspect the register of holders of ADSs, but not for the purpose of contacting those holders about a matter unrelated to our business or the ADSs.
Jury Trial Waiver
The deposit agreement provides that, to the extent permitted by law, ADS holders waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may have against us or the depositary arising out of or relating to our shares, the ADSs or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities laws. If we or the depositary opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver was enforceable in the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with applicable case law.
You will not, by agreeing to the terms of the deposit agreement, be deemed to have waived our or the depositarys compliance with U.S. federal securities laws or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
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We have entered into the Sales Agreement, dated February 1, 2022, with Jefferies LLC. We refer to Jefferies LLC (together with its affiliates), when acting in its capacity as a sales agent for us or as a principal, as a Sales Agent, and when acting in its capacity as agent for the Forward Purchaser, as a Forward Seller. In accordance with the terms of the Sales Agreement, we may from time to time offer and sell our ADSs, each representing eight of our ordinary shares, no par value, having an aggregate offering price of up to US$75,000,000 through the Sales Agent, through the Forward Seller, acting as agent for the Forward Purchaser, or directly to the Sales Agent, acting as principal.
Sales of our ADSs, if any, under this prospectus made through the Sales Agent, acting as our sales agent, through the Forward Seller, acting as agent for the Forward Purchaser, or directly to the Sales Agent, acting as principal, pursuant to the Sales Agreement, may be made in privately negotiated transactions, which may include block trades, or transactions that are deemed to be at the market offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including without limitation sales made directly on Nasdaq or to or through a market maker, or as otherwise may be agreed between us and the Sales Agent. Neither the Sales Agent nor the Forward Seller is required, individually or collectively, to sell any specific number or dollar amount of ADSs, but subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement (and, with respect to the Forward Seller, only if the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser have accepted our instructions), each has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell ADSs up to the amount specified.
The Sales Agreement contemplates that, in addition to the issuance and sale of our ADSs by us through or to the Sales Agent, acting as our sales agent or as principal, as applicable, we may also enter into one or more forward sale transactions with Jefferies (and certain of its affiliates). When acting in its capacity as purchaser under any forward sale transactions, we refer to Jefferies as a Forward Purchaser. If we enter into a forward sale transaction with the Forward Purchaser, we expect that the Forward Purchaser or one of its affiliates will attempt to borrow from third parties and sell, through the Forward Seller, the number of our ADSs underlying such forward sale transaction in order to hedge the Forward Purchasers exposure under such forward sale transaction.
The Sales Agent or Forward Seller, as applicable, will provide written confirmation to us no later than the opening of the trading day on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the day following the trading day in which our ADSs were sold under the Sales Agreement. With respect to ADSs sold by the Sales Agent, each confirmation will include the number of such ADSs sold on such day, the net proceeds to us and the compensation payable by us to the Sales Agent in connection with the sales. With respect to ADSs sold by the Forward Seller, each confirmation will include the number of ADSs sold on such day, the compensation payable by us to the Forward Seller in the form of a reduced initial forward sale price under the related forward sale transaction with the related Forward Purchaser, and the initial forward sale price payable by such Forward Purchaser. As described below under Sales Through The Forward Seller, we will not initially receive any proceeds from the sale of our ADSs borrowed by a Forward Purchaser and sold through the relevant Forward Seller.
We will report at least quarterly the number of ADSs sold through the Sales Agent, through the Forward Seller, acting as agent for the Forward Purchaser, or directly to the Sales Agent, acting as principal, and the net proceeds to us (before expenses) during the relevant quarter.
In connection with the sale (including forward sale) of the ADSs on our behalf, the Sales Agent, the Forward Seller and/or the Forward Purchaser will be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of the Sales Agent, the Forward Seller and/or the Forward Purchaser will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to indemnify the Sales Agent, Forward Seller and Forward Purchaser against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We have also agreed to contribute to payments the Sales Agent, Forward Seller and Forward Purchaser may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.
We estimate that the total expenses payable by us in connection with the offering and sale of our ADSs pursuant to the sale agreement, excluding commissions and discounts, will be approximately $950,000.
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The offering of ADSs pursuant to the Sales Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (1) the sale of all ADSs subject to the Sales Agreement (including ADSs sold by us to or through the Sales Agent and borrowed ADSs sold through the Forward Seller) or (2) the termination of the Sales Agreement as permitted therein. We and Jefferies may each terminate the Sales Agreement at any time upon ten days prior notice.
If we or any of the Sales Agent, Forward Seller or Forward Purchaser have reason to believe that the exemptive provisions set forth in Rule 101(c)(l) of Regulation M under the Exchange Act are not satisfied with respect to us or our ADSs, such party will promptly notify the others and sales of ADSs pursuant to the Sales Agreement will be suspended until Rule 101(c)(1) or another exemptive provision has been satisfied in the judgment of each party.
Sales Through or To Sales Agent, as our Sales Agent or as Principal
Upon its receipt of instructions from us, the Sales Agent has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell shares of our ADSs, as our sales agent, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Sales Agreement. We will instruct the Sales Agent as to the amount of ADSs to be sold by it as our sales agent. We may instruct the Sales Agent not to sell our ADSs as our sales agent if the sales cannot be effected at or above a price designated by us. We or the Sales Agent may at any time immediately suspend the offering of shares of our ADSs through the Sales Agent upon notice to the other party.
We will pay the Sales Agent a commission equal to 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds we receive from each sale of our ADSs.
The settlement of ADSs between us and the Sales Agent is generally anticipated to occur on the second trading day following the date on which the sale was made. Sales of our ADSs as contemplated in this prospectus will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and the Sales Agent may agree upon. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.
Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, we also may sell our ADSs to the Sales Agent, as principal, for its own account at a price agreed upon at the time of sale. If we sell ADSs to the Sales Agent as principal, we will enter into a separate terms agreement with the Sales Agent and, to the extent required by applicable law, we will describe such agreement in a separate prospectus supplement or pricing supplement.
Sales Through Forward Seller
If we enter into a forward sale transaction with the Forward Purchaser, we expect that the Forward Purchaser (or an affiliate thereof) will use commercially reasonable efforts to borrow from third parties and sell, through the relevant Forward Seller, our ADSs to hedge the Forward Purchasers exposure under such forward sale transaction.
In connection with any forward sale transaction, we will deliver instructions to the Forward Seller to offer and sell the applicable borrowed ADSs on behalf of the Forward Purchaser. Such instructions shall specify, among other specified terms, the maximum number of ADSs to be sold and the minimum price per ADS at which such ADSs may be sold. Subject to, among other things, the terms and conditions in the Sales Agreement and the acceptance of such instructions from us by the Forward Seller (as such instructions may have been modified upon mutual consent of the Forward Purchaser, as the Forward Seller and us), Forward Purchaser will use its commercially reasonable efforts to borrow or cause its affiliate to borrow, offer and sell through the relevant Forward Seller the applicable number of ADSs to hedge the Forward Purchasers exposure under the forward sale agreement, and the Forward Seller will use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell such ADSs, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Sales Agreement and the master forward sale confirmation. We or the Forward Seller may at any time immediately suspend the offering of ADSs through the Forward Seller, upon notice to the other party.
In connection with each forward sale transaction, we will pay the Forward Seller in connection with such forward sale transaction, a commission, in the form of a reduction to the initial forward sale price under the related forward sale transaction, at a mutually agreed rate of 4.0% of the volume-weighted average of the sales prices per ADS of the borrowed ADSs sold through the Forward Seller during the applicable forward hedge selling period for such ADSs (subject to certain adjustments). We sometimes refer to this commission as the forward selling commission.
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We expect that settlement of any sales of borrowed ADSs by the Forward Seller will occur on the standard settlement cycle then in effect, unless we agree otherwise with the Forward Purchaser and Forward Seller, following the respective dates on which any such sales are made. The obligations of the Forward Purchaser and the Forward Seller under the Sales Agreement are subject to a number of conditions, which the Forward Purchaser and the Forward Seller, respectively, may waive in their sole and absolute discretion.
Pursuant to each forward sale transaction, if any, we will have the right to issue and sell to the Forward Purchaser party thereto a specified number of ADSs on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, or, alternatively, to elect cash settlement or net share settlement, as described below, for all or any portion of such ADSs. The initial forward price per ADSs under each forward sale transaction will equal the product of (1) an amount equal to one minus the applicable forward selling commission and (2) the volume-weighted average of the sales prices per ADS at which the borrowed ADSs were sold by the Forward Seller during the applicable forward hedge selling period in accordance with the Sales Agreement to hedge the Forward Purchasers exposure under such forward sale transaction (subject to certain adjustments). We will not initially receive any proceeds from any sale of borrowed ADSs through a Forward Seller, and all of such proceeds will be paid to the relevant Forward Purchaser (or one or more of its affiliates).
We currently expect to fully physically settle each forward sale transaction, if any, with the Forward Purchaser on one or more dates specified by us on or prior to the latest potential settlement date set forth in such forward sale transaction, although, as discussed below, we will generally have the right, subject to certain exceptions, to elect cash settlement or net share settlement instead of physical settlement for any of the ADSs we have agreed to sell under such forward sale transaction. For example, we may conclude it is in our interest to cash settle or net share settle if we have no then-current use for all or a portion of the proceeds we would receive upon physical settlement. If we elect to physically settle any forward sale transaction (or physical settlement is otherwise applicable), at settlement, we will receive an amount of cash from the Forward Purchaser equal to the product of (1) the forward price per share under such forward sale transaction on the relevant settlement date and (2) the number of ADSs as to which we have elected physical settlement (or to which physical settlement otherwise applies), subject to the provisions of such forward sale transaction. The forward price is based on the initial forward price, as adjusted on a daily basis based on a floating interest rate factor equal to the overnight bank funding rate less a spread, to be agreed upon by us and the Forward Purchaser under the forward sale transaction, and subject to decrease on certain dates specified in the relevant forward sale transaction by the amount per ADS of quarterly dividends, if any, declared on our ordinary shares during the term of such forward sale transaction. The resulting price after such adjustments and reductions is the forward price on the relevant settlement date. If the overnight bank funding rate is less than the applicable spread on any day, the interest rate factor is expected to result in a daily reduction of the forward price.
We will generally have the right, in lieu of physical settlement of any forward sale transaction, to elect cash or net share settlement in respect of any or all of the ADSs subject to such forward sale transaction, subject to certain exceptions pursuant to such forward sale transaction. If we elect to cash or net share settle all or any part of any forward sale transaction, we would expect the Forward Purchaser or one of its affiliates to purchase ADSs in secondary market transactions over an unwind period so as to:
| ∎ | return ADSs to securities lenders in order to unwind the Forward Purchasers hedge (after taking into consideration any ADSs to be delivered by us to the Forward Purchaser, in the case of net share settlement); and |
| ∎ | in the case of net share settlement, deliver ADSs to us to the extent required upon settlement of such forward sale transaction. |
In general terms and subject to a particular forward sale transaction: (1) if the weighted average price of our ADSs at which these purchases by the Forward Purchaser (or its affiliate) are made is below the relevant forward price, such Forward Purchaser will pay us such difference in cash (if we elect to cash settle) or deliver to us ADSs having a market value equal to such difference (if we elect to net share settle); (2) if the weighted average price of our ADSs at which these purchases are made by the Forward Purchaser (or its affiliate) exceeds the relevant forward price, we will pay the Forward Purchaser an amount in cash equal to such difference (if we elect to cash settle) or we will deliver to the Forward Purchaser a number of ADSs having a market value equal to such difference (if we elect to net
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share settle). Any such difference could be significant and could result in our receipt of a significant amount of cash or number of ADSs from the Forward Purchaser or require us to pay a significant amount of cash or deliver a significant number of ADSs to the Forward Purchaser.
In addition, the purchase of our ADSs by the Forward Purchaser or its affiliate to unwind the Forward Purchasers hedge position could cause the price of our ADSs to increase above the price that would have prevailed in the absence of those purchases (or prevent a decrease in such price), thereby increasing the amount of cash (in the case of cash settlement) or possibly the number of ADSs (in the case of net share settlement) that we would owe the Forward Purchaser upon settlement of the applicable forward sale transaction or decrease the amount of cash (in the case of cash settlement) or possibly the number of ADSs (in the case of net share settlement) that the Forward Purchaser would owe us upon settlement of the applicable forward sale transaction.
The Forward Purchaser will have the right to accelerate the settlement of the ADSs underlying any forward sale transaction that it enters into with us and require us to physically settle such ADSs on a date specified by the Forward Purchaser if, among other events:
| ∎ | the Forward Purchaser, after using commercially reasonable efforts, is unable to, or would incur a materially increased cost to, establish, maintain or unwind its hedge position with respect to that particular forward sale transaction; |
| ∎ | the Forward Purchaser determines that it is unable, or it is commercially impracticable for it, to continue to borrow a number of ADSs equal to the number of ADSs underlying the applicable forward sale transaction (and we do not refer a satisfactory lending party to lend the shares required) or that, with respect to borrowing such number of ADSs, it would incur a cost that is greater than the borrow cost specified in such forward sale transaction (subject to our price adjustment acceptance), subject to a prior notice requirement; |
| ∎ | we declare a dividend or distribution on our ordinary shares with a cash value in excess of a specified amount per calendar quarter, or with an ex-dividend date prior to the anticipated ex-dividend date for such cash dividend; |
| ∎ | certain ownership thresholds applicable to such Forward Purchaser are exceeded; |
| ∎ | there is a public announcement of any event or transaction that, if consummated, would result in a merger event, tender offer, nationalization, delisting or change in law (in each case, as determined pursuant to the terms of the applicable forward sale transaction); or |
| ∎ | certain other events of default, termination events or other specified events occur, including, among other things, any material misrepresentation made by us in connection with entering into the applicable forward sale transaction, a market disruption event during a specified period that lasts for more than at least eight scheduled trading days or a change in law (as such terms are defined in the forward sale transaction). |
A Forward Purchasers decision to exercise its right to accelerate the settlement of any forward sale transaction and to require us to physically settle the relevant shares will be made irrespective of our interests, including our need for capital. In such cases, we could be required to issue and deliver ADSs under the terms of the physical settlement provisions of the applicable forward sale transaction irrespective of our capital needs, which would result in dilution to our earnings per share.
In addition, upon certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency relating to us, the forward sale transaction will terminate without further liability of the parties thereto. Following any such termination, we would not issue any ADSs pursuant to such forward sale transaction, and we would not receive any proceeds pursuant to such forward sale transaction.
The descriptions of certain provisions of the Sales Agreement and the forward sale transactions appearing above and elsewhere in this prospectus are not complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, the terms and provisions of the sale agreement and such forward sale transaction.
Other Relationships
Jefferies and its affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking, commercial banking, financial advisory and other financial services for us and our affiliates, for which services they may in the future receive
41
customary fees. In the course of its business, Jefferies may actively trade our securities for its own account or for the accounts of customers, and, accordingly, Jefferies may at any time hold long or short positions in such securities.
This prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by Jefferies, and Jefferies may distribute this prospectus electronically.
42
The validity of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered and certain legal matters with respect to Australian law will be passed upon by Gilbert + Tobin, Melbourne, Australia. We are being represented by Cooley LLP, Palo Alto, California and Cooley LLP, Singapore with respect to certain matters governed by U.S. law. Goodwin Procter LLP, New York, New York is acting as counsel for the sales agent, forward purchaser and forward seller in connection with this offering with respect to United States federal securities law, and Herbert Smith Freehills, Melbourne, Australia, is acting as counsel for the sales agent, forward purchaser and forward seller in connection with this offering with respect to Australian law.
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The financial statements of Opthea Limited as of June 30, 2021 and 2020, and for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2021, incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The offices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu are located at Tower 2, Brookfield Place, 123 St. Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000, Australia.
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SERVICE OF PROCESS AND ENFORCEMENT OF LIABILITIES
We are a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Australia. Certain of our directors are non-residents of the United States and substantially all of their assets are located outside the United States. As a result, it may not be possible or practicable for you to:
| ∎ | effect service of process within the United States upon our non-U.S. resident directors or on us; |
| ∎ | enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained against our non-U.S. resident directors or us in the United States courts in any action, including actions under the civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; |
| ∎ | enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained against our non-U.S. resident directors or us in courts of jurisdictions outside the United States in any action, including actions under the civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; or |
| ∎ | bring an original action in an Australian court to enforce liabilities against our non-U.S. resident directors or us based solely upon U.S. securities laws. |
You may also have difficulties enforcing in courts outside the United States judgments that are obtained in U.S. courts against any of our non-U.S. resident directors or us, including actions under the civil liability provisions of the U.S. securities laws.
With that noted, there are no treaties between Australia and the United States that would affect the recognition or enforcement of foreign judgments in Australia. We also note that investors may be able to bring an original action in an Australian court against us to enforce liabilities based in part upon U.S. federal securities laws. The disclosure in this section is not based on the opinion of counsel.
We have appointed Corporation Service Company as our agent to receive service of process with respect to any action brought against us under the federal securities laws of the United States.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This prospectus is part of the registration statement on Form F-3 we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and the securities we are offering under this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the registration statement, which may be obtained from the SEC or us, as provided below. Statements in this prospectus are summaries and each statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the document to which it refers. You should refer to the actual documents for a more complete description of the relevant matters.
We are subject to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Under the Exchange Act, we file annual reports and other information with the SEC. As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from, among other things, the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including us. The address of the SEC website is www.sec.gov.
We also maintain a website at www.opthea.com through which you can access our SEC filings. The information contained on, or accessible through, our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and you should not consider any information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this prospectus or in deciding whether to purchase our securities. We have included our website address as an inactive textual reference only.
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The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, and subsequent information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any statement contained in a previously filed document incorporated by reference will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus modifies or replaces that statement.
This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:
| ∎ | our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on October 28, 2021; |
| ∎ | our reports on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on July 6, 2021, August 9, 2021, September 13, 2021, September 20, 2021, October 4, 2021, October 20, 2021, and October 26, 2021; and |
| ∎ | the description of our ordinary shares and American Depositary Shares contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-39621), filed with the SEC on October 14, 2020, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
We are also incorporating by reference all subsequent annual reports on Form 20-F that we file with the SEC and certain reports on Form 6-K that we furnish to the SEC after the date of this prospectus (if such reports on Form 6-K expressly state that they are incorporated in whole or in part by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part) prior to the termination of this offering. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus.
Unless expressly incorporated by reference, nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate by reference information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC. Copies of all documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus, will be provided at no cost to each person, including any beneficial owner, who receives a copy of this prospectus on the written or oral request of that person made to:
Opthea Limited
Suite 0403, Level 4
650 Chapel Street
South Yarra, VIC 3141, Australia
Tel: (+61) 3 9826 0399
SEC Position on Indemnification for Securities Act Liabilities
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
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The following table sets forth the expenses, other than any sales agent or forward sales fees and commissions and other items constituting underwriters or agents compensation, expected to be incurred by us in connection with the proposed offering of ADSs registered under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. All amounts are estimated other than the SEC registration fee and FINRA filing fee.
| SEC registration fee |
$ | 6,953 | ||
| FINRA filing fee |
11,750 | |||
| Legal fees and expenses |
500,000 | |||
| Accounting fees and expenses |
225,000 | |||
| Printing expenses |
100,000 | |||
| Miscellaneous expenses |
106,297 | |||
|
|
|
|||
| Total |
$ | 950,000 | ||
|
|
|
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US$75,000,000
Opthea Limited
Ordinary Shares
(including Ordinary Shares represented by American Depositary Shares)
PROSPECTUS
Jefferies
, 2022
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
| Item 8. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers. |
Australian law. Australian law provides that a company or a related body corporate of the company may provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent of any of the following liabilities incurred as an officer or director of the company:
| | a liability owed to the company or a related body corporate of the company; |
| | a liability for a pecuniary penalty order made under section 1317G or a compensation order under section 961M, 1317H, 1317HA, 1317HB 1317HC or 1317HE of the Corporations Act; |
| | a liability that is owed to someone other than the company or a related body corporate of the company and did not arise out of conduct in good faith; or |
| | legal costs incurred in defending an action for a liability incurred as an officer or auditor of the company if the costs are incurred: |
| | in defending or resisting proceedings in which the person is found to have a liability for which they cannot be indemnified as set out above; |
| | in defending or resisting criminal proceedings in which the person is found guilty; |
| | in defending or resisting proceedings brought by the ASIC or a liquidator for a court order if the grounds for making the order are found by the court to have been established (except costs incurred in responding to actions taken by the ASIC or a liquidator as part of an investigation before commencing proceedings for a court order); or |
| | in connection with proceedings for relief to the person under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), or the Corporations Act, in which the court denies the relief. |
Constitution. Our Constitution provides that, except to the extent prohibited by the law and the Corporations Act and, to the extent that the officer is not otherwise indemnified by us pursuant to an indemnity, we indemnify every person who is or has been an officer of the company against any liability or claim (other than legal costs that are unreasonable) incurred by that person as an officer. This includes any liability or claim incurred by that person in their capacity as an officer of a subsidiary of the company where the company requested that person to accept that appointment.
Indemnification and Insurance Agreements. Pursuant to Deeds of Access, Insurance and Indemnity, we have agreed to indemnify our executive officers and non-employee directors against certain liabilities and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with claims made by reason of their being such a director or officer. We also maintain insurance policies that indemnify our directors and executive officers against various liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, that might be incurred by any director or officer in his or her capacity as such.
SEC Position. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
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| Item 9. | Exhibits. |
(a) Exhibits
| * | To be subsequently filed, if applicable, by an amendment to this registration statement or by a Report on Form 6-K |
| ** | To be filed pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 |
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| Item 10. | Undertakings. |
| (a) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
| (1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
| (i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; |
| (ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the Filing Fee Table exhibit to the effective registration statement; and |
| (iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii), and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is a part of the registration statement.
| (2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
| (4) | To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 need not be furnished, provided, that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to registration statements on Form F-3, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, or Item 8.A of Form 20-F if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Form F-3. |
| (5) | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser: |
| (i) | Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
II-3
| (ii) | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
| (6) | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: |
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
| (i) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
| (ii) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
| (iii) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
| (iv) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
| (7) | That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrants Annual Report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plans Annual Report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (8) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the |
II-4
| securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
| (9) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (Act) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Act. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form F-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, Melbourne, Australia, on this 1st day of February, 2022.
| OPTHEA LIMITED | ||
| By: | /s/ Megan Baldwin | |
| Name: | Megan Baldwin, Ph.D. | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director | |
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Megan Baldwin, Ph.D. and Karen Adams, and each of them acting individually, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of each to act alone, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the registration statement filed herewith and any and all amendments to said registration statement (including post-effective amendments and any related registration statements thereto filed pursuant to Rule 462 and otherwise), and file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of each to act alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their or his or her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Megan Baldwin |
||||
| Megan Baldwin, Ph.D. | Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director (Principal Executive Officer) | February 1, 2022 | ||
| /s/ Karen Adams |
||||
| Karen Adams | Vice President Finance and Company Secretary (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | February 1, 2022 | ||
| /s/ Jeremy Levin |
||||
| Jeremy Levin, D.Phil., MB BChir | Chairperson of the Board of Directors | February 1, 2022 | ||
| /s/ Julia Haller |
||||
| Julia Haller, M.D. | Director | February 1, 2022 | ||
| /s/ Lawrence Gozlan |
||||
| Lawrence Gozlan | Director | February 1, 2022 | ||
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| Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
| /s/ Michael Sistenich |
||||
| Michael Sistenich | Director | February 1, 2022 | ||
| /s/ Daniel Spiegelman |
||||
| Daniel Spiegelman | Director | February 1, 2022 | ||
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SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED U.S. REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REGISTRANT
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of Opthea Limited, has signed Registration Statement on Form F-3 on February 1, 2022.
| PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES | ||
| By: | /s/ Donald J. Puglisi | |
| Donald J. Puglisi | ||
| Managing Director | ||
II-8
OPEN MARKET SALE AGREEMENTSM
February 1, 2022
JEFFERIES LLC
520 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Opthea Limited, a corporation incorporated under the laws of Australia (the Company), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated in this agreement (this Agreement), to issue and sell from time to time through Jefferies LLC in its capacity as, (i) purchaser under any Forward Contract (as defined below), (the Forward Purchaser), (ii) agent for the Forward Purchaser in connection with the offering and sale of any Forward Hedge ADSs (as defined below) hereunder (the Forward Seller and (iii) agent for the Company and/or principal in connection with the offering and sale of any ADSs (as defined below) (the Agent), on behalf the Company, American Depositary Shares (the ADSs, and each an ADS), each representing eight (8) ordinary shares, no par value, of the Company (the Ordinary Shares), having an aggregate offering price of up to $75.0 million. The Forward Seller shall be acting as sales agent for the Forward Purchaser and agrees with the Company and the Forward Purchaser to use reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell the Forward Hedge ADSs upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. The ADSs will be issued pursuant to a Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 16, 2020 (the Deposit Agreement), by and among the Company, The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary (the Depositary), and all holders and beneficial owners of ADSs issued thereunder. The Company shall, following subscription by the Agent of the ADSs, deposit, on behalf of the Agent, the Ordinary Shares represented by such ADSs with The Bank of New York Mellon, as custodian (the Custodian) for the Depositary.
Section 1. DEFINITIONS
(a) Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the below capitalized terms shall have the following respective meanings:
Actual Sold Forward Amount means, for any Forward Hedge Selling Period (as defined below) for any Forward (as defined below) or any portion thereof, as the context may require, the number of Forward Hedge ADSs that the Forward Seller has sold during such Forward Hedge Selling Period or any portion thereof, respectively.
Affiliate of a Person means another Person that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first- mentioned Person. The term control (including the terms controlling, controlled by and under common control with) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
| SM | Open Market Sale Agreement is a service mark of Jefferies LLC |
Agency Period means the period commencing on the date of this Agreement and expiring on the earliest to occur of (x) the date on which the Agent or Forward Seller shall have placed the Maximum Program Amount pursuant to this Agreement and (y) the date this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7.
ASX means the Australian Securities Exchange Limited.
Commission means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Floor Price means the minimum price set by the Company in the Issuance Notice below which the Agent or Forward Seller shall not sell Shares, and the Forward Purchaser shall not receive Forward Settlement ADSs, during the applicable period set forth in the Issuance Notice, which may be adjusted by the Company at any time during the period set forth in the Issuance Notice by delivering written notice of such change to the Agent and Forward Seller and which in no event shall be less than $1.00 without the prior written consent of the Agent and Forward Seller, which may be withheld in the Agents or Forward Sellers sole discretion.
Forward means the transaction resulting from each Issuance Notice specifying that it relates to a Forward and requiring the Forward Purchaser to use its reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to borrow and sell, as specified in such Issuance Notice and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the applicable Forward Contract, the Forward Hedge ADSs.
Forward Contract means, for each Forward, the contract evidencing such Forward between the Company and the Forward Purchaser, which shall be comprised of the Master Forward Confirmation and the related Supplemental Confirmation (as defined in the Master Forward Confirmation) for such Forward.
Forward Hedge ADSs means all ADSs borrowed by the Forward Purchaser or its affiliate and offered and sold by the Forward Seller or its affiliate in connection with any Forward that has occurred or may occur in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Forward Hedge Amount means, for any Forward, the amount specified as such in the Issuance Notice for such Forward (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable), which amount shall be the target aggregate Sales Price of the Forward Hedge ADSs to be sold by the Forward Seller in respect of such Forward, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Forward Hedge Price means, for any Forward Contract, the product of (x) an amount equal to one (1) minus the Forward Hedge Selling Commission Rate for such Forward Contract and (y) the Volume-Weighted Hedge Price.
2
Forward Hedge Selling Commission means, for any Forward Contract, the product of (x) the Forward Hedge Selling Commission Rate for such Forward Contract and (y) the Volume-Weighted Hedge Price.
Forward Hedge Selling Commission Rate means, for any Forward Contract, a rate of any commission, discount or other compensation to be paid by the Company to the Forward Seller in connection with the sale of the Forward Hedge ADSs, which shall be determined in accordance with the terms set forth on Schedule B and recorded in the applicable Issuance Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable).
Forward Hedge Selling Period means, subject to Section 3 hereof, the period of such number of consecutive Trading Days (as determined by the Company in the Companys sole discretion and specified in the applicable Issuance Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable) specifying that it relates to a Forward), beginning on the date specified in the applicable Issuance Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable) or, if such date is not a Trading Day, the next Trading Day following such date and ending on the last such Trading Day or such earlier date on which the Forward Seller shall have completed the sale of Forward Hedge ADSs in connection with the applicable Forward; provided that if, prior to the scheduled end of any Forward Hedge Selling Period any event occurs that would permit the Forward Purchaser to designate any Scheduled Trading Day as (x) an Early Valuation Date (as each such term is defined in the Master Forward Confirmation) under, and pursuant to the provisions opposite the caption Early Valuation in Section 2 of the Master Forward Confirmation, (y) an ISDA Event (as such term in defined in the Master Forward Confirmation) or (z) a Bankruptcy Termination Event (as such term is defined in the Master Forward Confirmation) occurs, then the Forward Hedge Selling Period shall, upon the Forward Seller becoming aware of such occurrence, immediately terminate as of the first such occurrence. Any Forward Hedge Selling Period then in effect shall immediately terminate upon the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 7 hereof and as set forth in Section 3 hereof.
Forward Hedge Settlement Date means, for any Forward Contract, unless specified in the applicable Issuance Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable), the second (2nd) Trading Day (as defined below) (or such earlier day as is industry practice for regular-way trading) following a date on which sales of any Forward Hedge ADSs are made.
Forward Settlement ADS means any ADSs delivered by the Company pursuant to the Companys election (or deemed election) of net share settlement or physical settlement of any Forward Contract.
Issuance means each occasion the Company elects to exercise its right to deliver an Issuance Notice that does not involve a Forward and that specifies that it relates to an Issuance and, pursuant to a Issuance Notice, requires the Agent to use its reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell ADSs as specified in such Issuance Notice, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Issuance Amount means the aggregate Sales Price of the ADSs and Forward Settlement ADSs to be sold by the Agent and Forward Purchaser pursuant to any Issuance Notice.
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Issuance Notice means a written notice delivered to the Agent, Forward Seller or Forward Purchaser, as applicable, by the Company in accordance with this Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A that is executed by its Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial Officer.
Issuance Notice Date means any Trading Day during the Agency Period that an Issuance Notice is delivered pursuant to Section 3(b)(i).
Issuance Price means the Sales Price less the Selling Commission.
Master Forward Confirmation means the Master Confirmation for Issuer Share Forward Transactions substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, dated as of the date hereof, by and among the Company and the Forward Purchaser, including all provisions incorporated by reference therein.
Maximum Program Amount means ADSs with an aggregate Sales Price of the lesser of (a) the number or dollar amount of ADSs registered under the effective Registration Statement (defined below) pursuant to which the offering is being made, (b) the number or dollar amount of Ordinary Shares permitted to be sold under Form F-3 (including General Instruction I.B.1 thereof, if applicable), or (c) the number or dollar amount of Ordinary Shares for which the Company has filed a Prospectus (defined below).
Person means an individual or a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, governmental authority or other entity of any kind.
Principal Market means the Nasdaq Global Select Market or such other national securities exchange on which the ADS are then listed.
Sales Price means, for each Forward or each Issuance hereunder, the actual sale execution price of each Forward Hedge ADS or Share, as the case may be, sold by the Agent or the Forward Seller on the Principal Market hereunder in the case of ordinary brokers transactions, or as otherwise agreed by the parties in other methods of sale; provided that the aggregate Sales Price of the Shares that may be sold pursuant to this Agreement shall not exceed the Maximum Program Amount.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
Selling Commission means three percent (3%) of the gross proceeds of Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement by the Agent, or as otherwise agreed between the Company and the Agent with respect to any Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement.
Settlement Date means the second business day following each Trading Day during the period set forth in the Issuance Notice on which Shares are sold pursuant to this Agreement, when the Company shall deliver to the Agent the amount of Shares sold on such Trading Day and the Agent shall deliver to the Company the Issuance Price received on such sales.
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Trading Day means any day on which the Principal Market is open for trading.
Volume-Weighted Hedge Price has the meaning set forth in the Master Forward Confirmation; provided that, for purposes of determining the gross proceeds payable to the Forward Purchaser in respect of a Trading Day on which the Forward Seller has made sales of Forward Hedge ADSs hereunder pursuant to Section 3, the Volume-Weighted Hedge Price shall be determined solely with respect to the Forward Hedge ADSs actually sold by the Forward Seller on such Trading Day.
Section 2. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with each of the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser, that as of (1) the date of this Agreement, (2) each Issuance Notice Date, (3) each Settlement Date, (4) each Triggering Event Date on which a certificate under Section 4(o) is delivered and (5) as of each Time of Sale (each of the times referenced above is referred to herein as a Representation Date), except as may be disclosed in the Prospectus (including any documents incorporated by reference therein and any supplements thereto) on or before a Representation Date:
(a) Registration Statement. The Company has prepared and will file with the Commission a shelf registration statement on Form F-3 that contains a base prospectus (the Base Prospectus). Such registration statement registers the issuance and sale by the Company of the Ordinary Shares under the Securities Act. The Company may file one or more additional registration statements from time to time that will contain a base prospectus and related prospectus or prospectus supplement, if applicable, with respect to the Ordinary Shares. Except where the context otherwise requires, such registration statement(s), including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act, including all financial statements, exhibits and schedules thereto and all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference pursuant to Item 6 of Form F-3 under the Securities Act as from time to time amended or supplemented, is herein referred to as the Registration Statement, and the prospectus constituting a part of such registration statement(s), together with any prospectus supplement filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act relating to a particular issuance of the Shares, including all documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference pursuant to Item 6 of Form F-3 under the Securities Act, in each case, as from time to time amended or supplemented, is referred to herein as the Prospectus, except that if any revised prospectus is provided to the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser by the Company for use in connection with the offering of the Shares that is not required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, the term Prospectus shall refer to such revised prospectus from and after the time it is first provided to the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser for such use. The Registration Statement at the time it originally becomes effective is herein called the Original Registration Statement. As used in this Agreement, the terms amendment or supplement when applied to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to include the filing by the Company with the Commission of any document under the Exchange Act after the date hereof that is or is deemed to be incorporated therein by reference.
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All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is contained, included or stated in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (and all other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed under the Securities Act to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, as of any specified date; and all references in this Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include, without limitation, the filing of any document under the Exchange Act which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in or otherwise deemed under the Securities Act to be a part of or included in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, as of any specified date.
At the time the Registration Statement was or will be originally declared effective and at the time the Companys most recent annual report on Form 20-F was filed with the Commission, if later, the Company met the then-applicable requirements for use of Form F-3 under the Securities Act. During the Agency Period, each time the Company files an annual report on Form 20-F the Company will meet the then-applicable requirements for use of Form F-3 under the Securities Act.
(b) Compliance with Registration Requirements. The Original Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement will be declared effective by the Commission under the Securities Act prior to the issuance of the first Issuance Notice. The Company has complied to the Commissions satisfaction with all requests of the Commission for additional or supplemental information. No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement is in effect and no proceedings for such purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, are contemplated or threatened by the Commission.
The Prospectus when filed complied in all material respects with the Securities Act and, if filed with the Commission through its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system (EDGAR) (except as may be permitted by Regulation S-T under the Securities Act), was identical to the copy thereof delivered to the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser for use in connection with the issuance and sale of the ADSs. Each of the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it became effective and at each Representation Date, complied and will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and did not and will not contain any 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 not misleading. As of the date of this Agreement, the Prospectus and any Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below) considered together (collectively, the Time of Sale Information) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, as of its date and at each Representation Date, did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties set forth in the three immediately preceding sentences do not apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereto, or the Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto, made in reliance upon and in
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conformity with information relating to the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser furnished to the Company in writing by either the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser to the Company consists of the information described in Section 6 below. There are no contracts or other documents required to be described in the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which have not been described or filed as required. The Registration Statement and the offer and sale of the Shares and Forward Settlement ADSs as contemplated hereby meet the requirements of Rule 415 under the Securities Act and comply in all material respects with said rule.
(c) Ineligible Issuer Status. The Company is not an ineligible issuer in connection with the offering of the Shares and Forward Settlement ADSs pursuant to Rules 164, 405 and 433 under the Securities Act. Any Free Writing Prospectus that the Company is required to file pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act has been, or will be, filed with the Commission in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act. Each Free Writing Prospectus that the Company has filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act or that was prepared by or behalf of or used or referred to by the Company complies or will comply in all material respects with the requirements of Rule 433 under the Securities Act including timely filing with the Commission or retention where required and legending, and each such Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and at all subsequent times through the completion of the issuance and sale of the Shares and Forward Settlement ADSs did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts with or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, including any document incorporated by reference therein. Except for the Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, and electronic road shows, if any, furnished to you before first use, the Company has not prepared, used or referred to, and will not, without your prior consent, prepare, use or refer to, any Free Writing Prospectus.
(d) Incorporated Documents; Exchange Act Compliance. The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, and any Free Writing Prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act, and, when read together with the other information in the Prospectus, at the time the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto become effective and at each Time of Sale (as defined below), as the case may be, will not 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 fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(e) Statistical and Market-Related Data. All statistical, demographic and market-related data included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes, after reasonable inquiry, to be reliable and accurate in all material respects. To the extent required, the Company has obtained the written consent for the use of such data from such sources.
(f) Validity of ADSs. Upon delivery by the Depositary of ADSs against deposit of Ordinary Shares in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, such ADSs will be
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duly and validly issued and persons in whose names the ADS are registered will be entitled to the rights specified in the Deposit Agreement; and upon the sale and delivery to the Agent or Forward Purchaser of the ADSs and payment therefor pursuant to this Agreement, the Agent or Forward Purchaser will acquire good, marketable and valid title to such ADSs free and clear of all pledges, liens, security interests, charges, claims or encumbrances of any kind.
(g) Transfer Taxes. No stamp, registration, issuance, transfer taxes or other similar taxes, duties, fees or charges (Transfer Taxes) are payable by or on behalf of the Agent, the Forward Seller or Forward Purchaser in connection with (A) the issuance of the Ordinary Shares and the delivery of the ADSs in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, (B) the deposit with the Depositary of the Ordinary Shares against issuance of the ADSs, or (C) the sale and delivery by the Agent or Forward Purchaser of the ADSs as contemplated herein. For the avoidance of doubt, income, franchise and similar taxes, withholding taxes, capital gains taxes and taxes on actual or constructive dividends shall not be considered Transfer Taxes.
(h) Dividends. Except as described in the Prospectus, any dividends and other distributions declared and payable on the Ordinary Shares may under current Australian law and regulations be paid to the Depositary and to the holders of Ordinary Shares or ADSs, as the case may be, in Australian dollars and may be converted into foreign currency that may be transferred out of Australia in accordance with the Deposit Agreement.
(i) Use of Free Writing Prospectus. Each Free Writing Prospectus does not include any information that conflicts with the information contained in the Prospectus. The foregoing sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any Free Writing Prospectus based upon and in conformity with written information made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser furnished to the Company in writing by the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser to the Company consists of the information described in Section 6 below.
(j) Incorporation and Good Standing of the Company. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated with full corporate power and authority to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires such qualification, except in each case where such failure would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined below).
(k) Capitalization. All the outstanding share capital of each subsidiary has been duly and validly issued and is fully paid, and, except as otherwise set forth in the Prospectus, all outstanding share capital of the subsidiaries is owned by the Company either directly or through wholly owned subsidiaries free and clear of any perfected security interest or any other security interests, claims, liens or encumbrances.
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(l) Description of Contracts; Exhibit Filings. There is no franchise, contract or other document of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or to be filed as an exhibit thereto, which is not described or filed as required.
(m) Authorization. The Company has full legal capacity and power to enter into this Agreement, any Forward Contract and each such agreement has been, or will be, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.
(n) Company Not an Investment Company. The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the ADSs and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Prospectus, will not be an investment company as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(o) Consents and Approval. No consent, approval, authorization, filing with or order of any court or governmental agency or body is required in connection with the transactions contemplated herein, except such as have been obtained under the Securities Act and the listing rules of the ASX and such as may be required under the listing rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, applicable rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. and under the applicable state and foreign securities laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the purchase and distribution of the ADSs and Forward Settlement ADSs, by the Agent or Forward Purchaser, as applicable, in the manner contemplated herein and in the Prospectus.
(p) No Breach or Defaults. Neither the issue and sale of the ADSs, nor the consummation of any other of the transactions herein contemplated, the fulfillment of the terms hereof, nor the deposit of the Ordinary Shares represented by ADSs with the Custodian for the Depositary, will conflict with, result in a breach or violation of, or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, (i) the constitution of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or bound or to which its or their property is subject, or (iii) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of its or their properties, except in the case of clause (ii) and (iii) above, for any such conflict, breach, violation, default, lien, charge or encumbrance that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (as defined below).
(q) No Registration Rights. Except as described in the Prospectus, no holders of securities of the Company have rights to the registration of such securities under the Registration Statement or the issuance of the Shares or Forward Settlement ADSs, other than those that have been waived.
(r) Financial Statements. The consolidated historical financial statements and schedules of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included in the Prospectus and the Registration Statement present fairly in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates and for
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the periods indicated, comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities Act and have been prepared in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as otherwise noted therein). The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commissions rules and guidelines applicable thereto.
(s) No Material Adverse Effect. No action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or its or their property is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened that (i) would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the performance of this Agreement or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby or (ii) could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, earnings, business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, individually or taken as a whole, whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business (a Material Adverse Effect), except as set forth in or contemplated in the Prospectus.
(t) Real Property. Each of the Company and its subsidiary leases all such real properties as are reasonably necessary to the conduct of its operations as presently conducted. The Company does not own any real property.
(u) No Violation. Neither the Company nor any subsidiary is in violation or default of (i) any provision of its constitution or other applicable organizational document, (ii) the terms of any indenture, contract, lease, mortgage, deed of trust, note agreement, loan agreement or other agreement, obligation, condition, covenant or instrument to which it is a party or bound or to which its property is subject, or (iii) any statute, law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body, arbitrator or other authority having jurisdiction over the Company or such subsidiary or any of its properties, as applicable, except in case of clauses (ii) and (iii), for any such violation or default as would not reasonably expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(v) Independent Accountants. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, who have issued their audit report with respect to the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its affiliates included in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, are independent public accountants with respect to the Company and its affiliates within the meaning of the Securities Act and the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder.
(w) Tax Returns. The Company has filed all tax returns that are required to be filed or has requested extensions thereof, except in any case in which the failure so to file would not have a Material Adverse Effect, or as otherwise set forth in or contemplated in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, and the Company has paid all taxes required to be paid by it and any other assessment, fine or penalty in the nature of a tax levied against it, to the extent that any of the foregoing is due and payable, except for any such assessment, fine or penalty that is currently being contested in good faith, or as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, or as otherwise set forth in or contemplated in the Registration Statement and Prospectus.
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(x) No Labor Disputes. With respect to the Company and each of its subsidiaries, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Registration Statement or Prospectus: (i) no labor problem, dispute, slowdown, work stoppage or disturbance involving any employees of it exists or, to the Companys knowledge is threatened or imminent, and it is not aware of any existing or imminent labor problem, dispute, slowdown, work stoppage or disturbance by the employees of any of its or its principal suppliers, contractors or customers, that could have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) the prescribed minimum level of superannuation support in respect of each employee has been provided so as to not incur a shortfall amount under the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth); and (iii) compliance subsists for all its obligations under employment contracts, industrial agreements and awards and with all codes of conduct and practice relevant to conditions of service and to the relations between it and the employees employed by it, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(y) Insurance. The Company and each of its subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as the Company reasonably believes are prudent and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged; all policies of insurance insuring the Company or any of its subsidiaries or their respective businesses, assets, employees, officers and directors are in full force and effect; the Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms of such policies and instruments in all material respects; and there are no material claims by the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or defending under a reservation of rights clause; neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has been refused any insurance coverage sought or applied for; and neither the Company nor any such subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Prospectus.
(z) Dividends. No subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such subsidiarys share capital, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such subsidiarys property or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company, except as described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement and Prospectus.
(aa) Permits. The Company and its subsidiaries possess all licenses, sub-licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by, and have made all declarations and filings with, all applicable federal, state, local or foreign governmental or other authorities that are necessary to conduct their respective businesses (Permits), except where the failure to possess such Permit would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any such subsidiary is in violation of, or in default under, any of the Permits nor has received any revocation, suspension or modification of any such Permit which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Prospectus. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice that any such Permit will not be renewed in the ordinary course, and, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, all Permits are valid and in full force.
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(bb) Companys Accounting Systems. The Company and each of its subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with managements general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with managements 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. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries internal controls over financial reporting are effective and the Company and its subsidiaries are not aware of any material weakness in their internal controls over financial reporting.
(cc) Disclosure Controls and Procedures; Deficiencies in or Changes to Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder Exchange Act; such disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commissions rules and forms.
(dd) No Stabilization. The Company has not taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that would constitute or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares or Forward Settlement ADSs.
(ee) Environmental Laws and Compliance. The Company and its subsidiaries are (i) in compliance with any and all applicable foreign, federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (collectively, Environmental Laws), (ii) have received and are in compliance with all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (iii) have not received notice of any actual or potential liability under any environmental law, except in each case where such non-compliance with Environmental Laws, failure to receive required permits, licenses or other approvals, or liability would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in or contemplated in the Prospectus. Except as set forth in the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of the subsidiaries has been named as a potentially responsible party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended.
(ff) Sarbanes-Oxley Act. There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company and any of the Companys directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection thereunder, that are then in effect and with which the Company is required to comply as of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement.
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(gg) Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (i) has used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) has made any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee (including of any government owned or controlled entity, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing) from corporate funds; or (iii) has made any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment, or (iv) is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that could result in a violation or a sanction for violation by such persons of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the U.K. Bribery Act 2010, OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law, each as may be amended, or the rules or regulations thereunder (collectively, the Anti-Corruption Laws); and the Company and its subsidiaries have instituted and maintain policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the Anti-Corruption Laws. No part of the proceeds of the offering will be used, directly or indirectly, in violation of the Anti-Corruption Laws.
(hh) Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements and the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions where the Company or any of its subsidiaries conducts business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the Money Laundering Laws) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.
(ii) Sanctions. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (i) is, or is controlled or 50% or more owned in the aggregate by or is acting on behalf of, one or more individuals or entities that are currently the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the United States (including any administered or enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State or the Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, a member state of the European Union (including sanctions administered or enforced by Her Majestys Treasury of the United Kingdom) or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, Sanctions and such persons, Sanctioned Persons and each such person, a Sanctioned Person), (ii) is located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions that broadly prohibit dealings with that country or territory (currently, the Crimea region, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria) (collectively, Sanctioned Countries and each, a Sanctioned Country) or (iii) will, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of this offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other individual or entity in any manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions by, or could result in the imposition of Sanctions against, any individual or entity (including any individual or entity participating in the offering, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise). Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has engaged in any dealings or transactions with or for the benefit of a Sanctioned
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Person, or with or in a Sanctioned Country, in the preceding three years, nor does the Company or any of its subsidiaries have any plans to engage in dealings or transactions with or for the benefit of a Sanctioned Person, or with or in a Sanctioned Country.
(jj) Subsidiaries. The subsidiaries listed on Exhibit 8.1 to the Companys most recent annual report on Form 20-F, or disclosed in any report on Form 6-K subsequent to the most recent annual report on Form 20-F, are the only subsidiaries of the Company.
(kk) Intellectual Property. Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its subsidiaries own, possess, license or have other rights to use, on reasonable terms, all patents, patent applications, trade and service marks, trade and service mark registrations, trade names, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets, technology, know-how and other intellectual property (collectively, the Intellectual Property) necessary for the conduct of the Companys business as now conducted or as proposed in the Prospectus to be conducted. Except as set forth in documents incorporated by reference into the Prospectus under the captions Risk FactorsRisks Relating to Intellectual Property and BusinessIntellectual Property or similar captions, or as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (a) there are no rights of third parties to any such Intellectual Property; (b) to the Companys knowledge, there is no material infringement by third parties of any such Intellectual Property; (c) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the Companys rights in or to any such Intellectual Property, and the Company is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim; (d) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity or scope of any such Intellectual Property, and the Company is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim; (e) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others that the Company infringes or otherwise violates any patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret or other proprietary rights of others, and the Company is unaware of any other fact which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim; (f) to the Companys knowledge, there is no valid and enforceable U.S. patent or published U.S. patent application which contains claims that dominate or may dominate any Intellectual Property described in the Registration Statement and Prospectus as being owned by or licensed to the Company or that interferes with the issued or pending claims of any such Intellectual Property, in each case as such Intellectual Property relates to product candidates under clinical development as described in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, and (g) there is no prior art of which the Company is aware that may render any U.S. patent held by the Company invalid or any U.S. patent application held by the Company un-patentable which has not been disclosed to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
(ll) No Lending Relationships. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and Prospectus, the Company (i) does not have any material lending or other relationship with any bank or lending affiliate of Jefferies LLC and (ii) does not intend to use any of the proceeds from the sale of the ADSs hereunder to repay any outstanding debt owed to any affiliate of Jefferies LLC.
(mm) Other Underwriting Agreements. The Company is not a party to any agreement with an agent or underwriter for any other at the market or continuous equity transaction.
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(nn) No Rights of Immunity. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor any of its or their properties or assets has any immunity from the jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution or otherwise) under the laws of Australia.
(oo) Compliance with Healthcare Laws. The Company and its subsidiaries are, and at all times have been, in material compliance with all applicable Health Care Laws. For purposes of this Agreement, Health Care Laws means: (i) the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. Section 301 et seq.), the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. Section 201 et seq.), and the regulations promulgated thereunder; (ii) all applicable federal, state, local and foreign health care fraud and abuse laws, including, without limitation, the Anti-Kickback Statute (42 U.S.C. Section 1320a-7b(b)), the Civil False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. Section 3729 et seq.), the criminal false statements law (42 U.S.C. Section 1320a-7b(a)), 18 U.S.C. Sections 286 and 287, the health care fraud criminal provisions under the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) (42 U.S.C. Section 1320d et seq.), the Stark Law (42 U.S.C. Section 1395nn), the civil monetary penalties law (42 U.S.C. Section 1320a-7a), the exclusion law (42 U.S.C. Section 1320a-7), the Physician Payments Sunshine Act (42 U.S.C. Section 1320-7h), and applicable laws governing government funded or sponsored healthcare programs; (iii) HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (42 U.S.C. Section 17921 et seq.); (iv) the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010; (v) licensure, quality, safety and accreditation requirements under applicable federal, state, local or foreign laws or regulatory bodies; (vi) all other local, state, federal, national, supranational and foreign laws, relating to the regulation of the Company or its subsidiaries, and (vii) the directives and regulations promulgated pursuant to such statutes and any state or non-U.S. counterpart thereof. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any FDA Form 483, notice of adverse finding, warning letter, untitled letter or notice of any claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration or other action from any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority or third party alleging that any product operation or activity is in material violation of any Health Care Laws nor, to the Companys knowledge, is any such claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration or other action threatened. The Company and its subsidiaries have filed, maintained or submitted all reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments as required by any Health Care Laws, and all such reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments were complete and accurate on the date filed or were corrected or supplemented by a subsequent submission, except as would not cause a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any subsidiary is a party to any corporate integrity agreement, monitoring agreement, consent decree, settlement order, or similar agreement with or imposed by any governmental or regulatory authority. Additionally, neither the Company, any of its subsidiaries, nor any of its or their respective employees, officers, directors or, to the Companys knowledge, agents, has been excluded, suspended or debarred from participation in any U.S. federal health care program or human clinical research or, to Companys knowledge, is subject to a governmental inquiry, investigation, proceeding, or other similar action that could reasonably be expected to result in debarment, suspension, or exclusion.
(pp) Cyber Security. The Companys information technology assets and equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, websites, applications, and databases
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(collectively, IT Systems and Data) are adequate for, and operate and perform as required in connection with the operation of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as currently conducted, free and clear of all bugs, errors, defects, Trojan horses, time bombs, malware and other corruptants, except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its subsidiaries have implemented and maintain commercially reasonable physical, technical and administrative controls, policies, procedures, and safeguards to maintain and protect their material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all IT Systems and Data, including Personal Data, used in connection with their businesses. Personal Data means (i) a natural persons name, street address, telephone number, e-mail address, photograph, social security number or tax identification number, drivers license number, passport number, credit card number, bank information, or customer or account number; (ii) any information which would qualify as personally identifying information under the Federal Trade Commission Act, as amended; (iii) personal data as defined by the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (EU 2016/679); (iv) any information which would qualify as protected health information under HIPAA; and (v) any other piece of information that allows the identification of such natural person, or his or her family, or permits the collection or analysis of any data related to an identified persons health or sexual orientation. There have been no breaches, violations, outages or unauthorized uses of or accesses to Personal Data, nor any incidents under internal review or investigations relating to the same, except, in each case, as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or those that have otherwise been disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, nor any incidents under internal review or investigations relating to the same. The Company and its subsidiaries have been and are presently in material compliance with all applicable laws, directives, or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Data, including Personal Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Data and Personal Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification, except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no security breach or other material compromise of or relating to any of the Companys IT Systems and Data and the Company has not been notified of, and has no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in, any security breach or other material compromise to their IT Systems and Data, except for any breaches or compromises that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(qq) Privacy Laws. The Company and its subsidiaries are, and have at all times been, in material compliance with all applicable data privacy and security laws and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations regarding the privacy and security of IT Systems and Data and Personal Data (collectively, the Privacy Laws), except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect or as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. To ensure compliance with the Privacy Laws, the Company and each of its subsidiaries has in place, complies with, and takes appropriate steps reasonably designed to ensure compliance in all material respects with their policies and contractual obligations governing the collection, storage, use, disclosure, handling and analysis of Personal Data. The Company has at all times made all material disclosures to users or customers required by the Privacy Laws, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company further certifies
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that neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries: (i) have received notice of, any actual or potential liability under or relating to, or actual or potential violation of, any of the Privacy Laws, and has no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in, any such notice; (ii) are currently conducting or paying for, in whole or in part, any investigation, remediation, or other corrective action pursuant to any Privacy Laws; or (iii) is a party to any order, decree, or agreement that imposes any obligation or liability under any Privacy Law, except with respect to subsection (i), (ii) and (iii) as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect or as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(rr) Clinical Data and Regulatory Compliance. The preclinical studies and clinical trials that are described in the Registration Statement and Prospectus (collectively, Studies) were conducted by or, to the knowledge of the Company, on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries were and, if still ongoing, are being conducted in all material respects in accordance with the protocols, procedures and controls designed for such Studies and pursuant to, where applicable, accepted professional scientific standards; the descriptions of the results of such studies contained in the Registration Statement and Prospectus are accurate and complete and fairly present the data derived from such Studies, in each case in all material respects, and the Company and its subsidiaries have no knowledge of any other Studies the results of which are materially inconsistent with, or otherwise call into question, the results described or referred to in the Registration Statement and Prospectus; the Company and its subsidiaries have made all such filings and obtained all such approvals as may be required by the FDA or any committee thereof or from any other U.S. or foreign government or drug or medical device regulatory agency, or health care facility Institutional Review Board (collectively, the Regulatory Agencies), except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries have received any notice from, or correspondence from, any Regulatory Agency requiring the termination, suspension or material modification of any Studies conducted by or on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; and the Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable rules, regulations and policies of the Regulatory Agencies.
(ss) Solvency. Neither the Company nor any Group Member is Insolvent and there is no act which has occurred nor any omission which may result in the Company or a Group Member becoming Insolvent. As used in this Agreement, Group shall mean the Company and its Related Bodies Corporate (as defined below), and Group Member means any one or more of them. Related Bodies Corporate has the meaning set out in section 50 of the Corporations Act. As used in this Agreement, a person is Insolvent when: (i) it is (or states it is) an insolvent under administration or insolvent (each as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act)); (ii) it is in liquidation, in provisional liquidation, under administration or wound up or it has had a controller appointed to its property; or it is subject to any arrangement, assignment, moratorium or composition, protected from creditors under any statute or dissolved (in each case, other than to carry out a reconstruction or amalgamation while solvent on terms approved by the other parties to this Agreement); (iii) an application or order has been made (and in the case of an application, it is not stayed, withdrawn or dismissed within 30 days), resolution passed, proposal put forward, or any other action taken, in each case in connection with that person, which is preparatory to or could result in any of (i), (ii) or (iii) above occurring; (iv) it is taken (under section 459F(1)
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of the Corporations Act) to have failed to comply with a statutory demand; (v) or it is the subject of an event described in section 459C(2)(b) or section 585 of the Corporations Act (or it makes a statement from which another party to this Agreement reasonably deduces it is so subject) (vi) it is otherwise unable to pay its debts when they fall due; or (vii) something having a substantially similar effect to (i) to (vi) happens in connection with that person under the law of any jurisdiction.
(tt) ASX Compliance. All announcements which have been lodged during the three years prior to the date of this Agreement by the Company on the ASX are not misleading or deceptive in any material respect.
(uu) FINRA Matters. All of the information provided to the Agent, the Forward Purchaser and Forward Seller or to counsel for the Agent, the Forward Purchaser or Forward Seller by the Company, its counsel, its officers and directors and the holders of any securities (debt or equity) or options to acquire any securities of the Company in connection with the offering of the Shares and Forward Settlement ADSs is true, complete, correct and compliant with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.s (FINRA) rules and any letters, filings or other supplemental information provided to FINRA pursuant to FINRA Rules or NASD Conduct Rules is true, complete and correct. The Company meets the requirements for use of Form F-3 under the Securities Act specified in FINRA Rule 5110(b)(7)(C)(i).
Any certificate signed by any officer or representative of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and delivered to the Agent, the Forward Purchaser and the Forward Seller or counsel for the Agent, Forward Purchaser and the Forward Seller in connection with an issuance of Shares and delivery of Forward Settlement ADSs shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Agent, the Forward Purchaser and the Forward Seller as to the matters covered thereby on the date of such certificate.
The Company acknowledges that the Agent, the Forward Purchaser and the Forward Seller and, for purposes of the opinions to be delivered pursuant to Section 4(o) hereof, counsel to the Company and counsel to the Agent, the Forward Purchaser and the Forward Seller, will rely upon the accuracy and truthfulness of the foregoing representations and hereby consents to such reliance.
Section 3. ISSUANCE AND SALE OF COMMON SHARES AND FORWARD SETTLEMENT ADSs.
(a) Sale of Securities. On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company, the Agent, the Forward Purchaser and the Forward Seller agree that the Company may from time to time seek to sell ADSs through the Agent, acting as sales agent, or directly to the Agent, acting as principal, or offer Forward Hedge ADSs through the Forward Seller, as applicable, with an aggregate Sales Price of up to the Maximum Program Amount, based on and in accordance with Issuance Notices as the Company may deliver, during the Agency Period.
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(b) Mechanics of Issuances.
(i) Issuance Notice. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, on any Trading Day during the Agency Period or the Forward Hedge Selling Period, as applicable, on (x) which the conditions set forth in Section 5(a) and Section 5(b) shall have been satisfied and (y) solely with respect to any Forward, no event described in clause (x) or clause (y) or clause (z) of the proviso set forth in the definition of a Forward Hedge Selling Period shall have occurred, the Company may exercise its right to (1) request an issuance of ADSs by delivering to the Agent an Issuance Notice or (2) in the case of a Forward, deliver a notice to the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser; provided, however, that (A) in no event may the Company deliver an Issuance Notice to the extent that (I) the sum of (x) the aggregate Sales Price of the requested Issuance Amount, plus (y) the aggregate Sales Price of all ADSs issued under all previous Issuance Notices effected pursuant to this Agreement, would exceed the Maximum Program Amount or require the approval of shareholders under the Listing Rules of the ASX; and (B) prior to delivery of any Issuance Notice, the period set forth for any previous Issuance Notice shall have expired or been terminated. An Issuance Notice shall be considered delivered on the Trading Day that it is received by e-mail to the persons set forth in Schedule A hereto and confirmed by the Company by email notice or by telephone (including a voicemail message to the persons so identified), with the understanding that, with adequate prior written notice, the Agent may decline such Issuance Notice for any reason in its sole discretion and may modify the list of such persons from time to time.
(ii) Issuances of a Forward; Acceptance. With respect to an Issuance Notice for a Forward, if the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser wish to accept such proposed terms included in the Issuance Notice (which they may decline to do for any reason in their sole discretion) or, following discussion with the Company, wish to accept amended terms, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser will promptly, and in any event prior to 4:30 p.m. (New York City time) on the Trading Day immediately following the Trading Day on which such Issuance Notice was delivered to the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser, issue to the Company a notice by e-mail to the persons set forth in Schedule A setting forth the terms that the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser are willing to accept. Where the terms provided in the Issuance Notice are amended as provided for in the immediately preceding sentence, such terms will not be binding on the Company or the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser until the Company delivers to the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser an acceptance by e-mail to the persons set forth in Schedule A of all of the terms of such Issuance Notice, as amended (an Acceptance), which email shall be addressed to all of the individuals from the Company and the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser set forth on Schedule A. The Issuance Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable) shall be effective upon receipt by the Company of the Forward Sellers and the Forward Purchasers acceptance of the terms of the Issuance Notice or upon receipt by the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser of the Companys Acceptance, as the case may be, unless and until (1) the entire amount of the Issuance Shares has been sold, (2) in accordance with the notice requirements set forth herein, the Company terminates the Issuance Notice, (3) the Company issues a subsequent Issuance Notice with parameters superseding those on the earlier dated Issuance Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable), (4) this Agreement has been terminated under the provisions of Section 7 or (5) any party shall have suspended the sale of the Shares in accordance with Section 3(b)(xi) below. With respect to a Forward, it is expressly acknowledged and agreed that the Company and the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser will have no obligation whatsoever with respect to Shares unless and until the Company delivers an Issuance Notice to the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser and
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either (x) the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser accept the terms of such Issuance Notice or (y) where the terms of such Issuance Notice are amended by the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser, the Company accepts such amended terms by means of an Acceptance pursuant to the terms set forth above, and then only upon the terms specified in the Issuance Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable), this Agreement and the Master Forward Confirmation. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of a Issuance Notice with respect to a Forward (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable), the terms of such Issuance Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable) will control.
(iii) Agent Efforts. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, upon the receipt and acceptance of an Issuance Notice, the Agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal sales and trading practices to place the Shares with respect to which the Agent has agreed to act as sales agent, subject to, and in accordance with the information specified in, the Issuance Notice, unless the sale of the Shares described therein has been suspended, cancelled or otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties to this Agreement may modify an Issuance Notice at any time provided they both agree in writing to any such modification.
(iv) Forward Seller and Forward Purchaser Efforts. On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions in this Agreement and the Master Forward Confirmation, upon the Forward Purchasers and the Forward Sellers acceptance of the terms of a Issuance Notice specifying that it relates to a Forward or upon receipt by the Forward Purchaser and the Forward Seller of an Acceptance, as the case may be, and unless the sale of the Forward Hedge ADSs described therein has been declined, suspended, or otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the Master Forward Confirmation, the Forward Purchaser will use its commercially reasonable efforts to borrow or cause its affiliate to borrow a number of Forward Hedge ADSs sufficient to have an aggregate Sales Price as close as reasonably practicable to the Forward Hedge Amount specified in the Issuance Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable) and the Forward Seller will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell such Forward Hedge ADSs, and otherwise in accordance with the terms of such Issuance Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable). The Forward Seller will provide written confirmation by email (or other method mutually agreed to in writing by the parties) to all of the individuals from the Company set forth on Schedule A and to the Forward Purchaser no later than the opening of the Trading Day immediately following each Trading Day on which it has made sales of Forward Hedge ADSs hereunder setting forth the number of Forward Hedge ADSs sold on such day, the Forward Hedge Selling Commission payable in respect of such Forward Hedge ADSs, the corresponding Sales Price at which such Forward Hedge ADSs were sold, and the gross proceeds from such sales payable to the Forward Purchaser in respect thereof. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Forward Purchasers obligation to use its commercially reasonable efforts to borrow or cause its affiliate to borrow all or any portion of the Forward Hedge ADSs (and the Forward Sellers obligation to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell such portion of the Forward Hedge ADSs) for any Forward hereunder in accordance with the terms of the relevant Issuance Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable) shall be subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Master Forward Confirmation. Each of the Company and the Forward Purchaser
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acknowledges and agrees that (i) there can be no assurance that the Forward Purchaser, its agent or its affiliate will be successful in borrowing or that the Forward Seller will be successful in selling Forward Hedge ADSs, (ii) the Forward Seller will not incur any liability or obligation to the Company, the Forward Purchaser, or any other person or entity if it does not sell Forward Hedge ADSs borrowed by the Forward Purchaser or its affiliate for any reason other than a failure by the Forward Seller to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell such Forward Hedge ADSs as required under this Section 3, and (iii) the Forward Purchaser will not incur any liability or obligation to the Company, the Forward Seller, its agents, or any other person or entity if it or its affiliate does not borrow Forward Hedge ADSs for any reason other than a failure by the Forward Purchaser to use its commercially reasonable efforts to borrow or cause its affiliate to borrow such Forward Hedge ADSs as required under this Section 3. In acting hereunder, the Forward Seller will be acting as an agent for the Forward Purchaser and not as principal. For the purposes only of the delivery of the Forward Hedge ADSs, the parties agree that where the Forward Purchaser or Forward Seller has an obligation to on-transfer Forward Hedge ADSs to another party, the Forward Purchaser or the Forward Seller receives delivery of and holds such Forward Hedge ADSs as bare trustee for the person they are obliged to transfer those Forward Hedge ADSs to.
(v) Supplemental Confirmation. No later than the opening of the Trading Day immediately following the last Trading Day of each Forward Hedge Selling Period (or, if earlier, no later than the opening of the Trading Day immediately following the date on which any Forward Hedge Selling Period is suspended or terminated pursuant to Section 3(b)(xi) or the Forward Contract or this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 7 hereof), the Forward Purchaser shall execute and deliver to the Company a Supplemental Confirmation in respect of the Forward for such Forward Hedge Selling Period, which Supplemental Confirmation shall set forth the Trade Date for such Forward (which shall, subject to the terms of the Master Forward Confirmation, be the last Trading Day of such Forward Hedge Selling Period), the Effective Date for such Forward (which shall, subject to the terms of the Master Forward Confirmation, be the date one Settlement Cycle (as such term is defined in the Master Forward Confirmation) immediately following the last Trading Day of such Forward Hedge Selling Period), the initial Number of Shares for such Forward (which shall be the Actual Sold Forward Amount for such Forward Hedge Selling Period), the Maturity Date for such Forward (which shall, subject to the terms of the Master Forward Confirmation, be the date set forth opposite the caption Maturity Date in the Issuance Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable) for such Forward), the Initial Forward Price for such Forward (which shall be determined as provided in the relevant Master Forward Confirmation), the Spread for such Forward (as set forth in the related Issuance Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable)), the Volume-Weighted Hedge Price for such Forward (which shall be determined as provided in the relevant Master Forward Confirmation), the Threshold Price for such Forward, the Initial Stock Loan Rate for such Forward (as set forth in the related Issuance Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable)), the Maximum Stock Loan Rate for such Forward (as set forth in the related Issuance Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable)), the Forward Price Reduction Dates for such Forward (which shall be each of the dates set forth below the caption Forward Price Reduction Dates in the Issuance Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable) for such Forward) and the Forward Price Reduction Amounts corresponding to such Forward Price Reduction Dates (which shall be each amount set forth opposite each Forward Price Reduction Date and below the caption
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Forward Price Reduction Amounts in the Issuance Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable) for such Forward) and the Regular Dividend Amounts for such Forward (which shall be each of the amount(s) set forth below the caption Regular Dividend Amounts in the Issuance Notice (as amended by the corresponding Acceptance, if applicable) for such Forward).
(vi) Confirmation to the Company by Agent. If acting as sales agent hereunder, the Agent will provide written confirmation to the Company no later than the opening of the Trading Day next following the Trading Day on which it has placed ADSs hereunder setting forth the number of shares sold on such Trading Day, the corresponding Sales Price and the Issuance Price payable to the Company in respect thereof.
(vii) Same Day Sales. The Company agrees that any offer to sell, any solicitation of an offer to buy or any sales of ADSs shall be effected by or through only one Agent or Forward Seller on any single given day, and the Company shall in no event request or allow more than one Agent or Forward Seller to sell ADSs on the same day. In addition, the Company agrees that it will not sell, or instruct any other party to sell, any shares of Ordinary Shares or ADSs under any other sales agency agreements or other similar arrangements on such day.
(viii) Method of Offer and Sale. The ADSs may be offered and sold (A) in privately negotiated transactions with the consent of the Company; (B) as block transactions; or (C) by any other method permitted by law deemed to be an at the market offering as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the Principal Market. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to require either party to agree to the method of offer and sale specified in the preceding sentence, and (except as specified in clauses (A) and (B) above) the method of placement of any ADSs by the Agent shall be at the Agents discretion. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, the parties agree that the Agent and the Forward Seller must only sell or offer to sell Shares or Forward Hedge Shares (as applicable) on the Principal Market or in the United States of America.
(ix) Settlement. Each Issuance of ADSs will be settled on the applicable Settlement Date for such issuance of ADSs and, subject to the provisions of Section 5, on or before each Settlement Date, the Company will, or will cause its transfer agent to, electronically deliver the amount of Ordinary Shares to be represented by the ADSs being sold to the Custodian and instruct the Depositary to deliver the ADSs by crediting the Agent or its designees account at The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian (DWAC) System, or by such other means of delivery as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto and, upon receipt of such ADSs, which in all cases shall be freely tradable, transferable, registered ADSs in good deliverable form, the Agent will deliver, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, the related Issuance Price in same day funds delivered to an account designated by the Company prior to the Settlement Date. The Company must, at the time that the Ordinary Shares underlying the ADSs are issued, release on the announcements platform of the ASX a cleansing notice in accordance with section 708A(5)(e) of the Corporations Act that complies with section 708A(6) of the Corporations Act. The Company may sell ADSs to the Agent as principal at a price agreed upon at each relevant time ADSs are sold pursuant to this Agreement (each, a Time of Sale). For the purposes only of the delivery of the ADSs, the parties agree that where the Agent has an obligation to on-transfer ADSs to another party, the Agent receives delivery of and holds such ASDs as bare trustee for the person they are obliged to transfer those ADSs to.
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(x) Forward Settlement. On or before each Forward Hedge Settlement Date, the Forward Purchaser will, or will cause its transfer agent to, electronically deliver the amount of Ordinary Shares to be represented by the ADSs being sold to the Custodian and instruct the Depositary to deliver the ADSs transfer the Forward Hedge ADSs being sold by crediting the Forward Seller or its designees account (provided the Forward Seller shall have given the Forward Purchaser written notice of such designee prior to the Forward Hedge Settlement Date) at The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit/Withdrawal At Custodian (DWAC) System or by such other means of delivery as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto which in all cases shall be freely tradable, transferable, registered ADSs in good deliverable form. On each Forward Hedge Settlement Date, the Forward Seller will deliver the related gross proceeds from such sales to the Forward Purchaser in same day funds to an account designated by the Forward Purchaser prior to the relevant Forward Hedge Settlement Date. The Company, must at the time that the Ordinary Shares underlying the Forward Settlement ADSs are issued, release on the announcements platform of the ASX a cleansing notice in accordance with section 708A(5)(e) of the Corporations Act that complies with section 708A(6) of the Corporations Act. For the purposes only of the delivery of the Forward Settlement Shares, the parties agree that where the Forward Purchaser or Forward Seller has an obligation to on-transfer Forward Settlement Shares to another party, the Forward Purchaser or Forward Seller receives delivery of and holds such Forward Settlement Shares as bare trustee for the person they are obliged to transfer those Forward Settlement Shares to; provided that, to the extent the Company is aware of any inside information as defined by Section 1042A of the Corporations Act concerning itself or the Shares, the Company may, by written notice to the Forward Purchaser, elect to postpone the relevant Forward Hedge Settlement Date for such Forward Settlement Shares until the lesser of (i) the Trading Day that Company makes the necessary public disclosure pursuant to the Corporations Act or (ii) five Trading Days immediately following the scheduled Forward Hedge Settlement Date.
(xi) Suspension or Termination of Sales. Consistent with standard market settlement practices, the Company, Forward Purchaser, Forward Seller or the Agent may, upon notice to the other party hereto in writing or by telephone (confirmed immediately by verifiable email), suspend any sale of Shares or Forward Hedge ADSs, and the period set forth in an Issuance Notice shall immediately terminate; provided, however, that (A) such suspension and termination shall not affect or impair either partys obligations with respect to any Shares or Forward Hedge ADSs placed or sold hereunder prior to the receipt of such notice; (B) if the Company suspends or terminates any sale of Shares or Forward Hedge ADSs after the Agent or Forward Purchaser confirms such sale to the Company, the Company shall still be obligated to comply with Section 3(b)(v) with respect to the Shares or Forward Hedge ADSs sold; and (C) if the Company defaults in its obligation to deliver Shares in connection with an Issuance on a Settlement Date, the Company agrees that it will hold the Agent and Forward Seller harmless against any loss, claim, damage or expense (including, without limitation, penalties, interest and reasonable legal fees and expenses), as incurred, arising out of or in connection with such default by the Company. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, in performing its obligations under this Agreement, the Agent may borrow Common Shares from stock lenders in the event that the Company has not delivered Shares to settle sales as required by subsection (ix) above, and may use the Shares to settle or close out such borrowings. The Company agrees that no such notice shall be effective against the Agent unless it is made to the persons identified in writing by the Agent pursuant to Section 3(b)(i).
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(xii) No Guarantee of Placement, Etc. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (A) there can be no assurance that the Agent will be successful in placing Shares; (B) the Agent will incur no liability or obligation to the Company or any other Person if it does not sell Shares; and (C) the Agent shall be under no obligation to purchase Shares on a principal basis pursuant to this Agreement, except as otherwise specifically agreed by the Agent and the Company.
(xiii) Material Non-Public Information. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company and the Agent, Forward Seller and Forward Purchaser agree that the Company shall not deliver any Issuance Notice to the Agent or Forward Seller and shall suspend or cancel any effective Issuance Notice, and neither the Agent nor the Forward Seller shall not be obligated to place any Shares, during any period in which the Company is in possession of material non-public information.
(c) Fees. As compensation for services rendered, the Company shall pay to the Agent, on the applicable Settlement Date, the Selling Commission for the applicable Issuance Amount (including with respect to any suspended or terminated sale pursuant to Section 3(b)(xi)) by the Agent deducting the Selling Commission from the applicable Issuance Amount.
(d) Expenses. The Company agrees to pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including without limitation (i) all expenses incident to the issuance and delivery of the Shares (including all printing and engraving costs and fees and costs payable upon deposit of Ordinary Shares with the Depositary in accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement against the issuance of ADSs evidencing the same); (ii) all reasonable fees and documented fees and expenses of the registrar and transfer agent of the Shares and the Depositary for the ADSs; (iii) any Transfer Taxes resulting from breach of the representations contained in Section 2(g) (iv) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of the Companys counsel, independent public or certified public accountants and other advisors; (v) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing, filing, shipping and distribution of the Registration Statement (including financial statements, exhibits, schedules, consents and certificates of experts), the Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus (as defined below) prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company, and all amendments and supplements thereto, and this Agreement; (vi) all filing fees, reasonable attorneys fees and expenses incurred by the Company or the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Shares or Forward Settlement ADSs for offer and sale under the state securities or blue sky laws or the provincial securities laws of Canada, and, if requested by the Agent or Forward Seller, preparing and printing a Blue Sky Survey or memorandum and a Canadian wrapper, and any supplements thereto, if required, advising the Agent and Forward Seller of such qualifications, registrations, determinations and exemptions; (vii) the reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and disbursements of all counsels for the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser, including the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of counsel for the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser in connection with, FINRA review, if any, and approval of the participation in the offering and distribution of the Shares and Forward Settlement ADSs by the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser; (viii) the filing fees incident to FINRA review, if any; (ix) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any road show undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Shares, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the preparation or dissemination of any electronic road show, expenses
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associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the prior approval of the Company, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives, employees and officers of the Company and of the Agent and any such consultants, and the cost of any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show; and (x) the fees and expenses associated with listing the Shares on the Principal Market and quotation of the Ordinary Shares underlying the Shares on the ASX in accordance with the listing rules of the ASX.. The fees and disbursements of counsel for the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser pursuant to subsections (vi) and (vii) above shall not exceed (A) $100,000 in connection with the first Issuance Notice and (B) $20,000 in connection with each Triggering Event Date (as defined below) on which the Company is required to provide a certificate pursuant to Section 4(o).
Section 4. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS
The Company covenants and agrees with each of the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser as follows, in addition to any other covenants and agreements made elsewhere in this Agreement:
(a) Exchange Act Compliance. During the Agency Period, the Company shall (i) file, on a timely basis, with the Commission all reports and documents required to be filed under Section 13, 14 or 15 of the Exchange Act in the manner and within the time periods required by the Exchange Act; and (ii) either (A) include in its reports on Form 6-K that contain financial statements and its annual reports on Form 20-F, a summary detailing, for the relevant reporting period, (1) the number of Shares sold through the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement and (2) the net proceeds received by the Company from such sales or (B) prepare a prospectus supplement containing, or include in such other filing permitted by the Securities Act or Exchange Act (each an Interim Prospectus Supplement), such summary information and, at least once a quarter and subject to this Section 4, file such Interim Prospectus Supplement pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act (and within the time periods required by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430B under the Securities Act)).
(b) Securities Act Compliance. After the date of this Agreement, the Company shall promptly advise the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser in writing (i) of the receipt of any comments of, or requests for additional or supplemental information from, the Commission; (ii) of the time and date of any filing of any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus, any Free Writing Prospectus; (iii) of the time and date that any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement becomes effective; and (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or of any proceedings to remove, suspend or terminate from listing or quotation the Ordinary Shares or ADSs from any securities exchange upon which they are listed for trading or included or designated for quotation, or of the threatening or initiation of any proceedings for any of such purposes. If the Commission shall enter any such stop order at any time, the Company will use its best efforts to obtain the lifting of such order as soon as practicable. Additionally, the Company agrees that it shall comply with the provisions of Rule 424(b) and Rule 433, as applicable, under the Securities Act and will use its reasonable efforts to confirm that any filings made by the Company under such Rule 424(b) or Rule 433 were received in a timely manner by the Commission.
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(c) Amendments and Supplements to the Prospectus and Other Securities Act Matters. If any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus so that the Prospectus does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if in the opinion of the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser or counsel for the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser it is otherwise necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with applicable law, including the Securities Act, the Company agrees (subject to Section 4(d) and 4(f)) to promptly prepare, file with the Commission and furnish at its own expense to the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser, amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with applicable law including the Securities Act. Neither the Agents, the Forward Sellers or the Forward Purchasers consent to, or delivery of, any such amendment or supplement shall constitute a waiver of any of the Companys obligations under Sections 4(d) and 4(f). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to file such amendment or supplement if there is no pending Issuance Notice and the Company believes that it is in its best interest not to file such amendment or supplement.
(d) Agents Review of Proposed Amendments and Supplements. Prior to amending or supplementing the Registration Statement (including any registration statement filed under Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act) or the Prospectus (excluding any amendment or supplement through incorporation of any report filed under the Exchange Act), the Company shall furnish to the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser for review, a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed time of filing or use thereof, a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement, and the Company shall not file or use any such proposed amendment or supplement without the consent of the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and to file with the Commission within the applicable period specified in Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act any prospectus required to be filed pursuant to such Rule.
(e) Use of Free Writing Prospectus. Neither the Company on the one hand, nor the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser on the other hand has prepared, used, referred to or distributed, or will prepare, use, refer to or distribute, without the other partys prior written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), any written communication that constitutes a free writing prospectus as such terms are defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act with respect to the offering contemplated by this Agreement (any such free writing prospectus being referred to herein as a Free Writing Prospectus).
(f) Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company shall furnish to the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser for review, a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed time of filing or use thereof, a copy of each proposed free writing prospectus or any amendment
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or supplement thereto to be prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company and the Company shall not file, use or refer to any proposed free writing prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto without the consent of the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser. The Company shall furnish to the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser, without charge, as many copies of any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, or used by the Company, as the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser may reasonably request. If at any time when a prospectus is required by the Securities Act (including, without limitation, pursuant to Rule 173(d)) to be delivered in connection with sales of the Shares (but in any event if at any time through and including the date of this Agreement) there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of, used by, or referred to by the Company conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company shall promptly amend or supplement such free writing prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict or so that the statements in such free writing prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances prevailing at such subsequent time, not misleading, as the case may be; provided, however, that prior to amending or supplementing any such free writing prospectus, the Company shall furnish to the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser for review, a reasonable amount of time prior to the proposed time of filing or use thereof, a copy of such proposed amended or supplemented free writing prospectus and the Company shall not file, use or refer to any such amended or supplemented free writing prospectus without the consent of the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
(g) Filing of Agent Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company shall not take any action that would result in the Agent or the Forward Seller or the Company being required to file with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act a free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of the Agent or the Forward Seller that the Agent or the Forward Seller otherwise would not have been required to file thereunder.
(h) Copies of Registration Statement and Prospectus. After the date of this Agreement through the last time that a prospectus is required by the Securities Act (including, without limitation, pursuant to Rule 173(d)) to be delivered in connection with sales of the Shares, the Company agrees to furnish the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser with copies (which may be electronic copies) of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto, and with copies of the Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto in the form in which it is filed with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act or Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, both in such quantities as the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser may reasonably request from time to time; and, if the delivery of a prospectus is required under the Securities Act or under the blue sky or securities laws of any jurisdiction at any time on or prior to the applicable Settlement Date for any period set forth in an Issuance Notice in connection with the offering or sale of the Shares and if at such time any event has occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus is delivered, not
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misleading, or, if for any other reason it is necessary during such same period to amend or supplement the Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus in order to comply with the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, to notify the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser and to request that the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser suspend offers to sell Shares and Forward Settlement ADSs (and, if so notified, the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser shall cease such offers as soon as practicable); and if the Company decides to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented, to advise the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser promptly by telephone (with confirmation in writing) and to prepare and cause to be filed promptly with the Commission an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented that will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance; provided, however, that if during such same period the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser is required to deliver a prospectus in respect of transactions in the Shares, the Company shall promptly prepare and file with the Commission such an amendment or supplement.
(i) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company shall cooperate with the Agent and the Forward Seller and their counsel to qualify or register the Shares and Forward Settlement ADSs for sale under (or obtain exemptions from the application of) the state securities or blue sky laws or Canadian provincial securities laws of those jurisdictions designated by the Agent or the Forward Seller, shall comply with such laws and shall continue such qualifications, registrations and exemptions in effect so long as required for the distribution of the Shares. The Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not presently qualified or where it would be subject to taxation as a foreign corporation. The Company will advise the Agent and the Forward Seller promptly of the suspension of the qualification or registration of (or any such exemption relating to) the Shares for offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction or any initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, and in the event of the issuance of any order suspending such qualification, registration or exemption, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal thereof as soon as practicable.
(j) Earnings Statement. As soon as practicable, the Company will make generally available to its security holders and to the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser (which may be satisfied through a filing with the Commission made available on EDGAR) an earnings statement (which need not be audited) covering a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the date of this Agreement which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 under the Securities Act.
(k) Listing; Reservation of Ordinary Shares. The Company will maintain the listing of the ADSs on the Principal Market and the Ordinary Shares on the ASX.
(l) Transfer Agent. The Company shall engage and maintain, at its expense, a registrar and transfer agent for the Ordinary Shares.
(m) Due Diligence. During the term of this Agreement, the Company will reasonably cooperate with any reasonable due diligence review conducted by the Agent, the Forward Seller
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and the Forward Purchaser in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, providing information and making available documents and senior corporate officers, during normal business hours and at the Companys principal offices, as the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser may reasonably request from time to time.
(n) Representations and Warranties. The Company acknowledges that each delivery of an Issuance Notice and each delivery of Shares on a Settlement Date shall be deemed to be (i) an affirmation to the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement are true and correct as of the date of such Issuance Notice or of such Settlement Date, as the case may be, as though made at and as of each such date, except as may be disclosed in the Prospectus (including any documents incorporated by reference therein and any supplements thereto); and (ii) an undertaking that the Company will advise the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser if any of such representations and warranties will not be true and correct as of the Settlement Date for the Shares relating to such Issuance Notice, as though made at and as of each such date (except that such representations and warranties shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented relating to such Shares).
(o) Deliverables at Triggering Event Dates; Certificates. The Company agrees that on or prior to the date of the first Issuance Notice and, during the term of this Agreement after the date of the first Issuance Notice, upon:
(A) the filing of the Prospectus or the amendment or supplement of any Registration Statement or Prospectus (other than a prospectus supplement relating solely to an offering of securities other than the Shares or a prospectus filed pursuant to Section 4(a)(ii)(B)), by means of a post-effective amendment, sticker or supplement, but not by means of incorporation of documents by reference into the Registration Statement or Prospectus;
(B) the filing with the Commission of an annual report on Form 20-F or a report of financials on Form 6-K (including any Form 20-F/A or Form 6-K/A containing amended financial information or a material amendment to the previously filed annual report on Form 20-F or quarterly report of financials on Form 6-K) where, in the case of Form 6-K , such report indicates that it is incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and Prospectus, in each case, of the Company; or
(C) the filing with the Commission of a report on Form 6-K of the Company containing amended financial information that is material to the offering of securities of the Company in the reasonable discretion of the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser, where such report indicates that it is incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and Prospectus;
(any such event, a Triggering Event Date), the Company shall furnish the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser (but in the case of clause (C) above only if the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser reasonably determines that the information contained in such report on Form 6-K of the Company is material) with a certificate as of the Triggering Event Date, in the form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser and their counsel, substantially similar to the form previously provided to the Agent, the
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Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser and their counsel, modified, as necessary, to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, (A) confirming that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement are true and correct, (B) that the Company has performed all of its obligations hereunder to be performed on or prior to the date of such certificate and as to the matters set forth in Section 5(a)(iii) hereof, and (C) containing any other certification that the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser shall reasonably request. The requirement to provide a certificate under this Section 4(o) shall be waived for any Triggering Event Date occurring at a time when no Issuance Notice is pending or a suspension is in effect, which waiver shall continue until the earlier to occur of the date the Company delivers an Issuance Notice hereunder (which for such financial reporting period, as applicable, shall be considered a Triggering Event Date) and the next occurring Triggering Event Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company subsequently decides to sell Shares following a Triggering Event Date when a suspension was in effect and did not provide the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser with a certificate under this Section 4(o), then before the Company delivers the instructions for the sale of Shares or the Agent or Forward Seller sells any Shares pursuant to such instructions, the Company shall provide the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser with a certificate in conformity with this Section 4(o) dated as of the date that the instructions for the sale of Shares are issued.
(p) Legal Opinions. On or prior to the date of the first Issuance Notice and on or prior to each Triggering Event Date with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate pursuant to Section 4(o) for which no waiver is applicable and excluding the date of this Agreement, a negative assurances letter and the written legal opinion of Cooley LLP, U.S. counsel to the Company and Goodwin Procter LLP, U.S. counsel to the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser, as well as the opinion of Gilbert + Tobin, Australian counsel for the Company, Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP, counsel for the Company with respect to intellectual property matters in the United States, CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP, counsel for the Company with respect to intellectual property matters in the European Union, each dated the date of delivery, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser and their counsel, substantially similar to the form previously provided to the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser and their counsel, modified, as necessary, to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented. In lieu of such opinions for subsequent periodic filings, in the discretion of the Agent, the Company may furnish a reliance letter from Cooley LLP to the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser, permitting the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser to rely on a previously delivered opinion letter, modified as appropriate for any passage of time or Triggering Event Date (except that statements in such prior opinion shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented as of such Triggering Event Date).
(q) Comfort Letter. On or prior to the date of the first Issuance Notice and on or prior to each Triggering Event Date with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate pursuant to Section 4(o) for which no waiver is applicable and excluding the date of this Agreement, the Company shall cause Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, the independent registered public accounting firm who has audited the financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, to furnish the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser a comfort letter, dated the date of delivery, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
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Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser and their counsel, substantially similar to the form previously provided to the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser and their counsel; provided, however, that any such comfort letter will only be required on the Triggering Event Date specified to the extent that it contains financial statements filed with the Commission under the Exchange Act and incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into a Prospectus. If requested by the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser, the Company shall also cause a comfort letter to be furnished to the Agent upon the occurrence of any material transaction or event requiring the filing of a report on Form 6-K containing material amended financial information of the Company, including the restatement of the Companys financial statements, which such event shall be considered a Triggering Event Date.
(r) Secretarys Certificate. On or prior to the date of the first Issuance Notice and on or prior to each Triggering Event Date, the Company shall furnish the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser a certificate executed by the Secretary of the Company, signing in such capacity, dated the date of delivery (i) certifying that attached thereto are true and complete copies of the resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company authorizing the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, the issuance of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement), which authorization shall be in full force and effect on and as of the date of such certificate, (ii) certifying and attesting to the office, incumbency, due authority and specimen signatures of each Person who executed this Agreement for or on behalf of the Company, and (iii) containing any other certification that the Agent shall reasonably request.
(s) Own Account of the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser; Clients Account. The Company consents to the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser trading, in compliance with applicable law, in the Ordinary Shares and/or ADSs for the their own account and for the account of their clients at the same time as sales of the Shares occur pursuant to this Agreement.
(t) Investment Limitation. The Company shall not invest, or otherwise use the proceeds received by the Company from its sale of the Shares in such a manner as would require the Company or any of its subsidiaries to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.
(u) Market Activities. The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that might be reasonably expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares or any other reference security, whether to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares or otherwise, and the Company will, and shall cause each of its affiliates to, comply with all applicable provisions of Regulation M. If the limitations of Rule 102 of Regulation M (Rule 102) do not apply with respect to the Shares or any other reference security pursuant to any exception set forth in Section (d) of Rule 102, then promptly upon notice from the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser (or, if later, at the time stated in the notice), the Company will, and shall cause each of its affiliates to, comply with Rule 102 as though such exception were not available but the other provisions of Rule 102 (as interpreted by the Commission) did apply. The Company shall promptly notify the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser if it no longer meets the requirements set forth in Section (d) of Rule 102.
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(v) Notice of Other Sale. Without the written consent of the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser, the Company will not, directly or indirectly, offer to sell, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to sell or otherwise dispose of any Ordinary Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares (other than Shares hereunder), warrants or any rights to purchase or acquire Ordinary Shares, during the period beginning on the third Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which any Issuance Notice is delivered to the Agent or the Forward Seller hereunder and ending on the third Trading Day immediately following the Settlement Date with respect to Shares sold pursuant to such Issuance Notice; and will not directly or indirectly enter into any other at the market or continuous equity transaction offer to sell, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to sell or otherwise dispose of any Ordinary Shares (other than the Shares offered pursuant to this Agreement) or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares, warrants or any rights to purchase or acquire, Ordinary Shares prior to the termination of this Agreement; provided, however, that such restrictions will not be required in connection with the Companys (i) issuance, grant or sale of Ordinary Shares or ADSs, options to purchase Ordinary Shares or ADSs or Ordinary Shares or ADSs issuable upon the exercise or settlement, as applicable, of options or other equity awards pursuant to any employee or director share option, incentive or benefit plan, share purchase or ownership plan, long-term incentive plan, dividend reinvestment plan, inducement award under Nasdaq rules or other stock or compensation plan of the Company or its subsidiaries, as described in the Prospectus, (ii) issuance or sale of Ordinary Shares or ADSs issuable upon exchange, conversion or redemption of securities or the exercise or vesting of warrants, options or other equity awards as described in the Prospectus, (iii) modification of any outstanding options, warrants of any rights to purchase or acquire Ordinary Shares or ADSs, (iv) the issuance of securities in connection with an acquisition, merger or sale or purchase of assets, strategic transaction, or royalty or other alternative financing transaction or series of transactions, including licensing or strategic commercial transactions, described or set forth in the Prospectus, in an amount not to exceed 5% of the ordinary shares outstanding on the date hereof, or (v) the issuance or sale of Ordinary Shares or ADSs pursuant to any dividend reinvestment plan that the Company may adopt from time to time provided the implementation of such is disclosed to the Agents, the Forward Purchasers and the Forward Sellers in advance.
Section 5. CONDITIONS TO DELIVERY OF ISSUANCE NOTICES AND TO SETTLEMENT
(a) Conditions Precedent to the Right of the Company to Deliver an Issuance Notice and the Obligations of the Agent, the Forward Seller and Forward Purchaser. The right of the Company to deliver an Issuance Notice hereunder is subject to the satisfaction, on the date of delivery of such Issuance Notice, and the obligations of the Agent and Forward Seller to use their commercially reasonable efforts to place Shares and the obligations of the Forward Purchaser hereunder with respect to the borrowing of Forward Hedge ADSs in connection with an Issuance during the applicable period set forth in the Issuance Notice is subject to the satisfaction, on each Trading Day during the applicable period set forth in the Issuance, of each of the following conditions:
| (i) | Accuracy of the Companys Representations and Warranties; Performance by the Company. The Company shall have delivered the certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 4(o) on or before the date on which delivery of such certificate is required pursuant to Section 4(o). The Company shall have performed, |
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| satisfied and complied with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to such date, including, but not limited to, the covenants contained in Section 4(m), Section 4(q) and Section 4(r). |
| (ii) | No Injunction. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or any self-regulatory organization having authority over the matters contemplated hereby that prohibits or directly and materially adversely affects any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and no proceeding shall have been commenced that may have the effect of prohibiting or materially adversely affecting any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
| (iii) | Material Adverse Changes. Except as disclosed in the Prospectus and the Time of Sale Information, (a) in the judgment of the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser, there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Change; and (b) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded any securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization as such term is defined for purposes of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act. |
| (iv) | No Suspension of Trading in or Delisting of Ordinary Shares or ADSs; Other Events. The trading of the Ordinary Shares and ADSs (including without limitation the Shares) shall not have been suspended by the Commission or the ASX, as applicable, the Principal Market or FINRA and the ADSs or Ordinary Shares (including without limitation the Shares) shall have been approved for listing or quotation on and shall not have been delisted from the Nasdaq Stock Market, ASX the New York Stock Exchange or any of their constituent markets, as applicable. There shall not have occurred (and be continuing in the case of occurrences under clauses (i) and (ii) below) any of the following: (i) trading or quotation in any of the Companys securities shall have been suspended or limited by the Commission or by the Principal Market or ASX or trading in securities generally on either the Principal Market shall have been suspended or limited, or minimum or maximum prices shall have been generally established on any of such stock exchanges by the Commission or the FINRA; (ii) a general banking moratorium shall have been declared by any of federal or New York authorities or Australian authorities; or (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of national or international hostilities or any crisis or calamity, or any change in the United States or international financial markets, or any substantial change or development involving a prospective substantial change in United States or international political, financial or economic conditions, as in the judgment of the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser is material and adverse and makes it impracticable to market the Shares in the manner and on the terms described in the Prospectus or to enforce contracts for the sale of securities. |
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(b) Documents Required to be Delivered on each Issuance Notice Date. The Agents an Forward Sellers obligations to use their commercially reasonable efforts to place ADSs hereunder, the obligations of the Forward Purchaser hereunder with respect to the borrowing of Forward Hedge ADSs in connection with an Issuance, shall additionally be conditioned upon the delivery to the Agent, the Forward Seller and Forward Purchaser on or before the Issuance Notice Date of a certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, the Forward Seller and Forward Purchaser, executed by the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company, to the effect that all conditions to the delivery of such Issuance Notice shall have been satisfied as at the date of such certificate (which certificate shall not be required if the foregoing representations shall be set forth in the Issuance Notice).
(c) No Misstatement or Material Omission. The Agent, the Forward Seller or Forward Purchaser shall not have advised the Company that the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Times of Sales Information, or any amendment or supplement thereto, contains an untrue statement of fact that in the reasonable opinion of the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser is material, or omits to state a fact that in the reasonable opinion of the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser is material and is required to be stated therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.
Section 6. INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION
(a) Indemnification of the Agent. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser, each of their respective officers and employees, and each person, if any, who controls the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser or such officer, employee or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or the laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions where Shares have been offered or sold or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation), insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto, including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Free Writing Prospectus that the Company has used, referred to or filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Securities Act or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and to reimburse the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser and each such officer, employee and controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser or such officer, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, claim,
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damage, liability or expense to the extent, but only to the extent, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any such Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser to the Company consists of the information set forth in the first sentence of the first paragraph under the caption Plan of DistributionOther Relationships in the Prospectus. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 6(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Company may otherwise have.
(b) Indemnification of the Company, its Directors and Officers. The Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, or the laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions where Shares have been offered or sold or at common law or otherwise (including in settlement of any litigation), arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereto, including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Free Writing Prospectus that the Company has used, referred to or filed, or is required to file, pursuant to Rule 433(d) of the Securities Act or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; but, for each of (i) and (ii) above, only to the extent arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser expressly for use in the Registration Statement, any such Free Writing Prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser to the Company consists of the first sentence of the first paragraph under the caption Plan of DistributionOther Relationships in the Prospectus, and to reimburse the Company and each such director, officer and controlling person for any and all expenses (including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of one counsel chosen by the Company) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by the Company or such officer, director or controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action. The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 6(b) shall be in addition to any liabilities that the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser may otherwise have.
(c) Notifications and Other Indemnification Procedures. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an
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indemnifying party under this Section 6, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party for contribution or otherwise than under the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6 or to the extent it is not prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such indemnified party seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in, and, to the extent that it shall elect, jointly with all other indemnifying parties similarly notified, by written notice delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise between the positions of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties. Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying partys election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 6 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in accordance with the proviso to the preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall not be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate counsel (together with local counsel), representing the indemnified parties who are parties to such action), which counsel (together with any local counsel) for the indemnified parties shall be selected by the indemnified party (in the case of counsel for the indemnified parties referred to in Section 6(a) above), (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action or (iii) the indemnifying party has authorized in writing the employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the indemnifying party, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party and shall be paid as they are incurred.
(d) Settlements. The indemnifying party under this Section 6 shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by Section 6(c) hereof, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request; and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any
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settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such action, suit or proceeding.
(e) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 6 is for any reason held to be unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser, on the other hand, from the offering of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement; or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions (a) in the case of the Company, (x) the total Net Proceeds from the offering of the Issuance Shares for each Issuance under this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the aggregate Sales Price of the Issuance Shares, or (y) the Actual Sold Forward Amount for each Forward under this Agreement, multiplied by the Forward Hedge Price for such Forward (the Net Forward Proceeds), bears to the sum of the Net Forward Proceeds and the Actual Forward Commission (as defined below) (such sum, the Gross Forward Amount), (b) in the case of the Agent, the total commissions received by the Agent bear to the aggregate Sales Price of the Issuance Shares, (c) in the case of the Forward Seller, the Actual Sold Forward Amount for each Forward under this Agreement, multiplied by the Forward Hedge Selling Commission for such Forward (the Actual Forward Commission), bear to the Gross Forward Amount, and (d) in the case of the Forward Purchaser, the aggregate net Spread (as such term is defined in the related Forward Contract for each Forward and net of any related stock borrow costs or other costs or expenses actually incurred) for each Forward executed in connection with this Agreement bears to the Gross Forward Amount. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or the Agent the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser, on the other hand, and the parties relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 6(c), any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim. The provisions set forth in
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Section 6(c) with respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if a claim for contribution is to be made under this Section 6(e); provided, however, that no additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which notice has been given under Section 6(c) for purposes of indemnification.
The Company and the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 6(e) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 6(e).
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6(e), the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the agent fees received by the Agent the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser, as applicable, in connection with the offering contemplated hereby. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 6(e), each officer and employee of the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser and each person, if any, who controls the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Agent, the Forward Seller and the Forward Purchaser and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.
Section 7. TERMINATION & SURVIVAL
(a) Term. Subject to the provisions of this Section 7, the term of this Agreement shall continue from the date of this Agreement until the end of the Agency Period, unless earlier terminated by the parties to this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.
(b) Termination; Survival Following Termination.
| (i) | Either party may terminate this Agreement prior to the end of the Agency Period, by giving written notice as required by this Agreement, upon ten (10) Trading Days notice to the other party. |
(c) If the Company terminates this Agreement after the Agent or Forward Seller confirms to the Company any sale of Shares or Forward Hedge ADSs, as applicable, the Company shall remain obligated to comply with Section 3(b)(ix) or (x), as applicable, with respect to such Shares and (B) Section 2, Section 6, Section 7 and Section 8 shall survive termination of this Agreement. If termination shall occur prior to the Settlement Date for any sale of Shares or Forward Hedge Settlement Date for the sale of any Forward Hedge ADSs, such sale shall nevertheless settle in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
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| (ii) | In addition to the survival provision of Section 7(b)(i), the respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company, of its officers and of the Agent, the Forward Seller and Forward Purchaser set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent, the Forward Seller, Forward Purchaser or the Company or any of its or their partners, officers or directors or any controlling person, as the case may be, and, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, will survive delivery of and payment for the Shares sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement. |
Section 8. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) Press Releases and Disclosure. The Company may issue a press release describing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby as soon as practicable following the date of this Agreement, and may file with the Commission a Report on Form 6-K, with this Agreement attached as an exhibit thereto, describing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Company shall consult with the Agent, the Forward Seller and Forward Purchaser prior to making such disclosures, and the parties hereto shall use all commercially reasonable efforts, acting in good faith, to agree upon a text for such disclosures that is reasonably satisfactory to all parties hereto. No party hereto shall issue thereafter any press release or like public statement (including, without limitation, any disclosure required in reports filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act) related to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby without the prior written approval of the other party hereto, except as may be necessary or appropriate in the reasonable opinion of the party seeking to make disclosure to comply with the requirements of applicable law or stock exchange rules. If any such press release or like public statement is so required, the party making such disclosure shall consult with the other party prior to making such disclosure, and the parties shall use all commercially reasonable efforts, acting in good faith, to agree upon a text for such disclosure that is reasonably satisfactory to all parties hereto.
(b) No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the determination of any fees, are arms-length commercial transactions between the Company and the Agent, the Forward Seller and Forward Purchaser, (ii) when acting as a principal under this Agreement, the Agent is and has been acting solely as a principal is not the agent or fiduciary of the Company, or its stockholders, creditors, employees or any other party, (iii) the Agent, the Forward Seller and Forward Purchaser have not assumed nor will assume an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether the Agent, the Forward Seller or Forward Purchaser has advised or is currently advising the Company on other matters) and the Agent, the Forward Seller and Forward Purchaser do not have any obligation to the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (iv) the Agent, the Forward Seller and Forward Purchaser and their respective affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Company, and (v) the Agent, the Forward Seller
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and Forward Purchaser have not provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and the Company has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate.
(c) Research Analyst Independence. The Company acknowledges that the research analysts and research departments of the Agent, the Forward Seller and Forward Purchaser are required to and should be independent from their respective investment banking divisions and are subject to certain regulations and internal policies, and as such research analysts may hold views and make statements or investment recommendations and/or publish research reports with respect to the Company or the offering that differ from the views of their respective investment banking divisions. The Company understands that the Agent, the Forward Seller and Forward Purchaser are full service securities firms and as such from time to time, subject to applicable securities laws, may effect transactions for their own account or the account of their customers and hold long or short positions in debt or equity securities of the companies that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(d) Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered or telecopied and confirmed to the parties hereto as follows:
If to the Agent, Forward Seller or Forward Purchaser:
Jefferies LLC
520 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Facsimile:
Attention: General Counsel
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Goodwin Procter LLP
620 8th Avenue
New York, NY 10018
Attention: Seo Salimi
If to the Company:
Opthea Limited
Suite 0403, Level 4
650 Chapel Street
South Yarra, Victoria, Australia, 3141
Attention: Karen Adams
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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
Cooley LLP
10 Collyer Quay, Raffles Place
Singapore 049315
Attention: Timothy Pitrelli
Milson Yu
Gilbert + Tobin
Level 25
101 Collins Street
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3000
Attention: Craig Semple
Any party hereto may change the address for receipt of communications by giving written notice to the others in accordance with this Section 8(d).
(e) Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, and to the benefit of the employees, officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 6, and in each case their respective successors, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder. The term successors shall not include any purchaser of the Shares as such from the Agent merely by reason of such purchase.
(f) Partial Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Article, Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other Article, Section, paragraph or provision hereof. If any Article, Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.
(g) Governing Law Provisions. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed in such state. Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby (Related Proceedings) may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America located in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York (collectively, the Specified Courts), and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction (except for proceedings instituted in regard to the enforcement of a judgment of any such court (a Related Judgment), as to which such jurisdiction is non-exclusive) of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the Specified Courts and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Company has appointed Corporation Service Company, 19 West 44th Street, Suite 200, New York, New York 10036, as its authorized agent (the Authorized Agent) upon whom process may be served in any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated herein that may be instituted in any State or U.S. federal court in The City of New York and County of New York, by the Agent or its directors, officers, employees, affiliates and agents of the Agent, or by any person who controls the Agent, and expressly accepts the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any such court in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding. The Company hereby represents and
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warrants that the Authorized Agent has accepted such appointment and has agreed to act as said agent for service of process, and the Company agrees to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents that may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect as aforesaid. Service of process upon the Authorized Agent shall be deemed, in every respect, effective service of process upon the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action arising out of or based upon this Agreement may be instituted by the Agent or its directors, officers, employees and agents, or by any person who controls the Agent, in any court of competent jurisdiction in Australia.
(h) Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes.
(a) In the event that the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
(b) In the event that the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against the Agent, the Forward Seller or the Forward Purchaser are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.
As used in this Section 14, BHC Act Affiliate has the meaning assigned to the term affiliate in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k); Covered Entity means any of the following: (i) a covered entity as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b), (ii) a covered bank as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b) or (iii) a covered FSI as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b); Default Right has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable; and U.S. Special Resolution Regime means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(i) General Provisions. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument, and may be delivered by facsimile transmission or by electronic delivery of a portable document format (PDF) file. This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit. The Article and Section headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; Signature Pages Immediately Follow]
42
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, kindly sign and return to the Company the enclosed copies hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall become a binding agreement in accordance with its terms
| Very truly yours, | ||
| OPTHEA LIMITED | ||
| By: | /s/ Megan Baldwin | |
| Name: Megan Baldwin | ||
| Title: Chief Executive Director and Managing Director | ||
The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted by the Agent, the Forward Seller and Forward Purchaser in New York, New York as of the date first above written.
| JEFFERIES LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael Magarro | |
| Name: Michael Magarro | ||
| Title: Managing Director | ||
Execution Version
EXHIBIT A
ISSUANCE NOTICE
[Date]
Jefferies LLC
520 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attn: [__________]
Reference is made to the Open Market Sales Agreement among Opthea Limited (the Company) and Jefferies LLC in its capacity as, (i) purchaser under any Forward Contract (the Forward Purchaser), (ii) agent for the Forward Purchaser in connection with the offering and sale of any Forward Hedge Shares, (the Forward Seller) and (iii) agent for the Company and/or principal in connection with the offering and sale of any Shares (the Agent), on behalf the Company of its American Depositary Shares (the ADSs, and each an ADS), each representing eight (8) ordinary shares, no par value, of the Company (Ordinary Shares), having an aggregate offering price of up to $75.0 million on the terms set forth in this agreement (this Agreement). Capitalized terms used in this Issuance Notice without definition shall have the respective definitions ascribed to them in the Agreement. This Issuance Notice relates to [an Issuance] [a Forward]. The Company confirms that all conditions to the delivery of this Issuance Notice are satisfied as of the date hereof.
The Company represents and warrants that each representation, warranty, covenant and other agreement of the Company contained in the Agreement [and any Master Forward Confirmation] is true and correct on the date hereof, and that the Prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, and any applicable Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of the date hereof, do not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
| Number of Days in [Issuance] [Forward Hedge] Selling Period: |
$ | [ | ●] | |||||
| First Date of [Issuance] [Forward Hedge] Selling Period: |
[ | ●] | ||||||
| Maximum Number of Shares to be Sold: |
[ | ●] | ||||||
| [Issuance] [Forward Hedge] Amount: |
$ | [ | ●] | |||||
| Floor Price (Adjustable by Company during the [Issuance] [Forward Hedge] Selling Period, and in no event less than $1.00 per share): |
$ | [ | ●] | per share | ||||
| [[Forward Hedge Selling Commission Rate (not to exceed 20%)]: |
[ | ●] | % |
| Forward Price Reduction Date |
Forward Price Reduction Amounts |
|||
| [●] |
$ | [ | ●] | |
| [●] |
$ | [ | ●] | |
| [●] |
$ | [ | ●] | |
| [●] |
$ | [ | ●] | |
| Spread: |
[ | ●] basis points | ||
| Initial Stock Loan Rate: |
[ | ●] basis points | ||
| Maximum Stock Loan Rate: |
[ | ●] basis points | ||
| Regular Dividend Amounts Per Calendar Quarter: |
$ | [ | ●] | |
| Maturity Date: |
[ | ●] | ||
| Floor Price (Adjustable by Company during the [Issuance] [Forward Hedge] Selling Period: |
$ | [ | ●] per share |
|
| ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
2
MASTER FORWARD CONFIRMATION
| To: | Opthea Limited (Party B) | |
| From: | Jefferies LLC (Party A) | |
| Re: | Master Confirmation for Issuer Share Forward Sale Transactions | |
| Date: | January 31, 2022 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The purpose of this communication (this Master Confirmation) is to set forth the terms and conditions of the transactions to be entered into from time to time (each, a Transaction and, collectively, the Transactions) between Jefferies LLC (Party A) and Opthea Limited (Party B) in accordance with the terms of the Open Market Sales AgreementSM (the Sales Agreement), dated as of January 31, 2022, among Party A and Party B. Each Transaction will be evidenced by a supplemental confirmation substantially in the form of Annex A hereto (each, a Supplemental Confirmation, and each such Supplemental Confirmation, together with this Master Confirmation, a Confirmation for purposes of the Agreement specified below). Each Confirmation will be a confirmation for purposes of Rule 10b-10 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act).
1. Each Confirmation is subject to, and incorporates, the 2002 ISDA Equity Derivatives Definitions (the Equity Definitions), as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA). For purposes of the Equity Definitions, each Transaction to which this Master Confirmation relates will be deemed to be a Share Forward Transaction.
Each Confirmation shall supplement, form a part of and be subject to an agreement (the Agreement) in the form of the 2002 ISDA Master Agreement(the ISDA Form), as published by ISDA, as if Party A and Party B had executed the ISDA Form on the date hereof (but without any Schedule except for the election of New York law (without regard to New Yorks choice of laws doctrine other than Title 14 of Article 5 of the New York General Obligations Law) as the governing law and US Dollars (USD) as the Termination Currency. All provisions contained in the Agreement are incorporated into and shall govern each Confirmation except as expressly modified below. Each Confirmation will evidence a complete and binding agreement between Party A and Party B as to the terms of the relevant Transaction and will replace any previous agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter thereof.
The Transactions under this Master Confirmation shall be the only Transactions under the Agreement. If there exists any ISDA Master Agreement between Party A or any of its Affiliates and Party B or any confirmation or other agreement between Party A or any of its Affiliates and Party B pursuant to which an ISDA Master Agreement is deemed to exist between Party A or any of its Affiliates and Party B, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary in such ISDA Master Agreement, such confirmation or agreement or any other agreement to which Party A or any of its Affiliates and Party B are parties, none of the Transactions to which this Master Confirmation relates shall be considered a Transaction under, or otherwise governed by, such existing or deemed ISDA Master Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency among the Agreement, this Master Confirmation, any Supplemental Confirmation and the Equity Definitions, the following will prevail in the order of precedence indicated: (i) such Supplemental Confirmation; (ii) this Master Confirmation; (iii) the Equity Definitions; and (iv) the Agreement.
2. The terms of the particular Transactions to which this Master Confirmation relates are as follows:
General Terms:
| Trade Date: |
For each Transaction, as specified in the Supplemental Confirmation for such Transaction, to be the last Trading Day (as defined in the Sales Agreement) of the Forward Hedge Selling Period (as defined in the Sales Agreement) for such Transaction. |
| Effective Date: |
For each Transaction, as specified in the Supplemental Confirmation for such Transaction, to be the date that is one Settlement Cycle following the Trade Date for such Transaction, or such later date on which the conditions set forth in Section 3 of this Master Confirmation shall have been satisfied or waived by Party A. |
| Buyer: |
Party A |
| Seller: |
Party B |
| Maturity Date: |
For each Transaction, as specified in the Supplemental Confirmation for such Transaction, to be the date set forth in the effective Issuance Notice as amended by any corresponding Acceptance (each such term as defined in the Sales Agreement) for such Transaction (or, if such date is not a Trading Day, the next following Trading Day). |
| Shares: |
The American Depositary Shares (the ADSs, and each an ADS), each representing eight (8) ordinary shares, no par value, of Party B (Ticker: OPT) |
| Number of Shares: |
For each Transaction, initially, as specified in the Supplemental Confirmation for such Transaction, to be the number of Shares equal to the Actual Sold Forward Amount (as defined in the Sales Agreement) for the Forward Hedge Selling Period (as defined in the Sales Agreement) for such Transaction; provided that the Number of Shares is subject to reduction as provided in Section 3 below (the Initial Number of Shares). |
| On each Settlement Date, the Number of Shares shall be reduced by the number of Settlement Shares settled on such date. |
| Settlement Currency: |
USD |
| Exchange: |
The Nasdaq Global Select Market |
| Related Exchange: |
All Exchanges |
| Prepayment: |
Not Applicable |
| Variable Obligation: |
Not Applicable |
| Initial Forward Price: |
For each Transaction, as specified in the Supplemental Confirmation for such Transaction, to be the product of (i) an amount equal to 1 minus the Forward Hedge Selling Commission Rate (as defined in the Sales Agreement) applicable to such Transaction; and (ii) the Volume-Weighted Hedge Price for such Transaction (such product adjusted as the Calculation Agent determines appropriate to (x) reflect on each day during such period and through the Effective Date the sum of 1 and the Daily Rate for such day multiplied by the then-Initial Forward Price as of such day and (y) reduce the then-Initial Forward Price by the relevant Forward Price Reduction Amount on each Forward Price Reduction Date, if any, occurring on or before the Trade Date). |
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| Forward Price: |
For each Transaction, on the Effective Date of such Transaction, the Initial Forward Price, and on any day thereafter, the product of the Forward Price on the immediately preceding calendar day and |
| 1 + the Daily Rate * (1/365); |
| provided that the Forward Price on each Forward Price Reduction Date shall be the Forward Price otherwise in effect on such date minus the Forward Price Reduction Amount for such Forward Price Reduction Date. |
| Volume-Weighted Hedge Price: |
For each Transaction, as specified in the Supplemental Confirmation for such Transaction, to be the volume-weighted average of the Sales Prices (as defined in the Sales Agreement) per share of Forward Hedge Shares (as defined in the Sales Agreement) sold on each Trading Day of the Forward Hedge Selling Period (as defined in the Sales Agreement) for such Transaction. |
| Daily Rate: |
For any day, the Variable Rate minus the Spread. |
| Spread: |
For each Transaction, as specified in the Supplemental Confirmation for such Transaction. |
| Variable Rate: |
For any day, the rate set forth opposite the caption Overnight Bank Funding Rate for such day on the page OBFR01 <Index> <GO> on the BLOOMBERG Professional Service, or any successor page; provided that if no such rate appears for such day on such page, the Variable Rate for such day shall be such rate for the immediately preceding day for which such a rate appears. |
| Forward Price Reduction Dates: |
For each Transaction, as specified in Schedule I to the Supplemental Confirmation for such Transaction, to be each date set forth under the heading Forward Price Reduction Dates in the effective Issuance Notice for such Transaction. |
| Forward Price Reduction Amount: |
For each Forward Price Reduction Date of a Transaction, as specified in Schedule I to the Supplemental Confirmation for such Transaction, to be the Forward Price Reduction Amount set forth opposite such date in the effective Issuance Notice for such Transaction. |
Valuation:
| Valuation Date: |
For any Settlement (as defined below) with respect to any Transaction, if Physical Settlement is applicable, as designated in the relevant Settlement Notice (as defined below); or if Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement is applicable, the last Unwind Date for such Settlement. Section 6.6 of the Equity Definitions shall not apply to any Valuation Date. For the avoidance of doubt, the last Unwind Date shall be determined by Party A based on the completion of the unwinding of its commercially reasonable hedge position. Party A shall notify Party B in writing that such last Unwind Date has so occurred before the next following Scheduled Trading Day. |
| Unwind Dates: |
For any Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement with respect to any Settlement of any Transaction, each day on which Party A (or its agent |
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| or affiliate) purchases Shares in the market in connection with unwinding its commercially reasonable hedge position in connection with such Settlement, starting on the First Unwind Date for such Settlement. |
| First Unwind Date: |
For any Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement with respect to any Settlement of any Transaction, as designated in the relevant Settlement Notice. |
| Unwind Period: |
For any Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement with respect to any Settlement of any Transaction, the period starting on the First Unwind Date for such Settlement and ending on the Valuation Date for such Settlement. |
| Cash Settlement Valuation Disruption: |
If Cash Settlement is applicable with respect to any Settlement of any Transaction and any Unwind Date during an Unwind Period is a Disrupted Day, then the 10b-18 VWAP for such Disrupted Day shall not be included in the calculation of the Settlement Price. |
| Market Disruption Event: |
The definition of Market Disruption Event in Section 6.3(a) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the words at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the relevant Valuation Time, Latest Exercise Time, Knock-in Valuation Time or Knock-out Valuation Time, as the case may be and inserting the words at any time on any Exchange Business Day during the Valuation Period after the word material, in the third line thereof. |
| Section 6.3(d) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the remainder of the provision following the term Scheduled Closing Time in the fourth line thereof. |
Settlement Terms:
| Settlement: |
With respect to any Transaction, any Physical Settlement, Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement of all or any portion of such Transaction. |
| Settlement Notice: |
For any Transaction, subject to Early Valuation below, Party B may elect to effect a Settlement of all or any portion of such Transaction by designating one or more Scheduled Trading Days following the Effective Date and on or prior to the Maturity Date for such Transaction to be Valuation Dates (or, with respect to Cash Settlements or Net Share Settlements, First Unwind Dates, each of which First Unwind Dates shall occur no later than the 50th Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding the Maturity Date for such Transaction) in a written notice to Party A (a Settlement Notice) delivered no later than the applicable Settlement Method Election Date for such Transaction, which notice shall also specify (i) the number of Shares (the Settlement Shares) for such Settlement (not to exceed the number of Undesignated Shares as of the date of such Settlement Notice) and (ii) the Settlement Method applicable to such Settlement; provided that (A) Party B may not designate a First Unwind Date for a Cash Settlement or a Net Share Settlement of any Transaction if, as of the date of such Settlement Notice, any Shares have been designated as Settlement Shares for a Cash Settlement or a Net Share Settlement of such Transaction for which the related Relevant Settlement Date has not occurred; and (B) if the number of Undesignated Shares as of the Maturity Date for such Transaction is |
4
| not zero, then the Maturity Date for such Transaction shall be a Valuation Date for a Physical Settlement of such Transaction and the number of Settlement Shares for such Settlement shall be the number of Undesignated Shares for such Transaction as of the Maturity Date for such Transaction (provided that if such Maturity Date occurs during the period from the time any Settlement Notice is given for a Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement of such Transaction until the related Relevant Settlement Date, inclusive, then the provisions set forth below opposite Early Valuation shall apply to such Transaction as if the Maturity Date for such Transaction were the Early Valuation Date for such Transaction). |
| Undesignated Shares: |
For any Transaction, as of any date, the Number of Shares for such Transaction minus the number of Shares designated as Settlement Shares for Settlements of such Transaction for which the related Relevant Settlement Date has not occurred. |
| Settlement Method Election: |
For any Transaction, applicable; provided that: |
| (i) Net Share Settlement shall be deemed to be included as an additional settlement method under Section 7.1 of the Equity Definitions; |
| (ii) Party B may elect Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement for any Settlement of any Transaction only if Party B represents and warrants to Party A in the Settlement Notice containing such election that, as of the date of such Settlement Notice, (A) Party B is not aware of any material nonpublic information concerning itself or the Shares, (B) Party B is electing the settlement method and designating the First Unwind Date specified in such Settlement Notice in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade compliance with Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act (Rule 10b-5) or any other provision of the federal securities laws, (C) Party B is not insolvent (as such term is defined under Section 101(32) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (Title 11 of the United States Code) (the Bankruptcy Code)), (D) Party B would be able to purchase a number of Shares equal to the number of Settlement Shares designated in such Settlement Notice in compliance with the laws of Party Bs jurisdiction of organization and (E) such election, and settlement in accordance therewith, does not and will not violate or conflict with any law or regulation applicable to Party B, or any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets, and any governmental consents that are required to have been obtained by Party B with respect to such election or settlement have been obtained and are in full force and effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with; and |
| (iii) Notwithstanding any election to the contrary in any Settlement Notice, Physical Settlement shall be applicable for any Settlement of any Transaction: |
| (A) | to all of the Settlement Shares designated in such Settlement Notice if, at any time from the date such Settlement Notice is received by Party A until the related First Unwind Date, inclusive, (I) the trading price per Share on the Exchange (as determined by Party A in a commercially reasonable manner) is below the Threshold Price or (II) Party A determines, in its good faith and commercially reasonable judgment, that it |
5
| would, after using commercially reasonable efforts, be unable to purchase a number of Shares in the market sufficient to unwind a commercially reasonable hedge position in respect of the portion of such Transaction represented by such Settlement Shares and satisfy its delivery obligation hereunder, if any, by the Maturity Date (x) in a manner that (A) would, if Party A were Party B or an affiliated purchaser of Party B, be subject to the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b-18(b) under the Exchange Act and (B) based on advice of counsel, would not raise material risks under applicable securities laws or (y) due to the lack of sufficient liquidity in the Shares (each, a Trading Condition); or |
| (B) | to all or a portion of the Settlement Shares designated in such Settlement Notice if, on any day during the relevant Unwind Period, (I) the trading price per Share on the Exchange (as determined by Party A in a commercially reasonable manner) is below the Threshold Price or (II) Party A determines, in its good faith and commercially reasonable judgment or based on advice of counsel, as applicable, that a Trading Condition has occurred with respect to such Transaction, in which case the provisions set forth below in the fifth paragraph opposite Early Valuation shall apply as if such day were the Early Valuation Date and (x) for purposes of clause (i) of such paragraph, such day shall be the last Unwind Date of such Unwind Period and the Unwound Shares shall be calculated to, and including, such day and (y) for purposes of clause (ii) of such paragraph, the Remaining Shares shall be equal to the number of Settlement Shares designated in such Settlement Notice minus the Unwound Shares determined in accordance with clause (x) of this sentence. |
| Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Physical Settlement applies under this clause (iii), Party A shall provide written notice of the Trading Condition to Party B at least two Scheduled Trading Days prior to the applicable Settlement Date |
| Threshold Price: |
For each Transaction, as specified in the Supplemental Confirmation for such Transaction, to be 25% of the Initial Forward Price for such Transaction. |
| Electing Party: |
Party B |
| Settlement Method Election Date: |
With respect to any Settlement of any Transaction, the 2nd Scheduled Trading Day immediately preceding (x) the Valuation Date for such Transaction, in the case of Physical Settlement, or (y) the First Unwind Date for such Transaction, in the case of Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement. |
| Default Settlement Method: |
Physical Settlement |
| Physical Settlement: |
Notwithstanding Section 9.2(a)(i) of the Equity Definitions, on the Settlement Date for any Physical Settlement of any Transaction, Party A shall pay to Party B an amount equal to the Forward Price for such Transaction on the relevant Valuation Date multiplied by the number of Settlement Shares for such Settlement, and Party B shall deliver to Party A such Settlement Shares. |
6
| Settlement Date: |
For any Settlement of any Transaction to which Physical Settlement is applicable, the Valuation Date for such Settlement. |
| Net Share Settlement: |
On the Net Share Settlement Date for any Settlement of any Transaction to which Net Share Settlement is applicable, if the Net Share Settlement Amount for such Settlement is greater than zero, Party B shall deliver a number of Shares equal to such Net Share Settlement Amount (rounded down to the nearest integer) to Party A, and if such Net Share Settlement Amount is less than zero, Party A shall deliver a number of Shares equal to the absolute value of such Net Share Settlement Amount (rounded down to the nearest integer) to Party B, in either case, in accordance with Section 9.4 of the Equity Definitions, with such Net Share Settlement Date deemed to be a Settlement Date for purposes of such Section 9.4, and, in either case, plus cash in lieu of any fractional Shares included in such Net Share Settlement Amount but not delivered due to rounding required hereby, valued at the Settlement Price. |
| Net Share Settlement Date: |
For any Settlement of any Transaction to which Net Share Settlement is applicable, the date that follows the Valuation Date for such Settlement by one Settlement Cycle. |
| Net Share Settlement Amount: |
For any Settlement of any Transaction to which Net Share Settlement is applicable, an amount equal to the Forward Cash Settlement Amount for such Settlement divided by the Settlement Price. |
| Forward Cash Settlement Amount: |
Notwithstanding Section 8.5(c) of the Equity Definitions, the Forward Cash Settlement Amount for any Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement of any Transaction shall be equal to (i) the number of Settlement Shares for such Settlement multiplied by (ii) an amount equal to (A) the Settlement Price for such Settlement minus (B) the Relevant Forward Price for such Settlement. |
| Relevant Forward Price: |
For any Cash Settlement of any Transaction, the arithmetic average of the Forward Prices for such Transaction on each Unwind Date relating to such Settlement. |
| For any Net Share Settlement of any Transaction, the weighted average of the Forward Prices for such Transactions on each Unwind Date relating to such Settlement (weighted based on the number of Shares purchased by Party A or its agent or affiliate on each such Unwind Date in connection with unwinding Party As commercially reasonable hedge position in connection with such Settlement, as determined by the Calculation Agent). |
| Settlement Price: |
For any Cash Settlement of any Transaction, the arithmetic average of the 10b-18 VWAP on each Unwind Date relating to such Settlement, plus commercially reasonable commissions not to exceed USD0.02 per Share. |
| For any Net Share Settlement of any Transaction, the weighted average price of the purchases of Shares made by Party A (or its agent or affiliate) during the Unwind Period in connection with unwinding its |
7
| commercially reasonable hedge position relating to such Settlement (weighted based on the number of Shares purchased by Party A or its agent or affiliate on each Unwind Date in connection with unwinding its commercially reasonable hedge position in connection with such Settlement, as determined by the Calculation Agent), plus commercially reasonable commissions not to exceed USD0.02 per Share. |
| 10b-18 VWAP: |
For any Exchange Business Day, as determined by the Calculation Agent based on the 10b-18 Volume Weighted Average Price per Share for the regular trading session (including any extensions thereof) of the Exchange on such Exchange Business Day (without regard to pre-open or after hours trading outside of such regular trading session for such Exchange Business Day), as published by Bloomberg at 4:15 p.m. New York time (or 15 minutes following the end of any extension of the regular trading session) on such Exchange Business Day, on Bloomberg page DEA <Equity> AQR_SEC (or any successor thereto), or if such price is not so reported on such Exchange Business Day for any reason or is, in the Calculation Agents reasonable determination, erroneous, such 10b-18 VWAP shall be as reasonably determined by the Calculation Agent. For purposes of calculating the 10b-18 VWAP for such Exchange Business Day, the Calculation Agent will include only those trades that are reported during the period of time during which Party B could purchase its own shares under Rule 10b-18(b)(2) and are effected pursuant to the conditions of Rule 10b-18(b)(3), each under the Exchange Act (such trades, Rule 10b-18 eligible transactions). |
| Unwind Activities: |
The times and prices at which Party A (or its agent or affiliate) purchases any Shares during any Unwind Period in connection with unwinding its commercially reasonable hedge position in respect of each Transaction shall be determined by Party A in a commercially reasonable manner. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that Party A concludes, in its commercially reasonable discretion based on advice of counsel, that it is appropriate with respect to any legal, regulatory or self-regulatory requirements or related policies and procedures (whether or not such requirements, policies or procedures are imposed by law or have been voluntarily adopted by Party A, provided that such policies and procedures apply broadly to similar transactions for other issuers) (a Regulatory Disruption), for it to refrain from purchasing Shares in connection with unwinding its commercially reasonable hedge position in respect of such Transaction on any Scheduled Trading Day that would have been an Unwind Date but for the occurrence of a Regulatory Disruption, Party A shall notify Party B in writing that a Regulatory Disruption has occurred on such Scheduled Trading Day with respect to such Transaction, in which case Party A shall, to the extent practicable in its good faith discretion, specify the nature of such Regulatory Disruption, and, for the avoidance of doubt, such Scheduled Trading Day shall not be an Unwind Date for such Transaction and such Regulatory Disruption shall be deemed to be a Market Disruption Event; provided that Party A may exercise its right to suspend under this sentence only in good faith in relation to events or circumstances that are not the result of actions of it or any of its Affiliates that are taken with the intent to avoid its obligations under the Transactions. Party A shall subsequently promptly notify Party B when the circumstances giving rise to such Regulatory Disruption have changed. |
8
| Relevant Settlement Date: |
For any Settlement of any Transaction, the Settlement Date, Cash Settlement Payment Date or Net Share Settlement Date for such Settlement, as the case may be. |
| Other Applicable Provisions: |
To the extent Party A is obligated to deliver Shares under any Transaction, the provisions of Sections 9.2 (last sentence only), 9.8, 9.9, 9.10, 9.11 and 9.12 of the Equity Definitions will be applicable as if Physical Settlement applied to such Transaction; provided that the Representation and Agreement contained in Section 9.11 of the Equity Definitions shall be modified by excluding any representations therein relating to restrictions, obligations, limitations or requirements under applicable securities laws that exist as a result of the fact that Party B is the issuer of the Shares. |
Share Adjustments:
| Potential Adjustment Events: |
An Extraordinary Dividend shall not constitute a Potential Adjustment Event. For the avoidance of doubt, a cash dividend on the Shares that differs from expected dividends as of the Trade Date of any Transaction shall not be a Potential Adjustment Event under Section 11.2(e)(vii) of the Equity Definitions with respect to such Transaction. Section 11.2(e) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting clause (v) thereof |
| Extraordinary Dividend: |
For any Transaction, any dividend or distribution on the Shares with an ex-dividend date occurring on any day following the Trade Date of such Transaction (other than (i) any dividend or distribution of the type described in Section 11.2(e)(i) or Section 11.2(e)(ii)(A) of the Equity Definitions or (ii) a regular, quarterly cash dividend in an amount equal to or less than the Regular Dividend Amount for such calendar quarter for such Transaction that has an ex-dividend date no earlier than the Forward Price Reduction Date occurring in the relevant quarter for such Transaction). |
| Regular Dividend Amount: |
For each Transaction and for each calendar quarter, the amount set forth under the heading Regular Dividend Amounts in the Issuance Notice as amended by any corresponding Acceptance (each such term as defined in the Sales Agreement) for such Transaction and for such calendar quarter (or, if no such amount is specified, an amount determined by Party A in good faith), as specified in Schedule I to the Supplemental Confirmation for such Transaction. |
| Method of Adjustment: |
Calculation Agent Adjustment |
Extraordinary Events:
| Extraordinary Events: |
The consequences that would otherwise apply under Article 12 of the Equity Definitions to any applicable Extraordinary Event (excluding any Failure to Deliver, Increased Cost of Hedging, Increased Cost of Stock Borrow or any Extraordinary Event that also constitutes a Bankruptcy Termination Event, but including, for the avoidance of doubt, any other applicable Additional Disruption Event) shall not apply. |
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| Tender Offer: |
Applicable; provided that Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions shall be amended by replacing the reference therein to 10% with a reference to 20%. |
| Delisting: |
In addition to the provisions of Section 12.6(a)(iii) of the Equity Definitions, it shall also constitute a Delisting if the Exchange is located in the United States and the Shares are not immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any of the New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Select Market or The Nasdaq Global Market (or their respective successors); if the Shares are immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any such exchange or quotation system, such exchange or quotation system shall be deemed to be the Exchange. |
Additional Disruption Events:
| Change in Law: |
With respect to any Transaction, applicable; provided that (A) any determination as to whether (i) the adoption of or any change in any applicable law or regulation (including, without limitation, any tax law) or (ii) the promulgation of or any change in or public announcement of the formal or informal interpretation by any court, tribunal or regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction of any applicable law or regulation (including any action taken by a taxing authority), in each case, constitutes a Change in Law shall be made without regard to Section 739 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 or any similar legal certainty provision in any legislation enacted, or rule or regulation promulgated, on or after the Trade Date of such Transaction, (B) Section 12.9(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended (i) by adding the words (including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, adoption or promulgation of new regulations authorized or mandated by existing statute) after the word regulation in the second line thereof and (ii) by replacing the words the interpretation with the words or public announcement of any formal or informal interpretation in the third line thereof and (C) the words , unless the illegality is due to an act or omission of the party seeking to elect termination of the Transaction with the intent to avoid its obligations under the terms of the Transaction are added immediately following the word Transaction in the fifth line thereof; and provided further that Section 12.9(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by adding the phrase and/or Hedge Position after the word Shares in clause (X) thereof and (iii) by immediately following the word Transaction in clause (X) thereof, adding the phrase in the manner contemplated by the Hedging Party on the Trade Date. |
| Failure to Deliver: |
Applicable with respect to a Transaction if Party A is required to deliver Shares under such Transaction; otherwise, Not Applicable. |
| Hedging Disruption: |
Applicable |
| Increased Cost of Hedging: |
Applicable; provided that Section 12.9(b)(vi) of the Equity Definitions shall be amended by (i) adding or before clause (B) of the second sentence thereof; (ii) deleting clause (C) of the second sentence thereof; (iii) deleting the third and fourth sentences thereof; and (iv) inserting the following language at the end of such Section: provided, however, that any such increased tax, duty, expense or fee that occurs solely due to the deterioration of the creditworthiness of the Hedging Party relative to comparable financial institutions shall not be an Increased Cost of Hedging. |
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| Increased Cost of Stock Borrow: |
Applicable; provided that Section 12.9(b)(v) of the Equity Definitions shall be amended by (i) adding the word or immediately before subsection (B) and deleting the comma at the end of subsection (A); (ii) deleting clause (C) of the second sentence thereof and (iii) deleting the third, fourth and fifth sentences thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, upon the announcement of any event that, if consummated, would result in a Merger Event or Tender Offer, the term rate to borrow Shares as used in Section 12.9(a)(viii) of the Equity Definitions shall include any commercially reasonable cost borne or amount payable by the Hedging Party in respect of maintaining or reestablishing its hedge position, including, but not limited to, any assessment or other amount payable by the Hedging Party to a lender of Shares in respect of any merger or tender offer premium, as applicable. |
| Initial Stock Loan Rate: |
For each Transaction, as specified in the Supplemental Confirmation for such Transaction. |
| Loss of Stock Borrow: |
Applicable; provided that Section 12.9(b)(iv) of the Equity Definitions shall be amended by (i) deleting clause (A) of the first sentence thereof in its entirety and (ii) deleting the words neither the Non-Hedging Party nor the Lending Party lends Shares in the amount of the Hedging Shares or in the second sentence thereof. |
| Maximum Stock Loan Rate: |
For each Transaction, as specified in the Supplemental Confirmation for such Transaction. |
| Hedging Party: |
For all applicable Additional Disruption Events, Party A. |
| Determining Party: |
For all applicable Extraordinary Events, Party A. Following any determination or calculation by the Determining Party hereunder, upon a written request by Party B, the Determining Party will, within a commercially reasonable period of time following such request (not to exceed 2 Scheduled Trading Days), provide to Party B by e-mail to the e-mail address provided by Party B in such written request a report (in a commonly used file format for the storage and manipulation of financial data) displaying in reasonable detail the basis for such determination or calculation including any quotations, market data or information from external sources used in making such determination or calculation), as the case may be; provided that Party A shall not be required to disclose any proprietary or confidential models of Party A or any information that is proprietary or subject to contractual, legal or regulatory obligations to not disclose such information. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, whenever the Determining Party is required or permitted to act or to exercise judgment in any way with respect to any Transaction hereunder, including, without limitation, with respect to calculations and determinations that are made in its sole discretion or otherwise, Determining Party shall do so in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner. |
Early Valuation:
| Early Valuation: |
For any Transaction, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the Agreement, in any Supplemental Confirmation or in the Equity |
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| Definitions, at any time (x) following the occurrence of a Hedging Event with respect to such Transaction, the declaration by Issuer of an Extraordinary Dividend, or an ISDA Event with respect to such Transaction or (y) if an Excess Ownership Position or an Excess Regulatory Ownership Position exists, Party A (or, in the case of an ISDA Event that is an Event of Default or Termination Event, the party entitled to designate an Early Termination Date in respect of such event pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement) shall have the right, upon one Business Days notice to Party B (or the other party, as applicable), to designate any Scheduled Trading Day to be the Early Valuation Date for such Transaction, in which case the provisions set forth in this Early Valuation section shall apply to such Transaction, in the case of an Event of Default or Termination Event, in lieu of Section 6 of the Agreement; provided that, to the extent Party B is aware of any inside information as defined by Section 1042A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the Corporations Act) concerning itself or the Shares, Party B may, by written notice to Party A, elect to postpone the Relevant Settlement Date for such Early Valuation Date until the lesser of (i) the Scheduled Trading Day that Party B makes the necessary public disclosure pursuant to the Corporations Act or (ii) five (5) Scheduled Trading Days immediately following the Early Valuation Date. For the avoidance of doubt, any amount calculated pursuant to this Early Valuation section as a result of an Extraordinary Dividend shall not be adjusted by the value associated with such Extraordinary Dividend. |
| Party A represents and warrants to and agrees with Party B, assuming the accuracy and completeness of the representations of Party B hereunder and the compliance with, and satisfaction of, the covenants and undertakings of Party B hereunder, that (i) based upon advice of counsel, Party A (A) does not know of the existence as of the date hereof of an Excess Ownership Position or an Excess Regulatory Ownership Position and (B) based on reasonable internal inquiry in the ordinary course of Party As business does not know as of the date hereof of any event or circumstance that will cause the occurrence of an Excess Ownership Position or an Excess Regulatory Ownership Position on any day during the term of any Transaction; (ii) Party A will not knowingly cause the occurrence of an Excess Ownership Position or an Excess Regulatory Ownership Position on any day during the term of any Transaction for the purpose, in whole or in part, of causing the occurrence of an Early Valuation Date. |
| If the Early Valuation Date for a Transaction occurs on a date that is not during an Unwind Period for such Transaction, then such Early Valuation Date shall be a Valuation Date for a Physical Settlement of such Transaction, and the number of Settlement Shares for such Settlement shall be the Number of Shares on such Early Valuation Date; provided that Party A may in its sole discretion permit Party B to elect Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement in respect of such Transaction. |
| If the Early Valuation Date for a Transaction occurs during an Unwind Period for such Transaction, then (i) (A) the last Unwind Date of such Unwind Period shall be deemed to be such Early Valuation Date, (B) a Settlement shall occur in respect of such Unwind Period, and the Settlement Method elected by Party B in respect of such Settlement shall apply, and (C) the number of Settlement Shares for such Settlement shall be the number of Unwound Shares for such Unwind Period on such Early |
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| Valuation Date, and (ii) (A) such Early Valuation Date shall be a Valuation Date for an additional Physical Settlement of such Transaction (provided that Party A may in its sole discretion elect that the Settlement Method elected by Party B for the Settlement described in clause (i) of this sentence shall apply) and (B) the number of Settlement Shares for such additional Settlement shall be the number of Remaining Shares on such Early Valuation Date. |
| Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Nationalization or Merger Event, if at the time of the related Relevant Settlement Date the Shares have changed into cash or any other property or the right to receive cash or any other property, the Calculation Agent shall adjust the nature of the Shares as it determines appropriate to account for such change such that the nature of the Shares is consistent with what shareholders receive in such event. |
| Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any Early Valuation Date resulting from any Excess Ownership Position or Excess Regulatory Ownership Position will be limited to the Shares necessary to cure such Excess Ownership Position or Excess Regulatory Ownership Position. Further, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any Early Valuation Date resulting from a Hedging Event will be limited to the Shares affected by such Hedging Event. |
| ISDA Event: |
(i) Any Event of Default or Termination Event, other than an Event of Default under Section 5(a)(i) of the Agreement that also constitutes a Bankruptcy Termination Event, that gives rise to the right of either party to designate an Early Termination Date pursuant to Section 6 of the Agreement or (ii) the public announcement of any event or transaction that, if consummated, would result in a Merger Event, Tender Offer, Nationalization, Delisting or Change in Law, in each case, as determined by the Calculation Agent. |
| Amendment to Merger Event: |
Section 12.1(b) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the remainder of such Section beginning with the words in each case if the Merger Date is on or before in the fourth to last line thereof. |
| Hedging Event: |
In respect of any Transaction, the occurrence of any of the following on or following the first Trading Day of the Forward Hedge Selling Period (as defined in the Sales Agreement): (i) (x) A Loss of Stock Borrow in connection with which Party B does not refer the Hedging Party to a satisfactory Lending Party within the required time period as provided in Section 12.9(b)(iv) of the Equity Definitions or (y) a Hedging Disruption, (ii) (A) an Increased Cost of Stock Borrow or (B) an Increased Cost of Hedging in connection with which, in the case of sub-clause (A) or (B), Party B does not elect, and so notify the Hedging Party of its election, in each case, within the required time period to either amend such Transaction pursuant to Section 12.9(b)(v)(A) or Section 12.9(b)(vi)(A) of the Equity Definitions, as applicable, or pay an amount determined by the Calculation Agent that corresponds to the relevant Price Adjustment pursuant to Section 12.9(b)(v)(B) or Section 12.9(b)(vi)(B) of the Equity Definitions, as applicable, or (iii) the occurrence of a Market Disruption Event during an Unwind Period and the continuance of such Market Disruption Event for at least eight Scheduled Trading Days. |
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| Remaining Shares: |
For any Transaction, on any day, the Number of Shares for such Transaction as of such day (or, if such day occurs during an Unwind Period for such Transaction, the Number of Shares for such Transaction as of such day minus the Unwound Shares for such Transaction for such Unwind Period on such day). |
| Unwound Shares: |
For any Transaction, for any Unwind Period in respect of such Transaction on any day, the aggregate number of Shares with respect to which Party A has unwound its commercially reasonable hedge position in respect of such Transaction in connection with the related Settlement as of such day. |
Acknowledgements:
| Non-Reliance: |
Applicable |
Agreements and Acknowledgements
| Regarding Hedging Activities: |
Applicable |
| Additional Acknowledgements: |
Applicable |
| Transfer: |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, Party A may assign, transfer and set over all rights, title and interest, powers, privileges and remedies of Party A under any Transaction, in whole or in part, to an affiliate of Party A without the consent of Party B; provided that (i) (1) such affiliates obligations hereunder and under the Agreement are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Party A or an affiliate of Party A, or (2) such affiliates rating, at the time of such assignment or transfer, of its long-term, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness or its long-term issuer rating is equal to or better than the rating for Jefferies Group LLCs long-term, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness or Party As long-term issuer rating, as the case may be, (ii) Party B will neither (1) be required to pay, nor is there a material likelihood that it would be required to pay, to such transferee or assignee an additional amount or number of Shares in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) of the Agreement, nor (2) as a result of such assignment or transfer, receive a payment from which an amount has been withheld or deducted on account of a Tax under Section 2(d)(i) of the Agreement in excess of that which Party A would have been required to so withhold or deduct in the absence of such assignment or transfer;, (iii) each of Party A and such transferee is a dealer within the meaning of section 1.1001-4(b)(1) of the U.S. Treasury Regulations; (iv) Party A shall cause the transferee or assignee to make such Payee Tax Representations and to provide such tax documentation as may reasonably be requested by Party B to make any necessary determinations pursuant to clause (ii) of this proviso, and (v) no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default shall have occurred with respect to either party solely as a result of such transfer and assignment. |
| Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Master Confirmation or any Supplemental Confirmation to the contrary requiring or allowing Party A to purchase, sell, receive or deliver any Shares or other securities to or from Party B, Party A may designate any of its affiliates to purchase, sell, receive or deliver such Shares or other securities and otherwise to perform Party A obligations in respect of any Transaction and any such designee may assume such obligations. Party A shall be discharged of its obligations to Party B only to the extent of any such performance. |
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Calculation Agent: Party A; provided that, following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 5(a)(vii) of the Agreement with respect to which Party A is the sole Defaulting Party, Party B shall have the right to select a leading dealer in the market for U.S. corporate equity derivatives to replace Party A as Calculation Agent, and the parties shall work in good faith to execute any appropriate documentation required by such replacement Calculation Agent. Following any determination or calculation by the Calculation Agent hereunder, upon a written request by Party B, the Calculation Agent will, within a commercially reasonable period of time following such request (not to exceed 2 Scheduled Trading Days), provide to Party B by e-mail to the e-mail address provided by Party B in such written request a report (in a commonly used file format for the storage and manipulation of financial data) displaying in reasonable detail the basis for such determination or calculation including any quotations, market data or information from external sources used in making such determination or calculation), as the case may be; provided that Party A shall not be required to disclose any proprietary or confidential models of Party A or any information that is proprietary or subject to contractual, legal or regulatory obligations to not disclose such information. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, whenever the Calculation Agent or Party A is required or permitted to act or to exercise judgment in any way with respect to any Transaction hereunder, including, without limitation, with respect to calculations and determinations that are made in its sole discretion or otherwise, the Calculation Agent or Party A, as applicable, shall do so in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner.
| Party B Payment Instructions: |
To be provided by Party B |
| Party A Payment Instructions: |
To be provided by Party A |
| Party B Process Agent: |
For purposes of Section 13(c) of the Agreement, Party B shall notify Party A of Party Bs Process Agent |
The Office of Party B for the
| Transaction is: |
Inapplicable, Party B is not a Multibranch Party |
The Office of Party A for the
| Transaction is: |
New York |
Party Bs Contact Details
| for Purpose of Giving Notice: |
To be provided by Party B |
Party As Contact Details
| for Purpose of Giving Notice: |
Jefferies LLC |
| 520 Madison Avenue |
| New York, NY 10022 |
| Attn: Equity Derivatives Middle Office |
| Tel: [omitted] |
| Email: [omitted] |
| With copies to: |
| Jefferies LLC |
| 520 Madison Avenue |
| New York, NY 10022 |
| Attn: Colyer Curtis |
| Tel: [omitted] |
| Email: [omitted] |
| and |
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| Jefferies LLC 520 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10022 Attn: Sonia Han Levovitz Tel: [omitted] Email: [omitted] |
3. Effectiveness. The effectiveness of each Supplemental Confirmation and the related Transaction on the Effective Date for such Supplemental Confirmation shall be subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by Party A) of the following conditions:
(a) the representations and warranties of Party B contained in the Sales Agreement, and any certificate delivered pursuant thereto by Party B, shall be true and correct on such Effective Date as if made as of such Effective Date;
(b) each of Party B shall have performed all of the obligations required to be performed by it under the Sales Agreement on or prior to such Effective Date;
(c) all of the conditions set forth in Section 2 of the Sales Agreement shall have been satisfied;
(d) the effective Issuance Notice shall have been delivered and the effective Issuance Notice Date (as defined in the Sales Agreement) shall have occurred as provided in the Sales Agreement;
(e) all of the representations and warranties of Party B hereunder and under the Agreement shall be true and correct on such Effective Date as if made as of such Effective Date; and
(f) Party B shall have performed all of the obligations required to be performed by it hereunder and under the Agreement on or prior to such Effective Date, including without limitation its obligations under Section 6 hereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Master Confirmation or any Supplemental Confirmation, if, in respect of any Transaction, (x) on or prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Settlement Date (as defined in the Sales Agreement) in connection with Party A establishing its commercially reasonable hedge position, Party A, in its commercially reasonable judgment, is unable, after using commercially reasonable efforts, to borrow and deliver for sale the full Number of Shares or (y) in Party As commercially reasonable judgment, it would incur a stock loan cost of more than a rate equal to the Maximum Stock Loan Rate for such Transaction with respect to all or any portion of such full Number of Shares, the effectiveness of the related Supplemental Confirmation and such Transaction shall be limited to the number of Shares Party A is so able to borrow in connection with establishing its commercially reasonable hedge position for such Transaction at a cost of not more than a rate equal to the Maximum Stock Loan Rate for such Transaction, which, for the avoidance of doubt, may be zero.
4. Additional Mutual Representations and Warranties. In addition to the representations and warranties in the Agreement, each party represents and warrants to the other party, as of the date hereof and as of each Issuance Notice Date (as defined in the Sales Agreement), Trade Date and Forward Hedge Settlement Date (as defined in the Sales Agreement), that it is an eligible contract participant, as defined in the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act (as amended), and an accredited investor as defined in Section 2(a)(15)(ii) of the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) (the Securities Act), and is entering into each Transaction hereunder as principal and not for the benefit of any third party.
5. Additional Representations and Warranties of Party B. In addition to the representations and warranties in the Agreement and those contained elsewhere herein, Party B represents and warrants to Party A, and agrees with Party A, as of the date hereof and as of each Issuance Notice Date (as defined in the Sales Agreement), Trade Date and Forward Hedge Settlement Date (as defined in the Sales Agreement), that:
(a) without limiting the generality of Section 13.1 of the Equity Definitions, it acknowledges that Party A is not making any representations or warranties with respect to the treatment of any Transaction, including without
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limitation ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share, ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging Contracts in Entitys Own Equity (or any successor issue statements) or under the Financial Accounting Standards Boards Liabilities & Equity Project;
(b) it is not entering into this Master Confirmation or any Supplemental Confirmation to create actual or apparent trading activity in the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for Shares), or to raise or depress or otherwise manipulate the price of the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) for the purpose of inducing the purchase or sale of the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) by others;
(c) it is not aware of any material non-public information regarding itself or the Shares; it is entering into this Master Confirmation (and any Supplemental Confirmation) and will provide any Settlement Notice in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade compliance with Rule 10b-5 or any other provision of the federal securities laws; it has not entered into or altered any hedging transaction relating to the Shares corresponding to or offsetting any Transaction; and it has consulted with its own advisors as to the legal aspects of its adoption and implementation of this Master Confirmation and any Supplemental Confirmations under Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act (Rule 10b5-1);
(d) to its knowledge, no state or local (including non-U.S. jurisdictions) law, rule, regulation or regulatory order applicable to the Shares would give rise to any reporting, consent, registration or other requirement (including without limitation a requirement to obtain prior approval from any person or entity) as a result of Party A or its affiliates owning or holding (however defined) Shares; provided that Party B makes no such representation or warranty regarding any such requirement that is applicable generally to the ownership of equity securities by Party A or any Tax return filing obligation or similar Tax-related reporting, consent, registration or other requirement of Party A and its affiliates;
(e) as of any Trade Date and as of the date of any payment or delivery by Party B or Party A hereunder, it is not and will not be insolvent (as such term is defined under Section 101(32) of the Bankruptcy Code);
(f) it is not, and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby will not be, required to register as an investment company as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;
(g) it: (i) is an institutional account as defined in FINRA Rule 4512(c); and (ii) is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to all transactions and investment strategies involving a security or securities, and will exercise independent judgment in evaluating any recommendations of Party A or its associated persons;
(h) it has not applied for or received a loan, loan guarantee, direct loan (as that term is defined in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act)) or other investment, or any financial assistance or relief under any program or facility (collectively Financial Assistance) that (a) is established under applicable law, including without limitation the CARES Act and the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, and (b) (i) would preclude or limit, as a condition to such Financial Assistance or otherwise, Party Bs ability to enter into, exercise its rights or perform its obligations under any Transaction (including in connection with any Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement) or (ii) for which the terms of any Transaction would cause Party B to fail to satisfy any condition for application for or receipt or retention of the Financial Assistance and it acknowledges that entering into a Transaction may limit its ability to receive any such Financial Assistance; provided, that Party B or any of its subsidiaries may apply for Financial Assistance if Party B either (a) determines based on the advice of outside counsel of national standing that the terms of the Transaction would not cause Party B or any of its subsidiaries to fail to satisfy any condition for application for or receipt or retention of such Financial Assistance based on the terms of the program or facility as of the date of such advice or (b) delivers to Party A evidence or other guidance from a governmental authority with jurisdiction for such program or facility that the Transaction is permitted under such program or facility (either by specific reference to the Transaction or by general reference to transactions with the attributes of the Transaction in all relevant respects); and
(i) IT UNDERSTANDS THAT THE TRANSACTIONS ARE SUBJECT TO COMPLEX RISKS WHICH MAY ARISE WITHOUT WARNING AND MAY AT TIMES BE VOLATILE AND THAT LOSSES MAY OCCUR QUICKLY AND IN UNANTICIPATED MAGNITUDE AND IS WILLING TO ACCEPT SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND ASSUME (FINANCIALLY AND OTHERWISE) SUCH RISKS.
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6. Additional Covenants of Party B.
(a) Party B acknowledges and agrees that any Shares delivered by Party B to Party A on any Settlement Date or Net Share Settlement Date will be (i) newly issued, (ii) approved for listing or quotation on the Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance, and (iii) registered under the Exchange Act, and, when delivered by Party A (or an affiliate of Party A) to securities lenders from whom Party A (or an affiliate of Party A) borrowed Shares in connection with hedging its exposure to any Transaction, will be freely saleable without further registration or other restrictions under the Securities Act in the hands of those securities lenders, irrespective of whether any such stock loan is effected by Party A or an affiliate of Party A. Accordingly, Party B agrees that any Shares so delivered will not bear a restrictive legend and will be deposited in, and the delivery thereof shall be effected through the facilities of, the Clearance System. In addition, Party B represents and agrees that any such Shares shall be, upon such delivery, duly and validly authorized, issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable, free of any lien, charge, claim or other encumbrance.
(b) Party B agrees that Party B shall not enter into or alter any hedging transaction relating to the Shares corresponding to or offsetting any Transaction. Without limiting the generality of the provisions set forth opposite the caption Unwind Activities in Section 2 of this Master Confirmation, Party B acknowledges that it has no right to, and agrees that it will not seek to, control or influence Party As decision to make any purchases or sales (within the meaning of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(B)(3)) under or in connection with any Transaction, including, without limitation, Party As decision to enter into any hedging transactions.
(c) Party B acknowledges and agrees that any amendment, modification, waiver or termination of this Master Confirmation or any Supplemental Confirmation must be effected in accordance with the requirements for the amendment or termination of a plan as defined in Rule 10b5-1(c). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any such amendment, modification, waiver or termination shall be made in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade the prohibitions of Rule 10b-5, and no such amendment, modification or waiver shall be made at any time at which Party B or any officer, director, manager or similar person of Party B is aware of any material non-public information regarding Party B or the Shares.
(d) Party B shall promptly provide notice thereof to Party A upon the occurrence of any event that would constitute an Event of Default in respect of which Party B is a Defaulting Party .
(e) Neither Party B nor any of its affiliated purchasers (as defined by Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act (Rule 10b-18)) shall take any action that would reasonably be expected to cause any purchases of Shares by Party A or any of its Affiliates in connection with any Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement of any Transaction not to meet the requirements of the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b-18 if such purchases were made by Party B. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, during any Unwind Period, except with the prior written consent of Party A, Party B will not, and will cause its affiliated purchasers (as defined in Rule 10b-18) not to, directly or indirectly (including, without limitation, by means of a derivative instrument) purchase, offer to purchase, place any bid or limit order that would effect a purchase of, or announce or commence any tender offer relating to, any Shares (or equivalent interest, including a unit of beneficial interest in a trust or limited partnership or a depository share) or any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Shares.
(f) Party B will not be subject to any restricted period (as such term is defined in Regulation M promulgated under the Exchange Act (Regulation M)) in respect of Shares or any security with respect to which the Shares are a reference security (as such term is defined in Regulation M) during any Unwind Period.
(g) Party B shall: (i) prior to the opening of trading in the Shares on any day during the Unwind Period on which Party B makes, or reasonably expects in advance of opening to be made, any public announcement (as defined in Rule 165(f) under the Securities Act) of any Merger Transaction, notify Party A of such public announcement; (ii) promptly notify Party A following any such announcement that such announcement has been made; (iii) promptly (but in any event prior to the next opening of the regular trading session on the Exchange) provide Party A with written notice specifying (A) Party Bs average daily Rule 10b-18 Purchases (as defined in Rule 10b-18) during the three full
18
calendar months immediately preceding the announcement date for the Merger Transaction that were not effected through Party A or its affiliates and (B) the number of Shares purchased pursuant to the proviso in Rule 10b-18(b)(4) under the Exchange Act for the three full calendar months preceding such announcement date. Such written notice shall be deemed to be a certification by Party B to Party A that such information is true and correct. In addition, Party B shall promptly notify Party A of the earlier to occur of the completion of such transaction and the completion of the vote by target shareholders. Party B acknowledges that any such notice may result in a Regulatory Disruption, a Trading Condition or, if such notice relates to an event that is also an ISDA Event, an Early Valuation, or may affect the length of any ongoing Unwind Period. Merger Transaction means any merger, acquisition or similar transaction involving a recapitalization as contemplated by Rule 10b-18(a)(13)(iv) under the Exchange Act other than any such transaction in which the consideration consists solely of cash and there is no valuation period. For the avoidance of doubt, a Merger Transaction or the announcement thereof shall not give either party the right to designate an Early Valuation Date and/or to accelerate or preclude an election by Party B of Physical Settlement, unless such Merger Transaction or the announcement thereof is also an ISDA Event.
(h) Party B shall promptly execute each properly completed Supplemental Confirmation delivered to Party B by Party A following the delivery by Party B to Party A of an Issuance Notice relating to a Forward (as such terms are defined in the Sales Agreement).
(i) Party B shall not take any action to reduce or decrease the number of authorized and unissued Shares below the sum of (i) the aggregate Number of Shares across all Transactions plus (ii) the total number of Shares issuable upon settlement (whether by net share settlement or otherwise) of any other transaction or agreement to which it is a party.
(j) Party B will not repurchase any Shares if, immediately following such repurchase, the aggregate Number of Shares across all Transactions would be equal to or greater than 4.5% of the number of then-outstanding Shares and it will notify Party A promptly upon the announcement or consummation of any repurchase of Shares in an amount that, taken together with the amount of all repurchases since the date of the last such notice (or, if no such notice has been given, since the Trade Date), exceeds 0.5% of the number of then-outstanding Shares.
7. Termination on Bankruptcy. The parties hereto agree that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement or the Equity Definitions, each Transaction constitutes a contract to issue a security of Party B as contemplated by Section 365(c)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code and that each Transaction and the obligations and rights of Party B and Party A thereunder (except for any liability as a result of breach of any of the representations or warranties provided by Party B in Section 4 or Section 5 above) shall immediately terminate, without the necessity of any notice, payment (whether directly, by netting or otherwise) or other action by Party B or Party A, if, on or prior to the final Settlement Date, Cash Settlement Payment Date or Net Share Settlement Date of any Transaction, an Insolvency Filing occurs or any other proceeding commences with respect to Party B under the Bankruptcy Code (a Bankruptcy Termination Event).
8. Additional Provisions.
(a) Party A acknowledges and agrees that Party Bs obligations under the Transactions are not secured by any collateral and that neither this Master Confirmation not any Supplemental Confirmations are not intended to convey to Party A rights with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby that are senior to the claims of common stockholders in any U.S. bankruptcy proceedings of Party B; provided that nothing herein shall limit or shall be deemed to limit Party As right to pursue remedies in the event of a breach by Party B of its obligations and agreements with respect to this Master Confirmation, any Supplemental Confirmation or the Agreement; provided further that nothing herein shall limit or shall be deemed to limit Party As rights in respect of any transaction other than the Transactions to which this Master Confirmation relates.
(b) Each of Party A and Party B acknowledge and agree that nothing in either this Master Confirmation or in the Agreement shall require Party B to issue its Shares in the event that such issuance would result in Party B violating the rules set forth in Chapter 7 of the Listing Rules of the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) (the 15% Issuance Cap). For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing sentence should be read to mean that none of the terms contained in this Master Confirmation with respect to Potential Adjustment Events or any other events would require the Party B to violate the 15% Issuance Cap or otherwise take action (through a conducting a shareholder meeting or otherwise) to circumvent such 15% Issuance Cap.
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(c) The parties hereto intend for:
(i) each Transaction to be a securities contract as defined in Section 741(7) of the Bankruptcy Code, and the parties hereto to be entitled to the protections afforded by, among other Sections, Sections 362(b)(6), 362(b)(27), 362(o), 546(e), 546(j), 555 and 561 of the Bankruptcy Code;
(ii) the rights given to Party A pursuant to Early Valuation in Section 2 above to constitute contractual rights to cause the liquidation of a securities contract and to set off mutual debts and claims in connection with a securities contract, as such terms are used in Sections 555 and 362(b)(6) of the Bankruptcy Code;
(iii) any cash, securities or other property provided as performance assurance, credit support or collateral with respect to any Transaction to constitute margin payments and transfers under a securities contract as defined in the Bankruptcy Code;
(iv) all payments for, under or in connection with any Transaction, all payments for Shares and the transfer of Shares to constitute settlement payments and transfers under a securities contract as defined in the Bankruptcy Code; and
(v) any or all obligations that either party has with respect to this Master Confirmation, any Supplemental Confirmation or the Agreement to constitute property held by or due from such party to margin, guaranty or settle obligations of the other party with respect to the transactions under the Agreement (including the Transactions) or any other agreement between such parties.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Agreement, this Master Confirmation or any Supplemental Confirmation, in no event will Party B be required to deliver in the aggregate in respect of all Settlement Dates, Net Share Settlement Dates or other dates on which Shares are delivered in respect of any amount owed under a Transaction a number of Shares greater than 1.5 times the Number of Shares for such Transaction as of the Trade Date for such Transaction (the Capped Number). The Capped Number shall be subject to adjustment only on account of (x) Potential Adjustment Events of the type specified in (1) Sections 11.2(e)(i), (ii)(A), (iv) and (vi) of the Equity Definitions or (2) Section 11.2(e)(vii) of the Equity Definitions so long as, in the case of this sub-clause (2), such event is within Issuers control, (y) Merger Events requiring corporate action of Issuer or (z) Announcement Events that are not outside Issuers control. Party B represents and warrants to Party A (which representation and warranty shall be deemed to be repeated on each day that any Transaction is outstanding) that the aggregate Capped Number of the Transactions is equal to or less than the number of authorized but unissued Shares that are not reserved for future issuance in connection with transactions in the Shares (other than the Transactions) on the date of the determination of the Capped Number (such Shares, the Available Shares). In the event Party B shall not have delivered the full number of Shares otherwise deliverable as a result of this Section 8(d) (the resulting deficit, the Deficit Shares), Party B shall be continually obligated to deliver Shares, from time to time until the full number of Deficit Shares have been delivered pursuant to this paragraph, when, and to the extent that, (A) Shares are repurchased, acquired or otherwise received by Party B or any of its subsidiaries after the applicable Trade Date (whether or not in exchange for cash, fair value or any other consideration), (B) authorized and unissued Shares reserved for issuance in respect of other transactions prior to such date which prior to the relevant date become no longer so reserved and (C) Party B additionally authorizes any unissued Shares that are not reserved for other transactions (such events as set forth in clauses (A), (B) and (C) above, collectively, the Share Issuance Events). Party B shall promptly notify Party A of the occurrence of any of the Share Issuance Events (including the number of Shares subject to clause (A), (B) or (C) and the corresponding number of Shares to be delivered) and, as promptly as reasonably practicable, deliver such Shares thereafter. Party B shall not, until Party Bs obligations under each Transaction have been satisfied in full, use any Shares that become available for potential delivery to Party A as a result of any Share Issuance Event for the settlement or satisfaction of any transaction or obligation other than the Transactions or reserve any such Shares for future issuance for any purpose other than to satisfy Party Bs obligations to Party A under the Transactions.
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(e) The parties intend for this Master Confirmation and each Supplemental Confirmation to constitute a Contract as described in the letter dated October 6, 2003 submitted on behalf of Goldman, Sachs & Co. to Paula Dubberly of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Staff) to which the Staff responded in an interpretive letter dated October 9, 2003.
(f) The parties intend for each Transaction (taking into account purchases of Shares in connection with any Cash Settlement or Net Share Settlement of any Transaction) to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(A) under the Exchange Act and for this Master Confirmation and each Supplemental Confirmation to constitute a binding contract or instruction satisfying the requirements of 10b5-1(c) and to be interpreted to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c).
(g) Party B acknowledges that:
(i) during the term of any Transaction, Party A and its affiliates may buy or sell Shares or other securities or buy or sell options or futures contracts or enter into swaps or other derivative securities in order to establish, adjust or unwind its hedge position with respect to any Transaction;
(ii) Party A and its affiliates may also be active in the market for the Shares and derivatives linked to the Shares other than in connection with hedging activities in relation to any Transaction, including acting as agent or as principal and for its own account or on behalf of customers;
(iii) Party A shall make its own determination as to whether, when or in what manner any hedging or market activities in Party Bs securities shall be conducted and shall do so in a manner that it deems appropriate to hedge its price and market risk with respect to the Forward Price and the Settlement Price of any Transaction;
(iv) any market activities of Party A and its affiliates with respect to the Shares may affect the market price and volatility of the Shares, as well as the Forward Price and the Settlement Price of any Transaction, each in a manner that may be adverse to Party B; and
(v) each Transaction is a derivatives transaction; Party A may purchase or sell shares for its own account at an average price that may be greater than, or less than, the price received by Party B under the terms of any Transaction.
(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Master Confirmation, the Supplement Confirmation or the Agreement, the parties agreed that any Settlement Date may be postponed at Party Bs election in the event Party B is aware of any inside information as defined by Section 1042A of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the Corporations Act) concerning itself or the Shares.
9. Indemnification. Party B agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Party A, its affiliates and its assignees and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and controlling persons (Party A and each such person being an Indemnified Party) from and against any and all losses (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, financial losses resulting from the economic terms of any Transaction), claims, damages and liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), joint or several, incurred by or asserted against such Indemnified Party arising out of any breach of any covenant or representation made by Party B in this Master Confirmation, any Supplemental Confirmation or the Agreement. Party B will not be liable under the foregoing indemnification provision to the extent that any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense is found in a nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from Party As willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith in performing the services that are subject of any Transaction or from a breach of any representation or covenant of Party A contained in this Master Confirmation or the Agreement. If for any reason the foregoing indemnification is unavailable to any Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold harmless any Indemnified Party, then Party B shall contribute, to the maximum extent permitted by law, to the amount paid or payable by the Indemnified Party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability. In addition, Party B will reimburse any Indemnified Party for all reasonable expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) as they are incurred in connection with the investigation of, preparation for or defense or settlement of any pending or threatened claim or any action, suit or proceeding arising therefrom, whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party thereto and
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whether or not such claim, action, suit or proceeding is initiated or brought by or on behalf of Party B. Party B also agrees that no Indemnified Party shall have any liability to Party B or any person asserting claims on behalf of or in right of Party B in connection with or as a result of any matter referred to in this Master Confirmation or any Supplemental Confirmation except to the extent that any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses incurred by Party B result from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the Indemnified Party or from a breach of any representation or covenant of an Indemnified Party contained in this Master Confirmation or the Agreement. The provisions of this Section 9 shall survive the completion of the Transactions contemplated by this Master Confirmation and any Supplemental Confirmation and any assignment and/or delegation of any Transaction made pursuant to the Agreement or this Master Confirmation (or any Supplemental Confirmation) shall inure to the benefit of any permitted assignee of Party A. For the avoidance of doubt, any payments due as a result of this provision may not be used to set off any obligation of Party A upon settlement of any Transaction. Party B shall be relieved from liability under this Section 9 to the extent that the Indemnified Party fails promptly to notify Party B of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder (it being understood that any such notice delivered within 30 calendar days of the commencement of any such action shall be deemed to have been delivered promptly for such purpose). The provisions of this Section 9 shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.
10. Beneficial Ownership. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, this Master Confirmation or any Supplemental Confirmation, in no event shall Party A be entitled to receive, or be deemed to receive, Shares to the extent that, (i) upon such receipt of such Shares, the beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder) of Shares by Party A, any other person that would have beneficial ownership of such Shares (any such person, an Additional Owner, which shall include without limitation any of Party As affiliates business units subject to aggregation with Party A for purposes of the beneficial ownership test under Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), or any group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act) of which Party A or any Additional Owner is a member (any such group, a Party A Group), would be equal to or greater than 4.5% of the outstanding Shares (such condition, an Excess Ownership Position) or (ii) upon such receipt of such Shares, Party A, any Party A Group or any Additional Owner (any of Party A, any Party A Group or any Additional Owner, a Party A Person) under any state or federal bank holding company or banking laws, or any federal, state or local laws, regulations or regulatory orders applicable to ownership of Shares (Applicable Laws), would own, beneficially own, constructively own, control, hold the power to vote or otherwise meet a relevant definition of ownership in excess of a number of Shares equal to (x) the lesser of (A) the maximum number of Shares that would be permitted under Applicable Laws and (B) the number of Shares that would give rise to reporting or registration obligations or other requirements (including obtaining prior approval by a state or federal regulator) of a Party A Person under Applicable Laws and with respect to which such requirements have not been met or the relevant approval has not been received or that would give rise to any consequences under the constitutive documents of Party B) or any contract or agreement to which Party B is a party, in each case minus (y) 1% of the number of Shares outstanding on the date of determination (such condition described in clause (iii), an Excess Regulatory Ownership Position). If any delivery owed to Party A hereunder is not made, in whole or in part, as a result of this provision, (i) Party Bs obligation to make such delivery shall not be extinguished and Party B shall make such delivery as promptly as practicable after, but in no event later than one Exchange Business Day after, Party A gives notice to Party B that such delivery would not result in (x) any Party A Person directly or indirectly so beneficially owning in excess of 9.0% of the outstanding Shares or (y) the occurrence of an Excess Regulatory Ownership Position and (ii) if such delivery relates to a Physical Settlement, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Party A shall not be obligated to satisfy the portion of its payment obligation corresponding to any Shares required to be so delivered until the date Party B makes such delivery. Upon request of Party A, Party B shall promptly confirm to Party A the number of Shares then outstanding and Party A shall then promptly advise Party B with respect to any limitations under this Section 10 applicable to any anticipated delivery of Shares hereunder; provided, however, that neither a failure by Party B to notify Party A of the number of Shares then outstanding nor a failure of Party A to advise Party B with respect to any applicable limitations shall be deemed a default or breach hereunder and notwithstanding such failure the remainder of this Section 10 shall continue to apply. For the avoidance of doubt, any delivery of Shares made by Party B to Party A that Party A was not entitled to receive under the terms of this Section 10 shall not be deemed to satisfy any of the delivery obligations of Party B hereunder and Party A shall promptly return such Shares to Party B, pending which Party A shall be deemed to hold any such Shares solely as custodian for the benefit of Party B. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Applicable Laws for purposes of this Section 10 shall not include the substantial holding notice requirements pursuant to section 671B of the Corporations.
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11. Non-Confidentiality. The parties hereby agree that (i) effective from the date of commencement of discussions concerning any Transaction, Party B and each of its employees, representatives, or other agents may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of such Transaction and all materials of any kind, including opinions or other tax analyses, provided by Party A and its affiliates to Party B relating to such tax treatment and tax structure; provided that the foregoing does not constitute an authorization to disclose the identity of Party A or its affiliates, agents or advisers, or, except to the extent relating to such tax structure or tax treatment, any specific pricing terms or commercial or financial information or as otherwise required by law, and (ii) Party A does not assert any claim of proprietary ownership in respect of any description contained herein or therein relating to the use of any entities, plans or arrangements to give rise to a particular United States federal income tax treatment for Party B.
12. Restricted Shares. If Party B is unable to comply with the covenant of Party B contained in Section 6 above or Party A otherwise determines in its reasonable opinion, based on the advice of counsel, that any Shares to be delivered to Party A by Party B under any Transaction may not be freely returned by Party A to securities lenders as described in the covenant of Party B contained in Section 6 above (Restricted Shares), then delivery of any such Settlement Shares (the Unregistered Settlement Shares) shall be effected pursuant to Annex B hereto, unless waived by Party A.
13. Use of Shares. Party A acknowledges and agrees that, except in the case of a Private Placement Settlement, Party A shall use any Shares delivered by Party B to Party A on any Settlement Date with respect to any Transaction to return to securities lenders to close out borrowings created by Party A in connection with its hedging activities related to exposure under such Transaction or otherwise in compliance with applicable law.
14. Rule 10b-18. In connection with bids and purchases of Shares in connection with any Net Share Settlement or Cash Settlement of any Transaction, Party A shall use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct its activities, or cause its affiliates to conduct their activities, in a manner consistent with the requirements of the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, as if such provisions were applicable to such purchases and taking into account any applicable Securities and Exchange Commission no-action letters as appropriate, and subject to any delays between the execution and reporting of a trade of the Shares on the Exchange and other circumstances beyond Party As control.
15. Governing Law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, this Master Confirmation, any Supplemental Confirmation and all matters arising in connection with the Agreement, this Master Confirmation or any Supplemental Confirmation shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York (without reference to its choice of laws doctrine other than Title 14 of Article 5 of the New York General Obligations Law).
16. Set-Off. Each party waives any and all rights it may have to set-off delivery or payment obligations it owes to the other party under any Transaction against any delivery or payment obligations owed to it by the other party, whether arising under the Agreement, under any other agreement between parties hereto, by operation of law or otherwise.
17. Staggered Settlement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Party A may, by prior notice to Party B, satisfy its obligation to deliver any Shares or other securities on any date due (an Original Delivery Date) by making separate deliveries of Shares or such securities, as the case may be, at more than one time on or prior to such Original Delivery Date, so long as the aggregate number of Shares and other securities so delivered on or prior to such Original Delivery Date is equal to the number required to be delivered on such Original Delivery Date.
18. Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury. EACH OF PARTY A AND PARTY B HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES (ON SUCH PARTYS OWN BEHALF AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ON BEHALF OF SUCH PARTYS STOCKHOLDERS) ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS MASTER CONFIRMATION OR ANY SUPPLEMENTAL CONFIRMATION OR THE ACTIONS OF PARTY A, PARTY B OR THEIR AFFILIATES IN THE NEGOTIATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF.
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19. Jurisdiction. THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE UNITED STATES COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK IN CONNECTION WITH ALL MATTERS RELATING HERETO AND WAIVE ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE IN, AND ANY CLAIM OF INCONVENIENT FORUM WITH RESPECT TO, THESE COURTS.
20. Counterparts. This Master Confirmation may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument, and any party hereto may execute this Master Confirmation by signing and delivering one or more counterparts. Counterparts may be delivered via electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.
21. Delivery of Cash. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Master Confirmation or any Supplemental Confirmation shall be interpreted as requiring Party B to deliver cash or other assets in respect of the settlement of any Transaction, except in circumstances where the required cash or other asset settlement thereof is permitted for classification of the contract as equity by ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging Contracts in Entitys Own Equity, as in effect on the Trade Date.
22. Adjustments. For the avoidance of doubt, whenever the Calculation Agent, the Hedging Party or the Determining Party is called upon to make an adjustment pursuant to the terms of this Master Confirmation, any Supplemental Confirmation or the Equity Definitions to take into account the effect of an event, the Calculation Agent, the Hedging Party or the Determining Party, as applicable, shall do so in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner and shall make such adjustment by reference to the effect of such event on the Hedging Party, assuming that the Hedging Party maintains a commercially reasonable hedge position at the time of the event.
23. [Reserved]
24. Other Forwards. Party B agrees that it shall not (x) cause to occur, or permit to exist, any Forward Hedge Selling Period (as defined in the Sales Agreement) at any time there is (1) a Forward Hedge Selling Period (or equivalent concept) relating to any other issuer forward sale or similar transaction (including, without limitation, any Transaction under (as and defined under) any substantially identical master forward confirmation) with any financial institution other than Party A (an Other Forward Transaction), (2) any Unwind Period (or equivalent concept) hereunder or under any Other Forward Transaction or (3) any other period in which Party B directly or indirectly issues and sells Shares pursuant to an underwriting agreement (or similar agreement including, without limitation, the Sales Agreement or any equity distribution agreement) (such period, a Selling Period) that Party B enters into with any financial institution other than Party A, or (y) cause to occur, or permit to exist, any Unwind Period at any time there is (1) an Unwind Period (or equivalent concept) under any Other Forward Transaction, (2) a Forward Hedge Selling Period (or equivalent concept) under any Other Forward Transaction or (3) any Selling Period.
25. [Reserved]
Tax Matters.
(a) Payee Tax Representation. For the purpose of Section 3(f) of the Agreement:
(i) Party A makes the following representations:
| A. | It is a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and is treated as a disregarded entity, the owner of which is a New York corporation (the Tax Owner) for United States federal income tax purposes. |
| B. | The Tax Owner is a U.S. person (as that term is used in Treasury Regulation section 1.1441-4(a)(3)(ii)) for U.S. federal income tax purposes). |
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(ii) Party B makes the following representations:
| A. | It is a corporation organized under the laws of Australia, and it is a foreign corporation for United States federal income tax purposes within the meaning of Section 7701(a) of the Code. |
(b) Withholding Tax imposed on payments to non-US counterparties under the United States Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. Indemnifiable Tax, as defined in Section 14 of the Agreement, shall not include any U.S. federal withholding tax imposed or collected pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b) of the Code, or any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code (a FATCA Withholding Tax). For the avoidance of doubt, a FATCA Withholding Tax is a Tax the deduction or withholding of which is required by applicable law for the purposes of Section 2(d) of the Agreement.
(c) 871(m) Protocol. The parties agree that the definitions and provisions contained in the ISDA 2015 Section 871(m) Protocol, as published by ISDA and as may be amended, supplemented, replaced or superseded from time to time shall be incorporated into and apply to the Agreement solely for purposes of this Master Confirmation as if set forth in full herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing and item 6 of the Attachment to the 871(m) Protocol, Party A and Party B acknowledge and agree that neither of them is making the representation set forth in Part 2(a)(Tax Representations - Payer Representations) of the Schedule to the 2002 ISDA Master Agreement.
(d) Tax documentation. For the purposes of Sections 4(a)(i) and 4(a)(ii) of the Agreement, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, Party B shall provide to Party A a valid and duly executed U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN-E, or any successor thereto, and Party A shall provide to Party B a valid and duly executed U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or any successor thereto, in each case (i) on or before the date of execution of this Master Confirmation; (ii) promptly upon reasonable demand by the other party; and (iii) promptly upon learning that any such tax form previously provided has become invalid, obsolete, or incorrect. Additionally, Party B or Party A shall, promptly upon reasonable request by the other party, provide such other tax forms and documents reasonably requested by such other party.
(e) Change of Account. Section 2(b) of the Agreement is hereby amended by the addition of the following after the word delivery in the first line thereof: to another account in the same legal and tax jurisdiction.
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Party B hereby agrees (a) to check this Master Confirmation carefully and immediately upon receipt so that errors or discrepancies can be promptly identified and rectified and (b) to confirm that the foregoing (in the exact form provided by Party A) correctly sets forth the terms of the agreement between Party A and Party B hereunder, by manually signing this Master Confirmation or this page hereof as evidence of agreement to such terms and providing the other information requested herein and immediately returning an executed copy to us.
| Yours faithfully, | ||
| JEFFERIES LLC | ||
| By: |
| |
| Authorized Representative | ||
| Agreed and accepted by: | ||
| OPTHEA LIMITED | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page to Forward Master Confirmation]
ANNEX A
FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL CONFIRMATION
| To: | Opthea Limited (Party B) | |
| From: | Jefferies LLC (Party A) | |
| Re: | Issuer Share Forward Sale Transactions | |
| Date: | January [●], 2022 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The purpose of this Supplemental Confirmation is to confirm the terms and conditions of the Transaction entered into between Jefferies LLC (Party A) and Opthea Limited (Party B) on the Trade Date specified below. This Supplemental Confirmation is a binding contract between Party A and Party B as of the relevant Trade Date for the Transaction referenced below.
| (1) | This Supplemental Confirmation supplements, forms part of, and is subject to the Master Confirmation dated as of January 31, 2022 (the Master Confirmation) between Party A and Party B, as amended and supplemented from time to time. All provisions contained in the Master Confirmation govern this Supplemental Confirmation except as expressly modified below. |
| (2) | The terms of the Transaction to which this Supplemental Confirmation relates are as follows: |
| Trade Date: |
[ ] | |||
| Effective Date: |
[ ] | |||
| Number of Shares: |
[ ] | |||
| Maturity Date: |
[ ] | |||
| Initial Forward Price: |
USD [ ] | |||
| Threshold Price: |
USD [ ] | |||
| Volume-Weighted Hedge Price: |
[ ] | |||
| Spread: |
[ . ]% per annum | |||
| Initial Stock Loan Rate: |
[ ] | |||
| Maximum Stock Loan Rate: |
[ ] |
Party B hereby agrees (a) to check this Supplemental Confirmation carefully and immediately upon receipt so that errors or discrepancies can be promptly identified and rectified and (b) to confirm that the foregoing (in the exact form provided by Party A) correctly sets forth the terms of the agreement between Party A and Party B hereunder, by manually signing this Supplemental Confirmation or this page hereof as evidence of agreement to such terms and providing the other information requested herein and immediately returning an executed copy to us.
| Yours faithfully, | ||
| JEFFERIES LLC | ||
| By: |
| |
| Authorized Representative | ||
[Signature Page to Supplemental Confirmation]
| Agreed and accepted by: | ||
| OPTHEA LIMITED | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page to Supplemental Confirmation]
Schedule I
FORWARD PRICE REDUCTION AMOUNTS
| Forward Price Reduction Date: |
Forward Price Reduction Amount: | |
| [ ] | USD 0.00 | |
| [ ] | USD 0.00 | |
| REGULAR DIVIDEND AMOUNTS | ||
| For any calendar quarter: | USD 0.00 | |
ANNEX B
PRIVATE PLACEMENT PROCEDURES
If Party B delivers Unregistered Settlement Shares pursuant to Section 12 above (a Private Placement Settlement), then:
(a) all Unregistered Settlement Shares shall be delivered to Party A (or any affiliate of Party A designated by Party A) pursuant to the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Section 4(a)(2) thereof;
(b) as of or prior to the date of delivery, Party A and any potential purchaser of any such shares from Party A (or any affiliate of Party A designated by Party A) identified by Party A shall be afforded a commercially reasonable opportunity to conduct a due diligence investigation with respect to Party B customary in scope for private placements of equity securities of similar size (including, without limitation, the right to have made available to them for inspection all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and other information reasonably requested by them); provided that prior to receiving or being granted access to any such information, Party A, such affiliate of Party A or such potential purchaser, as the case may be, may be required by Party B to enter into a customary nondisclosure agreement with Party B in respect of any such due diligence investigation.
(c) as of the date of delivery, Party B shall enter into an agreement (a Private Placement Agreement) with Party A (or any affiliate of Party A designated by Party A) in connection with the private placement of such shares by Party B to Party A (or any such affiliate) and the private resale of such shares by Party A (or any such affiliate), substantially similar to private placement purchase agreements customary for private placements of equity securities of similar size, in form and substance commercially reasonably satisfactory to Party A, which Private Placement Agreement shall include, without limitation, provisions substantially similar to those contained in such private placement purchase agreements relating, without limitation, to the indemnification of, and contribution in connection with the liability of, Party A and its affiliates and obligations to use best efforts to obtain customary opinions, accountants comfort letters and lawyers negative assurance letters, and shall provide for the payment by Party B of all commercially reasonable fees and expenses in connection with such resale, including all commercially reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for Party A, and shall contain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of Party B reasonably necessary or advisable to establish and maintain the availability of an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act for such resales; and
(d) in connection with the private placement of such shares by Party B to Party A (or any such affiliate) and the private resale of such shares by Party A (or any such affiliate), Party B shall, if so requested by Party A, prepare, in cooperation with Party A, a private placement memorandum in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Party A.
In the case of a Private Placement Settlement, Party A shall, in its good faith discretion, adjust the amount of Unregistered Settlement Shares to be delivered to Party A hereunder in a commercially reasonable manner to reflect the fact that such Unregistered Settlement Shares may not be freely returned to securities lenders by Party A and may only be saleable by Party A at a discount to reflect the lack of liquidity in Unregistered Settlement Shares.
If Party B delivers any Unregistered Settlement Shares in respect of any Transaction, Party B agrees that (i) such Shares may be transferred by and among Party A and its affiliates and (ii) after the minimum holding period within the meaning of Rule 144(d) under the Securities Act has elapsed after the applicable Settlement Date (or earlier, if applicable), Party B shall promptly remove, or cause the transfer agent for the Shares to remove, any legends referring to any transfer restrictions from such Shares upon delivery by Party A (or such affiliate of Party A) to Party B or such transfer agent of sellers and brokers representation letters customarily delivered by Party A or its affiliates in connection with resales of restricted securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, each without any further requirement for the delivery of any certificate, consent, agreement, opinion of counsel, notice or any other document, any transfer tax stamps or payment of any other amount or any other action by Party A (or such affiliate of Party A).
Schedule A
Notice Parties
The Company
Megan Baldwin
Karen Adams
The Agent
Donald Lynaugh
Jack Fabbri
Matthew Kim
Schedule B
Compensation
The Agent shall be paid compensation of 3.0% of the Sales Price of Issuance ADSs sold pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
The Forward Seller shall be paid compensation of 4.0% of the Sales Price of Forward Hedge ADSs sold pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
Exhibit 4.5
Opthea Limited,
Issuer
AND
[TRUSTEE],
Trustee
INDENTURE
Dated as of [], 20__
Debt Securities
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| PAGE | ||||||
| ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS |
1 | |||||
| Section 1.01 |
Definitions of Terms | 1 | ||||
| ARTICLE 2 ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES |
5 | |||||
| Section 2.01 |
Designation and Terms of Securities | 5 | ||||
| Section 2.02 |
Form of Securities and Trustees Certificate | 8 | ||||
| Section 2.03 |
Denominations: Provisions for Payment | 8 | ||||
| Section 2.04 |
Execution and Authentications | 10 | ||||
| Section 2.05 |
Registration of Transfer and Exchange | 10 | ||||
| Section 2.06 |
Temporary Securities | 12 | ||||
| Section 2.07 |
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities | 12 | ||||
| Section 2.08 |
Cancellation | 13 | ||||
i.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONTINUED)
| PAGE | ||||||
| Section 2.09 |
Benefits of Indenture | 13 | ||||
| Section 2.10 |
Authenticating Agent | 13 | ||||
| Section 2.11 |
Global Securities | 14 | ||||
| Section 2.12 |
CUSIP Numbers | 15 | ||||
| ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUND PROVISIONS |
15 | |||||
| Section 3.01 |
Redemption | 15 | ||||
| Section 3.02 |
Notice of Redemption | 15 | ||||
| Section 3.03 |
Payment Upon Redemption | 17 | ||||
| Section 3.04 |
Sinking Fund | 17 | ||||
| Section 3.05 |
Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities | 17 | ||||
| Section 3.06 |
Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund | 18 | ||||
ii.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONTINUED)
| PAGE | ||||||
| ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS |
18 | |||||
| Section 4.01 |
Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest | 18 | ||||
| Section 4.02 |
Maintenance of Office or Agency | 18 | ||||
| Section 4.03 |
Paying Agents | 19 | ||||
| Section 4.04 |
Appointment to Fill Vacancy in Office of Trustee | 20 | ||||
| ARTICLE 5 SECURITYHOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE |
20 | |||||
| Section 5.01 |
Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Securityholders | 20 | ||||
| Section 5.02 |
Preservation Of Information; Communications With Securityholders | 20 | ||||
| Section 5.03 |
Reports by the Company | 21 | ||||
| Section 5.04 |
Reports by the Trustee | 21 | ||||
iii.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONTINUED)
| PAGE | ||||||
| ARTICLE 6 REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT |
22 | |||||
| Section 6.01 |
Events of Default | 22 | ||||
| Section 6.02 |
Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee | 24 | ||||
| Section 6.03 |
Application of Moneys Collected | 25 | ||||
| Section 6.04 |
Limitation on Suits | 25 | ||||
| Section 6.05 |
Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver | 26 | ||||
| Section 6.06 |
Control by Securityholders | 26 | ||||
| Section 6.07 |
Undertaking to Pay Costs | 27 | ||||
| ARTICLE 7 CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE |
27 | |||||
| Section 7.01 |
Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee | 27 | ||||
| Section 7.02 |
Certain Rights of Trustee | 29 | ||||
| Section 7.03 |
Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance or Securities | 31 | ||||
iv.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONTINUED)
| PAGE | ||||||
| Section 7.04 |
May Hold Securities | 31 | ||||
| Section 7.05 |
Moneys Held in Trust | 31 | ||||
| Section 7.06 |
Compensation and Reimbursement | 31 | ||||
| Section 7.07 |
Reliance on Officers Certificate | 32 | ||||
| Section 7.08 |
Disqualification; Conflicting Interests | 32 | ||||
| Section 7.09 |
Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility | 32 | ||||
| Section 7.10 |
Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor | 33 | ||||
| Section 7.11 |
Acceptance of Appointment By Successor | 34 | ||||
| Section 7.12 |
Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business | 35 | ||||
| Section 7.13 |
Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company | 36 | ||||
| Section 7.14 |
Notice of Default | 36 | ||||
v.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONTINUED)
| PAGE | ||||||
| ARTICLE 8 CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS |
36 | |||||
| Section 8.01 |
Evidence of Action by Securityholders | 36 | ||||
| Section 8.02 |
Proof of Execution by Securityholders | 37 | ||||
| Section 8.03 |
Who May be Deemed Owners | 37 | ||||
| Section 8.04 |
Certain Securities Owned by Company Disregarded | 37 | ||||
| Section 8.05 |
Actions Binding on Future Securityholders | 38 | ||||
| ARTICLE 9 SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES |
38 | |||||
| Section 9.01 |
Supplemental Indentures Without the Consent of Securityholders | 38 | ||||
| Section 9.02 |
Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders | 39 | ||||
| Section 9.03 |
Effect of Supplemental Indentures | 40 | ||||
| Section 9.04 |
Securities Affected by Supplemental Indentures | 40 | ||||
| Section 9.05 |
Execution of Supplemental Indentures | 40 | ||||
vi.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONTINUED)
| PAGE | ||||||
| ARTICLE 10 SUCCESSOR ENTITY |
41 | |||||
| Section 10.01 |
Company May Consolidate, Etc. | 41 | ||||
| Section 10.02 |
Successor Entity Substituted | 41 | ||||
| ARTICLE 11 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE |
42 | |||||
| Section 11.01 |
Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture | 42 | ||||
| Section 11.02 |
Discharge of Obligations | 42 | ||||
| Section 11.03 |
Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust | 43 | ||||
| Section 11.04 |
Payment of Moneys Held by Paying Agents | 43 | ||||
| Section 11.05 |
Repayment to Company | 43 | ||||
| ARTICLE 12 IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS |
43 | |||||
| Section 12.01 |
No Recourse | 43 | ||||
vii.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONTINUED)
| PAGE | ||||||
| ARTICLE 13 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS |
44 | |||||
| Section 13.01 |
Effect on Successors and Assigns | 44 | ||||
| Section 13.02 |
Actions by Successor | 44 | ||||
| Section 13.03 |
Surrender of Company Powers | 44 | ||||
| Section 13.04 |
Notices | 44 | ||||
| Section 13.05 |
Governing Law; Jury Trial Waiver | 45 | ||||
| Section 13.06 |
Treatment of Securities as Debt | 45 | ||||
| Section 13.07 |
Certificates and Opinions as to Conditions Precedent | 45 | ||||
| Section 13.08 |
Payments on Business Days | 45 | ||||
| Section 13.09 |
Conflict with Trust Indenture Act | 46 | ||||
| Section 13.10 |
Counterparts | 46 | ||||
viii.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONTINUED)
| PAGE | ||||||
| Section 13.11 |
Separability | 46 | ||||
| Section 13.12 |
Compliance Certificates | 46 | ||||
| Section 13.13 |
U.S.A. Patriot Act | 46 | ||||
| Section 13.14 |
Force Majeure | 47 | ||||
| Section 13.15 |
Table of Contents; Headings | 47 | ||||
ix.
INDENTURE
INDENTURE, dated as of [], 20__, among Opthea Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia (the Company), and [TRUSTEE], as trustee (the Trustee):
WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of debt securities (hereinafter referred to as the Securities), in an unlimited aggregate principal amount to be issued from time to time in one or more series as in this Indenture provided, as registered Securities without coupons, to be authenticated by the certificate of the Trustee;
WHEREAS, to provide the terms and conditions upon which the Securities are to be authenticated, issued and delivered, the Company has duly authorized the execution of this Indenture; and
WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed as follows for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of Securities:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01 Definitions of Terms.
The terms defined in this Section (except as in this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires) for all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section and shall include the plural as well as the singular. All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, or that are by reference in such Act defined in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (except as herein or any indenture supplemental hereto otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of the execution of this instrument.
Authenticating Agent means the Trustee or an authenticating agent with respect to all or any of the series of Securities appointed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.10.
Bankruptcy Law means the Insolvency Act 1986, Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar law for the relief of debtors of the United States, the United Kingdom or other applicable jurisdiction from time to time in effect.
1
Board of Directors means the Board of Directors (or the functional equivalent thereof) of the Company or any duly authorized committee of such Board.
Board Resolution means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or any director of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors (or duly authorized committee thereof, as applicable) and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification.
Business Day means, with respect to any series of Securities, any day other than a day on which federal or state banking institutions in Australia, the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, or in the city of the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, are authorized or obligated by law, executive order or regulation to close.
Commission means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
Company means Opthea Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia, and, subject to the provisions of Article Ten, shall also include its successors and assigns.
Corporate Trust Office means the office of the Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is located at .
Custodian means any administrator, receiver, administrative receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
Defaulted Interest has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03.
Depositary means, with respect to Securities of any series for which the Company shall determine that such Securities will be issued as a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company, another clearing agency, or any successor registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation, which, in each case, shall be designated by the Company pursuant to either Section 2.01 or 2.11.
Event of Default means, with respect to Securities of a particular series, any event specified in Section 6.01, continued for the period of time, if any, therein designated.
Exchange Act means the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder.
The term given, mailed, notify or sent with respect to any notice to be given to a Securityholder pursuant to this Indenture, shall mean notice (x) given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with accepted practices or procedures at the Depositary (in the case of a Global Security) or (y) mailed to such Securityholder by first class mail, postage prepaid, at its address as it appears on the Security Register (in the case of a definitive Security). Notice so given shall be deemed to include any notice to be mailed or delivered, as applicable, under this Indenture.
2
Global Security means a Security issued to evidence all or a part of any series of Securities which is executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositarys instruction, all in accordance with the Indenture, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.
Governmental Obligations means securities that are (a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America that, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof at any time prior to the stated maturity of the Securities, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Governmental Obligation or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such Governmental Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt; provided, however, that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Governmental Obligation or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the Governmental Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.
herein, hereof and hereunder, and other words of similar import, refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
Indenture means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into in accordance with the terms hereof and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 2.01.
Interest Payment Date, when used with respect to any installment of interest on a Security of a particular series, means the date specified in such Security or in a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto with respect to such series as the fixed date on which an installment of interest with respect to Securities of that series is due and payable.
Officer means, with respect to the Company, the chairman of the Board of Directors, a director, a chief executive officer, a president, a chief financial officer, a chief operating officer, any executive vice president, any senior vice president, any vice president, the treasurer or any assistant treasurer, the controller or any assistant controller or the secretary or any assistant secretary.
Officers Certificate means a certificate signed by any Officer. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 13.07, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof.
Opinion of Counsel means an opinion in writing subject to customary exceptions of legal counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the Company, that is delivered to the Trustee in accordance with the terms hereof. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 13.07, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof.
3
Outstanding, when used with reference to Securities of any series, means, subject to the provisions of Section 8.04, as of any particular time, all Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except (a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or any paying agent, or delivered to the Trustee or any paying agent for cancellation or that have previously been canceled; (b) Securities or portions thereof for the payment or redemption of which moneys or Governmental Obligations in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Company) or shall have been set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own paying agent); provided, however, that if such Securities or portions of such Securities are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as provided in Article Three, or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and (c) Securities in lieu of or in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.07.
Person means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, joint-stock company, limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization, any other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.
Predecessor Security of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 2.07 in lieu of a lost, destroyed or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the lost, destroyed or stolen Security.
Responsible Officer when used with respect to the Trustee means any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his or her knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and in each case who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
Securities has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Securityholder, holder of Securities, registered holder, or other similar term, means the Person or Persons in whose name or names a particular Security is registered on the Security Register kept for that purpose in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.
Security Register and Security Registrar shall have the meanings as set forth in Section 2.05.
4
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of capital stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers, general partners or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person; (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.
Trustee means _________________________, and, subject to the provisions of Article Seven, shall also include its successors and assigns, and, if at any time there is more than one Person acting in such capacity hereunder, Trustee shall mean each such Person. The term Trustee as used with respect to a particular series of the Securities shall mean the trustee with respect to that series.
Trust Indenture Act means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
U.S.A. Patriot Act means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-56, as amended and signed into law October 26, 2001.
ARTICLE 2
ISSUE, DESCRIPTION, TERMS, EXECUTION, REGISTRATION AND EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES
Section 2.01 Designation and Terms of Securities.
(a) The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series up to the aggregate principal amount of Securities of that series from time to time authorized by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or pursuant to one or more indentures supplemental hereto. Prior to the initial issuance of Securities of any series, there shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto:
(1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that series from all other Securities);
(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of that series);
(3) the maturity date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable;
(4) the form of the Securities of the series including the form of the certificate of authentication for such series;
5
(5) the applicability of any guarantees;
(6) whether or not the Securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;
(7) the place or places where payments will be payable;
(8) whether the Securities rank as senior debt, senior subordinated debt, subordinated debt or any combination thereof, and the terms of any subordination;
(9) if the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which such Securities will be issued is a price other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such Securities that is convertible into another security or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;
(10) the interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;
(11) the Companys right, if any, to defer the payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;
(12) if applicable, the date or dates after which, and the price or prices at which, the Company may at its option, redeem the series of Securities pursuant to any optional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions;
(13) the date or dates, if any, on which, and the price or prices at which the Company is obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the Securityholders option to purchase, any series of Securities;
(14) whether the Companys ability to pay dividends will be restricted pursuant to the Indenture, or whether the Company will be required pursuant to the Indenture to maintain any asset ratios or reserves;
(15) whether the Company will be restricted from incurring any additional indebtedness;
(16) the denominations in which the Securities of the series shall be issuable, if other than denominations of one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof;
(17) any and all terms, if applicable, relating to any auction or remarketing of the Securities of that series and any security for the obligations of the Company with respect to such Securities and any other terms which may be advisable in connection with the marketing of Securities of that series;
6
(18) whether the Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities; the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual Securities; and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities;
(19) if applicable, the provisions relating to conversion or exchange of any Securities of the series and the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at the Companys option or the holders option) conversion or exchange features, the applicable conversion or exchange period and the manner of settlement for any conversion or exchange, which may, without limitation, include the payment of cash as well as the delivery of securities;
(20) if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01;
(21) additions to or changes in the covenants applicable to the series of Securities being issued, including, among others, the consolidation, merger or sale covenant;
(22) additions to or changes in the Events of Default with respect to the Securities and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Securityholders to declare the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to such Securities to be due and payable;
(23) additions to or changes in or deletions of the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;
(24) additions to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture;
(25) additions to or changes in the provisions relating to the modification of this Indenture both with and without the consent of Securityholders of Securities issued under this Indenture;
(26) the currency or units based on or relating to currencies in which Securities are denominated and the currency or units in which principal or interest may be payable; and if the currency is other than U.S. dollars the manner of determining the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars;
(27) any material or special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to a series of Securities;
(28) whether interest will be payable in cash or additional Securities at the Companys or the Securityholders option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made;
7
(29) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Company shall pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any and principal amounts of the Securities of the series to any Securityholder that is not a United States person for federal tax purposes;
(30) any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the Securities of the series; and
(31) any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the Securities, any other additions or changes in the provisions of this Indenture, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.
All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to any such Board Resolution or in any indentures supplemental hereto.
If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers Certificate of the Company setting forth the terms of the series.
Securities of any particular series may be issued at various times, with different dates on which the principal or any installment of principal is payable, with different rates of interest, if any, or different methods by which rates of interest may be determined, with different dates on which such interest may be payable and with different redemption dates.
Section 2.02 Form of Securities and Trustees Certificate.
The Securities of any series and the Trustees certificate of authentication to be borne by such Securities shall be substantially of the tenor and purport as set forth in one or more indentures supplemental hereto or as provided in a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers Certificate, and they may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements printed, lithographed or engraved thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange on which Securities of that series may be listed, or to conform to usage.
Section 2.03 Denominations: Provisions for Payment.
The Securities shall be issuable as registered Securities and in the denominations of one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof, subject to Section 2.01(a)(13). The Securities of a particular series shall bear interest payable on the dates and at the rate specified with respect to that series. Subject to Section 2.01(a)(23), the principal of and the interest on the Securities of any series, as well as any premium thereon in case of redemption or repurchase thereof prior to maturity, and any cash amount due upon conversion or exchange thereof, shall be payable in the coin or currency of the United States of America that at the time is legal tender for public and private debt, at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. Interest on the Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months.
8
The interest installment on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of that series shall be paid to the Person in whose name said Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest installment. In the event that any Security of a particular series or portion thereof is called for redemption and the redemption date is subsequent to a regular record date with respect to any Interest Payment Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date, interest on such Security will be paid upon presentation and surrender of such Security as provided in Section 3.03.
Any interest on any Security that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date for Securities of the same series (herein called Defaulted Interest) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holder on the relevant regular record date by virtue of having been such holder; and such Defaulted Interest shall be paid by the Company, at its election, as provided in clause (1) or clause (2) below:
(1) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on Securities to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered in the Security Register at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner: the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each such Security and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall not be more than 15 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such special record date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor to be sent, to each Securityholder not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the special record date therefor having been sent as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names such Securities (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered in the Security Register on such special record date.
(2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on any Securities in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Unless otherwise set forth in a Board Resolution or one or more indentures supplemental hereto establishing the terms of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof, the term regular record date as used in this Section with respect to a series of Securities and any Interest Payment Date for such series shall mean either the fifteenth day of the month immediately preceding the month in which an Interest Payment Date established for such series pursuant to
9
Section 2.01 hereof shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the first day of a month, or the first day of the month in which an Interest Payment Date established for such series pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof shall occur, if such Interest Payment Date is the fifteenth day of a month, whether or not such date is a Business Day.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security of a series delivered under this Indenture upon transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security of such series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, that were carried by such other Security.
Section 2.04 Execution and Authentications.
The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Company by one of its Officers. Signatures may be in the form of a manual or facsimile signature.
The Company may use the facsimile signature of any Person who shall have been an Officer (at the time of execution), notwithstanding the fact that at the time the Securities shall be authenticated and delivered or disposed of such Person shall have ceased to be such an officer of the Company. The Securities may contain such notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication by the Trustee.
A Security shall not be valid until authenticated manually by an authorized signatory of the Trustee, or by an Authenticating Agent. Such signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a written order of the Company for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, signed by an Officer, and the Trustee in accordance with such written order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities.
Upon the Companys delivery of any such authentication order to the Trustee at any time after the initial issuance of Securities under this Indenture, the Trustee shall be provided with, and (subject to Sections 315(a) through 315(d) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall be fully protected in relying upon, (1) an Opinion of Counsel or reliance letter and (2) an Officers Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to the execution, authentication and delivery of such Securities are in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.
The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustees own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner that is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
Section 2.05 Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Securities of any series may be exchanged upon presentation thereof at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose, for other Securities of such series of authorized denominations, and for a like aggregate principal amount, upon payment of a sum
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sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, all as provided in this Section. In respect of any Securities so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in exchange therefor the Security or Securities of the same series that the Securityholder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive, bearing numbers not contemporaneously outstanding.
(b) The Company shall keep, or cause to be kept, at its office or agency designated for such purpose a register or registers (herein referred to as the Security Register) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall register the Securities and the transfers of Securities as in this Article provided and which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. The registrar for the purpose of registering Securities and transfer of Securities as herein provided shall be appointed as authorized by Board Resolution or Supplemental Indenture (the Security Registrar).
Upon surrender for transfer of any Security at the office or agency of the Company designated for such purpose, the Company shall execute, the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of the same series as the Security presented for a like aggregate principal amount.
The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Security Registrar for each series of Securities.
All Securities presented or surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer, as provided in this Section, shall be accompanied (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar) by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company or the Security Registrar, duly executed by the registered holder or by such holders duly authorized attorney in writing.
(c) Except as provided pursuant to Section 2.01 pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, no service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities, or issue of new Securities in case of partial redemption of any series or repurchase, conversion or exchange of less than the entire principal amount of a Security, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge in relation thereto, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 2.06, Section 3.03(b) and Section 9.04 not involving any transfer.
(d) The Company and the Security Registrar shall not be required (i) to issue, exchange or register the transfer of any Securities during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the sending of a notice of redemption of less than all the Outstanding Securities of the same series and ending at the close of business on the day of such sending, nor (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of any series or portions thereof called for redemption or surrendered for repurchase, but not validly withdrawn, other than the unredeemed portion of any such Securities being redeemed in part or not surrendered for repurchase, as the case may be. The provisions of this Section 2.05 are, with respect to any Global Security, subject to Section 2.11 hereof.
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The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
Section 2.06 Temporary Securities.
Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities (printed, lithographed or typewritten) of any authorized denomination. Such temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Company. Every temporary Security of any series shall be executed by the Company and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities of such series. Without unnecessary delay the Company will execute and will furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon any or all temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor (without charge to the Securityholders), at the office or agency of the Company designated for the purpose, and the Trustee shall authenticate and such office or agency shall deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of such series, unless the Company advises the Trustee to the effect that definitive Securities need not be executed and furnished until further notice from the Company. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of such series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series authenticated and delivered hereunder.
Section 2.07 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities.
In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company (subject to the next succeeding sentence) shall execute, and upon the Companys request the Trustee (subject as aforesaid) shall authenticate and deliver, a new Security of the same series, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Security, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substituted Security shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of the applicants Security and of the ownership thereof. The Trustee may authenticate any such substituted Security and deliver the same upon the written request or authorization of any officer of the Company. Upon the issuance of any substituted Security, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
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In case any Security that has matured or is about to mature shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and the Trustee such security or indemnity as they may require to save them harmless, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Company and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.
Every replacement Security issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be found at any time, or be enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of the same series duly issued hereunder. All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities, and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) any and all other rights or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.
Section 2.08 Cancellation.
All Securities surrendered for the purpose of payment, redemption, repurchase, exchange, registration of transfer or conversion shall, if surrendered to the Company or any paying agent (or any other applicable agent), be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be cancelled by it, and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly required or permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. On request of the Company at the time of such surrender, the Trustee shall deliver to the Company canceled Securities held by the Trustee. In the absence of such request the Trustee may dispose of canceled Securities in accordance with its standard procedures and deliver a certificate of disposition to the Company. If the Company shall otherwise acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.09 Benefits of Indenture.
Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and the holders of the Securities any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Indenture, or under any covenant, condition or provision herein contained; all such covenants, conditions and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and of the holders of the Securities.
Section 2.10 Authenticating Agent.
So long as any of the Securities of any series remain Outstanding there may be an Authenticating Agent for any or all such series of Securities which the Trustee shall have the right to appoint. Said Authenticating Agent shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, transfer or partial redemption,
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repurchase or conversion thereof, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. All references in this Indenture to the authentication of Securities by the Trustee shall be deemed to include authentication by an Authenticating Agent for such series. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall be a corporation that has a combined capital and surplus, as most recently reported or determined by it, sufficient under the laws of any jurisdiction under which it is organized or in which it is doing business to conduct a trust business, and that is otherwise authorized under such laws to conduct such business and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities. If at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with these provisions, it shall resign immediately.
Any Authenticating Agent may at any time resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time (and upon request by the Company shall) terminate the agency of any Authenticating Agent by giving written notice of termination to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon resignation, termination or cessation of eligibility of any Authenticating Agent, the Trustee may appoint an eligible successor Authenticating Agent acceptable to the Company. Any successor Authenticating Agent, upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder, shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent pursuant hereto.
Section 2.11 Global Securities.
(a) If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 2.01 that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued as a Global Security, then the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 2.04, authenticate and deliver, a Global Security that (i) shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all of the Outstanding Securities of such series, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositarys instruction (or if the Depositary names the Trustee as its custodian, retained by the Trustee), and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect: Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.11 of the Indenture, this Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor Depositary or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.05, the Global Security of a series may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 2.05, only to another nominee of the Depositary for such series, or to a successor Depositary for such series selected or approved by the Company or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.
(c) If at any time the Depositary for a series of the Securities notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such series or if at any time the Depositary for such series shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Exchange Act, or other applicable statute or regulation, and a successor Depositary for such series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, or if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Company has received a request from the Depositary or from the Trustee, this
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Section 2.11 shall no longer be applicable to the Securities of such series and the Company will execute, and subject to Section 2.04, the Trustee will authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in exchange for such Global Security. In addition, the Company may at any time determine that the Securities of any series shall no longer be represented by a Global Security and that the provisions of this Section 2.11 shall no longer apply to the Securities of such series. In such event the Company will execute and, subject to Section 2.04, the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officers Certificate evidencing such determination by the Company, will authenticate and deliver the Securities of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security of such series in exchange for such Global Security. Upon the exchange of the Global Security for such Securities in definitive registered form without coupons, in authorized denominations, the Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Such Securities in definitive registered form issued in exchange for the Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.11(c) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the Depositary for delivery to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.
Section 2.12 CUSIP Numbers.
The Company in issuing the Securities may use CUSIP numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other elements of identification printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUND PROVISIONS
Section 3.01 Redemption.
The Company may redeem the Securities of any series issued hereunder on and after the dates and in accordance with the terms established for such series pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof.
Section 3.02 Notice of Redemption.
(a) In case the Company shall desire to exercise such right to redeem all or, as the case may be, a portion of the Securities of any series in accordance with any right the Company reserved for itself to do so pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof, the Company shall, or shall cause the Trustee to, give notice of such redemption to holders of the Securities of such series to be redeemed by mailing, first class postage prepaid (or with regard to any Global Security held in book entry
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form, by electronic mail in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary), a notice of such redemption not less than 30 days and not more than 90 days before the date fixed for redemption of that series to such Securityholders, unless a shorter period is specified in the Securities to be redeemed. Any notice that is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the registered holder receives the notice. In any case, failure duly to give such notice to the holder of any Security of any series designated for redemption in whole or in part, or any defect in the notice, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Securities of such series or any other series. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers Certificate evidencing compliance with any such restriction.
Each such notice of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed (including CUSIP numbers, if any), specify the date fixed for redemption and the redemption price at which Securities of that series are to be redeemed, and shall state that payment of the redemption price of such Securities to be redeemed will be made at the office or agency of the Company, upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, that from and after said date interest will cease to accrue and that the redemption is from a sinking fund, if such is the case. If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the notice to the holders of Securities of that series to be redeemed in part shall specify the particular Securities to be so redeemed.
In case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice that relates to such Security shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed, and shall state that on and after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued.
(b) If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Company shall give the Trustee at least 45 days notice (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) in advance of the date fixed for redemption as to the aggregate principal amount of Securities of the series to be redeemed, and thereupon the Securities to be redeemed shall be selected, by lot, on a pro rata basis, or in such other manner as the Company shall deem appropriate and fair in its discretion and that may provide for the selection of a portion or portions (equal to one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000) or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of such Securities of a denomination larger than $1,000, the Securities to be redeemed and shall thereafter promptly notify the Company in writing of the numbers of the Securities to be redeemed, in whole or in part. The Company may, if and whenever it shall so elect, by delivery of instructions signed on its behalf by an Officer, instruct the Trustee or any paying agent to call all or any part of the Securities of a particular series for redemption and to give notice of redemption in the manner set forth in this Section, such notice to be in the name of the Company or its own name as the Trustee or such paying agent may deem advisable. In any case in which notice of redemption is to be given by the Trustee or any such paying agent, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to, or permit to remain with, the Trustee or such paying agent, as the case may be, such Security Register, transfer books or other records, or suitable copies or extracts therefrom, sufficient to enable the Trustee or such paying agent to give any notice by mail that may be required under the provisions of this Section.
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Section 3.03 Payment Upon Redemption.
(a) If the giving of notice of redemption shall have been completed as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities of the series to be redeemed specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption and interest on such Securities or portions of Securities shall cease to accrue on and after the date fixed for redemption, unless the Company shall default in the payment of such redemption price and accrued interest with respect to any such Security or portion thereof. On presentation and surrender of such Securities on or after the date fixed for redemption at the place of payment specified in the notice, said Securities shall be paid and redeemed at the applicable redemption price for such series, together with interest accrued thereon to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption (but if the date fixed for redemption is an Interest Payment Date, the interest installment payable on such date shall be payable to the registered holder at the close of business on the applicable record date pursuant to Section 2.03).
(b) Upon presentation of any Security of such series that is to be redeemed in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and the office or agency where the Security is presented shall deliver to the Securityholder thereof, at the expense of the Company, a new Security of the same series of authorized denominations in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.
Section 3.04 Sinking Fund.
The provisions of Sections 3.04, 3.05 and 3.06 shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series, except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Securities of such series.
The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a mandatory sinking fund payment, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an optional sinking fund payment. If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 3.05. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.
Section 3.05 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
The Company (i) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series and (ii) may apply as a credit Securities of a series that have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series, provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
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Section 3.06 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
Not less than 45 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of the series, the portion thereof, if any, that is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.05 and the basis for such credit and will, together with such Officers Certificate, deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date shall be selected in the manner specified in Section 3.02 and the Company shall cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.02. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 3.03.
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
Section 4.01 Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
The Company will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of that series at the time and place and in the manner provided herein and established with respect to such Securities. Payments of principal on the Securities may be made at the time provided herein and established with respect to such Securities by U.S. dollar check drawn on and mailed to the address of the Securityholder entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register, or U.S. dollar wire transfer to, a U.S. dollar account if such Securityholder shall have furnished wire instructions to the Trustee no later than 15 days prior to the relevant payment date. Payments of interest on the Securities may be made at the time provided herein and established with respect to such Securities by U.S. dollar check mailed to the address of the Securityholder entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register, or U.S. dollar wire transfer to, a U.S. dollar account if such Securityholder shall have furnished wire instructions in writing to the Security Registrar and the Trustee no later than 15 days prior to the relevant payment date.
Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
So long as any series of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Company agrees to maintain an office or agency with respect to each such series and at such other location or locations as may be designated as provided in this Section 4.02, where (i) Securities of that series may be presented for payment, (ii) Securities of that series may be presented as herein above authorized for registration of transfer and exchange, and (iii) notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be given or served, such designation to continue with respect to such office or agency until the Company shall, by written notice signed
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by any officer authorized to sign an Officers Certificate and delivered to the Trustee, designate some other office or agency for such purposes or any of them. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, notices and demands. The Company initially appoints the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as its paying agent with respect to the Securities.
Section 4.03 Paying Agents.
(a) If the Company shall appoint one or more paying agents for all or any series of the Securities, other than the Trustee, the Company will cause each such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section:
(1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any other obligor of such Securities) in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto;
(2) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Company (or by any other obligor of such Securities) to make any payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of that series when the same shall be due and payable;
(3) that it will, at any time during the continuance of any failure referred to in the preceding paragraph (a)(2) above, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such paying agent; and
(4) that it will perform all other duties of paying agent as set forth in this Indenture.
(b) If the Company shall act as its own paying agent with respect to any series of the Securities, it will on or before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on Securities of that series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay such principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due on Securities of that series until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of such action, or any failure (by it or any other obligor on such Securities) to take such action. Whenever the Company shall have one or more paying agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with the paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee of this action or failure so to act.
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(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Section to the contrary, (i) the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section is subject to the provisions of Section 11.05, and (ii) the Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or direct any paying agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such paying agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same terms and conditions as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such paying agent; and, upon such payment by the Company or any paying agent to the Trustee, the Company or such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
Section 4.04 Appointment to Fill Vacancy in Office of Trustee.
The Company, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.10, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder.
ARTICLE 5
SECURITYHOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE
Section 5.01 Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Securityholders.
The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee (a) within 15 days after each regular record date (as defined in Section 2.03) a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the holders of each series of Securities as of such regular record date, provided that the Company shall not be obligated to furnish or cause to furnish such list at any time that the list shall not differ in any respect from the most recent list furnished to the Trustee by the Company and (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided, however, that, in either case, no such list need be furnished for any series for which the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar.
Section 5.02 Preservation Of Information; Communications With Securityholders.
(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the holders of Securities contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 and as to the names and addresses of holders of Securities received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar (if acting in such capacity).
(b) The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 5.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
(c) Securityholders may communicate as provided in Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with other Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and, in connection with any such communications, the Trustee shall satisfy its obligations under Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the provisions of Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
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Section 5.03 Reports by the Company.
(a) The Company will at all times comply with Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Company covenants and agrees to provide (which delivery may be via electronic mail) to the Trustee within 30 days, after the Company files the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company is required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, the Company shall not be required to deliver to the Trustee any correspondence filed with the Commission or any materials for which the Company has sought and received confidential treatment by the Commission; and provided further, that so long as such filings by the Company are available on the Commissions Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (EDGAR), or any successor system, such filings shall be deemed to have been filed with the Trustee for purposes hereof without any further action required by the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, a failure by the Company to file annual reports, information and other reports with the Commission within the time period prescribed thereof by the Commission shall not be deemed a breach of this Section 5.03.
(b) Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee under Section 5.03 is for informational purposes only and the information and the Trustees receipt of the foregoing shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein, or determinable from information contained therein including the Companys compliance with any of their covenants thereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an Officers Certificate). The Trustee is under no duty to examine any such reports, information or documents delivered to the Trustee or filed with the Commission via EDGAR to ensure compliance with the provision of this Indenture or to ascertain the correctness or otherwise of the information or the statements contained therein. The Trustee shall have no responsibility or duty whatsoever to ascertain or determine whether the above referenced filings with the Commission on EDGAR (or any successor system) has occurred.
Section 5.04 Reports by the Trustee.
(a) If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee, within sixty (60) days after each May 1, shall send to the Securityholders a brief report dated as of such May 1, which complies with Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(b) The Trustee shall comply with Section 313(b) and 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
(c) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Securityholders, be filed by the Trustee with the Company, with each securities exchange upon which any Securities are listed (if so listed) and also with the Commission. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee when any Securities become listed on any securities exchange.
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ARTICLE 6
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITYHOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT
Section 6.01 Events of Default.
(a) Whenever used herein with respect to Securities of a particular series, Event of Default means any one or more of the following events that has occurred and is continuing:
(1) the Company defaults in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of that series, as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default continues for a period of 90 days; provided, however, that a valid extension or deferral of an interest payment period by the Company in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental hereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of interest for this purpose;
(2) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable whether at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to that series; provided, however, that a valid extension or delay of the maturity of such Securities in accordance with the terms of any indenture supplemental hereto shall not constitute a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any;
(3) the Company fails to observe or perform any other of its covenants or agreements with respect to that series contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to that series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof (other than a covenant or agreement that has been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than such series) for a period of 90 days after the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied and stating that such notice is a Notice of Default hereunder, shall have been received by the Company from the Trustee, by registered or certified mail, or by the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series at the time Outstanding;
(4) the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property or enters into a scheme of arrangement affecting its creditors generally, (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
(5) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against the Company in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company for all or substantially all of its property, (iii) orders the liquidation, winding-up, administration or dissolution of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days, or (iv) any Person presents a petition, or makes an application to or files documents with a court or any registrar, for the Companys winding-up, administration or dissolution (other than if such order is vexatious or frivolous and is discharged within ninety (90) days).
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(b) In each and every such case (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or clause (5) above), unless the principal of all the Securities of that series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by such Securityholders), may declare the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in clause (4) or clause (5) above occurs, the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of that series shall automatically be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or the holders of the Securities.
(c) At any time after the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities of that series shall have been so declared due and payable, and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder (or, at a meeting of holders of such amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder represented at such meeting), by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if: (i) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest upon all the Securities of that series and the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any and all Securities of that series that shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest upon such principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent that such payment is enforceable under applicable law, upon overdue installments of interest, at the rate per annum expressed in the Securities of that series to the date of such payment or deposit) and the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 7.06, and (ii) any and all Events of Default under the Indenture with respect to such series, other than the nonpayment of principal on (and premium, if any, on) and accrued and unpaid interest on Securities of that series that shall not have become due by their terms, shall have been remedied or waived as provided in Section 6.06.
No such rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
(d) In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right with respect to Securities of that series under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Company and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Company and the Trustee shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.
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Section 6.02 Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
(a) The Company covenants that (i) in case it shall default in the payment of any installment of interest on any of the Securities of a series, or in any payment required by any sinking or analogous fund established with respect to that series as and when the same shall have become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for a period of 90 days, or (ii) in case it shall default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any of the Securities of a series when the same shall have become due and payable, whether upon maturity of the Securities of a series or upon redemption or upon declaration or otherwise then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Company will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the Securities of that series, the whole amount that then shall have been become due and payable on all such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) or interest, or both, as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal (and premium, if any) and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate per annum expressed in the Securities of that series; and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, and the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 7.06.
(b) If the Company shall fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Company or other obligor upon the Securities of that series and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law or equity out of the property of the Company or other obligor upon the Securities of that series, wherever situated.
(c) In case of any receivership, administration, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, readjustment, arrangement, scheme of arrangement affecting the Companys creditors, composition or judicial proceedings affecting the Company, or its creditors or property, the Trustee shall have power to intervene in such proceedings and take any action therein that may be permitted by the court and shall (except as may be otherwise provided by law) be entitled to file such proofs of claim and other papers and documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the holders of Securities of such series allowed for the entire amount due and payable by the Company under the Indenture at the date of institution of such proceedings and for any additional amount that may become due and payable by the Company after such date, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claim, and to distribute the same after the deduction of the amount payable to the Trustee under Section 7.06; and any receiver, administrator, liquidator, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the holders of Securities of such series to make such payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to such Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it under Section 7.06.
(d) All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the terms established with respect to Securities of that series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of such Securities, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for payment to the Trustee of any amounts due under Section 7.06, be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series.
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In case of an Event of Default hereunder, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of that series or the rights of any Securityholder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.03 Application of Moneys Collected.
Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article with respect to a particular series of Securities shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such moneys on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities of that series, and notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
FIRST: To the payment of costs and expenses of collection and of all amounts payable to the Trustee under Section 7.06;
SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid upon Securities of such series for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Company or any other Person lawfully entitled thereto.
Section 6.04 Limitation on Suits.
No holder of any Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless (i) such Securityholder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with respect to the Securities of such series specifying such Event of Default, as hereinbefore provided; (ii) the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder; (iii) such Securityholder or Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request; (iv) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity, shall have failed to institute any such action, suit or proceeding and (v)
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during such 60 day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that series (or at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series represented at such meeting) do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.
Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary or any other provisions of this Indenture, the right of any holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Security, as therein provided, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security (or in the case of redemption, on the redemption date), or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates or redemption date, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder and by accepting a Security hereunder it is expressly understood, intended and covenanted by the taker and holder of every Security of such series with every other such taker and holder and the Trustee, that no one or more holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of the holders of any other of such Securities, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all holders of Securities of such series. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Securityholder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.
Section 6.05 Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.07, all powers and remedies given by this Article to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the holders of the Securities, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture or otherwise established with respect to such Securities.
(b) No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any holder of any of the Securities to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Event of Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.04, every power and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders.
Section 6.06 Control by Securityholders.
The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, determined in accordance with Section 8.04, shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to such series; provided, however, that such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture or subject the Trustee in its sole discretion to personal liability. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in
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good faith shall, by a Responsible Officer or officers of the Trustee, determine that the proceeding so directed, subject to the Trustees duties under the Trust Indenture Act, would involve the Trustee in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the Securityholders not involved in the proceeding. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding affected thereby, determined in accordance with Section 8.04, may on behalf of the holders of all of the Securities of such series waive any past default in the performance of any of the covenants contained herein or established pursuant to Section 2.01 with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due by the terms of such Securities otherwise than by acceleration (unless such default has been cured and a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest and principal and any premium has been deposited with the Trustee (in accordance with Section 6.01(c)), provided, however, that the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration. Upon any such waiver, the default covered thereby shall be deemed to be cured for all purposes of this Indenture and the Company, the Trustee and the holders of the Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.07 Undertaking to Pay Costs.
All parties to this Indenture agree, and each holder of any Securities by such holders acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of Securityholders, holding more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security of such series, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security or established pursuant to this Indenture.
ARTICLE 7
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
Section 7.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series and after the curing of all Events of Default with respect to the Securities of that series that may have occurred, shall undertake to perform with respect to the Securities of such series such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series has occurred (that has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise with respect to Securities of that series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
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(b) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default with respect to that series that may have occurred:
(A) the duties and obligations of the Trustee shall with respect to the Securities of such series be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to the Securities of such series except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(B) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may with respect to the Securities of such series conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable to any Securityholder or to any other Person for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of that series;
(iv) none of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if there is reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or liability is not reasonably assured to it under the terms of this Indenture or adequate indemnity against such risk is not reasonably assured to it;
(v) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers or duties hereunder;
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(vi) The permissive right of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty of the Trustee; and
(vii) No Trustee shall have any duty or responsibility for any act or omission of any other Trustee appointed with respect to a series of Securities hereunder.
Section 7.02 Certain Rights of Trustee.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01:
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
(b) Any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution or an instrument signed in the name of the Company by any authorized Officer of the Company (unless other evidence in respect thereof is specifically prescribed herein);
(c) The Trustee may consult with counsel and the opinion or written advice of such counsel or, if requested, any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
(d) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably acceptable to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that may be incurred therein or thereby; nothing contained herein shall, however, relieve the Trustee of the obligation, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to a series of the Securities (that has not been cured or waived), to exercise with respect to Securities of that series such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs;
(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
(f) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, security, or other papers or documents or inquire as to the performance by the Company of one of its covenants under this Indenture, unless requested in writing so to do by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the particular series affected thereby (determined as provided in Section 8.04); provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the
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opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require security or indemnity reasonably acceptable to the Trustee against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition to so proceeding. The reasonable expense of every such examination shall be paid by the Company or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company upon demand;
(g) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;
(h) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances;
(i) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action; and
(j) The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods; provided, however, that such instructions or directions shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such instructions or directions. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustees understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustees reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties. The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to furnish the Trustee with Officers Certificates, Company Orders and any other matters or directions pursuant to this Indenture;
(k) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder and under the Securities, and each agent, custodian or other person employed to act under this Indenture; and
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(l) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default (other than an Event of Default constituting the failure to pay the interest on, or the principal of, the Securities if the Trustee also serves as the paying agent for such Securities) until the Trustee shall have received written notification in the manner set forth in this Indenture or a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have obtained actual knowledge.
Section 7.03 Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance or Securities.
(a) The recitals contained herein and in the Securities shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee shall not be responsible for any statement in any registration statement, prospectus, or any other document in connection with the sale of Securities. The Trustee shall not be responsible for any rating on the Securities or any action or omission of any rating agency.
(b) The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities.
(c) The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any of the Securities or of the proceeds of such Securities, or for the use or application of any moneys paid over by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture or established pursuant to Section 2.01, or for the use or application of any moneys received by any paying agent other than the Trustee.
Section 7.04 May Hold Securities.
The Trustee or any paying agent or Security Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, paying agent or Security Registrar.
Section 7.05 Moneys Held in Trust.
Subject to the provisions of Section 11.05, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder except such as it may agree with the Company to pay thereon.
Section 7.06 Compensation and Reimbursement.
(a) The Company shall pay to the Trustee for each of its capacities hereunder from time to time compensation for its services as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree upon in writing. The Trustees compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustees agents and counsel.
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(b) The Company shall indemnify each of the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder against any loss, liability or expense (including the cost of defending itself and including the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustees agents and counsel) incurred by it except as set forth in Section 7.06(c) in the exercise or performance of its powers, rights or duties under this Indenture as Trustee or Agent. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have one separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This indemnification shall apply to officers, directors, employees, shareholders and agents of the Trustee.
(c) The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee or by any officer, director, employee, shareholder or agent of the Trustee through negligence or bad faith.
(d) To ensure the Companys payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all funds or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of or interest on particular Securities and provided that the amount of such lien shall not exceed all amounts owing to the Trustee. When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(4) or (5), the expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for services in connection therewith are to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law. The provisions of this Section 7.06 shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.
Section 7.07 Reliance on Officers Certificate.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it reasonably necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting to take any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers Certificate delivered to the Trustee and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
Section 7.08 Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.
If the Trustee has or shall acquire any conflicting interest within the meaning of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee and the Company shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 7.09 Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
There shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to the Securities issued hereunder which shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia, or a corporation or other Person permitted to act as trustee by the Commission, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least fifty million U.S. dollars ($50,000,000), and subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia authority.
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If such corporation or other Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation or other Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. The Company may not, nor may any Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company, serve as Trustee. In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 7.10.
Section 7.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
(a) The Trustee or any successor hereafter appointed may at any time resign with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company and the Securityholders of such series. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee with respect to Securities of such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the sending of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to Securities of such series, or any Securityholder of that series who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months may on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee.
(b) In case at any time any one of the following shall occur:
(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 7.08 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months; or
(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.09 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Securityholder; or
(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or commence a voluntary bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding in accordance with any Bankruptcy Law, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or consented to, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;
then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security
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or Securities for at least six months may, on behalf of that holder and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.
(c) The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee with respect to such series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company and may appoint a successor Trustee for such series with the consent of the Company.
(d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of a series pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 7.11.
(e) Any successor trustee appointed pursuant to this Section may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more series or all of such series, and at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series.
Section 7.11 Acceptance of Appointment By Successor.
(a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of any amounts due to it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.06, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all the rights, powers, and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.
(b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor trustee shall accept such appointment and which (i) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates, (ii) shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (iii) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder
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administered by any other such Trustee and that no Trustee shall be responsible for any act or failure to act on the part of any other Trustee hereunder; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein, such retiring Trustee shall with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates have no further responsibility for the exercise of rights and powers or for the performance of the duties and obligations vested in the Trustee under this Indenture, and each such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor trustee, to the extent contemplated by such supplemental indenture, the property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor trustee relates.
(c) Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.
(d) No successor trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.
(e) Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee as provided in this Section, the Company shall send notice of the succession of such trustee hereunder to the Securityholders. If the Company fails to transmit such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be transmitted at the expense of the Company.
Section 7.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, including the administration of the trust created by this Indenture, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such corporation shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 7.08 and eligible under the provisions of Section 7.09, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.
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Section 7.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company.
The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship described in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent included therein.
Section 7.14 Notice of Default.
If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if such Event of Default is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall send to each Securityholder in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act notice of the Event of Default within the earlier of 90 days after it occurs and 30 days after it is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or written notice of it is received by the Trustee, unless such Event of Default has been cured; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Securityholders.
ARTICLE 8
CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS
Section 8.01 Evidence of Action by Securityholders.
Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the holders of a majority or specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the fact that at the time of taking any such action the holders of such majority or specified percentage of that series have joined therein may be evidenced by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by such holders of Securities of that series in person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing.
If the Company shall solicit from the Securityholders of any series any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the Company may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers Certificate, fix in advance a record date for such series for the determination of Securityholders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so. If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action may be given before or after the record date, but only the Securityholders of record at the close of business on the record date shall be deemed to be Securityholders for the purposes of determining whether Securityholders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities of that series have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, and for that purpose the Outstanding Securities of that series shall be computed as of the record date; provided, however, that no such authorization, agreement or consent by such Securityholders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.
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Section 8.02 Proof of Execution by Securityholders.
Subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder (such proof will not require notarization) or his or her agent or proxy and proof of the holding by any Person of any of the Securities shall be sufficient if made in the following manner:
(a) The fact and date of the execution by any such Person of any instrument may be proved in any reasonable manner acceptable to the Trustee.
(b) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register of such Securities or by a certificate of the Security Registrar thereof.
The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section as it shall deem necessary.
Section 8.03 Who May be Deemed Owners.
Prior to the due presentment for registration of transfer of any Security, the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent and any Security Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name such Security shall be registered upon the books of the Security Registrar as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing thereon made by anyone other than the Security Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.03) interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Security Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
Section 8.04 Certain Securities Owned by Company Disregarded.
In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Securities of a particular series have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, the Securities of that series that are owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of that series or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under common control with the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of that series shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver, only Securities of such series that the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. The Securities so owned that have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding for the purposes of this Section, if the pledgee shall establish to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgees right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not a Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any such other obligor. In case of a dispute as to such right, any decision by the Trustee taken upon the advice of counsel shall be full protection to the Trustee.
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Section 8.05 Actions Binding on Future Securityholders.
At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.01, of the taking of any action by the holders of the majority or percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any holder of a Security of that series that is shown by the evidence to be included in the Securities the holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee, and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners of such Security, and of any Security issued in exchange therefor, on registration of transfer thereof or in place thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Security. Any action taken by the holders of the majority or percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of a particular series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Company, the Trustee and the holders of all the Securities of that series.
ARTICLE 9
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
Section 9.01 Supplemental Indentures Without the Consent of Securityholders.
In addition to any supplemental indenture otherwise authorized by this Indenture, the Company and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect), without the consent of the Securityholders, for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect, or inconsistency herein or in the Securities of any series;
(b) to comply with Article Ten;
(c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;
(d) to add to the covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions relating to the Company for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;
(e) to add to, delete from, or revise the conditions, limitations, and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms, or purposes of issue, authentication, and delivery of Securities, as herein set forth;
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(f) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder in any material respect;
(g) to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of the Securities of any series as provided in Section 2.01, to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or any series of Securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of Securities;
(h) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee; or
(i) to comply with any requirements of the Commission or any successor in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture that affects the Trustees own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section may be executed by the Company and the Trustee without the consent of the holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.02.
Section 9.02 Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Securityholders.
With the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 8.01) of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series (or, at a meeting of holders of such series at which a quorum is present, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of each such series represented at such meeting) affected by such supplemental indenture or indentures at the time Outstanding, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner not covered by Section 9.01 the rights of the holders of the Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the holders of each Security then Outstanding and affected thereby, (a) extend the fixed maturity of any Securities of any series, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof or (b) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any such supplemental indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders of any series affected thereby under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.
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Section 9.03 Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Section 10.01, this Indenture shall, with respect to such series, be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the holders of Securities of the series affected thereby shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
Section 9.04 Securities Affected by Supplemental Indentures.
Securities of any series affected by a supplemental indenture, authenticated and delivered after the execution of such supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Section 10.01, may bear a notation in form approved by the Company, provided such form meets the requirements of any securities exchange upon which such series may be listed, as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of that series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Company, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of that series then Outstanding.
Section 9.05 Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by its Board Resolutions authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Securityholders required to consent thereto as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustees own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental indenture. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, shall receive an Officers Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article is authorized or permitted by the terms of this Article and that all conditions precedent to the execution of the supplemental indenture have been complied with; provided, however, that such Officers Certificate or Opinion of Counsel need not be provided in connection with the execution of a supplemental indenture that establishes the terms of a series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof.
Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Company shall (or shall direct the Trustee to) send a notice, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture, to the Securityholders of all series affected thereby .as their names and addresses appear upon the Security Register. Any failure of the Company to send, or cause the sending of, such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.
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ARTICLE 10
SUCCESSOR ENTITY
Section 10.01 Company May Consolidate, Etc.
Nothing contained in this Indenture shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of the property of the Company or its successor or successors as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company or its successor or successors); provided, however, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, upon any such consolidation or merger (in each case, if the Company is not the survivor of such transaction) or any such sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition (other than a sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition to a Subsidiary of the Company), the due and punctual payment of the principal of (premium, if any) and interest on all of the Securities of all series in accordance with the terms of each series, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture with respect to each series or established with respect to such series pursuant to Section 2.01 to be kept or performed by the Company shall be expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect) reasonably satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the Trustee by the entity formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company shall have been merged, or by the entity which shall have acquired such property.
Section 10.02 Successor Entity Substituted.
(a) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition and upon the assumption by the successor entity by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the obligations set forth under Section 10.01 on all of the Securities of all series Outstanding, such successor entity shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect as if it had been named as the Company herein, and thereupon the predecessor corporation shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
(b) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.
(c) Nothing contained in this Article shall require any action by the Company in the case of a consolidation or merger of any Person into the Company where the Company is the survivor of such transaction, or the acquisition by the Company, by purchase or otherwise, of all or any part of the property of any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company).
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ARTICLE 11
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
If at any time: (a) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of a series theretofore authenticated and not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (other than any Securities that shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.07 and Securities for whose payment money or Governmental Obligations have theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereupon repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 11.05); or (b) all such Securities of a particular series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and the Company shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in moneys or Governmental Obligations or a combination thereof, sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay at maturity or upon redemption all Securities of that series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal (and premium, if any) and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for redemption, as the case may be, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder with respect to such series by the Company then this Indenture shall thereupon cease to be of further effect with respect to such series except for the provisions of Sections 2.03, 2.05, 2.07, 4.01, 4.02, 4.03, 7.10, 11.05 and 13.04, that shall survive until the date of maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, and Sections 7.06 and 11.05, that shall survive to such date and thereafter, and the Trustee, on demand of the Company and at the cost and expense of the Company shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to such series.
Section 11.02 Discharge of Obligations.
If at any time all such Securities of a particular series not heretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or that have not become due and payable as described in Section 11.01 shall have been paid by the Company by depositing irrevocably with the Trustee as trust funds moneys or an amount of Governmental Obligations sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all such Securities of that series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal (and premium, if any) and interest due or to become due to such date of maturity or date fixed for redemption, as the case may be, and if the Company shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such series, then after the date such moneys or Governmental Obligations, as the case may be, are deposited with the Trustee the obligations of the Company under this Indenture with respect to such series shall cease to be of further effect except for the provisions of Sections 2.03, 2.05, 2.07, 4,01, 4.02, 4,03, 7.06, 7.10, 11.05 and 13.04 hereof that shall survive until such Securities shall mature and be paid.
Thereafter, Sections 7.06 and 11.05 shall survive.
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Section 11.03 Deposited Moneys to be Held in Trust.
All moneys or Governmental Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 11.01 or 11.02 shall be held in trust and shall be available for payment as due, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Company acting as its own paying agent), to the holders of the particular series of Securities for the payment or redemption of which such moneys or Governmental Obligations have been deposited with the Trustee.
Section 11.04 Payment of Moneys Held by Paying Agents.
In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture all moneys or Governmental Obligations then held by any paying agent under the provisions of this Indenture shall, upon demand of the Company, be paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations.
Section 11.05 Repayment to Company.
Any moneys or Governmental Obligations deposited with any paying agent or the Trustee, or then held by the Company, in trust for payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of a particular series that are not applied but remain unclaimed by the holders of such Securities for at least two years after the date upon which the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such Securities shall have respectively become due and payable, or such other shorter period set forth in applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, shall be repaid to the Company on May 31 of each year or upon the Companys request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and thereupon the paying agent and the Trustee shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys or Governmental Obligations, and the holder of any of the Securities entitled to receive such payment shall thereafter, as a general creditor, look only to the Company for the payment thereof.
ARTICLE 12
IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Section 12.01 No Recourse.
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, or of any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, past, present or future as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any such predecessor or successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the incorporators, stockholders, officers or directors as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of every
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name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such incorporator, stockholder, officer or director as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities or implied therefrom, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issuance of such Securities.
ARTICLE 13
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Section 13.01 Effect on Successors and Assigns.
All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture made by or on behalf of the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 13.02 Actions by Successor.
Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of the Company shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the corresponding board, committee or officer of any corporation that shall at the time be the lawful successor of the Company.
Section 13.03 Surrender of Company Powers.
The Company by instrument in writing executed by authority of its Board of Directors and delivered to the Trustee may irrevocably appoint the Trustee to be its attorney to do anything which the Company has authorized the Trustee or any other party to this Indenture to do under this Indenture or is itself required to do under this Indenture but has failed to do (and the Trustee may delegate that power on such terms as it sees fit).
Section 13.04 Notices.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, any notice, request or demand that by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given, made or served by the Trustee, the Security Registrar, any paying or other agent under this Indenture or by the holders of Securities or by any other Person pursuant to this Indenture to or on the Company may be given or served by being deposited in first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Trustee), as follows: . Any notice, election, request or demand by the Company or any Securityholder or by any other Person pursuant to this Indenture to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made in writing at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
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Section 13.05 Governing Law; Jury Trial Waiver.
This Indenture and each Security shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act is applicable.
EACH PARTY HERETO, AND EACH HOLDER OF A SECURITY BY ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE.
Section 13.06 Treatment of Securities as Debt.
It is intended that the Securities will be treated as indebtedness and not as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The provisions of this Indenture shall be interpreted to further this intention.
Section 13.07 Certificates and Opinions as to Conditions Precedent.
(a) Upon any application or demand by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture (other than the certificate to be delivered pursuant to Section 13.12) relating to the proposed action have been complied with and, if requested, an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
(b) Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant in this Indenture (other than the certificate to be delivered pursuant to Section 13.12 of this Indenture or Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act) shall include (i) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (ii) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (iii) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he has made such examination or investigation as is reasonably necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (iv) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 13.08 Payments on Business Days.
Except as provided pursuant to Section 2.01 pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth in an Officers Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, in any case where the date of maturity of interest or principal of any Security or the date of redemption of any Security shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the nominal date of maturity or redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such nominal date.
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Section 13.09 Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.
Section 13.10 Counterparts.
This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.
Section 13.11 Separability.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in the Securities of any series shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Securities, but this Indenture and such Securities shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.
Section 13.12 Compliance Certificates.
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year during which any Securities of any series were outstanding, an officers certificate stating whether or not the signers know of any Event of Default that occurred during such fiscal year. Such certificate shall contain a certification from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of the Company that a review has been conducted of the activities of the Company and the Companys performance under this Indenture and that the Company has complied with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture. For purposes of this Section 13.12, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture. If the officer of the Company signing such certificate has knowledge of such an Event of Default, the certificate shall describe any such Event of Default and its status.
Section 13.13 U.S.A Patriot Act.
The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.
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Section 13.14 Force Majeure.
In no event shall the Trustee, the Security Registrar, any paying agent or any other agent under this Indenture be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions or utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee, the Security Registrar, any paying agent or any other agent under this Indenture shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 13.15 Table of Contents; Headings.
The table of contents and headings of the articles and sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof, and will not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.
| OPTHEA LIMITED | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| [TRUSTEE], as Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
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CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE (1)
| Section of Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as Amended |
Section of Indenture | |
| 310(a) | 7.09 | |
| 310(b) | 7.08 | |
| 7.10 | ||
| 310(c) | Inapplicable | |
| 311(a) | 7.13 | |
| 311(b) | 7.13 | |
| 311(c) | Inapplicable | |
| 312(a) | 5.01 | |
| 5.02(a) | ||
| 312(b) | 5.02(c) | |
| 312(c) | 5.02(c) | |
| 313(a) | 5.04(a) | |
| 313(b) | 5.04(b) | |
| 313(c) | 5.04(a) | |
| 5.04(b) | ||
| 313(d) | 5.04(c) | |
| 314(a) | 5.03 | |
| 13.12 | ||
| 314(b) | Inapplicable | |
| 314(c) | 13.07(a) | |
| 314(d) | Inapplicable | |
| 314(e) | 13.07(b) | |
| 314(f) | Inapplicable | |
| 315(a) | 7.01(a) | |
| 7.01(b) | ||
| 315(b) | 7.14 | |
| 315(c) | 7.01 | |
| 315(d) | 7.01(b) | |
| 315(e) | 6.07 | |
| 316(a) | 6.06 | |
| 8.04 | ||
| 316(b) | 6.04 | |
| 316(c) | 8.01 | |
| 317(a) | 6.02 | |
| 317(b) | 4.03 | |
| 318(a) | 13.09 |
| (1) | This Cross-Reference Table does not constitute part of the Indenture and shall not have any bearing on the interpretation of any of its terms or provisions. |
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Exhibit 4.7
OPTHEA LIMITED
AND
_____________, AS WARRANT AGENT
FORM OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
WARRANT AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF __________
OPTHEA LIMITED FORM OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES WARRANT AGREEMENT
THIS AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES WARRANT AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of [], between OPTHEA LIMITED, a company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia (the Company), and [], a [corporation] [national banking association] organized and existing under the laws of [] and having a corporate trust office in [], as warrant agent (the Warrant Agent).
WHEREAS, the Company proposes to sell [If Warrants are sold with other securities [title of such other securities being offered] (the Other Securities) with] warrant certificates evidencing one or more warrants (the Warrants or, individually, a Warrant) representing the right to subscribe for American Depositary Shares (the ADSs), each representing eight (8) ordinary shares, no par value, of the Company (the Ordinary Shares) (such ADSs, the Warrant Securities), such warrant certificates and other warrant certificates issued pursuant to this Agreement being herein called the Warrant Certificates;
WHEREAS, the Company desires the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing so to act, in connection with the issuance, registration, transfer, exchange, exercise and replacement of the Warrant Certificates, and in this Agreement wishes to set forth, among other things, the form and provisions of the Warrant Certificates and the terms and conditions on which they may be issued, registered, transferred, exchanged, exercised and replaced; and
WHEREAS, the Companys Ordinary Shares are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) and therefore, the Company must comply with the listing rules set forth by the ASX, as they are amended form time to time (the ASX Listing Rules);
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
ISSUANCE OF WARRANTS AND EXECUTION AND
DELIVERY OF WARRANT CERTIFICATES
1.1 Issuance of Warrants. [If Warrants alone Upon issuance, each Warrant Certificate shall evidence one or more Warrants.] [If Other Securities and Warrants Warrant Certificates will be issued in connection with the issuance of the Other Securities but shall be separately transferable and each Warrant Certificate shall evidence one or more Warrants.] Each Warrant evidenced thereby shall represent the right, subject to the provisions contained herein and therein, to subscribe for one Warrant Security. [If Other Securities and Warrants Warrant Certificates will be issued with the Other Securities and each Warrant Certificate will evidence [] Warrants for each [$[] principal amount] [[] shares] of Other Securities issued.]
1.2 Execution and Delivery of Warrant Certificates. Each Warrant Certificate, whenever issued, shall be in registered form substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto, shall be dated the date of its countersignature by the Warrant Agent and may have such letters, numbers, or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements printed, lithographed or engraved thereon as the officers of the Company executing the same may approve (execution thereof to be conclusive evidence of such approval) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange on which the Warrants may be listed, or to conform to usage. The Warrant Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Company by any of its present or future chief executive officers, presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, chief financial officers, chief legal officers,
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treasurers, assistant treasurers, controllers, assistant controllers, secretaries or assistant secretaries under its corporate seal reproduced thereon. Such signatures may be manual or facsimile signatures of such authorized officers and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Warrant Certificates. The seal of the Company may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Warrant Certificates.
No Warrant Certificate shall be valid for any purpose, and no Warrant evidenced thereby shall be exercisable, until such Warrant Certificate has been countersigned by the manual signature of the Warrant Agent. Such signature by the Warrant Agent upon any Warrant Certificate executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Warrant Certificate so countersigned has been duly issued hereunder.
In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Warrant Certificates either manually or by facsimile signature shall cease to be such officer before the Warrant Certificates so signed shall have been countersigned and delivered by the Warrant Agent, such Warrant Certificates may be countersigned and delivered notwithstanding that the person who signed such Warrant Certificates ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Warrant Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Warrant Certificate, shall be the proper officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Agreement any such person was not such officer.
The term holder or holder of a Warrant Certificate as used herein shall mean any person in whose name at the time any Warrant Certificate shall be registered upon the books to be maintained by the Warrant Agent for that purpose.
1.3 Issuance of Warrant Certificates. Warrant Certificates evidencing the right to subscribe for Warrant Securities may be executed by the Company and delivered to the Warrant Agent upon the execution of this Agreement or from time to time thereafter. The Warrant Agent shall, upon receipt of Warrant Certificates duly executed on behalf of the Company, countersign such Warrant Certificates and shall deliver such Warrant Certificates to or upon the order of the Company.
ARTICLE 2
WARRANT PRICE, DURATION AND EXERCISE OF WARRANTS
2.1 Warrant Price. During the period specified in Section 2.2, each Warrant shall, subject to the terms of this Agreement and the applicable Warrant Certificate, entitle the holder thereof to subscribe for the number of Warrant Securities specified in the applicable Warrant Certificate at an exercise price of $[] per Warrant Security, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, as hereinafter provided. Such exercise price per Warrant Security is referred to in this Agreement as the Warrant Price.
2.2 Duration of Warrants. Each Warrant may be exercised in whole or in part at any time, as specified herein, on or after [the date thereof] [] and at or before [] p.m., [City] time, on [] or such later date as the Company may designate by notice to the Warrant Agent and the holders of Warrant Certificates mailed to their addresses as set forth in the record books of the Warrant Agent (the Expiration Date). Each Warrant not exercised at or before [] p.m., [City] time, on the Expiration Date shall become void, and all rights of the holder of the Warrant Certificate evidencing such Warrant under this Agreement shall cease.
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2.3 Exercise of Warrants.
(a) During the period specified in Section 2.2, the Warrants may be exercised to subscribe for a whole number of Warrant Securities in certificated form by providing certain information as set forth on the reverse side of the Warrant Certificate and by paying in full, in lawful money of the United States of America, [in cash or by certified check or official bank check in New York Clearing House funds] [by bank wire transfer in immediately available funds] the Warrant Price for each Warrant Security with respect to which a Warrant is being exercised to the Warrant Agent at its corporate trust office, provided that such exercise is subject to receipt within five business days of such payment by the Warrant Agent of the Warrant Certificate with the form of election to subscribe for Warrant Securities set forth on the reverse side of the Warrant Certificate properly completed and duly executed. The date on which payment in full of the Warrant Price is received by the Warrant Agent shall, subject to receipt of the Warrant Certificate as aforesaid, be deemed to be the date on which the Warrant is exercised; provided, however, that if, at the date of receipt of such Warrant Certificates and payment in full of the Warrant Price, the registrar for the Warrant Securities to be issued upon the exercise of such Warrants shall be closed and unable to update the register of members, no such receipt of such Warrant Certificates and no such payment of such Warrant Price shall be effective to constitute the person so designated to be named as the registered holder of such Warrant Securities on such date, but shall be effective to constitute such person as the registered holder of such Warrant Securities for all purposes at the opening of business on the next succeeding day on which the registrar for the Warrant Securities to be issued upon the exercise of such Warrants shall be open for business, and the certificates for the Warrant Securities in respect of which such Warrants are then exercised shall be issuable as of the date on such next succeeding day on which the registrar is open for business, and until such date the Company shall be under no duty to deliver any certificate for such Warrant Securities. The Warrant Agent shall deposit all funds received by it in payment of the Warrant Price in an account of the Company maintained with it and shall advise the Company by telephone at the end of each day on which a payment for the exercise of Warrants is received of the amount so deposited to its account. The Warrant Agent shall promptly confirm such telephone advice to the Company in writing.
(b) The Warrant Agent shall, from time to time, as promptly as practicable, advise the Company of (i) the number of Warrant Securities with respect to which Warrants were exercised, (ii) the instructions of each holder of the Warrant Certificates evidencing such Warrants with respect to delivery of the Warrant Securities to which such holder is entitled upon such exercise, (iii) delivery of Warrant Certificates evidencing the balance, if any, of the Warrants for the remaining Warrant Securities after such exercise, and (iv) such other information as the Company shall reasonably require.
(c) As soon as practicable after the exercise of any Warrant, the Company shall issue to or upon the order of the holder of the Warrant Certificate evidencing such Warrant the Warrant Securities to which such holder is entitled, in certificated form, registered in such name or names as may be directed by such holder. If fewer than all of the Warrants evidenced by such Warrant Certificate are exercised, the Company shall execute, and an authorized officer of the Warrant Agent shall manually countersign and deliver, a new Warrant Certificate evidencing Warrants for the number of Warrant Securities remaining unexercised.
(d) The Company shall not be required to pay any stamp duty or other tax or other governmental charge required to be paid in connection with any transfer involved in the issue of the Warrant Securities, and in the event that any such transfer is involved, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any Warrant Security until such tax or other charge shall have been paid or it has been established to the Companys satisfaction that no such tax or other charge is due.
(e) Prior to the issuance of any Warrants the Company shall ensure that it has full authority and power to issue the Warrants and allot and issue the Warrant Securities on exercise of the Warrants on a non-pre-emptive basis.
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ARTICLE 3
OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF
WARRANT CERTIFICATES
3.1 No Rights as Warrant Securityholder Conferred by Warrants or Warrant Certificates. No Warrant Certificate or Warrant evidenced thereby shall entitle the holder thereof to any of the rights of a holder of Warrant Securities, including, without limitation, the right to receive the payment of dividends or distributions, if any, on the Warrant Securities or to exercise any voting rights, except to the extent expressly set forth in this Agreement or the applicable Warrant Certificate.
3.2 Lost, Stolen, Mutilated or Destroyed Warrant Certificates. Upon receipt by the Warrant Agent of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it and the Company of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Warrant Certificate and/or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Warrant Agent and the Company and, in the case of mutilation, upon surrender of the mutilated Warrant Certificate to the Warrant Agent for cancellation, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Warrant Agent that such Warrant Certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute, and an authorized officer of the Warrant Agent shall manually countersign and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of the lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Warrant Certificate, a new Warrant Certificate of the same tenor and evidencing Warrants for a like number of Warrant Securities. Upon the issuance of any new Warrant Certificate under this Section 3.2, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Warrant Agent) in connection therewith. Every substitute Warrant Certificate executed and delivered pursuant to this Section 3.2 in lieu of any lost, stolen or destroyed Warrant Certificate shall represent an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Warrant Certificate shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement equally and proportionately with any and all other Warrant Certificates duly executed and delivered hereunder. The provisions of this Section 3.2 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement of mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed Warrant Certificates.
3.3 Holder of Warrant Certificate May Enforce Rights. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement, any holder of a Warrant Certificate, without the consent of the Warrant Agent, the holder of any Warrant Securities or the holder of any other Warrant Certificate, may, in such holders own behalf and for such holders own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company suitable to enforce, or otherwise in respect of, such holders right to exercise the Warrants evidenced by such holders Warrant Certificate in the manner provided in such holders Warrant Certificate and in this Agreement.
3.4 Adjustments. Any adjustments to be made pursuant to this Section 3.4 must be in accordance with the ASX Listing Rules applying at the time, and this Agreement must be varied to the extent necessary to comply with the ASX Listing Rules applying at the time or requirements of the ASX in respect of any adjustments, applied consistently to this Agreement and the Warrant Securities in a manner which does not confer on any holder of the Warrant Securities any benefits which are not also conferred on the holders of the ADSs and/or the Ordinary Shares.
(a) In case the Company shall at any time subdivide its outstanding Ordinary Shares into a greater number of shares, the Warrant Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision shall be proportionately reduced and the number of Warrant Securities purchasable under the Warrants shall be proportionately increased. Conversely, in case the outstanding Ordinary Shares of the Company shall be consolidated into a smaller number of shares, the Warrant Price in effect immediately prior to such consolidation shall be proportionately increased and the number of Warrant Securities purchasable under the Warrants shall be proportionately decreased.
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(b) If at any time or from time to time the holders of ADSs (or any shares of stock or other securities at the time receivable upon the exercise of the Warrants) shall have received or become entitled to receive, without payment therefor,
(i) Ordinary Shares or any shares of stock or other securities which are at any time directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares, or any rights or options to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any of the foregoing by way of dividend or other distribution;
(ii) any cash paid or payable otherwise than as a cash dividend paid or payable out of the Companys current or retained earnings;
(iii) any evidence of the Companys indebtedness or rights to subscribe for or purchase the Companys indebtedness; or
(iv) Ordinary Shares or additional stock or other securities or property (including cash) by way of spinoff, split-up, redesignation, consolidation of shares or similar corporate rearrangement (other than Ordinary Shares issued as a subdivision or adjustments in respect of which shall be covered by the terms of Section 3.4(a) above), then and in each such case, the holder of each Warrant shall, upon the exercise of the Warrant, be entitled to receive, in addition to the number of Warrant Securities receivable thereupon, and without payment of any additional consideration therefore, the amount of stock and other securities and property (including cash and indebtedness or rights to subscribe for or purchase indebtedness) which such holder would hold on the date of such exercise had such holder been the holder of record of such Warrant Securities as of the date on which holders of Ordinary Shares received or became entitled to receive such shares or all other additional stock and other securities and property.
(c) In case of (i) any redesignation, capital reorganization, reconstruction or change in the Ordinary Shares of the Company (other than as a result of a subdivision, consolidation, or share dividend provided for in Section 3.4(a) or Section 3.4(b) above), (ii) share exchange, merger, scheme of arrangement or similar transaction of the Company with or into another person or entity (other than a share exchange, merger, scheme of arrangement or similar transaction in which the Company is the acquiring or surviving corporation and which does not result in any change in the Ordinary Shares other than the issuance of additional Ordinary Shares) or (iii) the sale, exchange, lease, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company as an entirety (in any such case, a Reorganization Event), then, as a condition of such Reorganization Event, lawful provisions shall be made, and duly executed documents evidencing the same from the Company or its successor shall be delivered to the holders of the Warrants, so that the holders of the Warrants shall have the right at any time prior to the expiration of the Warrants to subscribe for, at a total price equal to that payable upon the exercise of the Warrants, the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property receivable in connection with such Reorganization Event by a holder of the same number of Warrant Securities as were purchasable by the holders of the Warrants immediately prior to such Reorganization Event. In any such case appropriate provisions shall be made with respect to the rights and interests of the holders of the Warrants so that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable with respect to any shares of stock or other securities and property deliverable upon exercise the Warrants, and appropriate adjustments shall be made to the Warrant Price payable hereunder provided the aggregate subscription price shall remain the same. In the case of any transaction described in clauses (ii) and (iii) above, the Company shall thereupon be relieved of any further obligation hereunder or under the Warrants, and the Company as the predecessor corporation may thereupon or at any time thereafter be dissolved, wound up or liquidated. Such successor or assuming entity thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name
5
of the Company, any or all of the Warrants issuable hereunder which heretofore shall not have been signed by the Company, and may execute and deliver securities in its own name, in fulfillment of its obligations to deliver Warrant Securities upon exercise of the Warrants. All the Warrants so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Agreement as the Warrants theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement as though all of such Warrants had been issued at the date of the execution hereof. In any case of any such Reorganization Event, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Warrants thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate. The Warrant Agent may receive a written opinion of legal counsel as conclusive evidence that any such Reorganization Event complies with the provisions of this Section 3.4.
(d) The Company may, at its option, at any time until the Expiration Date, reduce the then current Warrant Price to any amount deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors of the Company for any period not exceeding twenty consecutive days (as evidenced in a resolution adopted by such Board of Directors), but only upon giving the notices required by Section 3.5 at least ten days prior to taking such action.
(e) Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, no adjustment in the Warrant Price shall be made by reason of the issuance of Ordinary Shares, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares, or securities carrying the right to purchase any of the foregoing or for any other reason whatsoever.
(f) No fractional Warrant Securities shall be issued upon the exercise of Warrants and the number of Warrant Securities to be issued shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Ordinary Share. If more than one Warrant shall be exercised at one time by the same holder, the number of full Warrant Securities which shall be issuable upon such exercise shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate number of Warrant Securities subscribed for pursuant to the Warrants so exercised.
(g) Whenever the Warrant Price then in effect is adjusted as herein provided, the Company shall mail to each holder of the Warrants at such holders address as it shall appear on the books of the Company a statement setting forth the adjusted Warrant Price then and thereafter effective under the provisions hereof, together with the facts, in reasonable detail, upon which such adjustment is based.
(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in no event shall the Warrant Price, as adjusted in accordance with the terms hereof, be less than the par value per share of Ordinary Shares.
3.5 Notice to Warrantholders. In case the Company shall (a) effect any dividend or distribution described in Section 3.4(b), (b) effect any Reorganization Event, (c) make any distribution on or in respect of the Ordinary Shares in connection with the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, or (d) reduce the then current Warrant Price pursuant to Section 3.4(d), then the Company shall mail to each holder of Warrants at such holders address as it shall appear on the books of the Warrant Agent, at least ten days prior to the applicable date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the record date for such dividend or distribution, or, if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of record of ADSs that will be entitled to such dividend or distribution are to be determined, (y) the date on which such Reorganization Event, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of ADSs of record shall be entitled to exchange their ADSs for securities or other property deliverable upon such Reorganization Event, dissolution, liquidation or winding up, or (z) the first date on which the then current Warrant Price shall be reduced pursuant to Section 3.4(d). No failure to mail such notice nor any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall affect any such transaction or any adjustment in the Warrant Price required by Section 3.4.
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3.6 [If the Warrants are Subject to Acceleration by the Company, Insert Acceleration of Warrants by the Company.
(a) At any time on or after [], the Company shall have the right to accelerate any or all Warrants at any time by causing them to expire at the close of business on the day next preceding a specified date (the Acceleration Date), if the Market Price (as hereinafter defined) of the ADSs equals or exceeds [] percent ([]%) of the then effective Warrant Price on any twenty Trading Days (as hereinafter defined) within a period of thirty consecutive Trading Days ending no more than five Trading Days prior to the date on which the Company gives notice to the Warrant Agent of its election to accelerate the Warrants.
(b) Market Price for each Trading Day shall be, if the ADSs are listed or admitted to trading on any registered national securities exchange, the last reported sale price, regular way (or, if no such price is reported, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices, regular way) of the ADSs, in either case as reported on the principal registered national securities exchange on which the ADSs are listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any registered national securities exchange, the last trade price of the ADSs in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for the ADSs as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets. Trading Day shall be each Monday through Friday, other than any day on which securities are not traded in the system or on the exchange that is the principal market for the ADSs, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company. In the event of an acceleration of less than all of the Warrants, the Warrant Agent shall select the Warrants to be accelerated by lot, pro rata or in such other manner as it deems, in its discretion, to be fair and appropriate.
(c) Notice of an acceleration specifying the Acceleration Date shall be sent by mail first class, postage prepaid, to each registered holder of a Warrant Certificate representing a Warrant accelerated at such holders address appearing on the books of the Warrant Agent not more than sixty days nor less than thirty days before the Acceleration Date. Such notice of an acceleration also shall be given no more than twenty days, and no less than ten days, prior to the mailing of notice to registered holders of Warrants pursuant to this Section 3.6, by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of New York.
(d) Any Warrant accelerated may be exercised until [] p.m., [City] time, on the business day next preceding the Acceleration Date. The Warrant Price shall be payable as provided in Section 2.]
ARTICLE 4
EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER OF WARRANT CERTIFICATES
4.1 Exchange and Transfer of Warrant Certificates. Upon surrender at the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent, Warrant Certificates evidencing Warrants may be exchanged for Warrant Certificates in other denominations evidencing such Warrants or the transfer thereof may be registered in whole or in part; provided that such other Warrant Certificates evidence Warrants for the same aggregate number of Warrant Securities as the Warrant Certificates so surrendered. The Warrant Agent shall keep, at its corporate trust office, books in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, it shall register Warrant Certificates and exchanges and transfers of outstanding Warrant Certificates, upon surrender of the Warrant Certificates to the Warrant Agent at its corporate trust office for exchange or registration of transfer, properly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of registration of transfer and written instructions for transfer, all in form satisfactory to the Company and the Warrant Agent. No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Warrant Certificates, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp duty or other tax or other
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governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any such exchange or registration of transfer. Whenever any Warrant Certificates are so surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer, an authorized officer of the Warrant Agent shall manually countersign and deliver to the person or persons entitled thereto a Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates duly authorized and executed by the Company, as so requested. The Warrant Agent shall not be required to effect any exchange or registration of transfer which will result in the issuance of a Warrant Certificate evidencing a Warrant for a fraction of a Warrant Security or a number of Warrants for a whole number of Warrant Securities and a fraction of a Warrant Security. All Warrant Certificates issued upon any exchange or registration of transfer of Warrant Certificates shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same obligations and entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as the Warrant Certificate surrendered for such exchange or registration of transfer.
4.2 Treatment of Holders of Warrant Certificates. The Company, the Warrant Agent and all other persons may treat the registered holder of a Warrant Certificate as the absolute owner thereof for any purpose and as the person entitled to exercise the rights represented by the Warrants evidenced thereby, any notice to the contrary notwithstanding.
4.3 Cancellation of Warrant Certificates. Any Warrant Certificate surrendered for exchange, registration of transfer or exercise of the Warrants evidenced thereby shall, if surrendered to the Company, be delivered to the Warrant Agent and all Warrant Certificates surrendered or so delivered to the Warrant Agent shall be promptly canceled by the Warrant Agent and shall not be reissued and, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement, no Warrant Certificate shall be issued hereunder in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof. The Warrant Agent shall deliver to the Company from time to time or otherwise dispose of canceled Warrant Certificates in a manner satisfactory to the Company.
ARTICLE 5
CONCERNING THE WARRANT AGENT
5.1 Warrant Agent. The Company hereby appoints [] as Warrant Agent of the Company in respect of the Warrants and the Warrant Certificates upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth, and [] hereby accepts such appointment. The Warrant Agent shall have the powers and authority granted to and conferred upon it in the Warrant Certificates and hereby and such further powers and authority to act on behalf of the Company as the Company may hereafter grant to or confer upon it. All of the terms and provisions with respect to such powers and authority contained in the Warrant Certificates are subject to and governed by the terms and provisions hereof.
5.2 Conditions of Warrant Agents Obligations. The Warrant Agent accepts its obligations herein set forth upon the terms and conditions hereof, including the following to all of which the Company agrees and to all of which the rights hereunder of the holders from time to time of the Warrant Certificates shall be subject:
(a) Compensation and Indemnification. The Company agrees promptly to pay the Warrant Agent the compensation to be agreed upon with the Company for all services rendered by the Warrant Agent and to reimburse the Warrant Agent for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable counsel fees) incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct by the Warrant Agent in connection with the services rendered hereunder by the Warrant Agent. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Warrant Agent, arising out of or in connection with its acting as Warrant Agent hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending against any claim of such liability.
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(b) Agent for the Company. In acting under this Agreement and in connection with the Warrant Certificates, the Warrant Agent is acting solely as agent of the Company and does not assume any obligations or relationship of agency or trust for or with any of the holders of Warrant Certificates or beneficial owners of Warrants.
(c) Counsel. The Warrant Agent may consult with counsel satisfactory to it, which may include counsel for the Company, and the written advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice of such counsel.
(d) Documents. The Warrant Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken or omitted by it in reliance upon any Warrant Certificate, notice, direction, consent, certificate, affidavit, statement or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been presented or signed by the proper parties.
(e) Certain Transactions. The Warrant Agent, and its officers, directors and employees, may become the owner of, or acquire any interest in, Warrants, with the same rights that it or they would have if it were not the Warrant Agent hereunder, and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, it or they may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the Company and may act on, or as depositary, trustee or agent for, any committee or body of holders of Warrant Securities or other obligations of the Company as freely as if it were not the Warrant Agent hereunder. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prevent the Warrant Agent from acting as trustee under any indenture to which the Company is a party.
(f) No Liability for Interest. Unless otherwise agreed with the Company, the Warrant Agent shall have no liability for interest on any monies at any time received by it pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Warrant Certificates.
(g) No Liability for Invalidity. The Warrant Agent shall have no liability with respect to any invalidity of this Agreement or any of the Warrant Certificates (except as to the Warrant Agents countersignature thereon).
(h) No Responsibility for Representations. The Warrant Agent shall not be responsible for any of the recitals or representations herein or in the Warrant Certificates (except as to the Warrant Agents countersignature thereon), all of which are made solely by the Company.
(i) No Implied Obligations. The Warrant Agent shall be obligated to perform only such duties as are herein and in the Warrant Certificates specifically set forth and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Agreement or the Warrant Certificates against the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent shall not be under any obligation to take any action hereunder which may tend to involve it in any expense or liability, the payment of which within a reasonable time is not, in its reasonable opinion, assured to it. The Warrant Agent shall not be accountable or under any duty or responsibility for the use by the Company of any of the Warrant Certificates authenticated by the Warrant Agent and delivered by it to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or for the application by the Company of the proceeds of the Warrant Certificates. The Warrant Agent shall have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by the Company in the performance of its covenants or agreements contained herein or in the Warrant Certificates or in the case of the receipt of any written demand from a holder of a Warrant Certificate with respect to such default, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any duty or responsibility to initiate or attempt to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise or, except as provided in Section 6.2 hereof, to make any demand upon the Company.
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5.3 Resignation, Removal and Appointment of Successors.
(a) The Company agrees, for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Warrant Certificates, that there shall at all times be a Warrant Agent hereunder until all the Warrants have been exercised or are no longer exercisable.
(b) The Warrant Agent may at any time resign as agent by giving written notice to the Company of such intention on its part, specifying the date on which its desired resignation shall become effective; provided that such date shall not be less than three months after the date on which such notice is given unless the Company otherwise agrees. The Warrant Agent hereunder may be removed at any time by the filing with it of an instrument in writing signed by or on behalf of the Company and specifying such removal and the intended date when it shall become effective. Such resignation or removal shall take effect upon the appointment by the Company, as hereinafter provided, of a successor Warrant Agent (which shall be a bank or trust company authorized under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization to exercise corporate trust powers) and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor Warrant Agent. The obligation of the Company under Section 5.2(a) shall continue to the extent set forth therein notwithstanding the resignation or removal of the Warrant Agent.
(c) In case at any time the Warrant Agent shall resign, or shall be removed, or shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or shall commence a voluntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or under any other applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, custodian, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Warrant Agent or its property or affairs, or shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or shall take corporate action in furtherance of any such action, or a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall have been entered in respect of the Warrant Agent in an involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, or a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall have been entered for the appointment of a receiver, custodian, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Warrant Agent or of its property or affairs, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Warrant Agent or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation, winding up or liquidation, a successor Warrant Agent, qualified as aforesaid, shall be appointed by the Company by an instrument in writing, filed with the successor Warrant Agent. Upon the appointment as aforesaid of a successor Warrant Agent and acceptance by the successor Warrant Agent of such appointment, the Warrant Agent shall cease to be Warrant Agent hereunder.
(d) Any successor Warrant Agent appointed hereunder shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor Warrant Agent, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations of such predecessor with like effect as if originally named as Warrant Agent hereunder, and such predecessor, upon payment of its charges and disbursements then unpaid, shall thereupon become obligated to transfer, deliver and pay over, and such successor Warrant Agent shall be entitled to receive, all monies, securities and other property on deposit with or held by such predecessor, as Warrant Agent hereunder.
(e) Any corporation into which the Warrant Agent hereunder may be merged or converted or any corporation with which the Warrant Agent may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Warrant Agent shall be a party, or any corporation to which the Warrant Agent shall sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all the assets and business of the Warrant Agent, provided that it shall be qualified as aforesaid, shall be the successor Warrant Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.
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ARTICLE 6
MISCELLANEOUS
6.1 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto, without the consent of the holder of any Warrant Certificate, for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or of curing, correcting or supplementing any defective provision contained herein, or making any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement as the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem necessary or desirable; provided that such action shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Warrant Certificates.
6.2 Notices and Demands to the Company and Warrant Agent. If the Warrant Agent shall receive any notice or demand addressed to the Company by the holder of a Warrant Certificate pursuant to the provisions of the Warrant Certificates, the Warrant Agent shall promptly forward such notice or demand to the Company.
6.3 Addresses. Any communication from the Company to the Warrant Agent with respect to this Agreement shall be addressed to [], Attention: [] and any communication from the Warrant Agent to the Company with respect to this Agreement shall be addressed to Opthea Limited, Suite 0403, Level 4, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia, 3141 (or such other address as shall be specified in writing by the Warrant Agent or by the Company).
6.4 Governing Law. This Agreement and each Warrant Certificate issued hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
6.5 Delivery of Prospectus. The Company shall furnish to the Warrant Agent sufficient copies of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the Warrant Securities deliverable upon exercise of the Warrants (the Prospectus), and the Warrant Agent agrees that upon the exercise of any Warrant, the Warrant Agent will deliver to the holder of the Warrant Certificate evidencing such Warrant, prior to or concurrently with the delivery of the Warrant Securities issued upon such exercise, a Prospectus. The Warrant Agent shall not, by reason of any such delivery, assume any responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of such Prospectus.
6.6 Obtaining of Governmental Approvals. The Company will from time to time take all action which may be necessary to obtain and keep effective any and all permits, consents and approvals of governmental agencies and authorities and securities act filings under United States Federal and state laws (including without limitation a registration statement in respect of the Warrants and Warrant Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), which may be or become requisite in connection with the issuance, sale, transfer, and delivery of the Warrant Securities issued upon exercise of the Warrants, the issuance, sale, transfer and delivery of the Warrants or upon the expiration of the period during which the Warrants are exercisable.
6.7 ASX and ASIC Requirements. On or before the date on which the Warrant Securities are delivered, the Company shall, subject to the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act) and the ASX Listing Rules: (i) issue and allot the Ordinary Shares underlying the Warrant Securities being exercised to the depositary for the ADSs custodian; (ii) issue an ASX Appendix 2A in respect of such Ordinary Securities and do all things reasonably necessary to apply to ASX for official quotation (as that expression is used in the ASX Listing Rules) of those Ordinary Shares; and (iii) issue a cleansing statement
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under section 708A(5)(e) of the Corporations Act within five Business Days of the date of issue of the Ordinary Shares; provided that if it is unable to comply with the requirements of section 708A(5)(e) of the Corporations Act in respect of an issue of Ordinary Shares issued on exercise of Warrant Securities, the Company shall do everything necessary to ensure that such Ordinary Shares are able to be freely traded on ASX incompliance with the ASX Listing Rules and the Corporations Act, including obtaining an exemption from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) or the lodging of a disclosure document with ASIC in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 6D of the Corporations
6.8 Persons Having Rights Under the Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall give to any person other than the Company, the Warrant Agent and the holders of the Warrant Certificates any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
6.9 Headings. The descriptive headings of the several Articles and Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.
6.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which as so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
6.11 Inspection of Agreement. A copy of this Agreement shall be available at all reasonable times at the principal corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent for inspection by the holder of any Warrant Certificate. The Warrant Agent may require such holder to submit such holders Warrant Certificate for inspection by it.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
| Opthea Limited, as Company | ||
| By: |
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| Name: |
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| Title: |
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| ATTEST: |
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| COUNTERSIGNED | ||
| [], as Warrant Agent | ||
| By: |
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| Name: |
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| Title: |
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| ATTEST: |
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[SIGNATURE PAGE TO OPTHEA LIMITED DEBT SECURITIES WARRANT AGREEMENT]
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE
[FACE OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE]
| [Form of Legend if Warrants are not immediately exercisable.] | [Prior to [], Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate cannot be exercised.] |
EXERCISABLE ONLY IF COUNTERSIGNED BY THE WARRANT AGENT AS PROVIDED HEREIN
VOID AFTER [] P.M., [City] time, ON [].
OPTHEA LIMITED
WARRANT CERTIFICATE REPRESENTING
WARRANTS TO SUBSCRIBE FOR
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES, NO PAR VALUE
| No. [] | [] Warrants |
This certifies that [] or registered assigns is the registered owner of the above indicated number of Warrants, each Warrant entitling such owner to subscribe for, at any time [after [] p.m., [City] time, [on [] and] on or before [] p.m., [City] time, on [], [] American Depositary Shares (the ADSs), each representing eight (8) ordinary shares, no par value, of the Company (the Ordinary Shares) (such ADSs, the Warrant Securities), of Opthea Limited (the Company) on the following basis: during the period from [], through and including [], the exercise price per Warrant Security will be $[], subject to adjustment as provided in the Warrant Agreement (as hereinafter defined) (the Warrant Price). The Holder may exercise the Warrants evidenced hereby by providing certain information set forth on the back hereof and by paying in full, in lawful money of the United States of America, [in cash or by certified check or official bank check in New York Clearing House funds] [by bank wire transfer in immediately available funds], the Warrant Price for each Warrant Security with respect to which this Warrant is exercised to the Warrant Agent (as hereinafter defined) and by surrendering this Warrant Certificate, with the purchase form on the back hereof duly executed, at the corporate trust office of [name of Warrant Agent], or its successor as warrant agent (the Warrant Agent), which is, on the date hereof, at the address specified on the reverse hereof, and upon compliance with and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant Agreement (as hereinafter defined).
The term Holder as used herein shall mean the person in whose name at the time this Warrant Certificate shall be registered upon the books to be maintained by the Warrant Agent for that purpose pursuant to Section 4 of the Warrant Agreement.
The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate may be exercised to subscribe for a whole number of Warrant Securities in certificated form. Upon any exercise of fewer than all of the Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate, there shall be issued to the Holder hereof a new Warrant Certificate evidencing Warrants for the number of Warrant Securities remaining unexercised.
This Warrant Certificate is issued under and in accordance with the Warrant Agreement dated as of [] (the Warrant Agreement), between the Company and the Warrant Agent and is subject to the terms and provisions contained in the Warrant Agreement, to all of which terms and provisions the Holder of this Warrant Certificate consents by acceptance hereof. Copies of the Warrant Agreement are on file at the above-mentioned office of the Warrant Agent.
Transfer of this Warrant Certificate may be registered when this Warrant Certificate is surrendered at the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent by the registered owner or such owners assigns, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement.
After countersignature by the Warrant Agent and prior to the expiration of this Warrant Certificate, this Warrant Certificate may be exchanged at the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent for Warrant Certificates representing Warrants for the same aggregate number of Warrant Securities.
This Warrant Certificate shall not entitle the Holder hereof to any of the rights of a holder of the Warrant Securities, including, without limitation, the right to receive payments of dividends or distributions, if any, on the Warrant Securities (except to the extent set forth in the Warrant Agreement) or to exercise any voting rights.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Warrant Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until countersigned by the Warrant Agent.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed in its name and on its behalf by the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.
| Dated: |
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| OPTHEA LIMITED, as Company | ||
| By: |
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| Name: |
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| Title: |
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| ATTEST: | ||
| COUNTERSIGNED
[], as Warrant Agent | ||
| By: |
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| Name: |
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| Title: |
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| ATTEST: | ||
[REVERSE OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE]
(Instructions for Exercise of Warrant)
To exercise any Warrants evidenced hereby for Warrant Securities (as hereinafter defined), the Holder must pay, in lawful money of the United States of America, [in cash or by certified check or official bank check in New York Clearing House funds] [by bank wire transfer in immediately available funds], the Warrant Price in full for Warrants exercised, to [] [address of Warrant Agent], Attention: [], which payment must specify the name of the Holder and the number of Warrants exercised by such Holder. In addition, the Holder must complete the information required below and present this Warrant Certificate in person or by mail (certified or registered mail is recommended) to the Warrant Agent at the appropriate address set forth above. This Warrant Certificate, completed and duly executed, must be received by the Warrant Agent within five business days of the payment.
(To be executed upon exercise of Warrants)
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise ______ Warrants, evidenced by this Warrant Certificate, to subscribe for _______ American Depositary Shares (the ADSs), each representing eight (8) ordinary shares, no par value, of the Company (such ADSs, the Warrant Securities), of Opthea Limited and represents that the undersigned has tendered payment for such Warrant Securities, in lawful money of the United States of America, [in cash or by certified check or official bank check in New York Clearing House funds] [by bank wire transfer in immediately available funds], to the order of Opthea Limited, c/o [insert name and address of Warrant Agent], in the amount of $_________ in accordance with the terms hereof. The undersigned requests that said Warrant Securities be in certificated form, registered in such names and delivered all as specified in accordance with the instructions set forth below.
If the number of Warrants exercised is less than all of the Warrants evidenced hereby, the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the Warrants for the number of Warrant Securities remaining unexercised be issued and delivered to the undersigned unless otherwise specified in the instructions below.
| Dated: |
|
Name: |
| |||||
| Please Print |
| Address: |
|
|
| (Insert Social Security or Other Identifying Number of Holder) |
| Signature Guaranteed: | ||
| Signature |
(Signature must conform in all respects to name of holder as specified on the face of this Warrant Certificate and must bear a signature guarantee by a FINRA member firm).
This Warrant may be exercised at the following addresses: By hand at:
[]
By mail at:
[Instructions as to form and delivery of Warrant Securities and, if applicable, Warrant Certificates evidencing Warrants for the number of Warrant Securities remaining unexercisedcomplete as appropriate.]
ASSIGNMENT
[Form of assignment to be executed if Warrant Holder desires to transfer Warrant]
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ______________ hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto:
|
|
| |||
| (Please print name and address including zip code) | Please print Social Security or other identifying number | |||
the right represented by the within Warrant to subscribe for _______________ ordinary shares of [Title of Warrant Securities] of Opthea Limited to which the within Warrant relates and appoints ____________________ attorney to transfer such right on the books of the Warrant Agent with full power of substitution in the premises.
| Dated: | Name: | |||||||
| Signature | ||||||||
(Signature must conform in all respects to name of holder as specified on the face of the Warrant)
| Signature Guaranteed |
|
|
Exhibit 4.8
OPTHEA LIMITED
AND
_____________, AS WARRANT AGENT
FORM OF DEBT SECURITIES
WARRANT AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF __________
OPTHEA LIMITED FORM OF DEBT SECURITIES WARRANT AGREEMENT
THIS DEBT SECURITIES WARRANT AGREEMENT (this Agreement), dated as of [], between OPTHEA LIMITED, a company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia (the Company), and [], a [corporation] [national banking association] organized and existing under the laws of [] and having a corporate trust office in [], as warrant agent (the Warrant Agent).
WHEREAS, the Company has entered into an indenture dated as of [] (the Indenture), with [], as trustee (such trustee, and any successors to such trustee, herein called the Trustee), providing for the issuance from time to time of its debt securities, to be issued in one or more series as provided in the Indenture (the Debt Securities);
WHEREAS, the Company proposes to sell [If Warrants are sold with other securities [title of such other securities being offered] (the Other Securities) with] warrant certificates evidencing one or more warrants (the Warrants or, individually, a Warrant) representing the right to purchase [title of Debt Securities purchasable through exercise of Warrants] (the Warrant Debt Securities), such warrant certificates and other warrant certificates issued pursuant to this Agreement being herein called the Warrant Certificates; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing so to act, in connection with the issuance, registration, transfer, exchange, exercise and replacement of the Warrant Certificates, and in this Agreement wishes to set forth, among other things, the form and provisions of the Warrant Certificates and the terms and conditions on which they may be issued, registered, transferred, exchanged, exercised and replaced.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
ISSUANCE OF WARRANTS AND EXECUTION AND
DELIVERY OF WARRANT CERTIFICATES
1.1 Issuance of Warrants. [If Warrants alone Upon issuance, each Warrant Certificate shall evidence one or more Warrants.] [If Other Securities and Warrants Warrant Certificates will be issued in connection with the issuance of the Other Securities but shall be separately transferable and each Warrant Certificate shall evidence one or more Warrants.] Each Warrant evidenced thereby shall represent the right, subject to the provisions contained herein and therein, to purchase one Warrant Debt Security. [If Other Securities and Warrants Warrant Certificates will be issued with the Other Securities and each Warrant Certificate will evidence [] Warrants for each [$[] principal amount] [[] shares] of Other Securities issued.]
1.2 Execution and Delivery of Warrant Certificates. Each Warrant Certificate, whenever issued, shall be in registered form substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto, shall be dated the date of its countersignature by the Warrant Agent and may have such letters, numbers, or other marks of identification or designation and such legends or endorsements printed, lithographed or engraved thereon as the officers of the Company executing the same may approve (execution thereof to be conclusive evidence of such approval) and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any securities exchange on which the Warrants may be listed, or to conform to usage. The Warrant Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Company by any of its present or future chief executive
1
officers, presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents, chief financial officers, chief legal officers, treasurers, assistant treasurers, controllers, assistant controllers, secretaries or assistant secretaries under its corporate seal reproduced thereon. Such signatures may be manual or facsimile signatures of such authorized officers and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Warrant Certificates. The seal of the Company may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Warrant Certificates.
No Warrant Certificate shall be valid for any purpose, and no Warrant evidenced thereby shall be exercisable, until such Warrant Certificate has been countersigned by the manual signature of the Warrant Agent. Such signature by the Warrant Agent upon any Warrant Certificate executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Warrant Certificate so countersigned has been duly issued hereunder.
In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Warrant Certificates either manually or by facsimile signature shall cease to be such officer before the Warrant Certificates so signed shall have been countersigned and delivered by the Warrant Agent, such Warrant Certificates may be countersigned and delivered notwithstanding that the person who signed such Warrant Certificates ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Warrant Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Warrant Certificate, shall be the proper officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Agreement any such person was not such officer.
The term holder or holder of a Warrant Certificate as used herein shall mean any person in whose name at the time any Warrant Certificate shall be registered upon the books to be maintained by the Warrant Agent for that purpose.
1.3 Issuance of Warrant Certificates. Warrant Certificates evidencing the right to purchase Warrant Debt Securities may be executed by the Company and delivered to the Warrant Agent upon the execution of this Agreement or from time to time thereafter. The Warrant Agent shall, upon receipt of Warrant Certificates duly executed on behalf of the Company, countersign such Warrant Certificates and shall deliver such Warrant Certificates to or upon the order of the Company.
ARTICLE 2
WARRANT PRICE, DURATION AND EXERCISE OF WARRANTS
2.1 Warrant Price. During the period specified in Section 2.2, each Warrant shall, subject to the terms of this Agreement and the applicable Warrant Certificate, entitle the holder thereof to purchase the principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities specified in the applicable Warrant Certificate at an exercise price of []% of the principal amount thereof [plus accrued amortization, if any, of the original issue discount of the Warrant Debt Securities] [plus accrued interest, if any, from the most recent date from which interest shall have been paid on the Warrant Debt Securities or, if no interest shall have been paid on the Warrant Debt Securities, from the date of their initial issuance.] [The original issue discount ($[] for each $1,000 principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities) will be amortized at a []% annual rate, computed on a[n] [semi-] annual basis [using a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months].] Such purchase price for the Warrant Debt Securities is referred to in this Agreement as the Warrant Price.
2.2 Duration of Warrants. Each Warrant may be exercised in whole or in part at any time, as specified herein, on or after [the date thereof] [] and at or before [] p.m., [City] time, on [] or such later date as the Company may designate by notice to the Warrant Agent and the holders of Warrant Certificates mailed to their addresses as set forth in the record books of the Warrant Agent (the Expiration Date). Each Warrant not exercised at or before [] p.m., [City] time, on the Expiration Date shall become void, and all rights of the holder of the Warrant Certificate evidencing such Warrant under this Agreement shall cease.
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2.3 Exercise of Warrants.
(a) During the period specified in Section 2.2, the Warrants may be exercised to purchase a whole number of Warrant Debt Securities in registered form by providing certain information as set forth on the reverse side of the Warrant Certificate and by paying in full, in lawful money of the United States of America, [in cash or by certified check or official bank check in New York Clearing House funds] [by bank wire transfer in immediately available funds] the Warrant Price for each Warrant Debt Security with respect to which a Warrant is being exercised to the Warrant Agent at its corporate trust office, provided that such exercise is subject to receipt within five business days of such payment by the Warrant Agent of the Warrant Certificate with the form of election to purchase Warrant Debt Securities set forth on the reverse side of the Warrant Certificate properly completed and duly executed. The date on which payment in full of the Warrant Price is received by the Warrant Agent shall, subject to receipt of the Warrant Certificate as aforesaid, be deemed to be the date on which the Warrant is exercised; provided, however, that if, at the date of receipt of such Warrant Certificates and payment in full of the Warrant Price, the transfer books for the Warrant Debt Securities purchasable upon the exercise of such Warrants shall be closed, no such receipt of such Warrant Certificates and no such payment of such Warrant Price shall be effective to constitute the person so designated to be named as the holder of record of such Warrant Debt Securities on such date, but shall be effective to constitute such person as the holder of record of such Warrant Debt Securities for all purposes at the opening of business on the next succeeding day on which the transfer books for the Warrant Debt Securities purchasable upon the exercise of such Warrants shall be opened, and the certificates for the Warrant Debt Securities in respect of which such Warrants are then exercised shall be issuable as of the date on such next succeeding day on which the transfer books shall next be opened, and until such date the Company shall be under no duty to deliver any certificate for such Warrant Debt Securities. The Warrant Agent shall deposit all funds received by it in payment of the Warrant Price in an account of the Company maintained with it and shall advise the Company by telephone at the end of each day on which a payment for the exercise of Warrants is received of the amount so deposited to its account. The Warrant Agent shall promptly confirm such telephone advice to the Company in writing.
(b) The Warrant Agent shall, from time to time, as promptly as practicable, advise the Company of (i) the number of Warrant Debt Securities with respect to which Warrants were exercised, (ii) the instructions of each holder of the Warrant Certificates evidencing such Warrants with respect to delivery of the Warrant Debt Securities to which such holder is entitled upon such exercise, (iii) delivery of Warrant Certificates evidencing the balance, if any, of the Warrants for the remaining Warrant Debt Securities after such exercise, and (iv) such other information as the Company or the Trustee shall reasonably require.
(c) As soon as practicable after the exercise of any Warrant, the Company shall issue pursuant to the Indenture, in authorized denominations, to or upon the order of the holder of the Warrant Certificate evidencing such Warrant the Warrant Debt Securities to which such holder is entitled, in fully registered form, registered in such name or names as may be directed by such holder. If fewer than all of the Warrants evidenced by such Warrant Certificate are exercised, the Company shall execute, and an authorized officer of the Warrant Agent shall manually countersign and deliver, a new Warrant Certificate evidencing Warrants for the number of Warrant Debt Securities remaining unexercised.
(d) The Company shall not be required to pay any stamp or other tax or other governmental charge required to be paid in connection with any transfer involved in the issue of the Warrant Debt Securities, and in the event that any such transfer is involved, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any Warrant Debt Securities until such tax or other charge shall have been paid or it has been established to the Companys satisfaction that no such tax or other charge is due.
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(e) Prior to the issuance of any Warrants there shall have been reserved, and the Company shall at all times through the Expiration Date keep reserved, out of its authorized but unissued Warrant Debt Securities, a number of shares sufficient to provide for the exercise of the Warrants.
ARTICLE 3
OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF
WARRANT CERTIFICATES
3.1 No Rights as Holder of Warrant Debt Securities Conferred by Warrants or Warrant Certificates. No Warrant Certificate or Warrant evidenced thereby shall entitle the holder thereof to any of the rights of a holder of Warrant Debt Securities, including, without limitation, the right to receive the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Warrant Debt Securities or to enforce any of the covenants in the Indenture.
3.2 Lost, Stolen, Mutilated or Destroyed Warrant Certificates. Upon receipt by the Warrant Agent of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it and the Company of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Warrant Certificate and/or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Warrant Agent and the Company and, in the case of mutilation, upon surrender of the mutilated Warrant Certificate to the Warrant Agent for cancellation, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the Warrant Agent that such Warrant Certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall execute, and an authorized officer of the Warrant Agent shall manually countersign and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of the lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Warrant Certificate, a new Warrant Certificate of the same tenor and evidencing Warrants for a like principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities. Upon the issuance of any new Warrant Certificate under this Section 3.2, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Warrant Agent) in connection therewith. Every substitute Warrant Certificate executed and delivered pursuant to this Section 3.2 in lieu of any lost, stolen or destroyed Warrant Certificate shall represent an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the lost, stolen or destroyed Warrant Certificate shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement equally and proportionately with any and all other Warrant Certificates duly executed and delivered hereunder. The provisions of this Section 3.2 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement of mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed Warrant Certificates.
3.3 Holder of Warrant Certificate May Enforce Rights. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement, any holder of a Warrant Certificate, without the consent of the Warrant Agent, , the Trustee, the holder of any Warrant Debt Securities or the holder of any other Warrant Certificate, may, in such holders own behalf and for such holders own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company suitable to enforce, or otherwise in respect of, such holders right to exercise the Warrants evidenced by such holders Warrant Certificate in the manner provided in such holders Warrant Certificates and in this Agreement.
3.4 Merger, Sale, Conveyance or Lease. In case of (a) any share exchange, merger or similar transaction of the Company with or into another person or entity (other than a share exchange, merger or similar transaction in which the Company is the acquiring or surviving corporation) or (b) the sale, exchange, lease, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company as an entirety (in any such case, a Reorganization Event), then, as a condition of such
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Reorganization Event, lawful provisions shall be made, and duly executed documents evidencing the same from the Companys successor shall be delivered to the holders of the Warrants, so that such successor shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company, and assume all the Companys obligations under, this Agreement and the Warrants. The Company shall thereupon be relieved of any further obligation hereunder or under the Warrants, and the Company as the predecessor corporation may thereupon or at any time thereafter be dissolved, wound up or liquidated. Such successor or assuming entity thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company, any or all of the Warrants issuable hereunder which heretofore shall not have been signed by the Company, and may execute and deliver securities in its own name, in fulfillment of its obligations to deliver Warrant Debt Securities upon exercise of the Warrants. All the Warrants so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Agreement as the Warrants theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement as though all of such Warrants had been issued at the date of the execution hereof. In any case of any such Reorganization Event, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Warrants thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate. The Warrant Agent may receive a written opinion of legal counsel as conclusive evidence that any such Reorganization Event complies with the provisions of this Section 3.4.
3.5 Notice to Warrantholders. In case the Company shall (a) effect any Reorganization Event or (b) make any distribution on or in respect of the [title of Warrant Debt Securities] in connection with the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, then the Company shall mail to each holder of Warrants at such holders address as it shall appear on the books of the Warrant Agent, at least ten days prior to the applicable date hereinafter specified, a notice stating the date on which such Reorganization Event, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of [title of Warrant Debt Securities] of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of [title of Warrant Debt Securities] for securities or other property deliverable upon such Reorganization Event, dissolution, liquidation or winding up. No failure to mail such notice nor any defect therein or in the mailing thereof shall affect any such transaction.
ARTICLE 4
EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER OF WARRANT CERTIFICATES
4.1 Exchange and Transfer of Warrant Certificates. Upon surrender at the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent, Warrant Certificates evidencing Warrants may be exchanged for Warrant Certificates in other denominations evidencing such Warrants or the transfer thereof may be registered in whole or in part; provided that such other Warrant Certificates evidence Warrants for the same aggregate principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities as the Warrant Certificates so surrendered. The Warrant Agent shall keep, at its corporate trust office, books in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, it shall register Warrant Certificates and exchanges and transfers of outstanding Warrant Certificates, upon surrender of the Warrant Certificates to the Warrant Agent at its corporate trust office for exchange or registration of transfer, properly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of registration of transfer and written instructions for transfer, all in form satisfactory to the Company and the Warrant Agent. No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Warrant Certificates, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp or other tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any such exchange or registration of transfer. Whenever any Warrant Certificates are so surrendered for exchange or registration of transfer, an authorized officer of the Warrant Agent shall manually countersign and deliver to the person or persons entitled thereto a Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates duly authorized and executed by the Company, as so requested. The Warrant Agent shall not be required to effect any exchange or registration of transfer which will result in the issuance of a Warrant Certificate evidencing a Warrant for a fraction of a Warrant Debt Security or a number of Warrants for a whole number of Warrant Debt Securities and a fraction of a Warrant Debt
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Security. All Warrant Certificates issued upon any exchange or registration of transfer of Warrant Certificates shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same obligations and entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as the Warrant Certificate surrendered for such exchange or registration of transfer.
4.2 Treatment of Holders of Warrant Certificates. The Company, the Warrant Agent and all other persons may treat the registered holder of a Warrant Certificate as the absolute owner thereof for any purpose and as the person entitled to exercise the rights represented by the Warrants evidenced thereby, any notice to the contrary notwithstanding.
4.3 Cancellation of Warrant Certificates. Any Warrant Certificate surrendered for exchange, registration of transfer or exercise of the Warrants evidenced thereby shall, if surrendered to the Company, be delivered to the Warrant Agent and all Warrant Certificates surrendered or so delivered to the Warrant Agent shall be promptly canceled by the Warrant Agent and shall not be reissued and, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement, no Warrant Certificate shall be issued hereunder in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof. The Warrant Agent shall deliver to the Company from time to time or otherwise dispose of canceled Warrant Certificates in a manner satisfactory to the Company.
ARTICLE 5
CONCERNING THE WARRANT AGENT
5.1 Warrant Agent. The Company hereby appoints [] as Warrant Agent of the Company in respect of the Warrants and the Warrant Certificates upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth, and [] hereby accepts such appointment. The Warrant Agent shall have the powers and authority granted to and conferred upon it in the Warrant Certificates and hereby and such further powers and authority to act on behalf of the Company as the Company may hereafter grant to or confer upon it. All of the terms and provisions with respect to such powers and authority contained in the Warrant Certificates are subject to and governed by the terms and provisions hereof.
5.2 Conditions of Warrant Agents Obligations. The Warrant Agent accepts its obligations herein set forth upon the terms and conditions hereof, including the following to all of which the Company agrees and to all of which the rights hereunder of the holders from time to time of the Warrant Certificates shall be subject:
(a) Compensation and Indemnification. The Company agrees promptly to pay the Warrant Agent the compensation to be agreed upon with the Company for all services rendered by the Warrant Agent and to reimburse the Warrant Agent for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable counsel fees) incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct by the Warrant Agent in connection with the services rendered hereunder by the Warrant Agent. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Warrant Agent, arising out of or in connection with its acting as Warrant Agent hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending against any claim of such liability.
(b) Agent for the Company. In acting under this Agreement and in connection with the Warrant Certificates, the Warrant Agent is acting solely as agent of the Company and does not assume any obligations or relationship of agency or trust for or with any of the holders of Warrant Certificates or beneficial owners of Warrants.
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(c) Counsel. The Warrant Agent may consult with counsel satisfactory to it, which may include counsel for the Company, and the written advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice of such counsel.
(d) Documents. The Warrant Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken or omitted by it in reliance upon any Warrant Certificate, notice, direction, consent, certificate, affidavit, statement or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been presented or signed by the proper parties.
(e) Certain Transactions. The Warrant Agent, and its officers, directors and employees, may become the owner of, or acquire any interest in, Warrants, with the same rights that it or they would have if it were not the Warrant Agent hereunder, and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, it or they may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the Company and may act on, or as depositary, trustee or agent for, any committee or body of holders of Warrant Debt Securities or other obligations of the Company as freely as if it were not the Warrant Agent hereunder. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to prevent the Warrant Agent from acting as trustee under any indenture to which the Company is a party, including, without limitation, as Trustee under the Indenture.
(f) No Liability for Interest. Unless otherwise agreed with the Company, the Warrant Agent shall have no liability for interest on any monies at any time received by it pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Warrant Certificates.
(g) No Liability for Invalidity. The Warrant Agent shall have no liability with respect to any invalidity of this Agreement or any of the Warrant Certificates (except as to the Warrant Agents countersignature thereon).
(h) No Responsibility for Representations. The Warrant Agent shall not be responsible for any of the recitals or representations herein or in the Warrant Certificates (except as to the Warrant Agents countersignature thereon), all of which are made solely by the Company.
(i) No Implied Obligations. The Warrant Agent shall be obligated to perform only such duties as are herein and in the Warrant Certificates specifically set forth and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Agreement or the Warrant Certificates against the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent shall not be under any obligation to take any action hereunder which may tend to involve it in any expense or liability, the payment of which within a reasonable time is not, in its reasonable opinion, assured to it. The Warrant Agent shall not be accountable or under any duty or responsibility for the use by the Company of any of the Warrant Certificates authenticated by the Warrant Agent and delivered by it to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or for the application by the Company of the proceeds of the Warrant Certificates. The Warrant Agent shall have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by the Company in the performance of its covenants or agreements contained herein or in the Warrant Certificates or in the case of the receipt of any written demand from a holder of a Warrant Certificate with respect to such default, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any duty or responsibility to initiate or attempt to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise or, except as provided in Section 6.2 hereof, to make any demand upon the Company.
5.3 Resignation, Removal and Appointment of Successors.
(a) The Company agrees, for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Warrant Certificates, that there shall at all times be a Warrant Agent hereunder until all the Warrants have been exercised or are no longer exercisable.
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(b) The Warrant Agent may at any time resign as agent by giving written notice to the Company of such intention on its part, specifying the date on which its desired resignation shall become effective; provided that such date shall not be less than three months after the date on which such notice is given unless the Company otherwise agrees. The Warrant Agent hereunder may be removed at any time by the filing with it of an instrument in writing signed by or on behalf of the Company and specifying such removal and the intended date when it shall become effective. Such resignation or removal shall take effect upon the appointment by the Company, as hereinafter provided, of a successor Warrant Agent (which shall be a bank or trust company authorized under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization to exercise corporate trust powers) and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor Warrant Agent. The obligation of the Company under Section 5.2(a) shall continue to the extent set forth therein notwithstanding the resignation or removal of the Warrant Agent.
(c) In case at any time the Warrant Agent shall resign, or shall be removed, or shall become incapable of acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or shall commence a voluntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or under any other applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, custodian, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Warrant Agent or its property or affairs, or shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or shall take corporate action in furtherance of any such action, or a decree or order for relief by a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall have been entered in respect of the Warrant Agent in an involuntary case under the Federal bankruptcy laws, as now or hereafter constituted, or any other applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, or a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall have been entered for the appointment of a receiver, custodian, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the Warrant Agent or of its property or affairs, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Warrant Agent or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation, winding up or liquidation, a successor Warrant Agent, qualified as aforesaid, shall be appointed by the Company by an instrument in writing, filed with the successor Warrant Agent. Upon the appointment as aforesaid of a successor Warrant Agent and acceptance by the successor Warrant Agent of such appointment, the Warrant Agent shall cease to be Warrant Agent hereunder.
(d) Any successor Warrant Agent appointed hereunder shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor Warrant Agent, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations of such predecessor with like effect as if originally named as Warrant Agent hereunder, and such predecessor, upon payment of its charges and disbursements then unpaid, shall thereupon become obligated to transfer, deliver and pay over, and such successor Warrant Agent shall be entitled to receive, all monies, securities and other property on deposit with or held by such predecessor, as Warrant Agent hereunder.
(e) Any corporation into which the Warrant Agent hereunder may be merged or converted or any corporation with which the Warrant Agent may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Warrant Agent shall be a party, or any corporation to which the Warrant Agent shall sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all the assets and business of the Warrant Agent, provided that it shall be qualified as aforesaid, shall be the successor Warrant Agent under this Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.
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ARTICLE 6
MISCELLANEOUS
6.1 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto, without the consent of the holder of any Warrant Certificate, for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or of curing, correcting or supplementing any defective provision contained herein, or making any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement as the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem necessary or desirable; provided that such action shall not materially adversely affect the interests of the holders of the Warrant Certificates.
6.2 Notices and Demands to the Company and Warrant Agent. If the Warrant Agent shall receive any notice or demand addressed to the Company by the holder of a Warrant Certificate pursuant to the provisions of the Warrant Certificates, the Warrant Agent shall promptly forward such notice or demand to the Company.
6.3 Addresses. Any communication from the Company to the Warrant Agent with respect to this Agreement shall be addressed to [], Attention: [] and any communication from the Warrant Agent to the Company with respect to this Agreement shall be addressed to Opthea Limited, Suite 0403, Level 4, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia, 3141 (or such other address as shall be specified in writing by the Warrant Agent or by the Company).
6.4 Governing Law. This Agreement and each Warrant Certificate issued hereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
6.5 Delivery of Prospectus. The Company shall furnish to the Warrant Agent sufficient copies of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the Warrant Debt Securities deliverable upon exercise of the Warrants (the Prospectus), and the Warrant Agent agrees that upon the exercise of any Warrant, the Warrant Agent will deliver to the holder of the Warrant Certificate evidencing such Warrant, prior to or concurrently with the delivery of the Warrant Debt Securities issued upon such exercise, a Prospectus. The Warrant Agent shall not, by reason of any such delivery, assume any responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of such Prospectus.
6.6 Obtaining of Governmental Approvals. The Company will from time to time take all action which may be necessary to obtain and keep effective any and all permits, consents and approvals of governmental agencies and authorities and securities act filings under United States Federal and state laws (including without limitation a registration statement in respect of the Warrants and Warrant Debt Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended), which may be or become requisite in connection with the issuance, sale, transfer, and delivery of the Warrant Debt Securities issued upon exercise of the Warrants, the issuance, sale, transfer and delivery of the Warrants or upon the expiration of the period during which the Warrants are exercisable.
6.7 Persons Having Rights Under the Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall give to any person other than the Company, the Warrant Agent and the holders of the Warrant Certificates any right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
6.8 Headings. The descriptive headings of the several Articles and Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.
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6.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which as so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
6.10 Inspection of Agreement. A copy of this Agreement shall be available at all reasonable times at the principal corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent for inspection by the holder of any Warrant Certificate. The Warrant Agent may require such holder to submit such holders Warrant Certificate for inspection by it.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
| Opthea Limited, as Company | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| ATTEST: | ||
| COUNTERSIGNED | ||
| [●], as Warrant Agent | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| ATTEST: | ||
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO OPTHEA LIMITED DEBT SECURITIES WARRANT AGREEMENT]
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE
[FACE OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE]
| [Form of Legend if Warrants are not immediately exercisable.] | [Prior to [], Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate cannot be exercised.] |
EXERCISABLE ONLY IF COUNTERSIGNED BY THE WARRANT AGENT AS PROVIDED HEREIN
VOID AFTER [] P.M., [City] time, ON [].
OPTHEA LIMITED
WARRANT CERTIFICATE REPRESENTING
WARRANTS TO PURCHASE
[TITLE OF WARRANT DEBT SECURITIES]
| No. [] | [] Warrants |
This certifies that [] or registered assigns is the registered owner of the above indicated number of Warrants, each Warrant entitling such owner to purchase, at any time [after [] p.m., [City] time, [on [] and] on or before [] p.m., [City] time, on [], $[] principal amount of [TITLE OF WARRANT DEBT SECURITIES] (the Warrant Debt Securities), of Opthea Limited (the Company) issued or to be issued under the Indenture (as hereinafter defined), on the following basis: during the period from [], through and including [], each Warrant shall entitle the Holder thereof, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, to purchase the principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities stated in the Warrant Certificate at the warrant price (the Warrant Price) of []% of the principal amount thereof [plus accrued amortization, if any, of the original issue discount of the Warrant Debt Securities] [plus accrued interest, if any, from the most recent date from which interest shall have been paid on the Warrant Debt Securities or, if no interest shall have been paid on the Warrant Debt Securities, from the date of their original issuance]. [The original issue discount ($[] for each $1,000 principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities) will be amortized at a []% annual rate, computed on a[n] [semi-]annual basis [using a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months]. The Holder may exercise the Warrants evidenced hereby by providing certain information set forth on the back hereof and by paying in full, in lawful money of the United States of America, [in cash or by certified check or official bank check in New York Clearing House funds] [by bank wire transfer in immediately available funds], the Warrant Price for each Warrant Debt Security with respect to which this Warrant is exercised to the Warrant Agent (as hereinafter defined) and by surrendering this Warrant Certificate, with the purchase form on the back hereof duly executed, at the corporate trust office of [name of Warrant Agent], or its successor as warrant agent (the Warrant Agent), which is, on the date hereof, at the address specified on the reverse hereof, and upon compliance with and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant Agreement (as hereinafter defined).
The term Holder as used herein shall mean the person in whose name at the time this Warrant Certificate shall be registered upon the books to be maintained by the Warrant Agent for that purpose pursuant to Section 4 of the Warrant Agreement.
The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate may be exercised to purchase Warrant Debt Securities in the principal amount of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof in registered form. Upon any exercise of fewer than all of the Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate, there shall be issued to the Holder hereof a new Warrant Certificate evidencing Warrants for the aggregate principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities remaining unexercised.
This Warrant Certificate is issued under and in accordance with the Warrant Agreement dated as of [] (the Warrant Agreement), between the Company and the Warrant Agent and is subject to the terms and provisions contained in the Warrant Agreement, to all of which terms and provisions the Holder of this Warrant Certificate consents by acceptance hereof. Copies of the Warrant Agreement are on file at the above-mentioned office of the Warrant Agent.
The Warrant Debt Securities to be issued and delivered upon the exercise of Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate will be issued under and in accordance with an Indenture, dated as of [] (the Indenture), between the Company and [], as trustee (such trustee, and any successors to such trustee, the Trustee)] and will be subject to the terms and provisions contained in the Warrant Debt Securities and in the Indenture. Copies of the Indenture, including the form of the Warrant Debt Securities, are on file at the corporate trust office of the Trustee.
Transfer of this Warrant Certificate may be registered when this Warrant Certificate is surrendered at the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent by the registered owner or such owners assigns, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement.
After countersignature by the Warrant Agent and prior to the expiration of this Warrant Certificate, this Warrant Certificate may be exchanged at the corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent for Warrant Certificates representing Warrants for the same aggregate principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities.
This Warrant Certificate shall not entitle the Holder hereof to any of the rights of a holder of the Warrant Debt Securities, including, without limitation, the right to receive payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the Warrant Debt Securities or to enforce any of the covenants of the Indenture.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Warrant Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until countersigned by the Warrant Agent.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed in its name and on its behalf by the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.
| Dated: |
||
| Opthea Limited, as Company | ||
| By: |
||
| Name: |
||
| Title: |
||
| ATTEST: | ||
| COUNTERSIGNED
[], as Warrant Agent | ||
| By: |
||
| Name: |
||
| Title: |
||
| ATTEST: | ||
[REVERSE OF WARRANT CERTIFICATE]
(Instructions for Exercise of Warrant)
To exercise any Warrants evidenced hereby for Warrant Debt Securities (as hereinafter defined), the Holder must pay, in lawful money of the United States of America, [in cash or by certified check or official bank check in New York Clearing House funds] [by bank wire transfer in immediately available funds], the Warrant Price in full for Warrants exercised, to [] [address of Warrant Agent], Attention: [], which payment must specify the name of the Holder and the number of Warrants exercised by such Holder. In addition, the Holder must complete the information required below and present this Warrant Certificate in person or by mail (certified or registered mail is recommended) to the Warrant Agent at the appropriate address set forth above. This Warrant Certificate, completed and duly executed, must be received by the Warrant Agent within five business days of the payment.
(To be executed upon exercise of Warrants)
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise ______ Warrants, evidenced by this Warrant Certificate, to purchase _______ $[] principal amount of the [TITLE OF WARRANT DEBT SECURITIES] (the Warrant Debt Securities), of Opthea Limited and represents that the undersigned has tendered payment for such Warrant Debt Securities, in lawful money of the United States of America, [in cash or by certified check or official bank check in New York Clearing House funds] [by bank wire transfer in immediately available funds], to the order of Opthea Limited, c/o [insert name and address of Warrant Agent], in the amount of $_________ in accordance with the terms hereof. The undersigned requests that said principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities be in fully registered form in the authorized denominations, registered in such names and delivered all as specified in accordance with the instructions set forth below.
If the number of Warrants exercised is less than all of the Warrants evidenced hereby, the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the Warrants for the aggregate principal amount of Warrant Debt Securities remaining unexercised be issued and delivered to the undersigned unless otherwise specified in the instructions below.
| Dated: | Name: | |
| Please Print |
| Address: |
|
|
| (Insert Social Security or Other Identifying Number of Holder) |
| Signature Guaranteed: |
|
Signature |
(Signature must conform in all respects to name of holder as specified on the face of this Warrant Certificate and must bear a signature guarantee by a FINRA member firm).
This Warrant may be exercised at the following addresses: By hand at:
[]
By mail at:
[Instructions as to form and delivery of Warrant Debt Securities and, if applicable, Warrant Certificates evidencing Warrants for the number of Warrant Debt Securities remaining unexercisedcomplete as appropriate.]
ASSIGNMENT
[Form of assignment to be executed if Warrant Holder desires to transfer Warrant]
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ______________ hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto:
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|
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| (Please print name and address including zip code) | Please print Social Security or other identifying number |
the right represented by the within Warrant to purchase ________ aggregate principal amount of [Title of Warrant Debt Securities] of Opthea Limited to which the within Warrant relates and appoints ____________________ attorney to transfer such right on the books of the Warrant Agent with full power of substitution in the premises.
| Dated: | Name: | |||||||
| Signature |
(Signature must conform in all respects to name of holder as specified on the face of the Warrant)
| Signature Guaranteed |
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Exhibit 5.1
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| 101 Collins Street | ||||||
| Melbourne VIC 3000 | ||||||
| T: +61 3 8656 3300 F: +61 3 8656 3400 | ||||||
| www.gtlaw.com.au |
1 February 2022
The Directors
Opthea Limited
Level 4, 650 Chapel Street
South Yarra VIC 3141
Dear Directors
Re: Opthea Limited Registration Statement on Form F-3
We have acted as Australian legal counsel to Opthea Limited (Company), a company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia, in connection with its filing of a registration statement on Form F-3 (Registration Statement) under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission).
The Registration Statement includes two prospectuses: (i) a base prospectus (the Base Prospectus) to the proposed offer by the Company of its ordinary shares (Shares) and its American Depositary Shares (ADS (each ADS represents eight fully paid Shares in the Company)) representing its Shares, various series of debt securities (Debt Securities) or warrants (Warrants) to purchase any of such securities, either individually, or in units, with a total aggregate offering price of up to US$350,000,000, from time to time at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of any such offering, and (ii) a preliminary prospectus (the Preliminary Prospectus) relating to the Companys at the market offering of up to an aggregate of US$75,000,000 of its Shares or ADSs (ATM Shares). The US$75,000,000 of ATM Shares offered under the preliminary prospectus is included in the aggregate offering price of US$350,000,000 under the base prospectus.
| 1 | Documents examined and searches conducted and relied on by us |
For the purposes of this opinion, we have examined and relied on copies of the following documents:
| (a) | the Registration Statement; |
| (b) | the Base Prospectus; |
| (c) | the Preliminary Prospectus; and |
| (d) | the Companys Constitution (the Constitution). |
| 2 | Assumptions in providing this letter |
For the purposes of this opinion, we have assumed:
| (a) | the genuineness of all signatures and the authenticity of all documents, instruments and certificates submitted to us as originals and the exact conformity with the authentic originals of all documents, instruments and certificates submitted to us as copies or forms or originals; |
| (b) | all relevant original documents continue in full force and effect and all signatures, seals, dates, duty stamps and markings appearing on all documents and copy documents submitted to us are genuine; |
| (c) | that each party to each document has all the requisite power and authority (corporate and otherwise) to execute and deliver and perform its obligations there under (other than with respect to the Company to the extent expressly set forth in paragraph 3(b) below); |
| (d) | all matters of internal management required by the constitution of each of the parties to the relevant documents (other than the Company) have been duly attended to (including, without limitation, the holding of properly constituted meetings of the boards of directors of each of those parties and the passing at those meetings of appropriate resolutions); |
| (e) | any documents which purport to be governed by the law of any jurisdiction other than the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia are legal, valid and binding obligations of all parties to those documents and none of the execution, delivery or performance of any document by any party to the document violates or contravenes or is rendered invalid, not binding or unenforceable under any applicable law under any jurisdiction other than the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia; |
| (f) | the Company will not engage in fraudulent or unconscionable conduct or conduct which is misleading or deceptive or which is likely to mislead or deceive in relation to any issuance or sale of Shares (including ATM Shares), ADSs or Warrants; |
| (g) | there is no bad faith, fraud, undue influence, coercion or duress or similar conduct on the part of the Company in relation to any issuance or sale of Shares (including ATM Shares), ADSs, Debt Securities or Warrants under the Registration Statement; |
| (h) | all information provided to us by or on behalf of officers of the Company was true, correct and complete when provided and remains so at the date of this letter, containing all information required, without us making any separate enquiry or investigation other than viewing the Australian Securities & Investment Commission search, in order for us to provide this opinion; |
| (i) | the Company is and will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due and is otherwise solvent as at the time any Shares (including ATM Shares), ADSs, Debt Securities or Warrants are issued or sold; and |
| (j) | all public records and searches which we have examined are accurate and the information disclosed by the searches conducted by us is true and complete and such information has not since been altered and the searches did not fail to disclose any information which had been delivered for registration, lodgement or filing against the Companys records but which did not appear on the public records at the date of our search. |
page | 2
| 3 | Opinion |
Based on and subject to the above, in our opinion:
| (a) | the Company is duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia in good standing (as such term is not defined under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act), meaning solely that there are no current orders for the winding up of, or appointment of a receiver or liquidator for the Company or any notice of its proposed deregistration); |
| (b) | the issue of the Shares and ATM Shares (including those represented by ADSs) as contemplated under each of the Base Prospectus and the Preliminary Prospectus has been duly authorized; and |
| (c) | the Shares (including those represented by ADSs), when issued and paid for in accordance with the applicable underwriting or sales agreement, as contemplated in the Base Prospectus, and the ATM Shares, when issued and paid for in accordance with one or more sales agreements, as contemplated in the Preliminary Prospectus, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (for the purposes of this opinion, the term non-assessable when used to describe the liability of a person as the registered holder of shares is not a concept known under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia, so we have assumed those words to mean that holders of such Shares, having fully paid all amounts due on the issue of such Shares, are under no personal liability under the Corporations Act to contribute to the assets and liabilities of the Company on a winding up of the Company or subject to any call for payment of further capital in their capacity solely as holders of such Shares). |
| 4 | Limitations |
| (a) | This opinion is subject to: the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto (including all necessary post-effective amendments), becoming effective under the Securities Act (and on the assumption that it will remain effective at the time of any issuance of any Shares, ADSs and/or Warrants thereunder); |
| (b) | an appropriate final prospectus or final prospectus supplement with respect to the offering of Shares (including ATM Shares), ADSs, Debt Securities and/or Warrants (as applicable) being prepared, delivered and timely filed with the Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; |
| (c) | the Shares, ADSs, Debt Securities and/or Warrants being offered and sold pursuant to the applicable final prospectus or final prospectus supplement being duly authorized by the Companys Board of Directors and, where applicable, the Companys shareholders; |
| (d) | the agreed upon consideration being received for the issue of the Shares, ADSs, Debt Securities and/or Warrants; |
| (e) | the aggregate offering price for all issues of ADSs representing ATM Shares made pursuant to the Companys at the market offering as contemplated by the Preliminary Prospectus not exceeding US$75,000,000; |
| (f) | if in an underwritten offering, a definitive sale, purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Shares, ADSs, Debt Securities and/or Warrants will be duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and |
| (g) | the terms of the issuance and sale of the Shares, ADSs, Debt Securities and/or Warrants being in conformity with the Constitution, the Corporations Act and the listing rules of the Australian Securities Exchange, and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the applicable prospectus supplement, so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or |
page | 3
| breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company. |
| 5 | Applicability |
The opinion expressed above, which is governed by and to be interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia, is given only with respect to the laws of that State and of the Commonwealth of Australia that are in effect on the date of this opinion. We have not investigated and do not express any view about, any law other than that of Australia.
This opinion is limited to the matters stated in this letter, and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated.
This opinion is deemed to be given as of the date hereof and will speak as at such date. We do not undertake any obligation to advise you of any changes (including but not limited to any subsequently enacted, published or reported laws, regulations or binding authority) that may occur or come to our attention after the date of this letter which may affect our opinion.
| 6 | Consent |
We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption Legal Matters in the Base Prospectus and the Preliminary Prospectus. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated under that Act.
Yours faithfully
Gilbert + Tobin
/s/ Craig Semple
Craig Semple
Partner
page | 4
Exhibit 5.2
Milson C. Yu
T: +1 650 843 5296
myu@cooley.com
February 1, 2022
Opthea Limited
Level 4
650 Chapel Street
South Yarra, Victoria 3141
Australia
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special U.S. counsel to Opthea Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia (the Company), in connection with the filing by the Company of a Registration Statement on Form F-3 (the Registration Statement) with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). The Registration Statement includes a base prospectus (the Base Prospectus), which forms part of the Registration Statement and provides that it will be supplemented in the future by one or more prospectus supplements (each, a Prospectus Supplement). The Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, including the Base Prospectus (as supplemented from time to time by one or more Prospectus Supplements), will provide for the registration by the Company of:
| | ordinary shares, no par value, of the Company (the Ordinary Shares), represented by American Depositary Shares (the ADSs); |
| | debt securities, in one or more series (the Debt Securities), which may be issued pursuant to an indenture to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of Debt Securities thereunder, by and between a trustee to be selected by the Company (the Trustee) and the Company, in the form filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement and one or more indentures supplemental thereto with respect to any particular series of Debt Securities (the Indenture); and |
| | warrants to purchase Ordinary Shares, or Debt Securities (the Warrants), which may be issued under one or more warrant agreements, to be dated on or about the date of the first issuance of the Warrants thereunder, by and between a warrant agent to be selected by the Company (the Warrant Agent) and the Company, in the forms filed as Exhibits 4.6, 4.7 and 4.8 to the Registration Statement (the Warrant Agreement). |
The Ordinary Shares, the Debt Securities and the Warrants plus any additional Ordinary Shares, Debt Securities and Warrants that may be registered pursuant to any registration statement that the Company may hereafter file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act in connection with an offering by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement, are collectively referred to herein as the Securities. The Securities are being registered for offer and sale from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act.
In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon originals, or copies certified to our satisfaction, of such records, documents, certificates, opinions, memoranda and other instruments as in
Cooley LLP 3175 Hanover Street Palo Alto, CA 94304-1130
t: +1 650 843 5000 f: +1 650 849 7400 cooley.com
Opthea Limited
February 1, 2022
Page Two
our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below. As to certain factual matters, we have relied upon a certificate of an officer of the Company and have not independently verified such matters.
In rendering this opinion, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons; the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures on original documents; the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals; the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies and the accuracy, completeness and authenticity of certificates of public officials; and the due authorization, execution and delivery of all documents where authorization, execution and delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness of such documents. We are not hereby rendering any opinion with respect to any Ordinary Shares issuable upon the conversion of any Debt Securities or the exercise of any Warrant. We have assumed that any Debt Securities or Warrants offered under the Registration Statement, and the related Indenture and Warrant Agreement, as applicable, will be executed in the forms filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement. We have also assumed that with respect to any Debt Securities issuable upon exercise of any Warrants, the applicable Warrants will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors rights, and subject to general equity principles and to limitations on availability of equitable relief, including specific performance. We have assumed that (i) the Company is validly existing under the laws of Australia, has the corporate power to enter into and perform its obligations under the Debt Securities and the Indenture in accordance with their respective terms, (ii) upon issuance, the Company will have duly authorized, executed and delivered the Debt Securities and the Indenture in accordance with its organizational documents and the laws of Australia, (iii) any Ordinary Shares issued upon conversion of the Debt Securities will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and (iv) the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of its obligations the Debt Securities and the Indenture will not violate the laws of Australia or any other applicable laws (excepting from such assumption the laws of the State of New York). We have also assumed that any Debt Securities offered under the Registration Statement and the related Indenture are executed in the forms filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference therein.
Our opinion herein is expressed solely with respect to the laws of the State of New York. Our opinion is based on these laws as in effect on the date hereof. We express no opinion to the extent that any other laws are applicable to the subject matter hereof and express no opinion and provide no assurance as to compliance with any federal or state securities law, rule or regulation.
On the basis of the foregoing and in reliance thereon, and subject to the qualifications herein stated, we are of the opinion that:
1. With respect to any series of the Debt Securities issued under the Indenture and offered under the Registration Statement, provided that; (i) the Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendment thereto have become effective under the Securities Act and the Base Prospectus and any and all Prospectus Supplement(s) required by applicable laws have been delivered and filed as required by such laws; (ii) the Indenture has been duly authorized by the Company and the Trustee by all necessary corporate action; (iii) the Indenture, in substantially the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee; (iv) the terms of the Debt Securities and their issuance and sale, including as to any Ordinary Shares to be issued on the exercise thereof, have been duly authorized by the Company by all necessary corporate action and the Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (v) the terms of the Debt Securities and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Indenture so as
Cooley LLP 3175 Hanover Street Palo Alto, CA 94304-1130
t: +1 650 843 5000 f: +1 650 849 7400 cooley.com
Opthea Limited
February 1, 2022
Page Three
not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, so as to be in conformity with the Companys then operative constitution (the Constitution), and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; and (vi) the notes representing the Debt Securities have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee pursuant to the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor, then the Debt Securities, when issued and sold in accordance with the Indenture and a duly authorized, executed and delivered purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, or upon exercise of any Warrants in accordance with their terms, will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors rights generally, and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).
2. With respect to the Warrants issued under the Warrant Agreements and offered under the Registration Statement, provided that (i) the Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendment thereto have become effective under the Securities Act and the Base Prospectus and any and all Prospectus Supplement(s) required by applicable laws have been delivered and filed as required by such laws; (ii) the applicable Warrant Agreement has been duly authorized by the Company and the Warrant Agent by all necessary corporate action; (iii) the applicable Warrant Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the Warrant Agent; (iv) the issuance and terms of the Warrants, including as to any Ordinary Shares, ADSs or Debt Securities to be issued on the exercise thereof, have been duly authorized by the Company by all necessary corporate action; (v) the terms of the Warrants and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the applicable Warrant Agreement and as described in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s), so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, so as to be in conformity with the Constitution, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; and (vi) the Warrants have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and authenticated by the Warrant Agent pursuant to the applicable Warrant Agreement and delivered against payment therefor, then the Warrants, when issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement(s) and in accordance with the applicable Warrant Agreement and a duly authorized, executed and delivered purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors rights generally, and by general equitable principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption Legal Matters in the Base Prospectus. We further consent to the incorporation by reference of this opinion into any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act with respect to additional Securities.
Our opinion set forth above is limited to the matters expressly set forth in this letter, and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. This opinion speaks only as to law and facts in effect or existing as of the date hereof, and we undertake no obligation or responsibility to update or supplement this opinion to reflect any facts or circumstances that may hereafter come to our attention or any changes in law that may hereafter occur.
Cooley LLP 3175 Hanover Street Palo Alto, CA 94304-1130
t: +1 650 843 5000 f: +1 650 849 7400 cooley.com
Opthea Limited
February 1, 2022
Page Four
| Sincerely, | ||
| COOLEY LLP | ||
| By: | /s/ Milson C. Yu | |
| Milson C. Yu | ||
Cooley LLP 3175 Hanover Street Palo Alto, CA 94304-1130
t: +1 650 843 5000 f: +1 650 849 7400 cooley.com
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form F-3 of our report dated October 28, 2021 relating to the financial statements of Opthea Limited, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 20-F of Opthea Limited for the year ended June 30, 2021. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading Experts in such Registration Statement.
/s/ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Perth, Australia
February 1, 2022
Exhibit 107
Calculation of Filing Fee Table
Form F-3
(Form Type)
Opthea Limited
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Table 1: Newly Registered Securities
| Security Type |
Security Class Title |
Fee Calculation Rule |
Amount Registered |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit |
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price |
Fee Rate | Amount of Registration Fee |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Equity |
Ordinary Shares, no par value(1) | (2 | ) | (3 | ) | (4 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt |
Debt Securities | (2 | ) | (3 | ) | (4 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other |
Warrants | (2 | ) | (3 | ) | (4 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Unallocated (Universal) Shelf |
457 | (o) | (2 | ) | (3 | ) | $ | 350,000,000 | $ | 0.0000927 | $ | 32,445 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Offering Amounts |
$ | 350,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net Fee Due |
$ | 32,445 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (1) | These ordinary shares will be represented by American Depositary Shares, or ADSs, each of which represents eight ordinary shares of the registrant. ADSs issuable on deposit of the ordinary shares registered hereby have been registered pursuant to a separate registration statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-249327). |
| (2) | There are being registered hereunder such indeterminate number of the securities of each identified class being registered as may be sold by the registrant from time to time at indeterminate prices, with the maximum aggregate offering price not to exceed US$350,000,000. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price of such debt securities shall be in such greater principal amount as shall result in an aggregate offering price not to exceed US$350,000,000, less the aggregate dollar amount of all securities previously issued hereunder. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. The proposed maximum initial offering price per unit will be determined, from time to time, by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder. The securities registered also include such indeterminate number of ordinary shares represented by ADSs, and the amount of debt securities as may be issued upon conversion of or exchange for debt securities that provide for conversion or exchange, upon exercise of warrants or pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of any such securities. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the ordinary shares represented by ADSs being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of ordinary shares as may be issuable with respect to the ordinary shares being registered hereunder as a result of share splits, share dividends or similar transactions. |
| (3) | The proposed maximum aggregate offering price per unit of class of security will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder and is not specified as to each class of security pursuant to General Instruction II.C. of Form F-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
| (4) | Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In no event will the aggregate offering price of all securities sold by the registrant from time to time pursuant to this registration statement exceed US$350,000,000. |
1