As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 7, 2023

 

Registration No. 333-_____________

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

ETON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

37-1858472

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

21925 W. Field Parkway, Suite 235

Deer Park, Illinois 60010

(847) 787-7361

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

Sean E. Brynjelsen

President and Chief Executive Officer

Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

21925 W. Field Parkway, Suite 235

Deer Park, Illinois 60010

(847) 787-7361

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,

including area code, of agent for service)

 

Copy to:

Geoffrey R. Morgan Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC 180 N. La Salle Street, Suite 3400 Chicago, Illinois 60601

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

 

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, 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, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please 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.D. 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.D. 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 a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Large accelerated filer ☐	Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☒	Smaller reporting company ☒ Emerging growth company ☒

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected to not use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act. ☒

 

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, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Securities Act, may determine.

 

 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

This registration statement contains two prospectuses:

 

 

	●	a base prospectus, which covers the offering, issuance and sale by us of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights and/or units from time to time in one or more offerings with a total value of up to $100,000,000; and
	●	a sales agreement prospectus covering the offering, issuance and sale by us of up to a maximum aggregate offering price of $50,000,000 of our common stock that may be issued and sold from time to time under a Controlled Equity OfferingSM Sales Agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.

 

The base prospectus immediately follows this explanatory note. The specific terms of any securities to be offered pursuant to the base prospectus will be specified in a prospectus supplement to the base prospectus. The sales agreement prospectus immediately follows the base prospectus. The common stock that may be offered, issued, and sold by us under the sales agreement prospectus is included in the $100,000,000 of securities that may be offered, issued, and sold by us under the base prospectus. Upon termination of the Sales Agreement with Cantor, any portion of the $50,000,000 included in the sales agreement prospectus that remains unsold pursuant to the Controlled Equity Offering^SM sales agreement will be available for sale in other offerings pursuant to the base prospectus and a corresponding prospectus supplement, and if no shares are sold under the sales agreement, the full $50,000,000 of securities not sold 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 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 April 7, 2023

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

$ 100,000,000

 

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Subscription Rights

Units

 

 

We may offer and sell, from time to time in one or more offerings, any combination of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights or units having a maximum aggregate offering price of $100,000,000. When we decide to sell a particular class or series of securities, we will provide specific terms of the offered securities in a prospectus supplement issued in connection with such offering.

 

The prospectus supplement may also add to, update, modify or amend information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus. However, no prospectus supplement shall offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of its effectiveness. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as well as the documents incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus or a prospectus supplement, carefully before you invest. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell our securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement relating to the offered securities.

 

Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “ETON.” Each prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to our listing on The Nasdaq Global Market or any other securities exchange of the securities covered by such prospectus supplement.

 

These securities may be sold directly by us, through dealers or agents designated from time to time, to or through underwriters or through a combination of these methods. See “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus for further details. We may also describe the plan of distribution for any particular offering of our securities in a prospectus supplement. If any agents, underwriters or dealers are involved in the sale of any securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, we will disclose their names and the nature of our arrangements with them in a prospectus supplement. The net proceeds we expect to receive from any such sale of our securities will also be included in a prospectus supplement.

 

This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties referenced under the heading “Risk Factors” on page 4 of this prospectus as well as those contained in any applicable prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus, and in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

The date of this prospectus is     , 2023

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	Page No.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements	1
About this Prospectus	2
Prospectus Summary	3
Risk Factors	4
Use of Proceeds	5
Descriptions of the Securities We May Offer	6
Description of Capital Stock	7
Description of Warrants	9
Description of Debt Securities	11
Description of Units	13
Description of Subscription Rights	14
Plan of Distribution	15
Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors	17
Legal Matters	18
Experts	18
Where You Can Find Additional Information About Us	19
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference	18

 

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus, including the sections entitled “Prospectus Summary,” “Risk Factors,” and “Use of Proceeds,” contains forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “potentially,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “plan,” “expect” and similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the following:

 

	●	our future financial and operating results;
	●	our intentions, expectations and beliefs regarding anticipated growth, market penetration and trends in our business;
	●	the timing and success of our plan of commercialization;
	●	our ability to successfully develop and clinically test our product candidates;
	●	our ability to file for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) approval of our product candidates through the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway;
	●	our ability to obtain FDA approval for any of our product candidates;
	●	our ability to comply with all U.S. and foreign regulations concerning the development, manufacture and sale of our product candidates;
	●	the adequacy of the net proceeds of this offering;
	●	the effects of market conditions on our stock price and operating results;
	●	our ability to maintain, protect and enhance our intellectual property;
	●	the effects of increased competition in our market and our ability to compete effectively;
	●	our plans to use the proceeds from this offering;
	●	costs associated with initiating and defending intellectual property infringement and other claims;
	●	the attraction and retention of qualified employees and key personnel;
	●	future acquisitions of or investments in complementary companies or technologies; and
	●	our ability to comply with evolving legal standards and regulations, particularly concerning requirements for being a public company.

 

These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described in “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment, and new risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for us to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this prospectus may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in our forward-looking statements.

 

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances described in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this prospectus to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations, except as required by law.

 

You should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference in this prospectus and have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance and events and circumstances may be materially different from what we expect.

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer from time to time securities having a maximum aggregate offering price of $100,000,000. Each time we offer securities pursuant to this prospectus, we will prepare and file with the SEC a prospectus supplement and/or a free writing prospectus (collectively referred to herein as a “prospectus supplement”) that describes the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities we offer. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or the documents incorporated herein by reference. You should read carefully both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described below under the caption “Where You Can Find Additional Information About Us.”

 

This prospectus does not contain all the information provided in the registration statement we filed with the SEC. For further information about us or our securities offered hereby, you should refer to that registration statement, which you can obtain from the SEC as described below under “Where You Can Find Additional Information About Us.”

 

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different, additional or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus is not an offer to sell securities, and it does not constitute solicitation of an offer to buy securities, in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, as well as information we have previously filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference, is accurate as of the date of such documents only. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

We may sell securities through underwriters or dealers, through agents, directly to purchasers or through any combination of these methods. We and our agents reserve the sole right to accept or reject in whole or in part any proposed purchase of securities. Any prospectus supplement, which we will prepare and file with the SEC each time we offer securities, will set forth the names of any underwriters, agents or others involved in the sale of securities, and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

As used, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus, unless otherwise stated or the context requires otherwise, the “Company” and terms such as “we,” “us” “our,” and “Eton” refer to Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc, a Delaware corporation.

 

 

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors described below together with all of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated herein by reference, and may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we subsequently file with the SEC. If any of the risks incorporated by reference occurs, our business, operations and financial condition could suffer significantly. As a result, you could lose some or all of your investment in our Common Stock. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business, operations and financial condition or cause the value of our Common Stock to decline.

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Except as may be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus for business expansion and general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, repayment of debt, capital expenditures, the financing of possible acquisitions or in-licensing of additional product candidates, increasing our working capital and the financing of ongoing operating expenses and overhead. Pending the application of the net proceeds, we may invest the proceeds in marketable securities and short-term investments.

 

 

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

 

The descriptions of the securities contained in this prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus supplement, summarize all the material terms and provisions of the various types of securities that we may offer. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering the specific terms of the securities offered by that prospectus supplement. We will indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement if the terms of the securities differ from the terms we have summarized below. We will also include in the prospectus supplement information, where applicable, material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the securities.

 

We may sell from time to time, in one or more offerings:

 

	●	shares of our common stock;
	●	shares of our preferred stock;
	●	debt securities;
	●	warrants to purchase any of the securities listed above;
	●	subscription rights to purchase any of the securities listed above; and/or
	●	units consisting of one or more of the foregoing.

 

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

General

 

As of March 31, 2023, our authorized capital stock consists of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which 25,504,378 shares are issued and outstanding, held of record by approximately eight stockholders, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which none are issued and outstanding. The following description summarizes the most important terms of our capital stock. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. For a complete description, you should refer to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws and to the applicable provisions of Delaware law.

 

The authorized and unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock are available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless such action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which our securities may be listed. Unless approval of our stockholders is so required, our board of directors will not seek stockholder approval for the issuance and sale of our common stock or our preferred stock.

 

Common Stock

 

Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders generally. Stockholders are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the board of directors out of funds legally available therefor, and in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the company to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities. The holders of shares of common stock have no preemptive, conversion, subscription or cumulative voting rights.

 

Preferred Stock

 

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of preferred stock (“Preferred Stock”) from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issue of any or all of the unissued and undesignated shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares and to determine or alter for each such series, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designation, preferences, and relative, participating, optional, or other rights and such qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such shares and as may be permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”). The Board of Directors is also expressly authorized to increase or decrease the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. In case the number of shares of any series shall be decreased in accordance with the foregoing sentence, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock.

 

If the Preferred Stock contains any restriction on the repurchase or redemption of shares by the registrant while there is any arrearage in the payment of dividends or sinking fund installments, such restrictions will be described in the prospectus supplement.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar; Market

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Investor Services. Its address is 462 S. Fourth Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202 and its telephone number is (800) 962-4284. Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “ETON.”

 

See “Where You Can Find Additional Information About Us” elsewhere in this prospectus for information on where you can obtain copies of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated Bylaws, which have been filed with and are publicly available from the SEC.

 

 

Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Provisions of Delaware Law and Our Charter Documents

 

The following is a summary of certain provisions of the DGCL, our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated Bylaws. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the DGCL and our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws.

 

Effect of Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute. We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an anti-takeover law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination (as defined below) with any interested stockholder (as defined below) for a period of three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

	●	prior to that date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;
	●	upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares of voting stock outstanding (but not the voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned by persons who are directors and officers and by excluding employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or
	●	on or subsequent to that date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

Section 203 defines “business combination” to include the following:

 

	●	any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;
	●	any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;
	●	subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;
	●	subject to limited exceptions, any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or
	●	the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

 

In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation, or who beneficially owns 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within a three-year period immediately prior to the date of determining whether such person is an interested stockholder, and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by any of these entities or persons.

 

Our Charter Documents. Our charter documents include provisions that may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control or an unsolicited acquisition proposal that a stockholder might consider favorable, including a proposal that might result in the payment of a premium over the market price for the shares held by our stockholders. Certain of these provisions are summarized in the following paragraphs.

 

Effects of Authorized But Unissued Common Stock. One of the effects of the existence of authorized but unissued common stock may be to enable our Board of Directors to make more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of our Company by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, and thereby to protect the continuity of management. If, in the due exercise of its fiduciary obligations, the Board of Directors were to determine that a takeover proposal was not in our best interest, such shares could be issued by the Board of Directors without stockholder approval in one or more transactions that might prevent or render more difficult or costly the completion of the takeover transaction by diluting the voting or other rights of the proposed acquirer or insurgent stockholder group, by putting a substantial voting block in institutional or other hands that might undertake to support the position of the incumbent Board of Directors, by effecting an acquisition that might complicate or preclude the takeover, or otherwise.

 

Cumulative Voting. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors, which would allow holders of less than a majority of the stock to elect some directors.

 

Vacancies. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that all vacancies may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum.

 

Special Meeting of Stockholders and Stockholder Action by Written Consent. A special meeting of stockholders may only be called by our president, Board of Directors, or such officers or other persons as our board may designate at any time and for any purpose or purposes as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

 

The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus and any related warrant agreements and warrant certificates. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer, we will describe the specific terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we indicate in the prospectus supplement, the terms of any warrants offered under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Specific warrant agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions and will be incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement which includes this prospectus.

 

General

 

We may issue warrants for the purchase of common stock, preferred stock and debt securities in one or more series. We may issue warrants independently or together with common stock, preferred stock and debt securities, and the warrants may be attached to or separate from these securities.

 

We may evidence each series of warrants by warrant certificates that we may issue under a separate agreement. We may enter into a warrant agreement with a warrant agent. Each warrant agent may be a bank, transfer agent or trust company that we select which has its principal office in the United States. We may also choose to act as our own warrant agent. We will indicate the name and address of any warrant agent in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of warrants.

 

We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of warrants, including:

 

	●	the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;
	●	if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;
	●	if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;
	●	in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at, and currency in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;
	●	in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number or amount of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at, and currency in which, these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;
	●	the manner of exercise of the warrants, including any cashless exercise rights;
	●	the warrant agreement under which the warrants will be issued;
	●	the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreement and the warrants;
	●	anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any;
	●	the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;
	●	any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;
	●	the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire or, if the warrants are not continuously exercisable during that period, the specific date or dates on which the warrants will be exercisable;
	●	the manner in which the warrant agreement and warrants may be modified;
	●	the identities of the warrant agent and any calculation or other agent for the warrants;

 

 

	●	federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants;
	●	the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;
	●	any securities exchange or quotation system on which the warrants or any securities deliverable upon exercise of the warrants may be listed or quoted; and
	●	any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.

 

Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:

 

	●	in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; or
	●	in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.

 

Exercise of Warrants

 

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to 5:00 P.M. eastern time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

 

Holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information and paying the required exercise price by the methods provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will set forth on the reverse side of the warrant certificate, and in the applicable prospectus supplement, the information that the holder of the warrant will be required to deliver to the warrant agent.

 

Upon receipt of the required payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, then we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining amount of warrants.

 

Enforceability of Rights By Holders of Warrants

 

Any warrant agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank, transfer agent or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action the holder’s right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants in accordance with their terms.

 

Warrant Agreement Will Not Be Qualified Under Trust Indenture Act

 

No warrant agreement will be qualified as an indenture, and no warrant agent will be required to qualify as a trustee, under the Trust Indenture Act. Therefore, holders of warrants issued under a warrant agreement will not have the protection of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to their warrants.

 

Governing Law

 

Each warrant agreement and any warrants issued under the warrant agreements will be governed by Delaware law.

 

Calculation Agent

 

Any calculations relating to warrants may be made by a calculation agent, an institution that we appoint as our agent for this purpose. The prospectus supplement for a particular warrant will name the institution that we have appointed to act as the calculation agent for that warrant as of the original issue date for that warrant, if any. We may appoint a different institution to serve as calculation agent from time to time after the original issue date without the consent or notification of the holders. The calculation agent’s determination of any amount of money payable or securities deliverable with respect to a warrant will be final and binding in the absence of manifest error.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

We may issue debt securities, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. When we offer to sell debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of any debt securities offered from time to time in a supplement to this prospectus, which may supplement or change the terms outlined below. Senior debt securities will be issued under one or more senior indentures, dated as of a date prior to such issuance, between us and a trustee to be named in a prospectus supplement, as amended or supplemented from time to time. Any subordinated debt securities will be issued under one or more subordinated indentures, dated as of a date prior to such issuance, between us and a trustee to be named in a prospectus supplement, as amended or supplemented from time to time. We have filed forms of the senior trust indenture and subordinated indenture as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The indentures will be subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

The indentures in the forms initially filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part do not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue, including senior debt securities, senior subordinated debt securities, subordinated debt securities and junior subordinated debt securities, and do not limit us from issuing any other debt, including secured and unsecured debt. We may issue debt securities up to an aggregate principal amount as we may authorize from time to time. The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to (a) a supplemental indenture, (b) a resolution of our Board of Directors, or (c) an officers’ certificate pursuant to authority granted under a resolution of our Board of Directors. For the complete terms of the debt securities, you should refer to the applicable prospectus supplement and the form of indentures for those particular debt securities. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any debt securities being offered, including:

 

	●	the title;
	●	the principal amount being offered, and if a series, the total amount authorized and the total amount outstanding;
	●	any limit on the amount that may be issued;
	●	whether or not we will issue the series of debt securities in global form, the terms and who the depositary will be;
	●	the maturity date;
	●	the annual interest rate, 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;
	●	whether and under what circumstances, if any, we will pay additional amounts on any debt securities held by a person who is not a U.S. person for tax purposes, and whether we can redeem the debt securities if we have to pay such additional amounts;
	●	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 where payments will be payable;
	●	restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;
	●	our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;
	●	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 or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions;
	●	the date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holders’ option to purchase, the series of debt securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are payable;
	●	any restrictions on our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to:
	●	incur additional indebtedness;

 

 

	●	issue additional securities;
	●	create liens;
	●	pay dividends and make distributions in respect of our capital stock and the capital stock of our subsidiaries;
	●	redeem capital stock;
	●	place restrictions on our ability and our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, make distributions or transfer assets;
	●	make investments or other restricted payments;
	●	sell or otherwise dispose of assets;
	●	enter into sale-leaseback transactions;
	●	engage in transactions with stockholders and affiliates;
	●	effect a consolidation or merger;
	●	whether the indenture will require us to maintain any interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial ratios;
	●	discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities;
	●	information describing any book-entry features;
	●	provisions for a sinking fund purchase or other analogous fund, if any;
	●	the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities
	●	the currency of payment of debt securities if other than U.S. dollars and the manner of determining the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars; and
	●	any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, including any additional events of default or covenants provided with respect to the debt securities, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.

 

Conversion or Exchange Rights

 

We will set forth in the prospectus supplement the terms on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock 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 shares of our common stock or our other securities that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

 

We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder, with the rights and obligations of a holder, of each security included in the unit. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date or upon the occurrence of a specified event or occurrence.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe:

 

	●	the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;
	●	any unit agreement under which the units will be issued;
	●	any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units; and
	●	whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

 

We may issue subscription rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, units and other securities described in this prospectus or any combination thereof. These subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered by us and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other investors pursuant to which the underwriters or other investors may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.

 

To the extent appropriate, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of the subscription rights to purchase shares of our securities offered thereby, including the following:

 

	●	the date of determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution;
	●	the price, if any, for the subscription rights;
	●	the exercise price payable for the common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, units or other securities upon the exercise of the subscription right;
	●	the number of subscription rights issued to each stockholder;
	●	the amount of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, units or other securities that may be purchased per each subscription right;
	●	any provisions for adjustment of the amount of securities receivable upon exercise of the subscription rights or of the exercise price of the subscription rights;
	●	the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable;
	●	the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which the subscription rights shall expire;
	●	the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities;
	●	the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of subscription rights;
	●	any applicable material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and
	●	any other terms of the subscription rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange and exercise of the subscription rights.

 

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may sell the securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus to or through underwriters, through dealers, through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers or through a combination of these methods. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

 

	●	the name or names of any underwriters, and, if required, any dealers or agents;
	●	the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;
	●	any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;
	●	any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and
	●	any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed or traded.

 

We may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions at:

 

	●	a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;
	●	market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
	●	prices related to such prevailing market prices; or
	●	negotiated prices.

 

Only underwriters named in the prospectus supplement are underwriters of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement.

 

If underwriters are used in an offering, we will execute an underwriting agreement with such underwriters and will specify the name of each underwriter and the terms of the transaction (including any underwriting discounts and other terms constituting compensation of the underwriters and any dealers) in a prospectus supplement. The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by one or more investment banking firms or others, as designated. If an underwriting syndicate is used, the managing underwriter(s) will be specified on the cover of the prospectus supplement. If underwriters are used in the sale, the offered securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own accounts and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the offered securities will be subject to conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the offered securities, if any are purchased.

 

We may grant to the underwriters options to purchase additional securities to cover over-allotments, if any, at the public offering price, with additional underwriting commissions or discounts, as may be set forth in a related prospectus supplement. The terms of any over-allotment option will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for those securities.

 

If we use one or more dealers in the sale of the securities being offered pursuant to this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, we will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealers may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by each dealer at the time of resale. The names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction will be specified in a prospectus supplement.

 

We may sell the securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement.

 

We may authorize agents or underwriters to solicit offers by institutional investors to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. We will describe the conditions to these contracts and the commissions we must pay for solicitation of these contracts in the prospectus supplement.

 

 

In connection with the sale of the securities, underwriters, dealers or agents may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of the securities for whom they act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities, and any institutional investors or others that purchase securities directly for the purpose of resale or distribution, may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profit on the resale of the securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

We may provide agents, underwriters and other purchasers with indemnification against particular civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents, underwriters or other purchasers may make with respect to such liabilities. Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

 

To facilitate the public offering of a series of securities, persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the market price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involves the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than have been sold to them by us. In addition, those 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 underwriters or dealers participating in any such offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Such transactions, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. We make no representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above, if implemented, may have on the price of our securities.

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, any common stock sold pursuant to a prospectus supplement will be eligible for listing on The Nasdaq Global Market, subject to official notice of issuance. Any underwriters to whom securities are sold by us for public offering and sale may make a market in the securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice.

 

In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus will be sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and complied with.

 

 

LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

 

The DGCL provides that corporations may include a provision in their certificate of incorporation relieving directors of monetary liability for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful payment of a dividend or unlawful stock purchase or redemption, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Our certificate of incorporation provides that directors are not liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. In addition to the foregoing, our certificate of incorporation provides that we may indemnify directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

The above provisions in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and may discourage or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited us and our stockholders. However, we believe that the foregoing provisions are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors.

 

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 advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of certain of the offered securities will be passed upon for us by Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC, Chicago, Illinois. If counsel for any underwriters passes on legal matters in connection with an offering of the securities described in this prospectus, we will name that counsel in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering.

 

EXPERTS

 

KMJ Corbin & Company LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed on March 16, 2023, as set forth in their report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on KMJ Corbin & Company LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

This prospectus “incorporates by reference” information that we have filed with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). This means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to those documents. Information contained in any document subsequently filed with the SEC, to the extent it modifies information in this prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus, will automatically update and supersede the information originally included in this prospectus or any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:

 

	(a)	Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on March 16, 2023; and
	(b)	The description of the company’s securities contained in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on November 8, 2018, pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such descriptions.

 

Information in this prospectus supersedes related information in the documents listed above, and information in subsequently filed documents supersedes related information in both this prospectus and the incorporated documents.

 

All reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of this Offering, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.

 

Each statement made in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement concerning a document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to that exhibit for a complete description of its provisions. Any document, and any statement contained in a document, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein, or in any other subsequently filed document that also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such document or statement. Any such document or statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

 

The documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus may be obtained from us without charge and will be provided to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered. You may obtain a copy of the documents at no cost by submitting an oral or written request to 21925 W. Field Parkway, Suite 235, Deer Park, Illinois, 60010, or through our telephone number at (847) 787-7361. Further information can be obtained through our website address, www.etonpharma.com. Such additional information contained in our web site is not a part of this prospectus.

 

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT US

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC registering the securities that may be offered and sold hereunder. The registration statement, including exhibits thereto, contains additional relevant information about us and the securities that may be offered and sold hereunder, as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, we have not included in this prospectus. A copy of the registration statement can be obtained at the address set forth below or at the SEC’s website as noted below. You should read the registration statement, including any applicable prospectus supplement, for further information about us and the securities.

 

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements, information statements and other information about issuers, like Eton, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov. The website, and, except as expressly incorporated herein, the information contained therein, is not a part of this prospectus.

 

 

$100,000,000

 

 

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Debt Securities

Warrants

Subscription Rights

Units

 

PROSPECTUS

 

           , 2023

 

 

The information in this prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to completion, dated April 7, 2023

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

 

Up to $50,000,000

 

Common Stock

 

We have entered into a Controlled Equity Offering^SM Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”), with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., or Cantor, relating to shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”), offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. In accordance with the terms of the Sales Agreement, from time to time we may offer and sell shares of our Common Stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $50,000,000 through Cantor, acting as “Sales Agent,” pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus (the “Offering”).

 

Our Common Stock trades on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “ETON.” On April 5, 2023, the last reported sale price of the Common Stock on The Nasdaq Global Market was $3.59 per share.

 

Sales of our Common Stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement 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. Subject to the terms of the Sales Agreement, Cantor is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amounts of securities but will act as our Sales Agent using commercially reasonable best efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices on mutually agreed terms between Cantor and us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in any escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

 

Cantor will be entitled to compensation under the terms of the Sales Agreement at a fixed commission rate of 3.0% of the gross sales price per share sold. In connection with the sale of our Common Stock on our behalf, Cantor will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of Cantor will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have also agreed to provide indemnification and contributions to Cantor against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page S-11 of this prospectus supplement for more information regarding our arrangements with Cantor.

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, please read the information under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus supplement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus supplement is            , 2023

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

	Page No.
About this Prospectus Supplement	S-1
Prospectus Supplement Summary	S-2
The Offering	S-5
Risk Factors	S-6
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements	S-7
Use of Proceeds	S-8
Dilution	S-9
Dividend Policy	S-10
Plan of Distribution	S-11
Legal Matters	S-12
Experts	S-12
Where You Can Find More Information	S-12
Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference	S-13

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form part of a registration statement on Form S-3 and the amendments thereto that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC”, using a “shelf” registration process relating to the Common Stock described in this prospectus supplement. Before buying any of the Common Stock that we are offering, we urge you to carefully read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, together with the documents incorporated by reference that are described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” on pages S-12 and S-13 of this prospectus supplement. These documents contain important information that you should consider when making your investment decision.

 

Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, the terms “Company,” “Eton,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of the Offering and also adds to, updates and modifies information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which gives more general information about the Company and the securities that we may offer from time to time under our shelf registration statement, some of which may not apply to the Common Stock offered by this prospectus supplement. Generally, when we refer to this prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from or conflicts with the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated by reference into the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement will control. If any statement in one of these documents is inconsistent with a statement in another document having a later date—for example, a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus—the statement in the document having the later date modifies or supersedes the earlier statement.

 

This prospectus supplement, together with the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectus we have provided for use in connection with this Offering, include all material information relating to this Offering. Neither we, nor Cantor, have authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representation, other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, which together we sometimes refer to generally as the prospectus, or in any free writing prospectus prepared by us or on our behalf or to which we have referred you. Neither we, nor Cantor, take any responsibility for, and provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and any free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date of those respective documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All summaries are qualified in their entirety by the full text of the actual documents, some of which have been filed or will be filed and incorporated by reference herein. See “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus supplement. We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement filed as an exhibit to any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying 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.

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contain and incorporate by reference certain market data and industry statistics and forecasts that are based on Company-sponsored studies, independent industry publications and other publicly available information. Although we believe these sources are reliable, estimates as they relate to projections involve numerous assumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on this information.

 

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the information incorporated herein and therein by reference includes trademarks, service marks and trade names owned by us or other companies. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names, including logos, artwork and other visual displays, may appear without the ® or the TM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks, services marks and trade names. All trademarks, service marks and trade names included or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus are the property of their respective owners.

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights certain information about us and this Offering and selected information contained elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding whether to invest in our Common Stock. For a more complete understanding of the Company and this Offering, we encourage you to read and consider carefully the more detailed information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, the information included in any free writing prospectus that is authorized for use in connection with this Offering and the information contained under the heading “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement, and under similar headings in the other documents that are filed after the date hereof and incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

Company Overview

 

Eton is an innovative pharmaceutical company focused on developing, acquiring, and commercializing innovative products to address unmet needs in patients suffering from rare diseases.

 

The Company currently has three commercial rare disease products, ALKINDI SPRINKLE® for the treatment of adrenocortical insufficiency, Carglumic Acid for the treatment of acute hyperammonemia due to N-acetylglutamate synthase (NAGS) deficiency, and Betaine Anhydrous for the treatment of homocystinuria and has three additional product candidates in late-stage development. The Company is developing dehydrated alcohol injection, which has received Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of methanol poisoning, ZENEO® hydrocortisone autoinjector for the treatment of adrenal crisis, and ET-400.

 

Alkindi Sprinkle® (hydrocortisone granules) - This product was approved by the FDA in September 2020 as a replacement therapy for Adrenocortical Insufficiency (“AI”) in children under 17 years of age. The product is the first and only FDA-approved granule hydrocortisone formulation for the treatment of AI designed for use in children. We acquired U.S. marketing rights to the product in March 2020 and launched Alkindi Sprinkle in December 2020 with a sales force targeting pediatric endocrinologists. We believe there are approximately 10,000 children currently suffering from AI in the United States. Alkindi Sprinkle is protected by three issued patents that extend to 2034. In January 2021, we announced the acquisition of Canadian rights to Alkindi Sprinkle.

 

Carglumic Acid tablets - Our Carglumic Acid product is an FDA-approved generic version of Carbaglu®. Our product is approved for the treatment of acute and chronic hyperammonemia due to N-acetylglutamate Synthase (NAGS) deficiency. We acquired marketing rights to the product in October 2021 and launched the product in December 2021. We promote the product with our internal sales force.

 

Betaine Anhydrous for Oral Solution – Our Betaine Anhydrous product is an FDA-approved generic version of Cystadane ® for the treatment of homocystinuria, a rare inherited condition that is estimated to impact less than 2,000 patients in the United States. We acquired the product in September 2022 and expect to relaunch in early 2023.

 

Dehydrated Alcohol Injection. Our dehydrated alcohol injection product candidate is currently under review with the FDA for the treatment of methanol poisoning. The application has been assigned a Target Action Date of June 27, 2023. The product was granted Orphan Drug Designation in late 2020. We believe the dehydrated alcohol injection market is more than $70 million annually.

 

ET-400 - Eton expects to submit a new drug application for the adrenal insufficiency product by the end of 2023, which could allow for an approval and launch of the product in 2024.

 

Zeneo® Hydrocortisone Autoinjector. Our Zeneo hydrocortisone autoinjector product candidate is a proprietary needle-free autoinjector under development for the treatment of adrenal crisis. We acquired U.S. marketing rights to the product candidate from Crossject in June 2021. Currently patients suffering from adrenal crisis typically use Solu-Cortef, a lyophilized hydrocortisone injection kit that must be reconstituted prior to delivery. The current market for Solu-Cortef is more than $85 million annually based on IQVIA data. We believe our needle-free autoinjector will be preferred by patients. We expect to submit a New Drug Application (“NDA”) for the product in 2024, which could allow for FDA approval in 2025.

 

In addition, the Company is entitled to royalties or milestone payments from five` FDA-approved products that the Company developed and out-licensed. The products are Alaway® Preservative Free, EPRONTIA™, Cysteine Hydrochloride, Zonisade®, Biorphen®, and Lamotrigine for Oral Suspension.

 

 

Alaway® Preservative Free (ketotifen fumarate). Alaway Preservative Free is the first and only preservative-free ophthalmic product approved for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. We sold the product rights to Bausch Health in February 2019. Bausch Health is responsible for commercialization of the product which was launched in February 2021 and we receive a twelve percent royalty on the product’s net sales.

 

EPRONTIA™ (topiramate oral solution). EPRONTIA® is the only FDA-approved liquid formulation of topiramate which is approved for three indications, including: monotherapy for treatment of partial-onset or primary general tonic-clonic seizures in patients two years of age and older; adjunctive therapy for treatment of partial-onset seizures, including seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in patients two year of age and older; and as a preventive treatment of migraine in patients 12 years of age and older. The product was approved in November 2021 and launched by Azurity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Azurity”) in December 2021.

 

Cysteine Hydrochloride - Cysteine hydrochloride is an FDA-approved generic form of EXELA Pharma Sciences’ Elcys® product indicated for use as an additive to amino acid solutions to meet the nutritional requirements of newborn infants. The product is now owned by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories S.A. (“Dr. Reddy’s”).

 

ZONISADE. The product is an FDA approved innovative liquid formulation of zonisamide for the treatment of partial seizures in patients with epilepsy. The product was approved in July 2022.

 

Biorphen® - Biorphen is the first and only FDA-approved formulation of ready-to-use phenylephrine injection. Biorphen is indicated for the treatment of clinically important hypotension resulting primarily from vasodilation in the setting of anesthesia. The product was approved in October 2019 and launched in December 2019. The product is marketed by Dr. Reddy’s.

 

Lamotrigine for Oral Suspension. The product is an innovative liquid formulation of lamotrigine under development for the treatment of epilepsy. The product’s NDA was previously submitted to the FDA and received a Complete Response Letter (“CRL”) in May 2022. Azurity is working on addressing the items identified in the CRL in order to resubmit the product’s NDA.

 

Eton Pharmaceuticals

Products Summary

 

Product		Eton Category		Indication		FDA Status
Carglumic Acid Tablets		Orphan Drug		NAGS deficiency		Commercial
ALKINDI SPRINKLE®		Orphan Drug		Adrenal Insufficiency		Commercial
Betaine Anhydrous		Orphan Drug		Homocystinuria		Commercial
Dehydrated Alcohol Injection		Orphan Drug		Methanol Poisoning		Filed
ET-400		Orphan Drug		Adrenal Insufficiency		Submission Expected in 2023
ZENEO® Hydrocortisone		Orphan Drug		Adrenal Crisis		Submission Expected in 2024

 

Corporate and Other Information

 

We were incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware in April 2017. Our principal executive offices are located at 21925 W. Field Parkway, Suite 235, Deer Park, Illinois, 60010, and our telephone number is (847) 787-7361. Our corporate website address is www.etonpharma.com, to which we regularly post copies of our press releases as well as links to reports we have filed with the SEC, which are available free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after being electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Interested persons can subscribe on our website to email alerts that are sent automatically when we issues press releases, file reports with the SEC or post certain other information to our website. We do not incorporate the information on our website into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus and you should not consider it part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

 

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

 

We qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. As an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of specified reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include:

 

●

being permitted to present only two years of audited financial statements, and only two years of related “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” disclosure in our periodic reports and registrations statements;

 

 

	●	reduced disclosure about the compensation paid to our executive officers;
	●	not being required to submit to our stockholders advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements;
	●	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; and
	●	extended transition period available for complying with new or revised accounting standards.

 

We may take advantage of these exemptions until such time that we are no longer an emerging growth company. We would cease to be an emerging growth company on the date that is the earliest of (1) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of $1.235 billion or more; (2) December 31, 2023; (3) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in nonconvertible debt during the previous three years; or (4) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. We may choose to take advantage of some but not all of these exemptions. Accordingly, the information contained herein may be different from the information you receive from other public companies in which you hold stock.

 

 

THE OFFERING

 

Common stock offered by us		Shares of our Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, with an aggregate offering price of up to $50,000,000.
Common stock to be outstanding immediately after this Offering		Up to 13,927,577 shares, assuming sales at a price of $3.59 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our Common Stock on The Nasdaq Global Market on April 5, 2023. The actual number of shares issued will vary depending on the sales prices at which our Common Stock is sold under this Offering.
Plan of Distribution		“At the market offering” that may be made from time to time through our sales agent, Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. See “Plan of Distribution” on page S-11 of this prospectus supplement.
Use of Proceeds		We intend to use the net proceeds from this Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include capital expenditures, debt repayment, and research and development, sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses. See “Use of Proceeds” on page S-8 of this prospectus supplement.
Risk Factors		Investing in our Common Stock involves significant risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6 as well as the other information included in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, in the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus that is authorized for use in connection with this Offering.
Nasdaq Global Market symbol		“ETON.”

 

The number of shares of Common Stock that will be issued and outstanding immediately before this Offering is based on 25,504,378 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023, and excludes, as of that date, the following:

 

●	5,042,025 shares of our Common Stock, issuable upon exercise of outstanding options, at a weighted average exercise price of $4.65 per share, under our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (“Incentive Plan”);
●	365,606 shares of our Common Stock underlying unvested restricted stock unit awards;
●	466,298 available shares of our Common Stock reserved for future issuance pursuant to the Incentive Plan; and
●	483,380 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants at an average exercise price of $7.29 per share.

 

Except as otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus supplement assumes no exercise of outstanding options and warrants.

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors described below together with all of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated herein by reference, and may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we subsequently file with the SEC. If any of the risks incorporated by reference or set forth below occurs, our business, operations and financial condition could suffer significantly. As a result, you could lose some or all of your investment in our Common Stock. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business, operations and financial condition or cause the value of our Common Stock to decline.

 

Risks Related to this Offering and Our Common Stock.

 

If you purchase shares of Common Stock sold in this Offering, you will experience immediate and substantial dilution in your investment.

 

Our net tangible book value as of March 31, 2023, was approximately $8.3 million, or approximately $0.33 per share. Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our total tangible assets, less total liabilities, by the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding as of March 31, 2023. Since the price per share of our Common Stock being offered is higher than the net tangible book value per share of our Common Stock, you will suffer dilution with respect to the net tangible book value of the shares of Common Stock you purchase in this Offering. Based on a public offering price of $3.59 per share, the last reported sale price of our Common Stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market on April 5, 2023, and our net tangible book value as of March 31, 2023, if you purchase shares of Common Stock in this Offering, you will suffer immediate dilution of $2.16 per share with respect to the net tangible book value of the Common Stock. For a more detailed discussion of the foregoing, see the section entitled “Dilution” below.

 

We have broad discretion in the use of our cash and cash equivalents, including the net proceeds we receive in this Offering, and may not use them effectively.

 

Our management has broad discretion to use our cash and cash equivalents, including the net proceeds we receive in this Offering, if any, to fund our operations and could spend these funds in ways that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our Common Stock. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could result in financial losses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, cause the price of our Common Stock to decline and delay the development of our drug candidates. Pending their use to fund our operations, we may invest our cash and cash equivalents, including the net proceeds from this offering, in a manner that does not produce income or that loses value.

 

Future sales of our Common Stock in the public market could cause the market price of our Common Stock to drop significantly, even if our business is doing well. You may experience further dilution if we issue additional equity securities in the future.

 

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Common Stock in the public market, or the perception in the market that the holders of a large number of shares of Common Stock intend to sell such shares, could reduce the market price of our Common Stock and make it more difficult for you to sell your Common Stock at a time and price that you deem appropriate.

 

We may raise money through additional public or private offerings of our equity securities or equity-linked securities. Any sales of our equity or equity-linked securities could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our Common Stock.

 

In addition, we have a significant number of stock options outstanding, and may also choose to issue additional Common Stock, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, in the future in connection with a financing, an acquisition, a litigation settlement, employee arrangements or otherwise. Such issuances could reduce the market price of our Common Stock and make it more difficult for you to sell your Common Stock at a time and price that you deem appropriate. In addition, in the event that the outstanding options are exercised, or that we make additional issuances of Common Stock or other convertible or exchangeable securities, you could experience additional dilution. Furthermore, we cannot assure you that we will be able to issue shares or other securities in any other offering at a price per share that is equal to or greater than the price per share paid by investors in this Offering, and investors purchasing our securities in the future may have rights superior to investors purchasing shares in this Offering.

 

We do not anticipate paying dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future.

 

We currently plan to invest all available funds and future earnings, if any, in the development and growth of our business. We currently do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future. As a result, a rise in the market price of our Common Stock, which is uncertain and unpredictable, will be your sole source of potential gain in the foreseeable future, and you should not rely on an investment in our Common Stock for dividend income.

 

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. We caution readers that any forward-looking statement is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about future financial and operating results, plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, costs and expenses, outcome of contingencies, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, objectives of management, business strategies, financing, the timing, plans and expected results of our current and future clinical trials, the extent to which we will be able to advance development of our product candidates using our existing cash resources; our focus on specific product candidates, the progress, outcomes, scope or duration of the development of product candidates or programs, the benefits that may be derived from product candidates or the commercial or market opportunity in any target indication, the progress of our third-party collaborations, including estimated milestones, the advancement of our technologies and our product candidates, approvals and commercialization of product candidates, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, our intended use of proceeds from this offering and other statements that are not historical facts. You can find many of these statements by looking for words like “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “may,” “might,” “should,” “will,” “could,” “plan,” “intend,” “project,” “seek” or similar expressions in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein and any free writing prospectus. We intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby.

 

These forward-looking statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from current expectations and projections. Factors that might cause such a difference include those discussed in the Risk Factors section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as those discussed in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein and any free writing prospectus. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.

 

All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus supplement or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable U.S. securities laws. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We may issue and sell shares of our Common Stock in this Offering having aggregate sales proceeds of up to $50,000,000. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this Offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. There can be no assurance that we will sell any shares of our Common Stock under or fully utilize the Sales Agreement with Cantor as a source of financing.

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from this Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, which may include capital expenditures, debt repayment, and research and development, sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds from this Offering to acquire or invest in businesses, products and technologies that are complementary to our own, although we have no current plans, commitments or agreements with respect to any such acquisitions or investments as of the date of this prospectus supplement. We will retain broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from this Offering.

 

 

DILUTION

 

If you invest in our Common Stock in this Offering, your ownership interest will be diluted immediately to the extent of the difference between the price per share you pay in this Offering and the net tangible book value per share of our Common Stock immediately after this Offering.

 

Our net tangible book value as of March 31, 2023, was approximately $8.3 million, or approximately $0.33 per share. We calculate net tangible book value per share by dividing the net tangible book value, which is tangible assets less total liabilities, by the number of outstanding shares of our Common Stock. Dilution represents the difference between the portion of the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares in this Offering and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our Common Stock immediately after giving effect to this Offering.

 

After giving effect to the assumed sale by us of 13,927,577 shares of our Common Stock in the aggregate amount of $50,000,000 in this Offering at an assumed offering price of $3.59 per share, which was the last reported sale price of our Common Stock on The Nasdaq Global Market on April 5, 2023, and after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of March 31, 2023 would have been approximately $56,500,000, or $1.43 per share of Common Stock. This represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value per share of $0.33 to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value per share of $2.16 to new investors purchasing Common Stock in this Offering. The following table illustrates this dilution on a per-share basis to new investors participating in this Offering.

 

Assumed offering price per share						$	3.59
Net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2023		$	0.33
Increase in net tangible book value per share of Common Stock attributable to investors purchasing our Common Stock in this Offering		$	1.10
Adjusted net tangible book value per share of Common Stock immediately after this Offering						$	1.43
Dilution per share to new investors in this Offering						$	2.16

 

The table above assumes, for illustrative purposes, that an aggregate of 13,927,577 shares of our Common Stock are sold at a price of $3.59 per share, the last reported sale price of our Common Stock on The Nasdaq Global Market on April 5, 2023, for aggregate gross proceeds of $50,000,000. The shares sold in this Offering, if any, will be sold from time to time at various prices. An increase of $1.00 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price of $4.59 per share shown in the table above, assuming all of our Common Stock in the aggregate amount of $50,000,000 during the term of the Sales Agreement with Cantor is sold at that price, would increase our as adjusted net tangible book value per share after the Offering to $1.55 per share and would increase the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors to $3.04 per share, after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us. A decrease of $1.00 per share in the price at which the shares are sold from the assumed offering price of $2.59 per share shown in the table above, assuming all of our Common Stock in the aggregate amount of $50,000,000 during the term of the Sales Agreement with Cantor is sold at that price, would decrease our as adjusted net tangible book value per share after the Offering to $1.26 per share and would decrease the dilution in net tangible book value per share to new investors to $1.33 per share, after deducting commissions and estimated aggregate offering expenses payable by us. This information is supplied for illustrative purposes only and may differ based on the actual offering price and the actual number of shares offered.

 

The above discussion and table are based on 25,504,378 shares of our Common Stock outstanding as of March 31, 2023, and exclude:

 

	●	5,042,025 shares of our Common Stock, issuable upon exercise of outstanding options, at a weighted average exercise price of $4.65 per share, under our Incentive Plan;
	●	365,606 shares of our Common Stock underlying unvested restricted stock unit awards;
	●	466,298 available shares of our Common Stock reserved for future issuance pursuant to the Incentive Plan; and
	●	483,380 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants at an average exercise price of $7.29 per share.

 

To the extent that options or warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2023, have been or are exercised, investors purchasing shares in this Offering could experience further dilution. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations, even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that additional capital is raised through the sale of equity or equity-based securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

 

 

DIVIDEND POLICY

 

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock and do not currently anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We have entered into a Controlled Equity Offering^SM Sales Agreement, or the Sales Agreement, with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., or Cantor, under which we may offer and sell shares of our Common Stock. Pursuant to this prospectus supplement, we may offer and sell shares of our Common Stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $50,000,000 from time to time through Cantor acting as agent. The Sales Agreement will be filed as an exhibit to our registration statement on Form S-3 of which this prospectus supplement forms a part. This summary of the material provisions of the Sales Agreement does not purport to be a complete statement of its terms and conditions.

 

Upon delivery of a placement notice and subject to the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, Cantor may offer and sell shares of our Common Stock by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act. We may instruct Cantor not to sell Common Stock if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us from time to time. We or Cantor may suspend the offering of Common Stock upon notice and subject to other conditions.

 

We will pay Cantor commissions in cash for its services in acting as agent in the sale of our Common Stock. Cantor is entitled to compensation at a commission rate of 3.0% of the gross sales price per share sold under the Sales Agreement. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this Offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. We have also agreed to reimburse Cantor for certain specified expenses, including the reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of its legal counsel in an amount not to exceed $75,000 and certain ongoing expenses. We estimate that the total expenses for the Offering under this prospectus supplement, excluding compensation and reimbursements payable to Cantor under the terms of the Sales Agreement, will be approximately $175,000.

 

Settlement for sales of shares of Common Stock will occur on the second business day following the date on which any sales are made, or on some other date that is agreed upon by us and Cantor in connection with a particular transaction, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. Sales of our Common Stock as contemplated in this prospectus supplement will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and Cantor may agree upon. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

 

Cantor will use its commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with its sales and trading practices, to solicit offers to purchase the shares of Common Stock under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Sales Agreement. In connection with the sale of the shares of Common Stock on our behalf, Cantor will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of Cantor will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to Cantor (and its affiliates and their respective partners, members, directors, officers, employees and agents) against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

The offering of shares of our Common Stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement will terminate upon the termination of the Sales Agreement as permitted therein. We and Cantor may each terminate the Sales Agreement at any time upon ten days’ prior notice.

 

Cantor and its affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services for us, our subsidiaries and our affiliates, for which services they may in the future receive customary fees. To the extent required by Regulation M, Cantor will not engage in any market-making activities involving our Common Stock while the offering is ongoing under this prospectus supplement.

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by Cantor and Cantor may distribute this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus electronically.

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the issuance of the Common Stock offered by this prospectus supplement has been passed upon by Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC, Chicago, Illinois. Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. is being represented in connection with this Offering by Cooley LLP, New York, New York.

 

EXPERTS

 

KMJ Corbin & Company LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed on March 16, 2023, as set forth in their report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Our financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on KMJ Corbin & Company LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered hereby. This prospectus supplement, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits filed therewith. For further information about us and the securities offered hereby, reference is made to the accompanying prospectus and registration statement of which it is a part and the exhibits filed therewith.

 

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and are required to file annual, quarterly and other reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and various other information about us.

 

Certain information filed by us with the SEC is also available at our website at www.etonpharma.com. However, the information on our website is not a part of this prospectus supplement and is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

 

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus “incorporate by reference” information that we have filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act. This means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to those documents. Information contained in any document subsequently filed with the SEC, to the extent it modifies information in this prospectus supplement, in the accompanying prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, will automatically update and supersede the information originally included in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

 

All reports and other documents we subsequently file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of this Offering, including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, but excluding any information furnished to, rather than filed with, the SEC, will also be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and deemed to be part of this prospectus from the date of the filing of such reports and documents.

 

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:

 

	(a)	Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on March 16, 2023; and
	(b)	The description of the Company’s securities contained in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on November 8, 2018, pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such descriptions.

 

In accordance with Rule 412 of the Securities Act, any statement contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes hereof to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or any other subsequently filed document that is deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

The documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement may be obtained from us without charge and will be provided to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus supplement is delivered. You may obtain a copy of the documents at no cost by submitting a written request to 21925 W. Field Parkway, Suite 235, Deer Park, Illinois, 60010, or through our telephone number at (847) 787-7361. Further information can be obtained through our website address, www.etonpharma.com. Such additional information contained in our website is not a part of this prospectus supplement.

 

 

 

Up to $ 50,000,0000

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

               , 2023

 

 

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

 

SEC registration fee		$	11,020
FINRA filing fees		$	15,500
Printing expenses		$	*
Accountant fees		$	*
Counsel fees		$	*
Trustee and Transfer Agent fees		$	*
Blue Sky Fees		$	*
Miscellaneous		$	*
Total		$	*

 

* These fees and expenses will be based upon the number of securities offerings and the amount of securities offered and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

The DGCL provides that corporations may include a provision in their certificate of incorporation relieving directors of monetary liability for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) for unlawful payment of a dividend or unlawful stock purchase or redemption, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that directors are not liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. In addition to the foregoing, our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that we may indemnify directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

The above provisions in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and may discourage or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duty, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited us and our stockholders. However, we believe that the foregoing provisions are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors.

 

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 advised that in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

 

 

Item 16. Exhibits

 

Exhibit Number		Description of Document
1.1*		Form of underwriting agreement with respect to common stock, preferred stock, warrants, units or debt securities.
1.2		Controlled Equity Offering℠ Sales Agreement, dated April 7, 2023, between the Company and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
3.1		Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 20, 2018).
3.2		Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed November 20, 2018).
4.1		Specimen Certificate representing shares of common stock of Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-226774), originally filed August 10, 2018).
4.2		Form of Indenture.
4.3*		Form of Preferred Stock Certificate.
4.4*		Form of Debt Security.
4.5*		Form of Warrant.
4.6*		Form of Warrant Agreement.
4.7*		Form of Unit Agreement.
5.1		Opinion of Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC
23.1		Consent of KMJ Corbin & Company LLP
23.2		Consent of Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1		Power of Attorney (included on signature pages of this registration statement)
25.1**		Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee under the Senior Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended
107		Filing Fee Table

 

*	To the extent applicable, to be filed by a post-effective amendment or as an exhibit to a document filed under the Exchange Act, as amended, and incorporated by reference herein.
**	To be filed pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the U.S. Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as applicable.

 

Item 17. 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 SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in 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, Paragraphs (a)(1)(i)-(iii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed or furnished to the SEC 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, as to a registration statement on Form S-3 is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Section 424(b) of this chapter that is 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 that remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser, if the registrant is relying on Rule 430B:

 

(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) 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 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.

 

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act 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.

 

 

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s 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 plan’s 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.

 

(c) 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 SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

(d) 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 in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Deer Park, State of Illinois, on April 7, 2023.

 

	ETON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
	By:	/s/ Sean E. Brynjelsen
		Sean E. Brynjelsen
		President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Sean E. Brynjelsen and James Gruber as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with the full power of substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place or stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement (including post-effective amendments and any registration statement for the same offering that is to be effective under Rule 462(b)), and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated.

 

Signature		Title		Date
/s/ Sean E. Brynjelsen		President, Chief Executive Officer and Director		April 7, 2023
Sean E. Brynjelsen		(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ James Gruber		Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary		April 7, 2023
James Gruber		(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Jennifer A. Adams		Director		April 7, 2023
Jennifer A. Adams
/s/ Charles J. Casamento		Director		April 7, 2023
Charles J. Casamento
/s/ Paul V. Maier		Director		April 7, 2023
Paul V. Maier
/s/ Norbert G. Riedel, Ph.D.		Director		April 7, 2023
Norbert G. Riedel, Ph.D.

 

 

 

Exhibit 1.2

 

Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Shares of Common Stock

(par value $0.001 per share)

 

Controlled Equity Offering^SM

 

Sales Agreement

 

April 7, 2023

 

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.

499 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10022

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), confirms its agreement (this “Agreement”) with Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (the “Agent”), as follows:

 

1.

Issuance and Sale of Shares. The Company agrees that, from time to time during the term of this Agreement, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, it may issue and sell to or through the Agent, as sales agent or principal, shares of common stock (the “Placement Shares”) of the Company, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”); provided, however, that in no event shall the Company issue or sell through the Agent such number or dollar amount of Placement Shares that would (a) exceed the number or dollar amount of shares of Common Stock registered on the effective Registration Statement (defined below) pursuant to which the offering is being made, (b) exceed the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock (less shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of any outstanding securities of the Company or otherwise reserved from the Company’s authorized capital stock), (c) exceed the number or dollar amount of shares of Common Stock permitted to be sold under Form S-3 (including General Instruction I.B.6 thereof, if applicable) or (d) exceed the number or dollar amount of shares of Common Stock for which the Company has filed a Prospectus Supplement (defined below) (the lesser of (a), (b), (c) and (d), the “Maximum Amount”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the parties hereto agree that compliance with the limitations set forth in this Section 1 on the amount of Placement Shares issued and sold under this Agreement shall be the sole responsibility of the Company and that the Agent shall have no obligation in connection with such compliance. The offer and sale of Placement Shares through the Agent will be effected pursuant to the Registration Statement (as defined below) filed by the Company and which will be declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) prior to the sale of any Placement Shares, although nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as requiring the Company to use the Registration Statement to issue Common Stock.

 

 

The Company has filed or will file, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “Securities Act Regulations”), with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-3, including a base prospectus, relating to certain securities, including the Placement Shares to be issued from time to time by the Company, and which incorporates by reference documents that the Company has filed or will file in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the rules and regulations thereunder. The Company has prepared a prospectus or a prospectus supplement to the base prospectus included as part of the registration statement, which prospectus or prospectus supplement relates to the Placement Shares to be issued from time to time by the Company (the “Prospectus Supplement”). The Company will furnish to the Agent, for use by the Agent, copies of the prospectus included as part of such registration statement, as supplemented by the Prospectus Supplement, relating to the Placement Shares to be issued from time to time by the Company. Except where the context otherwise requires, such registration statement(s), including all documents filed as part thereof or incorporated by reference therein, and including any information contained in a Prospectus (as defined below) subsequently filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) or deemed to be a part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B, and any one or more additional effective registration statements on Form S-3 from time to time that will contain a base prospectus and related prospectus or prospectus supplement, if applicable (which shall be a Prospectus Supplement), with respect to the Placement Shares, is herein called the “Registration Statement.” The base prospectus or base prospectuses, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, included in the Registration Statement, as it may be supplemented, if necessary, by the Prospectus Supplement, in the form in which such prospectus or prospectuses and/or Prospectus Supplement have most recently been filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b), together with the then issued Issuer Free Writing Prospectus(es) (as defined below), is herein called the “Prospectus.”

 

Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, any Prospectus Supplement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents, if any, incorporated by reference therein (the “Incorporated Documents”), including, unless the context otherwise requires, the documents, if any, filed as exhibits to such Incorporated Documents. Any reference herein to the terms “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, any Prospectus Supplement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing of any document under the Exchange Act on or after the most-recent effective date of the Registration Statement, or the date of the Prospectus Supplement, Prospectus or such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as the case may be, and incorporated therein by reference. For purposes of this Agreement, all references to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or to any amendment or supplement thereto shall be deemed to include the most recent copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval system, or if applicable, the Interactive Data Electronic Application system when used by the Commission (collectively, “EDGAR”).

 

 

2.

Placements. Each time that the Company wishes to issue and sell Placement Shares hereunder (each, a “Placement”), it will notify the Agent by email notice (or other method mutually agreed to by the parties) of the number of Placement Shares to be issued, the time period during which sales are requested to be made, any limitation on the number of Placement Shares that may be sold in any one day and any minimum price below which sales may not be made (a “Placement Notice”), the form of which is attached hereto as Schedule 1. The Placement Notice shall originate from any of the individuals from the Company set forth on Schedule 3 (with a copy to each of the other individuals from the Company listed on such schedule), and shall be addressed to each of the individuals from the Agent set forth on Schedule 3, as such Schedule 3 may be amended from time to time. The Placement Notice shall be effective unless and until (i) the Agent declines to accept the terms contained therein for any reason, in its sole discretion, (ii) the entire amount of the Placement Shares thereunder have been sold, (iii) the Company suspends or terminates the Placement Notice or (iv) this Agreement has been terminated under the provisions of Section 12. The amount of any discount, commission or other compensation to be paid by the Company to the Agent in connection with the sale of the Placement Shares shall be calculated in accordance with the terms set forth in Schedule 2. It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that neither the Company nor the Agent will have any obligation whatsoever with respect to a Placement or any Placement Shares unless and until the Company delivers a Placement Notice to the Agent and the Agent does not decline such Placement Notice pursuant to the terms set forth above, and then only upon the terms specified therein and herein. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of a Placement Notice, the terms of the Placement Notice will control.

 

3.

Sale of Placement Shares by the Agent. Subject to the provisions of Section 5(a), the Agent, for the period specified in the Placement Notice, will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations and the rules of The Nasdaq Global Market (the “Exchange”), to sell the Placement Shares up to the amount specified in, and otherwise in accordance with the terms of, such Placement Notice. The Agent will provide written confirmation to the Company no later than the opening of the Trading Day (as defined below) immediately following the Trading Day on which it has made sales of Placement Shares hereunder setting forth the number of Placement Shares sold on such day, the compensation payable by the Company to the Agent pursuant to Section 2 with respect to such sales, and the Net Proceeds (as defined below) payable to the Company, with an itemization of the deductions made by the Agent (as set forth in Section 5(b)) from the gross proceeds that it receives from such sales. Subject to the terms of the Placement Notice, the Agent may sell Placement Shares by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4). “Trading Day” means any day on which Common Stock is traded on the Exchange.

 

4.

Suspension of Sales. The Company or the Agent may, upon notice to the other party in writing (including by email correspondence to each of the individuals of the other party set forth on Schedule 3, if receipt of such correspondence is actually acknowledged by any of the individuals to whom the notice is sent, other than via auto-reply) or by telephone (confirmed immediately by verifiable facsimile transmission or email correspondence to each of the individuals of the other party set forth on Schedule 3), suspend any sale of Placement Shares (a “Suspension”); provided, however, that such Suspension shall not affect or impair any party’s obligations with respect to any Placement Shares sold hereunder prior to the receipt of such notice. While a Suspension is in effect any obligation under Sections 7(l), 7(m), and 7(n) with respect to the delivery of certificates, opinions, or comfort letters to the Agent, shall be waived. Each of the parties agrees that no such notice under this Section 4 shall be effective against any other party unless it is made to one of the individuals named on Schedule 3 hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, during any period in which the Company is in possession of material non-public information, the Company and the Agent agree that (i) no sale of Placement Shares will take place, (ii) the Company shall not request the sale of any Placement Shares, and (iii) the Agent shall not be obligated to sell or offer to sell any Placement Shares.

 

 

5.	Sale and Delivery to the Agent; Settlement.

 

(a)

Sale of Placement Shares. On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, upon the Agent’s acceptance of the terms of a Placement Notice, and unless the sale of the Placement Shares described therein has been declined, suspended, or otherwise terminated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Agent, for the period specified in the Placement Notice, will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable law and regulations to sell such Placement Shares up to the amount specified, and otherwise in accordance with the terms of such Placement Notice. The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) there can be no assurance that the Agent will be successful in selling Placement Shares, (ii) the Agent will incur no liability or obligation to the Company or any other person or entity if it does not sell Placement Shares for any reason other than a failure by the Agent to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable law and regulations to sell such Placement Shares as required under this Agreement and (iii) the Agent shall be under no obligation to purchase Placement Shares on a principal basis pursuant to this Agreement, except as otherwise agreed by the Agent and the Company.

 

(b)

Settlement of Placement Shares. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Placement Notice, settlement for sales of Placement Shares will occur on the second (2nd) Trading Day (or such earlier day as is industry practice for regular-way trading) following the date on which such sales are made (each, a “Settlement Date”). The Agent shall notify the Company of each sale of Placement Shares no later than the opening of the Trading Day immediately following the Trading Day on which it has made sales of Placement Shares hereunder. The amount of proceeds to be delivered to the Company on a Settlement Date against receipt of the Placement Shares sold (the “Net Proceeds”) will be equal to the aggregate sales price received by the Agent, after deduction for (i) the Agent’s commission, discount or other compensation for such sales payable by the Company pursuant to Section 2 hereof, and (ii) any transaction fees imposed by any Governmental Authority in respect of such sales.

 

(c)

Delivery of Placement Shares. On or before each Settlement Date, the Company will, or will cause its transfer agent to, electronically transfer the Placement Shares being sold by crediting the Agent’s or its designee’s account (provided the Agent shall have given the Company written notice of such designee at least one Trading Day prior to the Settlement Date) at The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit and Withdrawal at Custodian 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 shares in good deliverable form. On each Settlement Date, the Agent will deliver the related Net Proceeds in same day funds to an account designated by the Company on, or prior to, the Settlement Date. The Company agrees that if the Company, or its transfer agent (if applicable), defaults in its obligation to deliver Placement Shares on a Settlement Date, the Company agrees that in addition to and in no way limiting the rights and obligations set forth in Section 10(a) hereto, it will (i) hold the Agent harmless against any loss, claim, damage, or expense (including reasonable legal fees and expenses), as incurred, arising out of or in connection with such default by the Company or its transfer agent (if applicable) and (ii) pay to the Agent any commission, discount, or other compensation to which it would otherwise have been entitled absent such default.

 

 

(d)

Denominations; Registration. Certificates for the Placement Shares, if any, shall be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Agent may request in writing at least one (1) full Business Day (as defined below) before the applicable Settlement Date. The certificates for the Placement Shares, if any, will be made available by the Company for examination and packaging by the Agent in The City of New York not later than noon (New York time) on the Business Day prior to the applicable Settlement Date.

 

(e)

Limitations on Offering Size. Under no circumstances shall the Company cause or request the offer or sale of any Placement Shares if, after giving effect to the sale of such Placement Shares, the aggregate gross sales proceeds of Placement Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement would exceed the lesser of (A) together with all sales of Placement Shares under this Agreement, the Maximum Amount and (B) the amount authorized from time to time to be issued and sold under this Agreement by the Company’s board of directors, a duly authorized committee thereof or a duly authorized executive committee, and notified to the Agent in writing. Under no circumstances shall the Company cause or request the offer or sale of any Placement Shares pursuant to this Agreement at a price lower than the minimum price authorized from time to time by the Company’s board of directors, a duly authorized committee thereof or a duly authorized executive committee. Further, under no circumstances shall the Company cause or permit the aggregate offering amount of Placement Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement to exceed the Maximum Amount.

 

6.	Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with the Agent that as of the date of this Agreement and as of each Applicable Time (as defined below):

 

(a)

Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Company and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement meet the requirements for and comply with the applicable conditions set forth in Form S-3 (including General Instructions I.A and I.B) under the Securities Act. The Registration Statement has been or will be filed, as applicable, with the Commission and has been or will be declared effective, as applicable, by the Commission under the Securities Act prior to the issuance of any Placement Notices by the Company. Other than with respect to the date of this Agreement, as of each Applicable Time, the Registration Statement is effective. The Prospectus Supplement will name the Agent as the agent in the section entitled “Plan of Distribution.” The Company has not received, and has no notice of, any order of the Commission preventing or suspending the use of the Registration Statement, or threatening or instituting proceedings for that purpose. The Registration Statement and the offer and sale of Placement Shares as contemplated hereby meet the requirements of Rule 415 and comply in all material respects with said Rule. Any statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement have been so described or filed. Copies of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, and any such amendments or supplements and all documents incorporated by reference therein that were filed with the Commission on or prior to the date of this Agreement have been delivered, or are available through EDGAR, to the Agent and its counsel. The Company has not distributed and, prior to the later to occur of each Settlement Date and completion of the distribution of the Placement Shares, will not distribute any offering material in connection with the offering or sale of the Placement Shares other than the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to which the Agent has consented. The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is currently listed on the Exchange under the trading symbol “ETON.” The Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act, delisting the Common Stock from the Exchange, nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission or the Exchange is contemplating terminating such registration or listing. To the Company’s knowledge, it is in compliance with all applicable listing requirements of the Exchange.

 

 

(b)

No Misstatement or Omission. The Registration Statement, when it became or becomes effective, as applicable, and the Prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, on the date of such Prospectus or amendment or supplement, conformed and will conform in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act. At each Settlement Date, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as of such date, will conform in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act. The Registration Statement, when it became or becomes effective, as applicable, did not, and 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 statements therein not misleading. The Prospectus and any amendment and supplement thereto, on the date thereof and at each Applicable Time (defined below), did not or will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement did not, and any further documents filed and incorporated by reference therein will not, when filed with the Commission, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated in such document or necessary to make the statements in such document, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The foregoing shall not apply to statements in, or omissions from, any such document made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Company by the Agent in writing specifically for use in the preparation thereof, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by the Agent to the Company consists of “Agent Information” as defined below.

 

(c)

Conformity with the Securities Act and Exchange Act. The Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, and the documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, when such documents were or are filed with the Commission under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or became or become effective under the Securities Act, as the case may be, conformed or will conform in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable.

 

(d)

Financial Information. The consolidated financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, together with the related notes and schedules, present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company and the Subsidiaries (as defined below) as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity of the Company for the periods specified and have been prepared in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act and Exchange Act and in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”)applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved; the other financial and statistical data with respect to the Company and the Subsidiaries (as defined below) contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, are accurately and fairly presented and prepared on a basis consistent with the financial statements and books and records of the Company; there are no financial statements (historical or pro forma) that are required to be included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus that are not included or incorporated by reference as required; the Company and the Subsidiaries (as defined below) do not have any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations), not described in the Registration Statement (excluding the exhibits thereto), and the Prospectus; and all disclosures contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses, if any, regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, to the extent applicable. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

 

 

(e)

Conformity with EDGAR Filing. The Prospectus delivered to the Agent for use in connection with the sale of the Placement Shares pursuant to this Agreement will be identical to the versions of the Prospectus created to be transmitted to the Commission for filing via EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

 

(f)

Organization. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are duly organized, validly existing as a corporation and in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are duly licensed or qualified as a foreign corporation for transaction of business and in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which their respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of their respective businesses requires such license or qualification, and have all corporate power and authority necessary to own or hold their respective properties and to conduct their respective businesses as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing or have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on or affecting the assets, business, operations, earnings, properties, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, stockholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or prevent or materially interfere with consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (a “Material Adverse Effect”).

 

(g)

Subsidiaries. The subsidiaries set forth on Schedule 4, if any, (collectively, the “Subsidiaries”), are the Company’s only significant subsidiaries (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Commission). Except as set forth in the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus, the Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the equity interests of the Subsidiaries free and clear of any lien, charge, security interest, encumbrance, right of first refusal or other restriction, and all the equity interests of the Subsidiaries are validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive and similar rights. No Subsidiary is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such Subsidiary’s capital stock, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such Subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such Subsidiary’s property or assets to the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company.

 

 

(h)

No Violation or Default. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents; (ii) in default, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are subject; or (iii) in violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority, except, in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for any such violation or default that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. To the Company’s knowledge, no other party under any material contract or other agreement to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is a party is in default in any respect thereunder where such default would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(i)

No Material Adverse Change. Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Free Writing Prospectuses, if any (including any document deemed incorporated by reference therein), there has not been (i) any Material Adverse Effect or the occurrence of any development that the Company reasonably expects will result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) any transaction which is material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (iii) any obligation or liability, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations), incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary, which is material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (iv) any material change in the capital stock or outstanding long-term indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (v) any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made on the capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary, other than in each case above in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement or Prospectus (including any document deemed incorporated by reference therein).

 

(j)

Capitalization. The issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and, other than as disclosed in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, are not subject to any preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights. The Company has an authorized, issued and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as of the dates referred to therein (other than the grant of additional options under the Company’s existing stock option plans, or changes in the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company due to the issuance of shares upon the exercise or conversion of securities exercisable for, or convertible into, Common Stock outstanding on the date hereof) and such authorized capital stock conforms to the description thereof set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. The description of the securities of the Company in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus is complete and accurate in all material respects. Except as disclosed in or contemplated by the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as of the date referred to therein, the Company does not have outstanding any options to purchase, or any rights or warrants to subscribe for, or any securities or obligations convertible into, or exchangeable for, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell, any shares of capital stock or other securities.

 

 

(k)

Authorization; Enforceability. The Company has full legal right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement and perform the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles.

 

(l)

Authorization of Placement Shares. The Placement Shares, when issued and delivered pursuant to the terms approved by the board of directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee thereof, or a duly authorized executive committee, against payment therefor as provided herein, will be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of any pledge, lien, encumbrance, security interest or other claim, including any statutory or contractual preemptive rights, resale rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights, and will be registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act. The Placement Shares, when issued, will conform to the description thereof set forth in or incorporated into the Prospectus.

 

(m)

No Consents Required. No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any Governmental Authority is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the issuance and sale by the Company of the Placement Shares, except for such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications as may be required under applicable state securities laws or by the by-laws and rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or the Exchange in connection with the sale of the Placement Shares by the Agent.

 

(n)

No Preferential Rights. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, (i) no person, as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act (each, a “Person”), has the right, contractual or otherwise, to cause the Company to issue or sell to such Person any Common Stock or shares of any other capital stock or other securities of the Company, (ii) no Person has any preemptive rights, resale rights, rights of first refusal, rights of co-sale, or any other rights (whether pursuant to a “poison pill” provision or otherwise) to purchase any Common Stock or shares of any other capital stock or other securities of the Company, (iii) no Person has the right to act as an underwriter or as a financial advisor to the Company in connection with the offer and sale of the Common Stock, and (iv) no Person has the right, contractual or otherwise, to require the Company to register under the Securities Act any Common Stock or shares of any other capital stock or other securities of the Company, or to include any such shares or other securities in the Registration Statement or the offering contemplated thereby, whether as a result of the filing or effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the sale of the Placement Shares as contemplated thereby or otherwise.

 

(o)

Independent Public Accounting Firm. KMJ Corbin & Company LLP or such other accountants (the “Accountant”), (i) whose report on the consolidated financial statements of the Company is filed with the Commission as part of the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and/or (ii) which has reviewed the consolidated financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, are and, during the periods covered by their report, were an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”). To the Company’s knowledge, the Accountant is not in violation of the auditor independence requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) with respect to the Company.

 

 

(p)

Enforceability of Agreements. All agreements between the Company and third parties expressly referenced in the Prospectus are legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that (i) enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles and (ii) the indemnification provisions of certain agreements may be limited by federal or state securities laws or public policy considerations in respect thereof.

 

(q)

No Litigation. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, there are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any Governmental Authority pending, nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any audits or investigations by or before any Governmental Authority to which the Company or a Subsidiary is a party or to which any property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is the subject that, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect and, to the Company’s knowledge, no such actions, suits, proceedings, audits or investigations are threatened or contemplated by any Governmental Authority or threatened by others; and (i) there are no current or pending audits or investigations, actions, suits or proceedings by or before any Governmental Authority that are required under the Securities Act to be described in the Prospectus that are not so described; and (ii) there are no contracts or other documents that are required under the Securities Act to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not so filed.

 

(r)

Consents and Permits. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company and its Subsidiaries have made all filings, applications and submissions required by, possesses and is operating in compliance with, all approvals, licenses, certificates, certifications, clearances, consents, grants, exemptions, marks, notifications, orders, permits and other authorizations issued by, the appropriate federal, state or foreign Governmental Authority (including, without limitation, the United States Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”), the United States Drug Enforcement Administration or any other foreign, federal, state, provincial, court or local government or regulatory authorities including self-regulatory organizations engaged in the regulation of clinical trials, pharmaceuticals, biologics or biohazardous substances or materials) necessary for the ownership or lease of their respective properties or to conduct its businesses as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (collectively, “Permits”), except for such Permits the failure of which to possess, obtain or make the same would not have a Material Adverse Effect; the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such Permits, except where the failure to be in compliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect; all of the Permits are valid and in full force and effect, except where any invalidity, individually or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice relating to the limitation, revocation, cancellation, suspension, modification or non-renewal of any such Permit which, singly or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a Material Adverse Effect, or has any reason to believe that any such license, certificate, permit or authorization will not be renewed in the ordinary course. To the extent required by applicable laws and regulations of the FDA, the Company or the applicable Subsidiary has submitted to the FDA an Investigational New Drug Application or amendment or supplement thereto for each clinical trial it has conducted or sponsored or is conducting or sponsoring; all such submissions were in material compliance with applicable laws and rules and regulations when submitted and no material deficiencies have been asserted by the FDA with respect to any such submissions.

 

 

(s)

Regulatory Filings. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has failed to file with the applicable Governmental Authorities (including, without limitation, the FDA, or any foreign, federal, state, provincial or local Governmental Authority performing functions similar to those performed by the FDA) any required filing, declaration, listing, registration, report or submission, except for such failures that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect; except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, all such filings, declarations, listings, registrations, reports or submissions were in compliance with applicable laws when filed and no deficiencies have been asserted by any applicable regulatory authority with respect to any such filings, declarations, listings, registrations, reports or submissions, except for any deficiencies that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has operated and currently is, in all material respects, in compliance with the United States Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, all applicable rules and regulations of the FDA and other federal, state, local and foreign Governmental Authority exercising comparable authority. The Company has no knowledge of any studies, tests or trials not described in the Prospectus the results of which reasonably call into question in any material respect the results of the studies, tests and trials described in the Prospectus.

 

(t)

Intellectual Property. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, the Company and its Subsidiaries own, possess, license or have other rights to use all foreign and domestic patents, patent applications, trade and service marks, trade and service mark registrations, trade names, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets, technology, Internet domain names, know-how and other intellectual property (collectively, the “Intellectual Property”), necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses as now conducted except to the extent that the failure to own, possess, license or otherwise hold adequate rights to use such Intellectual Property would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (i) there are no rights of third parties to any such Intellectual Property owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries; (ii) to the Company’s knowledge, there is no infringement by third parties of any such Intellectual Property; (iii) there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ rights in or to any such Intellectual Property, and the Company is unaware of any facts which could form a reasonable basis for any such action, suit, proceeding or claim; (iv) there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity or scope of any such Intellectual Property; (v) there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others that the Company and its Subsidiaries infringe or otherwise violate any patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret or other proprietary rights of others; (vi) to the Company’s knowledge, there is no third-party U.S. patent or published U.S. patent application which contains claims for which an Interference Proceeding (as defined in 35 U.S.C. § 135) has been commenced against any patent or patent application described in the Prospectus as being owned by or licensed to the Company; and (vii) the Company and its Subsidiaries have complied with the terms of each agreement pursuant to which Intellectual Property has been licensed to the Company or such Subsidiary, and all such agreements are in full force and effect, except, in the case of any of clauses (i)-(vii) above, for any such infringement by third parties or any such pending or threatened suit, action, proceeding or claim as would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

(u)

Clinical Studies. The preclinical studies and tests and clinical trials described in the Prospectus were, and, if still pending, are being conducted in all material respects in accordance with the experimental protocols, procedures and controls pursuant to, where applicable, accepted professional and scientific standards for products or product candidates comparable to those being developed by the Company; the descriptions of such studies, tests and trials, and the results thereof, contained in the Prospectus are accurate and complete in all material respects; the Company is not aware of any tests, studies or trials not described in the Prospectus, the results of which reasonably call into question the results of the tests, studies and trials described in the Prospectus; and the Company has not received any written notice or correspondence from the FDA or any foreign, state or local Governmental Authority exercising comparable authority or any institutional review board or comparable authority requiring the termination, suspension, clinical hold or material modification of any tests, studies or trials.

 

(v)

Market Capitalization. At the time the Registration Statement was or will be originally declared effective, and at the time the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K was filed with the Commission, the Company met or will meet, as applicable, the then applicable requirements for the use of Form S-3 under the Securities Act, including, but not limited to, General Instruction IB.1 or I.B.6, as applicable, of Form S-3. The aggregate market value of the outstanding voting and non-voting common equity (as defined in Rule 405) of the Company held by persons other than affiliates of the Company (pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act Regulations, those that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, control, or are controlled by, or are under common control with, the Company) (the “Non-Affiliate Shares”), was equal to $99,343,402 (calculated by multiplying (x) the highest price at which the common equity of the Company closed on the Exchange within 60 days of the date of this Agreement times (y) the number of Non-Affiliate Shares). The Company is not a shell company (as defined in Rule 405) and has not been a shell company for at least 12 calendar months previously and if it has been a shell company at any time previously, has filed current Form 10 information (as defined in Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3) with the Commission at least 12 calendar months previously reflecting its status as an entity that is not a shell company.

 

(w)

FINRA Matters. The information provided to the Agent by the Company, its counsel, and its officers and directors for purposes of the Agent’s compliance with applicable FINRA rules in connection with the offering of the Placement Shares is true, complete, and correct and compliant with FINRA’s rules.

 

(x)

No Material Defaults. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has defaulted on any installment on indebtedness for borrowed money or on any rental on one or more long-term leases, which defaults, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has not filed a report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the filing of its last Annual Report on Form 10-K, indicating that it (i) has failed to pay any dividend or sinking fund installment on preferred stock or (ii) has defaulted on any installment on indebtedness for borrowed money or on any rental on one or more long-term leases, which defaults, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

(y)

Certain Market Activities. Neither the Company, nor any of the Subsidiaries, nor any of their respective directors, officers or controlling persons has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed, or that has constituted or would reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act or otherwise, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Placement Shares.

 

(z)

Broker/Dealer Relationships. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries (i) is required to register as a “broker” or “dealer” in accordance with the provisions of the Exchange Act or (ii) directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is a “person associated with a member” or “associated person of a member” (within the meaning set forth in the FINRA Manual).

 

(aa)	No Reliance. The Company has not relied upon the Agent or legal counsel for the Agent for any legal, tax or accounting advice in connection with the offering and sale of the Placement Shares.

 

(bb)

Taxes. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have filed all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns which have been required to be filed and paid all taxes shown thereon through the date hereof, to the extent that such taxes have become due and are not being contested in good faith, except where the failure to so file or pay would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as otherwise disclosed in or contemplated by the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, no tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which has had, or would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has no knowledge of any federal, state or other governmental tax deficiency, penalty or assessment which has been or might be asserted or threatened against it which would have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(cc)

Title to Real and Personal Property. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, the Company and its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all items of real property owned by them, good and valid title to all personal property described in the Registration Statement or Prospectus as being owned by them, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and claims, except those matters that (i) do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Any real or personal property described in the Registration Statement or Prospectus as being leased by the Company and any of its Subsidiaries is held by them under valid, existing and enforceable leases, except those that (A) do not materially interfere with the use made or proposed to be made of such property by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) would not be reasonably expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries complies with all applicable codes, laws and regulations (including, without limitation, building and zoning codes, laws and regulations and laws relating to access to such properties), except if and to the extent disclosed in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or except for such failures to comply that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to interfere in any material respect with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its Subsidiaries or otherwise have a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company or its subsidiaries has received from any Governmental Authorities any notice of any condemnation of, or zoning change affecting, the properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and the Company knows of no such condemnation or zoning change which is threatened, except for such that would not reasonably be expected to interfere in any material respect with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its Subsidiaries or otherwise have a Material Adverse Effect, individually or in the aggregate.

 

 

(dd)

Environmental Laws. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with any and all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules, regulations, decisions and orders 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 as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; and (iii) have not received notice of any actual or potential liability for the investigation or remediation of any disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, except, in the case of any of clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above, for any such failure to comply or failure to receive required permits, licenses, other approvals or liability as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(ee)

Disclosure Controls. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries maintain systems of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective and the Company is not aware of any material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting (other than as set forth in the Prospectus). Since the date of the latest audited financial statements of the Company included in the Prospectus, there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (other than as set forth in the Prospectus). The Company has established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15) for the Company and designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the Company and each of its Subsidiaries is made known to the certifying officers by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as the case may be, is being prepared. The Company’s certifying officers have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of the Form 10-K for the fiscal year most recently ended (such date, the “Evaluation Date”). The Company presented in its Form 10-K for the fiscal year most recently ended the conclusions of the certifying officers about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on their evaluations as of the Evaluation Date and the disclosure controls and procedures are effective. Since the Evaluation Date, there have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls (as such term is defined in Item 307(b) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act Regulations) or, to the Company’s knowledge, in other factors that could significantly affect the Company’s internal controls.

 

 

(ff)

Sarbanes-Oxley. There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply in all material respects with any applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Each of the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of the Company (or each former principal executive officer of the Company and each former principal financial officer of the Company as applicable) has made all certifications required by Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act with respect to all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by it or furnished by it to the Commission. For purposes of the preceding sentence, “principal executive officer” and “principal financial officer” shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

(gg)	Finder’s Fees. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has incurred any liability for any finder’s fees, brokerage commissions or similar payments in connection with the transactions herein contemplated, except as may otherwise exist with respect to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(hh)	Labor Disputes. No labor disturbance by or dispute with employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened which would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(ii)

Investment Company Act. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries is or, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Placement Shares, will be an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company,” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”).

 

(jj)

Operations. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial record keeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions to which the Company or its Subsidiaries are subject, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Authority (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”); and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any Governmental Authority 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.

 

(kk)

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. There are no transactions, arrangements and other relationships between and/or among the Company, and/or any of its affiliates and any unconsolidated entity, including, but not limited to, any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity (each, an “Off-Balance Sheet Transaction”) that could reasonably be expected to affect materially the Company’s liquidity or the availability of or requirements for its capital resources, including those Off-Balance Sheet Transactions described in the Commission’s Statement about Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations (Release Nos. 33-8056; 34-45321; FR-61), required to be described in the Prospectus which have not been described as required.

 

(ll)	Underwriter 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.

 

 

(mm)

ERISA. To the knowledge of the Company, each material employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), that is maintained, administered or contributed to by the Company or any of its affiliates for employees or former employees of the Company and any of its Subsidiaries has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); no prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred which would result in a material liability to the Company with respect to any such plan excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption; and for each such plan that is subject to the funding rules of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, no “accumulated funding deficiency” as defined in Section 412 of the Code has been incurred, whether or not waived, and the fair market value of the assets of each such plan (excluding for these purposes accrued but unpaid contributions) exceeds the present value of all benefits accrued under such plan determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions.

 

(nn)

Forward-Looking Statements. No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) (a “Forward-Looking Statement”) contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.

 

(oo)

Agent Purchases. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Agent has informed the Company that the Agent may, to the extent permitted under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, purchase and sell Common Stock for its own account while this Agreement is in effect, provided, that the Company shall not be deemed to have authorized or consented to any such purchases or sales by the Agent.

 

(pp)

Margin Rules. Neither the issuance, sale and delivery of the Placement Shares nor the application of the proceeds thereof by the Company as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus will violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board of Governors.

 

(qq)

Insurance. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries carry, or are covered by, insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as the Company and each of its Subsidiaries reasonably believe are adequate for the conduct of their properties and as is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries.

 

 

(rr)

No Improper Practices. (i) Neither the Company nor the Subsidiaries, nor any director, officer, or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any agent, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary has, in the past five years, made any unlawful contributions to any candidate for any political office (or failed fully to disclose any contribution in violation of applicable law) or made any contribution or other payment to any official of, or candidate for, any federal, state, municipal, or foreign office or other person charged with similar public or quasi-public duty in violation of any applicable law or of the character required to be disclosed in the Prospectus; (ii) no relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or any Subsidiary or any affiliate of any of them, on the one hand, and the directors, officers and stockholders of the Company or any Subsidiary, on the other hand, that is required by the Securities Act to be described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus that is not so described; (iii) no relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or any Subsidiary or any affiliate of them, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, or stockholders of the Company or any Subsidiary, on the other hand, that is required by the rules of FINRA to be described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus that is not so described; (iv) except as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there are no material outstanding loans or advances or material guarantees of indebtedness by the Company or any Subsidiary to or for the benefit of any of their respective officers or directors or any of the members of the families of any of them; and (v) the Company has not offered, or caused any placement agent to offer, Common Stock to any person with the intent to influence unlawfully (A) a customer or supplier of the Company or any Subsidiary to alter the customer’s or supplier’s level or type of business with the Company or any Subsidiary or (B) a trade journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company or any Subsidiary or any of their respective products or services, and, (vi) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary nor any director, officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any agent, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary has (A) violated or is in violation of any applicable provision of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law (collectively, “Anti-Corruption Laws”), (B) promised, offered, provided, attempted to provide or authorized the provision of anything of value, directly or indirectly, to any person for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business, influencing any act or decision of the recipient, or securing any improper advantage; or (C) made any payment of funds of the Company or any Subsidiary or received or retained any funds in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

(ss)	Status Under the Securities Act. The Company was not and is not an ineligible issuer as defined in Rule 405 at the times specified in Rules 164 and 433 under the Securities Act Regulations in connection with the offering of the Placement Shares.

 

(tt)

No Misstatement or Omission in an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as of its issue date and as of each Applicable Time (as defined in Section 23 below), did not, does not and will not include any information that conflicted, conflicts or will conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, including any incorporated document deemed to be a part thereof that has not been superseded or modified. The foregoing sentence does not apply to statements in or omissions from any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus based upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Agent specifically for use therein.

 

(uu)

No Conflicts. Neither the execution of this Agreement, nor the issuance, offering or sale of the Placement Shares, nor the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated herein and therein, nor the compliance by the Company with the terms and provisions hereof and thereof will conflict with, or will result in a breach of, any of the terms and provisions of, or has constituted or will constitute a default under, or has resulted in or will result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to the terms of any contract or other agreement to which the Company may be bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company is subject, except (i) such conflicts, breaches or defaults as may have been waived and (ii) such conflicts, breaches and defaults that would not have a Material Adverse Effect; nor will such action result (x) in any violation of the provisions of the organizational or governing documents of the Company, or (y) in any material violation of the provisions of any statute or any order, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Company.

 

 

(vv)

Sanctions. (i) The Company represents that, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Entity”) or any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative of the Entity, is a government, individual, or entity (in this paragraph (vv), “Person”) that is, or is owned or controlled by a Person that is:

 

(A) the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, His Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authorities, including, without limitation, designation on OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List or OFAC’s Foreign Sanctions Evaders List (as amended, collectively, “Sanctions”), nor

 

(B) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions that broadly prohibit dealings with that country or territory (including, without limitation, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic and the Crimea Region of the Ukraine) (the “Sanctioned Countries”).

 

(ii) The Entity represents and covenants that it will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person:

 

(A) to fund or facilitate any activities or business of or with any Person or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of Sanctions or is a Sanctioned Country; or

 

(B) in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the offering, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise).

 

(iii) The Entity represents and covenants that, except as detailed in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, for the past 5 years, it has not engaged in, is not now engaging in, and will not engage in, any dealings or transactions with any Person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions or is or was a Sanctioned Country.

 

(ww)

Stock Transfer Taxes. On each Settlement Date, all stock transfer or other taxes (other than income taxes) which are required to be paid in connection with the sale and transfer of the Placement Shares to be sold hereunder will be, or will have been, fully paid or provided for by the Company and all laws imposing such taxes will be or will have been fully complied with.

 

 

(xx)

Compliance with Laws. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries: (A) is and at all times has been in compliance with all statutes, rules, or regulations applicable to the ownership, testing, development, manufacture, packaging, processing, use, distribution, marketing, labeling, promotion, sale, offer for sale, storage, import, export or disposal of any product manufactured or distributed by the Company or its Subsidiaries (“Applicable Laws”), except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; (B) has not received any FDA Form 483, notice of adverse finding, warning letter, untitled letter or other correspondence or notice from the FDA or any other Governmental Authority alleging or asserting noncompliance with any Applicable Laws or any licenses, certificates, approvals, clearances, authorizations, permits and supplements or amendments thereto required by any such Applicable Laws (“Authorizations”); (C) possesses all material Authorizations and such Authorizations are valid and in full force and effect and are not in material violation of any term of any such Authorizations; (D) has not received notice of any claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration or other action from any Governmental Authority or third party alleging that any product operation or activity is in violation of any Applicable Laws or Authorizations and has no knowledge that any such Governmental Authority or third party is considering any such claim, litigation, arbitration, action, suit, investigation or proceeding; (E) has not received notice that any Governmental Authority has taken, is taking or intends to take action to limit, suspend, modify or revoke any Authorizations and has no knowledge that any such Governmental Authority is considering such action; (F) has filed, obtained, maintained or submitted all material reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments as required by any Applicable Laws or Authorizations and that all such reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments were complete and correct on the date filed (or were corrected or supplemented by a subsequent submission); and (G) has not, either voluntarily or involuntarily, initiated, conducted, or issued or caused to be initiated, conducted or issued, any recall, market withdrawal or replacement, safety alert, post sale warning, “dear healthcare provider” letter, or other notice or action relating to the alleged lack of safety or efficacy of any product or any alleged product defect or violation and, to the Company’s knowledge, no third party has initiated, conducted or intends to initiate any such notice or action.

 

(yy)

Statistical and Market-Related Data. The statistical, demographic and market-related data included in the Registration Statement and Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate or represent the Company’s good faith estimates that are made on the basis of data derived from such sources.

 

(zz)

Cybersecurity. The Company and its subsidiaries’ information technology assets and equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, websites, applications, and databases (collectively, “IT Systems”) are adequate for, and operate and perform in all material respects as required in connection with the operation of the business of the Company as currently conducted, free and clear of all material bugs, errors, defects, Trojan horses, time bombs, malware and other corruptants. The Company and its subsidiaries have implemented and maintained 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 all “Personal Data” (defined below) and all sensitive, confidential or regulated data (“Confidential Data”) used in connection with their businesses. “Personal Data” means (i) a natural person’s name, street address, telephone number, e-mail address, photograph, social security number or tax identification number, driver’s 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 GDPR; (iv) any information which would qualify as “protected health information” under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (collectively, “HIPAA”); (v) any “personal information” as defined by the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”); and (vi) 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 person’s health or sexual orientation. There have been no breaches, violations, outages or unauthorized uses of or accesses to same, except for those that have been remedied without material cost or liability or the duty to notify any other person, nor any incidents under internal review or investigations relating to the same. The Company and its subsidiaries are presently in material compliance with all applicable laws 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, Confidential Data, and Personal Data and to the protection of such IT Systems, Confidential Data, and Personal Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification.

 

 

(aaa)

Compliance with Data Privacy Laws. The Company and its subsidiaries are, and at all prior times were, in material compliance with all applicable state and federal data privacy and security laws and regulations, including without limitation HIPAA, CCPA, and the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) (EU 2016/679) (collectively, the “Privacy Laws”). To ensure compliance with the Privacy Laws, the Company has in place, complies with, and takes appropriate steps to ensure compliance in all material respects with their policies and procedures relating to data privacy and security and the collection, storage, use, processing, disclosure, handling, and analysis of Personal Data and Confidential Data (the “Policies”). The Company has at all times made all disclosures to users or customers required by applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements, and none of such disclosures made or contained in any Policy have been inaccurate or in violation of any applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements in any material respect. The Company further certifies that neither it nor any subsidiary: (i) has 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) is currently conducting or paying for, in whole or in part, any investigation, remediation, or other corrective action pursuant to any Privacy Law; or (iii) is a party to any order, decree, or agreement that imposes any obligation or liability under any Privacy Law.

 

(bbb)

Emerging Growth Company Status. From the time of the initial filing of the Company’s first registration statement with the Commission through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act (an “Emerging Growth Company”).

 

Any certificate signed by an officer of the Company and delivered to the Agent or to counsel for the Agent pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company, as applicable, to the Agent as to the matters set forth therein.

 

 

7.	Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees with the Agent that:

 

(a)

Registration Statement Amendments. After the date of this Agreement and during any period in which a Prospectus relating to any Placement Shares is required to be delivered by the Agent under the Securities Act (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172 or similar rule), (i) the Company will notify the Agent promptly of the time when any subsequent amendment to the Registration Statement, other than documents incorporated by reference, has been filed with the Commission and/or has become effective or any subsequent supplement to the Prospectus has been filed and of any request by the Commission for any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information, (ii) the Company will prepare and file with the Commission, promptly upon the Agent’s request, any amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or Prospectus that, in the Agent’s reasonable opinion, may be necessary or advisable in connection with the distribution of the Placement Shares by the Agent (provided, however, that the failure of the Agent to make such request shall not relieve the Company of any obligation or liability hereunder, or affect the Agent’s right to rely on the representations and warranties made by the Company in this Agreement and provided, further, that the only remedy the Agent shall have with respect to the failure to make such filing shall be to cease making sales under this Agreement until such amendment or supplement is filed); (iii) the Company will not file any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus relating to the Placement Shares or a security convertible into the Placement Shares unless a copy thereof has been submitted to Agent within a reasonable period of time before the filing and the Agent has not objected thereto (provided, however, that the failure of the Agent to make such objection shall not relieve the Company of any obligation or liability hereunder, or affect the Agent’s right to rely on the representations and warranties made by the Company in this Agreement and provided, further, that the only remedy the Agent shall have with respect to the failure by the Company to obtain such consent shall be to cease making sales under this Agreement) and the Company will furnish to the Agent at the time of filing thereof a copy of any document that upon filing is deemed to be incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement or Prospectus, except for those documents available via EDGAR; and (iv) the Company will cause each amendment or supplement to the Prospectus to be filed with the Commission as required pursuant to the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) or, in the case of any document to be incorporated therein by reference, to be filed with the Commission as required pursuant to the Exchange Act, within the time period prescribed (the determination to file or not file any amendment or supplement with the Commission under this Section 7(a), based on the Company’s reasonable opinion or reasonable objections, shall be made exclusively by the Company).

 

(b)

Notice of Commission Stop Orders. The Company will advise the Agent, promptly after it receives notice or obtains knowledge thereof, of the issuance or threatened issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, of the suspension of the qualification of the Placement Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose; and it will promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such a stop order should be issued. The Company will advise the Agent promptly after it receives any request by the Commission for any amendments to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplements to the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or for additional information related to the offering of the Placement Shares or for additional information related to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus.

 

 

(c)

Delivery of Prospectus; Subsequent Changes. During any period in which a Prospectus relating to the Placement Shares is required to be delivered by the Agent under the Securities Act with respect to the offer and sale of the Placement Shares, (including in circumstances where such requirement may be satisfied pursuant to Rule 172 or similar rule), the Company will comply with all requirements imposed upon it by the Securities Act, as from time to time in force, and to file on or before their respective due dates all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, 15(d) or any other provision of or under the Exchange Act. If the Company has omitted any information from the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430B, it will use its best efforts to comply with the provisions of and make all requisite filings with the Commission pursuant to said Rule 430B and to notify the Agent promptly of all such filings. If during such period any event occurs 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 a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances then existing, not misleading, or if during such period it is necessary to amend or supplement the Registration Statement or Prospectus to comply with the Securities Act, the Company will promptly notify the Agent to suspend the offering of Placement Shares during such period and the Company will promptly amend or supplement the Registration Statement or Prospectus (at the expense of the Company) so as to correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance.

 

(d)	Listing of Placement Shares. Prior to the date of the first Placement Notice, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Placement Shares to be listed on the Exchange.

 

(e)

Delivery of Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Company will furnish to the Agent and its counsel (at the expense of the Company) copies of the Registration Statement, the Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by reference therein) and all amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement or Prospectus that are filed with the Commission during any period in which a Prospectus relating to the Placement Shares is required to be delivered under the Securities Act (including all documents filed with the Commission during such period that are deemed to be incorporated by reference therein), in each case as soon as reasonably practicable and in such quantities as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request and, at the Agent’s request, will also furnish copies of the Prospectus to each exchange or market on which sales of the Placement Shares may be made; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to furnish any document (other than the Prospectus) to the Agent to the extent such document is available on EDGAR.

 

(f)

Earning Statement. The Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than 15 months after the end of the Company’s current fiscal quarter, an earning statement covering a 12-month period that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Securities Act Regulations.

 

(g)	Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the Net Proceeds as described in the Prospectus in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds.”

 

 

(h)

Notice of Other Sales. Without the prior written consent of the Agent, the Company will not, directly or indirectly, offer to sell, sell, contract to sell, grant any option to sell or otherwise dispose of any Common Stock (other than the Placement Shares offered pursuant to this Agreement) or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, warrants or any rights to purchase or acquire, Common Stock during the period beginning on the fifth (5th) Trading Day immediately prior to the date on which any Placement Notice is delivered to Agent hereunder and ending on the fifth (5th) Trading Day immediately following the final Settlement Date with respect to Placement Shares sold pursuant to such Placement Notice (or, if the Placement Notice has been terminated or suspended prior to the sale of all Placement Shares covered by a Placement Notice, the date of such suspension or termination); and will not directly or indirectly in 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 Common Stock (other than the Placement Shares offered pursuant to this Agreement) or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, warrants or any rights to purchase or acquire, Common Stock prior to the sixtieth (60th) day immediately following the termination of this Agreement; provided, however, that such restrictions will not be required in connection with the Company’s issuance or sale of (i) Common Stock, options to purchase Common Stock or Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of options, pursuant to any employee or director stock option or benefits plan, stock ownership plan or dividend reinvestment plan (but not Common Stock subject to a waiver to exceed plan limits in its dividend reinvestment plan) of the Company whether now in effect or hereafter implemented, (ii) Common Stock issuable upon conversion of securities or the exercise of warrants, options or other rights in effect or outstanding, and disclosed in filings by the Company available on EDGAR or otherwise in writing to the Agent and (iii) Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock as consideration for mergers, acquisitions, other business combinations or strategic alliances occurring after the date of this Agreement which are not issued for capital raising purposes.

 

(i)

Change of Circumstances. The Company will, at any time during the pendency of a Placement Notice, advise the Agent promptly after it shall have received notice or obtained knowledge thereof, of any information or fact that would alter or affect in any material respect any opinion, certificate, letter or other document required to be provided to the Agent pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(j)

Due Diligence Cooperation. The Company will cooperate with any reasonable due diligence review conducted by the Agent or its representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, providing information and making available documents and senior corporate officers, during regular business hours and at the Company’s principal offices, as the Agent may reasonably request.

 

(k)

Required Filings Relating to Placement of Placement Shares. The Company shall disclose, in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in its annual report on Form 10-K to be filed by the Company with the Commission from time to time, the number of the Placement Shares sold through the Agent under this Agreement, and the net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Placement Shares pursuant to this Agreement during the relevant quarter or, in the case of an Annual Report on Form 10-K, during the fiscal year covered by such Annual Report and the fourth quarter of such fiscal year. The Company agrees that on such dates as the Securities Act shall require, the Company will (i) file a prospectus supplement with the Commission under the applicable paragraph of Rule 424(b) (each and every filing date under Rule 424(b), a “Filing Date”), which prospectus supplement will set forth, within the relevant period, the amount of Placement Shares sold through the Agent, the Net Proceeds to the Company and the compensation payable by the Company to the Agent with respect to such Placement Shares, and (ii) deliver such number of copies of each such prospectus supplement to each exchange or market on which such sales were effected as may be required by the rules or regulations of such exchange or market.

 

 

(l)	Representation Dates; Certificate. (1) Prior to the date of the first Placement Notice and (2) each time the Company:

 

(i) files the Prospectus relating to the Placement Shares or amends or supplements (other than a prospectus supplement relating solely to an offering of securities other than the Placement Shares) the Registration Statement or the Prospectus relating to the Placement Shares 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 the Prospectus relating to the Placement Shares;

 

(ii) files an annual report on Form 10-K under the Exchange Act (including any Form 10-K/A containing amended financial information or a material amendment to the previously filed Form 10-K);

 

(iii) files its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act; or

 

(iv) files a current report on Form 8-K containing amended financial information (other than information “furnished” pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or to provide disclosure pursuant to Item 8.01 of Form 8-K relating to the reclassification of certain properties as discontinued operations in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144) under the Exchange Act (each date of filing of one or more of the documents referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) shall be a “Representation Date”);

 

the Company shall furnish the Agent (but in the case of clause (iv) above only if the Agent reasonably determines that the information contained in such Form 8-K is material) with a certificate dated the Representation Date, in the form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and its counsel, substantially similar to the form previously provided to the Agent and its counsel, modified, as necessary, to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented. The requirement to provide a certificate under this Section 7(l) shall be waived for any Representation Date occurring at a time a Suspension is in effect, which waiver shall continue until the earlier to occur of the date the Company delivers instructions for the sale of Placement Shares hereunder (which for such calendar quarter shall be considered a Representation Date) and the next occurring Representation Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company subsequently decides to sell Placement Shares following a Representation Date when a Suspension was in effect and did not provide the Agent with a certificate under this Section 7(l), then before the Company delivers the instructions for the sale of Placement Shares or the Agent sells any Placement Shares pursuant to such instructions, the Company shall provide the Agent with a certificate in conformity with this Section 7(l) dated as of the date that the instructions for the sale of Placement Shares are issued.

 

 

(m)

Legal Opinion. (1) Prior to the date of the first Placement Notice and (2) within five (5) Trading Days of each Representation Date with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate pursuant to Section 7(l) for which no waiver is applicable and excluding the date of this Agreement, the Company shall cause to be furnished to the Agent a written opinion and negative assurance letter of Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC (“Company Counsel”), or other counsel satisfactory to the Agent, in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent and its counsel, substantially similar to the form previously provided to the Agent and its counsel, modified, as necessary, to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented; provided, that in lieu of such opinions for subsequent periodic filings under the Exchange Act, counsel may furnish the Agent with a letter (a “Reliance Letter”) to the effect that the Agent may rely on a prior opinion delivered under this Section 7(m) to the same extent as if it were dated the date of such letter (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 the date of the Reliance Letter).

 

(n)

Comfort Letter. (1) Prior to the date of the first Placement Notice and (2) within five (5) Trading Days of each Representation Date with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate pursuant to Section 7(l) for which no waiver is applicable and excluding the date of this Agreement, the Company shall cause its independent registered public accounting firm to furnish the Agent letters (the “Comfort Letters”), dated the date the Comfort Letter is delivered, which shall meet the requirements set forth in this Section 7(n); provided, that if requested by the Agent, the Company shall cause a Comfort Letter to be furnished to the Agent within ten (10) Trading Days of the date of occurrence of any material transaction or event requiring the filing of a Current Report on Form 8-K containing financial information ( including the restatement of the Company’s financial statements). The Comfort Letter from the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm shall be in a form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, (i) confirming that they are an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of the Securities Act and the PCAOB, (ii) stating, as of such date, the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters ordinarily covered by accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters in connection with registered public offerings (the first such letter, the “Initial Comfort Letter”) and (iii) updating the Initial Comfort Letter with any information that would have been included in the Initial Comfort Letter had it been given on such date and modified as necessary to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as amended and supplemented to the date of such letter.

 

(o)

Market Activities; Compliance with Regulation M. The Company will not, directly or indirectly, (i) take any action designed to cause or result in, or that constitutes or would reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of Common Stock or (ii) sell, bid for, or purchase Common Stock in violation of Regulation M under the Securities Act Regulations, or pay anyone any compensation for soliciting purchases of the Placement Shares other than the Agent.

 

(p)

Investment Company Act. The Company will conduct its affairs in such a manner so as to reasonably ensure that neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries will be or become, at any time prior to the termination of this Agreement, required to register as an “investment company,” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act.

 

(q)

No Offer to Sell. Other than an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus approved in advance by the Company and the Agent in its capacity as agent hereunder, neither the Agent nor the Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Agent in its capacity as such) will make, use, prepare, authorize, approve or refer to any written communication (as defined in Rule 405), required to be filed with the Commission, that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy Placement Shares hereunder.

 

 

(r)

Blue Sky and Other Qualifications. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts, as directed by and in cooperation with the Agent, to qualify the Placement Shares for offering and sale, or to obtain an exemption for the Placement Shares to be offered and sold, under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the Agent may designate and to maintain such qualifications and exemptions in effect for so long as required for the distribution of the Placement Shares (but in no event for less than one year from the date of this Agreement); provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject. In each jurisdiction in which the Placement Shares have been so qualified or exempt, the Company will file such statements and reports as may be required by the laws of such jurisdiction to continue such qualification or exemption, as the case may be, in effect for so long as required for the distribution of the Placement Shares (but in no event for less than one year from the date of this Agreement).

 

(s)

Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Company and the Subsidiaries will maintain and keep accurate books and records reflecting their assets and maintain internal accounting controls in a manner designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP and including those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company, (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP, (iii) that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with management’s and the Company’s directors’ authorization, and (iv) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on its financial statements. The Company and the Subsidiaries will maintain such controls and other procedures, including, without limitation, those required by Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the applicable regulations thereunder that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, including, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to ensure that material information relating to the Company or the Subsidiaries is made known to them by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which such periodic reports are being prepared.

 

(t)

Secretary’s Certificate; Further Documentation. Prior to the date of the first Placement Notice, the Company shall deliver to the Agent a certificate of the Secretary of the Company and attested to by an executive officer of the Company, dated as of such date, certifying as to (i) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, (ii) the By-laws of the Company, (iii) the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the issuance of the Placement Shares and (iv) the incumbency of the officers duly authorized to execute this Agreement and the other documents contemplated by this Agreement. Within five (5) Trading Days of each Representation Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Agent such further information, certificates and documents as the Agent may reasonably request.

 

 

(u)	Emerging Growth Company Status. The Company will promptly notify the Agent if the Company ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company at any time during the term of this Agreement.

 

8.

Payment of Expenses. The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including (i) the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, including any fees required by the Commission, and the printing or electronic delivery of the Prospectus as originally filed and of each amendment and supplement thereto, in such number as the Agent shall deem necessary, (ii) the printing and delivery to the Agent of this Agreement and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Placement Shares, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the certificates, if any, for the Placement Shares to the Agent, including any stock or other transfer taxes and any capital duties, stamp duties or other duties or taxes payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the Placement Shares to the Agent, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the counsel, accountants and other advisors to the Company, (v) the fees and expenses of Agent including but not limited to the fees and expenses of the counsel to the Agent, payable upon the execution of this Agreement, (a) in an amount not to exceed $75,000 in connection with the execution of this Agreement, (b) in an amount not to exceed $25,000 per calendar quarter thereafter payable in connection with each Representation Date with respect to which the Company is obligated to deliver a certificate pursuant to Section 7(l) for which no waiver is applicable and excluding the date of this Agreement, and (c) in an amount not to exceed $35,000 for each program “refresh” (filing of a new registration statement, prospectus or prospectus supplement relating to the Placement Shares and/or an amendment of this Agreement) executed pursuant to this Agreement, (vi) the qualification or exemption of the Placement Shares under state securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 7(r) hereof, including filing fees, but excluding fees of the Agent’s counsel, (vii) the printing and delivery to the Agent of copies of any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto in such number as the Agent shall deem necessary, (viii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Agent of copies of the blue sky survey, (ix) the fees and expenses of the transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock, (x) the filing and other fees incident to any review by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Placement Shares including the fees of the Agent’s counsel (subject to the cap, set forth in clause (v) above), and (xi) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Placement Shares on the Exchange. The Company agrees to pay the fees and expenses of counsel to the Agent set forth in clause (v) above by wire transfer of immediately available funds directly to such counsel upon presentation of an invoice containing the requisite payment information prepared by such counsel.

 

9.

Conditions to Agent’s Obligations. The obligations of the Agent hereunder with respect to a Placement will be subject to the continuing accuracy and completeness of the representations and warranties made by the Company herein, to the due performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, to the completion by the Agent of a due diligence review satisfactory to it in its reasonable judgment, and to the continuing satisfaction (or waiver by the Agent in its sole discretion) of the following additional conditions:

 

 

(a)	Registration Statement Effective. The Registration Statement shall have become effective and shall be available for the (i) resale of all Placement Shares issued to the Agent and not yet sold by the Agent and (ii) sale of all Placement Shares contemplated to be issued by any Placement Notice.

 

(b)

No Material Notices. None of the following events shall have occurred and be continuing: (i) receipt by the Company of any request for additional information from the Commission or any other federal or state Governmental Authority during the period of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the response to which would require any post-effective amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus; (ii) the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state Governmental Authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; (iii) receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Placement Shares for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; or (iv) the occurrence of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and, that in the case of the Prospectus, it 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 statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

(c)

No Misstatement or Material Omission. Agent shall not have advised the Company that the Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, contains an untrue statement of fact that in the Agent’s reasonable opinion is material, or omits to state a fact that in the Agent’s reasonable opinion is material and is required to be stated therein or is necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

 

(d)

Material Changes. Except as contemplated in the Prospectus, or disclosed in the Company’s reports filed with the Commission, there shall not have been any material adverse change in the authorized capital stock of the Company or any Material Adverse Effect or any development that would cause a Material Adverse Effect, or a downgrading in or withdrawal of the rating assigned to any of the Company’s securities (other than asset backed securities) by any rating organization or a public announcement by any rating organization that it has under surveillance or review its rating of any of the Company’s securities (other than asset backed securities), the effect of which, in the case of any such action by a rating organization described above, in the reasonable judgment of the Agent (without relieving the Company of any obligation or liability it may otherwise have), is so material as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering of the Placement Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.

 

(e)	Legal Opinions. The Agent shall have received the opinions and negative assurance letters required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7(m) on or before the date on which such delivery of such opinions is required pursuant to Section 7(m).

 

(f)	Comfort Letter. The Agent shall have received the Comfort Letter required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7(n) on or before the date on which such delivery of such Comfort Letter is required pursuant to Section 7(n).

 

 

(g)	Representation Certificate. The Agent shall have received the certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7(l) on or before the date on which delivery of such certificate is required pursuant to Section 7(l).

 

(h)	No Suspension. Trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended on the Exchange and the Common Stock shall not have been delisted from the Exchange.

 

(i)

Other Materials. On each date on which the Company is required to deliver a certificate pursuant to Section 7(l), the Company shall have furnished to the Agent such appropriate further information, opinions, certificates, letters and other documents as the Agent may reasonably request. All such opinions, certificates, letters and other documents will be in compliance with the provisions hereof.

 

(j)	Securities Act Filings Made. All filings with the Commission required by Rule 424 to have been filed prior to the issuance of any Placement Notice hereunder shall have been made within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by Rule 424.

 

(k)

Approval for Listing. The Placement Shares shall either have been (i) approved for listing on the Exchange, subject only to notice of issuance, or (ii) the Company shall have filed an application for listing of the Placement Shares on the Exchange at, or prior to, the issuance of any Placement Notice and the Exchange shall have reviewed such application and not provided any objections thereto.

 

(l)	FINRA. If applicable, FINRA shall have raised no objection to the terms of this offering and the amount of compensation allowable or payable to the Agent as described in the Prospectus.

 

(m)	No Termination Event. There shall not have occurred any event that would permit the Agent to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 12(a).

 

10.	Indemnification and Contribution.

 

(a) Company Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Agent, its affiliates and their respective partners, members, directors, officers, employees and agents and each person, if any, who controls the Agent or any affiliate within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act as follows:

 

(i) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, joint or several, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), 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 arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any related Issuer Free Writing Prospectus 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;

 

 

(ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, joint or several, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any Governmental Authority, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 10(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company, which consent shall not unreasonably be delayed or withheld; and

 

(iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the fees and disbursements of counsel), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any Governmental Authority, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission (whether or not a party), to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above,

 

provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made solely in reliance upon and in conformity with the Agent Information (as defined below).

 

(b) Agent Indemnification. Agent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its directors and each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in Section 10(a), as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement (or any amendments thereto), the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to the Agent and furnished to the Company in writing by the Agent expressly for use therein. The Company hereby acknowledges that the only information that the Agent has furnished to the Company expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any Prospectus Supplement or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) are the statements set forth in the seventh and eighth paragraphs under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in the Prospectus (the “Agent Information”).

 

 

(c) Procedure. Any party that proposes to assert the right to be indemnified under this Section 10 will, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action against such party in respect of which a claim is to be made against an indemnifying party or parties under this Section 10, notify each such indemnifying party of the commencement of such action, enclosing a copy of all papers served, but the omission so to notify such indemnifying party will not relieve the indemnifying party from (i) any liability that it might have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 10 and (ii) any liability that it may have to any indemnified party under the foregoing provision of this Section 10 unless, and only to the extent that, such omission results in the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses by the indemnifying party. If any such action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies the indemnifying party of its commencement, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and, to the extent that it elects by delivering written notice to the indemnified party promptly after receiving notice of the commencement of the action from the indemnified party, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense of the action, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party, and after notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense, the indemnifying party will not be liable to the indemnified party for any other legal expenses except as provided below and except for the reasonable costs of investigation subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense. The indemnified party will have the right to employ its own counsel in any such action, but the fees, expenses and other charges of such counsel will be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (1) the employment of counsel by the indemnified party has been authorized in writing by the indemnifying party, (2) the indemnified party has reasonably concluded (based on advice of counsel) that there may be legal defenses available to it or other indemnified parties that are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party, (3) a conflict or potential conflict exists (based on advice of counsel to the indemnified party) between the indemnified party and the indemnifying party (in which case the indemnifying party will not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party) or (4) the indemnifying party has not in fact employed counsel to assume the defense of such action or counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party, in each case, within a reasonable time after receiving notice of the commencement of the action; in each of which cases the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel will be at the expense of the indemnifying party or parties. It is understood that the indemnifying party or parties shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of more than one separate firm (plus local counsel) admitted to practice in such jurisdiction at any one time for all such indemnified party or parties. All such fees, disbursements and other charges will be reimbursed by the indemnifying party promptly as they are incurred. An indemnifying party will not, in any event, be liable for any settlement of any action or claim effected without its written consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of each indemnified party, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any pending or threatened claim, action or proceeding relating to the matters contemplated by this Section 10 (whether or not any indemnified party is a party thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (1) includes an express and unconditional release of each indemnified party, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (2) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

 

(d) Settlement Without Consent if Failure to Reimburse. If an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for reasonable fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 10(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if (1) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (2) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (3) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement.

 

 

(e) Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in the foregoing paragraphs of this Section 10 is applicable in accordance with its terms but for any reason is held to be unavailable or insufficient from the Company or the Agent, the Company and the Agent will contribute to the total losses, claims, liabilities, expenses and damages (including any investigative, legal and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any claim asserted) to which the Company and the Agent may be subject in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Agent on the other hand. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Agent on the other hand shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the sale of the Placement Shares (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total compensation received by the Agent from the sale of Placement Shares on behalf of the Company. If, but only if, the allocation provided by the foregoing sentence is not permitted by applicable law, the allocation of contribution shall be made in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in the foregoing sentence but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Agent, on the other hand, with respect to the statements or omission that resulted in such loss, claim, liability, expense or damage, or action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations with respect to such offering. Such relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the 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 or the Agent, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the Agent agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 10(e) were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to herein. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, liability, expense, or damage, or action in respect thereof, referred to above in this Section 10(e) shall be deemed to include, for the purpose of this Section 10(e), any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim to the extent consistent with Section 10(c) hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 10(e), the Agent shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the commissions received by it under this Agreement and no person found guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 10(e), any person who controls a party to this Agreement within the meaning of the Securities Act, any affiliates of the Agent and any officers, directors, partners, employees or agents of the Agent or any of its affiliates, will have the same rights to contribution as that party, and each director of the Company and each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement will have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in each case to the provisions hereof. Any party entitled to contribution, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action against such party in respect of which a claim for contribution may be made under this Section 10(e), will notify any such party or parties from whom contribution may be sought, but the omission to so notify will not relieve that party or parties from whom contribution may be sought from any other obligation it or they may have under this Section 10(e) except to the extent that the failure to so notify such other party materially prejudiced the substantive rights or defenses of the party from whom contribution is sought. Except for a settlement entered into pursuant to the last sentence of Section 10(c) hereof, no party will be liable for contribution with respect to any action or claim settled without its written consent if such consent is required pursuant to Section 10(c) hereof.

 

 

11.

Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in Section 10 of this Agreement and all representations and warranties of the Company herein or in certificates delivered pursuant hereto shall survive, as of their respective dates, regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent, any controlling persons, or the Company (or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or controlling persons), (ii) delivery and acceptance of the Placement Shares and payment therefor or (iii) any termination of this Agreement.

 

12.	Termination.

 

(a)

The Agent may terminate this Agreement, by notice to the Company, as hereinafter specified at any time (1) if there has been, since the time of execution of this Agreement or since the date as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any change, or any development or event involving a prospective change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the business, properties, earnings, results of operations or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, which individually or in the aggregate, in the sole judgment of the Agent is material and adverse and makes it impractical or inadvisable to market the Placement Shares or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Placement Shares, (2) if there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or the international financial markets, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of the Agent, impracticable or inadvisable to market the Placement Shares or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Placement Shares, (3) if trading in the Common Stock has been suspended or limited by the Commission or the Exchange, or if trading generally on the Exchange has been suspended or limited, or minimum prices for trading have been fixed on the Exchange, (4) if any suspension of trading of any securities of the Company on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market shall have occurred and be continuing, (5) if a major disruption of securities settlements or clearance services in the United States shall have occurred and be continuing, or (6) if a banking moratorium has been declared by either U.S. Federal or New York authorities. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Section 8 (Payment of Expenses), Section 10 (Indemnification and Contribution), Section 11 (Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery), Section 17 (Governing Law and Time; Waiver of Jury Trial) and Section 18 (Consent to Jurisdiction) hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination. If the Agent elects to terminate this Agreement as provided in this Section 12(a), the Agent shall provide the required notice as specified in Section 13 (Notices).

 

(b)

The Company shall have the right, by giving ten (10) days’ notice as hereinafter specified to terminate this Agreement in its sole discretion at any time after the date of this Agreement. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Section 8, Section 10, Section 11, Section 17 and Section 18 hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination.

 

(c)

The Agent shall have the right, by giving ten (10) days’ notice as hereinafter specified to terminate this Agreement in its sole discretion at any time after the date of this Agreement. Any such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Section 8, Section 10, Section 11, Section 17 and Section 18 hereof shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination.

 

 

(d)

This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect unless terminated pursuant to Sections 12(a), (b), or (c) above or otherwise by mutual agreement of the parties; provided, however, that any such termination by mutual agreement shall in all cases be deemed to provide that Section 8, Section 10, Section 11, Section 17 and Section 18 shall remain in full force and effect.

 

(e)

Any termination of this Agreement shall be effective on the date specified in such notice of termination; provided, however, that such termination shall not be effective until the close of business on the date of receipt of such notice by the Agent or the Company, as the case may be. If such termination shall occur prior to the Settlement Date for any sale of Placement Shares, such Placement Shares shall settle in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

13.	Notices. All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given by any party to any other party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing, unless otherwise specified, and if sent to the Agent, shall be delivered to:

 

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.

499 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention: Capital Markets

Facsimile: (212) 307-3730

 

and:

 

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.

499 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attention: General Counsel

Facsimile: (212) 829-4708

 

with a copy to:

 

Cooley LLP

55 Hudson Yards

New York, NY 10001

Attention: Daniel Goldberg

Facsimile: (212) 479-6275

 

and if to the Company, shall be delivered to:

 

Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

21925 W. Field Parkway, Suite 235

Deer Park, Illinois 60010-7278

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

email: ***

 

 

with a copy to:

 

Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC

180 North La Salle Street, Suite 3400

Attention: Geoffrey R. Morgan

email: ***

 

Each party to this Agreement may change such address for notices by sending to the parties to this Agreement written notice of a new address for such purpose. Each such notice or other communication shall be deemed given (i) when delivered personally or by verifiable facsimile transmission (with an original to follow) on or before 4:30 p.m., New York City time, on a Business Day or, if such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day, (ii) by Electronic Notice, as set forth below, (iii) on the next Business Day after timely delivery to a nationally-recognized overnight courier and (iv) on the Business Day actually received if deposited in the U.S. mail (certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid). For purposes of this Agreement, “Business Day” shall mean any day on which the Exchange and commercial banks in the City of New York are open for business.

 

An electronic communication (“Electronic Notice”) shall be deemed written notice for purposes of this Section 13 if sent to the electronic mail address specified by the receiving party under separate cover. Electronic Notice shall be deemed received at the time the party sending Electronic Notice receives verification of receipt by the receiving party. Any party receiving Electronic Notice may request and shall be entitled to receive the notice on paper, in a nonelectronic form (“Nonelectronic Notice”) which shall be sent to the requesting party within ten (10) days of receipt of the written request for Nonelectronic Notice.

 

14.

Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and the Agent and their respective successors and the parties referred to in Section 10 hereof. References to any of the parties contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the successors and permitted assigns of such party. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and permitted assigns any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement. Neither party may assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party; provided, however, that the Agent may assign its rights and obligations hereunder to an affiliate thereof without obtaining the Company’s consent.

 

15.	Adjustments for Stock Splits. The parties acknowledge and agree that all share-related numbers contained in this Agreement shall be adjusted to take into account any stock split, stock dividend or similar event effected with respect to the Placement Shares.

 

 

16.

Entire Agreement; Amendment; Severability; Waiver. This Agreement (including all schedules and exhibits attached hereto and Placement Notices issued pursuant hereto) constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all other prior and contemporaneous agreements and undertakings, both written and oral, among the parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof. Neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended except pursuant to a written instrument executed by the Company and the Agent. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable as written by a court of competent jurisdiction, then such provision shall be given full force and effect to the fullest possible extent that it is valid, legal and enforceable, and the remainder of the terms and provisions herein shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable term or provision was not contained herein, but only to the extent that giving effect to such provision and the remainder of the terms and provisions hereof shall be in accordance with the intent of the parties as reflected in this Agreement. No implied waiver by a party shall arise in the absence of a waiver in writing signed by such party. No failure or delay in exercising any right, power, or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any right, power, or privilege hereunder.

 

17.

GOVERNING LAW AND TIME; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS. SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

18.

CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS SITTING IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, AND HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, AND AGREES NOT TO ASSERT IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, ANY CLAIM THAT IT IS NOT PERSONALLY SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT, THAT SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM OR THAT THE VENUE OF SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IS IMPROPER. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF PROCESS AND CONSENTS TO PROCESS BEING SERVED IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY MAILING A COPY THEREOF (CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED) TO SUCH PARTY AT THE ADDRESS IN EFFECT FOR NOTICES TO IT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND AGREES THAT SUCH SERVICE SHALL CONSTITUTE GOOD AND SUFFICIENT SERVICE OF PROCESS AND NOTICE THEREOF. NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN SHALL BE DEEMED TO LIMIT IN ANY WAY ANY RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

 

19.

Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed Agreement by one party to the other may be made by facsimile, 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.

 

 

20.

Construction. The section and exhibit headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof. References herein to any law, statute, ordinance, code, regulation, rule or other requirement of any Governmental Authority shall be deemed to refer to such law, statute, ordinance, code, regulation, rule or other requirement of any Governmental Authority as amended, reenacted, supplemented or superseded in whole or in part and in effect from time to time and also to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

21.

Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company represents, warrants and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Agent, and the Agent represents, warrants and agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Company, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Placement Shares that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405, required to be filed with the Commission. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Agent or by the Company, as the case may be, is hereinafter referred to as a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus.” The Company represents and warrants that it has treated and agrees that it will treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 applicable to any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping. For the purposes of clarity, the parties hereto agree that all free writing prospectuses, if any, listed in Exhibit 21 hereto are Permitted Free Writing Prospectuses.

 

22.	Absence of Fiduciary Relationship. The Company acknowledges and agrees that:

 

(a)

the Agent is acting solely as agent in connection with the public offering of the Placement Shares and in connection with each transaction contemplated by this Agreement and the process leading to such transactions, and no fiduciary or advisory relationship between the Company or any of its respective affiliates, stockholders (or other equity holders), creditors or employees or any other party, on the one hand, and the Agent, on the other hand, has been or will be created in respect of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, irrespective of whether or not the Agent has advised or is advising the Company on other matters, and the Agent has no obligation to the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement;

 

(b)	it is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(c)	neither the Agent nor its affiliates have provided any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and it has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate;

 

(d)

it is aware that the Agent and its affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions which may involve interests that differ from those of the Company and the Agent and its affiliates have no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to the Company by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship or otherwise; and

 

(e)

it waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims it may have against the Agent or its affiliates for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the sale of Placement Shares under this Agreement and agrees that the Agent and its affiliates shall not have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort or otherwise) to it in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on its behalf or in right of it or the Company, employees or creditors of Company.

 

 

23.	Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the respective meanings set forth below:

 

“Applicable Time” means (i) each Representation Date, (ii) the time of each sale of any Placement Shares pursuant to this Agreement and (iii) each Settlement Date.

 

“Governmental Authority” means (i) any federal, provincial, state, local, municipal, national or international government or governmental authority, regulatory or administrative agency, governmental commission, department, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, court, tribunal, arbitrator or arbitral body (public or private); (ii) any self-regulatory organization; or (iii) any political subdivision of any of the foregoing.

 

“Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, relating to the Placement Shares that (1) is required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, (2) is a “road show” that is a “written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i) whether or not required to be filed with the Commission, or (3) is exempt from filing pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) because it contains a description of the Placement Shares or of the offering that does not reflect the final terms, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g).

 

“Rule 164,” “Rule 172,” “Rule 405,” “Rule 415,” “Rule 424,” “Rule 424(b),” “Rule 430B,” and “Rule 433” refer to such rules under the Securities Act Regulations.

 

All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information that 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 that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, as the case may be.

 

All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include the copy filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR; all references in this Agreement to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (other than any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses that, pursuant to Rule 433, are not required to be filed with the Commission) shall be deemed to include the copy thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR; and all references in this Agreement to “supplements” to the Prospectus shall include, without limitation, any supplements, “wrappers” or similar materials prepared in connection with any offering, sale or private placement of any Placement Shares by the Agent outside of the United States.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Company and the Agent, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between the Company and the Agent.

 

	Very truly yours,
	ETON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
	By:	/s/ Sean Brynjelsen
	Name:	Sean Brynjelsen
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer

 

	ACCEPTED as of the date first-above written:
	CANTOR FITZGERALD & CO.
	By:	/s/ Sage Kelly
	Name:	Sage Kelly
	Title:	Global Head of Investment Banking

 

 

SCHEDULE 1

 

 

Form of Placement Notice

 

 

	From:		Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
	To:		Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
			Attention: [●]
	Subject:		Placement Notice
	Date:		[●], 202[●]

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the Sales Agreement between Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (“Agent”), dated April 7, 2023, the Company hereby requests that the Agent sell up to [●] of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, at a minimum market price of $[●] per share, during the time period beginning [month, day, time] and ending [month, day, time].

 

 

SCHEDULE 2

 

 

Compensation

 

 

The Company shall pay to the Agent in cash, upon each sale of Placement Shares pursuant to this Agreement, an amount equal to 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds from each sale of Placement Shares.

 

 

SCHEDULE 3

 

 

Notice Parties

 

 

The Company

 

***

 

The Agent

 

Sameer Vasudev (***)

 

With copies to:

 

***

 

SCHEDULE 4

 

 

Subsidiaries

 

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21 of the Company’s most recently filed Form 10-K, as applicable.

 

 

Exhibit 21

 

Permitted Free Writing Prospectus

 

None.

 

 

Exhibit 4.3

 

Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

and

[   ], Trustee

INDENTURE

Dated as of [   ], 20[   ]

 

 

Cross-Reference Table Between Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Indenture.

 

Section of Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended		Section of Indenture
Section 310 (a)(1)		5.09
(a)(2)		5.09
(a)(3)		NOT APPLICABLE
(a)(4)		NOT APPLICABLE
(a)(5)		5.09
(b)		5.08
Section 311 (a)		5.13
(b)		5.13
Section 312 (a)		3.06
(b)		3.06
(c)		3.06
Section 313 (a)		5.03
(b)(1)		5.03
(b)(2)		5.03
(c)(1)		5.03
(d)		5.03
Section 314 (a)		3.07
(b)		NOT APPLICABLE
(c)(1)		11.05
(c)(2)		11.05
(c)(3)		NOT APPLICABLE
(d)		NOT APPLICABLE
(e)		11.05
(f)		NOT APPLICABLE
Section 315 (a)		5.07
(b)		5.02
(c)		5.01
(d)		5.01
(e)		4.11
Section 316 (a)		4.09
(a)(1)(a)		4.09
(a)(1)(b)		4.10
(b)		4.07
Section 317 (a)(1)		4.02
(a)(2)		4.02
(b)		3.04
Section 318 (a)		11.07

 

*	This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.

 

 

		CONTENTS
			PAGE
ARTICLE/SECTION
ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS			2
Section 1.01		Certain Terms Defined; Rules of Construction	2
ARTICLE 2 SECURITIES			6
Section 2.01		Forms Generally	6
Section 2.02		Form of Trustee’s Certification of Authentication	6
Section 2.03		Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series	6
Section 2.04		Authentication and Delivery of Securities	8
Section 2.05		Execution of Securities	9
Section 2.06		Certificate of Authentication	10
Section 2.07		Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest	10
Section 2.08		Registration, Transfer and Exchange	10
Section 2.09		Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities	12
Section 2.10		Cancellation of Securities; Destruction Thereof	12
Section 2.11		Temporary Securities	13
Section 2.12		Global Securities	13
Section 2.13		CUSIP Numbers	14
ARTICLE 3 COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER			15
Section 3.01		Payment of Principal and Interest	15
Section 3.02		Offices for Payments, etc	15
Section 3.03		Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in Office of Trustee	15
Section 3.04		Paying Agents	16
Section 3.05		Certificate of the Issuer	16
Section 3.06		Securityholder Lists	17
Section 3.07		Reports by the Issuer	17
ARTICLE 4 REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT			18
Section 4.01		Event of Default; Acceleration of Maturity; Waiver of Default	18
Section 4.02		Collection of Indebtedness by Trustee; Trustee May Prove Debt	20
Section 4.03		Application of Proceeds	22
Section 4.04		Suits for Enforcement	23
Section 4.05		Restoration of Rights on Abandonment of Proceedings	23

 

 

Section 4.06		Limitations on Suits by Holder	23
Section 4.07		Unconditional Right of Holders to Institute Certain Suits	24
Section 4.08		Powers and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver of Default	24
Section 4.09		Control by Holders	24
Section 4.10		Waiver of Past Defaults	25
Section 4.11		Right of Court to Require Filing of Undertaking to Pay Costs	25
ARTICLE 5 CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE			26
Section 5.01		Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee	26
Section 5.02		Notice of Default	27
Section 5.03		Reports by the Trustee to Holders	27
Section 5.04		Certain Rights of the Trustee	27
Section 5.05		Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities; Collections, etc.	29
Section 5.06		Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and Its Prior Claim	29
Section 5.07		Right of Trustee to Rely on Officers’ Certificate, etc.	30
Section 5.08		Disqualification; Conflicting Interests	30
Section 5.09		Persons Eligible for Appointment as Trustee	30
Section 5.10		Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee	31
Section 5.11		Acceptance of Appointment by Successor	32
Section 5.12		Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee	32
Section 5.13		Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer	33
Section 5.14		Tax Withholding	32
ARTICLE 6 CONCERNING THE HOLDERS			34
Section 6.01		Evidence of Action Taken by Holders	34
Section 6.02		Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities; Record Date	34
Section 6.03		Holders to Be Treated as Owners	34
Section 6.04		Securities Owned by Issuer Deemed Not Outstanding	36
Section 6.05		Right of Revocation of Action Taken	36
ARTICLE 7 AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS			37
Section 7.01		Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders	37
Section 7.02		Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders	37

 

 

Section 7.03		Execution of Amendments or Supplemental Indentures or Waivers	38
Section 7.04		Effect of Amendment, Supplemental Indenture or Waiver	39
Section 7.05		Effect of Consent	39
Section 7.06		Notation on Securities in Respect of Amendments, Supplemental Indentures or Waivers	39
Section 7.07		Conformity with the Trust Indenture Act	39
ARTICLE 8 CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE			40
Section 8.01		Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets by the Issuer	40
Section 8.02		Successor Corporation Substituted	40
Section 8.03		Opinion of Counsel to Trustee	40
ARTICLE 9 DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS			41
Section 9.01		Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture	41
Section 9.02		Legal Defeasance	42
Section 9.03		Covenant Defeasance	43
Section 9.04		Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities	43
Section 9.05		Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent	43
Section 9.06		Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years	43
Section 9.07		Effect of Subordination Provisions	43
ARTICLE 10 SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES			44
Section 10.01		Agreement to Subordinate	44
ARTICLE 11 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS			44
Section 11.01		Incorporators, Stockholders, Employees, Officers and Directors of Issuer Exempt from Individual Liability	44
Section 11.02		Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Holders	44
Section 11.03		Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture	44
Section 11.04		Notices and Demands on Issuer, Trustee and Holders	44
Section 11.05		Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel; Statements to Be Contained Therein	45
Section 11.06		Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays	46
Section 11.07		Trust Indenture Act of 1939	46
Section 11.08		Governing Law, etc.	46
Section 11.09		Counterparts	47
Section 11.10		Effect of Headings	47
Section 11.11		Separability	47
ARTICLE 12 REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUND PROVISIONS			48
Section 12.01		Applicability of Article	48
Section 12.02		Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions	48
Section 12.03		Payment of Securities Called for Redemption	49
Section 12.04		Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption	49
Section 12.05		Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds	49

 

 

THIS INDENTURE, dated as of [   ], 2022 between Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Issuer”) and [   ], as trustee (the “Trustee”),

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, for its lawful corporate purposes, the Issuer has duly authorized the execution and delivery of the Indenture to provide for the issuance of unsecured debt securities in one or more series (the “Securities”) up to such principal amount or amounts as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and to provide, among other things, for the authentication, delivery and administration thereof;

 

WHEREAS, all things necessary to make the Indenture a valid indenture and agreement according to its terms have been done; and

 

WHEREAS, the Indenture is subject to, and will be governed by, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”) that are required to be a part of and govern indentures qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Securities by the holders thereof, the Issuer and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective holders from time to time of the Securities as follows:

 

 

ARTICLE 1

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.01 Certain Terms Defined; Rules of Construction. The following terms (except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires) for all purposes of the Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section. All other terms used in the Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, or the definitions of which are referred to in the Trust Indenture Act, including terms defined therein by reference to the Securities Act (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires), shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Trust Indenture Act and in the Securities Act as in force at the date of the Indenture. All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the term “generally accepted accounting principles” means such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the time of any computation. The words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to the Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. The terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular. Except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires, references to agreements or instruments, or to statutes or regulations, are to such agreements or instruments, or statutes or regulations, as amended from time to time (or to successor statutes and regulations).

 

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar Federal or State law for the relief of debtors.

 

“Board of Directors” means either the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any committee of such Board duly authorized to act hereunder.

 

“Business Day” means, with respect to any Security, a day that in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York is not a day on which banking institutions are authorized by law, regulation or executive order 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 and delivery of the Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on such date.

 

“company” means a corporation or a limited liability company.

 

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office is, at the date as of which this Indenture is dated, located at [   ], or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Company).

 

“Debt” of any Person as of any date means, without duplication, all indebtedness of such Person in respect of borrowed money, including all interest, fees and expenses owed in respect thereto (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof), or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments.

 

 

“Depositary” means, with respect to Securities of any series, for which the Issuer shall determine that such Securities will be issued as a Global Security, the Person designated as Depositary for such series of Securities by the Issuer, which Depositary shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act; and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Depositary” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

“Global Security” means, with respect to any series of Securities, a Security executed by the Issuer and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to a safekeeping agreement with the Depositary, all in accordance with the Indenture, which shall be registered in global form without interest coupons in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.

 

“Governmental Obligations” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) 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, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) 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.

 

“Holder” means the registered holder of any Security.

 

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed and delivered or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented or both, and shall include the forms and terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.

 

“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 resolution of the Board of Directors 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.

 

“Issue Date” means the date on which the Securities are originally issued.

 

“Issuer” means, unless otherwise explicitly provided herein, Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and subject to Article 8, its successors and assigns.

 

 

“Issuer Order” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.04.

 

“Notice of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.01(d).

 

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by any two of the following officers: the chairman of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, any president, any executive vice president, the treasurer or the secretary of the Issuer, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel who may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer.

 

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 4.01.

 

“Outstanding”, when used with reference to Securities, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 6.04, mean, as of any particular time, all Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under the Indenture, except:

 

(a) Securities cancelled by the Trustee or accepted by the Trustee for cancellation;

 

(b) Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of which moneys in the necessary amount to pay all amounts then due shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Issuer) or shall have been set aside, segregated and held in trust by the Issuer for the holders of such Securities (if the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent), provided that if such Securities, or portions thereof, are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as herein provided, or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and

 

(c) Securities in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered, or which shall have been paid, pursuant to the terms of Section 2.09 unless and until the Trustee and the Issuer receive proof satisfactory to them that the substituted Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

 

In determining whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 4.01.

 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, or any other entity, including any government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

“principal” whenever used with reference to the Securities or any Security or any portion thereof, shall be deemed to include “and premium, if any”.

 

 

“Register” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.08.

 

“Registrar” means a Person engaged to maintain the Register.

 

“Responsible Officer” means, with respect to the Trustee, any officer assigned to the Corporate Trust Division—Corporate Finance Unit (or any successor division or unit) of the Trustee located at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, and for the purposes of Section 2.04, Section 5.01(c)(ii) and Section 5.02 shall also include any other officer of the Trustee to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“Security” or “Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of the Indenture, or, as the case may be, Securities that have been authenticated and delivered under the Indenture.

 

“Senior Debt” means the principal of, premium, if any, unpaid interest, and all fees and other amounts payable in connection with the following, whether outstanding on the date hereof or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, on (x) the Debt of the Issuer, for money borrowed other than (a) any Debt of the Issuer which when incurred and without respect to any election under Section 1111(b) of the Federal Bankruptcy Code, was without recourse to the Issuer, (b) any Debt of the Issuer to any of its subsidiaries, (c) Debt to any employee of the Issuer, (d) any liability for taxes and (e) trade payables, unless the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding provides that such Debt is not senior or prior in right of payment to the Securities, (y) all obligations of the Issuer under interest rate, currency and commodity swaps, caps, floors, collars, hedge arrangements, forward contracts or similar agreements or arrangements and (z) renewals extensions, modifications and refundings of any such Debt. This definition may be modified or superseded by a supplemental indenture.

 

“Senior Securities” means Securities other than Subordinated Securities.

 

“Subordinated Securities” means Securities that by the terms established pursuant to Section 2.03(i) are subordinated in right of payment to Senior Debt of the Issuer.

 

“Subordination Provisions” when used with respect to the Subordinated Securities of any series of Securities, shall have the meaning established pursuant to Section 2.03(i) with respect to the Subordinated Securities of such series.

 

“Surviving Entity” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.01.

 

“Trustee” means the Person identified as “Trustee” in the first paragraph hereof and any successor trustee under the Indenture pursuant to Article 5.

 

“Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

“vice president” when used with respect to the Issuer, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title of “vice president”.

 

“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity on a series of securities, calculated at the time of issuance of such series, or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series, and calculated in accordance with accepted financial practice.

 

 

ARTICLE 2

 

SECURITIES

 

Section 2.01 Forms Generally. The Securities of each series shall be substantially in such form (not inconsistent with the Indenture) as shall be established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by the Indenture and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legends, notations or endorsements as may be required to comply with any law or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto, or with any rules of any securities exchange or to conform to general usage, all as may be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities.

 

The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

 

Section 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certification of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Securities shall be in substantially the following form:

 

This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein and referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

	[   ],
	as Trustee
	By:
		Authorized Signatory

 

Section 2.03 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture is unlimited.

 

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:

 

(a) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities);

 

(b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.08, 2.09, 2.11 or 12.03);

 

(c) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable;

 

 

(d) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method by which such rate shall be determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the record dates for the determination of Holders to whom interest is payable on such Interest Payment Dates;

 

(e) the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of such extension;

 

(f) the place or places where the principal of and any interest on Securities of the series shall be payable (if other than as provided in Section 3.02);

 

(g) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuer, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise;

 

(h) the obligation, if any, of the Issuer to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise or at the option of a Holder thereof and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

(i) if the Securities of such series are Subordinated Securities, the terms pursuant to which the Securities of such series will be made subordinate in right of payment to Senior Debt and the definition of such Senior Debt with respect to such series (in the absence of an express statement to the effect that the Securities of such Series are subordinate in right of payment to all such Senior Debt, the Securities of such series shall not be subordinate to Senior Debt and shall not constitute Subordinated Securities); and, in the event that the Securities of such series are Subordinated Securities, such resolution of the Board of Directors, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture, as the case may be, establishing the terms of such series shall expressly state which articles, sections or other provisions thereof constitute “Subordination Provisions” with respect to the Securities of such series;

 

(j) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;

 

(k) the percentage of the principal amount at which the Securities will be issued, and, if other than the 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 4.01 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 4.02;

 

(l) whether the Securities are issuable as a Global Security and, in such case, the identity for the Depositary for such series;

 

(m) any deletion from, modification of or addition to the Events of Default or covenants provided for with respect to the Securities of the series;

 

(n) any provisions granting special rights to holders when a specified event occurs;

 

 

(o) whether and under what circumstances the Issuer will pay additional amounts on the Securities of the series held by a person who is not a U.S. person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Issuer will have the option to redeem the Securities of the series rather than pay such additional amounts;

 

(p) any special tax implications of the notes, including provisions for Original Issue Discount Securities;

 

(q) any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or any other agents with respect to the Securities of such series;

 

(r) any guarantor or co-issuer of the Securities of the series;

 

(s) any special interest premium or other premium;

 

(t) whether the Securities are convertible or exchangeable into common stock or other equity securities of the Issuer or a combination thereof and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange shall be effected;

 

(u) the currency in which payments shall be made, if other than U.S. dollars; and

 

(v) any and all other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture) including any terms which may be required by or advisable under U.S. law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of Securities in that series.

 

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or in any indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time, and unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened for issuance of additional Securities of such series. Additional Securities of such series will be consolidated with, and form a single series with, Securities then Outstanding of such series.

 

Section 2.04 Authentication and Delivery of Securities. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of the Indenture, the Issuer may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication, together with a written order of the Issuer, signed in the name of the Issuer by any two of the following officers: the chairman of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, any president, any executive vice president, the treasurer or the secretary of the Issuer (an “Issuer Order”). The Trustee, in accordance with such written order, shall authenticate and deliver such Securities.

 

In authenticating such Securities and accepting the additional responsibilities under the Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 5.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

 

(a) [reserved];

 

(b) a copy of any resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors relating to such series, in each case certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer;

 

 

(c) an executed supplemental indenture, if any;

 

(d) in lieu of a supplemental indenture, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the form and terms of the Securities as required pursuant to Section 2.01 and 2.03, respectively, and prepared in accordance with Section 11.05;

 

(e) an Opinion of Counsel, prepared in accordance with Section 11.05, to the effect that:

 

(i) that the form or forms and terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or by a supplemental indenture as permitted by Section 2.01 and 2.03 in conformity with the provisions of the Indenture; and

 

(ii) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuer in the manner and subject to any

 

conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Issuer entitled to the benefits of the Indenture, and enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditor’s rights generally, and general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities under this section if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken by the Issuer or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or board of trustees, executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or trustees or Responsible Officers shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders.

 

Section 2.05 Execution of Securities. The Securities shall be signed in the name of the Issuer by any two of the following officers: the chairman of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, any president, any executive vice president, the treasurer or the secretary of the Issuer. Such signatures may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such officers. Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any such signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Security that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.

 

In case any officer of the Issuer who shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such officer before the Security so signed shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or disposed of by the Issuer, such Security nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Security had not ceased to be such officer of the Issuer; and any Security may be signed on behalf of the Issuer by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Security, shall be the proper officers of the Issuer, although at the date of the execution and delivery of the Indenture any such person was not such an officer.

 

 

Section 2.06 Certificate of Authentication. Only such Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form recited herein, executed by the Trustee by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers, shall be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Security executed by the Issuer 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 the Indenture.

 

Section 2.07 Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest. The Securities shall be issuable as registered securities without coupons and in denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.03. In the absence of any such specification with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any multiple thereof. The Securities shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plan as the officers of the Issuer executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof.

 

The principal of and the interest on the Securities of any series, 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 Issuer maintained for that purpose.

 

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, shall bear interest, if any, from the date and shall be payable on the dates, in each case, established as contemplated by Section 2.03.

 

The person in whose name any Security of any series is registered at the close of business on any record date applicable to a particular series with respect to any interest payment date for such series shall be entitled to receive the interest, if any, payable on such interest payment date notwithstanding any transfer or exchange of such Security subsequent to the record date and prior to such interest payment date, except if and to the extent the Issuer shall default in the payment of the interest due on such interest payment date for such series, in which case such defaulted interest shall be paid to the persons in whose names Outstanding Securities for such series are registered at the close of business on a subsequent record date (which shall be not less than five Business Days prior to the date of payment of such defaulted interest) established by notice given by mail by or on behalf of the Issuer to the Holders not less than 15 days preceding such subsequent record date. The term “record date” as used with respect to any interest payment date (except a date for payment of defaulted interest) shall mean the date specified as such in the terms of the Securities of any particular series, or, if no such date is so specified, if such interest payment date is the first day of a calendar month, the fifteenth day of the next preceding calendar month or, if such interest payment date is the fifteenth day of a calendar month, the first day of such calendar month, whether or not such record date is a Business Day.

 

Section 2.08 Registration, Transfer and Exchange. The Issuer may appoint one or more Registrars. The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar. The Issuer will keep or cause to be kept at each office or agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.02 a register or registers (the “Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, it will register, and will register the transfer of, Securities as in this Article provided. The Register shall be in written form in the English language or in any other form capable of being converted into such form within a reasonable time. At all reasonable times the Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee.

 

 

Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at any such office or agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.02, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of the same series in authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount.

 

Any Security or Securities of any series may be exchanged for a Security or Securities of the same series in other authorized denominations, in an equal aggregate principal amount. Securities of any series to be exchanged shall be surrendered at any office or agency to be maintained by the Issuer for the purpose as provided in Section 3.02, and the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor the Security or Securities of the same series which the Holder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive, bearing numbers not contemporaneously Outstanding.

 

All Securities presented for registration of transfer, exchange, redemption or payment shall (if so required by the Issuer or the Trustee) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee duly executed by, the holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

The Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any exchange or registration of transfer of Securities. No service charge shall be made for any such transaction.

 

The Issuer shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of (a) any Securities of any series for a period of 15 days preceding the first mailing of notice of redemption of Securities of such series to be redeemed, or (b) any Securities selected, called or being called for redemption except, in the case of any Security where public notice has been given that such Security is to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not so to be redeemed.

 

In addition to the transfer requirements provided in this Section 2.08, any Security or Securities will be subject to such further transfer restrictions as may be contained in an Officers’ Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto applicable to such series of Securities.

 

All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under the Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

 

None of the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall have any 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, members or beneficial owners 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 2.09 Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated, defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer in its discretion may execute, and upon the receipt of an Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Security of the same series, bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated or defaced Security, or in lieu of and substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substitute Security shall furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to indemnify and defend and to save each of them harmless and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.

 

Upon the issuance of any substitute Security, the Issuer 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. In case any Security which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become mutilated or defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer 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 or defaced Security), if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or indemnity as any of them may require to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuer and the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof. In case the mutilated, deleted, destroyed, or lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuer in its discretion may pay the Security instead of issuing a substitute Security.

 

Every substitute Security of any series issued pursuant to the provisions of this section by virtue of the fact that any such Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations of rights set forth in) the Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the extent permitted by law, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, defaced or destroyed, lost or stolen Securities and shall preclude 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 2.10 Cancellation of Securities; Destruction Thereof. All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange, or for credit against any payment in respect of a sinking or analogous fund, if surrendered to the Issuer or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee, shall 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 permitted by any of the provisions of the Indenture. On written request of the Issuer at the time of such surrender, the Trustee shall deliver to the Issuer the Securities cancelled by the Trustee. In the absence of such request, the Trustee shall destroy cancelled Securities held by it and deliver a certificate of destruction to the Issuer. If the Issuer shall acquire any of the Securities, 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 2.11 Temporary Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Securities for any series, the Issuer may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Securities for such series (printed, lithographed, typewritten or otherwise reproduced, in each case in form satisfactory to the Trustee). Temporary Securities of any series shall be issuable as registered Securities without coupons, of any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Securities of such series but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Issuer with the concurrence of the Trustee. Temporary Securities may contain such reference to any provisions of the Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Security shall be executed by the Issuer and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities. Without unreasonable delay the Issuer shall execute and shall furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor without charge at each office or agency to be maintained by the Issuer for that purpose pursuant to Section 3.02, and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities of such series a like aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall be entitled to the same benefits under the Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

 

Section 2.12 Global Securities. If the Issuer shall establish pursuant to Section 2.01 that the Securities of a particular series are to be issued as a Global Security, then the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section 2.04, authenticate and deliver, a Global Security that shall (i) represent, and be issued in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the aggregate principal amount of all the Securities to be represented by a Global Security, (ii) be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, (iii) be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and (iv) bear a legend substantially to the following effect: “Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.12 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.”

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.08, the Global Security of a series may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 2.08, only to another nominee of the Depositary for such series, or to a successor Depositary for such series selected or approved by the Issuer or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.

 

Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on Securities represented by a Global Security registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the registered Global Security. None of the Issuer, the Trustee or any other agent of the Issuer, or any agent of the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the registered Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to those beneficial ownership interests.

 

 

If at any time the Depositary for a series of the Securities notifies the Issuer 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 Issuer within 90 days after the Issuer receives such notice or becomes aware of such condition, as the case may be, this Section 2.12 shall no longer be applicable to the Securities of such series and the Issuer will execute, and subject to Section 2.08, 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 Issuer 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 2.12 shall no longer apply to the Securities of such series. In such event the Issuer will execute and subject to Section 2.08, the Trustee, upon receipt of an Officers’ Certificate evidencing such determination by the Issuer, 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 cancelled by the Trustee. Such Securities in definitive registered form issued in exchange for the Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.12 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 in writing. The Issuer and the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on such instructions from the Depositary. The Trustee shall deliver such Securities to the Depositary for delivery to the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered.

 

Section 2.13 CUSIP Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP”, “ISIN” or other similar numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP”, “ISIN” or other similar numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; 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 identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP”, “ISIN” or other similar numbers.

 

 

ARTICLE 3

 

COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER

 

Section 3.01 Payment of Principal and Interest.

 

(a) The Issuer covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, and interest on, each of the Securities of such series at the place or places, at the respective times and in the manner provided in such Securities. Unless otherwise provided in the Securities of any series, on or prior to the due date of any principal of or interest on any Securities, the Issuer will deposit with the Trustee (or paying agent) money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay such amounts, provided that if the Issuer or any affiliate of the Issuer is acting as paying agent, it will, on or before each due date, segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders a sum of money sufficient to pay such amounts until paid to such Holders or otherwise disposed of as provided in the Indenture. In each case the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of its compliance with this paragraph.

 

(b) An installment of principal or interest will be considered paid on the date due if the Trustee (or paying agent, other than the Issuer or any affiliate of the Issuer) holds on that date money designated for and sufficient to pay the installment. If the Issuer or any affiliate of the Issuer acts as paying agent, an installment of principal or interest will be considered paid on the due date only if paid to the Holders.

 

(c) Payments in respect of the Securities represented by the Global Security are to be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holder of the Global Security. With respect to certificated Securities, the Issuer will make all payments by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders thereof or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to each Holder’s registered address.

 

Section 3.02 Offices for Payments, etc. So long as any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Issuer will maintain the following for each series: an office or agency (a) where the Securities may be presented for payment, (b) where the Securities may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in the Indenture provided and (c) where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Securities or of the Indenture may be given or served. The Issuer will give to the Trustee written notice of the location of any such office or agency and of any change of location thereof. Unless otherwise specified in accordance with Section 2.03, the Issuer hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as the office to be maintained by it for each such purpose. In case the Issuer shall fail to so designate or maintain any such office or agency or shall fail to give such notice of the location or of any change in the location thereof, presentations and demands may be made and notices may be served at the applicable Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and the Issuer hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, notices and demands.

 

Section 3.03 Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in Office of Trustee. The Issuer, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 5.10, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to each series of Securities hereunder.

 

 

Section 3.04 Paying Agents. Whenever the Issuer shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series, it will cause 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,

 

(a) that it will hold all sums received by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series or of the Trustee,

 

(b) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Securities of such series) to make any payment of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series when the same shall be due and payable,

 

(c) pay any such sums so held in trust by it to the Trustee upon the Trustee’s written request at any time during the continuance of the failure referred to in clause 3.04(b) above, and

 

(d) that it will perform all other duties of paying agent as set forth in the Indenture.

 

The Issuer shall, on or prior to each due date of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series, deposit with the paying agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due, and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.

 

If the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent with respect to the Securities of any series, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or interest on the Securities of such series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the holders of the Securities of such series a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due. The Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action.

 

Anything in this section to the contrary notwithstanding, the Issuer may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge with respect to one or more or all series of Securities hereunder, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust for any such series by the Issuer or any paying agent hereunder, as required by this Section, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained.

 

Anything in this section to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this section is subject to the provisions of Section 9.05 and 9.06.

 

Section 3.05 Certificate of the Issuer. The Issuer will furnish to the Trustee on or before 120 days after the end of each fiscal year (beginning with the fiscal year ended December 31, 20[   ]) a brief certificate (which need not comply with Section 11.05) from the principal executive, financial or accounting officer or vice president or treasurer of the Issuer as to his or her knowledge of the Issuer’s compliance with all conditions and covenants under the Indenture (such compliance to be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under the Indenture), or if there has been a default, specifying the default and its nature and status.

 

 

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence of any Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default, its status and the action that the Company is taking or proposing to take in respect thereof.

 

Section 3.06 Securityholder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of the Holders of each series of Securities and shall otherwise comply with Section 312(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish, or cause the Registrar to furnish, to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date, but in any event not less frequently than semi-annually, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list, in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of each series of Securities.

 

Section 3.07 Reports by the Issuer. The Issuer covenants to comply with Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act insofar as it relates to information, documents, and other reports which the Issuer may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive knowledge or notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

 

ARTICLE 4

 

REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT

 

Section 4.01 Event of Default; Acceleration of Maturity; Waiver of Default. An Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series means each one of the following events which shall have occurred and be continuing (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

 

(a) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days or more;

 

(b) default in the payment of the principal, or premium, if any, on any of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise;

 

(c) default in the payment of any sinking fund installment as and when the same shall become due and payable by the terms of the Securities of such series;

 

(d) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of the Issuer in respect of the Securities of such series (other than defaults pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) above), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days or more after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Issuer by the Trustee or to the Issuer and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series affected thereby, a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder;

 

(e) a court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Issuer in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Issuer or for any substantial part of its property or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and such decree or order shall remain unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;

 

(f) the Issuer shall commence a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law, or consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) of the Issuer or for any substantial part of its property, or make any general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or

 

(g) any other Event of Default provided in the Officers’ Certificate, supplemental indenture or resolution of the Board of Directors under which such series of Securities is issued or in the form of Security for such series.

 

 

Except as otherwise provided in the terms of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.03, if an Event of Default described in Section 4.01(a) or Section 4.01(b) above occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all of the Securities of such series shall have already become due and payable, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding hereunder (each series voting as a separate class) by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all Outstanding Securities of such series, together with all accrued and unpaid interest and premium, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable.

 

Except as otherwise provided in the terms of any series of Senior Securities pursuant to Section 2.03, if an Event of Default described in Section 4.01(c) or Section 4.01(d) above with respect to all series of the Senior Securities then Outstanding, occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all of the Senior Securities shall have already become due and payable, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all of the Senior Securities then Outstanding hereunder (treated as one class) by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Senior Securities of any series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all of the Senior Securities then Outstanding, together with all accrued and unpaid interest and premium, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable.

 

Except as otherwise provided in the terms of any series of Subordinated Securities pursuant to Section 2.03, if an Event of Default described in Section 4.01(c) or Section 4.01(d) above with respect to all series of the Subordinated Securities then Outstanding, occurs and is continuing, then, and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all of the Subordinated Securities shall have already become due and payable, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of all of the Subordinated Securities then Outstanding hereunder (treated as one class) by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Subordinated Securities of any series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all of the Subordinated Securities then outstanding, together with all accrued and unpaid interest and premium, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become immediately due and payable.

 

If an Event of Default described in Section 4.01(c) or Section 4.01(d) above occurs and is continuing, which Event of Default is with respect to less than all series of Senior Securities then Outstanding, then, and in each and every such case, except for any series of Senior Securities the principal of which shall have already become due and payable, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Senior Securities of each such affected series then Outstanding hereunder (each such series voting as a separate class) by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all Securities of such series, together with all accrued and unpaid interest and premium, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable.

 

 

If an Event of Default described in Section 4.01(c) or Section 4.01(d) above occurs and is continuing, which Event of Default is with respect to less than all series of Subordinated Securities then Outstanding, then, and in each and every such case, except for any series of Subordinated Securities the principal of which shall have already become due and payable, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Securities of each such affected series then Outstanding hereunder (each such series voting as a separate class) by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the entire principal (or, if the Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all Securities of such series, together with all accrued and unpaid interest and premium, if any, to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration, the same shall become immediately due and payable.

 

If an Event of Default described in Section 4.01(e) or Section 4.01(f) above occurs and is continuing, then the principal amount of all the Securities then Outstanding, together with all accrued and unpaid interest and premium, if any, to be due and payable immediately, shall become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series (each such series voting as a separate class) by written notice to the Issuer and to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series waive all past defaults and rescind and annul a declaration of acceleration and its consequences if:

 

(i) all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of and interest on the Securities that have become due solely by the declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived, and

 

(ii) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree.

 

For all purposes under the Indenture, if a portion of the principal of any Original Issue Discount Securities shall have been accelerated and declared due and payable pursuant to the provisions hereof, then, from and after such declaration, unless such declaration has been rescinded and annulled, the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, and payment of such portion of the principal thereof as shall be due and payable as a result of such acceleration, together with interest, if any, thereon and all other amounts owing thereunder, shall constitute payment in full of such Original Issue Discount Securities.

 

Section 4.02 Collection of Indebtedness by Trustee; Trustee May Prove Debt. The Issuer covenants that (a) in case default shall be made in the payment of any installment of interest on any of the Securities of any series when such interest shall have become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for a period of 30 days or (b) in case default shall be made in the payment of all or any part of the principal of any of the Securities of any series when the same shall have become due and payable, whether upon maturity of the Securities of such series or upon any redemption or by declaration or otherwise-then upon demand of the Trustee, the Issuer will pay to the Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all Securities of such series for principal or interest, as the case may be (with interest to the date of such payment upon the overdue principal and, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law, on overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series); and in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and any expenses and liabilities incurred by the Trustee and each predecessor.

 

 

Until such demand is made by the Trustee, the Issuer may pay the principal of and interest on the Securities of any series to the registered holders, whether or not the principal of and interest on the Securities of such series be overdue.

 

In case the Issuer shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts 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 proceedings to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Issuer or other obligor upon such Securities and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuer or other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated, the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable.

 

In case there shall be pending proceedings relative to the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities under Bankruptcy Law, or in case a receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official shall have been appointed for or taken possession of the Issuer or its property or such other obligor, or in case of any other comparable judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities of any series, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of any Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise:

 

(i) to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest (or, if the Securities of any series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities of any series, and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee, and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and of the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities of any series, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other obligor,

 

 

(ii) unless prohibited by applicable law and regulations, to vote on behalf of the holders of the Securities of any series in any election of a trustee or a standby trustee in arrangement, reorganization, liquidation or other bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings or person performing similar functions in comparable proceedings, and

 

(iii) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of the Holders and of the Trustee on their behalf; and any trustee, receiver, or liquidator, custodian or other similar official is hereby authorized by each of the Holders to make payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and all other amounts due to the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee pursuant to Section 5.06.

 

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan or reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of any series or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding except, as aforesaid, to vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar person.

 

All rights of action and of asserting claims under the Indenture, or under any of the Securities, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof on any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment, subject to the payment of the reasonable expenses, disbursements and compensation of the Trustee, each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents and attorneys, shall be for the ratable benefit of the holders of the Securities in respect of which such action was taken.

 

In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings involving the interpretation of any provision of the Indenture to which the Trustee shall be a party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the holders of the Securities in respect to which such action was taken, and it shall not be necessary to make any holders of such Securities parties to any such proceedings.

 

Section 4.03 Application of Proceeds. Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article or, after an Event of Default, any money or other property distributable in respect of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture in respect of any series 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 or property on account of principal or interest, upon presentation of the several Securities in respect of which moneys or property have been collected and stamping (or otherwise noting) thereon the payment, or issuing Securities of such series in reduced principal amounts in exchange for the presented Securities of like series if only partially paid, or upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

 

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts payable to the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and their respective agents and attorneys and of all expenses and liabilities incurred by the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and all other amounts due to the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee pursuant to Section 5.06 applicable to such series in respect of which moneys have been collected;

 

 

SECOND: In case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall not have become and be then due and payable, to the payment of interest on the Securities of such series in default in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in such Securities, such payments to be made ratably to the persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;

 

THIRD: In case the principal of the Securities of such series in respect of which moneys have been collected shall have become and shall be then due and payable, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon all the Securities of such series for principal and interest, with interest upon the overdue principal, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the same rate as the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) specified in the Securities of such series; and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and interest or yield to maturity, without preference or priority of principal over interest or yield to maturity, or of interest or yield to maturity over principal, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Security of such series over any other Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and accrued and unpaid interest or yield to maturity; and

 

FOURTH: To the payment of the remainder, if any, to the Issuer or any other person lawfully entitled thereto.

 

Section 4.04 Suits for Enforcement. In case an Event of Default has occurred, has not been waived and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by the 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 the Indenture or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by the Indenture or by law.

 

Section 4.05 Restoration of Rights on Abandonment of Proceedings. In case the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under the Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Issuer and the Trustee shall be restored respectively to their former positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceedings had been taken.

 

Section 4.06 Limitations on Suits by Holder. No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of the Indenture to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise upon or under or with respect to the Indenture, or for the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official or for any other remedy hereunder, unless (i) such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of default and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided; (ii) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action or proceedings in its own name as trustee hereunder; (iii) such Holder or Holders shall have offered to the Trustee such indemnity as it may reasonably require 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 or proceeding; and (v) no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding. It is understood and intended, and expressly covenanted by the taker and Holder of every Security with every other taker and Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders of any series shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing of any provision of the Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other such Holder, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder or to enforce any right under the Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders of the applicable series. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section, each and every Holder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.

 

 

Section 4.07 Unconditional Right of Holders to Institute Certain Suits. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Indenture and any provision of any Security, the right of any Holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of and interest on such Security on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

Section 4.08 Powers and Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission Not Waiver of Default. Except as provided in Section 4.06, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder 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 Event of Default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to Section 4.06, every power and remedy given by the Indenture or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.

 

Section 4.09 Control by Holders. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series affected (voting as one class) at the time Outstanding 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 the Securities of such series by the Indenture; provided, however, that such direction shall not be otherwise than in accordance with law and the provisions of the Indenture. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.01, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that the action or proceedings so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability or if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that the actions or forbearances specified in or pursuant to such direction would be unduly prejudicial to the interests of Holders of the Securities of all series so affected not joining in the giving of said direction, it being understood that (subject to Section 5.01) the Trustee shall have no duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders.

 

 

Nothing in the Indenture shall impair the right of the Trustee in its discretion to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction or directions by Holders.

 

Section 4.10 Waiver of Past Defaults. Prior to a declaration of the acceleration of the maturity of the Securities of any series as provided in Section 4.01, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series at the time Outstanding (each such series voting as a separate class) may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default or Event of Default described in clause 4.01(d) or 4.01(g) which relates to less than all series of Securities then Outstanding, except a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each Holder affected as provided in Section 7.02. Prior to a declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the Securities of any series as provided in Section 4.01, the Holders of Securities of a majority in principal amount of all the Securities then Outstanding (voting as one class) may on behalf of all Holders waive any past default or Event of Default referred to in said clause 4.01(d) or 4.01(g) which relates to all series of Securities then Outstanding, or described in clause 4.01(e) or 4.01(f), except a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Security affected as provided in Section 7.02. In the case of any such waiver, the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of each series affected shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively.

 

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist and be deemed to have been cured and not to have occurred, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, and not to have occurred for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extent to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

Section 4.11 Right of Court to Require Filing of Undertaking to Pay Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under the Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit (other than the Trustee) to file an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees, against any party litigant (other than the Trustee) in the suit having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.

 

This Section does not apply to a suit by a Holder to enforce payment of principal of or interest on any Security on the respective due dates, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities.

 

 

ARTICLE 5

 

CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

 

Section 5.01 Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee.

 

(a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default,

 

(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon 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 which 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 (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts, statements, opinions or conclusions stated therein).

 

(b) In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise 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 person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

 

(c) 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) this Subsection (c) shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsections (a) or (d) of this Section;

 

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

(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 a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, determined as provided herein, 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 such series.

 

(d) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

 

(e) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 5.01.

 

(f) The Trustee shall not be responsible for the application of any money by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee.

 

(g) 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. Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be liable for interest on any money received by it hereunder except such as it may agree with the Issuer in writing to pay thereon.

 

Section 5.02 Notice of Default. Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit first-class by mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of such series, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, notice of such default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived; 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 of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series. For the purpose of this Section, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.

 

Section 5.03 Reports by the Trustee to Holders. Any Trustee’s report required under Trust Indenture Act Section 313(a) shall be transmitted on or before July 15 in each year following the date hereof, so long as any Securities are outstanding hereunder, and shall be dated as of a date convenient to the Trustee no more than 60 nor less than 45 days prior thereto, and shall be filed with each stock exchange upon which its Securities are listed and with the Commission as required by Trust Indenture Act Section 313(d).

 

The Trustee shall comply with Section 313(b) and 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with the Issuer, with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed (if so listed) and also with the Commission.

 

Section 5.04 Certain Rights of the Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.01:

 

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely, and will be protected in acting or refraining from acting, upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness 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) 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, direction, consent, order, approval, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

 

(c) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel conforming to Section 11.05 and the Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the certificate or opinion.

 

(d) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any attorney or agent appointed by the Trustee with due care.

 

(e) The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by the Indenture or to institute, conduct or defend any litigation hereunder or in relation hereto at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

(f) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and any advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

(g) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by the Indenture.

 

(h) The Trustee shall have no duty to see to any recording, filing or depositing of the Indenture or any agreement referred to herein or any financing statement or continuation statement evidencing a security interest, or to see to the maintenance of any such re-recording or re-filing or re-depositing thereof.

 

(i) The Trustee shall not be required to take notice or be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written notice from the Issuer or any holder of the Securities at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture. In the absence of receipt of such notice or actual knowledge, the Trustee may conclusively presume that there is no default or Event of Default.

 

(j) Anything in this Indenture notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for special, indirect, exemplary, incidental, punitive or consequential or other similar loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to loss of profit), even if the Trustee has been advised as to the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

 

(k) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its control, including, without limitation, any provision of any law or regulation or any act of any governmental authority, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority and governmental action.

 

(l) 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 each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

(m) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

 

(n) The permissive right of the Trustee to take or refrain from taking action hereunder shall not be construed as a duty.

 

Section 5.05 Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities; Collections, etc. The Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee, 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 the Trustee or such agent and may otherwise deal with the Issuer and receive, collect, hold and retain collections from the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent.

 

Section 5.06 Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and Its Prior Claim.

 

(a) The Issuer will pay the Trustee compensation as agreed upon in writing for its services. The compensation of the Trustee is not limited by any law on compensation of a Trustee of an express trust. The Issuer will reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable expenses (including out-of-pocket expenses), disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee, (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all agents and other persons not regularly in its employ) except to the extent any such expense, disbursement or advance may arise from its gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Issuer also covenants to indemnify the Trustee, its directors, officers, employees and agents and each predecessor Trustee, its directors, officers, employees and agents for, and to hold each of them harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense, including fees and expenses of counsel, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee), arising out of or in connection with this Indenture, the Securities, the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, or in connection with enforcing the provisions of this Section, except to the extent that such loss, damage, claim, liability or expense is due to the Trustee’s or any predecessor Trustee’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

 

(b) To secure the Issuer’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee will have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, in its capacity as Trustee, except money or property held in trust to pay principal of, and interest on particular Securities.

 

(c) In addition to, but without prejudice to its other rights under this Indenture, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 4.01(e) and Section 4.01(f), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

 

(d) “Trustee” for purposes of this Section shall include any predecessor Trustee; provided, however, that the negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.

 

(e) The obligations of the Issuer under this Section 5.06 shall survive the resignation and removal of the Trustee and payment of the Securities, and shall extend to any co-trustee or separate trustee.

 

Section 5.07 Right of Trustee to Rely on Officers’ Certificate, etc. Subject to Sections 5.01 and 5.04, whenever in the administration of the trusts of the Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct 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 by it under the provisions of the Indenture upon the faith thereof.

 

Section 5.08 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 Issuer shall in all respects comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

Section 5.09 Persons Eligible for Appointment as Trustee. The Indenture must always have a Trustee that satisfies the requirements of Trust Indenture Act Section 310(a) and has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

 

Section 5.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee. The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any time resign with respect to one or more or all series of Securities by giving written notice of resignation to the Issuer and by mailing notice thereof by first class mail to Holders of the applicable series of Securities at their last addresses as they shall appear on the Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees with respect to the applicable series by written instrument in duplicate, executed by authority of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee or trustees. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed with respect to any series and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of the applicable series for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 4.11, 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.

 

(a) In case at any time any of the following shall occur:

 

(i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to any series of Securities after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months; or

 

(ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Holder; or

 

(iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting with respect to any series of Securities, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver or liquidator of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, 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 Issuer may remove the Trustee with respect to the applicable series of Securities and appoint a successor trustee for such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors of the Issuer, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months may on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to such series. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee.

 

(b) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding may at any time, with 30 days prior notice, remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of such series and appoint a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of such series with the consent of the Issuer by delivering to the Trustee so removed, to the successor trustee so appointed and to the Issuer the evidence provided for in Section 6.01 of the action in that regard taken by the Holders.

 

(c) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee with respect to any series and any appointment of a successor trustee with respect to such series pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 5.10 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 5.11.

 

 

(d) 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 5.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 5.10 shall execute and deliver to the Issuer and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee with respect to all or any applicable series shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and obligations with respect to such series of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as trustee for such series hereunder; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Issuer or of the successor trustee, upon payment of its charges then unpaid, the trustee ceasing to act shall, subject to Section 9.06 and subject to the lien provided for in Section 5.06(b), pay over to the successor trustee all moneys at the time held by it hereunder and shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all such rights, powers, duties and obligations.

 

If a successor trustee is appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Issuer, the predecessor Trustee and each successor trustee with respect to the Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the predecessor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series as to which the predecessor Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the predecessor Trustee, and shall add to or change any of the provisions of the 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 and that each such trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts under separate indentures.

 

Upon acceptance of appointment by any successor trustee as provided in this Section 5.11, the Issuer shall mail notice thereof by first-class mail to the Holders of any series for which such successor trustee is acting as trustee at their last addresses as they shall appear in the Register. If the acceptance of appointment is substantially contemporaneous with the resignation, then the notice called for by the preceding sentence may be combined with the notice called for by Section 5.10. If the Issuer fails to mail such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Issuer.

 

Section 5.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or national banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or national banking association without any further act will be the successor Trustee with the same effect as if the successor Trustee had been named as the Trustee in the Indenture.

 

 

In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by the Indenture any of the Securities of any series shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and, in case at that time any of the Securities of any series shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificate shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities of such series or in the Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Securities of any series in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

 

Section 5.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer. The Trustees 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 5.14 Tax Withholding.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Trustee shall be entitled to make a deduction or withholding from any payment which it makes under this Indenture for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties or charges if and to the extent so required by any applicable law and any current or future regulations or agreements thereunder or official interpretations thereof or any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto or by virtue of the relevant holder failing to satisfy any certification or other requirements in respect of the Securities, in which event the Trustee shall make such payment after such withholding or deduction has been made and shall timely account to the relevant authorities for the amount so withheld or deducted and shall have no obligation to gross up any payment hereunder or pay any additional amount as a result of such withholding tax.

 

Each of the Issuer and the Trustee agrees to reasonably cooperate and, at the reasonable request of the other, to provide the other with such information as each may have in its possession that is necessary to enable the determination of whether any payments hereunder are subject to any withholding or deduction pursuant to an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or otherwise imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and any regulations, or agreements thereunder or official interpretations thereof or any intergovernmental agreement between the United States and another jurisdiction facilitating the implementation thereof (or any law implementing such an intergovernmental agreement).

 

 

ARTICLE 6

 

CONCERNING THE HOLDERS

 

Section 6.01 Evidence of Action Taken by Holders. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by the Indenture to be given or taken by a specified percentage in principal amount of the Holders of any or all series may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such specified percentage of Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee.

 

If the Issuer shall solicit from the Holders of any series any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, the Issuer may, at its option, as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate, fix in advance a record date for such series for the determination of Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, but the Issuer 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 Holders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Securities of that series who 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 Holders on the record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

 

Proof of execution of any instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of the Indenture and (subject to Sections 5.01 and 5.04) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Article.

 

Section 6.02 Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities; Record Date. Subject to Sections 5.01 and 5.04, the execution of any instrument by a Holder or his agent or proxy may be proved in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The holding of Securities shall be proved by the Register or by a certificate of the registrar thereof. The Issuer may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders of any series entitled to vote or consent to any action referred to in Section 6.01, which record date may be set at any time or from time to time by notice to the Trustee, for any date or dates (in the case of any adjournment or reconsideration) not more than 60 days nor less than five days prior to the proposed date of such vote or consent, and thereafter, notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, only Holders of such series of record on such record date shall be entitled to so vote or give such consent or revoke such vote or consent. Notice of such record date may be given before or after any request for any action referred to in Section 6.01 is made by the Issuer.

 

Section 6.03 Holders to Be Treated as Owners. Prior to the due presentment for registration of transfer of any Security, the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may deem and treat the person in whose name any Security shall be registered upon the Register for such series as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, and, subject to the provisions of the Indenture, interest on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Issuer, the Trustee, nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to any such person, or upon his order, shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Security.

 

 

None of the Trustee, the Paying Agent or Registrar shall have any responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner in a Global Security, a Depositary participant or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any Depositary participant, with respect to any ownership interest in the Securities or with respect to the delivery to any Depositary participant, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Securities. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Securities and this Indenture shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of the Global Security). The rights of beneficial owners in the Global Security shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable procedures.

 

The Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar shall be entitled to rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners. The Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar shall be entitled to deal with the Depositary, and any nominee thereof, that is the registered holder of any Global Security for all purposes of this Indenture relating to such Global Security (including the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest and additional amounts, if any, and the giving of instructions or directions by or to the owner or holder of a beneficial ownership interest in such Global Security) as the sole holder of such Global Security and shall have no obligations to the beneficial owners thereof. None of the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall have any responsibility or liability for any acts or omissions of the Depositary with respect to such Global Security, for the records of any such depositary, including records in respect of beneficial ownership interests in respect of any such Global Security, for any transactions between the Depositary and any Depositary participant or between or among the Depositary, any such Depositary participant and/or any holder or owner of a beneficial interest in such Global Security, or for any transfers of beneficial interests in any such Global Security.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Global Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any Depositary (or its nominee), as a Holder, with respect to such Global Security or shall impair, as between such Depositary and owners of beneficial interests in such Global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such Depositary (or its nominee) as Holder of such Global Security.

 

 

Section 6.04 Securities Owned by Issuer Deemed Not Outstanding. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under the Indenture, Securities which are owned by the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such determination is being made or by any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such determination is being made 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 which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned, or has received written notice that such Securities are so owned, shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities or any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities. In case of a dispute as to such right, the advice of counsel shall be full protection in respect of any decision made by the Trustee in accordance with such advice. Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers’ Certificate listing and identifying all Securities, if any, known by the Issuer to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above-described persons; and, subject to Sections 5.01 and 5.04, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers’ Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Securities not listed therein are Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination.

 

Section 6.05 Right of Revocation of Action Taken. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 6.01, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in the Indenture in connection with such action, any Holder of a Security the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included among the serial numbers of the Securities the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice at the applicable Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in this Article, 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 Securities issued in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon any such Security. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in the Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Securities affected by such action.

 

 

ARTICLE 7

 

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

Section 7.01 Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders. The Issuer and the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the Securities or enter into an indenture supplemental hereto without notice to or the consent of any Holder to

 

(a) cure ambiguities, mistakes, defects or inconsistencies;

 

(b) to comply with Article 8 in the case of a merger or consolidation;

 

(c) make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Securities of a series;

 

(d) provide for or add guarantors with respect to the Securities of any series;

 

(e) secure the Securities of a series;

 

(f) establish the form or forms of Securities of any series;

 

(g) maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

(h) conform any provision in the Indenture to the prospectus, offering memorandum, offering circular or any other document pursuant to which the Securities of such series were offered;

 

(i) make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder in any material respect; or

 

The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer in the execution of any such amendment or supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such amendment or supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Indenture or otherwise.

 

Any amendment or supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this section may be executed without notice to and without the consent of the Holders of any of the Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 7.02.

 

Section 7.02 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

 

(a) With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article 6) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of all series affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture (voting as one class), the Issuer, when authorized by a resolution of its Board of Directors, and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each such series and such Holders may waive future compliance by the Issuer with a provision of the Indenture or the Securities.

 

 

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), without the consent of each affected Holder of a particular series, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not

 

(i) reduce the principal amount, or extend the fixed maturity, of the Securities, alter or waive the redemption provisions of the Securities;

 

(ii) change the currency in which principal, any premium or interest is paid;

 

(iii) reduce the percentage in principal amount Outstanding of Securities of any series which must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver or consent to take any action;

 

(iv) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on the Securities;

 

(v) waive a payment default with respect to the Securities or any guarantor;

 

(vi) reduce the interest rate or extend the time for payment of interest on the Securities; or

 

(vii) adversely affect the ranking of the Securities of any series.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders 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.

 

Section 7.03 Execution of Amendments or Supplemental Indentures or Waivers. Upon the request of the Issuer, accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer authorizing the execution of any such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid and other documents, if any, required by Section 6.01, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer in the execution of such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver unless such supplemental indenture or waiver affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver.

 

The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 5.01 and 5.04, shall receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver executed pursuant to this Article 7 complies with the Indenture; provided, however, that such Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel need not be provided in connection with the execution of an amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver that establishes the terms of a series of Securities pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof.

 

 

Promptly after the execution by the Issuer and the Trustee of any amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the Issuer shall mail a notice thereof by first class mail to the Holders of each series affected thereby at their addresses as they shall appear on the registry books of the Issuer, setting forth in general terms the substance of such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver. Any failure of the Issuer to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver.

 

Section 7.04 Effect of Amendment, Supplemental Indenture or Waiver. Upon the execution of any amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver pursuant to the provisions hereof, the Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under the Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of each 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 amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of the Indenture for any and all purposes.

 

Section 7.05 Effect of Consent. After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it will bind every Holder unless it is of the type requiring the consent of each Holder affected. If the amendment, supplement or waiver is of the type requiring the consent of each Holder affected, the amendment, supplement or waiver will bind each Holder that has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security that evidences the same debt as the Security of the consenting Holder.

 

Section 7.06 Notation on Securities in Respect of Amendments, Supplemental Indentures or Waivers. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver pursuant to the provisions of this Article may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee for such series, as to any matter provided for by such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver or as to any action taken at any such meeting. If the Trustee shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors of the Issuer, to any modification of the Indenture contained in any such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver may be prepared by the Issuer, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of such series then Outstanding.

 

Section 7.07 Conformity with the Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

 

 

ARTICLE 8

 

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE

 

Section 8.01 Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets by the Issuer.

 

(a) The Issuer shall not merge or consolidate or combine with or into or, directly or indirectly, sell, assign, convey, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person or persons in a single transaction or through a series of transactions, unless:

 

(i) the Issuer shall be the continuing person or, if the Issuer is not the continuing person, the resulting, surviving or transferee person (the

 

“Surviving Entity”) is a company organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any State or territory;

 

(ii) the Surviving Entity shall expressly assume all of the Issuer’s obligations under the Securities and the Indenture, and shall execute a supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

 

(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and

 

(iv) the Issuer or the Surviving Entity will have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that the transaction or series of transactions and a supplemental indenture, if any, complies with this Article 8 and that all conditions precedent in the Indenture relating to the transaction or series of transactions have been complied with.

 

(b) The restrictions in paragraph Sections Section 8.01(a)(iii) and Section 8.01(a)(iv) shall not be applicable to:

 

(i) the merger or consolidation of the Issuer with an affiliate of the Issuer if the Board of Directors determines in good faith that the purpose of such transaction is principally to change the state of incorporation of the Issuer or convert the form of organization of the Issuer to another form; or

 

(ii) the merger of the Issuer with or into a single direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Issuer pursuant to Section 251(g) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

Section 8.02 Successor Corporation Substituted. If any consolidation or merger or any sale, assignment, conveyance, lease, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Issuer’s assets occurs in accordance with the Indenture, the Surviving Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Issuer under the Indenture with the same effect as if such Surviving Entity had been named herein as the Issuer and the Issuer shall (except in the case of a lease) be discharged from all obligations and covenants under the Indenture and the Securities.

 

Section 8.03 Opinion of Counsel to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 5.01 and 5.05, shall receive an Opinion of Counsel, prepared in accordance with this Section 8.01 and Section 11.05, as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, combination, merger, sale, conveyance, lease, transfer or other disposition, and any such succession, substitution and assumption complies with the applicable provisions of the Indenture.

 

 

ARTICLE 9

 

DEFEASANCE AND DISCHARGE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS

 

Section 9.01 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. The Issuer may terminate its obligations under the Indenture, when:

 

(a) either (i) all the Securities of any series issued that have been authenticated and delivered have been accepted by the Trustee for cancellation (other than any Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.09); or (ii) all the Securities of any series issued that have not been accepted by the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or by their terms will become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, and the Issuer shall have made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by such Trustee in the Issuer’s name, and at the Issuer’s expense, and in all cases the Issuer have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee sufficient funds, without reinvestment, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the series of Securities to pay principal, interest and any premium; and

 

(b) The Issuer shall have paid or caused to be paid all other sums then due and payable under the Indenture; and

 

(c) The Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent under the Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture have been complied with.

 

If the foregoing conditions are met, the Trustee, on demand of the Issuer accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of counsel and at the cost and expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments prepared by the Issuer acknowledging such satisfaction of and discharging the Indenture with respect to such series except as to:

 

(1) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of Securities of such series, and the Issuer’s right of optional redemption, if any;

 

(2) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities;

 

(3) rights of Holders to receive payments when due of principal thereof and interest thereon, and remaining rights of the holders to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any;

 

(4) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder;

 

(5) the rights of the Holders of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them; and

 

(6) the rights of the Issuer to be repaid any money pursuant to Sections 9.05 and 9.06).

 

 

Section 9.02 Legal Defeasance. After the 91st day following the deposit referred to in Section 9.01, the Issuer will be deemed to have paid and will be discharged from its obligations in respect of the Securities of any series and the Indenture, other than its obligations in Article 2 and Sections 3.01, 3.02, 5.06, 5.10, and listed in clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) of Section 9.01, provided the following conditions have been satisfied:

 

 

(a) The Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to the benefits of the holders of the Securities of a series in cash or Governmental Obligations or a combination thereof (other than moneys repaid by the Trustee or any paying agent to the Issuer in accordance with Section 9.06) in each case sufficient without reinvestment, in the written opinion of an internationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee to pay and discharge, all of the principal, interest and any premium at due date or maturity or if the Issuer has made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the trustee in the Issuer’s name and at the Issuer’s expense, the redemption date;

 

(b) The Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that, as a result of an IRS ruling or a change in applicable federal income tax law, the holders of the Securities of that series will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge to be effected and will be subject to the same federal income tax as would be the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge did not occur;

 

(c) No default with respect to the outstanding Securities of that series has occurred and is continuing at the time of such deposit after giving effect to the deposit or, in the case of legal defeasance, no default relating to bankruptcy or insolvency has occurred and is continuing at any time on or before the 91st day after the date of such deposit, it being understood that this condition is not deemed satisfied until after the 91st day;

 

(d) The defeasance will not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, assuming all Securities of a series were in default within the meaning of such Act;

 

(e) The deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it is bound;

 

(f) The defeasance will not result in the trust arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, unless the trust is registered under such Act or exempt from registration; and

 

(g) The Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in each case stating that all conditions precedent provided for herein relating to the defeasance have been complied with;

 

Prior to the end of the 91-day period, none of the Issuer’s obligations under the Indenture will be discharged. Thereafter, the Trustee upon request will acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Issuer’s obligations under the Securities and the Indenture except for the surviving obligations specified above.

 

 

Section 9.03 Covenant Defeasance. After the 91st day following the deposit referred to in Section 9.01, the Issuer’s obligations set forth in Sections 3.04, 3.05 and 8.01 will terminate and Section 4.01(d) will no longer constitute an Event of Default, provided the following conditions have been satisfied:

 

(a) The Issuer has complied with clauses (a), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) of Section 9.02; and

 

(b) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the holders of the Securities of that series will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and covenant defeasance to be effected and will be subject to the same federal income tax as would be the case if the deposit and covenant defeasance did not occur.

 

Except as specifically stated above, none of the Issuer’s obligations under the Indenture will be discharged.

 

Section 9.04 Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities. Subject to Section 9.06, all moneys deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 9.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Issuer acting as its own paying agent), to the Holders of the particular Securities of such series for the payment or redemption of which such moneys or Governmental Obligations have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal and interest. Such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

Section 9.05 Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent. In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture with respect to Securities of any series, all moneys then held by any paying agent under the provisions of the Indenture with respect to such series of Securities shall, upon demand of the Issuer, be repaid to the Issuer or 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 9.06 Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years. Any moneys or Governmental Obligations deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security of any series and not applied but remaining unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such principal or interest shall have become due and payable, shall, upon the written request of the Issuer and unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Issuer by the Trustee for such series or such paying agent, and the Holder of the Security of such series shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property laws, thereafter look only to the Issuer for any payment which such Holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or any paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease.

 

Section 9.07 Effect of Subordination Provisions. Unless otherwise expressly established pursuant to Section 2.03 with respect to the Subordinated Securities of any series, the provisions of Article 10 hereof, insofar as they pertain to the Subordinated Securities of such series, and the Subordination Provisions established pursuant to Section 2.03(i) with respect to such series, are hereby expressly made subject to the provisions for satisfaction and discharge and defeasance and covenant defeasance set forth in this Article and, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the effectiveness of such satisfaction and discharge and defeasance and covenant defeasance pursuant to this Article with respect to the Securities of such series, such Securities shall thereupon cease to be so subordinated and shall no longer be subject to the provisions of Article 10 or the Subordination Provision established pursuant to Section 2.03(i) with respect to such series and, without limitation to the foregoing, all moneys, U.S. government obligations and other securities or property deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) in trust in connection with such satisfaction and discharge, defeasance or covenant defeasance, as the case may be, and all proceeds therefrom may be applied to pay the principal of, premium, if any, on, and mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, with respect to the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable notwithstanding the provisions of Article 10 or such Subordination Provisions.

 

 

ARTICLE 10

 

SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

 

Section 10.01 Agreement to Subordinate. The Company, for itself, its successors and assigns, covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Subordinated Securities of any series by his or her acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on, and mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, in respect of each and all of the Subordinated Securities of such series shall be expressly subordinated, to the extent and in the manner provided in the Subordination Provisions established with respect to the Subordinated Securities of such series pursuant to Section 2.03(i) hereof, in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt with respect to such series.

 

ARTICLE 11

 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

Section 11.01 Incorporators, Stockholders, Employees, Officers and Directors of Issuer Exempt from Individual Liability. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in the Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, as such, or against any past, present or future stockholder, employee, officer or director, as such, of the Issuer or of any successor, either directly or through the Issuer or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

 

Section 11.02 Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Holders. Nothing in the Indenture or in the Securities, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of the Securities, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under the Indenture or under any covenant or provision herein contained, all such covenants and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Securities.

 

Section 11.03 Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture. All the agreements of the Issuer in the Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors and assigns.

 

Section 11.04 Notices and Demands on Issuer, Trustee and Holders. Any notice or demand which by any provision of the Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Holders to or on the Issuer may be given or served by being deposited postage prepaid, first-class mail (except as otherwise specifically provided herein) addressed (until another address of the Issuer is filed by the Issuer with the Trustee) to Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 21925 W. Field Parkway, Suite 235, Deer Park, Illinois 60010, Attention: Chief Financial Officer. Any notice, direction, request or demand by the Issuer or any Holder to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or made, for all purposes, if given or made at the applicable Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee upon actual receipt by the Trustee.

 

Where the Indenture provides for notice to Holders, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder entitled thereto, at his last address as it appears in the Register. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where the Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

 

In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service, it shall be impracticable to mail notice to the Issuer and Holders when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of the Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be a sufficient giving of such notice.

 

 

The Trustee shall have the right, but shall not be required, to rely upon and comply with notices, instructions, directions or other communications sent by e-mail, facsimile and other similar unsecured electronic methods by persons believed by the Trustee to be authorized to give instructions and directions on behalf of the Company. The Trustee shall have no duty or obligation to verify or confirm that the person who sent such instructions or directions is, in fact, a person authorized to give instructions or directions on behalf of the Company; and the Trustee shall have no liability for any losses, liabilities, costs or expenses incurred or sustained by the Company as a result of such reliance upon or compliance with such notices, instructions, directions or other communications. The Company agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit notices, instructions, directions or other communications to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties. The Company shall use all reasonable endeavors to ensure that any such notices, instructions, directions or other communications transmitted to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture are complete and correct. Any such notices, instructions, directions or other communications shall be conclusively deemed to be valid instructions from the Company to the Trustee for the purposes of this Indenture.

 

Section 11.05 Officers’ Certificates and Opinions of Counsel; Statements to Be Contained Therein. Upon any application or demand by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of the Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in the Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and 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 the Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

 

Each certificate or opinion provided for in the Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in the Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (b) 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, (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Issuer may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous. Any certificate, statement or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, information with respect to which is in the possession of the Issuer, upon the certificate, statement or opinion of or representations by an officer or officers of the Issuer, unless such counsel knows that the certificate, statement or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous.

 

 

Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Issuer or of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by an accountant or firm of accountants in the employ of the Issuer, unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous.

 

Any certificate or opinion of any independent firm of public accountants filed with the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent.

 

Section 11.06 Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. Except as provided pursuant to Section 2.01 pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate or established in one or more indentures supplemental to the Indenture, if the date of maturity of interest on or principal of the Securities of any series or the date fixed for redemption or repayment of any such Security shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest or principal need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date.

 

Section 11.07 Trust Indenture Act of 1939. If any provision of the Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with another provision which is required or deemed to be included in this Indenture by the Trust Indenture Act, such required or deemed provision shall control.

 

Section 11.08 Governing Law, etc. The Indenture and each Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

The Company irrevocably consents and submits, for itself and in respect of any of its assets or property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any court of the State of New York or any United States Federal court sitting, in each case, in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York, United States of America, and any appellate court from any thereof in any suit, action or proceeding that may be brought in connection with this Indenture or the Securities, and waives any immunity from the jurisdiction of such courts. The Company irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection to any such suit, action or proceeding that may be brought in such courts whether on the grounds of venue, residence or domicile or on the ground that any such suit, action or proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it lawfully may do so, that final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Company, and waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection to the enforcement by any competent court in the Company’s jurisdiction of organization of judgments validly obtained in any such court in New York on the basis of such suit, action or proceeding.

 

 

EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE AND EACH HOLDER OF A SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

 

Section 11.09 Counterparts. The 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 electronic (i.e., “pdf” or “tif”) 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 electronic (i.e., “pdf” or “tif”) transmission shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

Section 11.10 Effect of Headings. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

Section 11.11 Separability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in the 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 or impair any other provisions of the Indenture or of such Securities, but the Indenture and such Securities shall be construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.

 

 

ARTICLE 12

 

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUND PROVISIONS

 

Section 12.01 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any series which are redeemable before their maturity or to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Securities of such series.

 

Section 12.02 Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions. Notice of redemption to the Holders of Securities of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part at the option of the Issuer shall be given by mailing notice of such redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to such Holders of Securities of such series at their last addresses as they shall appear upon the registry books. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice. Failure to give notice by mail, or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security of such series.

 

The notice of redemption to each such Holder shall specify the principal amount of each Security of such series held by such Holder to be redeemed, the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price, the place or places of payment, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that such redemption is pursuant to the mandatory or optional sinking fund, or both, if such be the case, that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in such notice and that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. In case any Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, 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.

 

The notice of redemption of Securities of any series to be redeemed shall be prepared and given by the Issuer or, at the Issuer’s request, prepared by the Issuer and given by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer.

 

If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by lot by the Depositary in the case of Securities represented by a Global Security, or, in the case of Securities not represented by a Global Security, the Trustee shall select, in such manner as it shall deem appropriate and fair, Securities of such series to be redeemed in whole or in part. Securities may be redeemed in part in multiples equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series or any multiple thereof. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Securities of such series selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities of such series selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of the Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities of any series shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

 

At least one Business Day prior to the redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section, the Issuer will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents (or, if the Issuer is acting as its own paying agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 3.04) an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities of such series so called for redemption at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption.

 

Section 12.03 Payment of Securities Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities 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 the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Securities at the redemption price, together with interest accrued to said date) interest on the Securities or portions of Securities so called for redemption shall cease to accrue and such Securities shall cease from and after the date fixed for redemption to be entitled to any benefit or security under the Indenture, and the Holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Securities except the right to receive the redemption price thereof and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption. On presentation and surrender of such Securities at a place of payment specified in said notice, said Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the applicable redemption price, together with interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption; provided that any payment of interest becoming due on or before the date fixed for redemption shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities registered as such on the relevant record date.

 

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest from the date fixed for redemption at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security) borne by the Security.

 

Upon presentation of any Security redeemed in part only, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Issuer, a new Security or Securities of such series, of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented.

 

Section 12.04 Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption. Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for selection for redemption if they are identified by registration and certificate number in a written statement signed by an authorized officer of the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee at least 15 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may be given as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by either (a) the Issuer or (b) an entity specifically identified in such written statement directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer.

 

Section 12.05 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. 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”. The date on which a sinking fund payment is to be made is herein referred to as the “sinking fund payment date”.

 

 

In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any series of Securities in cash, the Issuer may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Securities of such series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except upon redemption pursuant to the mandatory sinking fund) by the Issuer or receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except as aforesaid) by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.10, (b) receive credit for optional sinking fund payments (not previously so credited) made pursuant to this Section, or (c) receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) redeemed by the Issuer through any optional redemption provision contained in the terms of such series. Securities so delivered or credited shall be received or credited by the Trustee at the sinking fund redemption price specified in such Securities.

 

Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee a written statement (which need not contain the statements required by Section 11.05) signed by an authorized officer of the Issuer (a) specifying the portion of the mandatory sinking fund payment to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion to be satisfied by credit of Securities of such series, (b) stating that none of the Securities of such series has theretofore been so credited, (c) stating that no defaults in the payment of interest or Events of Default with respect to such series have occurred (which have not been waived or cured) and are continuing and (d) stating whether or not the Issuer intends to exercise its right to make an optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series and, if so, specifying the amount of such optional sinking fund payment which the Issuer intends to pay on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Any Securities of such series to be credited and required to be delivered to the Trustee in order for the Issuer to be entitled to credit therefor as aforesaid which have not theretofore been delivered to the Trustee shall be delivered for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.10 to the Trustee with such written statement (or reasonably promptly thereafter if acceptable to the Trustee). Such written statement shall be irrevocable and upon its receipt by the Trustee the Issuer shall become unconditionally obligated to make all the cash payments or payments therein referred to, if any, on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Issuer, at least 60 days prior to such sinking fund payment date, to deliver such written statement and Securities specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute, on and as of such date, the irrevocable election of the Issuer (i) that the mandatory sinking fund payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect thereof and (ii) that the Issuer will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section.

 

 

The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 12.02, for redemption on such sinking fund payment date a sufficient principal amount of Securities of such series to absorb said cash, as nearly as may be, and shall (if requested in writing by the Issuer) inform the Issuer of the serial numbers of the Securities of such series (or portions thereof) so selected. Securities of any series which are (a) owned by the Issuer or an entity known by the Trustee to be directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer, as shown by the Register, and not known to the Trustee to have been pledged or hypothecated by the Issuer or any such entity or (b) identified in an Officers’ Certificate at least 60 days prior to the sinking fund payment date as being beneficially owned by, and not pledged or hypothecated by, the Issuer or an entity directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Issuer shall be excluded from Securities of such series eligible for selection for redemption. The Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Issuer (or the Issuer, if they shall so request the Trustee in writing) shall cause notice of redemption of the Securities of such series to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 12.02 (and with the effect provided in Section 12.03) for the redemption of Securities of such series in part at the option of the Issuer. The amount of any sinking fund payments not so applied or allocated to the redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Any and all sinking fund moneys held on the stated maturity date of the Securities of any particular series (or earlier, if such maturity is accelerated), which are not held for the payment or redemption of particular Securities of such series, shall be applied, together with other moneys, if necessary, sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of, and interest on, the Securities of such series at maturity.

 

At least one Business Day before each sinking fund payment date, the Issuer shall pay to the Trustee in cash or shall otherwise provide for the payment of all interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be redeemed on the next following sinking fund payment date.

 

The Trustee shall not redeem or cause to be redeemed any Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of Securities for such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of a default in payment of interest on such Securities or of any Event of Default except that, where the mailing of notice of redemption of any Securities shall theretofore have been made, the Trustee shall redeem or cause to be redeemed such Securities, provided that it shall have received from the Issuer a sum sufficient for such redemption. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such default or Event of Default shall occur, and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund, shall, during the continuance of such default or Event of Default, be deemed to have been collected under Article 4 and held for the payment of all such Securities. In case such Event of Default shall have been waived as provided in Section 4.09 or the default cured on or before the 60th day preceding the sinking fund payment date in any year, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date in accordance with this section to the redemption of such Securities.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused the Indenture to be duly executed as of the date set forth above.

 

	ETON PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
	By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

 

	[   ],
	as Trustee
	By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC

 

180 North LaSalle Street, Suite 3400

 

Chicago, Illinois 60601

 

April 7, 2023

 

Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

21925 W Field Parkway, Suite 235 Deer Park, IL 60010

 

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel to Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), relating to the registration by the Company of (i) common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”); (ii) preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”); (iii) debt securities (the “Debt Securities”); (iv) warrants to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock and/or Debt Securities (the “Warrants”); (v) subscription rights to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities or Warrants, (the “Subscription Rights”); and (vi) units consisting of one or more of the foregoing (the “Units”); or any combination of the foregoing (collectively, the “Securities”). The Securities may be sold or delivered from time to time as set forth in the prospectus that is a part of the Registration Statement (the “Base Prospectus”) and as may be set forth in one or more supplements to the Base Prospectus (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”), pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act at an aggregate offering price not to exceed $100,000,000.

 

We are also acting as counsel for the Company in connection with the sales agreement prospectus included in the Registration Statement (the “Sales Agreement Prospectus”) relating to the issuance and sale of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50,000,000 (the “Sales Agreement Shares”) under a Controlled Equity Offering^SM Sales Agreement, dated April 6, 2023, between the Company and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., as agent (the “Sales Agreement”).

 

The Debt Securities may be issued pursuant to an indenture (a form of which is attached as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement) together with any supplemental indentures relating to the Debt Securities, the “Indenture”) to be entered into between the Company and a trustee to be named in the Indenture and duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The Subscription Rights may be issued pursuant to a Subscription Rights Agreement (the “Subscription Rights Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company as subscription rights agent. The Units may be issued pursuant to a Unit Agreement (the “Unit Agreement”) between the Company and a bank or trust company as unit agent. The Warrants may be issued pursuant to a warrant agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”) between the Company and a bank or trust company as warrant agent.

 

You have requested our opinion as to the matters set forth below in connection with the Registration Statement. For purposes of rendering this opinion, we have examined the Registration Statement and the Sales Agreement and we have made such other investigation as we have deemed appropriate. We have examined and relied upon certificates of public officials and, as to certain matters of fact that are material to our opinion, we have also relied on a certificate of an officer of the Company. We have not independently verified the matters set forth in such certificates. We have assumed that (i) other than for the Sales Agreement Shares, one or more Prospectus Supplements will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Securities offered thereby; (ii) all Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, the Sales Agreement Prospectus, with respect to the Sales Agreement Shares, and the applicable Prospectus Supplement; (iii) in the case of Debt Securities, (a) the applicable Indenture will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the trustee named therein, (b) the applicable Indenture will be duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, and the applicable trustee will be duly eligible to serve as trustee, and (c) the Debt Securities will be duly authenticated by the trustee named in the applicable Indenture; (iv) any Unit Agreement, Warrant Agreement or Subscription Rights Agreement, as applicable, will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by all parties thereto other than the Company; (v) other than for the Sales Agreement Shares, a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Securities offered will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by all parties thereto other than the Company; (vi) any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Security being offered will be duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange or exercise; (vii) with respect to shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock offered, there will be sufficient shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock authorized under the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (as amended, the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and not otherwise reserved for issuance; and (viii) the Company will be validly existing as a corporation and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

 

We express no opinion herein as to the laws of any state or jurisdiction other than the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion that:

 

1.	With respect to the Common Stock (other than the Sales Agreement Shares), when (i) specifically authorized for issuance by proper action of the Company’s Board of Directors or an authorized committee thereof (the “Authorizing Resolutions”), (ii) the terms of the issuance and sale of the Common Stock have been duly established in conformity with the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, (iii) the shares of Common Stock have been issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and (iv) the Company has received the consideration provided for in the Authorizing Resolutions and the applicable underwriting agreement or other purchase agreement and such consideration per share is not less than the par value per share of the Common Stock, the Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
2.	With respect to the Preferred Stock, when (i) specifically authorized for issuance by the Authorizing Resolutions, (ii) the terms of the issuance and sale of the Preferred Stock have been duly established in conformity with the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, (iii) the shares of Preferred Stock have been issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and (iv) the Company has received the consideration provided for in the Authorizing Resolutions and the applicable underwriting agreement or other purchase agreement and such consideration per share is not less than the par value per share of the Preferred Stock, the Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
3.	With respect to the Debt Securities, when (i) specifically authorized for issuance by the Authorizing Resolutions, (ii) the applicable Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, (iii) the terms of the Debt Securities and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the applicable Indenture and the Authorizing Resolutions, (iv) such Debt Securities have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the applicable Indenture and issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and (v) the Company has received the consideration provided for in the Authorizing Resolutions and the applicable underwriting agreement or other purchase agreement, such Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
4.	With respect to the Warrants, when (i) specifically authorized for issuance by the Authorizing Resolutions, (ii) the applicable Warrant Agreement relating to the Warrants has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, (iii) the terms of the Warrants and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the applicable Warrant Agreement and the Authorizing Resolutions, (iv) the Warrants have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the applicable Warrant Agreement and issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and (v) the Company has received the consideration provided for in the Authorizing Resolutions and the applicable underwriting agreement or other purchase agreement, such Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

 

5.

With respect to the Subscription Rights, when (i) specifically authorized for issuance by the Authorizing Resolutions, (ii) the applicable Subscription Rights Agreement relating to the Subscription Rights has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, (iii) the terms of the Subscription Rights and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the applicable Subscription Rights Agreement and the Authorizing Resolutions, (iv) the Subscription Rights have been duly executed and countersigned in accordance with the applicable Rights Agreement and issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and (v) the Company has received the consideration provided for in the Authorizing Resolutions and any applicable underwriting or purchase agreement or other agreement, such Subscription Rights will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

 

6.	With respect to the Units, when (i) specifically authorized for issuance by the Authorizing Resolutions, (ii) the applicable Unit Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered, (iii) the terms of the Units and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the applicable Unit Agreement and the Authorizing Resolutions, (iv) the Units have been duly executed and delivered in accordance with the applicable Unit Agreement and issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and (v) the Company has received the consideration provided for in the Authorizing Resolutions and the applicable underwriting agreement or other purchase agreement, such Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
7.	With respect to the Sales Agreement Shares, such Sales Agreement Shares have been duly authorized for issuance and when (i) the Registration Statement (including the Sale Agreement Prospectus) has become effective under the Securities Act and (ii) the Sales Agreement Shares have been issued and paid for, and the Company has received such consideration, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Sales Agreement, the Sales Agreement Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Base Prospectus made part of the Registration Statement and in the Sales Agreement Prospectus.

 

	Very truly yours,
	/s/ Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres LLC

 

 

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated March 16, 2023, relating to the financial statements of Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc., appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in the prospectus, which is part of this registration statement.

 

 

KMJ Corbin & Company LLP

 

Irvine, California

April 7, 2023

 

 

 

Exhibit 107

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Form S-3

(Form Type)

 

Eton Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities

 

		Security Type		Security Class Title				Fee Calculation or Carry Forward Rule				Amount Registered(1)				Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share (2)				Maximum Aggregate Offering Price				Fee Rate				Amount of Registration Fee				Carry Forward Form Type				Carry Forward File Number				Carry Forward Initial effective date				Filing Fee Previously Paid In Connection with Unsold Securities to be Carried Forward
Newly Registered Securities
		Primary Offering of Securities:
		Equity			Common Stock, par value$0.001(3)				Rule 457(o)				—				—				—				—				—
		Equity			Preferred stock, par value$0.001 (4)				Rule 457(o)				—				—				—				—				—
Fees to Be Paid		Debt			Debt Securities(5)				Rule 456(o)				—				—				—				—				—
		Other			Warrants(6)				Rule 456(o)				—				—				—				—				—
		Other			Units (7)				Rule 457(o)				—				—				—				—				—
		Unallocated (Universal) Shelf			(1)				Rule 457(o)			$	100,000,000				—			$	100,000,000			$	0.00011020			$	11,020.00
		Total Registration Fee:										$	100,000,000				N/A*			$	100,000,000				—			$	11,020.00
Fees Previously Paid		—			—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—
Carry Forward Securities
Carry Forward Securities		—			—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—				—
		Total Offering Amounts																		$	100,000,000							$	11,020.00
		Total Fees Previously Paid																											—
		Total Fee Offsets																											—
		Net Fee Due																										$	11,020.00

 

(1)	The amount to be registered consists of up to $100,000,000 of an indeterminate amount of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants and/or units. There is also being registered hereunder such currently indeterminate number of (i) shares of common stock or other securities of the registrant as may be issued upon conversion of, or in exchange for, convertible or exchangeable debt securities and/or preferred stock registered hereby, or (ii) shares of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or units as may be issued upon exercise of warrants registered hereby, as the case may be, including under any applicable antidilution provisions. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or together with other securities registered hereunder. Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), this registration statement also covers any additional securities that may be offered or issued in connection with any stock split, stock dividend or pursuant to anti-dilution provisions of any of the securities. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable upon conversion, exercise or exchange of other securities.
(2)	The proposed maximum offering price per 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 Instruction 2.A(iii)(b) of Item 16(b) of Form S-3 under the Securities Act.
(3)	Including such indeterminate amount of common stock as may be issued from time to time at indeterminate prices or upon conversion of debt securities and/or preferred stock registered hereby, or upon exercise of warrants registered hereby, as the case may be. In the event of a stock split, stock dividend or recapitalization involving the common stock, the number of shares registered shall automatically be adjusted to cover the additional shares of common stock issuable pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act.
(4)	Including such indeterminate amount of preferred stock as may be issued from time to time at indeterminate prices or upon conversion of debt securities and/or preferred stock registered hereby, or upon exercise of warrants registered hereby, as the case may be.
(5)	Including such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities as may be issued from time to time at indeterminate prices or upon exercise of warrants registered hereby, as the case may be.
(6)	Warrants may be sold separately or together with any of the securities registered hereby and may be exercisable for shares of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or units registered hereby. Because the warrants will provide a right only to purchase such securities offered hereunder, no additional registration fee is required.
(7)	Because the units will provide a right only to purchase such securities offered hereunder, no additional registration fee is required.
*	The proposed maximum offering price per unit is not applicable in that these securities are not issued in predetermined amounts or units.