As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14, 2024

 

Registration No. 333-278890

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Amendment No. 1

to

FORM S-1

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 7380 59-2262718
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(primary standard industrial classification
code number)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

50 Health Sciences Drive
Stony Brook, New York 11790
631-240-8800
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

James A. Hayward, Ph.D., Sc.D.
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.
50 Health Sciences Drive
Stony Brook, New York 11790
631-240-8801

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

Copies to:

 

Merrill M. Kraines

Todd Kornfeld

McDermott Will & Emery LLP

One Vanderbilt Avenue

New York, NY 10017-3852

212-547-5616

Robert Charron

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

212-370-1300

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. x

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) 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 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 post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

 

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨
       
Non-accelerated filer x Smaller reporting company x
       
    Emerging growth company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act and Section 13(a) of the Exchange 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 of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and the Company is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 14, 2024

 

 

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.

 

Up to 2,597,402 Shares of Common Stock and Accompanying Series A Warrants to Purchase up to 2,597,402 Shares of Common Stock and Series B Warrants to Purchase up to 2,597,402 Shares of Common Stock

 

Or

 

Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase Up to 2,597,402 Shares of Common Stock and

Accompanying Series A Warrants to Purchase up to 2,597,402 Shares of Common Stock and Series B Warrants to Purchase up to 2,597,402 Shares of Common Stock

 

Placement Agent Warrants to Purchase Up to 129,870 Shares of Common Stock

 

Up to 7,922,076 Shares of Common Stock Underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants, Series A Warrants, Series B Warrants and Placement Agent Warrants

 

We are offering up to 2,597,402 shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, together with Series A warrants to purchase up to 2,597,402 shares of our common stock (the “Series A Warrants”) and Series B warrants to purchase up to 2,597,402 shares of our common stock (the “Series B Warrants” and, together with the Series A Warrants, the “Series Warrants”) at an assumed combined public offering price of $3.08 per share and Series Warrants, which is equal to the last reported sale price per share of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on May 13, 2024 (and the shares of common stock that are issuable from time to time upon exercise of the Series Warrants) pursuant to this prospectus. The shares of common stock and the Series Warrants will be issued separately but must be purchased together and the Series Warrants will be issued to purchasers in the ratio of one to one per share of common stock. The Series A Warrants will be exercisable beginning on the date of issuance (the “Initial Exercise Date”), at an exercise price of $       per share and will expire on the five-year anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date. The Series B Warrants will be exercisable beginning on the Initial Exercise Date, at an exercise price of $       per share and will expire on the one-year anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date.

 

We are also offering to those purchasers, if any, whose purchase of our common stock in this offering would otherwise result in such purchaser, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, beneficially owning more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of our outstanding common stock immediately following the consummation of this offering, the opportunity, in lieu of purchasing common stock, to purchase pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of our common stock, or pre-funded warrants. Each pre-funded warrant will be exercisable for one share of our common stock (subject to adjustment as provided for therein) at any time at the option of the holder until such pre-funded warrant is exercised in full, provided that the holder will be prohibited from exercising pre-funded warrants for shares of our common stock if, as a result of such exercise, the holder, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, would own more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of the total number of shares of our common stock then issued and outstanding. However, any holder may increase such percentage to any other percentage not in excess of 9.99%, provided that any increase in such percentage shall not be effective until 61 days after notice to us. The purchase price of each pre-funded warrant will equal the price per share at which shares of our common stock and accompanying Series Warrants to purchase common stock are being sold to the public in this offering, minus $0.0001, and the exercise price of each pre-funded warrant will equal $0.0001 per share of common stock. For each pre-funded warrant purchased in this offering in lieu of common stock, we will reduce the number of shares of common stock we are offering by one. Pursuant to this prospectus, we are also offering the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Series Warrants, pre-funded warrants and placement agent warrants offered hereby.

 

 

 

 

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “APDN.” On May 13, 2024, the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market was $3.08 per share.

 

We have engaged Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC (“Craig-Hallum”) and Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd. (“Laidlaw”, and each of Craig-Hallum and Laidlaw, a “Placement Agent” and collectively, the “Co-Placement Agents”), to act as our exclusive placement agents in connection with this offering. The Co-Placement Agents have agreed to use their best efforts to arrange for the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus. The Co-Placement Agents are not purchasing or selling any of the securities we are offering and the Co-Placement Agents are not required to arrange the purchase or sale of any specific number of securities or dollar amount. We have agreed to pay to the Co-Placement Agents the placement agent fees set forth in the table below, which assumes that we sell all of the securities offered by this prospectus. There is no minimum number of securities or minimum aggregate amount of proceeds that is a condition of the closing of this offering. We will bear all costs associated with the offering. See “Plan of Distribution” on page 23 of this prospectus for more information regarding these arrangements.

 

The public offering price per share of common stock, together with the Series Warrants that accompany the common stock, will be determined between us, the Co-Placement Agents and the investors in this offering at the time of pricing, and may be at a discount to the current market price. Therefore, the recent market price of $3.08 per share of common stock used throughout this prospectus may not be indicative of the actual public offering price for our common stock and the Series Warrants. There is no established public trading market for the Series Warrants or the pre-funded warrants, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply for the listing of the Series Warrants or the pre-funded warrants on any national securities exchange. Without an active trading market, the liquidity of the Series Warrants and the pre-funded warrants will be limited.

 

This offering will terminate on June 30, 2024, unless we decide to terminate the offering (which we may do at any time in our discretion) prior to that date. We will have one closing for all the securities purchased in this offering. The combined public offering price per share of common stock (or pre-funded warrant) and accompanying Series Warrants will be fixed for the duration of this offering.

 

We may sell fewer than all securities offered hereby, which may significantly reduce the amount of proceeds received by us, and investors in this offering will not receive a refund if we do not sell all of the securities offered hereby. We have not established an escrow account in conjunction with this offering. Because there is no escrow account and no minimum number of securities or amount of proceeds, investors could be in a position where they have invested in us, but we have not raised sufficient proceeds in this offering to adequately fund the intended uses of the proceeds as described in this prospectus. 

 

Except as otherwise indicated, all share and per share information in this prospectus gives effect to the reverse stock split of the Company’s outstanding common stock at a ratio of one-for-twenty shares, which was approved by our Board of Directors on April 21, 2024 and was effected as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

 

   Per
Share and
Series Warrants
   Per Pre-Funded
Warrant and
Series Warrants
   Total 
Public offering price  $    $    $  
Placement Agent fees(1)                
Proceeds, before expenses, to us(2)   $    $    $  

 

(1) We have agreed to pay the Co-Placement Agents a total cash fee equal to 7.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in this offering and to reimburse the Co-Placement Agents for their legal fees and expenses and other out-of-pocket expenses in an amount up to $110,000. In addition, we have agreed to issue to the Co-Placement Agents warrants to purchase up to a number of shares of our common stock equal to 5.0% of the shares of common stock, including shares of common stock underlying the pre-funded warrants, being offered in this offering at an exercise price equal to that of the Series Warrants and with an expiration date of five years from the commencement of sales. See “Plan of Distribution” for a description of the compensation to be received by the Co-Placement Agents.

 

(2)Because there is no minimum number of securities or amount of proceeds required as a condition to closing in this offering, the actual public offering amount, Placement Agent fees, and proceeds to us, if any, are not presently determinable and may be substantially less than the total maximum offering amounts set forth above. In addition, this does not include proceeds from the cash exercise of the pre-funded warrants, if any, or Series Warrants. For more information, see “Plan of Distribution.”

 

 

 

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12 of this prospectus and elsewhere in this prospectus for a discussion of information that should be considered in connection with an investment in our securities.

 

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. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. The securities are not being offered in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.

 

Delivery of the securities offered hereby is expected to be made on or about             , 2024, subject to satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions.

 

Craig-Hallum

Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd.

 

The date of this Prospectus is                , 2024.

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

  

About this Prospectus 1
   
Forward-Looking Statements 2
   
Prospectus Summary 3
   
Summary of the Offering 11
   
Risk Factors 12
   
Use of Proceeds 16
   
Market Price of our Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters 16
   
Capitalization 17
   
Dilution 18
   
Description of Securities 19
   
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 23
   
Experts 25
   
Legal Matters 25
   
Where you can find more information 26
   
MATERIAL CHANGES 26
   
Incorporation by Reference 26

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

The information contained in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. You should rely only on the information provided in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, or in a related free writing prospectus, or documents to which we otherwise refer you. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information.

 

We have not authorized any dealer, agent or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any related free writing prospectus. This prospectus and any related free writing prospectus, if any, do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor do this prospectus and any related free writing prospectus, if any, constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus and any related free writing prospectus, if any, is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of such document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus and any related free writing prospectus is delivered or securities are sold on a later date.

 

We have not done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus or any free writing prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. You are required to inform yourself about and to observe any restrictions relating as to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus and any such free writing prospectus outside the United States.

 

We further note that the representations, warranties and covenants made by us in any agreement that is filed as an exhibit to any document that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus were made solely for the benefit of the parties to such agreement, including, in some cases, for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties to such agreements, and should not be deemed to be a representation, warranty or covenant to you. Moreover, such representations, warranties or covenants were accurate only as of the date when made. Accordingly, such representations, warranties and covenants should not be relied on as accurately representing the current state of our affairs.

 

1

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This prospectus and the documents that we incorporate herein by reference contain forward-looking statements concerning our business, operations and financial performance and condition, as well as our plans, objectives and expectations for our business operations and financial performance and condition. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “can”, “may”, “could”, “should”, “assume”, “forecasts”, “believe”, “designed to”, “will”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “potential”, “position”, “predicts”, “strategy”, “guidance”, “intend”, “budget”, “seek”, “project” or “continue”, or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they:

 

  · discuss our future expectations;

 

  · contain projections of our future results of operations or of our financial condition; and

 

  · state other “forward-looking” information.

 

We believe it is important to communicate our expectations. However, forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about our business and our industry and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Accordingly, our actual results and the timing of certain events may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors and risks, including, but not limited to, those set forth under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and in the documents we incorporate by reference herein, and the following factors and risks:

 

  · our expectations of future revenues, margins, expenditures, capital or other funding requirements;

 

  · the adequacy of our cash and working capital to fund present and planned operations and growth;

 

  · the substantial doubt relating to our ability to continue as a going concern;

 

  · our need for additional financing which may in turn require the issuance of additional shares of common stock, preferred stock, warrants or other debt or equity securities (including convertible securities) which would dilute the ownership held by stockholders;

 

  · our business strategy and the timing of our expansion plans, including the development of new production facilities for our Therapeutic DNA Production Services;

 

  · demand for Therapeutic DNA Production Services;

 

  · demand for DNA Tagging Services;

 

  · demand for MDx Testing Services;

 

  · our expectations concerning existing or potential development and license agreements for third-party collaborations or joint ventures;

 

  · regulatory approval and compliance for our Therapeutic DNA Production Services, upon which our business strategy is substantially dependent;

 

  · whether we are able to achieve the benefits expected from the acquisition of Spindle;

 

  · the effect of governmental regulations generally;

 

  · our expectations of when regulatory submissions may be filed or when regulatory approvals may be received;

 

  · our expectations concerning product candidates for our technologies;

 

  · our expectations of when or if we will become profitable;

 

  · our ability to meet the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) to maintain the listing of our common stock on Nasdaq;
     
  · the effect of the reverse stock split on the liquidity of our common stock and our ability to satisfy the investing requirements of new investors, including institutional investors;
     
  · the potential dilution of our existing stockholders due to the effective increase in the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance as a result of our reverse stock split; and
     
  · the risk that our laboratory developed tests (“LDTs”) may become subject to additional regulatory requirements due to FDA rulemaking activity, and that compliance with such requirements may be expensive and time-consuming, resulting in significant or unanticipated delays.

 

2

 

 

Any or all of our forward-looking statements may turn out to be wrong. They may be affected by inaccurate assumptions that we might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could affect future results are:

 

  · the inherent uncertainties of product development based on our new and as yet not fully proven technologies;

 

  · the risks and uncertainties regarding the actual effect on humans of seemingly safe and efficacious formulations and treatments when tested clinically;

 

  · formulations and treatments that utilize our Therapeutic DNA Production Services;

 

  · the inherent uncertainties associated with clinical trials of product candidates, including product candidates that utilize our Therapeutic DNA Production Services;

 

  · the inherent uncertainties associated with the process of obtaining regulatory clearance or approval to market product candidates, including product candidates that utilize our Therapeutic DNA Production Services;

 

  · the inherent uncertainties associated with the process of obtaining regulatory clearance for our MDx Testing Services;

 

  · the inherent uncertainties associated with commercialization of products that have received regulatory clearance or approval, including products that utilize our Therapeutic DNA Production Services;

 

  · economic and industry conditions generally and in our specific markets;

 

  · the volatility of, and decline in, our stock price; and

 

  · our ability to obtain the necessary financing to fund our operations and effect our strategic development plan.

 

All forward-looking statements and risk factors included in this prospectus are made as of the date hereof, and all forward-looking statements and risk factors included in documents incorporated herein by reference are made as of their original date, in each case based on information available to us as of the date hereof, or in the case of documents incorporated by reference, the original date of any such document, and we assume no obligations to update any forward-looking statement or risk factor, unless we are required to do so by law. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make updates with respect to other forward-looking statements or that we will make any further updates to those forward-looking statements at any future time.

 

Forward-looking statements may include our plans and objectives for future operations, including plans and objectives relating to our products and our future economic performance, projections, business strategy and timing and likelihood of success. Assumptions relating to the foregoing involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic, competitive and market conditions, future business decisions, demand for our products and services, and the time and money required to successfully complete development and commercialization of our technologies, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond our control. 

 

Any of the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus could prove inaccurate and, therefore, we cannot assure you that any of the results or events contemplated in any of such forward-looking statements will be realized. Based on the significant uncertainties inherent in these forward-looking statements, the inclusion of any such statement should not be regarded as a representation or as a guarantee by us that our objectives or plans will be achieved, and we caution you against relying on any of the forward looking-statements contained herein.

 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

 

This summary highlights certain information about us, this offering and information appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and in the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our securities. After you carefully read this summary, to fully understand our Company and this offering and its consequences to you, you should read this entire prospectus and any related free writing prospectus authorized by us, including the information referred to under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus beginning on page 12, and any related free writing prospectus, as well as the other documents that we incorporate by reference into this prospectus, including our financial statements and the notes to those financial statements, which are incorporated herein by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2023, filed December 7, 2023, as amended on January 26, 2024, and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the three month periods ended December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024, filed on February 8, 2024 and May 10, 2024, respectively. Please read “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 26 of this prospectus. Except as otherwise indicated, all share and per share information in this prospectus gives effect to the reverse stock split of the Company’s outstanding common stock at a ratio of one-for-twenty shares, which was approved by our Board of Directors on April 21, 2024 and was effected as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 25, 2024.

 

3

 

 

In this prospectus, unless context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” or “the Company” refer to Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. Our trademarks currently used in the United States include Applied DNA Sciences®, SigNature® molecular tags, SigNature® T molecular tags, fiberTyping®, SigNify®, Beacon®, CertainT®, Linea™ DNA, Linea™ RNAP, Linea™ and TR8TM pharmacogenetic testing. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names or trademarks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other companies. All trademarks, service marks and trade names included in this prospectus are the property of the respective owners.

 

Overview

 

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.

 

Company Overview

 

We are a biotechnology company developing and commercializing technologies to produce and detect deoxyribonucleic acid (“DNA”) and ribonucleic acid (“RNA”). Using the polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”) to enable the production and detection of DNA and RNA, we currently operate in three primary business markets: (i) the enzymatic manufacture of synthetic DNA for use in the production of nucleic acid-based therapeutics (including biologics and drugs) and, through our recent acquisition of Spindle Biotech, Inc. (“Spindle”), the development and sale of a proprietary RNA polymerase (“RNAP”) for use in the production of messenger RNA (“mRNA”) therapeutics (“Therapeutic DNA Production Services”); (ii) the detection of DNA and RNA in molecular diagnostics and genetic testing services (“MDx Testing Services”); and (iii) the manufacture and detection of DNA for industrial supply chain security services (“DNA Tagging and Security Products and Services”).

 

Our current growth strategy is to primarily focus our resources on the further development, commercialization, and customer adoption of our Therapeutic DNA Production Services, including the expansion of our contract development and manufacturing operation (“CDMO”) for the manufacture of synthetic DNA for use in the production of nucleic acid-based therapies, and to further expand and commercialize our MDx Testing Services through genetic testing.

 

We will continue to update our business strategy and monitor the use of our resources regarding our various business markets. In addition, we expect that based on available opportunities and our beliefs regarding future opportunities, we will continue to modify and refine our business strategy.

 

Therapeutic DNA Production Services

 

The Company is developing and commercializing our Linea DNA and Linea IVT platforms for the manufacture of synthetic DNA for use in the production of nucleic acid-based therapeutics.

 

Linea DNA Platform

 

Our Linea DNA platform is our core enabling technology, and enables the rapid, efficient, and large-scale cell-free manufacture of high-fidelity DNA sequences for use in the manufacturing of a broad range of nucleic acid-based therapeutics. The Linea DNA platform enzymatically produces a linear form of DNA we call “Linea DNA” that is an alternative to plasmid-based DNA manufacturing technologies that have supplied the DNA used in biotherapeutics for the past 40 years.

 

As of the first quarter of calendar year 2024, there were 4,002 gene, cell and RNA therapies in development from preclinical through pre-registration stages, almost all of which use DNA in their manufacturing process. (Source: ASGCT Gene, Cell & RNA Therapy Landscape: Q1 2024 Quarterly Report). Due to what we believe are the Linea DNA platform’s numerous advantages over legacy nucleic acid-based therapeutic manufacturing platforms, we believe this large number of therapies under development represents a substantial market opportunity for the Linea DNA platform to supplant legacy manufacturing methods in the manufacture of nucleic acid-based therapies.

 

We believe our Linea DNA platform holds several important advantages over existing cell-based plasmid DNA manufacturing platforms. Plasmid-based DNA manufacturing is based on the complex, costly and time-consuming biological process of amplifying DNA in living bacterial cells. Once amplified, the DNA must be separated from the living cells and other process contaminants via multiple rounds of purification, adding further complexity and costs. Unlike plasmid-based DNA manufacturing, the Linea DNA platform does not require living cells and instead amplifies DNA via the enzymatic process of PCR. The Linea DNA platform is simple and can rapidly produce very large quantities of DNA without the need for complex purification steps.

 

4

 

 

We believe the key advantages of the Linea DNA platform include:

 

  Speed – Production of Linea DNA can be measured in terms of hours, not days and weeks as is the case with plasmid-based DNA manufacturing platforms.

 

  Scalability – Linea DNA production takes place on efficient bench-top instruments, allowing for rapid scalability in a minimal footprint.

 

  Purity – DNA produced via PCR is pure, resulting in only large quantities of only the target DNA sequence. Unwanted DNA sequences such as the plasmid backbone and antibiotic resistance genes, inherent to plasmid DNA, are not present in Linea DNA.

 

  Simplicity – The production of Linea DNA is streamlined relative to plasmid-based DNA production. Linea DNA requires only four primary ingredients, does not require living cells or complex fermentation systems and does not require multiple rounds of purification.

 

  Flexibility – DNA produced via the Linea DNA platform can be easily chemically modified to suit specific customer applications. In addition, the Linea DNA platform can produce a wide range of complex DNA sequences that are difficult to produce via plasmid-based DNA production platforms. These complex sequences include inverted terminal repeats (“ITRs”) and long homopolymers such as polyadenylation sequences (poly (A) tail) important for gene therapy and mRNA therapies, respectively.

 

Preclinical studies conducted by the Company have shown that Linea DNA is substitutable for plasmid DNA in numerous nucleic acid-based therapies, including:

 

  DNA vaccines;

 

  DNA templates to produce RNA, including mRNA therapeutics; and

 

  adoptive cell therapy (CAR-T) manufacturing.

 

Further, we believe that Linea DNA is also substitutable for plasmid DNA in the following nucleic acid-based therapies:

 

  viral vector manufacturing for in vivo and ex vivo gene editing;

 

  clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (“CRISPR”)-mediated gene therapy; and

 

  non-viral gene therapy.

 

Linea IVT Platform

 

The number of mRNA therapies under development is growing at a rapid rate, thanks in part to the success of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. mRNA therapeutics are produced via a process called in vitro transcription (“IVT”) that requires DNA as a starting material. As of the 1st quarter of calendar 2024, there were approximately 450 mRNA therapies under development, with the large majority of these therapies (67%) in the preclinical stage (Source: ASGCT Gene, Cell & RNA Therapy Landscape: Q1 2024 Quarterly Report). The Company believes that the mRNA market is in a nascent stage that represents a large growth opportunity for the Company via the production  and supply of DNA critical starting materials and RNAP to produce mRNA therapies.

 

In August 2022, the Company launched DNA IVT templates manufactured via its Linea DNA platform and has since secured proof of concept contracts with numerous mRNA manufacturing customers. In response to this demand, the continued growth of the mRNA therapeutic market, and the unique abilities of the Linea DNA platform, the Company acquired Spindle in July 2023 to potentially increase its mRNA-related total addressable market (“TAM”).

 

5

 

 

Through our acquisition of Spindle, we launched our Linea IVT platform in July 2023, which combines Spindle’s proprietary high-performance RNAP, now marketed by the Company as Linea RNAP, with our enzymatically produced Linea DNA IVT templates. We believe the Linea IVT platform enables our customers to make better mRNA, faster. Based on data generated by the Company, we believe the integrated Linea IVT platform offers the following advantages over conventional mRNA production to therapy developers and manufacturers:

 

  The prevention or reduction of double stranded RNA (“dsRNA”) contamination resulting in higher target mRNA yields with the potential to reduce downstream processing steps. dsRNA is a problematic immunogenic byproduct produced during conventional mRNA manufacture;

 

  delivery of IVT templates in as little as 14 days for milligram scale and 30 days for gram scale;

 

  reduced mRNA manufacturing complexities; and
     
  potentially enabling mRNA manufactures to produce mRNA drug substance in less than 45 days.

 

According to the Company’s internal modeling, the ability to sell both Linea DNA IVT templates and Linea RNAP under the Linea IVT platform potentially increases the Company’s mRNA-related TAM by approximately 3-5x as compared to selling Linea DNA IVT templates alone, while also providing a more competitive offering to the mRNA manufacturing market. Currently, Linea RNAP is produced for the Company under an ISO 13485 quality system by a third-party CDMO located in the United States. The Company is currently undertaking manufacturing process development work with its Linea RNAP manufacturer to increase production scale of the enzyme.

 

Manufacturing Scale-up

 

The Company plans to offer several quality grades of Linea DNA, each of which will have different permitted uses.

 

Quality Grade Permitted Use Company Status
GLP Research and pre-clinical discovery Currently available
GMP for Starting Materials DNA critical starting materials for the production of mRNA therapies Planned availability  in Q3 of CY2024
GMP DNA biologic, drug substance and/or drug product Planned availability second half of CY 2025 (1)

 

(1) Dependent on the availability of future financing.

 

The Company currently manufactures Linea DNA pursuant to Good Laboratory Practices (“GLP”) and, is creating a fit for purpose manufacturing facility within our current Stony Brook, NY laboratory space capable of producing Linea DNA IVT templates under Good Manufacturing Practices (“GMP”) suitable for use as a critical starting material for clinical and commercial mRNA therapeutics, with a planned completion date in the third quarter of calendar year 2024 (“GMP Site 1”). The Company also plans to offer additional capacity for Linea DNA IVT templates as well as capacity for Linea DNA materials manufactured under GMP suitable for use as, or incorporation into, a biologic, drug substance and/or drug product, with availability expected during the second half of calendar year 2025, dependent upon the availability of future funding (“GMP Site 2”). GMP is a quality standard used globally and by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) to ensure pharmaceutical quality.  Drug substances are the pharmaceutically active components of drug products. According to the Company’s internal modeling using currently projected unit pricing based on current pricing and market analysis, the Company believes that GMP Site 1 affords the Company a potential annual revenue opportunity of up to $20M at full capacity utilization, and GMP Site 2 affords the Company a potential annual revenue opportunity of up to $63M at full capacity utilization. This potential revenue opportunity may not be realized and is not indicative of profit.

 

Segment Business Strategy

 

Our business strategy for our Therapeutic DNA Production Services is to capitalize upon the rapid growth of mRNA therapies in the near term via our planned near term future availability of Linea DNA IVT templates manufactured under GMP at our GMP Site 1, while at the same time laying the basis for additional clinical and commercial applications of Linea DNA with our future planned availability of Linea DNA manufactured under GMP suitable for use as, or incorporation into, a biologic, drug substance and/or drug product at planned GMP Site 2. Planned GMP Site 2 may also be used for additional Linea DNA IVT template manufacturing if customer demand exceeds the capacity of GMP Site 1. Our current plan is: (i) through our Linea IVT platform and planned near term future GMP manufacturing capabilities for IVT templates at GMP Site 1 to secure commercial-scale supply contracts with clinical and commercial mRNA and/or self-amplifying mRNA (“sa-RNA”) manufacturers for Linea DNA IVT templates and/or Linea RNAP as critical starting materials; (ii) to utilize our current GLP production capacity for non-IVT template applications to secure supply and/or development contracts with pre-clinical therapy developers that use DNA in their therapy manufacturing, and (iii) upon our development of our planned future Linea DNA production under GMP suitable for use as, or incorporation into, a biologic, drug substance and/or drug product at planned GMP Site 2, to convert existing and new Linea DNA customers into large-scale supply  contracts to supply Linea DNA for clinical and commercial use as, or incorporation into, a biologic, drug substance and/or drug product in a wide range of nucleic acid therapies. Until we complete our GMP Site 1 to produce DNA critical starting materials (DNA IVT templates) for mRNA manufacturing, we will not be able to realize significant revenues from this business. We estimate the cost of creating GMP Site 1 will be approximately $1.5 million. If we were to expand our facilities to enable GMP production of Linea DNA for use as, or incorporation, into a biologic, drug substance and/or drug product as planned for GMP Site 2, the cost may be up to approximately $10 million which would require additional funding. We are currently building GMP Site 1 within our existing laboratory space. We anticipate that GMP Site 2 would require us to acquire additional space.

 

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In addition, we plan to leverage our Therapeutic DNA Production Services and deep knowledge of PCR to develop and monetize, ourselves or with strategic partners, one or more Linea DNA-based therapeutic or prophylactic vaccines for high-value veterinary health indications (collectively “Linea DNA Vaccines”). We currently seek to commercialize our Linea DNA Vaccines in conjunction with lipid nanoparticle (“LNP”) encapsulation to facilitate intramuscular (“IM”) administration. We have recently demonstrated in vitro and in vivo (mice studies) expression of generic reporter proteins via Linea DNA encapsulated by LNPs. For the in vivo study, successful expression of the LNP-encapsulated Linea DNA was administered and achieved via IM injection. We believe that our Linea DNA Vaccines under development provide a substantial advantage over plasmid DNA-based vaccines for the veterinary health market.

 

MDx Testing Services

 

Through ADCL, we leverage our expertise in DNA and RNA detection via PCR to provide and develop clinical molecular diagnostics and genetic (collectively “MDx”) testing services. ADCL is a NYSDOH clinical laboratory improvement amendments-certified laboratory which is currently permitted for virology. Permitting for genetics (molecular) is currently pending with the NYSDOH. In providing MDx Testing Services, ADCL employs its own or third-party molecular diagnostic tests. 

 

We have successfully validated internally our pharmacogenomics testing services (the “PGx Testing Services”). Our PGx Testing Services will utilize a 120-target PGx panel test to evaluate the unique genotype of a specific patient to help guide the patient’s healthcare provider in making individual drug therapy decisions. Our PGx Testing Services are designed to interrogate DNA targets on over 33 genes and provide genotyping information relevant to certain cardiac, mental health, oncology, and pain management drug therapies. Our PGx Testing Services cannot commence until we receive approval from the NYSDOH.

 

On March 22, 2023, we submitted our validation package to the NYSDOH for our PGx Testing Services. On September 21, 2023, we received a first set of comments from NYSDOH requesting additional data and clarifications. A response was submitted to NYSDOH on November 17, 2023.  On December 26, 2023, we received a second set of comments from NYSDOH requesting additional data and clarifications to which a response was submitted on February 23, 2024. A third set of comments was received from NYSDOH on March 29, 2024. A response must be filed by May 28, 2024. Currently, the timing of any approval by NYSDOH for our PGx Testing Services is unclear. Recently published studies show that population-scale PGx enabled medication management can significantly reduce overall population healthcare costs, reduce adverse drug events, and increase overall population wellbeing. These benefits can result in significant cost savings to large entities and self-insured employers, the latter accounting for approximately 65% of all U.S. employers in 2022. If and when approved by the NYSDOH, we plan to leverage our PGx Testing Services to provide PGx testing services to large entities, self-insured employers and healthcare providers.

 

Historically, the majority of our revenue attributable to our MDx Testing Services has been derived from our safeCircle® COVID-19 testing solutions, for which testing demand has significantly declined commencing in our fiscal third quarter of 2023, resulting in substantially reduced revenues. We expect future demand for COVID-19 testing to continue to be reduced and we may terminate COVID-19 testing services in the future.

 

DNA Tagging and Security Products and Services

 

By leveraging our expertise in both the manufacture and detection of DNA via PCR, our DNA Tagging and Security Products and Services allow our customers to use non-biologic DNA tags manufactured on our Linea DNA platform to mark objects in a unique manner and then identify these objects by detecting the absence or presence of the DNA tag. The Company’s core DNA Tagging and Security Products and Services, which are marketed collectively as a platform under the trademark CertainT®, include:

 

  SigNature® Molecular Tags, which are short non-biologic DNA taggants produced by the Company’s Linea DNA platform, provide a methodology to authenticate goods within large and complex supply chains with a focus on cotton, nutraceuticals and other products.

 

  SigNify® portable DNA readers and SigNify consumable reagent test kits provide definitive real-time authentication of the Company’s DNA tags in the field.

 

  fiberTyping® and other product genotyping services use PCR-based DNA detection to determine a cotton species or cultivar, via a product’s naturally occurring DNA sequence for the purposes of product provenance authentication.

 

  Isotopic analysis testing services, provided in partnership with third-party labs, use cotton’s carbon, hydrogen and oxygen elements to indicate origin of its fiber through finished goods.

 

To date, our largest commercial application for our DNA Tagging and Security Products and Services is in the tracking and provenance authentication of cotton.

 

Our business plan is to leverage consumer and governmental awareness for product traceability to expand our existing partnerships and seek new partnerships for our DNA Tagging and Security Products and Services with a focus on cotton.

 

FDA Publishes Final Rule on Laboratory Developed Tests

 

As an LDT, our MDx Testing Services are currently subject to enforcement discretion by the FDA.  On April 29, 2024, however, the FDA published a final rule on LDTs, in which FDA outlines its plans to end enforcement discretion for many LDTs in five stages over a four-year period.  In Phase 1 (effective May 6, 2025), clinical laboratories running LDTs will be required to comply with medical device (adverse event) reporting and correction/removal reporting requirements, as well as requirements for maintenance of complaint files under the FDA’s quality systems regulation (QSR).  In Phase 2 (effective May 6, 2026), clinical laboratories will be required to comply with all other device requirements (e.g., registration/listing, labeling, investigational use), except for the remaining QSR requirements and premarket review.  In Phase 3 (effective May 6, 2027), clinical laboratories will be required to comply with all remaining QSR requirements.  In Phase 4 (effective ~November 6, 2027), clinical laboratories will be required to comply with premarket review requirements for high-risk tests (i.e., tests subject to the premarket approval (PMA) requirement).  Finally, in Phase 5 (effective May 6, 2028), clinical laboratories will be required to comply with premarket review requirements for moderate- and low-risk tests (i.e., tests subject to the de novo or 510(k) requirement).

 

Under the final rule, several types of tests will be eligible for some degree of continued enforcement discretion, including LDTs approved by NYSDOH. FDA notes, however, that it retains discretion to pursue enforcement action for violations of the FDCA at any time and intends to do so when appropriate. FDA further explains that it may update any of the enforcement discretion policies set forth in the final rule as circumstances warrant or if the circumstances that inform those policies change, consistent with FDA’s good guidance practices. Based on our current analysis of the FDA final rule, and assuming the final rule goes into effect without modification, we believe that ADCL’s current and future NYSDOH approved LDTs, which includes our under development PGx Testing Services, will be exempt from FDA premarket review requirements but will remain subject to the requirements of Phases 1 through 3.

 

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Recent Developments

 

Special Meeting of Stockholders

 

On April 15, 2024, we held a special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) pursuant to which our stockholders approved the following: (i) in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d), the issuance to certain holders of common stock purchase warrants in connection with a private placement; (ii) in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(d), the repricing of certain of our common stock purchase warrants; (iii) a grant of discretionary authority to the Board of Directors giving them the authority to amend the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as amended, to effect a reverse stock split of common stock, at a ratio in the range from one-for-five to one-for-fifty, with such specific ratio to be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors following the Special Meeting (the “Reverse Split Proposal”) in order to regain compliance with the requirement to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share for continued listing on Nasdaq, as set forth in the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”); and (iv) an amendment to the Company’s 2020 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock reserved for issuance by 200,000 shares. 

 

Reverse Stock Split

 

As discussed above, on April 15, 2024, we held the Special Meeting where our stockholders approved the Reverse Split Proposal.

 

The reverse stock split was effected at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 25, 2024 and combined each twenty shares of our outstanding common stock into one share of common stock, without any change in the par value per share. Moreover, the reverse stock split correspondingly adjusted, (i) the per share exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon the exercise of all outstanding options, and (ii) the number of shares underlying any of our outstanding warrants by adjusting the conversion ratio for each instrument and increasing the applicable exercise price or conversion price in accordance with the terms of each instrument and based on the reverse stock split ratio. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the reverse stock split. Any fractional shares resulting from the reverse stock split were rounded up to the nearest whole share. The reverse stock split resulted in a reduction of our outstanding shares of common stock from 17,261,343 to 863,068 shares.

 

Nasdaq Notification

 

On May 9, 2024, the Company received a written notification from Nasdaq’s Listing Qualifications Department notifying the Company that the closing bid price of its common stock had exceeded $1.00 per share for 10 consecutive trading days, and as a result, the Company had regained compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement.

 

Company Information

 

We are a Delaware corporation, which was initially formed in 1983 under the laws of the State of Florida as Datalink Systems, Inc. In 1998, we reincorporated in the State of Nevada, and in 2002, we changed our name to our current name, Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. On December 17, 2008, we reincorporated from the State of Nevada to the State of Delaware.

 

Our corporate headquarters are located at the Long Island High Technology Incubator at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York, where we have established laboratories for the manufacture and detection of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) to support our various business units. In addition, this location also houses our NYSDOH CLEP-permitted, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (“CLIA”)-certified clinical laboratory where we perform MDx Testing Services. The mailing address of our corporate headquarters is 50 Health Sciences Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11790, and our telephone number is (631) 240-8800.

 

Implications of Being a Smaller Reporting Company

 

We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and have elected to take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies. We will continue to be a “smaller reporting company” until we have $250 million or more in public float (based on our common stock) measured as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter or, in the event we have no public float (based on our common stock) or a public float (based on our common stock) that is less than $700 million, annual revenues of $100 million or more during the most recently completed fiscal year.

 

We may choose to take advantage of some, but not all, of these exemptions. We have taken advantage of reduced reporting requirements in this prospectus. Accordingly, the information contained herein may be different from the information you receive from other public companies in which you hold stock.

 

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Risk Factor Summary

 

This summary does not address all of the risks that we face. Additional discussions of the risks summarized in this risk factor summary, and other risks that we face, can be found below and should be carefully considered, together with other information in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein before making investment decisions.

 

  We have produced limited revenue. This makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and increase the risk that we will not be successful.
     
  There is substantial doubt relating to our ability to continue as a going concern.
     
  Our opportunities to work with customers to develop pharmaceuticals and biologics will require substantial additional funding. Our customers may not be successful in their efforts to create a pipeline of product candidates, to develop commercially successful products, or to develop commercially successful biologic production.

 

  We may not successfully implement our business strategies, including achieving our growth objectives.
     
  We may require additional financing which may in turn require the issuance of additional shares of common stock, preferred stock or other debt or equity securities (including convertible securities) and which would dilute the ownership held by or stockholders.
     
  Our operating results have been and could be adversely affected by a reduction in business with our significant customers.
     
  We may encounter difficulties in managing our growth and these difficulties could impair our profitability.
     
  Our current emphasis on Therapeutic DNA Production Services may reduce our ability to maintain and expand our existing MDX Testing Services and DNA Tagging and Security Products and Services businesses.
     
  If in the future our MDX Testing Services and DNA Tagging and Security Products and Services businesses do not generate significant cash flows, we may not have sufficient capital to develop, commercialize and have our customers adopt our Therapeutic DNA Production Services.
     
  If we are unable to expand our DNA manufacturing capacity, we could lose revenue and our business could suffer.
     
  Rapidly changing technology and extensive competition in synthetic biology could make the services or products we are developing obsolete or non-competitive unless we continue to develop new and improved services or products and pursue new market opportunities.
     
  Pharmaceutical, diagnostic and biologic products and/or services are highly complex, and if we or our collaborators and customers are unable to provide quality and timely offerings to our respective customers, our business could suffer.
     
  We will need to develop and maintain manufacturing facilities that meet GMP.
     
  Pharmaceutical and biologic-related revenue will be dependent on our collaborators’ and customers’ demand for our manufacturing services.
     
  We may be unable to consistently manufacture or source our products to the necessary specifications or in quantities necessary to meet demand on a timely basis and at acceptable performance and cost levels.
     
  The markets for drug and biologic candidates and synthetic DNA are very competitive, and we may be unable to continue to compete effectively in these industries in the future.
     
  The markets for our supply chain security and product authentication solutions are very competitive, and we may be unable to continue to compete effectively in these industries in the future.
     
  We compete with life science, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, some of whom are our customers, who are substantially larger than we are and potentially capable of developing new approaches that could make our products and technology obsolete or develop their own internal capabilities that compete with our products.

 

  Our intellectual property rights are valuable, and any inability to protect them could reduce the value of our products, services and brand.

 

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  Pharmaceutical and biologic-related revenue is generally dependent on regulatory approval, oversight and compliance.
     
  If the FDA were to begin to enforce regulation of laboratory-developed tests (“LDTs”), we could incur substantial costs and delays associated with trying to obtain pre-market clearance or approval and costs associated with complying with post-market requirements in respect of MDx Testing Services.
     
  If we fail to comply with laboratory licensing requirements, we could lose the ability to offer our MDx Testing Services or experience disruptions to our business.
     
  If we fail to comply with healthcare laws, we could face substantial penalties and our business, operations and financial conditions could be adversely affected.
     
  If we are unable to continue to retain the services of Dr. Hayward, we may not be able to continue our operations.
     
  We may have conflicts of interest with our affiliates and related parties, and in the past we have engaged in transactions and entered into agreements with affiliates that were not negotiated at arms’ length.
     
  There are a large number of shares of common stock underlying our outstanding options and warrants and the sale of these shares may depress the market price of our common stock and cause immediate and substantial dilution to our existing stockholders.
     
  Our ability to have our securities traded on Nasdaq is subject to us meeting applicable listing criteria.
     
  The reverse stock split to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s Minimum Bid Price Requirement, which was effected on Thursday, April 25, 2024, may adversely impact the market price of our common stock.
     
  The reverse stock split may decrease the liquidity of our common stock and as a result our common stock may not satisfy the investing requirements of new investors, including institutional investors.
     
  The effective increase in the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance as a result of our reverse stock split could result in further dilution to our existing stockholders and have anti-takeover implications.
     
  In addition to the above key factors, as well as other variables affecting our operating results and financial condition, past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods.

 

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Summary of the Offering

 

Common stock to be offered   Up to 2,597,402 shares of common stock on a “best efforts” basis.
     
Pre-funded warrants offered by us in this offering   We are also offering to each purchaser whose purchase of shares of common stock in this offering would otherwise result in the purchaser, together with its affiliates and certain related parties, beneficially owning more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of our outstanding common stock immediately following the consummation of this offering, the opportunity to purchase, if the purchaser so chooses, pre-funded warrants, in lieu of shares of common stock that would otherwise result in the purchaser’s beneficial ownership exceeding 4.99% (or, at the election of the purchaser, 9.99%) of our outstanding common stock. Subject to limited exceptions, a holder of pre-funded warrants will not have the right to exercise any portion of its pre-funded warrants if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise. Each pre-funded warrant will be exercisable for one share of our common stock. The purchase price of each pre-funded warrant and accompanying Series Warrants will equal the price per share at which the shares of common stock and accompanying Series Warrants are being sold to the public in this offering, minus $0.0001, and the exercise price of each pre-funded warrant will be $0.0001 per share. The pre-funded warrants are immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time until all of the pre-funded warrants are exercised in full. This offering also relates to the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of any pre-funded warrants sold in this offering. For each pre-funded warrant we sell, the number of shares of common stock we are offering will be decreased on a one-for-one basis.
     
Description of Series Warrants   We are issuing to purchasers of shares of our common stock and/or pre-funded warrants in this offering a Series A Warrant to purchase one share of our common stock and a Series B Warrant to purchase one share of our common stock for each share and/or pre-funded warrant purchased in this offering for a combined purchase price of $3.08. The Series A Warrants and the Series B Warrants are referred to herein together as the “Series Warrants”. Because Series Warrants to purchase shares of our common stock are being sold together in this offering with each share of common stock and, in the alternative, each pre-funded warrant to purchase one share of common stock, the number of Series Warrants sold in this offering will not change as a result of a change in the mix of the shares of our common stock and pre-funded warrants sold. Each Series A Warrant will have an exercise price of $         per share, will be exercisable upon issuance and will expire five years from the date of issuance. Each Series B Warrant will have an exercise price of $         per share, will be exercisable upon issuance and will expire on the one-year anniversary of the date of issuance. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a Series Warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will round up to the next whole share. See “Description of Securities — Series Warrants.” This prospectus also relates to the offering of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Series Warrants.
     
Description of Placement Agent Warrants   Pursuant to this prospectus, we will issue to the Co-Placement Agents (or their respective designees) warrants to purchase shares equal to 5.0% of the shares of common stock, including shares of common stock underlying the pre-funded warrants, being offered in this offering at an exercise price equal to that of the Series Warrants and with an expiration date of five years from the commencement of sales as part of the compensation payable to the Co-Placement Agents in connection with this offering (the “Placement Agent Warrants”). See “Plan of Distribution” on page 23 of this prospectus. This prospectus also relates to the offering of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Placement Agent Warrants.  
     
Common stock outstanding prior to this offering   984,728 shares.
     
Common stock to be outstanding after this offering   3,582,130 shares (assuming no sale of any pre-funded warrants and assuming none of the Series Warrants issued in this offering are exercised).

 

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Use of proceeds   We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $7.1 million, after deducting the Placement Agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us and assuming no exercise of the Series Warrants. We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for the further development of our Therapeutic DNA Production and MDx Testing Services, as well as general corporate purposes, which may include research and development expenses, capital expenditures, working capital and general and administrative expenses, and potential acquisitions of or investments in businesses, products and technologies that complement our business, although we have no present commitments or agreements to make any such acquisitions or investments as of the date of this prospectus. Pending these uses, we intend to invest the funds in short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing securities. It is possible that, pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds in a way that does not yield a favorable, or any, return for us. See “Use of Proceeds” on page 16 of this prospectus.
     
Risk factors   You should carefully read and consider the information set forth under “Risk Factors” on page 12 of this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein before deciding to invest in our securities.
     
Lock-up agreements   We and all of our executive officers and directors will enter into lock-up agreements in connection with the offering. Under these agreements, we and each of these persons may not, without the prior written approval of Craig-Hallum, offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of or hedge common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock, subject to certain exceptions. The restrictions contained in these agreements will be in effect for a period of 90 days after the date of the closing of this offering. For more information, see “Plan of Distribution” on page 23 of this prospectus.
     
Market for common stock   Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “APDN.”
     
Listing of pre-funded warrants and Series Warrants   We do not intend to list the pre-funded warrants or the Series Warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system. Without a trading market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants and Series Warrants will be extremely limited.

 

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on  984,728 shares of our common stock outstanding as of May 13, 2024, and excludes the following:

 

109,363 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options outstanding as of May 13, 2024, with a weighted average exercise price of $185.00 per share;

 

825,067 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding as of May 13, 2024, with a weighted average exercise price of $20.81 per share; and

 

267,355 shares of common stock reserved for future grant or issuance as of May 13, 2024, under our equity incentive plan.

 

Risk Factors

 

Investment in our securities, including our common stock, Series Warrants, and pre-funded warrants, involves a high degree of risk. In addition to the risks and investment considerations discussed elsewhere in this prospectus, any document incorporated by reference herein or any “free writing prospectus” we have authorized in connection with this offering, the following factors should be carefully considered by anyone purchasing the securities offered by this prospectus. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business operations. We also update risk factors from time to time in our periodic reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K which will be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business could be harmed. In such case, the trading price of our common stock could decline and investors could lose all or a part of their investment. All of these risks could adversely affect our business, business prospects, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

 

See also the statements contained under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

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Risks Related to Our Business:

 

There is substantial doubt relating to our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

We have recurring net losses, which have resulted in an accumulated deficit of $308,206,796 as of March 31, 2024. We have incurred a net loss of $5,624,064 for the six months ended March 31, 2024. At March 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $3,149,640. We have concluded that these factors raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern for one year from the issuance of the financial statements. We will continue to seek to raise additional working capital through public equity, private equity or debt financings. If we fail to raise additional working capital, or do so on commercially unfavorable terms, it would materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations, and we may be unable to continue as a going concern.  If we seek additional financing to fund our business activities in the future and there remains substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, investors or other financing sources may be unwilling to provide additional funding to us on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.

 

Our ability to have our securities traded on Nasdaq is subject to us meeting applicable listing criteria.

 

Nasdaq requires listed companies to meet certain criteria to maintain their listing on Nasdaq. There can be no assurance that we will continue to meet Nasdaq’s continued listing requirements. Our failure to meet such applicable listing criteria could result in the termination of the listing of our common stock on Nasdaq. In the event we are unable to have our shares traded on Nasdaq, our common stock could potentially trade on the OTCQX or the OTCQB, each of which is generally considered less liquid and more volatile than Nasdaq. Failure to maintain our listing on Nasdaq or on another national securities exchange could make it more difficult to trade our shares, could prevent our common stock from trading on a frequent and liquid basis, and could result in the market price of our common stock being less than it would be if we maintained our listing on Nasdaq or on another national securities exchange.

 

Risks Related to Our Reverse Stock Split:

 

We approved a reverse stock split to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s Minimum Bid Price Requirement, which was effected on Thursday, April 25, 2024 and which may adversely impact the market price of our common stock.

 

On December 1, 2023, we received a written notice (the “Notification Letter”) from Nasdaq’s Listing Qualifications Department notifying us that, based upon the closing bid price of our common stock for the last 30 consecutive business days, we were not in compliance with the requirement to maintain a minimum bid price of $1.00 per share for continued listing on Nasdaq, as set forth in the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) (the “Minimum Bid Price Requirement”), and that, if at any time before May 29, 2024, the closing bid price of our common stock remained at or above $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days, Nasdaq would provide written notification that we had regained compliance with the Minimum Bid Requirement. 

 

On April 15, 2024, our stockholders approved the proposal in the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement dated March 14, 2024 to grant discretionary authority to the Board of Directors to amend the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split within a range of one-for-five to one-for-fifty, if needed to meet the Minimum Bid Price RequirementSubsequently, on April 21, 2024, our Board of Directors approved a reverse stock split at a ratio of one-for-twenty shares, which was effected at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 25, 2024. On May 9, 2024, the Company received a written notification from Nasdaq’s Listing Qualifications Department notifying the Company that the closing bid price of its common stock had exceeded $1.00 per share for 10 consecutive trading days, and as a result, the Company had regained compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement. There can be no assurance that our common stock will maintain market prices consistent with such reverse stock split and that we will remain in compliance with the Minimum Bid Price Requirement or any other Nasdaq continued listing requirement, and it is possible that the market price of our common stock will decline more than would have occurred in the absence of a reverse stock split.

 

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The reverse stock split may decrease the liquidity of the shares of our common stock and the resulting market price of our common stock may not attract or satisfy the investing requirements of new investors, including institutional investors.

 

The liquidity of the shares of our common stock may be affected adversely by the reverse stock split given the reduced number of shares outstanding following the reverse stock split. Additionally, the reverse stock split may increase the number of shareholders who own odd lots (less than 100 shares) of our common stock, creating the potential for such shareholders to experience an increase in the cost of selling their shares and greater difficulty affecting such sales. Moreover, there can be no assurance that the reverse stock split will result in a share price that will attract new investors, including institutional investors, and there can be no assurance that the market price of our common stock will satisfy the investing requirements of these investors. Consequently, the trading liquidity of our common stock may not necessarily improve as a result of the reverse stock split.

 

The effective increase in the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance as a result of the reverse stock split may result in further dilution to our existing stockholders and have anti-takeover implications.

 

The reverse stock split alone had no effect on our authorized capital stock, and the total number of authorized shares remains the same as before the reverse stock split. The reverse stock split of our issued and outstanding shares increased the number of shares of our common stock (or securities convertible or exchangeable for our common stock) available for issuance. The additional available shares are available for issuance from time to time at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors when opportunities arise, without further stockholder action or the related delays and expenses, except as may be required for a particular transaction by law, the rules of any exchange on which our securities may then be listed, or other agreements or restrictions. Any issuance of additional shares of our common stock would increase the number of outstanding shares of our common stock and (unless such issuance was pro-rata among existing stockholders) the percentage ownership of existing stockholders would be diluted accordingly. In addition, any such issuance of additional shares of our common stock could have the effect of diluting the earnings per share and book value per share of outstanding shares of our common stock.

 

Additionally, the effective increase in the number of authorized shares could, under certain circumstances, have anti-takeover implications. For example, the additional shares of common stock that have become available for issuance could be used by us to oppose a hostile takeover attempt or to delay or prevent changes in control or our management. Although our reverse stock split is prompted by other considerations and not by the threat of any hostile takeover attempt, stockholders should be aware that our reverse stock split could facilitate future efforts by us to deter or prevent changes in control, including transactions in which our stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then-current market prices.

 

 

Risks Related to this Offering:

 

This is a best-efforts offering, no minimum amount of securities is required to be sold, and we may not raise the amount of capital we believe is required for our business plans, including our near-term business plans.

 

The Co-Placement Agents have agreed to use their best efforts to solicit offers to purchase the securities in this offering. The Co-Placement Agents have no obligation to buy any of the securities from us or to arrange for the purchase or sale of any specific number or dollar amount of the securities. There is no required minimum number of securities that must be sold as a condition to completion of this offering. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to the closing of this offering, the actual offering amount, placement agent fees and proceeds to us are not presently determinable and may be substantially less than the maximum amounts set forth herein. We may sell fewer than all of the securities offered hereby, which may significantly reduce the amount of proceeds received by us, and investors in this offering will not receive a refund in the event that we do not sell an amount of securities sufficient to support our continued operations, including our near-term continued operations. Thus, we may not raise the amount of capital we believe is required for our operations in the short-term and may need to raise additional funds to complete such short-term operations. Such additional fundraises may not be available or available on terms acceptable to us.

 

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Management will have broad discretion as to the use of proceeds from this offering and we may use the net proceeds in ways with which you may disagree.

 

We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering for the further development of our Therapeutic DNA Production and MDx Testing Services, as well as general corporate purposes, which may include research and development expenses, capital expenditures, working capital and general and administrative expenses, and potential acquisitions of or investments in businesses, products and technologies that complement our business, although we have no present commitments or agreements to make any such acquisitions or investments as of the date of this prospectus. Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering and could spend the proceeds in ways that do not improve our results of operations or enhance the value of our common stock. Accordingly, you will be relying on the judgment of our management on the use of net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. Our failure to apply these funds effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business and cause the price of our common stock to decline.

 

Pending these uses, we intend to invest the funds in short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing securities. It is possible that, pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds in a way that does not yield a favorable, or any, return for us.

 

The public offering price will be set by our Board of Directors and does not necessarily indicate the actual or market value of our common stock.

 

Our Board of Directors will approve the public offering price and other terms of this offering after considering, among other things: the number of shares authorized in our Certificate of Incorporation; the current market price of our common stock; trading prices of our common stock over time; the volatility of our common stock; our current financial condition and the prospects for our future cash flows; the availability of and likely cost of capital of other potential sources of capital; the characteristics of interested investors and market and economic conditions at the time of the offering. The public offering price is not intended to bear any relationship to the book value of our assets or our past operations, cash flows, losses, financial condition, net worth or any other established criteria used to value securities. The public offering price may not be indicative of the fair value of the common stock.

 

If you purchase the common stock or pre-funded warrants sold in this offering, you will experience immediate dilution as a result of this offering and future equity issuances.

 

Because the price per share of our common stock and pre-funded warrants being offered is higher than the book value per share of our common stock, you will suffer immediate substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the common stock you purchase in this offering. See the section entitled “Dilution” of this prospectus for a more detailed discussion of the dilution you will incur if you purchase common stock and pre-funded warrants in this offering. The issuance of additional shares of our common stock in future offerings could be dilutive to stockholders if they do not invest in future offerings. Moreover, to the extent that we issue options or warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of our common stock in the future and those options, warrants or other securities are exercised, converted or exchanged, stockholders may experience further dilution.

 

There is no public market for the pre-funded warrants or Series Warrants being offered in this offering.

 

There is no established public trading market for the pre-funded warrants or Series Warrants being offered in this offering, and we do not expect a market to develop. In addition, we do not intend to apply to list the pre-funded warrants or Series Warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system, including The Nasdaq Stock Market. Without an active market, the liquidity of the pre-funded warrants or Series Warrants will be limited.

 

Holders of pre-funded warrants or Series Warrants purchased in this offering will have no rights as common stockholders until such holders exercise their pre-funded warrants or Series Warrants and acquire our common stock.

 

Until holders of pre-funded warrants or Series Warrants acquire shares of our common stock upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants or Series Warrants, as applicable, holders of pre-funded warrants or Series Warrants will have no rights with respect to the shares of our common stock underlying such pre-funded warrants or Series Warrants. Upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants or Series Warrants, the holders will be entitled to exercise the rights of a common stockholder only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the exercise date.

 

Provisions of the Series Warrants and pre-funded warrants offered by this prospectus could discourage an acquisition of us by a third party.

 

In addition to the discussion of the provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation, certain provisions of the Series Warrants and pre-funded warrants offered by this prospectus could make it more difficult or expensive for a third party to acquire us. Such Series Warrants and pre-funded warrants prohibit us from engaging in certain transactions constituting “fundamental transactions” unless, among other things, the surviving entity assumes our obligations under the Series Warrants and pre-funded warrants. Further, the Series Warrants and pre-funded warrants provide that, in the event of certain transactions constituting “fundamental transactions,” with some exception, holders of such the Series Warrants and pre-funded warrants will have the right, at their option, to require us to repurchase such the Series Warrants and pre-funded warrants at a price described in the Series Warrants and pre-funded warrants. These and other provisions of the Series Warrants and pre-funded warrants offered by this prospectus could prevent or deter a third party from acquiring us even where the acquisition could be beneficial to you.

 

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We may be required to repurchase certain of our warrants.

 

Certain of our warrants sold privately that have registration rights, in the event of a “Fundamental Transaction” (as defined in the related warrant agreement, which generally includes any merger with another entity, the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets to another entity, or the acquisition by a person of more than 50% of our common stock), each warrant holder will have the right at any time prior to the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction to require us to repurchase the warrant for a purchase price in cash equal to the Black Scholes value (as calculated under the warrant agreement) of the then remaining unexercised portion of such warrant on the date of such Fundamental Transaction, which may materially adversely affect our financial condition and/or results of operations and may prevent or deter a third party from acquiring us.

 

The Series Warrants may not have any value.

 

Each Series Warrant will have an exercise price of $ per share of common stock. The Series A Warrants will expire on the fifth anniversary of the date they first become exercisable and the Series B Warrants will expire on the first anniversary of the date they first become exercisable. In the event our common stock price does not exceed the exercise price of the Series Warrants during the period when the Series Warrants are exercisable, the Series Warrants may not have any value.

 

Risks Relating to Manufacturing, Development, and Industries:

 

If the FDA implements its plans to regulate LDTs, we could incur substantial costs and delays associated with trying to obtain pre-market clearance or approval and costs associated with complying with post-market requirements.

 

As an LDT, our MDx Testing Services are currently subject to enforcement discretion by the FDA.  On April 29, 2024, however, the FDA published a final rule on LDTs, in which FDA outlines its plans to end enforcement discretion for many LDTs in five stages over a four-year period.  In Phase 1 (effective May 6, 2025), clinical laboratories running LDTs will be required to comply with medical device (adverse event) reporting and correction/removal reporting requirements, as well as requirements for maintenance of complaint files under the FDA’s quality systems regulation (QSR).  In Phase 2 (effective May 6, 2026), clinical laboratories will be required to comply with all other device requirements (e.g., registration/listing, labeling, investigational use), except for the remaining QSR requirements and premarket review.  In Phase 3 (effective May 6, 2027), clinical laboratories will be required to comply with all remaining QSR requirements.  In Phase 4 (effective ~November 6, 2027), clinical laboratories will be required to comply with premarket review requirements for high-risk tests (i.e., tests subject to the premarket approval (PMA) requirement).  Finally, in Phase 5 (effective May 6, 2028), clinical laboratories will be required to comply with premarket review requirements for moderate- and low-risk tests (i.e., tests subject to the de novo or 510(k) requirement).

 

Under the final rule, several types of tests will be eligible for some degree of continued enforcement discretion, including LDTs approved by NYSDOH. FDA notes, however, that it retains discretion to pursue enforcement action for violations of the FDCA at any time and intends to do so when appropriate. FDA further explains that it may update any of the enforcement discretion policies set forth in the final rule as circumstances warrant or if the circumstances that inform those policies change, consistent with FDA’s good guidance practices. Based on our current analysis of the FDA final rule, and assuming the final rule goes into effect without modification, we believe that ADCL’s current and future NYSDOH approved LDTs, which includes our under development PGx Testing Services, will be exempt from FDA premarket review requirements but will remain subject to the requirements of Phases 1 through 3.

 

Congress is also working on legislative language that would clarify FDA’s authority with respect to LDTs – and if enacted, would potentially supersede the final rule.  In this regard, the “Verifying Accurate Leading-edge IVCT Development Act,” or VALID Act, was most recently introduced in March 2023.  The bill proposes a risk-based approach that would subject many LDTs to FDA regulation by creating a new in vitro clinical test, or IVCT, category of regulated products. As proposed, the bill would grandfather many existing LDTs from the proposed premarket approval, quality systems, and labeling requirements, respectively, but would require such tests to comply with other regulatory requirements (e.g., registration/listing, adverse event reporting). To market a high-risk IVCT, reasonable assurance of analytical and clinical validity for the intended use would be needed to be established. Under VALID, a precertification process would be established that would allow a laboratory to establish that the facilities, methods, and controls used in the development of its IVCTs meet quality system requirements. If pre-certified, low-risk IVCTs developed by the laboratory and falling within the scope of FDA’s precertification order would not be subject to test-specific pre-market review. The new regulatory framework would include quality control and post-market reporting requirements. The FDA would have the authority to withdraw approvals for IVCTs for various reasons, including (for example) if there were a reasonable likelihood that the test would cause death or serious adverse health consequences. However, we cannot predict if this (or any other bill) will be enacted in its current (or any other) form and cannot quantify the effect of such proposals on our business.

 

To the extent that FDA ultimately regulates certain LDTs, whether via final rule, final guidance, or as instructed by Congress, our LDTs may be subject to certain additional regulatory requirements. Complying with the FDA’s requirements may be expensive, time-consuming, and subject us to significant or unanticipated delays. Insofar as we may be required to obtain premarket clearance or approval to perform or continue performing an LDT, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain such authorization. Even if we obtain regulatory clearance or approval where required, such authorization may not be for the intended uses that we believe are commercially attractive or are critical to the commercial success of our tests. As a result, the application of the FDA’s requirements to our tests could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

Failure to comply with applicable FDA regulatory requirements may trigger a range of enforcement actions by the FDA including warning letters, civil monetary penalties, injunctions, criminal prosecution, recall or seizure, operating restrictions, partial suspension or total shutdown of operations, and denial of or challenges to applications for clearance or approval, as well as significant adverse publicity.

 

Use of Proceeds

 

We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $7.1 million, assuming a public offering price of $3.08 per share of common stock and accompanying Series Warrants and the sale of all the securities offered under this prospectus, after deducting the Placement Agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us and assuming no exercise of the Series Warrants. However, this is a best efforts offering with no minimum number of securities or amount of proceeds as a condition to closing, and we may not sell all or any of these securities offered pursuant to this prospectus; as a result, we may receive significantly less in net proceeds. We will only receive additional proceeds from the exercise of the Series A Warrants issuable in connection with this offering if such Series A Warrants are exercised at their exercise price of $           and the holders of such Series A Warrants pay the exercise price in cash upon such exercise. We will only receive additional proceeds from the exercise of the Series B Warrants issuable in connection with this offering if such Series B Warrants are exercised at their exercise price of $       and the holders of such Series B Warrants pay the exercise price in cash upon such exercise. Such proceeds with respect to the Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants could not exceed, in the aggregate, $           million.

  

The foregoing discussion assumes no sale of pre-funded warrants.

 

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for the further development of our Therapeutic DNA Production Services and MDx Testing Services, as well as general corporate purposes, which may include research and development expenses, capital expenditures, working capital and general and administrative expenses, and potential acquisitions of or investments in businesses, products and technologies that complement our business, although we have no present commitments or agreements to make any such acquisitions or investments as of the date of this prospectus. Pending these uses, we intend to invest the funds in short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing securities. It is possible that, pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds in a way that does not yield a favorable, or any, return for us.

 

Our expected use of net proceeds from this offering represents our current intentions based upon our present plans and business condition. As of the date of this prospectus, we cannot currently allocate specific percentages of the net proceeds that we may use for the purposes specified above, and we cannot predict with certainty all of the particular uses for the net proceeds to be received upon the completion of this offering, or the amounts that we will actually spend on the uses set forth above. The amounts and timing of our actual use of the net proceeds will vary depending on numerous factors, including our ability to obtain additional financing. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds for other purposes, and our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds, and investors will be relying on our judgment regarding the application of the net proceeds from this offering. See “Risk Factors” for a discussion of certain risks that may affect our intended use of the net proceeds from this offering.

 

Market Price of our Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Market Information

 

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “APDN.” A description of the common stock that we are issuing in this offering is set forth under the heading “Description of Securities” beginning on page 19 of this prospectus. We do not intend to apply for the listing of the pre-funded warrants or Series Warrants that are part of this offering on any national securities exchange.

 

The last reported sale price for our common stock on May 13, 2024 was $3.08 per share.

 

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Holders

 

As of May 13, 2024, we had 269 record holders of our common stock, and no preferred stock issued and outstanding. The number of record holders was determined from the records of our transfer agent and does not include beneficial owners of common stock whose shares are held in the names of various security brokers, dealers, and registered clearing agencies. The transfer agent of our common stock and publicly traded warrants is Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, located at 90 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016.

 

Dividend Policy

 

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends to stockholders in the foreseeable future. In addition, any future determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, and such other factors as the Board of Directors deem relevant.

 

Capitalization

 

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of March 31, 2024:

 

  on an actual basis; and

 

  on a pro forma, as adjusted basis, after giving effect to the application of the net proceeds of this offering and after deducting the Placement Agent fees and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

The information set forth in the following table should be read in conjunction with and is qualified in its entirety by “Use of Proceeds” above, as well as our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and the notes to those financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See “The Offering” in this prospectus for information relating to the expected number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering. Our capitalization following the closing of this offering will be adjusted based on the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

 

    As of March 31, 2024  
    Actual     Pro Forma, As
Adjusted for
this Offering*
 
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 3,149,640     $ 10,287,139  
Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity:                
Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized; -0- shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024     -       -  
Series A Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized; -0- shares outstanding as of March 31, 2024     -       -  
Series B Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized; -0- shares outstanding as of March 31, 2024     -       -  
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 863,068 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024     864       3,461  
Additional paid-in capital     308,206,796       315,341,698  
Accumulated deficit     (308,255,808 )     (308,255,808 )
Total Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity   $ (48,148 )   $ 7,089,351  

 

*Assumes a $8,000,000 capital raise with net cash proceeds of approximately $7,132,424; number of shares derived by dividing closing stock price on May 13, 2024 of $3.08. Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed public offering price per share would increase (decrease) the amount of cash and cash equivalents, working capital, total assets, and total stockholders’ equity by approximately $2,600,000, assuming the number of securities offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting the Placement Agent fee and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We may also increase or decrease the number of securities to be issued in this offering. Each increase (decrease) of 1.0 million shares offered by us would increase (decrease) the as adjusted amount of cash and cash equivalents, working capital, total assets and total stockholders’ equity by approximately $3,080,000, assuming the assumed public offering price remains the same, and after deducting the Placement Agent fee and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

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The discussion and table above are based on the 863,068 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2024, and excludes the following:

 

109,363 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options outstanding as of March 31, 2024, with a weighted average exercise price of $184.60 per share;

 

945,867 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2024, with a weighted average exercise price of $18.20 per share;

 

267,355 shares of common stock reserved for future grant or issuance as of March 31, 2024, under our equity incentive plan; and

 

Dilution

 

If you invest in our common stock and/or pre-funded warrants in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted immediately to the extent of the difference between the assumed public offering price per share of our common stock and the as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering. Our net tangible book value as of March 31, 2024 was approximately $2.5 million, or $2.86 per share of our common stock. Net tangible book value per share is equal to our total tangible assets less our total liabilities, divided by the number of shares of our outstanding common stock.

 

After giving effect to the sale of shares of our common stock and accompanying Series Warrants in this offering at the assumed public offering price of $ 3.08 per share (the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on May 13, 2024 ), and after deducting the Placement Agent fee and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and excluding the proceeds, if any, from the cash exercise of the Series Warrants and pre-funded warrants, if any, issued in this offering, our as adjusted net tangible book value as of March 31, 2024 would have been $9,604,064, or $2.78 per share of common stock. This represents an immediate decrease in as adjusted net tangible book value of $0.08 per share to our existing stockholders, and an immediate dilution of $0.30 per share to new investors purchasing securities in this offering at the assumed public offering price. The final public offering price will be determined between us, the Co-Placement Agents and investors in the offering and may be at a discount to the current market price. Therefore, the assumed public offering price used throughout this prospectus may not be indicative of the final public offering price.

 

The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis:

 

Assumed public offering price per share and accompanying Series Warrants           $ 3.08  
Historical net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2024   $ 2.86          
Pro forma decrease in net tangible book value per share attributable to investors in this offering   $ (0.08 )        
As adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering           $ 2.78  
Dilution per share to investors participating in this offering           $ 0.30  

 

A $1.00 increase in the assumed public offering price of $3.08 per share, which is the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on May 13, 2024, would result in an increase in our as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering by approximately $0.54 and the dilution per share to new investors purchasing shares in this offering by $0.68 assuming the number of securities offered by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus remains the same, and after deducting the Placement Agent fee and estimated offering expenses payable by us. A $1.00 decrease in the assumed public offering price of $ 3.08 per share, which is the last reported sale price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on May 13, 2024, would result in a decrease in our as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering by approximately $0.82 and the dilution per share to new investors purchasing shares in this offering by $0.04 assuming the number of securities offered by us as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus remains the same, and after the Placement Agent fee and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We may also increase or decrease the number of securities to be issued in this offering. Each increase (decrease) of 1.0 million shares offered by us would increase (decrease) our as adjusted net tangible book value per share and the dilution per share to new investors purchasing securities in this offering by $0.06 assuming that the assumed public offering price remains the same, and after deducting the Placement Agent fee and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The information discussed above is illustrative only and will be adjusted based on the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering as determined between us and the Co-Placement Agents at pricing.

 

The foregoing discussion and table do not take into account further dilution to investors in this offering that could occur upon the exercise of outstanding options and warrants, including the pre-funded warrants and Series Warrants offered in this offering, having a per share exercise price less than the public offering price per share in this offering.

 

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The discussion and table above are based on the 863,068 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2024, and excludes the following:

 

109,363 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options outstanding as of March 31, 2024, with a weighted average exercise price of $184.60 per share;

 

945,867 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding as of March 31, 2024, with a weighted average exercise price of $18.20 per share;

 

267,355 shares of common stock reserved for future grant or issuance as of March 31, 2024, under our equity incentive plan; and

 

The discussion and table above assume no sale of pre-funded warrants, which, if sold, would reduce the number of shares of common stock that we are offering on a one-for-one basis.

 

To the extent that our outstanding options or warrants are exercised, new options are issued under our equity incentive plan, or additional shares of our common stock are issued in the future, there may be further dilution to investors participating in this offering. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital because of market conditions or strategic considerations, even if we believe that we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. If we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

 

Description of Securities

 

The following description of our common stock, pre-funded warrants and accompanying Series Warrants summarizes the material terms and provisions of the securities that we may issue in connection with this offering. It may not contain all the information that is important to you. For the complete terms of our common stock, please refer to our Certificate of Incorporation and our by-laws (“By-Laws”), which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement which includes this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.” The Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) may also affect the terms of these securities. The summary below is qualified in its entirety by reference to our Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws, each as in effect at the time of any offering of securities under this prospectus.

 

As of May 13, 2024, our authorized capital stock consists of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which 984,728 shares were issued and outstanding, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which no shares were issued and outstanding. In addition, as of May 13, 2024, there were 109,363 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options outstanding, 825,067 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding, and 267,355 shares of common stock reserved for future grant or issuance The authorized and unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock are available for issuance without further action by our stockholders.

 

Common Stock

 

Each stockholder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share issued and outstanding held on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders. Our shares of common stock have no preemptive, conversion, or redemption rights. The rights, preferences, and privileges of the holders of common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock. Upon the sale of substantially all of our stock or assets or dissolution, liquidation or winding up, and after all liquidation preferences payable to any series of preferred stock entitled thereto have been satisfied, our remaining assets shall be distributed to all holders of common stock and any similarly situated stockholders who are not entitled to any liquidation preference or, if there be an insufficient amount to pay all such stockholders, then ratably among such holders. All of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. The holders of shares of our common stock will be entitled to such cash dividends as may be declared from time to time by our Board of Directors from funds available therefor.

  

The shares of common stock offered by this prospectus, when issued and paid for, will also be fully paid and non-assessable.

 

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “APDN.” Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, located at 90 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016, is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.

 

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Preferred Stock

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that our Board of Directors may, by resolution, designate classes of preferred stock in the future. The designated series of preferred stock shall have such powers, designations, preferences and relative, participation or optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions as shall be expressed in the resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. Once designated by our Board of Directors, each series of preferred stock will have specific financial and other terms described in the documents that govern the preferred stock, which include our Certificate of Incorporation and any certificates of designation that our Board of Directors may adopt. Prior to the issuance of shares of each series of preferred stock, the Board of Directors is required by the DGCL and our Certificate of Incorporation to adopt resolutions and file a certificate of designations with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The certificate of designations fixes for each class or series the designations, powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions, including, but not limited to, some or all of the following:

 

  the number of shares constituting that series and the distinctive designation of that series, which number may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares then outstanding) from time to time by action of the Board of Directors;

 

  the dividend rate and the manner and frequency of payment of dividends on the shares of that series, whether dividends will be cumulative, and, if so, from which date;

 

  whether that series will have voting rights, in addition to any voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights;

 

  whether that series will have conversion privileges, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion, including provision for adjustment of the conversion rate in such events as the Board of Directors may determine;

 

  whether or not the shares of that series will be redeemable, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such redemption;

 

  whether that series will have a sinking fund for the redemption or purchase of shares of that series, and, if so, the terms and amount of such sinking fund;

 

  whether or not the shares of the series will have priority over or be on a parity with or be junior to the shares of any other series or class in any respect;

 

  the rights of the shares of that series in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the corporation, and the relative rights or priority, if any, of payment of shares of that series; and

 

  any other relative rights, preferences and limitations of that series.

 

Although our Board of Directors has no intention at the present time of doing so, it could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock that could, depending on the terms of such series, impede the completion of a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt.

 

Series Warrants

 

The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the Series Warrants that are being offered hereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the Series Warrants, the forms of which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Prospective investors should carefully review the terms and provisions of the forms of the Series Warrants for complete descriptions of the terms and conditions of the Series Warrants.

 

We are selling to investors in this offering of shares of our common stock and/or pre-funded warrants in this offering a Series A Warrant to purchase one share of our common stock and a Series B Warrant to purchase one share of our common stock for each share and/or pre-funded warrant purchased in this offering for an assumed combined purchase price of $3.08. The Series A Warrants and the Series B Warrants are referred to herein together as the “Series Warrants”.

  

Each Series A Warrant will be exercisable beginning on the Initial Exercise Date, which is the date of closing, at an exercise price of $            per share, subject to adjustment therein. The Series A Warrants will be exercisable for five years from the Initial Exercise Date, but not thereafter. Each Series B Warrant will be exercisable beginning on the Initial Exercise Date, at an exercise price of $       per share, subject to adjustment therein. The Series B Warrants will be exercisable for one year from the Initial Exercise Date, but not thereafter. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a Series Warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will round up to the next whole share.

 

Subject to limited exceptions, a holder of Series Warrants will not have the right to exercise any portion of its Series Warrants if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise (the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”); provided, however, that upon 61 days’ prior notice to the Company, the holder may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, provided that in no event shall the Beneficial Ownership Limitation exceed 9.99%.

 

The Series Warrants contain a “cashless exercise” feature that allows holders to exercise the Series Warrants without a cash payment to the Company upon the terms set forth in the Series Warrants, if, at the time of exercise there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for the issuance of the shares to the exercising Series Warrant holder.

 

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In the case of certain fundamental transactions affecting the Company, a holder of Series Warrants, upon exercise of such Series Warrants after such fundamental transaction, will have the right to receive, in lieu of shares of the Company’s common stock, the same amount and kind of securities, cash or property that such holder would have been entitled to receive upon the occurrence of the fundamental transaction, had the Series Warrants been exercised immediately prior to such fundamental transaction. In lieu of such consideration, a holder of Series Warrants may instead elect to receive a cash payment based upon the Black-Scholes value of their Series Warrants.

 

The exercise price and number of the shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of the Series Warrants will be subject to adjustment in the event of any stock dividends and splits, recapitalization, reorganization or similar transaction, as described in the Series Warrants.

 

We do not intend to list the Series Warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system. Except as otherwise provided in the Series Warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, the holders of the Series Warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our common stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their Series Warrants.

 

Pre-Funded Warrants

 

The following summary of certain terms and provisions of pre-funded warrants that are being offered hereby is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the provisions of the pre-funded warrant, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Prospective investors should carefully review the terms and provisions of the form of pre-funded warrant for a complete description of the terms and conditions of the pre-funded warrants.

 

Each pre-funded warrant offered hereby will have an initial exercise price per share equal to $0.0001. The pre-funded warrants will be immediately exercisable and may be exercised at any time until the pre-funded warrants are exercised in full. The exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise is subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations or similar events affecting our common stock and the exercise price. The pre-funded warrants will be issued separately from the accompanying Series Warrants and may be transferred separately immediately thereafter.

 

The pre-funded warrants will be exercisable, at the option of each holder, in whole or in part, by delivering to us a duly executed exercise notice accompanied by payment in full for the number of shares of our common stock purchased upon such exercise (except in the case of a cashless exercise as discussed below). A holder (together with its affiliates) may not exercise any portion of the pre-funded warrant to the extent that the holder would own more than 4.99% (or, at the election of the holder, 9.99%) of the outstanding common stock immediately after exercise, except that upon at least 61 days’ prior notice from the holder to us, the holder may increase the amount of ownership of outstanding stock after exercising the holder’s pre-funded warrants up to 9.99 % of the number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the exercise, as such percentage ownership is determined in accordance with the terms of the pre-funded warrants. Purchasers of pre-funded warrants in this offering may also elect prior to the issuance of the pre-funded warrants to have the initial exercise limitation set at 9.99% of our outstanding common stock. No fractional shares of common stock will be issued in connection with the exercise of a pre-funded warrant. In lieu of fractional shares, we will round up to the next whole share. 

 

At any time, in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to us upon such exercise in payment of the aggregate exercise price, the holder may elect instead to receive upon such exercise (either in whole or in part) the net number of shares of common stock determined according to a formula set forth in the pre-funded warrants.

 

Subject to applicable laws, a pre-funded warrant may be transferred at the option of the holder upon surrender of the pre-funded warrant to us together with the appropriate instruments of transfer.

 

We do not intend to list the pre-funded warrants on any securities exchange or nationally recognized trading system. Except as otherwise provided in the pre-funded warrants or by virtue of such holder’s ownership of shares of our common stock, the holders of the pre-funded warrants do not have the rights or privileges of holders of our common stock, including any voting rights, until they exercise their pre-funded warrants.

 

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Possible Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law and our Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions that could make it more difficult to acquire control of our company by means of a tender offer, open market purchases, a proxy contest or otherwise. A description of these provisions is set forth below.

 

Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law

 

Companies incorporated in Delaware are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL, or Section 203, unless the corporation has “opted out” of these provisions with an express provision in its original certificate of incorporation or an express provision in its certificate of incorporation or by-laws resulting from a stockholders’ amendment approved by at least a majority of the outstanding voting shares. We have opted out of Section 203 with an express provision in our Certificate of Incorporation. Therefore, the anti-takeover effects of Section 203 do not apply to us.

 

In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a three-year period following the time that this stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A “business combination” includes, among other things, a merger, asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or did own within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock.

 

Under Section 203, a business combination between a corporation and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless it satisfies one of the following conditions: before the stockholder became interested, the Board of Directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; upon consummation of the transaction which 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 voting stock outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and employee stock plans, in some instances; or at or after the time the stockholder became interested, the business combination was approved by the Board of Directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

 

Election and Removal of Directors

 

Directors will be elected by a plurality of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the stockholders meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Our Certificate of Incorporation does not provide for a classified Board of Directors or for cumulative voting in the election of directors. Under Article VIII of the Certificate of Incorporation and Section 3.13 of the By-Laws, directors may be removed by the stockholders of the Company only for cause, and in such case only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company then entitled to vote in the election of directors. On December 21, 2015, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware invalidated as a matter of law certain provisions of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of VAALCO Energy, Inc. (“VAALCO”), a Delaware corporation, that permitted the removal of VAALCO’s directors by its stockholders only for cause. In In re VAALCO Energy, Inc. Stockholder Litigation, Consol. C.A. No. 11775-VCL (Del. Ch. Dec. 21, 2015), the Court ruled from the bench to hold that, in the absence of a classified Board of Directors or cumulative voting, VAALCO’s “only for-cause” director removal provisions conflict with Section 141(k) of the DGCL and are therefore invalid. Because the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws contain similar “only for-cause” director removal provisions and the Company does not have a classified Board of Directors or cumulative voting, the Company will not attempt to enforce the foregoing “only for-cause” director removal provision in light of the recent VAALCO decision.

  

Size of Board and Vacancies

 

The authorized number of directors may be determined by the Board of Directors, provided the board shall consist of at least one (1) member. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

Vacancies occurring on our Board of Directors for any reason and newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled only by a vote of a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, at any meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

Amendment

 

The Certificate of Incorporation may be amended in the manner prescribed by the DGCL. The Board of Directors is authorized to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-Laws by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the Board of Directors then in office. No amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-Laws may adversely affect any indemnification right or protection of any director, officer, employee or other agent existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision for or in respect of any act, omission or other matter occurring, or any action or proceeding accruing or arising prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.

 

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Authorized but Unissued Shares of Common Stock and of Preferred Stock

 

We believe that the availability of the “Blank Check” preferred stock under our Certificate of Incorporation provides us with flexibility in addressing corporate issues that may arise. The Board of Directors has the power, subject to applicable law, to issue series of preferred stock that could, depending on the terms of the series, impede the completion of a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt that some, or a majority, of the stockholders might believe to be in their best interests or in which stockholders might receive a premium for their stock over the then prevailing market price of the stock. Our Board of Directors may issue preferred stock with voting rights or conversion rights that, if exercised, could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock.

 

The authorized shares of preferred stock, as well as shares of common stock, will be available for issuance without further action by our stockholders, unless action is required by applicable law or the rules of any stock exchange on which our securities may be listed. Having these authorized shares available for issuance allows us to issue shares without the expense and delay of a special stockholders’ meeting. We may use additional shares for a variety of purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, to fund acquisitions and as employee compensation. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of our company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise. The above provisions may deter a hostile takeover or delay a change in control or management of our company.

 

Advance Notice Procedure

 

Our By-Laws provide an advance notice procedure for stockholders to nominate director candidates for election or to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders. Only persons nominated by, or at the direction of, our Board of Directors or by a stockholder of record who has given proper and timely notice to our secretary prior to the meeting at which such stockholder is entitled to vote and appears, will be eligible for election as a director. In addition, any proposed business other than the nomination of persons for election to our Board of Directors must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action pursuant to a proper notice of meeting delivered to us. For notice to be timely, it must generally be delivered to our secretary not less than 90 nor more than 120 calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting (or if the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 calendar days before or more than 60 calendar days after the anniversary date of the previous year’s annual meeting, not earlier than the 120th calendar day prior to such meeting and not later than either the 90th calendar day prior to such meeting or the 10th calendar day after public disclosure of the date of such meeting is first made by us). These advance notice provisions may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the proper procedures are not followed or may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or otherwise attempt to obtain control of us. 

 

Special Meetings of Stockholders

 

Our By-Laws provide that special meetings of stockholders may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the board.

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Pursuant to a placement agency agreement, dated as of [●], 2024, we have engaged Craig-Hallum and Laidlaw, or the Co-Placement Agents, to act as our exclusive placement agents to solicit offers to purchase the shares of our common stock (or pre-funded warrants) and accompanying Series Warrants offered by this prospectus on a best efforts basis. The placement agency agreement does not give rise to any commitment by the Co-Placement Agents to purchase any of our securities, and the Co-Placement Agents will have no authority to bind us by virtue of the placement agency agreement. The Co-Placement Agents are not purchasing or selling any such securities, nor is it required to arrange for the purchase and sale of any specific number or dollar amount of such securities, other than to use their “ best efforts” to arrange for the sale of such securities by us. Therefore, we may not sell all, or any, of the shares of common stock, or pre-funded warrants, and accompanying Series Warrants being offered. The terms of this offering were subject to market conditions and negotiations between us, the Co-Placement Agents and prospective investors. This is a best efforts offering and there is no minimum number of securities or minimum aggregate amount of proceeds that is a condition to the closing of this offering. The Co-Placement Agents may retain sub-agents and selected dealers in connection with this offering. This offering will terminate on June 30, 2024, unless we decide to terminate the offering (which we may do at any time in our discretion) prior to that date. We will have one closing for all the securities purchased in this offering. The combined public offering price per share of common stock, or pre-funded warrant, and accompanying Series Warrants will be fixed for the duration of this offering.

 

Delivery of the securities offered hereby is expected to occur on or about                             , 2024, subject to satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions.

 

We have agreed to pay the Co-Placement Agents an aggregate fee equal to 7.0% of the gross proceeds received in the offering and will issue to the Co-Placement Agents, or their respective designees, Placement Agent Warrants to purchase up to 129,870 shares of common stock (which equals 5.0% of the shares, including shares of common stock underlying the pre-funded warrants being offered) on substantially the same terms as the Series Warrants, except that the Placement Agent Warrants will have an expiration date of five years from the commencement of sales in this offering. The Placement Agent Warrants and the underlying shares of common stock are being registered on this prospectus. In addition, we have agreed to reimburse the Co-Placement Agents for their legal fees, costs and expenses in connection with this offering in an amount up to $110,000.

 

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We estimate the total expenses of this offering paid or payable by us, exclusive of the Co-Placement Agents’ cash fees and expenses, will be approximately $197,500. After deducting the fees due to the Co-Placement Agents and our estimated expenses in connection with this offering, we expect the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $7,132,400 based on an assumed public offering price of $3.08, which was the last reported sales price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market on May 13, 2024.

 

The following table shows the per share and total cash fees we will pay to the Co-Placement Agents in connection with the sale of the securities pursuant to this prospectus.

 

   Per
Share and
Series Warrants
   Per Pre-Funded
Warrant and
Series Warrants
   Total 
Public offering price  $    $    $  
Placement Agent fees               
Proceeds, before expenses, to us  $    $    $  

 

Indemnification

 

We have agreed to indemnify the Co-Placement Agents against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and liabilities arising from breaches of representations, warranties and covenants contained in our placement agency agreement with the Co-Placement Agents.

 

Determination of Public Offering Price and Warrant Exercise Price

 

Our common stock is currently traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “APDN.” On May 13, 2024, the closing price of our common stock was $3.08 per share.

 

The actual combined public offering price of the shares of our common stock and Series Warrants, and pre-funded warrants and Series Warrants, we are offering, and the exercise price of the Series Warrants that we are offering, will be negotiated between us, the Co-Placement Agents and the investors in this offering. We believe that the market price of our common stock at the date of this prospectus is not the appropriate public offering price for the shares of our common stock because the market price is affected by a number of factors. The principal factors considered by us and the Co-Placement Agents in determining the final combined public offering price of the shares of common stock and Series Warrants, and pre-funded warrants and Series Warrants, we are offering, as well as the exercise price of the Series Warrants that we are offering, included:

 

the recent trading history of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market, including market prices and trading volume of our common stock;
  
the current market price of our common stock on The Nasdaq Capital Market;
  
the recent market prices of, and demand for, publicly traded common stock of generally comparable companies;
  
the information set forth or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and otherwise available to the Co-Placement Agents;
  
our past and present financial performance and an assessment of our management;
  
our prospects for future earnings and the present state of our products;
  
the current status of competitive products and product developments by our competitors;
  
our history and prospects, and the history and prospects of the industry in which we compete;
  
the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering; and
  
other factors deemed relevant by the Co-Placement Agents and us, including a to be negotiated discount to the trading price.

 

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Tail Fees

 

We have also agreed to pay Craig-Hallum a cash fee equal to 7.0% of the total gross proceeds received by us from any investor who was contacted by Craig-Hallum, if such investor provides us with capital in any offering or other financing or capital raising transaction during the term of the engagement with Craig-Hallum or within six months following the expiration or termination of the engagement with Craig-Hallum.

 

Lock-up Agreements

 

We and each of our officers and directors have agreed to be subject to a lock-up period of 90 days following the date of closing of the offering pursuant to this prospectus. This means that, during the applicable lock-up period, we and such persons may not offer for sale, contract to sell, sell, distribute, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any of our shares of common stock or any securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, shares of common stock, subject to customary exceptions. We have also agreed, subject to certain exceptions, to a restriction on the issuance of any variable priced securities for 180 days after the closing of this offering, although we will be permitted to issue stock options or stock awards to directors, officers and employees under our existing plans. Craig-Hallum may waive the terms of these lock-up agreements in its sole discretion and without notice.

 

Right of First Refusal

 

We have granted Craig-Hallum a right of first refusal, for a period commencing after the closing of this offering and ending on the date on which the Series B Warrants are no longer outstanding, to act as sole bookrunner, exclusive placement agent or exclusive sales agent in connection with any financing in which we decide to raise funds by means of a solicitation of any of the Series B Warrants.

 

Other Relationships

 

From time to time, the Co-Placement Agents may provide in the future various advisory, investment and commercial banking and other services to us in the ordinary course of business, for which they may receive customary fees and commissions. However, except as disclosed in this prospectus, we have no present arrangements with the Co-Placement Agents for any further services.

 

Regulation M Compliance

 

The Co-Placement Agents may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, and any commissions received by it and any profit realized on the sale of our securities offered hereby by it while acting as principal might be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. The Co-Placement Agents will be required to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, Rule 10b-5 and Regulation M under the Exchange Act. These rules and regulations may limit the timing of purchases and sales of our securities by the Co-Placement Agents. Under these rules and regulations, the Co-Placement Agents may not (i) engage in any stabilization activity in connection with our securities; and (ii) bid for or purchase any of our securities or attempt to induce any person to purchase any of our securities, other than as permitted under the Exchange Act, until they have completed their participation in the distribution.

 

Electronic Distribution

 

This prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites or through other online services maintained by the Co-Placement Agents, or by their affiliates. Other than this prospectus in electronic format, the information on the Co-Placement Agents’ websites and any information contained in any other website maintained by the Co-Placement Agents is not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or the Co-Placement Agents in their capacity as placement agent, and should not be relied upon by investors.

 

Experts

 

Marcum LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the years ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, as set forth in their report, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in this registration statement. Marcum LLP’s report includes an explanatory paragraph relating to our ability to continue as a going concern. Our consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance on Marcum LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

Legal Matters

 

Certain legal matters relating to the issuance of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by McDermott Will & Emery LLP, New York, New York. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the Co-Placement Agents by Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, New York, New York.

 

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Where you can find more information

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and our securities, we refer you to the registration statement, including the exhibits filed as a part of the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract or any other document are not necessarily complete. If a contract or document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, please see the copy of the contract or document that has been filed. Each statement in this prospectus relating to a contract or document filed as an exhibit is qualified in all respects by the filed exhibit. The SEC also maintains an Internet website that contains the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, as well as the exhibits thereto. These documents, along with future reports, proxy statements and other information about us, are available at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov.

 

We are subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, and, in accordance with this law, file periodic reports and other information with the SEC. These periodic reports and other information are available at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. We also maintain a website at http://www.adnas.com. You may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information contained on our website is not a part of this prospectus, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.

 

MATERIAL CHANGES

 

None. 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE.

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information in documents we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. Any statement contained in any 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 in or omitted from this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement, or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

 

We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future documents that we file with the SEC (excluding any portion of such documents that are furnished and not filed with the SEC) under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (1) on and after the date of the initial filing of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement, (2) prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and (3) after the date of effectiveness of this prospectus until the offering of the underlying securities is terminated; provided, however, we are not incorporating by reference any information furnished (but not filed) under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K:

 

  · Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year September 30, 2023 filed with the SEC on December 7, 2023, as amended on January 26, 2024.
     
  · Our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the three month periods ended December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024 filed with the SEC on February 8, 2024 and May 10, 2024, respectively.
     
  · Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 7, 2023December 6, 2023January 5, 2024January 31, 2024, February 1, 2024, April 16, 2024, April 19, 2024 and April 22, 2024 (excluding Item 7.01), as amended on April 23, 2024 (excluding Item 7.01).
     
  · Our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on March 14, 2024.
     
  · The description of our capital stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-36745) filed with the Commission on November 13, 2014, pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

 

Upon written or oral request, we will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of the prospectus is delivered a copy of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus (other than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in this prospectus). You may request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address: Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., 50 Health Sciences Drive, Stony Brook, New York 11790, c/o Investor Relations, telephone: 631-240-8800. You may also access these documents on our website at www.adnas.com.

 

Information on our website, including subsections, pages, or other subdivisions of our website, or any website linked to by content on our website, is not part of this prospectus and you should not rely on that information unless that information is also in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

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Up to 2,597,402 Shares of Common Stock and Accompanying Series A Warrants to Purchase up to 2,597,402 Shares of Common Stock and Series B Warrants to Purchase up to 2,597,402 Shares of Common Stock

 

Pre-Funded Warrants to Purchase Up to 2,597,402 Shares of Common Stock

and Accompanying Series A Warrants to Purchase up to 2,597,402 Shares of Common Stock and Series B Warrants to Purchase up to 2,597,402 Shares of Common Stock

 

Placement Agent Warrants to Purchase Up to 129,870 Shares of Common Stock

 

Up to 7,922,076 Shares of Common Stock Underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants, Series A Warrants, Series B Warrants and Placement Agent Warrants 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

Craig-Hallum

Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd.

 

, 2024

 

27

 

 

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

 

The following table sets forth the fees and expenses, other than placement agent fees and expenses, payable in connection with the registration of the securities hereunder. All amounts are estimates except the SEC registration fee and the FINRA filing fee.

 

Item   Amount
to be paid
 
SEC registration fee   $ 3,601  
FINRA filing fee   $ 5,075  
Printing expenses   $ 8,900  
Legal fees and expenses   $ 150,000  
Accounting fees and expenses   $ 25,000  
Transfer Agent fees and expenses   $ 5,000  
Total   $ 197,576  

 

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may indemnify directors and officers as well as other employees and individuals against expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions, suits or proceedings in which such person is made a party by reason of such person being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent to the corporation. The Delaware General Corporation Law provides that Section 145 is not exclusive of other rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law provides that a corporation may adopt a provision in its certificate of incorporation eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director of the corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability for any: (i) breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders; (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions; or (iv) transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law that our directors or officers shall not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for damages for breach of such director’s or officer’s fiduciary duty. The effect of this provision of our Certificate of Incorporation is to eliminate our rights and the rights of our stockholders (through stockholders’ derivative suits on behalf of our Company) to recover damages against a director or officer for breach of the fiduciary duty of care as a director or officer (including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior), except under certain situations defined by statute. We believe that the indemnification provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers.

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation also provides that we shall have the power to indemnify, to the extent permitted by the DGCL, as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended from time to time, any employee or agent of ours who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of ours or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any such proceeding.

 

Section 9.3 of our By-Laws provides for the indemnification of our directors, officers and employees to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.

 

We have entered into an indemnification agreement (each, an “Indemnification Agreement”) with each of our directors and executive officers. In general, the Indemnification Agreement obligates us to indemnify a director or executive officer, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, penalties, fines and settlement amounts actually and reasonably incurred by them in any action or proceeding arising out of their services as one of our directors or executive officers, or any of our subsidiaries or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at our request. In addition, the Indemnification Agreement provides for the advancement of expenses incurred by the indemnitee in connection with any covered proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The rights provided by the Indemnification Agreement are in addition to any other rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses to which the indemnitee may be entitled under applicable law, our Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws, or otherwise.

 

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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act, may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of ours 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. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by us of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of ours 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, we will, unless in the opinion of our counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by us is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

We maintain a director and officer insurance policy that covers certain liabilities of our directors and officers arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.

 

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

On January 31, 2024, the Company entered into the Placement Agreement with Maxim Group pursuant to which Maxim Group agreed to serve as the sole placement agent, on a “reasonable best efforts” basis, in connection with the Offering of 161,403 shares of the Company’s common stock and pre-funded warrants to purchase up to 120,801 shares of common stock, and in a concurrent private placement, unregistered common warrants to purchase up to 564,407 shares of common stock. Also on January 31, 2024, in connection with the Offering, the Company entered into Purchase Agreements with the Purchasers.

 

The Offering closed on February 2, 2024. The Company received gross proceeds from the Offering, before deducting placement agent fees and other estimated offering expenses payable by the Company, of approximately $3.4 million.

 

Pursuant to the Placement Agreement, the Company paid Maxim Group a cash placement fee equal to 6.5% of the aggregate gross proceeds raised in the Offering from sales arranged for by Maxim Group. Subject to certain conditions, the Company has also agreed to reimburse certain expenses of Maxim Group in connection with the Offering, including but not limited to legal fees, up to a maximum of $50,000.

 

Securities Act Exemptions

 

The common warrants and the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the common warrants are not registered under the Securities Act. The common warrants and the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise thereof were issued in reliance on the exemptions from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act and Regulation D promulgated thereunder, for transactions not involving a public offering.

 

Item 16. Exhibit and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a) Exhibits.

 

The exhibit index attached hereto is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b) Financial Statement Schedules.

 

Schedules have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

 

Item 17. Undertakings

 

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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission 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

 

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(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

 

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. 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 first use, 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 date of first use.

  

(5) That for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of 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.

 

(6) 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 any charter provision, by law or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than 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 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

(7) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

(i) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and

 

(ii) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus 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.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit       Incorporated by Reference   Filed or
Furnished
Number   Description   Form   Exhibit   File No.   Date Filed   Herewith
2.1*†   Share Purchase Agreement, dated July 12, 2023, by and among Spindle Acquisition Corp., Spindle Biotech Inc., the persons listed on Schedule 1.1 therein, Lai Him Chung and Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.   8-K   2.1   001-36745   7/13/2023    
3.1   Conformed version of Certificate of Incorporation of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., as most recently amended by the Sixth Certificate of Amendment, effective Thursday, April 25, 2024                   Filed
3.2   By-Laws   8-K   3.2   002-90539   1/16/2009    
4.1   Description of Securities   10-K   4.1   001-36745   12/9/2021    
4.2   Form of Purchase Warrant   8-K   4.1   001-36745   12/20/2017    
4.3   Common Stock Purchase Warrant   8-K   4.1   001-36745   12/21/2018    
4.4   Form of common warrant certificate (included in the Warrant Agreement, dated November 15, 2019)   8-K   4.2   001-36745   11/18/2019    
4.5   Form of Indenture   S-3   4.1   333-238557   05/21/2020    
4.6   Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant   8-K   10.3   001-36745   10/14/2020    
4.7   Form of Pre-Funded Common Stock Purchase Warrant   8-K   4.1   001-36745   2/23/2022    
4.8   Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant   8-K   4.2   001-36745   2/23/2022    
4.9   Form of Series A Warrant   8-K   4.1   001-36745   8/9/2022    
4.10   Form of Series B Warrant   8-K   4.2   001-36745   8/9/2022    
4.11   Form of Prefunded Warrant   8-K   4.3   001-36745   8/9/2022    
4.12   Form of Pre-Funded Warrant.   8-K   4.1   001-36745   02/01/2024    
4.13   Form of Private Common Warrant.   8-K   4.2   001-36745   02/01/2024    
4.14   Form of Pre-Funded Warrant                   Filed
4.15   Form of Series A Warrant                   Filed
4.16   Form of Series B Warrant                   Filed
4.17   Form of Placement Agent Warrant                   Filed
5.1   Opinion of McDermott Will & Emery LLP                   Filed
10.1†   Form of employee stock option agreement under the Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. 2005 Incentive Stock Plan   10-Q   4.1   002-90539   05/15/2012    
10.2†   Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. 2005 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended and restated   DEF 14A   Appendix A   001-36745   04/04/2019    
10.3†   Form of employee stock option agreement under the Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. 2005 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended   10-K   10.1   001-36745   12/14/2015    
10.4†   Conformed version of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, as most recently amended by the Amendment to the Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, effective April 15, 2024   DEF 14A   Appendix C   001-36745   03/14/2024    
10.5†   Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan Stock Option Grant Notice and Award Agreement   S-8   10.3   333-249365   10/07/2020    
10.6†   Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 2016, between James A. Hayward and Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.   8-K   10.1   001-36745   8/2/2016    

 

31

 

 

10.7†   Form of Indemnification Agreement dated as of September 7, 2012, by and between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and each of its directors and executive officers   8-K   10.1   002-90539   9/13/2012    
10.8   Warrant Agreement, dated November 20, 2014, between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as warrant agent   8-K   4.1   001-36745   11/20/2014    
10.9   First Amendment to Warrant Agreement dated April 1, 2015 between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as warrant agent   8-K   4.1   001-36745   4/1/2015    
10.10   Second Amendment to Warrant Agreement dated November 2, 2016   8-K   10.4   001-36745   11/2/2016    
10.11   Registration Rights Agreement dated November 2, 2016   8-K   10.3   001-36745   11/2/2016    
10.12*   License Agreement with Himatsingka America, Inc. dated June 23, 2017   10-Q   10.1   001-36745   8/10/2017    
10.13   Placement Agency Agreement by and between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and Maxim Group LLC, dated December 20, 2017.   8-K   10.1   001-36745   12/20/2017    
10.14   Registration Rights Agreement, dated November 29, 2018   8-K   10.2   001-36745   12/6/2018    
10.15   Securities Purchase Agreement, dated November 29, 2018   8-K   10.3   001-36745   12/6/2018    
10.16   Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 31, 2018   8-K/A   10.2   001-36745   12/10/2018    
10.17   Securities Purchase Agreement, dated August 31, 2018   10-K   10.45   001-36745   12/18/2018    
10.18+   Patent and Know-How License and Cooperation Agreement, dated March 28, 2019, between the Company, APDN (B.V.I.), Inc., and ETCH BioTrace S.A.   10-Q   10.10   001-36745   5/9/2019    
10.19   Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 16, 2019 by and among Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and the investor named on the signature page thereof.   8-K   10.2   001-36745   07/17/2019    
10.20   Securities Purchase Agreement, dated July 16, 2019 by and among Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and the investor named on the signature page thereof.   8-K   10.3   001-36745   07/17/2019    
10.21   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated July 29, 2019 by and between LineaRX, Inc. and Vitatex Inc.   8-K   10.1   001-36745   8/12/2019    
10.22   Form of Subscription Agreement between investors and Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., dated August 22, 2019.   8-K   10.1   001-36745   8/26/2019    
10.23   Underwriting Agreement entered into by and between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and Maxim Group LLC, as Representative of the Underwriters listed in Schedule I hereto, dated November 13, 2019.   8-K   1.1   001-36745   11/14/2019    
10.24   Warrant Agreement, dated November 15, 2019, between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC   8-K   4.1   001-36745   11/18/2019    
10.25†   Consulting Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2019, by and between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and Meadow Hill Place, LLC   10-Q   10.1   001-36745   08/06/2020    
10.26   Agreement of Lease dated June 14, 2013, between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and Long Island High Technology Incubator, Inc.   10-Q   10.2   002-90539   8/13/2013    
10.27   Agreement of Lease, dated November 1, 2015, by and between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and Long Island High Technology Incubator, Inc.   10-Q   10.2   001-36745   08/06/2020    
10.28   Option Exercise Notice, dated December 3, 2015, Pursuant to Lease dated June 14, 2013, between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and Long Island High Technology Incubator, Inc.   10-Q   10.2   001-36745   05/12/2016    
10.29   Temporary Lease Extension Agreement, dated August 9, 2019, by and between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and Long Island High Technology Incubator, Inc.   10-Q   10.3   001-36745   08/06/2020    
10.30   Amendment to Leases, dated November 4, 2019, by and between Long Island High Technology Incubator, Inc. and Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.   10-Q   10.4   001-36745   08/06/2020    
10.31   Amendment to Leases, dated January 17, 2020, by and between Long Island High Technology Incubator, Inc. and Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.   10-Q   10.5   001-36745   08/06/2020    

 

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10.32   Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 7, 2020, by and between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and Dillon Hill Capital, LLC.   8-K   10.4   001-36745   10/14/2020    
10.33   Registration Rights Agreement, dated October 7, 2020, by and between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and Dillon Hill Investment Company LLC.   8-K   10.5   001-36745   10/14/2020    
10.34+   Joint Development Agreement, dated September 11, 2018, between LineaRx, Inc., Takis S.R.L. and Evvivax S.R.L., as amended by that First Amendment, dated February 3, 2020   10-K   10.46   001-36745   12/17/2020    
10.35   Animal Clinical Trial Agreement, dated September 14, 2020, between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., Evvivax S.R.L. and Veterinary Oncology Services, PLLC   10-K   10.47   001-36745   12/17/2020    
10.36   Letter Agreement dated March 2, 2021, by and between the Company and Dr. James Hayward   8-K   10.1   001-36745   3/4/2021    
10.37   Office Lease Renewal Letter Agreement, dated February 1, 2022, by and between Long Island High Technology Incubator, Inc. and Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.   10-K   10.43   001 36745   12/14/2022    
10.38   Laboratory Lease Renewal Letter Agreement, dated February 1, 2022, by and between Long Island High Technology Incubator, Inc. and Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.   10-K   10.44   001 36745   12/14/2022    
10.39+   Contract Number T212206, dated August 3, 2021, by and between The City University of New York and Applied DNA Clinical Labs, LLC.   10-K   10.45   001 36745   12/14/2022    
10.40+   First Amendment to Contract No. T212206, dated December 16, 2021, by and between The City University of New York and Applied DNA Clinical Labs, LLC.   10-K   10.46   001 36745   12/14/2022    
10.41+   Second Amendment to Contract No. T212206, dated July 19, 2022, by and between The City University of New York and Applied DNA Clinical Labs, LLC.   10-K   10.47   001 36745   12/14/2022    
10.42   Equity Distribution Agreement, dated November 7, 2023, by and between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and Maxim Group LLC   8-K   10.1   001-36745   11/7/2023    
10.43†   Letter Agreement, dated January 4, 2024, by and between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and James A. Hayward.   8-K   10.1   001-36745   1/5/2024    
10.44†   Letter Agreement, dated January 4, 2024, by and between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and Judith Murrah.   8-K   10.2   001-36745   1/5/2024    
10.45   Amended and Restated Lease Agreement, dated February 24, 2023, by and between Long Island High Technology Incubator, Inc. and Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (Office Lease).   8-K   10.1   001-36745   02/28/2023    
10.46   Amended and Restated Lease Agreement, dated February 24, 2023, by and between Long Island High Technology Incubator, Inc. and Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (Laboratory Lease).   8-K   10.2   001-36745   02/28/2023    
10.47   Lease Renewal Agreement dated January 10, 2024 (Laboratory Lease).   10-Q   10.3   001-36745   02/08/2024    
10.48   Placement Agency Agreement by and between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and Maxim Group LLC, dated January 31, 2024.   8-K   10.1   001-36745   01/05/2024    
10.49   Form of Securities Purchase Agreement, dated January 31, 2024, by and between Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. and the parties thereto.   8-K   10.2   001-36745   01/05/2024    
10.50   Form of Placement Agency Agreement                   Filed
10.51   Form of Lock-up Agreement                   Filed

 

33

 

 

14.1   Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.   10-K   14.1   001-36745   12/14/2022    
21.1   Subsidiaries of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.   10-K   21.1   001-36745   12/07/2023    
23.1   Consent of Marcum LLP                   Filed
23.2   Consent of McDermott Will & Emery LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)                    
107   Filing Fee Table                  

 

Indicates a management contract or any compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.

 

*A request for confidentiality has been granted for certain portions of the indicated document. Confidential portions have been omitted and filed separately with the SEC as required by Rule 24b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

+Portions of this exhibit have been omitted because the information is both not material and is the type that the Company treats as private or confidential. The omissions have been indicated by bracketed asterisks (“[***]”).

  

34

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Town of Stony Brook, State of New York, on the 14th day of May, 2024.

 

APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.  
     
By: /s/ James A. Hayward  
  James A. Hayward  
  President and Chief Executive Officer  

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature   Title   Date
         
/s/ James A. Hayward   Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors   May 14, 2024
James A. Hayward   (Principal Executive Officer)    
     
/s/ Beth Jantzen   Chief Financial Officer   May 14, 2024
Beth Jantzen   (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)    
     
*   Director   May 14, 2024
Robert B. Catell        
     
*   Director   May 14, 2024
Joseph D. Ceccoli        
     
*   Director   May 14, 2024
Sanford R. Simon        
     
*   Director   May 14, 2024
Yacov A. Shamash        
         
*   Director   May 14, 2024
Elizabeth M. Schmalz Shaheen        

 

*By:   /s/ Beth Jantzen  
  Name:    Beth Jantzen  
  Title: Attorney-in-Fact  

 

35

 

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

a Delaware corporation

 

The undersigned, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

The name of this corporation is Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.

 

ARTICLE II

 

The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, 19808. The Corporation’s registered agent at that address is Corporation Service Company.

 

ARTICLE III

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended (the “DGCL”). The corporation is being incorporated in connection with the conversion of a Nevada corporation to a Delaware corporation (the “Conversion”), and this Certificate of Incorporation is being filed simultaneously with the Certificate of Conversion from a Non-Delaware Corporation to a Delaware Corporation (the “Certificate of Conversion”) pursuant to Section 265 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

This Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is 420,000,000. The total number of shares of Common Stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 410,000,000, with a par value of $0.001 per share. Each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one (1) vote on each matter submitted to a vote at any meeting of stockholders. The total number of shares of Preferred Stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 10,000,000, with a par value of $0.001 per share.

 

The Board of Directors is further authorized, subject to the limitations prescribed by law, to fix by resolution or resolutions the designations, powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock, including without limitation, authority to fix by resolution or resolutions the dividend rights, dividend rate, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), redemption price or prices, and liquidation preferences of any such series, and the number of shares constituting any such series and the designation thereof, or any of the foregoing.

 

The Board of Directors is further authorized to increase (but not above the total number of authorized shares of the class) or decrease (but not below the number of shares of any such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock, the number of which is fixed by it, subsequent to the issuance of shares then outstanding, subject to the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof stated in this Certificate or the resolution of the Board of Directors originally fixing the number of shares of such series. If the number of shares of any series is so decreased, then the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status which they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

 

The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

1. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon them by statute or by this Certificate or the Bylaws of the Corporation, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation.

 

2. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation. The affirmative vote of at least a majority of the Board of Directors then in office shall be required in order for the Board of Directors to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Corporation’s Bylaws. The Corporation’s Bylaws may also be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with the Bylaws. No Bylaw hereafter legally amended, altered or repealed shall invalidate any prior act of the directors or officers of the Corporation that would have been valid if such Bylaw had not been amended, altered or repealed.

 

3. Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation shall so provide.

 

4. No stockholder shall be permitted to cumulate votes at any election of directors.

 

5. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any action by written consent by such stockholders.

 

6. Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors that constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be fixed exclusively in the manner designated in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

1. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as the same exists or as may hereafter be amended, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.

 

2. The Corporation shall have the power to indemnify, to the extent permitted by the DGCL, as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended from time to time, any employee or agent of the Corporation who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any such Proceeding.

 

3. Neither any amendment or repeal of any Section of this Article VII, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate inconsistent with this Article VII, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article VII, in respect of any matter occurring, or any action or proceeding accruing or arising or that, but for this Article VII, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

Any director may be removed from the Board of Directors by the stockholders of the corporation only for cause, and in such case only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation then entitled to vote in the election of directors. Vacancies occurring on the Board of Directors for any reason and newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled only by a vote of a majority of the remaining members of the Board of Directors, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, at any meeting of the Board of Directors. A person so elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor shall be duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

The Corporation hereby elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL as from time to time in effect or any successor provision thereto.

 

ARTICLE X

 

The Corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate in the manner prescribed by the laws of Delaware and all rights conferred upon stockholders are granted subject to this reservation.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

The name and mailing address of the incorporator is Kurt H. Jensen, 25 Health Sciences Drive, Suite 113, Stony Brook, NY 11790.

 

*****

 

The undersigned, being the incorporator named, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the DGCL, does make this Certificate, hereby declaring and certifying that this is his act and deed and the facts herein stated are true, and accordingly has hereunto set his hand this 16th day of December. 2008.

 

  /s/ Kurt H. Jensen
  Kurt H. Jensen
  Incorporator

 

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

OF

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

* * * * *

 

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY THAT:

 

FIRST: The first paragraph of Article IV of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended and replaced in its entirety to read as follows:

 

“This Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is 810,000,000. The total number of shares of Common Stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 800,000,000, with a par value of $0.001 per share. Each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one (1) vote on each matter submitted to a vote at any meeting of stockholders. The total number of shares of Preferred Stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 10,000,000, with a par value of $0.001 per share.”

 

SECOND: That pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors, the proposed amendment was submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for consideration at the annual meeting of stockholders held on June 29, 2010 and was duly adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its Chief Executive Officer, on June 29th, 2010.

 

  APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.
   
  By: /s/ James A. Hayward
    Name: James A. Hayward
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

OF

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

* * * * *

 

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY THAT:

 

FIRST: The first paragraph of Article IV of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended and replaced in its entirety to read as follows:

 

“This Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is 1,360,000,000. The total number of shares of Common Stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 1,350,000,000, with a par value of $0.001 per share. Each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one (1) vote on each matter submitted to a vote at any meeting of stockholders. The total number of shares of Preferred Stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 10,000,000, with a par value of $0.001 per share.”

 

SECOND: That pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors, the proposed amendment was submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for consideration at the annual meeting of stockholders held on January 27, 2012 and was duly adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its Chief Executive Officer, on January 27th, 2012.

 

  APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.
   
  By: /s/ James A. Hayward
    Name: James A. Hayward
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS OF THE

 

SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK OF

 

APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

I, James A. Hayward, hereby certify that I am the Chief Executive Officer of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (the “Company”), a corporation organized and existing under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), and further do hereby certify:

 

That pursuant to the authority expressly conferred upon the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) by the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), the Board on November 29, 2012 adopted the following resolutions creating a series of 5,500 shares of Preferred Stock designated as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, none of which shares have been issued:

 

RESOLVED, that the Board designates the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and the number of shares constituting such series, and fixes the rights, powers, preferences, privileges and restrictions relating to such series in addition to any set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation as follows:

 

TERMS OF SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

 

1.             Designation and Number of Shares; Defined Terms. There shall hereby be created and established a series of preferred stock of the Company designated as “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series A Preferred Stock”). The authorized number of shares of Series A Preferred stock shall be 5,500 shares. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall have a par value of $0.001. Any capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in Section 22 hereof, or if not so defined in Section 22 hereof, in the Securities Purchase Agreement (as defined in Section 22 hereof).

 

2.             Ranking. Except to the extent that the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock (the “Required Holders”) expressly consent to the creation of Parity Stock (as defined below) or Senior Preferred Stock (as defined below) in accordance with Section 11, all shares of capital stock of the Company (including, without limitation, Common Stock) shall be junior in rank to all shares of Series A Preferred Stock with respect to the preferences as to dividends, distributions and payments upon the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company (such junior stock is referred to herein collectively as “Junior Stock”). The rights of all such shares of capital stock of the Company shall be subject to the rights, powers, preferences and privileges of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock. Without limiting any other provision of this Certificate of Designations, without the prior express consent of the Required Holders, voting separate as a single class, the Company shall not hereafter authorize or issue any additional or other shares of capital stock that is (i) of senior rank to the shares of Series A Preferred Stock in respect of the preferences as to dividends, distributions and payments upon the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company (collectively, the “Senior Preferred Stock”), (ii) of pari passu rank to the shares of Series A Preferred Stock in respect of the preferences as to dividends, distributions and payments upon the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company (collectively, the “Parity Stock”) or (iii) any Junior Stock having a maturity date (or any other date requiring redemption or repayment of such shares of Junior Stock) that is prior to the date on which no shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding.

 

3.             Dividends. The Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividends, except as set forth in the next sentence below. From and after the first date of issuance of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock (the “Initial Issuance Date”), each holder of a share of Series A Preferred Stock (each, a “Holder” and collectively, the “Holders”) shall be entitled to receive dividends (“Dividends”) per share equal to any dividends declared, set apart for or paid upon any Junior Stock or Parity Stock.

 

4.             Conversion. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be convertible into validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock (as defined below) on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 4.

 

(a)           Holder’s Conversion Right. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(e), at any time or times on or after the Initial Issuance Date, each Holder shall be entitled to convert any whole number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock into validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock in accordance with Section 4(c) at the Conversion Rate (as defined below).

 

(b)           Conversion Rate. The number of validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of each share of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 4(a) shall be determined according to the following formula (the “Conversion Rate”):

 

Conversion Amount

Conversion Price

 

No fractional shares of Common Stock are to be issued upon the conversion of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock. If the issuance would result in the issuance of a fraction of a share of Common Stock, the Company shall round such fraction of a share of Common Stock up to the nearest whole share.

 

 

 

 

(c)           Mechanics of Conversion. The conversion of each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be conducted in the following manner:

 

(i)            Holder’s Conversion. To convert a share of Series A Preferred Stock into validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock on any date (a “Conversion Date”), a Holder shall deliver (whether via facsimile or otherwise), for receipt on or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York time, on such date, a copy of an executed notice of conversion of the share(s) of Series A Preferred Stock subject to such conversion in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I (the “Conversion Notice”) to the Company. If required by Section 4(c)(vi), within five (5) Trading Days following a conversion of any such Series A Preferred Stock as aforesaid, such Holder shall surrender to a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for delivery to the Company the original certificates representing the share(s) of Series A Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Share Certificates”) so converted as aforesaid.

 

(ii)           Company’s Response. Not later than the first (1st) Trading Day following the date of receipt of a Conversion Notice, the Company shall transmit by facsimile an acknowledgment of confirmation, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit II, of receipt of such Conversion Notice to such Holder and the Company’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”), which confirmation shall constitute an instruction to the Transfer Agent to process such Conversion Notice in accordance with the terms herein. On or before the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date of receipt by the Company of such Conversion Notice, the Company shall (1) provided that the Transfer Agent is participating in The Depository Trust Company’s (“DTC”) Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, credit such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder shall be entitled to such Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian system, or (2) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, issue and deliver (via reputable overnight courier) to the address as specified in such Conversion Notice, a certificate, registered in the name of such Holder or its designee, for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder shall be entitled. If the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented by the Preferred Share Certificate(s) submitted for conversion pursuant to Section 4(c)(vi) is greater than the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock being converted, then the Company shall if requested by such Holder, as soon as practicable and in no event later than three (3) Trading Days after receipt of the Preferred Share Certificate(s) and at its own expense, issue and deliver to such Holder (or its designee) a new Preferred Share Certificate representing the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock not converted. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above or elsewhere in this instrument, the Company shall cause its Transfer Agent to at all times participate in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program and shall, in all cases, cause the issuance and transfer of all shares of Common Stock to which any Holder or its designee is entitled under this instrument to be transferred and issued by credit to such Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian System.

 

(iii)          Record Holder. The Person or Persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon a conversion of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock on the Conversion Date.

 

 

 

 

(iv)          Company’s Failure to Timely Convert. If the Company shall fail, for any reason or for no reason, to issue to a Holder within three (3) Trading Days after the Company’s receipt of a Conversion Notice (whether via facsimile or otherwise), a certificate for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company’s share register or to credit such Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC for such number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock (as the case may be) (a “Conversion Failure”), then, in addition to all other remedies available to such Holder, such Holder, upon written notice to the Company, may void its Conversion Notice with respect to, and retain or have returned (as the case may be) any shares of Series A Preferred Stock that have not been converted pursuant to such Holder’s Conversion Notice, provided that the voiding of a Conversion Notice shall not affect the Company’s obligations to make any payments which have accrued prior to the date of such notice pursuant to the terms of this Certificate of Designations or otherwise. In addition to the foregoing, if within three (3) Trading Days after the Company’s receipt of a Conversion Notice (whether via facsimile or otherwise), the Company shall fail to issue and deliver a certificate to such Holder and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company’s share register or credit such Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion hereunder (as the case may be), and if on or after such third (3rd) Trading Day such Holder (or any other Person in respect, or on behalf, of such Holder) purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by such Holder of all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock, or a sale of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock, issuable upon such conversion that such Holder so anticipated receiving from the Company, then, in addition to all other remedies available to such Holder, the Company shall, within three (3) Business Days after such Holder’s request and in such Holder’s discretion, either (i) pay cash to such Holder in an amount equal to such Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased (including, without limitation, by any other Person in respect, or on behalf, of such Holder) (the “Buy-In Price”), at which point the Company’s obligation to so issue and deliver such certificate or credit such Holder’s balance account with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion hereunder (as the case may be) (and to issue such shares of Common Stock) shall terminate, or (ii) promptly honor its obligation to so issue and deliver to such Holder a certificate or certificates representing such shares of Common Stock or credit such Holder’s balance account with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion hereunder (as the case may be) and pay cash to such Holder in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Buy-In Price over the product of (A) such number of shares of Common Stock multiplied by (B) the lowest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date of the applicable Conversion Notice and ending on the date of such issuance and payment under this clause (ii). Immediately following the voiding of a Conversion Notice as aforesaid, the Fixed Conversion Price of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock returned or retained by such Holder for failure to timely convert shall be adjusted to the lesser of (I) the Fixed Conversion Price relating to the voided Conversion Notice and (II) the lowest Closing Bid Price of the Common Stock during the period beginning on the Conversion Date and ending on the date such Holder voided the Conversion Notice, subject to further adjustment as provided in this Certificate of Designations.

 

(v)           Pro Rata Conversion; Disputes. In the event the Company receives a Conversion Notice from more than one Holder (if more than one Holder exists) for the same Conversion Date and the Company can convert some, but not all, of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock submitted for conversion, the Company shall convert from each Holder electing to have shares of Series A Preferred Stock converted on such date a pro rata amount of such Holder’s shares of Series A Preferred Stock submitted for conversion on such date based on the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock submitted for conversion on such date by such Holder relative to the aggregate number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock submitted for conversion on such date. In the event of a dispute as to the number of shares of Common Stock issuable to a Holder in connection with a conversion of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the Company shall issue to such Holder the number of shares of Common Stock not in dispute and resolve such dispute in accordance with Section 20.

 

(vi)          Book-Entry. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 4, upon conversion of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms hereof, no Holder thereof shall be required to physically surrender the certificate representing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to the Company following conversion thereof unless (A) the full or remaining number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented by the certificate are being converted (in which event such certificate(s) shall be delivered to the Company as contemplated by this Section 4(c)(vi)) or (B) such Holder has provided the Company with prior written notice (which notice may be included in a Conversion Notice) requesting reissuance of shares of Series A Preferred Stock upon physical surrender of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock. Each Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock so converted by such Holder and the dates of such conversions or shall use such other method, reasonably satisfactory to such Holder and the Company, so as not to require physical surrender of the certificate representing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock upon each such conversion. In the event of any dispute or discrepancy, such records of such Holder establishing the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to which the record holder is entitled shall be controlling and determinative in the absence of manifest error. A Holder and any transferee or assignee, by acceptance of a certificate, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following conversion of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock represented by such certificate may be less than the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock stated on the face thereof. Each certificate for shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall bear the following legend:

 

ANY TRANSFEREE OR ASSIGNEE OF THIS CERTIFICATE SHOULD CAREFULLY REVIEW THE TERMS OF THE CORPORATION’S CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS RELATING TO THE SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE, INCLUDING SECTION 4(c)(vi) THEREOF. THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE LESS THAN THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK STATED ON THE FACE HEREOF PURSUANT TO SECTION 4(c)(vi) OF THE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS RELATING TO THE SHARES OF SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE.

 

 

 

 

(d)           Taxes. The Company shall pay any and all documentary, stamp, transfer (but only in respect of the registered holder thereof), issuance and other similar taxes that may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of shares of Series A Preferred Stock.

 

(e)           Limitation on Beneficial Ownership. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate of Designations, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by a Holder shall not be convertible by such Holder, and the Company shall not effect any conversion of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holder (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 4 hereof), to the extent (but only to the extent) that such Holder or any of its affiliates would beneficially own in excess of 9.9% (the “Maximum Percentage”) of the Common Stock. To the extent the above limitation applies, the determination of whether the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holder shall be convertible (vis-à-vis other convertible, exercisable or exchangeable securities owned by such Holder or any of its affiliates with a similar limitation on conversion or exercise or exchange or otherwise) and of which such securities shall be convertible, exercisable or exchangeable (as among all such securities owned by such Holder and its affiliates with similar limitations on conversion or exercise or exchange or otherwise) shall, subject to such Maximum Percentage limitation, be determined on the basis of the first submission to the Company for conversion, exercise or exchange (as the case may be). No prior inability of a Holder to convert shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or of the Company to issue shares of Common Stock to such Holder, pursuant to this Section 4(e) shall have any effect on the applicability of the provisions of this Section 4(e) with respect to any subsequent determination of convertibility or issuance (as the case may be). For purposes of this Section 4(e), beneficial ownership and all determinations and calculations (including, without limitation, with respect to calculations of percentage ownership) shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For clarification, the foregoing calculation of beneficial ownership takes into account all securities which give rise to beneficial ownership by Holder or its affiliates of such Common Stock under such rules and regulations and not solely the Preferred Stock held by Holder or its affiliates. The provisions of this Section 4(e) shall be implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 4(e) to correct this Section 4(e) (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Maximum Percentage beneficial ownership limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such Maximum Percentage limitation. The limitations contained in this Section 4(e) shall apply to a successor holder of shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The holders of Common Stock shall be third party beneficiaries of this Section 4(e) and the Company may not waive this Section 4(e) without the consent of holders of a majority of its Common Stock. For any reason at any time, upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one (1) Business Day confirm orally and in writing to such Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding, including by virtue of any prior conversion or exercise of convertible or exercisable securities into Common Stock, including, without limitation, pursuant to this Certificate of Designations or securities issued pursuant to the other Transaction Documents.

 

(f)           Company Conversion Right. Provided that no Equity Condition Failure then exists, the Company shall have the right during the ten (10) Trading Days immediately following the Second Closing to effectuate one or more conversions hereunder of all or any portion of the then outstanding Series A Preferred Stock at the Non-Fixed Conversion Price. To the extent that the limitations set forth in paragraph (e) above limit the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock that may be so converted, the Company shall have the right to so convert such number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock at such Non-Fixed Conversion Price as would not give rise to a violation of the limitation set forth in paragraph (e) above and the ten (10) Trading Day period referred to above shall be extended for such period of time as may be necessary to allow the Company to effectuate the conversion of all then outstanding Series A Preferred Stock under this paragraph (f). The procedures and other provisions of this Series A Preferred Stock as set forth with respect to a conversion at the election of the Holder shall otherwise apply to conversions under this paragraph (f) as if conversions under this paragraph (f) were conversions by such Holder otherwise under this Series A Preferred Stock. “Second Closing” shall mean the date on which the Series A Preferred Stock is issued to the Holder.

 

(g)          Automatic Conversion. Provided that no Equity Condition Failure then exists, the entire then outstanding amount of this Series A Preferred Stock shall automatically convert into shares of Common Stock at the then applicable Conversion Price on the first anniversary of the Second Closing. To the extent that the limitations set forth in paragraph (e) above limit the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock that may be so converted, then from time to time thereafter the amount to be converted under this paragraph (g) shall be limited at such time so as to comply with the limitations set forth in paragraph (e) above and from time to time thereafter the remaining outstanding portion of this Series A Preferred Stock shall automatically convert into shares of Common Stock at then applicable Conversion Price at the time of such subsequent conversion in compliance with the limitations set forth in paragraph (e) above until remaining outstanding shares of this Series A Preferred Stock have been converted into Common Stock. The procedures and other provisions of this Series A Preferred Stock as set forth with respect to a conversion at the election of the Holder shall otherwise apply to conversions under this paragraph (g) as if conversions under this paragraph (g) were conversions by such Holder otherwise under this Series A Preferred Stock.

 

 

 

 

5. Rights Upon Issuance of Purchase Rights and Other Corporate Events.

 

(a)           Purchase Rights. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 6 below, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Options, Convertible Securities or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then each Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which such Holder could have acquired if such Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of all the shares of Series A Preferred Stock (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the convertibility of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock) held by such Holder immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, to the extent that such Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in such Holder exceeding the Maximum Percentage, then such Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for such Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in such Holder exceeding the Maximum Percentage).

 

(b)          Other Corporate Events. In addition to and not in substitution for any other rights hereunder, prior to the consummation of any transaction pursuant to which holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive securities or other assets with respect to or in exchange for shares of Common Stock (a “Corporate Event”), the Company shall make appropriate provision to insure that each Holder will thereafter have the right to receive upon a conversion of all the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holder in addition to the shares of Common Stock receivable upon such conversion (if all shares of Common Stock were not converted into or exchanged for other shares, securities, assets (including, without limitation, cash), property or rights), such shares, securities, assets (including, without limitation, cash), property and other rights securities or other assets to which such Holder would have been entitled with respect to such shares of Common Stock had such shares of Common Stock been held by such Holder upon the consummation of such Corporate Event (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the convertibility of the Series A Preferred Stock contained in this Certificate of Designations) The provisions of this paragraph (b) shall apply similarly and equally to successive Corporate Events and shall be applied without regard to any limitations on the conversion or redemption of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock contained in this Certificate of Designations. In the event that the limitations set forth in Section 4(e) above would otherwise apply to limit shares of Common Stock or other securities registered under the 1934 Act and as to which Section 13 thereof applies, then securities to be received under this paragraph (b) shall continue to be subject to the limitations of Section 4(e) above as if such Section 4(e) were expressly applicable to it and the right to receive securities under this paragraph (b) shall be stayed from time to time to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to comply with such limitations as if such limitations expressly applied thereto.

 

6. Rights Upon Issuance of Other Securities.

 

(a)          Adjustment of Fixed Conversion Price upon Issuance of Common Stock. If and whenever on or after the Subscription Date the Company issues or sells, or in accordance with this Section 6(a) is deemed to have issued or sold, any shares of Common Stock (including the issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock owned or held by or for the account of the Company, but excluding any Excluded Securities issued or sold or deemed to have been issued or sold) for a consideration per share (the “New Issuance Price”) less than a price equal to the Fixed Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issue or sale or deemed issuance or sale (such Fixed Conversion Price then in effect is referred to herein as the “Applicable Price”) (the foregoing a “Dilutive Issuance”), then, immediately after such Dilutive Issuance, the Fixed Conversion Price then in effect shall be reduced to an amount equal to the “FCP1” below (provided, however, that the Fixed Conversion Price shall not be reduced as set forth below with respect to any Holder that has participated in the Dilutive Issuance):

 

OB + (AC /FCP)

FCP1 = FCP x _________________

 

  OA

 

FCP = the Fixed Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such Dilutive Issuance

 

OB = the number of shares of Common Stock Deemed Outstanding (as defined below) immediately prior to such Dilutive Issuance

 

 

 

 

AC = the consideration, if any, received by the Company upon such Dilutive Issuance

 

OA = the number of shares of Common Stock Deemed Outstanding immediately after such Dilutive Issuance.

 

For all purposes of the foregoing (including, without limitation, determining the adjusted Fixed Conversion Price and consideration per share under this Section 6), the following shall be applicable:

 

(i)            Issuance of Options. If the Company in any manner grants or sells any Options (excluding any Excluded Securities) and the lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is issuable upon the exercise of any such Option or upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Securities issuable upon exercise of any such Option is less than the Applicable Price, then such share of Common Stock shall be deemed to be outstanding and to have been issued and sold by the Company at the time of the granting or sale of such Option for such price per share. For purposes of this Section 6(a)(i), the “lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is issuable upon the exercise of any such Options or upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Securities issuable upon exercise of any such Option” shall be equal to (1) the lower of (x) the sum of the lowest amounts of consideration (if any) received or receivable by the Company with respect to any one share of Common Stock upon the granting or sale of such Option, upon exercise of such Option and upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Security issuable upon exercise of such Option and (y) the lowest exercise price set forth in such Option for which one share of Common Stock is issuable upon the exercise of any such Options or upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Securities issuable upon exercise of any such Option minus (2) the sum of all amounts paid or payable to the holder of such Option (or any other Person) upon the granting or sale of such Option, upon exercise of such Option and upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Security issuable upon exercise of such Option plus the value of any other consideration received or receivable by, or benefit conferred on, the holder of such Option (or any other Person). Except as contemplated below, no further adjustment of the Fixed Conversion Price shall be made upon the actual issuance of such share of Common Stock or of such Convertible Securities upon the exercise of such Options or upon the actual issuance of such share of Common Stock upon conversion, exercise or exchange of such Convertible Securities.

 

(ii)           Issuance of Convertible Securities. If the Company in any manner issues or sells any Convertible Securities (excluding any Excluded Securities) and the lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is issuable upon the conversion, exercise or exchange thereof is less than the Applicable Price, then such share of Common Stock shall be deemed to be outstanding and to have been issued and sold by the Company at the time of the issuance or sale of such Convertible Securities for such price per share. For purposes of this Section 6(a)(ii), the “lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is issuable upon the conversion, exercise or exchange thereof” shall be equal to (1) the lower of (x) the sum of the lowest amounts of consideration (if any) received or receivable by the Company with respect to one share of Common Stock upon the issuance or sale of the Convertible Security and upon conversion, exercise or exchange of such Convertible Security and (y) the lowest conversion price set forth in such Convertible Security for which one share of Common Stock is issuable upon conversion, exercise or exchange thereof minus (2) the sum of all amounts paid or payable to the holder of such Convertible Security (or any other Person) upon the issuance or sale of such Convertible Security plus the value of any other consideration received or receivable by, or benefit conferred on, the holder of such Convertible Security (or any other Person). Except as contemplated below, no further adjustment of the Fixed Conversion Price shall be made upon the actual issuance of such share of Common Stock upon conversion, exercise or exchange of such Convertible Securities, and if any such issue or sale of such Convertible Securities is made upon exercise of any Options for which adjustment of the Fixed Conversion Price has been or is to be made pursuant to other provisions of this Section 6(a), except as contemplated below, no further adjustment of the Fixed Conversion Price shall be made by reason of such issue or sale.

 

(iii)          Change in Option Price or Rate of Conversion. If the purchase or exercise price provided for in any Options, the additional consideration, if any, payable upon the issue, conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Securities, or the rate at which any Convertible Securities are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock increases or decreases at any time (in all such cases, excluding any Excluded Securities), the Fixed Conversion Price in effect at the time of such increase or decrease shall be adjusted to the Fixed Conversion Price which would have been in effect at such time had such Options or Convertible Securities provided for such increased or decreased purchase price, additional consideration or increased or decreased conversion rate (as the case may be) at the time initially granted, issued or sold. For purposes of this Section 6(a)(iii), if the terms of any Option or Convertible Security that was outstanding as of the Subscription Date are increased or decreased in the manner described in the immediately preceding sentence, then such Option or Convertible Security and the shares of Common Stock deemed issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange thereof shall be deemed to have been issued as of the date of such increase or decrease. No adjustment pursuant to this Section 6(a) shall be made if such adjustment would result in an increase of the Fixed Conversion Price then in effect.

 

 

 

 

(iv)          Calculation of Consideration Received. If any Option or Convertible Security is issued or deemed issued in connection with the issuance or sale or deemed issuance or sale of any other securities of the Company, together comprising one integrated transaction, (x) such Option or Convertible Security (as applicable) will be deemed to have been issued for consideration equal to the Black Scholes Consideration Value thereof and (y) the other securities issued or sold or deemed to have been issued or sold in such integrated transaction shall be deemed to have been issued for consideration equal to the difference of (I) the aggregate consideration received by the Company minus (II) the Black Scholes Consideration Value of each such Option or Convertible Security (as applicable). If any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued or sold or deemed to have been issued or sold for cash, the consideration received therefor will be deemed to be the net amount received by the Company therefor. If any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued or sold for a consideration other than cash, the amount of such consideration received by the Company will be the fair value of such consideration, except where such consideration consists of publicly traded securities, in which case the amount of consideration received by the Company for such securities will be the average VWAP of such security for the five (5) Trading Day period immediately preceding the date of receipt. If any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued to the owners of the non-surviving entity in connection with any merger in which the Company is the surviving entity, the amount of consideration therefor will be deemed to be the fair value of such portion of the net assets and business of the non-surviving entity as is attributable to such shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities (as the case may be). The fair value of any consideration other than cash or publicly traded securities will be determined jointly by the Company and the Required Holders. If such parties are unable to reach agreement within ten (10) days after the occurrence of an event requiring valuation (the “Valuation Event”), the fair value of such consideration will be determined within five (5) Trading Days after the tenth (10th) day following such Valuation Event by an independent, reputable appraiser jointly selected by the Company and the Required Holders. The determination of such appraiser shall be final and binding upon all parties absent manifest error and the fees and expenses of such appraiser shall be borne by the Company.

 

(v)           Record Date. If the Company takes a record of the holders of shares of Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them (A) to receive a dividend or other distribution payable in Common Stock, Options or in Convertible Securities or (B) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities, then such record date will be deemed to be the date of the issue or sale of the shares of Common Stock deemed to have been issued or sold upon the declaration of such dividend or the making of such other distribution or the date of the granting of such right of subscription or purchase (as the case may be).

 

(b)          Adjustment of Fixed Conversion Price upon Subdivision or Combination of Common Stock. Without limiting any provision of Section 6(a), if the Company at any time on or after the Subscription Date subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, the Fixed Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision will be proportionately reduced. Without limiting any provision of Section 6(a), if the Company at any time on or after the Subscription Date combines (by combination, reverse stock split or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Fixed Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such combination will be proportionately increased. Any adjustment pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such subdivision or combination. If any event requiring an adjustment under this Section 6(b) occurs during the period that a Conversion Price is calculated hereunder, then the calculation of such Conversion Price shall be adjusted appropriately to reflect such event.

 

(c)          Other Events. In the event that the Company shall take any action to which the provisions hereof are not strictly applicable, or, if applicable, would not operate to protect any Holder from dilution or if any event occurs of the type contemplated by the provisions of this Section 6 but not expressly provided for by such provisions (including, without limitation, the granting of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock rights or other rights with equity features), then the Board shall in good faith determine and implement an appropriate adjustment in the Fixed Conversion Price so as to protect the rights of such Holder, provided that no such adjustment pursuant to this Section 6(c) will increase the Fixed Conversion Price as otherwise determined pursuant to this Section 6, provided further that if such Holder does not accept such adjustments as appropriately protecting its interests hereunder against such dilution, then the Board and such Holder shall agree, in good faith, upon an independent investment bank of nationally recognized standing to make such appropriate adjustments, whose determination shall be final and binding and whose fees and expenses shall be borne by the Company.

 

 

 

 

7. Authorized Shares.

 

(a)           Reservation. The Company shall initially reserve out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock a number of shares of Common Stock equal to 150% of the Conversion Rate with respect to the Conversion Amount of each share of Series A Preferred Stock as of the Initial Issuance Date. So long as any of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Company shall take all action necessary to reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, 200% of the number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the conversion of all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding, provided that at no time shall the number of shares of Common Stock so available be less than the number of shares required to be reserved by the previous sentence (without regard to any limitations on conversions contained in this Certificate of Designations) (the “Required Amount”). The initial number of shares of Common Stock reserved for conversions of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock and each increase in the number of shares so reserved shall be allocated pro rata among the Holders based on the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by each Holder on the Initial Issuance Date or increase in the number of reserved shares (as the case may be) (the “Authorized Share Allocation”). In the event a Holder shall sell or otherwise transfer any of such Holder’s shares of Series A Preferred Stock, each transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of such Holder’s Authorized Share Allocation. Any shares of Common Stock reserved and allocated to any Person which ceases to hold any shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be allocated to the remaining Holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock (if any), pro rata based on the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock then held by such Holders.

 

(b)           Insufficient Authorized Shares. If, notwithstanding Section 7(a) and not in limitation thereof, at any time while any of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding the Company does not have a sufficient number of authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock to satisfy its obligation to have available for issuance upon conversion of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock at least a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Required Amount (an “Authorized Share Failure”), then the Company shall immediately take all action necessary to increase the Company’s authorized shares of Common Stock to an amount sufficient to allow the Company to reserve and have available the Required Amount for all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, as soon as practicable after the date of the occurrence of an Authorized Share Failure, but in no event later than sixty (60) days after the occurrence of such Authorized Share Failure, the Company shall hold a meeting of its stockholders for the approval of an increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock. In connection with such meeting, the Company shall provide each stockholder with a proxy statement and shall use its best efforts to solicit its stockholders’ approval of such increase in authorized shares of Common Stock and to cause its Board to recommend to the stockholders that they approve such proposal.

 

8. Voting Rights. Holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights, except as required by law (including without limitation, the DGCL) and as expressly provided in this Certificate of Designations. To the extent that under the DGCL the vote of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class or series as applicable, is required to authorize a given action of the Company, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of all of the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, voting together in the aggregate and not in separate series unless required under the DGCL, represented at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is presented or by written consent of all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock (except as otherwise may be required under the DGCL), voting together in the aggregate and not in separate series unless required under the DGCL, shall constitute the approval of such action by both the class or the series, as applicable. Subject to Section 4(e), to the extent that under the DGCL holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote on a matter with holders of shares of Common Stock, voting together as one class, each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to cast that number of votes per share as is equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which it is then convertible (subject to the ownership limitations specified in Section 4(e) hereof) using the record date for determining the stockholders of the Company eligible to vote on such matters as the date as of which the Conversion Price is calculated. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to written notice of all stockholder meetings or written consents (and copies of proxy materials and other information sent to stockholders) with respect to which they would be entitled by vote, which notice would be provided pursuant to the Company’s bylaws and the DGCL).

 

9. Liquidation, Dissolution, Winding-Up. Without limiting any other provision of this Certificate of Designations, upon any Liquidation Event, each of the Holders shall be entitled to receive in cash out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders, whether from capital or from earnings available for distribution to its stockholders (the “Liquidation Funds”), after and subject to the payment in full of all amounts required to be distributed to the holders of any Senior Preferred Stock upon such Liquidation Event, but before any payment shall be made to the holders of Junior Stock, an amount in cash with respect to each share of Series A Preferred Stock then held by such Holder equal to the amount per share such Holder would receive if such Holder converted such share of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock immediately prior to such Liquidation Event. If upon any such Liquidation Event, the remaining assets of the Company available for the distribution to its stockholders after payment in full of amounts required to be paid or distributed to holders of Senior Preferred Stock shall be insufficient to pay each Holder and each holder of shares of Parity Stock the full amount to which they shall be entitled, then the Holders and the holders of shares of Parity Stock, shall share ratably in any distribution of the remaining assets of the Company in proportion to the respective amounts which would otherwise be payable in respect to the shares held by them upon such distribution if all amounts payable on or with respect to said shares were paid in full. All the preferential amounts to be paid to the Holders under this Section 9 shall be paid or set apart for payment before the payment or setting apart for payment of any amount for, or the distribution of any Liquidation Funds of the Company to the holders of shares of Junior Stock in connection with a Liquidation Event as to which this Section 9 applies.

 

 

 

 

10. Participation. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 6, the Holders shall, as holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, be entitled to receive such dividends paid and distributions made to the holders of shares of Common Stock to the same extent as if such Holders had converted each share of Series A Preferred Stock held by each of them into shares of Common Stock (without regard to any limitations on conversion herein or elsewhere) and had held such shares of Common Stock on the record date for such dividends and distributions. Payments under the preceding sentence shall be made concurrently with the dividend or distribution to the holders of shares of Common Stock (provided, however, to the extent that a Holder’s right to participate in any such dividend or distribution would result in such Holder exceeding the Maximum Percentage, then such Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such dividend or distribution to such extent (or the beneficial ownership of any such shares of Common Stock as a result of such dividend or distribution to such extent) and such dividend or distribution to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of such Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in such Holder exceeding the Maximum Percentage).

 

11. Vote to Change the Terms of or Issue Series A Preferred Stock. In addition to any other rights provided by law, except where the vote or written consent of the holders of a greater number of shares is required by law or by another provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, without first obtaining the affirmative vote at a meeting duly called for such purpose or the written consent without a meeting of the Required Holders, voting together as a single class, the Company shall not: (a) amend or repeal any provision of, or add any provision to, its Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws, or file any certificate of designations or articles of amendment of any series of shares of preferred stock, if such action would adversely alter or change in any respect the preferences, rights, privileges or powers, or restrictions provided for the benefit, of the Series A Preferred Stock, regardless of whether any such action shall be by means of amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or by merger, consolidation or otherwise; (b) increase or decrease (other than by conversion) the authorized number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock; (c) without limiting any provision of Section 2, create or authorize (by reclassification or otherwise) any new class or series of shares that has a preference over or is on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends or the distribution of assets on the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company; (d) purchase, repurchase or redeem any shares of capital stock of the Company junior in rank to the Series A Preferred Stock (other than pursuant to equity incentive agreements (that have in good faith been approved by the Board) with employees giving the Company the right to repurchase shares upon the termination of services); (e) without limiting any provision of Section 2, pay dividends or make any other distribution on any shares of any capital stock of the Company junior in rank to the Series A Preferred Stock; (f) issue any shares of Series A Preferred Stock other than pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement; or (g) without limiting any provision of Section 14, whether or not prohibited by the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock, circumvent a right of the Series A Preferred Stock.

 

12. Lost or Stolen Certificates. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any certificates representing shares of Series A Preferred Stock (as to which a written certification and the indemnification contemplated below shall suffice as such evidence), and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of an indemnification undertaking by the applicable Holder to the Company in customary and reasonable form and, in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation of the certificate(s), the Company shall execute and deliver new certificate(s) of like tenor and date.

 

13. Remedies, Characterizations, Other Obligations, Breaches and Injunctive Relief. The remedies provided in this Certificate of Designations shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Certificate of Designations and any of the other Transaction Documents, at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief), and no remedy contained herein shall be deemed a waiver of compliance with the provisions giving rise to such remedy. Nothing herein shall limit any Holder’s right to pursue actual damages for any failure by the Company to comply with the terms of this Certificate of Designations. The Company covenants to each Holder that there shall be no characterization concerning this instrument other than as expressly provided herein. Amounts set forth or provided for herein with respect to payments, conversion and the like (and the computation thereof) shall be the amounts to be received by a Holder and shall not, except as expressly provided herein, be subject to any other obligation of the Company (or the performance thereof). The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to the Holders and that the remedy at law for any such breach may be inadequate. The Company therefore agrees that, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, each Holder shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to an injunction restraining any breach, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required. The Company shall provide all information and documentation to a Holder that is requested by such Holder to enable such Holder to confirm the Company’s compliance with the terms and conditions of this Certificate of Designations (including, without limitation, compliance with Section 6).

 

 

 

 

14. Non-circumvention. The Company hereby covenants and agrees that the Company will not, by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation, bylaws or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, scheme of arrangement, dissolution, issue or sale of securities, or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Certificate of Designations, and will at all times in good faith carry out all the provisions of this Certificate of Designations and take all action as may be required to protect the rights of the Holders. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or any other provision of this Certificate of Designations, the Company (i) shall not increase the par value of any shares of Common Stock receivable upon the conversion of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock above the Conversion Price then in effect, (ii) shall take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of shares of Series A Preferred Stock and (iii) shall, so long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding, take all action necessary to reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the conversion of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on conversion contained herein).

 

15. Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver. No failure or delay on the part of a Holder in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the waiving party. This Certificate of Designations shall be deemed to be jointly drafted by the Company and all Holders and shall not be construed against any Person as the drafter hereof.

 

16. Notices. The Company shall provide each Holder of Series A Preferred Stock with prompt written notice of all actions taken pursuant to the terms of this Certificate of Designations, including in reasonable detail a description of such action and the reason therefor. Whenever notice is required to be given under this Certificate of Designations, unless otherwise provided herein, such notice must be in writing and shall be given in accordance with Section 9(f) of the Securities Purchase Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company shall give written notice to each Holder (i) promptly following any adjustment of the Fixed Conversion Price, setting forth in reasonable detail, and certifying, the calculation of such adjustment and (ii) at least ten (10) days prior to the date on which the Company closes its books or takes a record (A) with respect to any dividend or distribution upon the Common Stock, (B) with respect to any grant, issuances, or sales of any Options, Convertible Securities or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property to all holders of shares of Common Stock as a class or (C) for determining rights to vote with respect to any Fundamental Transaction, dissolution or liquidation, and, in each case, provided that such information shall be made known to the public prior to, or simultaneously with, such notice being provided to any Holder and such time period shall be shall be shortened under this clause (ii) to equal the notice or disclosure given to the public or the holders of Common Stock if such disclosure or notice is less than ten (10) days.

 

17. Transfer of Series A Preferred Stock. A Holder may transfer some or all of its shares of Series A Preferred Stock without the consent of the Company.

 

18. Series A Preferred Stock Register. The Company shall maintain at its principal executive offices (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice to the Holders), a register for the Series A Preferred Stock, in which the Company shall record the name, address and facsimile number of the Persons in whose name the shares of Series A Preferred Stock have been issued, as well as the name and address of each transferee. The Company may treat the Person in whose name any Series A Preferred Stock is registered on the register as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, but in all events recognizing any properly made transfers.

 

19. Stockholder Matters; Amendment.

 

(a)           Stockholder Matters. Any stockholder action, approval or consent required, desired or otherwise sought by the Company pursuant to the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation, this Certificate of Designations or otherwise with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock may be effected by written consent of the Company’s stockholders or at a duly called meeting of the Company’s stockholders, all in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the DGCL. This provision is intended to comply with the applicable sections of the DGCL permitting stockholder action, approval and consent affected by written consent in lieu of a meeting.

 

(b)          Amendment. This Certificate of Designations or any provision hereof may be amended by obtaining the affirmative vote at a meeting duly called for such purpose, or written consent without a meeting in accordance with the DGCL, of the Required Holders, voting separate as a single class, and with such other stockholder approval, if any, as may then be required and in the manner required pursuant to the DGCL and the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

 

 

 

20. Dispute Resolution. In the case of a dispute as to the determination of the Conversion Price, the Closing Bid Price, the Closing Sale Price or fair market value (as the case may be) or the arithmetic calculation of the Conversion Rate, or other applicable matter, the Company or the applicable Holder (as the case may be) shall submit the disputed determinations or arithmetic calculations (as the case may be) via facsimile (i) within five (5) Business Days after receipt of the applicable notice giving rise to such dispute to the Company or such Holder (as the case may be) or (ii) if no notice gave rise to such dispute, at any time after such Holder learned of the circumstances giving rise to such dispute (including, without limitation, as to whether any issuance or sale or deemed issuance or sale was an issuance or sale or deemed issuance or sale of Excluded Securities). If such Holder and the Company are unable to agree upon such determination or calculation or resolution within two (2) Business Days of such disputed determination or arithmetic calculation or other dispute (as the case may be) being submitted to the Company or such Holder (as the case may be), then, if elected by Holder, the Company shall, within two (2) Business Days, submit via facsimile (a) the disputed determination of the Conversion Price, the Closing Bid Price, the Closing Sale Price or fair market value (as the case may be) to an independent, reputable investment bank selected by such Holder or (b) the disputed arithmetic calculation of the Conversion Rate to an independent, outside accountant selected by such Holder (other than the Company’s independent, outside accountant) or (c) such other dispute to a reputable independent professional selected by Holder. The Company shall cause at its expense the investment bank or the accountant or such other professional (as the case may be) to perform the determinations or calculations or resolve the dispute in question (as the case may be) and notify the Company and such Holder of the results no later than ten (10) Business Days from the time it receives such disputed determinations or calculations or other dispute (as the case may be). Such investment bank’s or accountant’s or other professional’s determination or calculation or resolution (as the case may be) shall be binding upon all parties absent demonstrable error or fraud.

 

21. No Redemption Right. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable either at the Company’s option or at the option of any of the Holders at any time.

 

22. Certain Defined Terms. For purposes of this Certificate of Designations, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

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

 

(b)           “Black Scholes Consideration Value” means the value of the applicable Option or Convertible Security (as the case may be) as of the date of issuance thereof calculated using the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg utilizing (i) an underlying price per share equal to the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the public announcement of the execution of definitive documents with respect to the issuance of such Option or Convertible Security (as the case may be), (ii) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the remaining term of such Option or Convertible Security (as the case may be) as of the date of issuance of such Option or Convertible Security (as the case may be) and (iii) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 100 day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg (determined utilizing a 365 day annualization factor) as of the Trading Day immediately following the date of issuance of such Option or Convertible Security (as the case may be).

 

(c)           “Bloomberg” means Bloomberg, L.P.

 

(d)           “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed.

 

(e)           “Closing Bid Price” and “Closing Sale Price” means, for any security as of any date, the last closing bid price and last closing trade price, respectively, for such security on the Principal Market, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market begins to operate on an extended hours basis and does not designate the closing bid price or the closing trade price (as the case may be) then the last bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security prior to 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market for such security, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg, or if the foregoing do not apply, the average of the bid prices, or the ask prices, respectively, of any market makers for such security as reported in the “pink sheets” by Pink OTC Markets Inc. (formerly Pinks Sheets LLC). If the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price cannot be calculated for a security on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price (as the case may be) of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the applicable Holder. If the Company and such Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures in Section 20. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination or other similar transaction during such period.

 

 

 

 

(f)            “Common Stock” means (i) the Company’s shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and (ii) any capital stock into which such common stock shall have been changed or any share capital resulting from a reclassification of such common stock.

 

(g)           “Common Stock Deemed Outstanding” means, as of the particular time of determination, the number of shares of Common Stock actually issued and outstanding at such time (but excluding any issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock owned or held by or for the account of the Company).

 

(h)           “Conversion Amount” means, with respect to each share of Series A Preferred Stock, as of the applicable date of determination, the Stated Value.

 

(i)            “Conversion Price” means, with respect to each share of Series A Preferred Stock, as of any Conversion Date or other applicable date of determination, the lesser of (i) $0.186, subject to adjustment as provided herein, (the “Fixed Conversion Price”) and (2) the Market Price (as herein defined) (the “Non-Fixed Conversion Price”).

 

(j)            “Conversion Share Ratio” means as to any applicable Automatic Conversion Date, the quotient of (i) the number of Pre-Automatic Conversion Shares delivered in connection with such Automatic Conversion divided by (ii) the number of Post-Automatic Conversion Shares applicable to such Automatic Conversion Date.

 

(k)           “Convertible Securities” means any stock or other security (other than Options) that is at any time and under any circumstances, directly or indirectly, convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for, or which otherwise entitles the holder thereof to acquire, any shares of Common Stock.

 

(l)            “Eligible Market” means The New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE Amex, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Capital Market or the Principal Market.

 

(m)          “Equity Conditions” shall have the meaning set forth in the Warrants.

 

(n)           “Equity Conditions Failure” shall have the meaning set forth in the Warrants.

 

(o)           “Excluded Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

(p)           “Liquidation Event” means, whether in a single transaction or series of transactions, the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.

 

(q)           “Market Price” means, as of any particular time of determination, the Closing Bid Price as of the then last completed Trading Day.

 

(r)            “Options” means any rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities.

 

(s)           “Person” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other entity or a government or any department or agency thereof.

 

(t)            “Principal Market” means the OTC Bulletin Board.

 

(u)           “Pro Rata Amount” means, as of the applicable date of determination, with respect to a particular Holder, a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the aggregate number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holder as of such date of determination and (ii) the denominator of which is the aggregate number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding as of such date of determination.

 

(v)          “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or the successor thereto.

 

(w)          “Securities Purchase Agreement” means that certain securities purchase agreement by and among the Company and the initial holders of Series A Preferred Stock, dated as of the Subscription Date, as may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

(x)           “Series A Warrants” means, collectively, all of the Series A Warrants to purchase Common Stock issued by the Company pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, as may be amended from time in accordance with the terms thereof, and all warrants issued in exchange therefor or replacement thereof.

 

 

 

 

(y)          “Series B Warrants” means, collectively, all of the Series B Warrants to purchase Common Stock issued by the Company pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, as may be amended from time in accordance with the terms thereof, and all warrants issued in exchange therefor or replacement thereof.

 

(z)           “Series C Warrants” means, collectively, all of the Series C Warrants to purchase Common Stock issued by the Company pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, as may be amended from time in accordance with the terms thereof, and all warrants issued in exchange therefor or replacement thereof.

 

(aa)         “Stated Value” shall mean $1,000 per share, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations, reorganizations, reclassifications, combinations, subdivisions or other similar events occurring after the Initial Issuance Date with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock.

 

(bb)        “Subscription Date” means November 28, 2012.

 

(cc)         “Trading Day” means any day on which the Common Stock is traded on the Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for the Common Stock, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded, provided that “Trading Day” shall not include any day on which the Common Stock is scheduled to trade on such exchange or market for less than 4.5 hours or any day that the Common Stock is suspended from trading during the final hour of trading on such exchange or market (or if such exchange or market does not designate in advance the closing time of trading on such exchange or market, then during the hour ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time) unless such day is otherwise designated as a Trading Day in writing by the Required Holders.

 

(dd)         “Transaction Documents” means the Securities Purchase Agreement, this Certificate of Designations, the Warrants and each of the other agreements and instruments entered into or delivered by the Company or any of the Holders in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Securities Purchase Agreement, all as may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

(ee)         “Voting Stock” of a Person means capital stock of such Person of the class or classes pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting power to elect, or the general power to appoint, at least a majority of the board of directors, managers, trustees or other similar governing body of such Person (irrespective of whether or not at the time capital stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

 

(ff)           “VWAP” means, for any security as of any date, the dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the Principal Market (or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for such security, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which such security is then traded) during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg through its “Volume at Price” function or, if the foregoing does not apply, the dollar volume-weighted average price of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no dollar volume-weighted average price is reported for such security by Bloomberg for such hours, the average of the highest closing bid price and the lowest closing ask price of any of the market makers for such security as reported in the “pink sheets” by Pink OTC Markets Inc. (formerly Pinks Sheets LLC). If the VWAP cannot be calculated for such security on such date on any of the foregoing bases, the VWAP of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the applicable Holder. If the Company and such Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures in Section 20. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination or other similar transaction during such period.

 

(gg)         “Warrants” means, collectively, the Series A Warrants, the Series B Warrants and the Series C Warrants, as may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and all warrants issued in exchange therefor or replacement thereof.

 

23. Disclosure. Upon receipt or delivery by the Company of any notice in accordance with the terms of this Certificate of Designations, unless the Company has in good faith determined that the matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, non-public information relating to the Company, the Company shall simultaneously with any such receipt or delivery publicly disclose such material, non-public information on a Current Report on Form 8-K or otherwise. In the event that the Company believes that a notice contains material, non-public information relating to the Company, the Company so shall indicate to each Holder contemporaneously with delivery of such notice, and in the absence of any such indication, each Holder shall be allowed to presume that all matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, non-public information relating to the Company. Nothing contained in this Section 23 shall limit any obligations of the Company, or any rights of any Holder, under Section 4(j) of the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

* * * * *

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT I

 

APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

CONVERSION NOTICE

 

Reference is made to the Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (the “Certificate of Designations”). In accordance with and pursuant to the Certificate of Designations, the undersigned hereby elects to convert the number of shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), indicated below into shares of common stock, $0.001 value per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company, as of the date specified below.

 

Date of Conversion:___________________________________________________________________

 

Number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted:___________________________________

 

Share certificate no(s). of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted:________________________________

 

Tax ID Number (If applicable): ___________________________________________________________

 

Applicable Conversion Price:

 

Fill in one of the following:

 

Fixed Conversion Price: $_______

 

Non-Fixed Conversion Prices: $_______

 

Number of shares of Common Stock to be issued:_____________________________________________

 

Please issue the shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Series A Preferred Stock are being converted in the following name and to the following address:

 

Issue to:___________________________________________

_________________________________________

Address: _________________________________________

 

Telephone Number: _________________________________

 

Facsimile Number: _________________________________________

 

Holder:__________________________________________________

 

By:________________________________

 

Title:_______________________________

 

Dated:_____________________________

 

Account Number (if electronic book entry transfer):____________________________________________

 

Transaction Code Number (if electronic book entry transfer):_____________________________________

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT II

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

The Company hereby acknowledges this Conversion Notice and hereby directs [______________] to issue the above indicated number of shares of Common Stock in accordance with the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions dated [_________ __, 20__] from the Company and acknowledged and agreed to by [______________].

 

  APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.
   
  By:  
     
  Name:  
     
  Title:  
     

 

* * * * * *

 

The undersigned declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Delaware that the matters set forth in this Certificate of Designations of are true and correct of his own knowledge.

 

The undersigned has executed this certificate on November 29, 2012.

 

    /s/ James A. Hayward
  Name: James A. Hayward
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Certificate of Designations of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.]

 

 

 

 

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS OF THE

 

SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK OF

 

APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

I, James A. Hayward, hereby certify that I am the Chief Executive Officer of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (the “Company”), a corporation organized and existing under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), and further do hereby certify:

 

That pursuant to the authority expressly conferred upon the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) by the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), the Board on July 19, 2013 adopted the following resolutions creating a series of 5,500 shares of Preferred Stock designated as Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, none of which shares have been issued:

 

RESOLVED, that the Board designates the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and the number of shares constituting such series, and fixes the rights, powers, preferences, privileges and restrictions relating to such series in addition to any set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation as follows:

 

TERMS OF SERIES B CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

 

1. Designation and Number of Shares; Defined Terms. There shall hereby be created and established a series of preferred stock of the Company designated as “Series B Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “Series B Preferred Stock”). The authorized number of shares of Series B Preferred stock shall be 5,500 shares. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall have a par value of $0.001. Any capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in Section 22 hereof, or if not so defined in Section 22 hereof, in the Securities Purchase Agreement (as defined in Section 22 hereof).

 

2. Ranking. Except to the extent that the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock (the “Required Holders”) expressly consent to the creation of Parity Stock (as defined below) or Senior Preferred Stock (as defined below) in accordance with Section 11, all shares of capital stock of the Company (including, without limitation, Common Stock) shall be junior in rank to all shares of Series B Preferred Stock with respect to the preferences as to dividends, distributions and payments upon the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company (such junior stock is referred to herein collectively as “Junior Stock”). The rights of all such shares of capital stock of the Company shall be subject to the rights, powers, preferences and privileges of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock. Without limiting any other provision of this Certificate of Designations, without the prior express consent of the Required Holders, voting separate as a single class, the Company shall not hereafter authorize or issue any additional or other shares of capital stock that is (i) of senior rank to the shares of Series B Preferred Stock in respect of the preferences as to dividends, distributions and payments upon the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company (collectively, the “Senior Preferred Stock”), (ii) of pari passu rank to the shares of Series B Preferred Stock in respect of the preferences as to dividends, distributions and payments upon the liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company (collectively, the “Parity Stock”) or (iii) any Junior Stock having a maturity date (or any other date requiring redemption or repayment of such shares of Junior Stock) that is prior to the date on which no shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain outstanding.

 

3. Dividends. The Series B Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividends, except as set forth in the next sentence below. From and after the first date of issuance of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock (the “Initial Issuance Date”), each holder of a share of Series B Preferred Stock (each, a “Holder” and collectively, the “Holders”) shall be entitled to receive dividends (“Dividends”) per share equal to any dividends declared, set apart for or paid upon any Junior Stock or Parity Stock.

 

4. Conversion. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be convertible into validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock (as defined below) on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 4.

 

(a) Holder’s Conversion Right. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(e), at any time or times on or after the Initial Issuance Date, each Holder shall be entitled to convert any whole number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock into validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock in accordance with Section 4(c) at the Conversion Rate (as defined below).

 

 

 

 

(b) Conversion Rate. The number of validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of each share of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 4(a) shall be determined according to the following formula (the “Conversion Rate”):

 

Conversion Amount

Conversion Price

 

No fractional shares of Common Stock are to be issued upon the conversion of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock. If the issuance would result in the issuance of a fraction of a share of Common Stock, the Company shall round such fraction of a share of Common Stock up to the nearest whole share.

 

(c) Mechanics of Conversion. The conversion of each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall be conducted in the following manner:

 

(i) Holder’s Conversion. To convert a share of Series B Preferred Stock into validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock on any date (a “Conversion Date”), a Holder shall deliver (whether via facsimile or otherwise), for receipt on or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York time, on such date, a copy of an executed notice of conversion of the share(s) of Series B Preferred Stock subject to such conversion in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I (the “Conversion Notice”) to the Company. If required by Section 4(c)(vi), within five (5) Trading Days following a conversion of any such Series B Preferred Stock as aforesaid, such Holder shall surrender to a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for delivery to the Company the original certificates representing the share(s) of Series B Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Share Certificates”) so converted as aforesaid.

 

(ii) Company’s Response. Not later than the first (1st) Trading Day following the date of receipt of a Conversion Notice, the Company shall transmit by facsimile an acknowledgment of confirmation, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit II, of receipt of such Conversion Notice to such Holder and the Company’s transfer agent (the “Transfer Agent”), which confirmation shall constitute an instruction to the Transfer Agent to process such Conversion Notice in accordance with the terms herein. On or before the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date of receipt by the Company of such Conversion Notice, the Company shall (1) provided that the Transfer Agent is participating in The Depository Trust Company’s (“DTC”) Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, credit such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder shall be entitled to such Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian system, or (2) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, issue and deliver (via reputable overnight courier) to the address as specified in such Conversion Notice, a certificate, registered in the name of such Holder or its designee, for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder shall be entitled. If the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by the Preferred Share Certificate(s) submitted for conversion pursuant to Section 4(c)(vi) is greater than the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock being converted, then the Company shall if requested by such Holder, as soon as practicable and in no event later than three (3) Trading Days after receipt of the Preferred Share Certificate(s) and at its own expense, issue and deliver to such Holder (or its designee) a new Preferred Share Certificate representing the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock not converted. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary above or elsewhere in this instrument, the Company shall cause its Transfer Agent to at all times participate in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program and shall, in all cases, cause the issuance and transfer of all shares of Common Stock to which any Holder or its designee is entitled under this instrument to be transferred and issued by credit to such Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian System.

 

 

 

 

(iii) Record Holder. The Person or Persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon a conversion of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock on the Conversion Date.

 

(iv) Company’s Failure to Timely Convert. If the Company shall fail, for any reason or for no reason, to issue to a Holder within three (3) Trading Days after the Company’s receipt of a Conversion Notice (whether via facsimile or otherwise), a certificate for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company’s share register or to credit such Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC for such number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock (as the case may be) (a “Conversion Failure”), then, in addition to all other remedies available to such Holder, such Holder, upon written notice to the Company, may void its Conversion Notice with respect to, and retain or have returned (as the case may be) any shares of Series B Preferred Stock that have not been converted pursuant to such Holder’s Conversion Notice, provided that the voiding of a Conversion Notice shall not affect the Company’s obligations to make any payments which have accrued prior to the date of such notice pursuant to the terms of this Certificate of Designations or otherwise. In addition to the foregoing, if within three (3) Trading Days after the Company’s receipt of a Conversion Notice (whether via facsimile or otherwise), the Company shall fail to issue and deliver a certificate to such Holder and register such shares of Common Stock on the Company’s share register or credit such Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion hereunder (as the case may be), and if on or after such third (3rd) Trading Day such Holder (or any other Person in respect, or on behalf, of such Holder) purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by such Holder of all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock, or a sale of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to all or any portion of the number of shares of Common Stock, issuable upon such conversion that such Holder so anticipated receiving from the Company, then, in addition to all other remedies available to such Holder, the Company shall, within three (3) Business Days after such Holder’s request and in such Holder’s discretion, either (i) pay cash to such Holder in an amount equal to such Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket expenses, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased (including, without limitation, by any other Person in respect, or on behalf, of such Holder) (the “Buy-In Price”), at which point the Company’s obligation to so issue and deliver such certificate or credit such Holder’s balance account with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion hereunder (as the case may be) (and to issue such shares of Common Stock) shall terminate, or (ii) promptly honor its obligation to so issue and deliver to such Holder a certificate or certificates representing such shares of Common Stock or credit such Holder’s balance account with DTC for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such Holder is entitled upon such Holder’s conversion hereunder (as the case may be) and pay cash to such Holder in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Buy-In Price over the product of (A) such number of shares of Common Stock multiplied by (B) the lowest Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on any Trading Day during the period commencing on the date of the applicable Conversion Notice and ending on the date of such issuance and payment under this clause (ii). Immediately following the voiding of a Conversion Notice as aforesaid, the Fixed Conversion Price of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock returned or retained by such Holder for failure to timely convert shall be adjusted to the lesser of (I) the Fixed Conversion Price relating to the voided Conversion Notice and (II) the lowest Closing Bid Price of the Common Stock during the period beginning on the Conversion Date and ending on the date such Holder voided the Conversion Notice, subject to further adjustment as provided in this Certificate of Designations.

 

(v) Pro Rata Conversion; Disputes. In the event the Company receives a Conversion Notice from more than one Holder (if more than one Holder exists) for the same Conversion Date and the Company can convert some, but not all, of such shares of Series B Preferred Stock submitted for conversion, the Company shall convert from each Holder electing to have shares of Series B Preferred Stock converted on such date a pro rata amount of such Holder’s shares of Series B Preferred Stock submitted for conversion on such date based on the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock submitted for conversion on such date by such Holder relative to the aggregate number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock submitted for conversion on such date. In the event of a dispute as to the number of shares of Common Stock issuable to a Holder in connection with a conversion of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, the Company shall issue to such Holder the number of shares of Common Stock not in dispute and resolve such dispute in accordance with Section 20.

 

 

 

 

(vi) Book-Entry. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 4, upon conversion of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms hereof, no Holder thereof shall be required to physically surrender the certificate representing the shares of Series B Preferred Stock to the Company following conversion thereof unless (A) the full or remaining number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by the certificate are being converted (in which event such certificate(s) shall be delivered to the Company as contemplated by this Section 4(c)(vi)) or (B) such Holder has provided the Company with prior written notice (which notice may be included in a Conversion Notice) requesting reissuance of shares of Series B Preferred Stock upon physical surrender of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock. Each Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock so converted by such Holder and the dates of such conversions or shall use such other method, reasonably satisfactory to such Holder and the Company, so as not to require physical surrender of the certificate representing the shares of Series B Preferred Stock upon each such conversion. In the event of any dispute or discrepancy, such records of such Holder establishing the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to which the record holder is entitled shall be controlling and determinative in the absence of manifest error. A Holder and any transferee or assignee, by acceptance of a certificate, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following conversion of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock, the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock represented by such certificate may be less than the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock stated on the face thereof. Each certificate for shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall bear the following legend:

 

ANY TRANSFEREE OR ASSIGNEE OF THIS CERTIFICATE SHOULD CAREFULLY REVIEW THE TERMS OF THE CORPORATION’S CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS RELATING TO THE SHARES OF SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE, INCLUDING SECTION 4(c)(vi) THEREOF. THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY BE LESS THAN THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK STATED ON THE FACE HEREOF PURSUANT TO SECTION 4(c)(vi) OF THE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS RELATING TO THE SHARES OF SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE.

 

(d) Taxes. The Company shall pay any and all documentary, stamp, transfer (but only in respect of the registered holder thereof), issuance and other similar taxes that may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of shares of Series B Preferred Stock.

 

 

 

 

(e) Limitation on Beneficial Ownership. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate of Designations, the shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by a Holder shall not be convertible by such Holder, and the Company shall not effect any conversion of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by such Holder (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 4 hereof), to the extent (but only to the extent) that such Holder or any of its affiliates would beneficially own in excess of 9.9% (the “Maximum Percentage”) of the Common Stock. To the extent the above limitation applies, the determination of whether the shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by such Holder shall be convertible (vis-à-vis other convertible, exercisable or exchangeable securities owned by such Holder or any of its affiliates with a similar limitation on conversion or exercise or exchange or otherwise) and of which such securities shall be convertible, exercisable or exchangeable (as among all such securities owned by such Holder and its affiliates with similar limitations on conversion or exercise or exchange or otherwise) shall, subject to such Maximum Percentage limitation, be determined on the basis of the first submission to the Company for conversion, exercise or exchange (as the case may be). No prior inability of a Holder to convert shares of Series B Preferred Stock, or of the Company to issue shares of Common Stock to such Holder, pursuant to this Section 4(e) shall have any effect on the applicability of the provisions of this Section 4(e) with respect to any subsequent determination of convertibility or issuance (as the case may be). For purposes of this Section 4(e), beneficial ownership and all determinations and calculations (including, without limitation, with respect to calculations of percentage ownership) shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For clarification, the foregoing calculation of beneficial ownership takes into account all securities which give rise to beneficial ownership by Holder or its affiliates of such Common Stock under such rules and regulations and not solely the Preferred Stock held by Holder or its affiliates. The provisions of this Section 4(e) shall be implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 4(e) to correct this Section 4(e) (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Maximum Percentage beneficial ownership limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such Maximum Percentage limitation. The limitations contained in this Section 4(e) shall apply to a successor holder of shares of Series B Preferred Stock. The holders of Common Stock shall be third party beneficiaries of this Section 4(e) and the Company may not waive this Section 4(e) without the consent of holders of a majority of its Common Stock. For any reason at any time, upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one (1) Business Day confirm orally and in writing to such Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding, including by virtue of any prior conversion or exercise of convertible or exercisable securities into Common Stock, including, without limitation, pursuant to this Certificate of Designations or securities issued pursuant to the other Transaction Documents.

 

(f) Company Conversion Right. Provided that no Equity Condition Failure then exists, the Company shall have the right during the ten (10) Trading Days immediately following the Second Closing to effectuate one or more conversions hereunder of all or any portion of the then outstanding Series B Preferred Stock at the Non-Fixed Conversion Price. To the extent that the limitations set forth in paragraph (e) above limit the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock that may be so converted, the Company shall have the right to so convert such number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock at such Non-Fixed Conversion Price as would not give rise to a violation of the limitation set forth in paragraph (e) above and the ten (10) Trading Day period referred to above shall be extended for such period of time as may be necessary to allow the Company to effectuate the conversion of all then outstanding Series B Preferred Stock under this paragraph (f). The procedures and other provisions of this Series B Preferred Stock as set forth with respect to a conversion at the election of the Holder shall otherwise apply to conversions under this paragraph (f) as if conversions under this paragraph (f) were conversions by such Holder otherwise under this Series B Preferred Stock. “Second Closing” shall mean the date on which the Series B Preferred Stock is issued to the Holder.

 

(g) Automatic Conversion. Provided that no Equity Condition Failure then exists, the entire then outstanding amount of this Series B Preferred Stock shall automatically convert into shares of Common Stock at the then applicable Conversion Price on the first anniversary of the Second Closing. To the extent that the limitations set forth in paragraph (e) above limit the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock that may be so converted, then from time to time thereafter the amount to be converted under this paragraph (g) shall be limited at such time so as to comply with the limitations set forth in paragraph (e) above and from time to time thereafter the remaining outstanding portion of this Series B Preferred Stock shall automatically convert into shares of Common Stock at then applicable Conversion Price at the time of such subsequent conversion in compliance with the limitations set forth in paragraph (e) above until remaining outstanding shares of this Series B Preferred Stock have been converted into Common Stock. The procedures and other provisions of this Series B Preferred Stock as set forth with respect to a conversion at the election of the Holder shall otherwise apply to conversions under this paragraph (g) as if conversions under this paragraph (g) were conversions by such Holder otherwise under this Series B Preferred Stock.

 

 

 

 

5. Rights Upon Issuance of Purchase Rights and Other Corporate Events.

 

(a) Purchase Rights. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 6 below, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Options, Convertible Securities or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then each Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which such Holder could have acquired if such Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete conversion of all the shares of Series B Preferred Stock (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the convertibility of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock) held by such Holder immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, to the extent that such Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in such Holder exceeding the Maximum Percentage, then such Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for such Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in such Holder exceeding the Maximum Percentage).

 

(b) Other Corporate Events. In addition to and not in substitution for any other rights hereunder, prior to the consummation of any transaction pursuant to which holders of shares of Common Stock are entitled to receive securities or other assets with respect to or in exchange for shares of Common Stock (a “Corporate Event”), the Company shall make appropriate provision to insure that each Holder will thereafter have the right to receive upon a conversion of all the shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by such Holder in addition to the shares of Common Stock receivable upon such conversion (if all shares of Common Stock were not converted into or exchanged for other shares, securities, assets (including, without limitation, cash), property or rights), such shares, securities, assets (including, without limitation, cash), property and other rights securities or other assets to which such Holder would have been entitled with respect to such shares of Common Stock had such shares of Common Stock been held by such Holder upon the consummation of such Corporate Event (without taking into account any limitations or restrictions on the convertibility of the Series B Preferred Stock contained in this Certificate of Designations). The provisions of this paragraph (b) shall apply similarly and equally to successive Corporate Events and shall be applied without regard to any limitations on the conversion or redemption of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock contained in this Certificate of Designations. In the event that the limitations set forth in Section 4(e) above would otherwise apply to limit shares of Common Stock or other securities registered under the 1934 Act and as to which Section 13 thereof applies, then securities to be received under this paragraph (b) shall continue to be subject to the limitations of Section 4(e) above as if such Section 4(e) were expressly applicable to it and the right to receive securities under this paragraph (b) shall be stayed from time to time to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to comply with such limitations as if such limitations expressly applied thereto.

 

6. Rights Upon Issuance of Other Securities.

 

(a) Adjustment of Fixed Conversion Price upon Issuance of Common Stock. If and whenever on or after the Subscription Date the Company issues or sells, or in accordance with this Section 6(a) is deemed to have issued or sold, any shares of Common Stock (including the issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock owned or held by or for the account of the Company, but excluding any Excluded Securities issued or sold or deemed to have been issued or sold) for a consideration per share (the “New Issuance Price”) less than a price equal to the Fixed Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issue or sale or deemed issuance or sale (such Fixed Conversion Price then in effect is referred to herein as the “Applicable Price”) (the foregoing a “Dilutive Issuance”), then, immediately after such Dilutive Issuance, the Fixed Conversion Price then in effect shall be reduced to an amount equal to the “FCP1” below (provided, however, that the Fixed Conversion Price shall not be reduced as set forth below with respect to any Holder that has participated in the Dilutive Issuance):

 

OB + (AC /FCP)

 

FCP1 = FCP x _________________

 

OA

 

 

 

 

FCP = the Fixed Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such Dilutive Issuance

 

OB = the number of shares of Common Stock Deemed Outstanding (as defined below) immediately prior to such Dilutive Issuance

 

AC = the consideration, if any, received by the Company upon such Dilutive Issuance

 

OA = the number of shares of Common Stock Deemed Outstanding immediately after such Dilutive Issuance.

 

For all purposes of the foregoing (including, without limitation, determining the adjusted Fixed Conversion Price and consideration per share under this Section 6), the following shall be applicable:

 

(i) Issuance of Options. If the Company in any manner grants or sells any Options (excluding any Excluded Securities) and the lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is issuable upon the exercise of any such Option or upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Securities issuable upon exercise of any such Option is less than the Applicable Price, then such share of Common Stock shall be deemed to be outstanding and to have been issued and sold by the Company at the time of the granting or sale of such Option for such price per share. For purposes of this Section 6(a)(i), the “lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is issuable upon the exercise of any such Options or upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Securities issuable upon exercise of any such Option” shall be equal to (1) the lower of (x) the sum of the lowest amounts of consideration (if any) received or receivable by the Company with respect to any one share of Common Stock upon the granting or sale of such Option, upon exercise of such Option and upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Security issuable upon exercise of such Option and (y) the lowest exercise price set forth in such Option for which one share of Common Stock is issuable upon the exercise of any such Options or upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Securities issuable upon exercise of any such Option minus (2) the sum of all amounts paid or payable to the holder of such Option (or any other Person) upon the granting or sale of such Option, upon exercise of such Option and upon conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Security issuable upon exercise of such Option plus the value of any other consideration received or receivable by, or benefit conferred on, the holder of such Option (or any other Person). Except as contemplated below, no further adjustment of the Fixed Conversion Price shall be made upon the actual issuance of such share of Common Stock or of such Convertible Securities upon the exercise of such Options or upon the actual issuance of such share of Common Stock upon conversion, exercise or exchange of such Convertible Securities.

 

(ii) Issuance of Convertible Securities. If the Company in any manner issues or sells any Convertible Securities (excluding any Excluded Securities) and the lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is issuable upon the conversion, exercise or exchange thereof is less than the Applicable Price, then such share of Common Stock shall be deemed to be outstanding and to have been issued and sold by the Company at the time of the issuance or sale of such Convertible Securities for such price per share. For purposes of this Section 6(a)(ii), the “lowest price per share for which one share of Common Stock is issuable upon the conversion, exercise or exchange thereof” shall be equal to (1) the lower of (x) the sum of the lowest amounts of consideration (if any) received or receivable by the Company with respect to one share of Common Stock upon the issuance or sale of the Convertible Security and upon conversion, exercise or exchange of such Convertible Security and (y) the lowest conversion price set forth in such Convertible Security for which one share of Common Stock is issuable upon conversion, exercise or exchange thereof minus (2) the sum of all amounts paid or payable to the holder of such Convertible Security (or any other Person) upon the issuance or sale of such Convertible Security plus the value of any other consideration received or receivable by, or benefit conferred on, the holder of such Convertible Security (or any other Person). Except as contemplated below, no further adjustment of the Fixed Conversion Price shall be made upon the actual issuance of such share of Common Stock upon conversion, exercise or exchange of such Convertible Securities, and if any such issue or sale of such Convertible Securities is made upon exercise of any Options for which adjustment of the Fixed Conversion Price has been or is to be made pursuant to other provisions of this Section 6(a), except as contemplated below, no further adjustment of the Fixed Conversion Price shall be made by reason of such issue or sale.

 

 

 

 

(iii) Change in Option Price or Rate of Conversion. If the purchase or exercise price provided for in any Options, the additional consideration, if any, payable upon the issue, conversion, exercise or exchange of any Convertible Securities, or the rate at which any Convertible Securities are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock increases or decreases at any time (in all such cases, excluding any Excluded Securities), the Fixed Conversion Price in effect at the time of such increase or decrease shall be adjusted to the Fixed Conversion Price which would have been in effect at such time had such Options or Convertible Securities provided for such increased or decreased purchase price, additional consideration or increased or decreased conversion rate (as the case may be) at the time initially granted, issued or sold. For purposes of this Section 6(a)(iii), if the terms of any Option or Convertible Security that was outstanding as of the Subscription Date are increased or decreased in the manner described in the immediately preceding sentence, then such Option or Convertible Security and the shares of Common Stock deemed issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange thereof shall be deemed to have been issued as of the date of such increase or decrease. No adjustment pursuant to this Section 6(a) shall be made if such adjustment would result in an increase of the Fixed Conversion Price then in effect.

 

(iv) Calculation of Consideration Received. If any Option or Convertible Security is issued or deemed issued in connection with the issuance or sale or deemed issuance or sale of any other securities of the Company, together comprising one integrated transaction, (x) such Option or Convertible Security (as applicable) will be deemed to have been issued for consideration equal to the Black Scholes Consideration Value thereof and (y) the other securities issued or sold or deemed to have been issued or sold in such integrated transaction shall be deemed to have been issued for consideration equal to the difference of (I) the aggregate consideration received by the Company minus (II) the Black Scholes Consideration Value of each such Option or Convertible Security (as applicable). If any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued or sold or deemed to have been issued or sold for cash, the consideration received therefor will be deemed to be the net amount received by the Company therefor. If any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued or sold for a consideration other than cash, the amount of such consideration received by the Company will be the fair value of such consideration, except where such consideration consists of publicly traded securities, in which case the amount of consideration received by the Company for such securities will be the average VWAP of such security for the five (5) Trading Day period immediately preceding the date of receipt. If any shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities are issued to the owners of the non-surviving entity in connection with any merger in which the Company is the surviving entity, the amount of consideration therefor will be deemed to be the fair value of such portion of the net assets and business of the non-surviving entity as is attributable to such shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities (as the case may be). The fair value of any consideration other than cash or publicly traded securities will be determined jointly by the Company and the Required Holders. If such parties are unable to reach agreement within ten (10) days after the occurrence of an event requiring valuation (the “Valuation Event”), the fair value of such consideration will be determined within five (5) Trading Days after the tenth (10th) day following such Valuation Event by an independent, reputable appraiser jointly selected by the Company and the Required Holders. The determination of such appraiser shall be final and binding upon all parties absent manifest error and the fees and expenses of such appraiser shall be borne by the Company.

 

 

 

 

(v) Record Date. If the Company takes a record of the holders of shares of Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them (A) to receive a dividend or other distribution payable in Common Stock, Options or in Convertible Securities or (B) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities, then such record date will be deemed to be the date of the issue or sale of the shares of Common Stock deemed to have been issued or sold upon the declaration of such dividend or the making of such other distribution or the date of the granting of such right of subscription or purchase (as the case may be).

 

(b) Adjustment of Fixed Conversion Price upon Subdivision or Combination of Common Stock. Without limiting any provision of Section 6(a), if the Company at any time on or after the Subscription Date subdivides (by any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, the Fixed Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision will be proportionately reduced. Without limiting any provision of Section 6(a), if the Company at any time on or after the Subscription Date combines (by combination, reverse stock split or otherwise) one or more classes of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Fixed Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such combination will be proportionately increased. Any adjustment pursuant to this Section 6(b) shall become effective immediately after the effective date of such subdivision or combination. If any event requiring an adjustment under this Section 6(b) occurs during the period that a Conversion Price is calculated hereunder, then the calculation of such Conversion Price shall be adjusted appropriately to reflect such event.

 

(c) Other Events. In the event that the Company shall take any action to which the provisions hereof are not strictly applicable, or, if applicable, would not operate to protect any Holder from dilution or if any event occurs of the type contemplated by the provisions of this Section 6 but not expressly provided for by such provisions (including, without limitation, the granting of stock appreciation rights, phantom stock rights or other rights with equity features), then the Board shall in good faith determine and implement an appropriate adjustment in the Fixed Conversion Price so as to protect the rights of such Holder, provided that no such adjustment pursuant to this Section 6(c) will increase the Fixed Conversion Price as otherwise determined pursuant to this Section 6, provided further that if such Holder does not accept such adjustments as appropriately protecting its interests hereunder against such dilution, then the Board and such Holder shall agree, in good faith, upon an independent investment bank of nationally recognized standing to make such appropriate adjustments, whose determination shall be final and binding and whose fees and expenses shall be borne by the Company.

 

7. Authorized Shares.

 

(a) Reservation. The Company shall initially reserve out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock a number of shares of Common Stock equal to 150% of the Conversion Rate with respect to the Conversion Amount of each share of Series B Preferred Stock as of the Initial Issuance Date. So long as any of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Company shall take all action necessary to reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock, 200% of the number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the conversion of all of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding, provided that at no time shall the number of shares of Common Stock so available be less than the number of shares required to be reserved by the previous sentence (without regard to any limitations on conversions contained in this Certificate of Designations) (the “Required Amount”). The initial number of shares of Common Stock reserved for conversions of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock and each increase in the number of shares so reserved shall be allocated pro rata among the Holders based on the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by each Holder on the Initial Issuance Date or increase in the number of reserved shares (as the case may be) (the “Authorized Share Allocation”). In the event a Holder shall sell or otherwise transfer any of such Holder’s shares of Series B Preferred Stock, each transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of such Holder’s Authorized Share Allocation. Any shares of Common Stock reserved and allocated to any Person which ceases to hold any shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be allocated to the remaining Holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock (if any), pro rata based on the number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock then held by such Holders.

 

 

 

 

(b) Insufficient Authorized Shares. If, notwithstanding Section 7(a) and not in limitation thereof, at any time while any of the shares of Series  B Preferred Stock remain outstanding the Company does not have a sufficient number of authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock to satisfy its obligation to have available for issuance upon conversion of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock at least a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Required Amount (an “Authorized Share Failure”), then the Company shall immediately take all action necessary to increase the Company’s authorized shares of Common Stock to an amount sufficient to allow the Company to reserve and have available the Required Amount for all of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, as soon as practicable after the date of the occurrence of an Authorized Share Failure, but in no event later than sixty (60) days after the occurrence of such Authorized Share Failure, the Company shall hold a meeting of its stockholders for the approval of an increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock. In connection with such meeting, the Company shall provide each stockholder with a proxy statement and shall use its best efforts to solicit its stockholders’ approval of such increase in authorized shares of Common Stock and to cause its Board to recommend to the stockholders that they approve such proposal.

 

8. Voting Rights. Holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights, except as required by law (including without limitation, the DGCL) and as expressly provided in this Certificate of Designations. To the extent that under the DGCL the vote of the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class or series as applicable, is required to authorize a given action of the Company, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of all of the shares of the Series B Preferred Stock, voting together in the aggregate and not in separate series unless required under the DGCL, represented at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is presented or by written consent of all of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock (except as otherwise may be required under the DGCL), voting together in the aggregate and not in separate series unless required under the DGCL, shall constitute the approval of such action by both the class or the series, as applicable. Subject to Section 4(e), to the extent that under the DGCL holders of the Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to vote on a matter with holders of shares of Common Stock, voting together as one class, each share of Series B Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to cast that number of votes per share as is equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which it is then convertible (subject to the ownership limitations specified in Section 4(e) hereof) using the record date for determining the stockholders of the Company eligible to vote on such matters as the date as of which the Conversion Price is calculated. Holders of the Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled to written notice of all stockholder meetings or written consents (and copies of proxy materials and other information sent to stockholders) with respect to which they would be entitled by vote, which notice would be provided pursuant to the Company’s bylaws and the DGCL).

 

9. Liquidation, Dissolution, Winding-Up. Without limiting any other provision of this Certificate of Designations, upon any Liquidation Event, each of the Holders shall be entitled to receive in cash out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders, whether from capital or from earnings available for distribution to its stockholders (the “Liquidation Funds”), after and subject to the payment in full of all amounts required to be distributed to the holders of any Senior Preferred Stock upon such Liquidation Event, but before any payment shall be made to the holders of Junior Stock, an amount in cash with respect to each share of Series B Preferred Stock then held by such Holder equal to the amount per share such Holder would receive if such Holder converted such share of Series B Preferred Stock into Common Stock immediately prior to such Liquidation Event. If upon any such Liquidation Event, the remaining assets of the Company available for the distribution to its stockholders after payment in full of amounts required to be paid or distributed to holders of Senior Preferred Stock shall be insufficient to pay each Holder and each holder of shares of Parity Stock the full amount to which they shall be entitled, then the Holders and the holders of shares of Parity Stock, shall share ratably in any distribution of the remaining assets of the Company in proportion to the respective amounts which would otherwise be payable in respect to the shares held by them upon such distribution if all amounts payable on or with respect to said shares were paid in full. All the preferential amounts to be paid to the Holders under this Section 9 shall be paid or set apart for payment before the payment or setting apart for payment of any amount for, or the distribution of any Liquidation Funds of the Company to the holders of shares of Junior Stock in connection with a Liquidation Event as to which this Section 9 applies.

 

 

 

 

10. Participation. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 6, the Holders shall, as holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock, be entitled to receive such dividends paid and distributions made to the holders of shares of Common Stock to the same extent as if such Holders had converted each share of Series B Preferred Stock held by each of them into shares of Common Stock (without regard to any limitations on conversion herein or elsewhere) and had held such shares of Common Stock on the record date for such dividends and distributions. Payments under the preceding sentence shall be made concurrently with the dividend or distribution to the holders of shares of Common Stock (provided, however, to the extent that a Holder’s right to participate in any such dividend or distribution would result in such Holder exceeding the Maximum Percentage, then such Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such dividend or distribution to such extent (or the beneficial ownership of any such shares of Common Stock as a result of such dividend or distribution to such extent) and such dividend or distribution to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of such Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in such Holder exceeding the Maximum Percentage).

 

11. Vote to Change the Terms of or Issue Series B Preferred Stock. In addition to any other rights provided by law, except where the vote or written consent of the holders of a greater number of shares is required by law or by another provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, without first obtaining the affirmative vote at a meeting duly called for such purpose or the written consent without a meeting of the Required Holders, voting together as a single class, the Company shall not: (a) amend or repeal any provision of, or add any provision to, its Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws, or file any certificate of designations or articles of amendment of any series of shares of preferred stock, if such action would adversely alter or change in any respect the preferences, rights, privileges or powers, or restrictions provided for the benefit, of the Series B Preferred Stock, regardless of whether any such action shall be by means of amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation or by merger, consolidation or otherwise; (b) increase or decrease (other than by conversion) the authorized number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock; (c) without limiting any provision of Section 2, create or authorize (by reclassification or otherwise) any new class or series of shares that has a preference over or is on a parity with the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividends or the distribution of assets on the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company; (d) purchase, repurchase or redeem any shares of capital stock of the Company junior in rank to the Series B Preferred Stock (other than pursuant to equity incentive agreements (that have in good faith been approved by the Board) with employees giving the Company the right to repurchase shares upon the termination of services); (e) without limiting any provision of Section 2, pay dividends or make any other distribution on any shares of any capital stock of the Company junior in rank to the Series B Preferred Stock; (f) issue any shares of Series B Preferred Stock other than pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement; or (g) without limiting any provision of Section 14, whether or not prohibited by the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock, circumvent a right of the Series B Preferred Stock.

 

12. Lost or Stolen Certificates. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any certificates representing shares of Series B Preferred Stock (as to which a written certification and the indemnification contemplated below shall suffice as such evidence), and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, of an indemnification undertaking by the applicable Holder to the Company in customary and reasonable form and, in the case of mutilation, upon surrender and cancellation of the certificate(s), the Company shall execute and deliver new certificate(s) of like tenor and date.

 

13. Remedies, Characterizations, Other Obligations, Breaches and Injunctive Relief. The remedies provided in this Certificate of Designations shall be cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this Certificate of Designations and any of the other Transaction Documents, at law or in equity (including a decree of specific performance and/or other injunctive relief), and no remedy contained herein shall be deemed a waiver of compliance with the provisions giving rise to such remedy. Nothing herein shall limit any Holder’s right to pursue actual damages for any failure by the Company to comply with the terms of this Certificate of Designations. The Company covenants to each Holder that there shall be no characterization concerning this instrument other than as expressly provided herein. Amounts set forth or provided for herein with respect to payments, conversion and the like (and the computation thereof) shall be the amounts to be received by a Holder and shall not, except as expressly provided herein, be subject to any other obligation of the Company (or the performance thereof). The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to the Holders and that the remedy at law for any such breach may be inadequate. The Company therefore agrees that, in the event of any such breach or threatened breach, each Holder shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies, to an injunction restraining any breach, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other security being required. The Company shall provide all information and documentation to a Holder that is requested by such Holder to enable such Holder to confirm the Company’s compliance with the terms and conditions of this Certificate of Designations (including, without limitation, compliance with Section 6).

 

 

 

 

14. Non-circumvention. The Company hereby covenants and agrees that the Company will not, by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation, bylaws or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, scheme of arrangement, dissolution, issue or sale of securities, or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Certificate of Designations, and will at all times in good faith carry out all the provisions of this Certificate of Designations and take all action as may be required to protect the rights of the Holders. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or any other provision of this Certificate of Designations, the Company (i) shall not increase the par value of any shares of Common Stock receivable upon the conversion of any shares of Series B Preferred Stock above the Conversion Price then in effect, (ii) shall take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of shares of Series B Preferred Stock and (iii) shall, so long as any shares of Series B Preferred Stock are outstanding, take all action necessary to reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the conversion of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding (without regard to any limitations on conversion contained herein).

 

15. Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver. No failure or delay on the part of a Holder in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the waiving party. This Certificate of Designations shall be deemed to be jointly drafted by the Company and all Holders and shall not be construed against any Person as the drafter hereof.

 

16. Notices. The Company shall provide each Holder of Series B Preferred Stock with prompt written notice of all actions taken pursuant to the terms of this Certificate of Designations, including in reasonable detail a description of such action and the reason therefor. Whenever notice is required to be given under this Certificate of Designations, unless otherwise provided herein, such notice must be in writing and shall be given in accordance with Section 9(f) of the Securities Purchase Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company shall give written notice to each Holder (i) promptly following any adjustment of the Fixed Conversion Price, setting forth in reasonable detail, and certifying, the calculation of such adjustment and (ii) at least ten (10) days prior to the date on which the Company closes its books or takes a record (A) with respect to any dividend or distribution upon the Common Stock, (B) with respect to any grant, issuances, or sales of any Options, Convertible Securities or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property to all holders of shares of Common Stock as a class or (C) for determining rights to vote with respect to any Fundamental Transaction, dissolution or liquidation, and, in each case, provided that such information shall be made known to the public prior to, or simultaneously with, such notice being provided to any Holder and such time period shall be shall be shortened under this clause (ii) to equal the notice or disclosure given to the public or the holders of Common Stock if such disclosure or notice is less than ten (10) days.

 

17. Transfer of Series B Preferred Stock. A Holder may transfer some or all of its shares of Series B Preferred Stock without the consent of the Company.

 

18. Series B Preferred Stock Register. The Company shall maintain at its principal executive offices (or such other office or agency of the Company as it may designate by notice to the Holders), a register for the Series B Preferred Stock, in which the Company shall record the name, address and facsimile number of the Persons in whose name the shares of Series B Preferred Stock have been issued, as well as the name and address of each transferee. The Company may treat the Person in whose name any Series B Preferred Stock is registered on the register as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, but in all events recognizing any properly made transfers.

 

 

 

 

19. Stockholder Matters; Amendment.

 

(a) Stockholder Matters. Any stockholder action, approval or consent required, desired or otherwise sought by the Company pursuant to the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation, this Certificate of Designations or otherwise with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock may be effected by written consent of the Company’s stockholders or at a duly called meeting of the Company’s stockholders, all in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the DGCL. This provision is intended to comply with the applicable sections of the DGCL permitting stockholder action, approval and consent affected by written consent in lieu of a meeting.

 

(b) Amendment. This Certificate of Designations or any provision hereof may be amended by obtaining the affirmative vote at a meeting duly called for such purpose, or written consent without a meeting in accordance with the DGCL, of the Required Holders, voting separate as a single class, and with such other stockholder approval, if any, as may then be required and in the manner required pursuant to the DGCL and the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

20. Dispute Resolution. In the case of a dispute as to the determination of the Conversion Price, the Closing Bid Price, the Closing Sale Price or fair market value (as the case may be) or the arithmetic calculation of the Conversion Rate, or other applicable matter, the Company or the applicable Holder (as the case may be) shall submit the disputed determinations or arithmetic calculations (as the case may be) via facsimile (i) within five (5) Business Days after receipt of the applicable notice giving rise to such dispute to the Company or such Holder (as the case may be) or (ii) if no notice gave rise to such dispute, at any time after such Holder learned of the circumstances giving rise to such dispute (including, without limitation, as to whether any issuance or sale or deemed issuance or sale was an issuance or sale or deemed issuance or sale of Excluded Securities). If such Holder and the Company are unable to agree upon such determination or calculation or resolution within two (2) Business Days of such disputed determination or arithmetic calculation or other dispute (as the case may be) being submitted to the Company or such Holder (as the case may be), then, if elected by Holder, the Company shall, within two (2) Business Days, submit via facsimile (a) the disputed determination of the Conversion Price, the Closing Bid Price, the Closing Sale Price or fair market value (as the case may be) to an independent, reputable investment bank selected by such Holder or (b) the disputed arithmetic calculation of the Conversion Rate to an independent, outside accountant selected by such Holder (other than the Company’s independent, outside accountant) or (c) such other dispute to a reputable independent professional selected by Holder. The Company shall cause at its expense the investment bank or the accountant or such other professional (as the case may be) to perform the determinations or calculations or resolve the dispute in question (as the case may be) and notify the Company and such Holder of the results no later than ten (10) Business Days from the time it receives such disputed determinations or calculations or other dispute (as the case may be). Such investment bank’s or accountant’s or other professional’s determination or calculation or resolution (as the case may be) shall be binding upon all parties absent demonstrable error or fraud.

 

21. No Redemption Right. The shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable either at the Company’s option or at the option of any of the Holders at any time.

 

22. Certain Defined Terms. For purposes of this Certificate of Designations, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

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

 

(b) “Black Scholes Consideration Value” means the value of the applicable Option or Convertible Security (as the case may be) as of the date of issuance thereof calculated using the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg utilizing (i) an underlying price per share equal to the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the public announcement of the execution of definitive documents with respect to the issuance of such Option or Convertible Security (as the case may be), (ii) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the remaining term of such Option or Convertible Security (as the case may be) as of the date of issuance of such Option or Convertible Security (as the case may be) and (iii) an expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 100 day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg (determined utilizing a 365 day annualization factor) as of the Trading Day immediately following the date of issuance of such Option or Convertible Security (as the case may be).

 

 

 

 

(c) “Bloomberg” means Bloomberg, L.P.

 

(d) “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed.

 

(e) “Closing Bid Price” and “Closing Sale Price” means, for any security as of any date, the last closing bid price and last closing trade price, respectively, for such security on the Principal Market, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market begins to operate on an extended hours basis and does not designate the closing bid price or the closing trade price (as the case may be) then the last bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security prior to 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal securities exchange or trading market for such security, the last closing bid price or last trade price, respectively, of such security on the principal securities exchange or trading market where such security is listed or traded as reported by Bloomberg, or if the foregoing do not apply, the average of the bid prices, or the ask prices, respectively, of any market makers for such security as reported in the “pink sheets” by Pink OTC Markets Inc. (formerly Pinks Sheets LLC). If the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price cannot be calculated for a security on a particular date on any of the foregoing bases, the Closing Bid Price or the Closing Sale Price (as the case may be) of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the applicable Holder. If the Company and such Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures in Section 20. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination or other similar transaction during such period.

 

(f) “Common Stock” means (i) the Company’s shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and (ii) any capital stock into which such common stock shall have been changed or any share capital resulting from a reclassification of such common stock.

 

(g) “Common Stock Deemed Outstanding” means, as of the particular time of determination, the number of shares of Common Stock actually issued and outstanding at such time (but excluding any issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock owned or held by or for the account of the Company).

 

(h) “Conversion Amount” means, with respect to each share of Series B Preferred Stock, as of the applicable date of determination, the Stated Value.

 

(i) “Conversion Price” means, with respect to each share of Series B Preferred Stock, as of any Conversion Date or other applicable date of determination, the lesser of (i) $0.187 subject to adjustment as provided herein, (the “Fixed Conversion Price”) and (2) the Market Price (as herein defined) (the “Non-Fixed Conversion Price”).

 

(j) “Conversion Share Ratio” means as to any applicable Automatic Conversion Date, the quotient of (i) the number of Pre-Automatic Conversion Shares delivered in connection with such Automatic Conversion divided by (ii) the number of Post-Automatic Conversion Shares applicable to such Automatic Conversion Date.

 

(k) “Convertible Securities” means any stock or other security (other than Options) that is at any time and under any circumstances, directly or indirectly, convertible into, exercisable or exchangeable for, or which otherwise entitles the holder thereof to acquire, any shares of Common Stock.

 

(l) “Eligible Market” means The New York Stock Exchange, the NYSE Amex, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Capital Market or the Principal Market.

 

(m) “Equity Conditions” shall have the meaning set forth in the Warrants.

 

 

 

 

(n) “Equity Conditions Failure” shall have the meaning set forth in the Warrants.

 

(o) “Excluded Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

(p) “Liquidation Event” means, whether in a single transaction or series of transactions, the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.

 

(q) “Market Price” means, as of any particular time of determination, the Closing Bid Price as of the then last completed Trading Day.

 

(r) “Options” means any rights, warrants or options to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities.

 

(s) “Person” means an individual, a limited liability company, a partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust, an unincorporated organization, any other entity or a government or any department or agency thereof.

 

(t) “Principal Market” means the OTC Bulletin Board.

 

(u) “Pro Rata Amount” means, as of the applicable date of determination, with respect to a particular Holder, a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the aggregate number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by such Holder as of such date of determination and (ii) the denominator of which is the aggregate number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock outstanding as of such date of determination.

 

(v) “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or the successor thereto.

 

(w) “Securities Purchase Agreement” means that certain securities purchase agreement by and among the Company and the initial holders of Series B Preferred Stock, dated as of the Subscription Date, as may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

(x) “Series A Warrants” means, collectively, all of the Series A Warrants to purchase Common Stock issued by the Company pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, as may be amended from time in accordance with the terms thereof, and all warrants issued in exchange therefor or replacement thereof.

 

(y) “Series B Warrants” means, collectively, all of the Series B Warrants to purchase Common Stock issued by the Company pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, as may be amended from time in accordance with the terms thereof, and all warrants issued in exchange therefor or replacement thereof.

 

(z) “Series C Warrants” means, collectively, all of the Series C Warrants to purchase Common Stock issued by the Company pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, as may be amended from time in accordance with the terms thereof, and all warrants issued in exchange therefor or replacement thereof.

 

(aa) “Stated Value” shall mean $1,000 per share, subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations, reorganizations, reclassifications, combinations, subdivisions or other similar events occurring after the Initial Issuance Date with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock.

 

(bb) “Subscription Date” means July 19, 2013.

 

(cc) “Trading Day” means any day on which the Common Stock is traded on the Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for the Common Stock, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded, provided that “Trading Day” shall not include any day on which the Common Stock is scheduled to trade on such exchange or market for less than 4.5 hours or any day that the Common Stock is suspended from trading during the final hour of trading on such exchange or market (or if such exchange or market does not designate in advance the closing time of trading on such exchange or market, then during the hour ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time) unless such day is otherwise designated as a Trading Day in writing by the Required Holders.

 

 

 

 

(dd) “Transaction Documents” means the Securities Purchase Agreement, this Certificate of Designations, the Warrants and each of the other agreements and instruments entered into or delivered by the Company or any of the Holders in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Securities Purchase Agreement, all as may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

(ee) “Voting Stock” of a Person means capital stock of such Person of the class or classes pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting power to elect, or the general power to appoint, at least a majority of the board of directors, managers, trustees or other similar governing body of such Person (irrespective of whether or not at the time capital stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency).

 

(ff) “VWAP” means, for any security as of any date, the dollar volume-weighted average price for such security on the Principal Market (or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for such security, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which such security is then traded) during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg through its “Volume at Price” function or, if the foregoing does not apply, the dollar volume-weighted average price of such security in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for such security during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York time, and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York time, as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no dollar volume-weighted average price is reported for such security by Bloomberg for such hours, the average of the highest closing bid price and the lowest closing ask price of any of the market makers for such security as reported in the “pink sheets” by Pink OTC Markets Inc. (formerly Pinks Sheets LLC). If the VWAP cannot be calculated for such security on such date on any of the foregoing bases, the VWAP of such security on such date shall be the fair market value as mutually determined by the Company and the applicable Holder. If the Company and such Holder are unable to agree upon the fair market value of such security, then such dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures in Section 20. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination or other similar transaction during such period.

 

(gg) “Warrants” means, collectively, the Series A Warrants, the Series B Warrants and the Series C Warrants, as may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, and all warrants issued in exchange therefor or replacement thereof.

 

23. Disclosure. Upon receipt or delivery by the Company of any notice in accordance with the terms of this Certificate of Designations, unless the Company has in good faith determined that the matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, non-public information relating to the Company, the Company shall simultaneously with any such receipt or delivery publicly disclose such material, non-public information on a Current Report on Form 8-K or otherwise. In the event that the Company believes that a notice contains material, non-public information relating to the Company, the Company so shall indicate to each Holder contemporaneously with delivery of such notice, and in the absence of any such indication, each Holder shall be allowed to presume that all matters relating to such notice do not constitute material, non-public information relating to the Company. Nothing contained in this Section 23 shall limit any obligations of the Company, or any rights of any Holder, under Section 4(j) of the Securities Purchase Agreement.

 

* * * * *

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT I

 

APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

CONVERSION NOTICE

 

Reference is made to the Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (the “Certificate of Designations”). In accordance with and pursuant to the Certificate of Designations, the undersigned hereby elects to convert the number of shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), indicated below into shares of common stock, $0.001 value per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company, as of the date specified below.

 

Date of Conversion:___________________________________________________________________

 

Number of shares of Series B Preferred Stock to be converted:___________________________________

 

Share certificate no(s). of Series B Preferred Stock to be converted:_______________________________

 

Tax ID Number (If applicable): ___________________________________________________________

 

Applicable Conversion Price:

 

Fill in one of the following:

 

Fixed Conversion Price: $_______

 

Non-Fixed Conversion Prices: $_______

 

Number of shares of Common Stock to be issued:_____________________________________________

 

Please issue the shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Series B Preferred Stock are being converted in the following name and to the following address:

 

Issue to:___________________________________________

 

_________________________________________

 

Address: _________________________________________

 

Telephone Number: _________________________________

 

Facsimile Number: _________________________________________

 

Holder:__________________________________________________

 

By:________________________________

 

Title:_______________________________

 

Dated:_____________________________

 

Account Number (if electronic book entry transfer):___________________________________________

 

Transaction Code Number (if electronic book entry transfer):____________________________________

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT II

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

 

The Company hereby acknowledges this Conversion Notice and hereby directs [______________] to issue the above indicated number of shares of Common Stock in accordance with the Irrevocable Transfer Agent Instructions dated [_________ __, 20__] from the Company and acknowledged and agreed to by [______________].

 

  APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.
   
  By:                
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

* * * * * *

 

The undersigned declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Delaware that the matters set forth in this Certificate of Designations of are true and correct of his own knowledge.

 

The undersigned has executed this certificate on July 19, 2013.

 

    /s/ James A. Hayward
  Name: James A. Hayward
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Certificate of Designations of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.]

 

 

 

 

THIRD CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

 

OF

 

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

* * * * *

 

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY THAT:

 

FIRST: The first paragraph of Article IV of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), of the Corporation is hereby amended and replaced in its entirety to read as follows:

 

“This Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is 510,000,000. The total number of shares of Common Stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 500,000,000, with a par value of $0.001 per share. Each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one (1) vote on each matter submitted to a vote at any meeting of stockholders. The total number of shares of Preferred Stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 10,000,000, with a par value of $0.001 per share.”

 

SECOND: Article IV of the Certificate of Incorporation is hereby further amended by adding the following paragraph at the end thereof:

 

“Upon the filing and effectiveness (the “Effective Time”) pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) of this Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, each sixty (60) shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall automatically be reclassified, combined, and converted into one (1) validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable share of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Corporation, without any action by any holder thereof; provided that no fractional share interests shall be issued as a result of the foregoing reclassification, combination, and conversion:

 

  (i) to any stockholder that holds, of record, fewer than sixty (60) shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time, and, in lieu of such fractional share interests, any such stockholder shall be entitled, upon the Effective Time, to receive a cash payment equal to the Share Value (as defined below) of each share of Common Stock held by such stockholder immediately prior to the Effective Time; or
  (ii) any stockholder that holds, of record, more than sixty (60) shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time and would otherwise be entitled to fractional share interests pursuant to the provisions of this Article, and, in lieu of such fractional share interests, any such stockholder shall be entitled, upon the Effective Time, to receive one whole share of Common Stock in lieu of such fractional share interests.

 

As used herein, “Share Value” shall mean the average closing price of the Common Stock on the OTC Market’s electronic interdealer quotation QB system (“OTCQB”) for the ten (10) consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day prior to the date of the Effective Time.

 

From and after the Effective Time, (i) certificates that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, represent shares of Common Stock that are held by any stockholder that holds more than sixty (60) shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time shall thereafter represent the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares shall have been reclassified, combined, and converted at the Effective Time pursuant to this Certificate of Amendment, and (ii) certificates that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, represent shares of Common Stock that are held by any stockholder that holds fewer than sixty (60) shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time shall thereafter represent only the right to receive a payment in cash equal to the Share Value for each share of Common Stock previously represented by such certificate.”

 

THIRD: This Certificate of Amendment shall become effective on October 29, 2014, at 12:01 a.m.

 

FOURTH: That pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors, the proposed amendment was submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for consideration at the annual meeting of stockholders held on August 28, 2014 and was duly adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Third Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its Chief Executive Officer, on October 24, 2014.

 

  APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.
     
  By: /s/ James A. Hayward
    Name: James A. Hayward
    Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

FOURTH CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
TO THE
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY THAT:

 

FIRST: Article IV of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), of the Corporation is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph at the end thereof:

 

“Upon the filing and effectiveness (the “Reverse Split Effective Time”) pursuant to the DGCL of this Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, each forty (40) shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Reverse Split Effective Time, shall automatically be reclassified, combined, and converted into one (1) validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable share of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Corporation, without any action by any holder thereof; provided that no fractional share interests shall be issued as a result of the foregoing reclassification, combination, and conversion. Any stockholder of record of Common Stock immediately prior to the Reverse Split Effective Time that would otherwise be entitled to fractional share interests pursuant to the provisions of this Article, shall be entitled, upon the Reverse Split Effective Time, to receive one whole share of Common Stock in lieu of such fractional share interests.

 

From and after the Reverse Split Effective Time, certificates that, immediately prior to the Reverse Split Effective Time, represent shares of Common Stock that are held by any stockholder shall thereafter represent the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares shall have been reclassified, combined, and converted at the Reverse Split Effective Time pursuant to this Certificate of Amendment.”

 

SECOND: This Certificate of Amendment shall become effective on Friday, November 1, 2019, at 12:01 a.m.

 

THIRD: That pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors, the proposed amendment was submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for consideration at the special meeting of stockholders held on October 31, 2019 and was duly adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Fourth Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer as of Thursday, October 31, 2019.

 

  APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.
   
  By: /s/ James A. Hayward 
  Name: James A. Hayward
  Title: Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

FIFTH CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
TO THE
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY THAT:

 

FIRST: The first paragraph of Article IV of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), of the Corporation is hereby amended and replaced in its entirety to read as follows:

 

“This Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is 210,000,000. The total number of shares of Common Stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 200,000,000, with a par value of $0.001 per share. Each share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one (1) vote on each matter submitted to a vote of any meeting of stockholders. The total number of shares of Preferred Stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 10,000,000, with a par value of $0.001 per share.”

 

SECOND: This Certificate of Amendment shall become effective on Thursday, September 17, 2020, at 12:01 a.m.

 

THIRD: That pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors, the proposed amendment was submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for consideration at the annual meeting of stockholders held on September 16, 2020 and was duly adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Fifth Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer as of Wednesday, September 16, 2020.

 

  APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.
   
  By: /s/ James A. Hayward
    Name: James A. Hayward
    Title: Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Certificate of Amendment]

 

 

 

 

SIXTH CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
TO THE
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY THAT:

 

FIRST:   Article IV of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), of the Corporation is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph at the end thereof:

 

“Upon the filing and effectiveness (the “Reverse Split Effective Time”) pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware of this Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, each twenty (20) shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Reverse Split Effective Time, shall automatically be reclassified, combined, and converted into one (1) validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable share of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Corporation, without any action by any holder thereof; provided that no fractional share interests shall be issued as a result of the foregoing reclassification, combination, and conversion. Any stockholder of record of Common Stock immediately prior to the Reverse Split Effective Time that would otherwise be entitled to fractional share interests pursuant to the provisions of this Article, shall be entitled, upon the Reverse Split Effective Time, to receive one whole share of Common Stock in lieu of such fractional share interests.

 

From and after the Reverse Split Effective Time, certificates that, immediately prior to the Reverse Split Effective Time, represent shares of Common Stock that are held by any stockholder shall thereafter represent the number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares shall have been reclassified, combined, and converted at the Reverse Split Effective Time pursuant to this Certificate of Amendment.”

 

SECOND:   This Certificate of Amendment shall become effective on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 12:01 a.m.

 

THIRD:   That pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors, the proposed amendment was submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for consideration at the special meeting of stockholders held on April 15, 2024 and was duly approved by the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Sixth Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its Chief Executive Officer, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

 

APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.  
   
By: /s/ James A. Hayward  
   
Name: James A. Hayward  
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer  

 

[Signature Page to Certificate of Amendment

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.14

 

PREFUNDED COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

 

APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

Warrant Shares: [______] Initial Exercise Date: [_______], 2024

 

THIS PRE-FUNDED COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, [___________] or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) and until this Warrant is exercised in full (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), up to [______] shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).

 

Section 1.              Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Warrant, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this Section 1:

 

Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Common Stock for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b)  if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee”  or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.

 

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Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.

 

Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

 

Placement Agency Agreement” means the placement agency agreement, dated as of [_________], 2024, by and between the Company and Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms.

 

Registration Statement” means the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-278890).

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.

 

Trading Day” means a day on which the Common Stock is traded on a Trading Market.

 

Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, the OTCQB or OTCQX (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

 

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Transfer Agent” means Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 48 Wall Street, Floor 23, New York, New York 10005 and an email address of [_________], and any successor transfer agent of the Company.

 

VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b)  if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

Warrants” means this Warrant and other Pre-Funded Common Stock purchase warrants issued by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 

Section 2.              Exercise.

 

a)            Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed PDF copy submitted by e-mail (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto (the “Notice of Exercise”). Within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined in Section 2(d)(i) herein) following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.

 

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b)            Exercise Price. The aggregate exercise price of this Warrant, except for a nominal exercise price of $0.0001 per Warrant Share, was pre-funded to the Company on or prior to the Initial Exercise Date and, consequently, no additional consideration (other than the nominal exercise price of $0.0001 per Warrant Share) shall be required to be paid by the Holder to any Person to effect any exercise of this Warrant. The Holder shall not be entitled to the return or refund of all, or any portion, of such pre-paid aggregate exercise price under any circumstance or for any reason whatsoever. The remaining unpaid exercise price per share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $0.0001, subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).

 

c)            Cashless Exercise. This Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:

 

(A)= as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) the Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (“Bloomberg”) as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day;

 

(B) = the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and

 

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(X) = the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise.

 

If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).

 

d)Mechanics of Exercise.

 

i.Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder or (B) this Warrant is being exercised via cashless exercise, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate or a book entry statement, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earliest of (i) two (2) Trading Days after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise, (ii) one (1) Trading Day after delivery of the aggregate Exercise Price to the Company and (iii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the third Trading Day after the Warrant Share Delivery Date) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Notice(s) of Exercise delivered on or prior to 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Initial Exercise Date, which may be delivered at any time after the time of execution of the Placement Agency Agreement, the Company agrees to deliver the Warrant Shares subject to such notice(s) by 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the Initial Exercise Date and the Initial Exercise Date shall be the Warrant Share Delivery Date for purposes hereunder, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received by such Warrant Share Delivery Date.

 

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ii.            Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.

 

iii.            Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.

 

iv.           Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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v.            No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.

 

vi.           Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that, in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 2(d)(vi) shall require the Company to deliver the Warrant Shares on a date earlier than the Warrant Share Delivery Date.

 

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vii.          Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

e)            Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below).  For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties.  Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.  Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding.  In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% (or, upon election by a Holder prior to the issuance of any Warrants, 9.99%) of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.

 

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Section 3.              Certain Adjustments.

 

a)            Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.

 

b)            Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).

 

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c)            Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder's right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).

 

d)            Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company or any Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, provided, however that the sale by the Company of any Subsidiary, other than a Material Subsidiary, does not constitute a Fundamental Transaction, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of greater than 50% of the outstanding Common Stock or greater than 50% of the voting power of the common equity of the Company, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires greater than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or greater than 50% of the voting power of the common equity of the Company (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). “Material Subsidiary” shall mean any subsidiary of the Company that is material to the business and operations of the Company as described in the Company’s public filings with the Commission. For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(d) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall be added to the term “Company” under this Warrant (so that from and after the occurrence or consummation of such Fundamental Transaction, each and every provision of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to each of the Company and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally), and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally with the Company, may exercise every right and power of the Company prior thereto and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities shall assume all of the obligations of the Company prior thereto under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if the Company and such Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally, had been named as the Company herein. For the avoidance of doubt, the Holder shall be entitled to the benefits of the provisions of this Section 3(d) regardless of (i) whether the Company has sufficient authorized shares of Common Stock for the issuance of Warrant Shares and/or (ii) whether a Fundamental Transaction occurs prior to the Initial Exercise Date.

 

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e)            Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.

 

f)            Notice to Holder.

 

i.            Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.

 

ii.            Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of its assets, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by email to the Holder at its last email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.

 

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Section 4.              Transfer of Warrant.

 

a)            Transferability. This Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant in full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.

 

b)            New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the initial issuance date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.

 

c)            Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.

 

Section 5.              Miscellaneous.

 

a)            No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.

 

b)            Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.

 

c)            Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

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d)            Authorized Shares.

 

The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).

 

Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.

 

Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.

 

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e)            Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Warrant (whether brought against a party hereto or their respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. 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 herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, 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 improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. 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 via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Warrant 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 other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Warrant, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for their reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.

 

f)             Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.

 

g)            Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.

 

h)            Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Exercise, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company, at Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., 50 Health Sciences Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11790, Attention: Beth Jantzen, email address: beth.jantzen@adnas.com, or such other email address or address as the Company may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holders. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Company hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the e-mail address or address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Company. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any date, (ii) the next Trading Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

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i)             Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.

 

j)             Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

k)            Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.

 

l)            Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holder, on the other hand.

 

m)            Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.

 

n)            Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.

 

********************

 

(Signature Page Follows)

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.

 

  APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

16

 

 

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

To:         APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

(1)            The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

 

(2)            Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):

 

¨ in lawful money of the United States; or

 

¨ if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).

 

(3)            Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:

 

_______________________________

 

The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:

 

_______________________________

 

_______________________________

 

_______________________________

 

[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]

 

Name of Investing Entity:  
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity:  
Name of Authorized Signatory:  
Title of Authorized Signatory:  
Date:  

 

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information. Do not use this form to purchase shares.)

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to

 

Name:      
      (Please Print)
       
Address:      
      (Please Print)
       
Phone Number:      
       
Email Address:      
       
Dated: _______________ __, ______    
       
Holder’s Signature:                         
       
Holder’s Address:      

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.15

 

SERIES A COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

 

APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

Warrant Shares: [______] Initial Exercise Date: [_______], 2024

 

THIS SERIES A COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, [___________] or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on [_____], 20291 (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), up to [______] shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).

 

Section 1.              Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Warrant, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this Section 1:

 

Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Common Stock for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b)  if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.

 

 

1 Insert the date that is the 5 year anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date, provided that, if such date is not a Trading Day, insert the immediately following Trading Day.

 

1

 

 

Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee”  or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.

 

Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.

 

Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

 

Registration Statement” means the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-278890).

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.

 

Trading Day” means a day on which the Common Stock is traded on a Trading Market.

 

Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, the OTCQB or OTCQX (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

 

2

 

 

Transfer Agent” means Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 48 Wall Street, Floor 23, New York, New York 10005 and an email address of [_________], and any successor transfer agent of the Company.

 

VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b)  if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

Warrants” means this Warrant and other Series A Common Stock purchase warrants issued by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 

Section 2.              Exercise.

 

a)            Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed PDF copy submitted by e-mail (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto (the “Notice of Exercise”). Within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined in Section 2(d)(i) herein) following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.

 

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b)            Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $[_____], subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).

 

c)            Cashless Exercise. If at the time of exercise hereof there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for the issuance of the Warrant Shares to the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:

 

(A)= as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) the Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (“Bloomberg”) as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day;

 

(B) = the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and

 

(X) = the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise.

 

If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).

 

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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, on the Termination Date, this Warrant shall be automatically exercised via cashless exercise pursuant to this Section 2(c).

 

d)Mechanics of Exercise.

 

i.Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder or (B) this Warrant is being exercised via cashless exercise, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate or a book entry statement, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earliest of (i) two (2) Trading Days after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise, (ii) one (1) Trading Day after delivery of the aggregate Exercise Price to the Company and (iii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the third Trading Day after the Warrant Share Delivery Date) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise.

 

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ii.            Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.

 

iii.            Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.

 

iv.           Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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v.            No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.

 

vi.           Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that, in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 2(d)(vi) shall require the Company to deliver the Warrant Shares on a date earlier than the Warrant Share Delivery Date.

 

vii.          Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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e)            Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below).  For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties.  Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.  Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding.  In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% (or, upon election by a Holder prior to the issuance of any Warrants, 9.99%) of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.

 

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Section 3.              Certain Adjustments.

 

a)            Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.

 

b)            Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).

 

c)            Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder's right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).

 

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d)            Fundamental Transaction. If,

a)                  at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company or any Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, provided, however that the sale by the Company of any Subsidiary, other than a Material Subsidiary, does not constitute a Fundamental Transaction, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of greater than 50% of the outstanding Common Stock or greater than 50% of the voting power of the common equity of the Company, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires greater than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or greater than 50% of the voting power of the common equity of the Company (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). “Material Subsidiary” shall mean any subsidiary of the Company that is material to the business and operations of the Company as described in the Company’s public filings with the Commission. For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Company or any Successor Entity (as defined below) shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction (or, if later, the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction), purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value (as defined below) of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction; provided, however, that, if the Fundamental Transaction is not within the Company's control, including not approved by the Company's Board of Directors, the Holder shall only be entitled to receive from the Company or any Successor Entity the same type or form of consideration (and in the same proportion), at the Black Scholes Value of the unexercised portion of this Warrant, that is being offered and paid to the holders of Common Stock of the Company in connection with the Fundamental Transaction, whether that consideration be in the form of cash, stock or any combination thereof, or whether the holders of Common Stock are given the choice to receive from among alternative forms of consideration in connection with the Fundamental Transaction; provided, further, that if holders of Common Stock of the Company are not offered or paid any consideration in such Fundamental Transaction, such holders of Common Stock will be deemed to have received common stock of the Successor Entity (which Successor Entity may be the Company following such Fundamental Transaction) in such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg, L.P. (“Bloomberg”) determined as of the day of consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction for pricing purposes and reflecting (A) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date, (B) an expected volatility equal to the 100 day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg (determined utilizing a 365 day annualization factor) as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction, (C) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be the greater of (i) the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental Transaction and (ii) the VWAP immediately preceding the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction (or the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, if earlier), (D) the sum of the remaining option time equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date and (E) a zero cost of borrow. The payment of the Black Scholes Value will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds (or such other consideration) within the later of (i) five Business Days of the Holder’s election and (ii) the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(d) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall be added to the term “Company” under this Warrant (so that from and after the occurrence or consummation of such Fundamental Transaction, each and every provision of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to each of the Company and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally), and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally with the Company, may exercise every right and power of the Company prior thereto and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities shall assume all of the obligations of the Company prior thereto under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if the Company and such Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally, had been named as the Company herein. For the avoidance of doubt, the Holder shall be entitled to the benefits of the provisions of this Section 3(d) regardless of (i) whether the Company has sufficient authorized shares of Common Stock for the issuance of Warrant Shares and/or (ii) whether a Fundamental Transaction occurs prior to the Initial Exercise Date.

 

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e)            Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.

 

f)            Notice to Holder.

 

i.            Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.

 

ii.            Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of its assets, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by email to the Holder at its last email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.

 

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g)            Voluntary Adjustment By Company. Subject to the rules and regulations of the Trading Market, the Company may at any time during the term of this Warrant reduce the then current Exercise Price to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the board of directors of the Company.

 

Section 4.              Transfer of Warrant.

 

a)            Transferability. This Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant in full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.

 

b)            New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the initial issuance date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.

 

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c)            Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.

 

Section 5.              Miscellaneous.

 

a)            No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.

 

b)            Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.

 

c)            Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

d)            Authorized Shares.

 

The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).

 

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Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.

 

Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.

 

e)            Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Warrant (whether brought against a party hereto or their respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. 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 herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, 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 improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. 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 via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Warrant 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 other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Warrant, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for their reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.

 

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f)            Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.

 

g)            Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.

 

h)            Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Exercise, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company, at Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., 50 Health Sciences Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11790, Attention: Beth Jantzen, email address: beth.jantzen@adnas.com, or such other email address or address as the Company may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holders. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Company hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the e-mail address or address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Company. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any date, (ii) the next Trading Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

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i)             Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.

 

j)             Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

k)            Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.

 

l)            Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holder or the beneficial owner of this Warrant, on the other hand.

 

m)            Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.

 

n)            Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.

 

********************

 

(Signature Page Follows)

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.

 

  APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

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NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

To:         APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

(1)            The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

 

(2)            Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):

 

¨ in lawful money of the United States; or

 

¨ if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).

 

(3)            Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:

 

_______________________________

 

The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:

 

_______________________________

 

_______________________________

 

_______________________________

 

[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]

 

Name of Investing Entity:  
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity:  
Name of Authorized Signatory:  
Title of Authorized Signatory:  
Date:  

 

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information. Do not use this form to purchase shares.)

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to

 

Name:      
      (Please Print)
       
Address:      
      (Please Print)
       
Phone Number:      
       
Email Address:      
       
Dated: _______________ __, ______    
       
Holder’s Signature:                         
       
Holder’s Address:      

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.16

 

SERIES B COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

 

APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

Warrant Shares: [______] Initial Exercise Date: [_______], 2024

 

THIS SERIES B COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, [___________] or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on [_____], 20251 (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), up to [______] shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b).

 

Section 1.              Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Warrant, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this Section 1:

 

Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Common Stock for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b)  if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.

 

 

1 Insert the date that is the 1 year anniversary of the Initial Exercise Date, provided that, if such date is not a Trading Day, insert the immediately following Trading Day.

 

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Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee”  or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.

 

Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.

 

Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

 

Registration Statement” means the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-278890).

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.

 

Trading Day” means a day on which the Common Stock is traded on a Trading Market.

 

Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, the OTCQB or OTCQX (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

 

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Transfer Agent” means Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 48 Wall Street, Floor 23, New York, New York 10005 and an email address of [_________], and any successor transfer agent of the Company.

 

VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b)  if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

Warrants” means this Warrant and other Series B Common Stock purchase warrants issued by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 

Section 2.              Exercise.

 

a)            Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed PDF copy submitted by e-mail (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto (the “Notice of Exercise”). Within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined in Section 2(d)(i) herein) following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.

 

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b)            Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $[_____], subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).

 

c)            Cashless Exercise. If at the time of exercise hereof there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for the issuance of the Warrant Shares to the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:

 

(A) =as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) the Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (“Bloomberg”) as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day;

 

(B) =the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and

 

(X) =the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise.

 

If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).

 

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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, on the Termination Date, this Warrant shall be automatically exercised via cashless exercise pursuant to this Section 2(c).

 

d)Mechanics of Exercise.

 

i.Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder or (B) this Warrant is being exercised via cashless exercise, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate or a book entry statement, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earliest of (i) two (2) Trading Days after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise, (ii) one (1) Trading Day after delivery of the aggregate Exercise Price to the Company and (iii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the third Trading Day after the Warrant Share Delivery Date) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise.

 

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ii.            Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.

 

iii.            Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.

 

iv.           Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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v.            No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.

 

vi.           Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that, in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 2(d)(vi) shall require the Company to deliver the Warrant Shares on a date earlier than the Warrant Share Delivery Date.

 

vii.          Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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e)            Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below).  For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties.  Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.  Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding.  In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% (or, upon election by a Holder prior to the issuance of any Warrants, 9.99%) of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.

 

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Section 3.              Certain Adjustments.

 

a)            Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.

 

b)            Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).

 

c)            Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder's right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).

 

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d)            Fundamental Transaction. If, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company or any Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, provided, however that the sale by the Company of any Subsidiary, other than a Material Subsidiary, does not constitute a Fundamental Transaction, (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of greater than 50% of the outstanding Common Stock or greater than 50% of the voting power of the common equity of the Company, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires greater than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or greater than 50% of the voting power of the common equity of the Company (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). “Material Subsidiary” shall mean any subsidiary of the Company that is material to the business and operations of the Company as described in the Company’s public filings with the Commission. For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Company or any Successor Entity (as defined below) shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction (or, if later, the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction), purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value (as defined below) of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction; provided, however, that, if the Fundamental Transaction is not within the Company's control, including not approved by the Company's Board of Directors, the Holder shall only be entitled to receive from the Company or any Successor Entity the same type or form of consideration (and in the same proportion), at the Black Scholes Value of the unexercised portion of this Warrant, that is being offered and paid to the holders of Common Stock of the Company in connection with the Fundamental Transaction, whether that consideration be in the form of cash, stock or any combination thereof, or whether the holders of Common Stock are given the choice to receive from among alternative forms of consideration in connection with the Fundamental Transaction; provided, further, that if holders of Common Stock of the Company are not offered or paid any consideration in such Fundamental Transaction, such holders of Common Stock will be deemed to have received common stock of the Successor Entity (which Successor Entity may be the Company following such Fundamental Transaction) in such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg, L.P. (“Bloomberg”) determined as of the day of consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction for pricing purposes and reflecting (A) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date, (B) an expected volatility equal to the 100 day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg (determined utilizing a 365 day annualization factor) as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction, (C) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be the greater of (i) the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental Transaction and (ii) the VWAP immediately preceding the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction (or the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, if earlier), (D) the sum of the remaining option time equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date and (E) a zero cost of borrow. The payment of the Black Scholes Value will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds (or such other consideration) within the later of (i) five Business Days of the Holder’s election and (ii) the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(d) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall be added to the term “Company” under this Warrant (so that from and after the occurrence or consummation of such Fundamental Transaction, each and every provision of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to each of the Company and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally), and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally with the Company, may exercise every right and power of the Company prior thereto and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities shall assume all of the obligations of the Company prior thereto under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if the Company and such Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally, had been named as the Company herein. For the avoidance of doubt, the Holder shall be entitled to the benefits of the provisions of this Section 3(d) regardless of (i) whether the Company has sufficient authorized shares of Common Stock for the issuance of Warrant Shares and/or (ii) whether a Fundamental Transaction occurs prior to the Initial Exercise Date.

 

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e)            Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.

 

f)            Notice to Holder.

 

i.            Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.

 

ii.            Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of its assets, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by email to the Holder at its last email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.

 

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g)            Voluntary Adjustment By Company. Subject to the rules and regulations of the Trading Market, the Company may at any time during the term of this Warrant reduce the then current Exercise Price to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the board of directors of the Company.

 

Section 4.              Transfer of Warrant.

 

a)            Transferability. This Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant in full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.

 

b)            New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the initial issuance date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.

 

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c)            Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.

 

Section 5.      Miscellaneous.

 

a)            No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.

 

b)            Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.

 

c)            Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

d)            Authorized Shares.

 

The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).

 

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Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.

 

Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.

 

e)            Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Warrant (whether brought against a party hereto or their respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. 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 herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, 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 improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. 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 via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Warrant 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 other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Warrant, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for their reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.

 

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f)            Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.

 

g)            Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.

 

h)            Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Exercise, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company, at Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., 50 Health Sciences Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11790, Attention: Beth Jantzen, email address: beth.jantzen@adnas.com, or such other email address or address as the Company may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holders. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Company hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the e-mail address or address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Company. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any date, (ii) the next Trading Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

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i)            Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.

 

j)            Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

k)            Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.

 

l)            Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holder or the beneficial owner of this Warrant, on the other hand.

 

m)            Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.

 

n)            Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.

 

********************

 

(Signature Page Follows)

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.

 

  APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:  

 

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NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

To:         APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

(1)            The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

 

(2)            Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):

 

¨ in lawful money of the United States; or

 

¨ if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).

 

(3)            Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:

 

_______________________________

 

The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:

 

_______________________________

 

_______________________________

 

_______________________________

 

[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]

 

Name of Investing Entity:  
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity:  
Name of Authorized Signatory:  
Title of Authorized Signatory:  
Date:  

 

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information. Do not use this form to purchase shares.)

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to

 

Name:      
      (Please Print)
       
Address:      
      (Please Print)
       
Phone Number:      
       
Email Address:      
       
Dated: _______________ __, ______    
       
Holder’s Signature:                         
       
Holder’s Address:      

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.17

 

PLACEMENT AGENT COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

 

APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

Warrant Shares: [______] Initial Exercise Date: [_______], 2024

 

THIS

PLACEMENT AGENT COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT (the “Warrant”) certifies that, for value received, [___________] or its assigns (the “Holder”) is entitled, upon the terms and subject to the limitations on exercise and the conditions hereinafter set forth, at any time on or after the date hereof (the “Initial Exercise Date”) and on or prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on [_____], 20291 (the “Termination Date”) but not thereafter, to subscribe for and purchase from Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), up to [______] shares (as subject to adjustment hereunder, the “Warrant Shares”) of Common Stock. The purchase price of one share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be equal to the Exercise Price, as defined in Section 2(b). This Warrant is being issued pursuant to the certain Placement Agency Agreement, dated as of [_____], 2024, by and between the Company, Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC and Laidlaw Company (UK) Ltd.

 

Section 1.              Definitions. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Warrant, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this Section 1:

 

Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person, as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

Bid Price” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the bid price of the Common Stock for the time in question (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b)  if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

 

1 Insert the date that is the 5 year anniversary of the commencement of sales of the offering.

 

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Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company.

 

Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided, however, for clarification, commercial banks shall not be deemed to be authorized or required by law to remain closed due to “stay at home”, “shelter-in-place”, “non-essential employee”  or any other similar orders or restrictions or the closure of any physical branch locations at the direction of any governmental authority so long as the electronic funds transfer systems (including for wire transfers) of commercial banks in The City of New York generally are open for use by customers on such day.

 

Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share, and any other class of securities into which such securities may hereafter be reclassified or changed.

 

Common Stock Equivalents” means any securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Person” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind.

 

Registration Statement” means the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-278890).

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company and shall, where applicable, also include any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company formed or acquired after the date hereof.

 

Trading Day” means a day on which the Common Stock is traded on a Trading Market.

 

Trading Market” means any of the following markets or exchanges on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted for trading on the date in question: the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the New York Stock Exchange, the OTCQB or OTCQX (or any successors to any of the foregoing).

 

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Transfer Agent” means Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, the current transfer agent of the Company, with a mailing address of 48 Wall Street, Floor 23, New York, New York 10005 and an email address of [_________], and any successor transfer agent of the Company.

 

VWAP” means, for any date, the price determined by the first of the following clauses that applies: (a) if the Common Stock is then listed or quoted on a Trading Market, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on the Trading Market on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (based on a Trading Day from 9:30 a.m. (New York City time) to 4:02 p.m. (New York City time)), (b)  if OTCQB or OTCQX is not a Trading Market, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock for such date (or the nearest preceding date) on OTCQB or OTCQX as applicable, (c) if the Common Stock is not then listed or quoted for trading on OTCQB or OTCQX and if prices for the Common Stock are then reported on the Pink Open Market (or a similar organization or agency succeeding to its functions of reporting prices), the most recent bid price per share of the Common Stock so reported, or (d) in all other cases, the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the holders of a majority in interest of the Warrants then outstanding and reasonably acceptable to the Company, the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Company.

 

Warrants” means this Warrant and other Placement Agent Common Stock purchase warrants issued by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 

Section 2.              Exercise.

 

a)            Exercise of Warrant. Exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant may be made, in whole or in part, at any time or times on or after the Initial Exercise Date and on or before the Termination Date by delivery to the Company of a duly executed PDF copy submitted by e-mail (or e-mail attachment) of the Notice of Exercise in the form annexed hereto (the “Notice of Exercise”). Within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period (as defined in Section 2(d)(i) herein) following the date of exercise as aforesaid, the Holder shall deliver the aggregate Exercise Price for the shares specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise by wire transfer or cashier’s check drawn on a United States bank unless the cashless exercise procedure specified in Section 2(c) below is specified in the applicable Notice of Exercise. No ink-original Notice of Exercise shall be required, nor shall any medallion guarantee (or other type of guarantee or notarization) of any Notice of Exercise be required. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company until the Holder has purchased all of the Warrant Shares available hereunder and the Warrant has been exercised in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company for cancellation within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the final Notice of Exercise is delivered to the Company. Partial exercises of this Warrant resulting in purchases of a portion of the total number of Warrant Shares available hereunder shall have the effect of lowering the outstanding number of Warrant Shares purchasable hereunder in an amount equal to the applicable number of Warrant Shares purchased. The Holder and the Company shall maintain records showing the number of Warrant Shares purchased and the date of such purchases. The Company shall deliver any objection to any Notice of Exercise within one (1) Business Day of receipt of such notice. The Holder and any assignee, by acceptance of this Warrant, acknowledge and agree that, by reason of the provisions of this paragraph, following the purchase of a portion of the Warrant Shares hereunder, the number of Warrant Shares available for purchase hereunder at any given time may be less than the amount stated on the face hereof.

 

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b)            Exercise Price. The exercise price per share of Common Stock under this Warrant shall be $[_____], subject to adjustment hereunder (the “Exercise Price”).

 

c)            Cashless Exercise. If at the time of exercise hereof there is no effective registration statement registering, or the prospectus contained therein is not available for the issuance of the Warrant Shares to the Holder, then this Warrant may also be exercised, in whole or in part, at such time by means of a “cashless exercise” in which the Holder shall be entitled to receive a number of Warrant Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing [(A-B) (X)] by (A), where:

 

(A)= as applicable: (i) the VWAP on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is (1) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a day that is not a Trading Day or (2) both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof on a Trading Day prior to the opening of “regular trading hours” (as defined in Rule 600(b) of Regulation NMS promulgated under the federal securities laws) on such Trading Day, (ii) the Bid Price of the Common Stock on the principal Trading Market as reported by Bloomberg L.P. (“Bloomberg”) as of the time of the Holder’s execution of the applicable Notice of Exercise if such Notice of Exercise is executed during “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day and is delivered within two (2) hours thereafter (including until two (2) hours after the close of “regular trading hours” on a Trading Day) pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof or (iii) the VWAP on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise if the date of such Notice of Exercise is a Trading Day and such Notice of Exercise is both executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof after the close of “regular trading hours” on such Trading Day;

 

(B) = the Exercise Price of this Warrant, as adjusted hereunder; and

 

(X) = the number of Warrant Shares that would be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant in accordance with the terms of this Warrant if such exercise were by means of a cash exercise rather than a cashless exercise.

 

If Warrant Shares are issued in such a cashless exercise, the parties acknowledge and agree that in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act, the Warrant Shares shall take on the registered characteristics of the Warrants being exercised. The Company agrees not to take any position contrary to this Section 2(c).

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, on the Termination Date, this Warrant shall be automatically exercised via cashless exercise pursuant to this Section 2(c).

 

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d)            Mechanics of Exercise.

 

i.             Delivery of Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. The Company shall cause the Warrant Shares purchased hereunder to be transmitted by the Transfer Agent to the Holder by crediting the account of the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with The Depository Trust Company through its Deposit or Withdrawal at Custodian system (“DWAC”) if the Company is then a participant in such system and either (A) there is an effective registration statement permitting the issuance of the Warrant Shares to or resale of the Warrant Shares by Holder or (B) this Warrant is being exercised via cashless exercise, and otherwise by physical delivery of a certificate or a book entry statement, registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of Warrant Shares to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the address specified by the Holder in the Notice of Exercise by the date that is the earliest of (i) two (2) Trading Days after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise, (ii) one (1) Trading Day after delivery of the aggregate Exercise Price to the Company and (iii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period after the delivery to the Company of the Notice of Exercise (such date, the “Warrant Share Delivery Date”). Upon delivery of the Notice of Exercise, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Warrant Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date of delivery of the Warrant Shares, provided that payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (other than in the case of a cashless exercise) is received within the earlier of (i) two (2) Trading Days and (ii) the number of Trading Days comprising the Standard Settlement Period following delivery of the Notice of Exercise. If the Company fails for any reason to deliver to the Holder the Warrant Shares subject to a Notice of Exercise by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, the Company shall pay to the Holder, in cash, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, for each $1,000 of Warrant Shares subject to such exercise (based on the VWAP of the Common Stock on the date of the applicable Notice of Exercise), $10 per Trading Day (increasing to $20 per Trading Day on the third Trading Day after the Warrant Share Delivery Date) for each Trading Day after such Warrant Share Delivery Date until such Warrant Shares are delivered or Holder rescinds such exercise. The Company agrees to maintain a transfer agent that is a participant in the FAST program so long as this Warrant remains outstanding and exercisable. As used herein, “Standard Settlement Period” means the standard settlement period, expressed in a number of Trading Days, on the Company’s primary Trading Market with respect to the Common Stock as in effect on the date of delivery of the Notice of Exercise.

 

ii.            Delivery of New Warrants Upon Exercise. If this Warrant shall have been exercised in part, the Company shall, at the request of a Holder and upon surrender of this Warrant certificate, at the time of delivery of the Warrant Shares, deliver to the Holder a new Warrant evidencing the rights of the Holder to purchase the unpurchased Warrant Shares called for by this Warrant, which new Warrant shall in all other respects be identical with this Warrant.

 

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iii.            Rescission Rights. If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) by the Warrant Share Delivery Date, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.

 

iv.            Compensation for Buy-In on Failure to Timely Deliver Warrant Shares Upon Exercise. In addition to any other rights available to the Holder, if the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(d)(i) above pursuant to an exercise on or before the Warrant Share Delivery Date, and if after such date the Holder is required by its broker to purchase (in an open market transaction or otherwise) or the Holder’s brokerage firm otherwise purchases, shares of Common Stock to deliver in satisfaction of a sale by the Holder of the Warrant Shares which the Holder anticipated receiving upon such exercise (a “Buy-In”), then the Company shall (A) pay in cash to the Holder the amount, if any, by which (x) the Holder’s total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the amount obtained by multiplying (1) the number of Warrant Shares that the Company was required to deliver to the Holder in connection with the exercise at issue times (2) the price at which the sell order giving rise to such purchase obligation was executed, and (B) at the option of the Holder, either reinstate the portion of the Warrant and equivalent number of Warrant Shares for which such exercise was not honored (in which case such exercise shall be deemed rescinded) or deliver to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued had the Company timely complied with its exercise and delivery obligations hereunder. For example, if the Holder purchases Common Stock having a total purchase price of $11,000 to cover a Buy-In with respect to an attempted exercise of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate sale price giving rise to such purchase obligation of $10,000, under clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence the Company shall be required to pay the Holder $1,000. The Holder shall provide the Company written notice indicating the amounts payable to the Holder in respect of the Buy-In and, upon request of the Company, evidence of the amount of such loss. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to timely deliver shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Warrant as required pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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v.            No Fractional Shares or Scrip. No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant. As to any fraction of a share which the Holder would otherwise be entitled to purchase upon such exercise, the Company shall, at its election, either pay a cash adjustment in respect of such final fraction in an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the Exercise Price or round up to the next whole share.

 

vi.            Charges, Taxes and Expenses. Issuance of Warrant Shares shall be made without charge to the Holder for any issue or transfer tax or other incidental expense in respect of the issuance of such Warrant Shares, all of which taxes and expenses shall be paid by the Company, and such Warrant Shares shall be issued in the name of the Holder or in such name or names as may be directed by the Holder; provided, however, that, in the event that Warrant Shares are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder, this Warrant when surrendered for exercise shall be accompanied by the Assignment Form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder and the Company may require, as a condition thereto, the payment of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any transfer tax incidental thereto. The Company shall pay all Transfer Agent fees required for same-day processing of any Notice of Exercise and all fees to the Depository Trust Company (or another established clearing corporation performing similar functions) required for same-day electronic delivery of the Warrant Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 2(d)(vi) shall require the Company to deliver the Warrant Shares on a date earlier than the Warrant Share Delivery Date.

 

vii.            Closing of Books. The Company will not close its stockholder books or records in any manner which prevents the timely exercise of this Warrant, pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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e)            Holder’s Exercise Limitations. The Company shall not effect any exercise of this Warrant, and a Holder shall not have the right to exercise any portion of this Warrant, pursuant to Section 2 or otherwise, to the extent that after giving effect to such issuance after exercise as set forth on the applicable Notice of Exercise, the Holder (together with the Holder’s Affiliates, and any other Persons acting as a group together with the Holder or any of the Holder’s Affiliates (such Persons, “Attribution Parties”)), would beneficially own in excess of the Beneficial Ownership Limitation (as defined below).  For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Holder and its Affiliates and Attribution Parties shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant with respect to which such determination is being made, but shall exclude the number of shares of Common Stock which would be issuable upon (i) exercise of the remaining, nonexercised portion of this Warrant beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties and (ii) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or nonconverted portion of any other securities of the Company (including, without limitation, any other Common Stock Equivalents) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein beneficially owned by the Holder or any of its Affiliates or Attribution Parties.  Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this Section 2(e), beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, it being acknowledged by the Holder that the Company is not representing to the Holder that such calculation is in compliance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the Holder is solely responsible for any schedules required to be filed in accordance therewith. To the extent that the limitation contained in this Section 2(e) applies, the determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable shall be in the sole discretion of the Holder, and the submission of a Notice of Exercise shall be deemed to be the Holder’s determination of whether this Warrant is exercisable (in relation to other securities owned by the Holder together with any Affiliates and Attribution Parties) and of which portion of this Warrant is exercisable, in each case subject to the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, and the Company shall have no obligation to verify or confirm the accuracy of such determination. In addition, a determination as to any group status as contemplated above shall be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. For purposes of this Section 2(e), in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (A) the Company’s most recent periodic or annual report filed with the Commission, as the case may be, (B) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (C) a more recent written notice by the Company or the Transfer Agent setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.  Upon the written or oral request of a Holder, the Company shall within one Trading Day confirm orally and in writing to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding.  In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of securities of the Company, including this Warrant, by the Holder or its Affiliates or Attribution Parties since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. The “Beneficial Ownership Limitation” shall be 4.99% (or, upon election by a Holder prior to the issuance of any Warrants, 9.99%) of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant. The Holder, upon notice to the Company, may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation provisions of this Section 2(e), provided that the Beneficial Ownership Limitation in no event exceeds 9.99% of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of this Warrant held by the Holder and the provisions of this Section 2(e) shall continue to apply. Any increase in the Beneficial Ownership Limitation will not be effective until the 61st day after such notice is delivered to the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall be construed and implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict conformity with the terms of this Section 2(e) to correct this paragraph (or any portion hereof) which may be defective or inconsistent with the intended Beneficial Ownership Limitation herein contained or to make changes or supplements necessary or desirable to properly give effect to such limitation. The limitations contained in this paragraph shall apply to a successor holder of this Warrant.

 

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Section 3.              Certain Adjustments.

 

a)            Stock Dividends and Splits. If the Company, at any time while this Warrant is outstanding: (i) pays a stock dividend or otherwise makes a distribution or distributions on shares of its Common Stock or any other equity or equity equivalent securities payable in shares of Common Stock (which, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon exercise of this Warrant), (ii) subdivides outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares, (iii) combines (including by way of reverse stock split) outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (iv) issues by reclassification of shares of the Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company, then in each case the Exercise Price shall be multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event, and the number of shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be proportionately adjusted such that the aggregate Exercise Price of this Warrant shall remain unchanged. Any adjustment made pursuant to this Section 3(a) shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the case of a subdivision, combination or re-classification.

 

b)            Subsequent Rights Offerings. In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Section 3(a) above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any Common Stock Equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to the record holders of any class of shares of Common Stock (the “Purchase Rights”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder’s right to participate in any such Purchase Right would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Purchase Right to such extent (or beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock as a result of such Purchase Right to such extent) and such Purchase Right to such extent shall be held in abeyance for the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).

 

c)            Pro Rata Distributions. During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise, other than cash (including, without limitation, any distribution of stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “Distribution”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution (provided, however, that, to the extent that the Holder's right to participate in any such Distribution would result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, then the Holder shall not be entitled to participate in such Distribution to such extent (or in the beneficial ownership of any shares of Common Stock as a result of such Distribution to such extent) and the portion of such Distribution shall be held in abeyance for the benefit of the Holder until such time, if ever, as its right thereto would not result in the Holder exceeding the Beneficial Ownership Limitation).

 

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d)            Fundamental Transaction. If,

a)                  at any time while this Warrant is outstanding, (i) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person, (ii) the Company or any Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, effects any sale, lease, license, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, provided, however that the sale by the Company of any Subsidiary, other than a Material Subsidiary, does not constitute a Fundamental Transaction (iii) any, direct or indirect, purchase offer, tender offer or exchange offer (whether by the Company or another Person) is completed pursuant to which holders of Common Stock are permitted to sell, tender or exchange their shares for other securities, cash or property and has been accepted by the holders of greater than 50% of the outstanding Common Stock or greater than 50% of the voting power of the common equity of the Company, (iv) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions effects any reclassification, reorganization or recapitalization of the Common Stock or any compulsory share exchange pursuant to which the Common Stock is effectively converted into or exchanged for other securities, cash or property, or (v) the Company, directly or indirectly, in one or more related transactions consummates a stock or share purchase agreement or other business combination (including, without limitation, a reorganization, recapitalization, spin-off, merger or scheme of arrangement) with another Person or group of Persons whereby such other Person or group acquires greater than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or greater than 50% of the voting power of the common equity of the Company (each a “Fundamental Transaction”), then, upon any subsequent exercise of this Warrant, the Holder shall have the right to receive, for each Warrant Share that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such Fundamental Transaction, at the option of the Holder (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant), the number of shares of Common Stock of the successor or acquiring corporation or of the Company, if it is the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration (the “Alternate Consideration”) receivable as a result of such Fundamental Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock for which this Warrant is exercisable immediately prior to such Fundamental Transaction (without regard to any limitation in Section 2(e) on the exercise of this Warrant). “Material Subsidiary” shall mean any subsidiary of the Company that is material to the business and operations of the Company as described in the Company’s public filings with the Commission. For purposes of any such exercise, the determination of the Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted to apply to such Alternate Consideration based on the amount of Alternate Consideration issuable in respect of one share of Common Stock in such Fundamental Transaction, and the Company shall apportion the Exercise Price among the Alternate Consideration in a reasonable manner reflecting the relative value of any different components of the Alternate Consideration. If holders of Common Stock are given any choice as to the securities, cash or property to be received in a Fundamental Transaction, then the Holder shall be given the same choice as to the Alternate Consideration it receives upon any exercise of this Warrant following such Fundamental Transaction. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, in the event of a Fundamental Transaction, the Company or any Successor Entity (as defined below) shall, at the Holder’s option, exercisable at any time concurrently with, or within 30 days after, the consummation of the Fundamental Transaction (or, if later, the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction), purchase this Warrant from the Holder by paying to the Holder an amount of cash equal to the Black Scholes Value (as defined below) of the remaining unexercised portion of this Warrant on the date of the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction; provided, however, that, if the Fundamental Transaction is not within the Company's control, including not approved by the Company's Board of Directors, the Holder shall only be entitled to receive from the Company or any Successor Entity the same type or form of consideration (and in the same proportion), at the Black Scholes Value of the unexercised portion of this Warrant, that is being offered and paid to the holders of Common Stock of the Company in connection with the Fundamental Transaction, whether that consideration be in the form of cash, stock or any combination thereof, or whether the holders of Common Stock are given the choice to receive from among alternative forms of consideration in connection with the Fundamental Transaction; provided, further, that if holders of Common Stock of the Company are not offered or paid any consideration in such Fundamental Transaction, such holders of Common Stock will be deemed to have received common stock of the Successor Entity (which Successor Entity may be the Company following such Fundamental Transaction) in such Fundamental Transaction. “Black Scholes Value” means the value of this Warrant based on the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model obtained from the “OV” function on Bloomberg, L.P. (“Bloomberg”) determined as of the day of consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction for pricing purposes and reflecting (A) a risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date, (B) an expected volatility equal to the 100 day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg (determined utilizing a 365 day annualization factor) as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction, (C) the underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be the greater of (i) the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental Transaction and (ii) the VWAP immediately preceding the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction (or the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, if earlier), (D) the sum of the remaining option time equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable contemplated Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date and (E) a zero cost of borrow. The payment of the Black Scholes Value will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds (or such other consideration) within the later of (i) five Business Days of the Holder’s election and (ii) the date of consummation of the Fundamental Transaction. The Company shall cause any successor entity in a Fundamental Transaction in which the Company is not the survivor (the “Successor Entity”) to assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Warrant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3(d) pursuant to written agreements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Holder and approved by the Holder (without unreasonable delay) prior to such Fundamental Transaction and shall, at the option of the Holder, deliver to the Holder in exchange for this Warrant a security of the Successor Entity evidenced by a written instrument substantially similar in form and substance to this Warrant which is exercisable for a corresponding number of shares of capital stock of such Successor Entity (or its parent entity) equivalent to the shares of Common Stock acquirable and receivable upon exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on the exercise of this Warrant) prior to such Fundamental Transaction, and with an exercise price which applies the exercise price hereunder to such shares of capital stock (but taking into account the relative value of the shares of Common Stock pursuant to such Fundamental Transaction and the value of such shares of capital stock, such number of shares of capital stock and such exercise price being for the purpose of protecting the economic value of this Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of such Fundamental Transaction), and which is reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holder. Upon the occurrence of any such Fundamental Transaction, the Successor Entity shall be added to the term “Company” under this Warrant (so that from and after the occurrence or consummation of such Fundamental Transaction, each and every provision of this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to each of the Company and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally), and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally with the Company, may exercise every right and power of the Company prior thereto and the Successor Entity or Successor Entities shall assume all of the obligations of the Company prior thereto under this Warrant and the other Transaction Documents with the same effect as if the Company and such Successor Entity or Successor Entities, jointly and severally, had been named as the Company herein. For the avoidance of doubt, the Holder shall be entitled to the benefits of the provisions of this Section 3(d) regardless of (i) whether the Company has sufficient authorized shares of Common Stock for the issuance of Warrant Shares and/or (ii) whether a Fundamental Transaction occurs prior to the Initial Exercise Date.

 

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e)            Calculations. All calculations under this Section 3 shall be made to the nearest cent or the nearest 1/100th of a share, as the case may be. For purposes of this Section 3, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued and outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) issued and outstanding.

 

f)            Notice to Holder.

 

i.            Adjustment to Exercise Price. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted pursuant to any provision of this Section 3, the Company shall promptly deliver to the Holder by email a notice setting forth the Exercise Price after such adjustment and any resulting adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such adjustment.

 

ii.            Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder. If (A) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (B) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (C) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (D) the approval of any stockholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company (or any of its Subsidiaries) is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of its assets, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (E) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered by email to the Holder at its last email address as it shall appear upon the Warrant Register of the Company, at least 20 calendar days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. To the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K. The Holder shall remain entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein.

 

g)            Voluntary Adjustment By Company. Subject to the rules and regulations of the Trading Market, the Company may at any time during the term of this Warrant reduce the then current Exercise Price to any amount and for any period of time deemed appropriate by the board of directors of the Company.

 

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Section 4.               Transfer of Warrant.

 

a)            Transferability. This Warrant and all rights hereunder (including, without limitation, any registration rights) are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company or its designated agent, together with a written assignment of this Warrant substantially in the form attached hereto duly executed by the Holder or its agent or attorney and funds sufficient to pay any transfer taxes payable upon the making of such transfer. Upon such surrender and, if required, such payment, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in the name of the assignee or assignees, as applicable, and in the denomination or denominations specified in such instrument of assignment, and shall issue to the assignor a new Warrant evidencing the portion of this Warrant not so assigned, and this Warrant shall promptly be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Holder shall not be required to physically surrender this Warrant to the Company unless the Holder has assigned this Warrant in full, in which case, the Holder shall surrender this Warrant to the Company within three (3) Trading Days of the date on which the Holder delivers an assignment form to the Company assigning this Warrant in full. The Warrant, if properly assigned in accordance herewith, may be exercised by a new holder for the purchase of Warrant Shares without having a new Warrant issued.

 

b)            New Warrants. This Warrant may be divided or combined with other Warrants upon presentation hereof at the aforesaid office of the Company, together with a written notice specifying the names and denominations in which new Warrants are to be issued, signed by the Holder or its agent or attorney. Subject to compliance with Section 4(a), as to any transfer which may be involved in such division or combination, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants in exchange for the Warrant or Warrants to be divided or combined in accordance with such notice. All Warrants issued on transfers or exchanges shall be dated the initial issuance date of this Warrant and shall be identical with this Warrant except as to the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant thereto.

 

c)            Warrant Register. The Company shall register this Warrant, upon records to be maintained by the Company for that purpose (the “Warrant Register”), in the name of the record Holder hereof from time to time. The Company may deem and treat the registered Holder of this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of any exercise hereof or any distribution to the Holder, and for all other purposes, absent actual notice to the contrary.

 

Section 5.              Miscellaneous.

 

a)            No Rights as Stockholder Until Exercise; No Settlement in Cash. This Warrant does not entitle the Holder to any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a stockholder of the Company prior to the exercise hereof as set forth in Section 2(d)(i), except as expressly set forth in Section 3. Without limiting any rights of a Holder to receive Warrant Shares on a “cashless exercise” pursuant to Section 2(c) or to receive cash payments pursuant to Section 2(d)(i) and Section 2(d)(iv) herein, in no event shall the Company be required to net cash settle an exercise of this Warrant.

 

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b)            Loss, Theft, Destruction or Mutilation of Warrant. The Company covenants that upon receipt by the Company of evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant or any stock certificate relating to the Warrant Shares, and in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to it (which, in the case of the Warrant, shall not include the posting of any bond), and upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant or stock certificate, if mutilated, the Company will make and deliver a new Warrant or stock certificate of like tenor and dated as of such cancellation, in lieu of such Warrant or stock certificate.

 

c)            Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc. If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

d)            Authorized Shares.

 

The Company covenants that, during the period the Warrant is outstanding, it will reserve from its authorized and unissued Common Stock a sufficient number of shares to provide for the issuance of the Warrant Shares upon the exercise of any purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company further covenants that its issuance of this Warrant shall constitute full authority to its officers who are charged with the duty of issuing the necessary Warrant Shares upon the exercise of the purchase rights under this Warrant. The Company will take all such reasonable action as may be necessary to assure that such Warrant Shares may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of the Trading Market upon which the Common Stock may be listed. The Company covenants that all Warrant Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Warrant Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).

 

Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Company shall not by any action, including, without limitation, amending its certificate of incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to protect the rights of Holder as set forth in this Warrant against impairment. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will (i) not increase the par value of any Warrant Shares above the amount payable therefor upon such exercise immediately prior to such increase in par value, (ii) take all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable Warrant Shares upon the exercise of this Warrant and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all such authorizations, exemptions or consents from any public regulatory body having jurisdiction thereof, as may be, necessary to enable the Company to perform its obligations under this Warrant.

 

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Before taking any action which would result in an adjustment in the number of Warrant Shares for which this Warrant is exercisable or in the Exercise Price, the Company shall obtain all such authorizations or exemptions thereof, or consents thereto, as may be necessary from any public regulatory body or bodies having jurisdiction thereof.

 

e)            Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Each party agrees that all legal proceedings concerning the interpretations, enforcement and defense of the transactions contemplated by this Warrant (whether brought against a party hereto or their respective affiliates, directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, employees or agents) shall be commenced exclusively in the state and federal courts sitting in the City of New York. 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 herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, 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 improper or is an inconvenient venue for such proceeding. 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 via registered or certified mail or overnight delivery (with evidence of delivery) to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Warrant 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 other manner permitted by law. If either party shall commence an action, suit or proceeding to enforce any provisions of this Warrant, the prevailing party in such action, suit or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for their reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.

 

f)            Restrictions. The Holder acknowledges that the Warrant Shares acquired upon the exercise of this Warrant, if not registered, and the Holder does not utilize cashless exercise, will have restrictions upon resale imposed by state and federal securities laws.

 

g)            Nonwaiver and Expenses. No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies. Without limiting any other provision of this Warrant, if the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.

 

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h)            Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Holders hereunder including, without limitation, any Notice of Exercise, shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service, addressed to the Company, at Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., 50 Health Sciences Drive, Stony Brook, NY 11790, Attention: Beth Jantzen, email address: beth.jantzen@adnas.com, or such other email address or address as the Company may specify for such purposes by notice to the Holders. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries to be provided by the Company hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally, by e-mail, or sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier service addressed to each Holder at the e-mail address or address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Company. Any notice or other communication or deliveries hereunder shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (i) the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section prior to 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any date, (ii) the next Trading Day after the time of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail at the e-mail address set forth in this Section on a day that is not a Trading Day or later than 5:30 p.m. (New York City time) on any Trading Day, (iii) the second Trading Day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (iv) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. To the extent that any notice provided hereunder constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any Subsidiaries, the Company shall simultaneously file such notice with the Commission pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

i)            Limitation of Liability. No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Warrant Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a stockholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.

 

j)            Remedies. The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

k)            Successors and Assigns. Subject to applicable securities laws, this Warrant and the rights and obligations evidenced hereby shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of Holder. The provisions of this Warrant are intended to be for the benefit of any Holder from time to time of this Warrant and shall be enforceable by the Holder or holder of Warrant Shares.

 

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l)            Amendment. This Warrant may be modified or amended or the provisions hereof waived with the written consent of the Company, on the one hand, and the Holder or the beneficial owner of this Warrant, on the other hand.

 

m)            Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this Warrant shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Warrant shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provisions or the remaining provisions of this Warrant.

 

n)            Headings. The headings used in this Warrant are for the convenience of reference only and shall not, for any purpose, be deemed a part of this Warrant.

 

********************

 

(Signature Page Follows)

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above indicated.

 

  APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.    
   
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

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NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

To:      APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.

 

(1)            The undersigned hereby elects to purchase ________ Warrant Shares of the Company pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant (only if exercised in full), and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

 

(2)            Payment shall take the form of (check applicable box):

 

¨ in lawful money of the United States; or

 

¨ if permitted the cancellation of such number of Warrant Shares as is necessary, in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection 2(c), to exercise this Warrant with respect to the maximum number of Warrant Shares purchasable pursuant to the cashless exercise procedure set forth in subsection 2(c).

 

(3)            Please issue said Warrant Shares in the name of the undersigned or in such other name as is specified below:

 

_______________________________

 

The Warrant Shares shall be delivered to the following DWAC Account Number:

 

_______________________________

 

_______________________________

 

_______________________________

 

[SIGNATURE OF HOLDER]

 

Name of Investing Entity:  
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Investing Entity:  
Name of Authorized Signatory:  
Title of Authorized Signatory:  
Date:  

 

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form and supply required information. Do not use this form to purchase shares.)

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to

 

Name:      
      (Please Print)
       
Address:      
      (Please Print)
       
Phone Number:      
       
Email Address:      
       
Dated: _______________ __, ______    
       
Holder’s Signature:                         
       
Holder’s Address:      

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 5.1

 

 

May 14, 2024

 

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.

50 Health Sciences Drive

Stony Brook, NY 11790

 

Re:Registration of Shares, Warrants and Warrant Shares

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the filing by Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, filed on April 24, 2024, as amended on May 14, 2024 (the “Registration Statement”), which includes a prospectus (the “Prospectus”).

 

We are rendering this opinion in connection with the filing by the Company with the SEC of the Registration Statement relating to the offering by the Company (the “Offering”) with respect to the sale of (i) up to 2,597,402 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), (ii) up to 2,597,402 pre-funded warrants (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”) to purchase up to 2,597,402 shares of Common Stock, (iii) up to 2,597,402 shares of Common Stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants (the “Pre-Funded Warrant Shares”), (iv) Series A warrants (the “Series A Warrants”) to purchase up to 2,597,402 shares of Common Stock accompanying the Common Stock and/or Pre-Funded Warrants sold in the Offering, (v) up to 2,597,402 shares of Common Stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the Series A Warrants (the “Series A Warrant Shares”), (vi) Series B warrants (the “Series B Warrants”) to purchase up to 2,597,402 shares of Common Stock accompanying the Common Stock and/or Pre-Funded Warrants sold in the Offering, (vii) up to 2,597,402 shares of Common Stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the Series B Warrants (the “Series B Warrant Shares”) (viii) warrants (the “Placement Agent Warrants” and, together with the Pre-Funded Warrants, the Series A Warrants and the Series B Warrants, the “Warrants”) to purchase up to 129,870 shares of Common Stock and (ix) the shares of Common Stock issuable from time to time upon exercise of the Placement Agent Warrants (the “Placement Agent Warrant Shares” and, together with the Pre-Funded Warrant Shares the Series A Warrant Shares and the Series B Warrant Shares, the “Warrant Shares”). The Shares, the Warrants and Warrant Shares are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.” The Securities are being sold pursuant to the terms of a Placement Agency Agreement (the “Placement Agency Agreement”), to be entered into by the Company, Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC and Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd. and are being offered to the public as set forth in the Prospectus.

  

We understand that the Securities are to be offered and sold in the manner set forth in the Prospectus. This opinion letter is furnished to you at your request to enable you to fulfill the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K in connection with the Registration Statement.

 

We have acted as your counsel in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement. We are familiar with the proceedings taken by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) in connection with the authorization, issuance and sale of the Securities. We have examined all such documents as we considered necessary to enable us to render this opinion, including, but not limited to: (i) the Registration Statement, (ii) the form of Series A Warrants, (iii) the form of Series B Warrants, (iv) the form of Pre-Funded Warrants, (v) the form of Placement Agent Warrants, (vi) the form of Placement Agency Agreement, (vii) the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as amended to date, (viii) the Company’s amended and restated bylaws, as amended to date, (ix) certain resolutions of the Board and (x) such other corporate records and instruments, and such laws and regulations as we have deemed necessary for purposes of rendering the opinions set forth herein.

 

 

 

 

In our examination, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, photostatic or facsimile copies, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, photostatic or facsimile copies and the authenticity of the originals of such certified, conformed, photostatic or facsimile copies. In addition, we have assumed that the Securities will be offered in the manner and on the terms identified or referred to in the Prospectus. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein, which were not independently established or verified, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others.

 

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

 

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

 

(i)The Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered by the Company in accordance with the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and upon receipt by the Company of the consideration therefor provided therein, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable;
(ii)The Pre-Funded Warrants have been duly authorized and, when duly executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with and in the manner described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and upon receipt by the Company of the consideration therefor provided therein, will constitute valid and binding agreements of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability;
(iii)The Pre-Funded Warrant Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued upon exercise of the Pre-Funded Warrants against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Pre-Funded Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable;
(iv)The Series A Warrants have been duly authorized and, when duly executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with and in the manner described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and upon receipt by the Company of the consideration therefor provided therein, will constitute valid and binding agreements of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability;
  (v) The Series A Warrant Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued upon exercise of the Series A Warrants against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Series A Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable;
(vi)The Series B Warrants have been duly authorized and, when duly executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with and in the manner described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and upon receipt by the Company of the consideration therefor provided therein, will constitute valid and binding agreements of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability;
  (vii) The Series B Warrant Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued upon exercise of the Series B Warrants against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Series B Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable;
(viii)The Placement Agent Warrants have been duly authorized and, when duly executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with and in the manner described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and upon receipt by the Company of the consideration therefor provided therein, will constitute valid and binding agreements of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and equitable principles of general applicability; and
(ix)The Placement Agent Warrant Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued upon exercise of the Placement Agent Warrants against payment therefor in accordance with the terms of the Placement Agent Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

 

 

  

We assume no obligation to supplement this opinion if any applicable law changes after the date hereof or if we become aware of any fact that might change the opinion expressed herein after the date hereof. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as a part of the Registration Statement and to the reference of our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  /s/ McDermott Will and Emery LLP
  McDermott Will and Emery LLP

 

One Vanderbilt Avenue New York NY 10017-3852 Tel +1 212 547 5400 Fax +1 212 547 5444

 

US practice conducted through McDermott Will & Emery LLP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.50

 

PLACEMENT AGENCY AGREEMENT

 

[______], 2024

 

Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC

222 South Ninth Street, Suite 350

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

 

Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd.

521 Fifth Avenue, 12th Floor

New York, NY 10175

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Introduction. Subject to the terms and conditions herein (this “Agreement”), Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), hereby agrees to sell up to an aggregate of $[______] of registered securities of the Company, including, but not limited to, shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), pre-funded warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock (the “Pre-Funded Warrants”), Series A Common Stock Purchase Warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock (the “Series A Warrants”), and Series B Common Stock Purchase Warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock (the “Series B Warrants”, and together with the Pre-Funded Warrants and Series A Warrants, the “Warrants”, and the shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants, the “Warrant Shares”, and, collectively with the Shares and the Warrants, the “Securities”) directly to various investors (each, an “Investor” and, collectively, the “Investors”) through Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC (“Craig-Hallum”) and Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd. (“Laidlaw”, and each of Craig-Hallum and Laidlaw, a “Placement Agent” and collectively, the “Co-Placement Agents”) as co-placement agents. The documents executed and delivered by the Company and the Investors in connection with the Offering (as defined below), shall be collectively referred to herein as the “Transaction Documents.” The purchase price to the Investors for each Share and accompanying Series A Warrant and Series B Warrant is $[___] or for each Pre-Funded Warrant and accompanying Series A Warrant and Series B Warrant is $[__] and the exercise price to the Investors for each share of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants is $[___]. The Co-Placement Agents may retain other brokers or dealers to act as sub-agents or selected-dealers on its behalf in connection with the Offering.

 

The Company hereby confirms its agreement with the Co-Placement Agents as follows:

 

Section 1.                  Agreement to Act as Co-Placement Agents.

 

(a)                On the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements of the Company herein contained, and subject to all the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Co-Placement Agents shall be the exclusive placement agents in connection with the offering and sale by the Company of the Securities pursuant to the Company's registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-278890) (the “Registration Statement”), with the terms of such offering (the “Offering”) to be subject to market conditions and negotiations between the Company, the Co-Placement Agents and the prospective Investors. The Co-Placement Agents will act on a reasonable best-efforts basis and the Company agrees and acknowledges that there is no guarantee of the successful placement of the Securities, or any portion thereof, in the prospective Offering. Under no circumstances will the Co-Placement Agents or any of its “Affiliates” (as defined below) be obligated to underwrite or purchase any of the Securities for its own account or otherwise provide any financing. The Co-Placement Agents shall act solely as the Company’s agents and not as principal. The Co-Placement Agents shall have no authority to bind the Company with respect to any prospective offer to purchase Securities and the Company shall have the sole right to accept offers to purchase Securities and may reject any such offer, in whole or in part. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of, the Securities shall be made at one or more closings (each a “Closing” and the date on which each Closing occurs, a “Closing Date”). The Closing shall occur via “Delivery Versus Payment”, i.e., on the Closing Date, the Company shall issue the Shares directly to the account designated by the Co-Placement Agents and, upon receipt of such Shares, the Co-Placement Agents shall electronically deliver such Shares to the applicable Investor and payment shall be made by the Co-Placement Agents (or its respective clearing firm) by wire transfer to the Company. The Warrants will be issued directly to the Investors in certificated form. As compensation for services rendered, on the Closing Date, the Company shall pay to the Co-Placement Agents the fees and expenses set forth below:

 

(i)                 A cash fee equal to 7.0% of the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Securities at the Closing of the Offering.

 

 

 

 

(ii)               Such number of Common Stock Purchase Warrants (the “Placement Agent Warrants”) to the Co-Placement Agents, or its respective designees, at each Closing to purchase shares of Common Stock equal to 5.0% of the aggregate number of Shares and Pre-Funded Warrants sold in the Offering. The Placement Agent Warrants shall have substantially the same terms as the Series A Warrants issued to the Investors in the Offering except they shall have an expiration date of five years from the commencement of sales of the Offering and as otherwise required by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).

 

(iii)               The Company also agrees to reimburse Craig-Hallum’s expenses (with supporting invoices/receipts) in an amount up to $110,000 payable immediately upon the Closing of the Offering.

 

(b)                The term of Craig-Hallum’s exclusive engagement will be as set forth in the Engagement Letter (as defined below). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the provisions concerning confidentiality, indemnification and contribution contained herein and the Company’s obligations contained in the indemnification provisions will survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement, and the Company’s obligation to pay fees actually earned and payable and to reimburse expenses actually incurred and reimbursable pursuant to Section 1 hereof and which are permitted to be reimbursed under FINRA Rule 5110(g)(5)(a), will survive any expiration or termination of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to limit the ability of the Co-Placement Agents or their respective Affiliates to pursue, investigate, analyze, invest in, or engage in investment banking, financial advisory or any other business relationship with Persons (as defined below) other than the Company. As used herein (i) “Persons” means an individual or corporation, partnership, trust, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or subdivision thereof) or other entity of any kind and (ii) “Affiliate” means any Person that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under common control with a Person as such terms are used in and construed under Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

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Section 2.                  Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Company. The Company hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the Co-Placement Agents as of the date hereof, and as of the Closing Date, as follows:

 

(a)                Securities Law Filings. The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) the Registration Statement under the Securities Act, which was initially filed on April 24, 2024 and declared effective on [_________], 2024 for the registration of the Securities under the Securities Act. Following the determination of pricing among the Company and the prospective Investors introduced to the Company by Co-Placement Agents, the Company will file with the Commission pursuant to Rules 430A and 424(b) under the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations (the “Rules and Regulations”) of the Commission promulgated thereunder, a final prospectus relating to the placement of the Securities, their respective pricings and the plan of distribution thereof and will advise the Co-Placement Agents of all further information (financial and other) with respect to the Company required to be set forth therein. Such registration statement, at any given time, including the exhibits thereto filed at such time, as amended at such time, is hereinafter called the “Registration Statement”; such prospectus in the form in which it appears in the Registration Statement at the time of effectiveness is hereinafter called the “Preliminary Prospectus”; and the final prospectus, in the form in which it will be filed with the Commission pursuant to Rules 430A and/or 424(b) (including the Preliminary Prospectus as it may be amended or supplemented) is hereinafter called the “Final Prospectus.” The Registration Statement at the time it originally became effective is hereinafter called the “Original Registration Statement.” Any reference in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the Original Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein (the “Incorporated Documents”), if any, which were or are filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), at any given time, as the case may be; and any reference in this Agreement to the terms “amend,” “amendment” or “supplement” with respect to the Registration Statement, the Original Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the filing of any document under the Exchange Act after the date of this Agreement, or the issue date of the Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be, deemed to be incorporated therein by reference. All references in this Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is “contained,” “included,” “described,” “referenced,” “set forth” or “stated” in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus (and all other references of like import) shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus, as the case may be. As used in this paragraph and elsewhere in this Agreement, “Time of Sale Disclosure Package” means the Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement, any subscription agreement between the Company and the Investors, and any issuer free writing prospectus as defined in Rule 433 of the Act (each, an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus”), if any, that the parties hereto shall hereafter expressly agree in writing to treat as part of the Time of Sale Disclosure Package. The term “any Prospectus” shall mean, as the context requires, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus, and any supplement to either thereof. The Company has not received any notice that the Commission has issued or intends to issue a stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the use of the Preliminary Prospectus or Final Prospectus or any prospectus supplement or intends to commence a proceeding for any such purpose.

 

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(b)                Assurances. The Original Registration Statement, as amended, (and any further documents to be filed with the Commission) contains all exhibits and schedules as required by the Securities Act. Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it became effective, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The Preliminary Prospectus, and the Final Prospectus, each as of its respective date, comply or will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations. Each of the Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, did not and will not contain as of the date thereof any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Incorporated Documents, when they were filed with the Commission, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the applicable Rules and Regulations promulgated thereunder, and none of such documents, when they were filed with the Commission, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein (with respect to Incorporated Documents incorporated by reference in the Preliminary Prospectus or Final Prospectus), in light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading. No post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement reflecting any facts or events arising after the date thereof which represent, individually or in the aggregate, a fundamental change in the information set forth therein is required to be filed with the Commission. Except for this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, there are no documents required to be filed with the Commission in connection with the transaction contemplated hereby that (x) have not been filed as required pursuant to the Securities Act or (y) will not be filed within the requisite time period. Except for this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, there are no contracts or other documents required to be described in the Preliminary Prospectus or Final Prospectus, or to be filed as exhibits or schedules to the Registration Statement, which have not been described or filed as required.

 

(c)                Offering Materials. Neither the Company nor any of its directors and officers has distributed and none of them will distribute, prior to the Closing Date, any offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities other than the Time of Sale Disclosure Package.

 

(d)                Subsidiaries. All of the direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company (the “Subsidiaries”) are set forth in the Incorporated Documents and/or SEC Reports. Except as set forth in the Incorporated Documents and/or SEC Reports, the Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the capital stock or other equity interests of each Subsidiary free and clear of any liens, charges, security interests, encumbrances, rights of first refusal, preemptive rights or other restrictions (collectively, “Liens”), and all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary are validly issued and are fully paid, non-assessable and free of preemptive and similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities.

 

(e)                Organization and Qualification. The Company and each of the Subsidiaries is an entity duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and in good standing (if applicable in such jurisdiction) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, with the requisite power and authority to own and use its properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently conducted. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in violation nor in default of any of the provisions of its respective certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries is duly qualified to conduct business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation or other entity in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing, as the case may be, could not have or reasonably be expected to result in: (i) a material adverse effect on the legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other agreement entered into between the Company and the Investors, (ii) a material adverse effect on the results of operations, assets, business, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to perform in any material respect on a timely basis its obligations under this Agreement or the transactions contemplated under the Final Prospectus (any of (i), (ii) or (iii), a “Material Adverse Effect”) and no an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding (including, without limitation, an informal investigation or partial proceeding, such as a deposition), whether commenced or threatened (“Proceeding”) has been instituted in any such jurisdiction revoking, limiting or curtailing or seeking to revoke, limit or curtail such power and authority or qualification.

 

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(f)                 Authorization; Enforcement. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Time of Sale Disclosure Package and otherwise to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The execution and delivery of each of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and under the Preliminary Prospectus have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company and no further action is required by the Company, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”) or the Company’s stockholders in connection therewith other than in connection with the Required Approvals (as defined below). This Agreement and each Transaction Document to which it is a party has been (or, upon delivery, will have been) duly executed by the Company and, when delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, will constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except (i) as limited by general equitable principles and applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies and (iii) insofar as indemnification and contribution provisions may be limited by applicable law.

 

(g)                No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated pursuant to the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, the issuance and sale of the Securities and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby to which it is a party do not and will not (i) conflict with or violate any provision of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational or charter documents, or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation (with or without notice, lapse of time or both) of, any agreement, credit facility, debt or other instrument (evidencing a Company or Subsidiary debt or otherwise) or other understanding to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary is bound or affected, or (iii) subject to the Required Approvals, conflict with or result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, injunction, decree or other restriction of any court or governmental authority to which the Company or a Subsidiary is subject (including federal and state securities laws and regulations), or by which any property or asset of the Company or a Subsidiary is bound or affected; except in the case of each of clauses (ii) and (iii), such as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(h)                Filings, Consents and Approvals. The Company is not required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any court or other federal, state, local or other governmental authority or other Person in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated pursuant to the Preliminary Prospectus, other than: (i) the filing with the Commission of the Final Prospectus, (ii) application(s) to the Nasdaq Capital Market (the “Trading Market”) for the listing of the Shares and Warrant Shares for trading thereon in the time and manner required thereby and (iii) such filings as are required to be made under applicable state securities laws (collectively, the “Required Approvals”).

 

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(i)                 Issuance of the Securities; Registration. The Securities are duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the Final Prospectus, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company. The Warrant Shares, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of all Liens imposed by the Company. The Company has reserved from its duly authorized capital stock the maximum number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Final Prospectus.

 

(j)                 Capitalization. The capitalization of the Company is as set forth in the Incorporated Documents. The Company has not issued any capital stock since its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act, other than pursuant to the exercise of employee stock options under the Company’s stock option plans, the issuance of shares of Common Stock to employees pursuant to the Company’s employee stock purchase plans and pursuant to the conversion and/or exercise of securities of the Company or the Subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time any Common Stock, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, rights, options, warrants or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Common Stock (“Common Stock Equivalents”) outstanding as of the date of the most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act. No Person has any right of first refusal, preemptive right, right of participation, or any similar right to participate in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the transactions contemplated pursuant to the Preliminary Prospectus. Except as a result of the purchase and sale of the Securities, there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities, rights or obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or giving any Person any right to subscribe for or acquire, any shares of Common Stock or the capital stock of any Subsidiary, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to issue additional shares of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents or capital stock of any Subsidiary. The issuance and sale of the Securities will not obligate the Company or any Subsidiary to issue shares of Common Stock or other securities to any Person (other than the Investors) and will not result in a right of any holder of Company securities to adjust the exercise, conversion, exchange or reset price under any of such securities. There are no outstanding securities or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary that contain any redemption or similar provisions, and there are no contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company or any Subsidiary is or may become bound to redeem a security of the Company or such Subsidiary. The Company does not have any stock appreciation rights or “phantom stock” plans or agreements or any similar plan or agreement. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are duly authorized. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, have been issued in compliance with all federal and state securities laws, and none of such outstanding shares was issued in violation of any preemptive rights or similar rights to subscribe for or purchase securities. No further approval or authorization of any stockholder, the Board of Directors or others is required for the issuance and sale of the Securities. There are no stockholders agreements, voting agreements or other similar agreements with respect to the Company’s capital stock to which the Company is a party or, to the knowledge of the Company, between or among any of the Company’s stockholders.

 

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(k)                SEC Reports; Financial Statements. The Company has filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, including pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) thereof, for the two (2) years preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as the Company was required by law or regulation to file such material) (the foregoing materials, including the exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, together with the Preliminary Prospectus, Final Prospectus and any prospectus supplement, being collectively referred to herein as the “SEC Reports”) on a timely basis or has received a valid extension of such time of filing and has filed any such SEC Reports prior to the expiration of any such extension. As of their respective dates, the SEC Reports complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and none of the SEC Reports, when filed, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company has never been an issuer subject to Rule 144(i) under the Securities Act. The financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Reports comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the rules and regulations of the Commission with respect thereto as in effect at the time of filing. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (“GAAP”), except as may be otherwise specified in such financial statements or the notes thereto and except that unaudited financial statements may not contain all footnotes required by GAAP, and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of and for the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, immaterial, year-end audit adjustments.

 

(l)                 Material Changes; Undisclosed Events, Liabilities or Developments. Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the SEC Reports, except as specifically disclosed in a subsequent SEC Report filed prior to the date hereof and incorporated into the Preliminary Prospectus, (i) there has been no event, occurrence or development that has had or that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) the Company has not incurred any liabilities (contingent or otherwise) other than (A) trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (B) liabilities not required to be reflected in the Company’s financial statements pursuant to GAAP or disclosed in filings made with the Commission, (iii) the Company has not altered its method of accounting, (iv) the Company has not declared or made any dividend or distribution of cash or other property to its stockholders or purchased, redeemed or made any agreements to purchase or redeem any shares of its capital stock and (v) the Company has not issued any equity securities to any officer, director or Affiliate, except pursuant to existing Company stock option plans. The Company does not have pending before the Commission any request for confidential treatment of information. Except for the issuance of the Securities contemplated by the Preliminary Prospectus or disclosed in the Preliminary Prospectus, no event, liability, fact, circumstance, occurrence or development has occurred or exists or is reasonably expected to occur or exist with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, prospects, properties, operations, assets or financial condition that would be required to be disclosed by the Company under applicable securities laws at the time this representation is made or deemed made that has not been publicly disclosed at least one (1) Trading Day prior to the date that this representation is made.

 

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(m)              Litigation. There is no action, suit, inquiry, notice of violation, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties before or by any court, arbitrator, governmental or administrative agency or regulatory authority (federal, state, county, local or foreign) (collectively, an “Action”) which (i) adversely affects or challenges the legality, validity or enforceability of any of this Agreement, the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated pursuant to the Time of Sale Disclosure Package or the Securities or (ii) could, if there were an unfavorable decision, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor any director or officer thereof, is or has been the subject of any Action involving a claim of violation of or liability under federal or state securities laws or a claim of breach of fiduciary duty. There has not been, and to the knowledge of the Company, there is not pending or contemplated, any investigation by the Commission involving the Company or any current or former director or officer of the Company. The Commission has not issued any stop order or other order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement filed by the Company or any Subsidiary under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act.

 

(n)                Labor Relations. No material labor dispute exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent with respect to any of the employees of the Company, which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ employees is a member of a union that relates to such employee’s relationship with the Company or such Subsidiary, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to a collective bargaining agreement, and the Company and its Subsidiaries believe that their relationships with their employees are good. To the knowledge of the Company, no executive officer of the Company or any Subsidiary is, or is now expected to be, in violation of any material term of any employment contract, confidentiality, disclosure or proprietary information agreement or non-competition agreement, or any other contract or agreement or any restrictive covenant in favor of any third party, and the continued employment of each such executive officer does not subject the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any liability with respect to any of the foregoing matters. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all U.S. federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to employment and employment practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, except where the failure to be in compliance could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(o)                Compliance. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary: (i) is in default under or in violation of (and no event has occurred that has not been waived that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would result in a default by the Company or any Subsidiary under), nor has the Company or any Subsidiary received notice of a claim that it is in default under or that it is in violation of, any indenture, loan or credit agreement or any other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound (whether or not such default or violation has been waived), (ii) is in violation of any judgment, decree or order of any court, arbitrator or governmental authority or (iii) is or has been in violation of any statute, rule, ordinance or regulation of any governmental authority, including without limitation all foreign, federal, state and local laws relating to taxes, environmental protection, occupational health and safety, product quality and safety and employment and labor matters, except in each case as could not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(p)                Environmental Laws. The Company and its Subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with all federal, state, local and foreign laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata), including laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, or toxic or hazardous substances or wastes (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) into the environment, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials, as well as all authorizations, codes, decrees, demands, or demand letters, injunctions, judgments, licenses, notices or notice letters, orders, permits, plans or regulations, issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder (“Environmental Laws”); (ii) have received all permits licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses; and (iii) are in compliance with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval, except where in each clause (i), (ii) and (iii), the failure to so comply could be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect

 

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(q)                Regulatory Permits. The Company and the Subsidiaries possess all certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to conduct their respective businesses as described in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, except where the failure to possess such permits could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (“Material Permits”), and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any Material Permit.

 

(r)                 Title to Assets. The Company and the Subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property owned by them and good and marketable title in all personal property owned by them that is material to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all Liens, except for Liens as do not materially affect the value of such property and do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and the Subsidiaries and Liens for the payment of federal, state or other taxes, for which appropriate reserves have been made therefor in accordance with GAAP and, the payment of which is neither delinquent nor subject to penalties. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and the Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with which the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance.

 

(s)                 Patents and Trademarks. The Company and the Subsidiaries have, or have rights to use, all patents, patent applications, trademarks, trademark applications, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, inventions, copyrights, licenses and other intellectual property rights and similar rights necessary or material for use in connection with their respective businesses as described in the SEC Reports and which the failure to so have could have a Material Adverse Effect (collectively, the “Intellectual Property Rights”). None of, and neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received a notice (written or otherwise) that any of, the Intellectual Property Rights has expired, terminated or been abandoned, or is expected to expire or terminate or be abandoned, within two (2) years from the date of this Agreement, except where such expiration, termination or abandonment would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has received, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included within the SEC Reports, a notice (written or otherwise) of a claim or otherwise has any knowledge that the Intellectual Property Rights violate or infringe upon the rights of any Person, except as could not have, or reasonably be expected to not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, all such Intellectual Property Rights are enforceable and there is no existing infringement by another Person of any of the Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken reasonable security measures to protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all of their intellectual properties, except where failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(t)                 Insurance. The Company and the Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and the Subsidiaries are engaged, including, but not limited to, directors and officers insurance coverage. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business without a significant increase in cost.

 

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(u)                Transactions With Affiliates and Employees. Except as set forth in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, none of the officers or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the Company, none of the employees of the Company or any Subsidiary is presently a party to any transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, providing for the borrowing of money from or lending of money to or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer, director or such employee or, to the knowledge of the Company, any entity in which any officer, director, or any such employee has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee, stockholder, member or partner, in each case in excess of $120,000 other than for: (i) payment of salary or consulting fees for services rendered, (ii) reimbursement for expenses incurred on behalf of the Company and (iii) other employee benefits, including stock option agreements under any stock option plan of the Company.

 

(v)                Sarbanes-Oxley; Internal Accounting Controls. The Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with any and all applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that are effective as of the date hereof, and any and all applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission thereunder that are effective as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date. The Company and the Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. The Company and the Subsidiaries have established disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the Company and the Subsidiaries and designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms. The Company’s certifying officers have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the end of the period covered by the Company’s most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act (such date, the “Evaluation Date”). The Company presented in its most recently filed periodic report under the Exchange Act the conclusions of the certifying officers about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on their evaluations as of the Evaluation Date. Since the Evaluation Date, there have been no changes in the internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in the Exchange Act) of the Company and its Subsidiaries that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

(w)              Certain Fees. Except as set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus, no brokerage or finder’s fees or commissions are or will be payable by the Company to any broker, financial advisor or consultant, finder, placement agent, investment banker, bank or other Person with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the transactions contemplated pursuant to the Preliminary Prospectus. The Investors shall have no obligation with respect to any fees or with respect to any claims made by or on behalf of other Persons for fees of a type contemplated in this Section that may be due in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the transactions contemplated pursuant to the Preliminary Prospectus.

 

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(x)                Investment Company. The Company is not, and is not an Affiliate of, and immediately after receipt of payment for the Securities, will not be or be an Affiliate of, an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Company shall conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become an “investment company” subject to registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

(y)                Registration Rights. Except as disclosed in the Incorporated Documents, no Person has any right to cause the Company or any Subsidiary to effect the registration under the Securities Act of any securities of the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

(z)                Listing and Maintenance Requirements. The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, and the Company has taken no action designed to, or which to its knowledge is likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission is contemplating terminating such registration. Except as set forth in the Incorporated Documents, the Company has not, in the twelve (12) months preceding the date hereof, received notice from any Trading Market on which the Common Stock is or has been listed or quoted to the effect that the Company is not in compliance with the listing or maintenance requirements of such Trading Market. Except as set forth in the Incorporated Documents, the Company is, and has no reason to believe that it will not in the foreseeable future continue to be, in compliance with all such listing and maintenance requirements, except for potentially the minimum stockholders’ equity requirement set forth under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1). The Common Stock is currently eligible for electronic transfer through the Depository Trust Company or another established clearing corporation and the Company is current in payment of the fees to the Depository Trust Company (or such other established clearing corporation) in connection with such electronic transfer.

 

(aa)             Application of Takeover Protections. The Company and the Board of Directors have taken all necessary action, if any, in order to render inapplicable any control share acquisition, business combination, poison pill (including any distribution under a rights agreement) or other similar anti-takeover provision under the Company’s certificate of incorporation (or similar charter documents) or the laws of its state of incorporation that is or could become applicable to the Investors as a result of the Investors and the Company fulfilling their obligations or exercising their rights under this Agreement and the transactions contemplated pursuant to the Final Prospectus, including without limitation as a result of the Company’s issuance of the Securities and the Investors’ ownership of the Securities.

 

(bb)            Disclosure. Except with respect to the material terms and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the transactions contemplated pursuant to the Preliminary Prospectus and Final Prospectus, the Company confirms that neither it nor any other Person acting on its behalf has provided any of the Investors or their agents or counsel with any information that it believes constitutes or might constitute material, non-public information which is not otherwise disclosed in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package. The Company understands and confirms that the Investors will rely on the foregoing representation in effecting transactions in securities of the Company. All of the disclosure furnished by or on behalf of the Company to the Investors regarding the Company and, its Subsidiaries, their respective businesses and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, is true and correct and does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The press releases disseminated by the Company during the twelve (12) months preceding the date of this Agreement taken as a whole do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made and when made, not misleading.

 

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(cc)             No Integrated Offering. Neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any Person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security, under circumstances that would cause this offering of the Securities to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of any applicable shareholder approval provisions of any Trading Market on which any of the securities of the Company are listed or designated.

 

(dd)            Solvency. Based on the consolidated financial condition of the Company as of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the receipt by the Company of the proceeds from the sale of the Securities hereunder, (i) the fair saleable value of the Company’s assets exceeds the amount that will be required to be paid on or in respect of the Company’s existing debts and other liabilities (including known contingent liabilities) as they mature, (ii) the Company’s assets do not constitute unreasonably small capital to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted including its capital needs taking into account the particular capital requirements of the business conducted by the Company, consolidated and projected capital requirements and capital availability thereof, and (iii) the current cash flow of the Company, together with the proceeds the Company would receive, were it to liquidate all of its assets, after taking into account all anticipated uses of the cash, would be sufficient to pay all amounts on or in respect of its liabilities when such amounts are required to be paid. The Company does not intend to incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature (taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its debt). The Company has no knowledge of any facts or circumstances which lead it to believe that it will file for reorganization or liquidation under the bankruptcy or reorganization laws of any jurisdiction within one year from the Closing Date. The Time of Sale Disclosure Package incorporates as of the date hereof all outstanding secured and unsecured Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary, or for which the Company or any Subsidiary has commitments. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Indebtedness” means (x) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed in excess of $50,000 (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (y) all guaranties, endorsements and other contingent obligations in respect of indebtedness of others, whether or not the same are or should be reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (z) the present value of any lease payments in excess of $50,000 due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default with respect to any Indebtedness.

 

(ee)             Tax Status. Except for matters that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) has made or filed all United States federal, state and local income and all foreign income and franchise tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject, (ii) has paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations and (iii) has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all material taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. There are no unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company or of any Subsidiary know of no basis for any such claim.

 

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(ff)               Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor to the knowledge of the Company or any Subsidiary, any agent or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary, has (i) directly or indirectly, used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses related to foreign or domestic political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to any foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from corporate funds, (iii) failed to disclose fully any contribution made by the Company or any Subsidiary (or made by any person acting on its behalf of which the Company is aware) which is in violation of law, or (iv) violated in any material respect any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

(gg)            FDA. As to each product subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, as amended, and the regulations thereunder (“FDCA”) that is manufactured, packaged, labeled, tested, distributed, sold, and/or marketed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (each such product, a “Pharmaceutical Product”), such Pharmaceutical Product is being manufactured, packaged, labeled, tested, distributed, sold and/or marketed by the Company in compliance with all applicable requirements under FDCA and similar laws, rules and regulations relating to registration, investigational use, premarket clearance, licensure, or application approval, good manufacturing practices, good laboratory practices, good clinical practices, product listing, quotas, labeling, advertising, record keeping and filing of reports, except where the failure to be in compliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect. There is no pending, completed or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened, action (including any lawsuit, arbitration, or legal or administrative or regulatory proceeding, charge, complaint, or investigation) against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice, warning letter or other communication from the FDA or any other governmental entity, which (i) contests the premarket clearance, licensure, registration, or approval of, the uses of, the distribution of, the manufacturing or packaging of, the testing of, the sale of, or the labeling and promotion of any Pharmaceutical Product, (ii) withdraws its approval of, requests the recall, suspension, or seizure of, or withdraws or orders the withdrawal of advertising or sales promotional materials relating to, any Pharmaceutical Product, (iii) imposes a clinical hold on any clinical investigation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iv) enjoins production at any facility of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (v) enters or proposes to enter into a consent decree of permanent injunction with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (vi) otherwise alleges any violation of any laws, rules or regulations by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and which, either individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect. The properties, business and operations of the Company have been and are being conducted in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of the FDA, except where the failure to be in compliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect.  The Company has not been informed by the FDA that the FDA will prohibit the marketing, sale, license or use in the United States of any product proposed to be developed, produced or marketed by the Company nor has the FDA expressed any concern as to approving or clearing for marketing any product being developed or proposed to be developed by the Company.

 

(hh)            Stock Option Plans. Each stock option granted by the Company under the Company’s stock option plan was granted (i) in accordance with the terms of the Company’s stock option plan and (ii) with an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date such stock option would be considered granted under GAAP and applicable law. No stock option granted under the Company’s stock option plan has been backdated. The Company has not knowingly granted, and there is no and has been no Company policy or practice to knowingly grant, stock options prior to, or otherwise knowingly coordinate the grant of stock options with, the release or other public announcement of material information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries or their financial results or prospects.

 

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(ii)               Accountants. The Company’s accounting firm is set forth in the Incorporated Documents. To the knowledge and belief of the Company, such accounting firm (i) is a registered public accounting firm as required by the Exchange Act and (ii) shall express its opinion with respect to the financial statements to be included in the Company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024.

 

(jj)               Regulation M Compliance.  The Company has not, and to its knowledge no one acting on its behalf has, (i) taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or to result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of any of the Securities, (ii) sold, bid for, purchased, or, paid any compensation for soliciting purchases of, any of the Securities, or (iii) paid or agreed to pay to any Person any compensation for soliciting another to purchase any other securities of the Company, other than, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), compensation paid to the Company’s placement agents in connection with the placement of the Securities.

 

(kk)            Office of Foreign Assets Control. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary, nor to the Company's knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any Subsidiary is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”).

 

(ll)               U.S. Real Property Holding Corporation. The Company is not and has never been a U.S. real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Company shall so certify upon Investor’s request.

 

(mm)        Bank Holding Company Act. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is subject to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”) and to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities or twenty-five percent or more of the total equity of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of a bank or any entity that is subject to the BHCA and to regulation by the Federal Reserve.

 

(nn)            Money Laundering. 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, applicable money laundering statutes and applicable rules and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

 

(oo)            Certificates. Any certificate signed by an officer of the Company and delivered to the Co-Placement Agents or to counsel for the Co-Placement Agents shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Company to the Co-Placement Agents as to the matters set forth therein.

 

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(pp)            Reliance. The Company acknowledges that the Co-Placement Agents will rely upon the accuracy and truthfulness of the foregoing representations and warranties and hereby consents to such reliance.

 

(qq)            Forward-Looking Statements. No forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.

 

(rr)               Statistical or Market-Related Data. Any statistical, industry-related and market-related data included or incorporated by reference in the Time of Sale Disclosure Package, are based on or derived from sources that the Company reasonably and in good faith believes to be reliable and accurate, and such data agree with the sources from which they are derived.

 

(ss)              FINRA Affiliations. There are no affiliations with any FINRA member firm among the Company’s officers, directors or, to the knowledge of the Company, any five percent (5%) or greater stockholder of the Company.

 

Section 3.                  Delivery and Payment. Each Closing shall occur at the offices of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105 (“Placement Agent Counsel”) (or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Co-Placement Agents and the Company). Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, at each Closing payment of the purchase price for the Securities sold on such Closing Date shall be made by Federal Funds wire transfer, against delivery of such Securities, and such Securities shall be registered in such name or names and shall be in such denominations, as the Co-Placement Agents may request at least one (1) business day before the time of purchase.

 

Deliveries of the documents with respect to the purchase of the Securities, if any, shall be made at the offices of Placement Agent Counsel. All actions taken at a Closing shall be deemed to have occurred simultaneously.

 

Section 4.                  Covenants and Agreements of the Company. The Company further covenants and agrees with the Co-Placement Agents as follows:

 

(a)                Registration Statement Matters. The Company will advise the Co-Placement Agents promptly after it receives notice thereof of the time when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any supplement to the Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus has been filed and will furnish the Co-Placement Agents with copies thereof. The Company will file promptly all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of any Prospectus and for so long as the delivery of a prospectus is required in connection with the Offering. The Company will advise the Co-Placement Agents, promptly after it receives notice thereof (i) of any request by the Commission to amend the Registration Statement or to amend or supplement any Prospectus or for additional information, and (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or any order directed at any Incorporated Document, if any, or any amendment or supplement thereto or any order preventing or suspending the use of the Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus or any prospectus supplement or any amendment or supplement thereto or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, of the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the institution or threatened institution of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement or a Prospectus or for additional information. The Company shall use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order or prevention or suspension of such use.  If the Commission shall enter any such stop order or order or notice of prevention or suspension at any time, the Company will use its best efforts to obtain the lifting of such order at the earliest possible moment or will file a new registration statement and use its best efforts to have such new registration statement declared effective as soon as practicable.  Additionally, the Company agrees that it shall comply with the provisions of Rules 424(b), 430A, 430B and 430C, as applicable, under the Securities Act, including with respect to the timely filing of documents thereunder, and will use its reasonable efforts to confirm that any filings made by the Company under such Rule 424(b) are received in a timely manner by the Commission.

 

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(b)                Blue Sky Compliance. The Company will cooperate with the Co-Placement Agents and the Investors in endeavoring to qualify the Securities for sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions (United States and foreign) as the Co-Placement Agents and the Investors may reasonably request and will make such applications, file such documents, and furnish such information as may be reasonably required for that purpose, provided the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction where it is not now so qualified or required to file such a consent, and provided further that the Company shall not be required to produce any new disclosure document. The Company will, from time to time, prepare and file such statements, reports and other documents as are or may be required to continue such qualifications in effect for so long a period as the Co-Placement Agents may reasonably request for distribution of the Securities. The Company will advise the Co-Placement Agents promptly of the suspension of the qualification or registration of (or any such exemption relating to) the Securities for offering, sale or trading in any jurisdiction or any initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, and in the event of the issuance of any order suspending such qualification, registration or exemption, the Company shall use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal thereof at the earliest possible moment.

 

(c)                Amendments and Supplements to a Prospectus and Other Matters. The Company will comply with the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Securities as contemplated in this Agreement, the Incorporated Documents and any Prospectus. If during the period in which a prospectus is required by law to be delivered in connection with the distribution of Securities contemplated by the Incorporated Documents or any Prospectus (the “Prospectus Delivery Period”), any event shall occur as a result of which, in the judgment of the Company or in the opinion of the Co-Placement Agents or counsel for the Co-Placement Agents, it becomes necessary to amend or supplement the Incorporated Documents or any Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, as the case may be, not misleading, or if it is necessary at any time to amend or supplement the Incorporated Documents or any Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act any Incorporated Document to comply with any law, the Company will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, and furnish at its own expense to the Co-Placement Agents and to dealers, an appropriate amendment to the Registration Statement or supplement to the Registration Statement, the Incorporated Documents or any Prospectus that is necessary in order to make the statements in the Incorporated Documents and any Prospectus as so amended or supplemented, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, as the case may be, not misleading, or so that the Registration Statement, the Incorporated Documents or any Prospectus, as so amended or supplemented, will comply with law. Before amending the Registration Statement or supplementing the Incorporated Documents or any Prospectus in connection with the Offering, the Company will furnish the Co-Placement Agents with a copy of such proposed amendment or supplement and will not file any such amendment or supplement to which the Co-Placement Agents reasonably object within two (2) Business Days, provided that the Company may file any document or report reasonably determined by the Company to be required to be filed by the Company pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder within the time periods required for such filings, irrespective of any such objection of the Co-Placement Agents.

 

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(d)                Copies of any Amendments and Supplements to a Prospectus. The Company will furnish the Co-Placement Agents, without charge, during the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the later of the last Closing Date of the Offering, as many copies of any Prospectus or prospectus supplement and any amendments and supplements thereto, as the Co-Placement Agents may reasonably request.

 

(e)                Free Writing Prospectus. The Company covenants that it will not, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Co-Placement Agents, make any offer relating to the Securities that would constitute a Company Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act) required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433 of the Securities Act. In the event that the Co-Placement Agents expressly consent in writing to any such free writing prospectus (a “Permitted Free Writing Prospectus”), the Company covenants that it shall (i) treat each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus as a Company Free Writing Prospectus, and (ii) comply with the requirements of Rule 164 and 433 of the Securities Act applicable to such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, including in respect of timely filing with the Commission, legending and record keeping.

 

(f)                 Transfer Agent. The Company will maintain, at its expense, a registrar and transfer agent for the Common Stock.

 

(g)                Earnings Statement. As soon as practicable and in accordance with applicable requirements under the Securities Act, but in any event not later than eighteen (18) months after the last Closing Date, the Company will make generally available to its security holders and to the Co-Placement Agents an earnings statement, covering a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months beginning after the last Closing Date, that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) and Rule 158 under the Securities Act.

 

(h)                Periodic Reporting Obligations. During the Prospectus Delivery Period, the Company will duly file, on a timely basis, with the Commission and the Trading Market all reports and documents required to be filed under the Exchange Act within the time periods and in the manner required by the Exchange Act.

 

(i)                 Additional Documents. The Company will enter into any subscription, purchase or other customary agreements as the Co-Placement Agents or the Investors deem necessary or appropriate to consummate the Offering, all of which will be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Co-Placement Agents and the Investors. The Company agrees that the Co-Placement Agents may rely upon, and each is a third party beneficiary of, the representations, warranties, and applicable covenants, set forth in any such purchase, subscription or other agreement with Investors in the Offering.

 

(j)                 No Manipulation of PriceThe Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or result in, or that has constituted or might reasonably be expected to constitute, the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any securities of the Company.

 

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(k)                Acknowledgment. The Company acknowledges that any advice given by the Co-Placement Agents to the Company is solely for the benefit and use of the Board of Directors of the Company and may not be used, reproduced, disseminated, quoted or referred to, without the Co-Placement Agents' prior written consent.

 

(l)                 Announcement of Offering. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Co-Placement Agents may, subsequent to the Closing, make public their involvement with the Offering.

 

(m)              Reliance on Others. The Company confirms that it will rely on its own counsel and accountants for legal and accounting advice.

 

(n)                Research Matters. By entering into this Agreement, the Co-Placement Agents do not provide any promise, either explicitly or implicitly, of favorable or continued research coverage of the Company and the Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Co-Placement Agents’ selection as placement agents for the Offering was in no way conditioned, explicitly or implicitly, on the Co-Placement Agents providing favorable or any research coverage of the Company. In accordance with FINRA Rule 2711(e), the parties acknowledge and agree that the Co-Placement Agents have not directly or indirectly offered favorable research, a specific rating or a specific price target, or threatened to change research, a rating or a price target, to the Company or inducement for the receipt of business or compensation.

 

(o)                Lock-Up Agreements. The Company shall not amend, modify, waive or terminate any provision of any of the Lock-Up Agreements except to extend the term of the lock-up period and shall enforce the provisions of each Lock-Up Agreement in accordance with its terms. If any party to a Lock-Up Agreement breaches any provision of a Lock-Up Agreement, the Company shall promptly use its best efforts to seek specific performance of the terms of such Lock-Up Agreement.

 

(p)                   Subsequent Equity Sales.

 

(i)                 From the date hereof until ninety (90) days after the Closing Date, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall (i) issue, enter into any agreement to issue or announce the issuance or proposed issuance of any Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents or (ii) file any registration statement or amendment or supplement thereto, other than the Final Prospectus or filing a registration statement on Form S-8 in connection with any employee benefit plan, in each case without prior written consent of Craig-Hallum.

 

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(ii)               From the date hereof until one hundred eighty (180) days after the Closing Date, the Company shall be prohibited from effecting or entering into an agreement to effect any issuance by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Common Stock or Common Stock Equivalents (or a combination of units thereof) involving a Variable Rate Transaction. “Variable Rate Transaction” means a transaction in which the Company (i) issues or sells any debt or equity securities that are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or include the right to receive additional shares of Common Stock either (A) at a conversion price, exercise price or exchange rate or other price that is based upon and/or varies with the trading prices of or quotations for the shares of Common Stock at any time after the initial issuance of such debt or equity securities, or (B) with a conversion, exercise or exchange price that is subject to being reset at some future date after the initial issuance of such debt or equity security or upon the occurrence of specified or contingent events directly or indirectly related to the business of the Company or the market for the Common Stock or (ii) enters into, or effects a transaction under, any agreement, including, but not limited to, an equity line of credit or an “at-the-market offering”, whereby the Company may issue securities at a future determined price regardless of whether shares pursuant to such agreement have actually been issued and regardless of whether such agreement is subsequently canceled; provided, however, that following the restrictive period set forth in Section 4(p)(i), the entry into and/or issuance of shares of Common Stock in an “at-the-market” offering with Craig-Hallum as sales agent shall not be deemed a Variable Rate Transaction. The Co-Placement Agents and any purchaser shall be entitled to obtain injunctive relief against the Company to preclude any such issuance, which remedy shall be in addition to any right to collect damages.

 

(iii)             Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4(p) shall not apply in respect of an Exempt Issuance, except that no Variable Rate Transaction shall be an Exempt Issuance. An “Exempt Issuance” means the issuance of (a) shares of Common Stock or options to employees, officers or directors of the Company pursuant to any stock or option plan duly adopted for such purpose, by a majority of the non-employee members of the Board of Directors or a majority of the members of a committee of non-employee directors established for such purpose for services rendered to the Company, (b) securities upon the exercise or exchange of or conversion of any Securities issued hereunder, the Placement Agent Warrants and any securities upon exercise of the Placement Agent Warrants, and/or other securities exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on the date of this Agreement, provided that such securities have not been amended since the date of this Agreement to increase the number of such securities or to decrease the exercise price, exchange price or conversion price of such securities (other than in connection with stock splits or combinations) or to extend the term of such securities, (c) securities issued pursuant to acquisitions or strategic transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company, provided that such securities are issued as “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144) and carry no registration rights that require or permit the filing of any registration statement in connection therewith during the prohibition period in Section 4(p)(i) herein, and provided that any such issuance shall only be to a Person (or to the equityholders of a Person) which is, itself or through its subsidiaries, an operating company or an owner of an asset in a business synergistic with the business of the Company and shall provide to the Company additional benefits in addition to the investment of funds, but shall not include a transaction in which the Company is issuing securities primarily for the purpose of raising capital or to an entity whose primary business is investing in securities, (d) the issuance of the Securities in the Offering and (e) the issuance to former stockholders of Spindle Biotech, Inc. (“Spindle”) of 12,500 restricted shares of Common Stock pursuant to the acquisition of Spindle, provided that such securities are issued as “restricted securities” (as defined in Rule 144) and carry no registration rights that require or permit the filing of any registration statement in connection therewith during the prohibition period in Section 4(p)(i) herein.

 

(q)                Right of First Refusal. If, from the date hereof until the date that the Series B Warrants are no longer outstanding, the Company decides to raise funds by means of a solicitation of any of the Series B Warrants, Craig-Hallum (or any affiliate designated by Craig-Hallum) shall have the right to act as sole and exclusive agent for such financing. If Craig-Hallum or one of its affiliates decides to accept any such engagement, Craig-Hallum and the Company shall enter into an agreement governing such engagement, which such agreement will contain, among other things, provisions for customary fees for transactions of similar size and nature.

 

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(r)                 Securities Laws Disclosure; Publicity. The Company shall (a) issue a press release disclosing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby at the date and time agreed upon by the Company and the Co-Placement Agents, and (b) file a Current Report on Form 8-K, including the Transaction Documents as exhibits thereto, with the Commission within the time required by the Exchange Act. From and after the issuance of such press release, the Company represents that it shall have publicly disclosed all material, non-public information delivered by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, Affiliates or agents, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Company and the Co-Placement Agents shall consult with each other in issuing any other press releases with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 5.                  Conditions of the Obligations of the Co-Placement Agents. The obligations of the Co-Placement Agents hereunder shall be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of the Company set forth in Section 2 hereof, in each case as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as though then made, to the timely performance by each of the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder on and as of such dates, and to each of the following additional conditions:

 

(a)                Accountants’ Comfort Letter. On the date hereof, the Co-Placement Agents shall have received, and the Company shall have caused to be delivered to the Co-Placement Agents, a letter from Marcum LLP (the independent registered public accounting firm of the Company), addressed to the Co-Placement Agents, dated as of the date hereof, in form and substance satisfactory to the Co-Placement Agents. The letter shall not disclose any change in the condition (financial or other), earnings, operations, business or prospects of the Company from that set forth in the Incorporated Documents or the applicable Prospectus or prospectus supplement, which, in the Co-Placement Agents' sole judgment, is material and adverse and that makes it, in the Co-Placement Agents' sole judgment, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the Offering of the Securities as contemplated by such Prospectus.

 

(b)                Compliance with Registration Requirements; No Stop Order; No Objection from the FINRA. Each Prospectus (in accordance with Rule 424(b)) and “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act), if any, shall have been duly filed with the Commission, as appropriate; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; no order preventing or suspending the use of any Prospectus shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; no order having the effect of ceasing or suspending the distribution of the Securities or any other securities of the Company shall have been issued by any securities commission, securities regulatory authority or stock exchange and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or shall be pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, contemplated by any securities commission, securities regulatory authority or stock exchange; all requests for additional information on the part of the Commission shall have been complied with; and the FINRA shall have raised no objection to the fairness and reasonableness of the placement terms and arrangements.

 

(c)                Corporate Proceedings. All corporate proceedings and other legal matters in connection with this Agreement, the Registration Statement and each Prospectus, and the registration, sale and delivery of the Securities, shall have been completed or resolved in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Co-Placement Agents' counsel, and such counsel shall have been furnished with such papers and information as it may reasonably have requested to enable such counsel to pass upon the matters referred to in this Section 5.

 

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(d)                No Material Adverse Change. Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date, in the Co-Placement Agents' sole judgment after consultation with the Company, there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Effect or any material adverse change or development involving a prospective material adverse change in the condition or the business activities, financial or otherwise, of the Company from the latest dates as of which such condition is set forth in the Registration Statement, Preliminary Prospectus and Final Prospectus (“Material Adverse Change”).

 

(e)                Opinion of Counsel for the Company. The Co-Placement Agents shall have received on the Closing Date the favorable opinion of US legal counsel to the Company, dated as of such Closing Date, including, without limitation, a negative assurance letter addressed to the Co-Placement Agents and in form and substance satisfactory to the Co-Placement Agents and the favorable opinion of intellectual property legal counsel to the Company, addressed to the Co-Placement Agents and in form and substance satisfactory to the Co-Placement Agents.

 

(f)                 Officers’ Certificate. The Co-Placement Agents shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate of the Company, dated as of such Closing Date, signed by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, to the effect that, and the Co-Placement Agents shall be satisfied that, the signers of such certificate have reviewed the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus, the Incorporated Documents, any prospectus supplement, and this Agreement and to the further effect that:

 

(i)                 The representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct, as if made on and as of such Closing Date, and the Company has complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to such Closing Date;

 

(ii)               No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the use of any Prospectus has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened under the Securities Act; no order having the effect of ceasing or suspending the distribution of the Securities or any other securities of the Company has been issued by any securities commission, securities regulatory authority or stock exchange in the United States and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, contemplated by any securities commission, securities regulatory authority or stock exchange in the United States;

 

(iii)             When the Registration Statement became effective, at the time of sale, and at all times subsequent thereto up to the delivery of such certificate, the Registration Statement and the Incorporated Documents, if any, when such documents became effective or were filed with the Commission, and any Prospectus, contained all material information required to be included therein by the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, as the case may be, and in all material respects conformed to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, as the case may be, and the Registration Statement and the Incorporated Documents, if any, and any Prospectus, did not and do not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (provided, however, that the preceding representations and warranties contained in this paragraph (iii) shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by the Co-Placement Agents expressly for use therein) and, since the effective date of the Registration Statement, there has occurred no event required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder to be set forth in the Incorporated Documents which has not been so set forth; and

 

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(iv)              Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Incorporated Documents and any Prospectus, there has not been: (a) any Material Adverse Change; (b) any transaction that is material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, except transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business; (c) any obligation, direct or contingent, that is material to the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary, except obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business; (d) any material change in the capital stock (except changes thereto resulting from the exercise of outstanding stock options or warrants) or outstanding indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary; (e) any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made on the capital stock of the Company; or (f) any loss or damage (whether or not insured) to the property of the Company or any Subsidiary which has been sustained or will have been sustained which has a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(g)                Bring-down Comfort LetterOn the Closing Date, the Co-Placement Agents shall have received from Marcum LLP, or such other independent registered public accounting firm of the Company, a letter dated as of such Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Co-Placement Agents, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 5, except that the specified date referred to therein for the carrying out of procedures shall be no more than two (2) business days prior to such Closing Date.

 

(h)                Stock Exchange Listing. The Common Stock shall be registered under the Exchange Act and shall be listed on the Trading Market, and the Company shall not have taken any action designed to terminate, or likely to have the effect of terminating, the registration of the Common Stock under the Exchange Act or delisting or suspending from trading the Common Stock from the Trading Market, nor shall the Company have received any information suggesting that the Commission or the Trading Market is contemplating terminating such registration or listing.

 

(i)                 Lock-Up Agreements. On the date hereof, the Co-Placement Agents shall have received the executed lock-up agreements, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, from each of the directors and officers of the Company.

 

(j)                 Additional Documents. On or before the Closing Date, the Co-Placement Agents and counsel for the Co-Placement Agents shall have received such information and documents as they may reasonably require for the purposes of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Securities as contemplated herein, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations and warranties, or the satisfaction of any of the conditions or agreements, herein contained.

 

If any condition specified in this Section 5 is not satisfied when and as required to be satisfied, this Agreement may be terminated by the Co-Placement Agents by notice to the Company at any time on or prior to a Closing Date, which termination shall be without liability on the part of any party to any other party, except that Section 6 (Payment of Expenses), Section 7 (Indemnification and Contribution) and Section 8 (Representations and Indemnities to Survive Delivery) shall at all times be effective and shall survive such termination.

 

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Section 6.                  Payment of Expenses. The Company agrees to pay all costs, fees and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the performance of its obligations hereunder and in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation: (i) all expenses incident to the issuance, delivery and qualification of the Securities (including all printing and engraving costs); (ii) all fees and expenses of the registrar and transfer agent of the Common Stock; (iii) all necessary issue, transfer and other stamp taxes in connection with the issuance and sale of the Securities; (iv) all fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel, independent public or certified public accountants and other advisors; (v) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, printing, filing, shipping and distribution of the Registration Statement (including financial statements, exhibits, schedules, consents and certificates of experts), the Preliminary Prospectus, the Final Prospectus and each prospectus supplement, and all amendments and supplements thereto, and this Agreement; (vi) all filing fees, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the Company or the Co-Placement Agents in connection with qualifying or registering (or obtaining exemptions from the qualification or registration of) all or any part of the Securities for offer and sale under the state securities or blue sky laws or the securities laws of any other country, and, if requested by the Co-Placement Agents, preparing and printing a “Blue Sky Survey,” an “International Blue Sky Survey” or other memorandum, and any supplements thereto, advising the Co-Placement Agents of such qualifications, registrations and exemptions; (vii) if applicable, the filing fees incident to the review and approval by the FINRA of the Co-Placement Agents' participation in the offering and distribution of the Securities; (viii) the fees and expenses associated with including the Shares and Warrant Shares on the Trading Market; (ix) all costs and expenses incident to the travel and accommodation of the Company’s and the Co-Placement Agents' employees on the “roadshow,” if any; and (x) all other fees, costs and expenses referred to in Part II of the Registration Statement.

 

Section 7.                  Indemnification and Contribution.

 

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Co-Placement Agents, its respective affiliates and each person controlling the Co-Placement Agents (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act), and the directors, officers, agents and employees of the Co-Placement Agents, its respective affiliates and each such controlling person (the Co-Placement Agents, and each such entity or person. an “Indemnified Person”) from and against any losses, claims, damages, judgments, assessments, costs and other liabilities (collectively, the “Liabilities”), and shall reimburse each Indemnified Person for all fees and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of one counsel for all Indemnified Persons, except as otherwise expressly provided herein) (collectively, the “Expenses”) as they are incurred by an Indemnified Person in investigating, preparing, pursuing or defending any Actions, whether or not any Indemnified Person is a party thereto, (i) caused by, or arising out of or in connection with, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any Incorporated Document, or any Prospectus or by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (other than untrue statements or alleged untrue statements in, or omissions or alleged omissions from, information relating to an Indemnified Person furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person expressly for use in the Incorporated Documents) or (ii) otherwise arising out of or in connection with advice or services rendered or to be rendered by any Indemnified Person pursuant to this Agreement, the transactions contemplated thereby or any Indemnified Person's actions or inactions in connection with any such advice, services or transactions; provided, however, that, in the case of clause (ii) only, the Company shall not be responsible for any Liabilities or Expenses of any Indemnified Person that are finally judicially determined to have resulted solely from such Indemnified Person's (x) gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with any of the advice, actions, inactions or services referred to above or (y) use of any offering materials or information concerning the Company in connection with the offer or sale of the Securities in the Offering which were not authorized for such use by the Company and which use constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Company also agrees to reimburse each Indemnified Person for all Expenses as they are incurred in connection with enforcing such Indemnified Person's rights under this Agreement.

 

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(b)       Upon receipt by an Indemnified Person of actual notice of an Action against such Indemnified Person with respect to which indemnity may be sought under this Agreement, such Indemnified Person shall promptly notify the Company in writing; provided that failure by any Indemnified Person so to notify the Company shall not relieve the Company from any liability which the Company may have on account of this indemnity or otherwise to such Indemnified Person, except to the extent the Company shall have been prejudiced by such failure. The Company shall, if requested by the Co-Placement Agents, assume the defense of any such Action including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Co-Placement Agents, which counsel may also be counsel to the Company. Any Indemnified Person shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless: (i) the Company has failed promptly to assume the defense and employ counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such Action (including any impeded parties) include such Indemnified Person and the Company, and such Indemnified Person shall have been advised in the reasonable opinion of counsel that there is an actual conflict of interest that prevents the counsel selected by the Company from representing both the Company (or another client of such counsel) and any Indemnified Person; provided that the Company shall not in such event be responsible hereunder for the fees and expenses of more than one firm of separate counsel for all Indemnified Persons in connection with any Action or related Actions, in addition to any local counsel. The Company shall not be liable for any settlement of any Action effected without its written consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld). In addition, the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the Co-Placement Agents (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any pending or threatened Action in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not such Indemnified Person is a party thereto) unless such settlement, compromise, consent or termination includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Person from all Liabilities arising out of such Action for which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder. The indemnification required hereby shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as such expense, loss, damage or liability is incurred and is due and payable.

 

(c)       In the event that the foregoing indemnity is unavailable to an Indemnified Person other than in accordance with this Agreement, the Company shall contribute to the Liabilities and Expenses paid or payable by such Indemnified Person in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i) the relative benefits to the Company, on the one hand, and to the Co-Placement Agents and any other Indemnified Person, on the other hand, of the matters contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by the immediately preceding clause is not permitted by applicable law, not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Co-Placement Agents and any other Indemnified Person, on the other hand, in connection with the matters as to which such Liabilities or Expenses relate, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided that in no event shall the Company contribute less than the amount necessary to ensure that all Indemnified Persons, in the aggregate, are not liable for any Liabilities and Expenses in excess of the amount of fees actually received by the Co-Placement Agents pursuant to this Agreement. For purposes of this paragraph, the relative benefits to the Company, on the one hand, and to the Co-Placement Agents on the other hand, of the matters contemplated by this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as (a) the total value paid or contemplated to be paid to or received or contemplated to be received by the Company in the transaction or transactions that are within the scope of this Agreement, whether or not any such transaction is consummated, bears to (b) the fees paid to the Co-Placement Agents under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the above, no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act, as amended, shall be entitled to contribution from a party who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

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(d)       The Company also agrees that no Indemnified Person shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract or tort or otherwise) to the Company for or in connection with advice or services rendered or to be rendered by any Indemnified Person pursuant to this Agreement, the transactions contemplated thereby or any Indemnified Person's actions or inactions in connection with any such advice, services or transactions except for Liabilities (and related Expenses) of the Company that are finally judicially determined to have resulted solely from such Indemnified Person's gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with any such advice, actions, inactions or services.

 

(e)       The reimbursement, indemnity and contribution obligations of the Company set forth herein shall apply to any modification of this Agreement and shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any termination of, or the completion of any Indemnified Person's services under or in connection with, this Agreement.

 

Section 8.                  Representations and Indemnities to Survive Delivery. The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company or any person controlling the Company, of its officers, and of the Co-Placement Agents set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Co-Placement Agents, the Company, or any of its or their partners, officers or directors or any controlling person, as the case may be, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities sold hereunder and any termination of this Agreement. A successor to the Co-Placement Agents, or to the Company, its directors or officers or any person controlling the Company, shall be entitled to the benefits of the indemnity, contribution and reimbursement agreements contained in this Agreement.

 

Section 9.                  Notices. All communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed, hand delivered, e-mailed or telecopied and confirmed to the parties hereto as follows:

 

If to Craig-Hallum to the address set forth above, attention: Rick Hartfiel, e-mail: rick.hartfiel@craig-hallum.com

 

If to Laidlaw to the address set forth above, attention: [_____], e-mail: [_____]

 

With a copy to:

 

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP

1345 Avenue of the Americas, 11th Floor

New York, New York 10105

E-mail: capmkts@egsllp.com

 

If to the Company:

 

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc.

50 Health Sciences Drive

Stony Brook, New York 11790

E-mail: [_______________]

Attention: [_______________]

 

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With a copy to:

 

McDermott Will & Emery LLP

One Vanderbilt Avenue

New York, New York 10017

Attention: Merrill M. Kraines, Esq.; Todd R. Kornfeld, Esq.

E-mail: mkraines@mwe.com; tkornfeld@mwe.com

 

Any party hereto may change the address for receipt of communications by giving written notice to the others.

 

Section 10.              Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto, and to the benefit of the employees, officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 7 hereof, and to their respective successors, and personal representative, and no other person will have any right or obligation hereunder.

 

Section 11.              Partial Unenforceability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other section, paragraph or provision hereof. If any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement is for any reason determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

 

Section 12.              Governing Law Provisions. This Agreement shall be deemed to have been made and delivered in New York City and both this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed as to validity, interpretation, construction, effect and in all other respects by the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof. This Agreement may not be assigned by any of the parties without the prior written consent of the other parties. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Any right to trial by jury with respect to any dispute arising under this Agreement or any transaction or conduct in connection herewith is waived. Each of the Co-Placement Agents and the Company: (i) agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and/or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be instituted exclusively in New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, (ii) waives any objection which it may have or hereafter to the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding, and (iii) irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, and the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York in any such suit, action or proceeding. Each of the Co-Placement Agents and the Company further agrees to accept and acknowledge service of any and all process which may be served in any such suit, action or proceeding in the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and agrees that service of process upon the Company mailed by certified mail to the Company’s address shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon the Company, in any such suit, action or proceeding, and service of process upon the Co-Placement Agents mailed by certified mail to the respective Placement Agent’s address shall be deemed in every respect effective service process upon the respective Placement Agent, in any such suit, action or proceeding. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Company agrees that neither the Co-Placement Agents nor its affiliates, and the respective officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives of the Co-Placement Agents, its respective affiliates and each other person, if any, controlling the Co-Placement Agents or any of its respective affiliates, shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect, in contract or tort or otherwise) to the Company for or in connection with the engagement and transaction described herein except for any such liability for losses, claims, damages or liabilities incurred by us that are finally judicially determined to have resulted from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of such individuals or entities. If either party shall commence an action or proceeding to enforce any provision of this Agreement, then the prevailing party in such action or proceeding shall be reimbursed by the other party for its reasonable attorney’s fees and other costs and expenses incurred with the investigation, preparation and prosecution of such action or proceeding.

 

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Section 13.              General Provisions.

 

(a)       This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties to this Agreement and supersedes all prior written or oral and all contemporaneous oral agreements, understandings and negotiations with respect to the subject matter hereof. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Engagement Letter, dated April 6, 2024 (the “Engagement Letter”), as amended, between the Company and Craig-Hallum, shall continue to be effective and the terms therein, including but not limited to, Section D.1. and Section D.3. therein, shall continue to survive and be enforceable by Craig-Hallum in accordance with its terms, provided that, in the event of a conflict between the terms of the Engagement Letter and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each one of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement may not be amended or modified unless in writing by all of the parties hereto, and no condition herein (express or implied) may be waived unless waived in writing by each party whom the condition is meant to benefit. Section headings herein are for the convenience of the parties only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

(b)       The Company acknowledges that in connection with the offering of the Securities: (i) the Co-Placement Agents have acted at arms length, are not agents of, and owe no fiduciary duties to the Company or any other person, (ii) the Co-Placement Agents owe the Company only those duties and obligations set forth in this Agreement and (iii) the Co-Placement Agents may have interests that differ from those of the Company. The Company waives to the full extent permitted by applicable law any claims it may have against the Co-Placement Agents arising from an alleged breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the offering of the Securities.

 

[The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank.]

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign below whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts hereof, shall become a binding agreement in accordance with its terms.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.,
  a Delaware corporation
   
  By:                          
    Name:
    Title:

 

The foregoing Placement Agency Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written.

 

CRAIG-HALLUM CAPITAL GROUP LLC  
   
By:                        
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

LAIDLAW & COMPANY (UK), LTD.  
   
By:                        
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

28

 

 

Exhibit 10.51

 

LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

 

[______], 2024

 

Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC,

acting as placement agent of the Offering (as defined below):

 

Re:Offering (as defined below) by Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (the “Company”)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned irrevocably agrees with the Company that, from the date hereof until ninety (90) days following the closing of the Company’s offering of registered securities pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-378890) (the “Offering”) (such period, the “Restriction Period”) for which Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC (“Craig-Hallum”) is acting as placement agent of the Company, the undersigned will not offer, sell, contract to sell, hypothecate, pledge or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction which is designed to, or might reasonably be expected to, result in the disposition (whether by actual disposition or effective economic disposition due to cash settlement or otherwise) by the undersigned or any Affiliate (as defined in the Placement Agency Agreement (as defined below)) of the undersigned or any person in privity with the undersigned or any Affiliate of the undersigned), directly or indirectly, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), with respect to, any shares of common stock of the Company (the “Common Stock”) or securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable, into shares of Common Stock of the Company beneficially owned, held or hereafter acquired by the undersigned (the “Securities”). Beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to the conditions below, the undersigned may transfer the Securities provided that (1) the Company receives a signed lock-up letter agreement (in the form of this letter agreement (the “Letter Agreement”)) for the balance of the Restriction Period from each donee, trustee, distributee, or transferee, as the case may be, prior to such transfer, (2) any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value, (3) such transfer is not required to be reported with the Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with the Exchange Act and no report of such transfer shall be made voluntarily, and (4) neither the undersigned nor any donee, trustee, distributee or transferee, as the case may be, otherwise voluntarily effects any public filing or report regarding such transfers, with respect to transfer:

 

  i) as a bona fide gift or gifts;
     
  ii) to any immediate family member or to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned (for purposes of this Letter Agreement, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin);

 

 

 

 

  iii) to any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other business entity all of the equity holders of which consist of the undersigned and/or the immediate family of the undersigned;
     
  iv) if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity (a) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity that is an Affiliate of the undersigned or (b) in the form of a distribution to limited partners, limited liability company members or stockholders of the undersigned;
     
  v) if the undersigned is a trust, to the beneficiary of such trust; or
     
  vi) by will, other testamentary document or intestate succession to the legal representative, heir, beneficiary or a member of the immediate family of the undersigned.

 

In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, this Letter Agreement shall not restrict the delivery of shares of Common Stock of the Company to the undersigned upon (i) exercise of any options granted under any employee benefit plan of the Company; provided that any shares of Common Stock or Securities acquired in connection with any such exercise will be subject to the restrictions set forth in this Letter Agreement, or (ii) the exercise of warrants; provided that such shares of Common Stock delivered to the undersigned in connection with such exercise are subject to the restrictions set forth in this Letter Agreement.

 

Furthermore, the undersigned may enter into any new plan established in compliance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act; provided that (i) such plan may only be established if no public announcement or filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or other applicable regulatory authority, is made in connection with the establishment of such plan during the Restriction Period and (ii) no sale of shares of Common Stock are made pursuant to such plan during the Restriction Period.

 

For purposes herein, the “Placement Agency Agreement” means the Placement Agency Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, by and between the Company, Craig-Hallum and Laidlaw & Company (UK) Ltd.

 

The undersigned acknowledges that the execution, delivery and performance of this Letter Agreement is a material inducement to Craig-Hallum to place the Offering and that Craig-Hallum shall be a third party beneficiary of this Letter Agreement and the Company shall be entitled to specific performance of the undersigned’s obligations hereunder. The undersigned hereby represents that the undersigned has the power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Letter Agreement, that the undersigned has received adequate consideration therefor and that the undersigned will indirectly benefit from the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Offering.

 

2

 

 

This Letter Agreement may not be amended or otherwise modified in any respect without the written consent of each of the Company, Craig-Hallum and the undersigned. This Letter Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to the principles of conflict of laws. The undersigned hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court sitting in the Southern District of New York and the courts of the State of New York located in Manhattan, for the purposes of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Letter Agreement, and hereby waives, and agrees not to assert in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that (i) it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such court, (ii) the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, or (iii) the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper. The undersigned hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by receiving a copy thereof sent to the Company at the address in effect for notices to it under the Placement Agency Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. The undersigned hereby waives any right to a trial by jury. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law. The undersigned agrees and understands that this Letter Agreement does not intend to create any relationship between the undersigned and Craig-Hallum and that no issuance or sale of the Securities is created or intended by virtue of this Letter Agreement.

 

This Letter Agreement shall be binding on successors and assigns of the undersigned with respect to the Securities and any such successor or assign shall enter into a similar agreement for the benefit of Craig-Hallum.

 

This Letter Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provisions hereof be enforced by, any of other Person.

 

*** SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS***

 

3

 

 

This Letter Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, all of which when taken together may be considered one and the same agreement.

 

   
Signature  
   
   
Print Name  
   
   
Position in Company, if any  
   
Address for Notice:  
   
   
   
   

 

By signing below, the Company agrees to enforce the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Letter Agreement.

 

APPLIED DNA SCIENCES, INC.  
   
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

4

 

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm’s Consent

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. on Amendment No. 1 to Form S-1 File No. 333-278890 of our report, which includes an explanatory paragraph as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, dated December 7, 2023 with respect to our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc, and Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2023 and 2022 and for each of the two years in the period ended September 30, 2023 appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. for the year ended September 30, 2023. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.

 

/s/ Marcum llp

 

Marcum llp

Melville, NY

May 14, 2024

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 107

 

Calculation of Filing Fee Tables

Form S-1

(Form Type)

 

Applied DNA Sciences, 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
  Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price
  Maximum
Aggregate
Offering
Price(1)
    Fee Rate     Amount of
Registration
Fee
 
Fees Previously  Paid   Equity   Shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (2)(3)   457(o)       $ 8,000,000.00       0.00014760     $ 1,180.80  
Fees Previously  Paid   Equity   Series A Warrants   457(g)                     (4 )
Fees Previously  Paid   Equity   Series B Warrants   457(g)                     (4 )
Fees Previously  Paid   Equity   Pre-Funded Warrants  (3)   457(g)                     (4 )
Fees Previously  Paid   Equity   Placement Agent Warrants   457(g)                             (4 )
Fees Previously  Paid   Equity   Shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, issuable upon exercise of Series A Warrants (2)   457(o)       $ 8,000,000.00       0.00014760     $ 1,180.80  
Fees Previously  Paid   Equity   Shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, issuable upon exercise of Series B Warrants (2)   457(o)        $ 8,000,000.00       0.00014760      $ 1,180.80  
Fees Previously  Paid   Equity   Shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, issuable upon exercise of Pre-Funded Warrants(2)(3)   457(o)         (3 )     0.00014760       (3 )
Fees Previously  Paid   Equity   Shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, issuable upon exercise of Placement Agent Warrants(5)   457(o)           $ 400,000       0.00014760     $ 59.04  
    Total Offering Amounts       $ 24,400,000             $ 3,601.44  
    Total Fees Previously Paid                         3,601.44  
    Total Fee Offsets                          
    Net Fee Due                       $ 0  

 

(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee in pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).
   
(2) Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement shall also cover an indeterminate number of shares that may be issued and resold resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
   
(3) The proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the common stock will be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis based on the offering price of any pre-funded warrants issued in the offering, and the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the pre-funded warrants to be issued in the offering will be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis based on the offering price of any common stock issued in the offering. Accordingly, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the common stock and pre-funded warrants (including the common stock issuable upon exercise of the pre-funded warrants), if any, is $8,000,000.00.
   
(4) No separate registration fee is payable pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act.
   
(5) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act. The placement agent warrants are exercisable for up to the number of shares of common stock equal to 5.0% of the aggregate number of shares of common stock and pre-funded warrants, if any, sold in this offering at a per share exercise price equal to the exercise price of the Series A Warrants and Series B Warrants. As estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the placement agent warrants is $400,000.00, which is equal to 100% of $400,000.00 (5.0% of the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of $8,000,000.00).

 

 

 


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