As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2024
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | | | 62-1413174 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
4505 Emperor Blvd., Suite 200
Durham, North Carolina 27703
(919) 859-1302
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Jon P. Stonehouse
President and Chief Executive Officer
4505 Emperor Blvd., Suite 200
Durham, North Carolina 27703
(919) 859-1302
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
With a copy to:
Brian Lane, Esq.
Robyn Zolman, Esq.
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
1050 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 955-8500
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement, as determined by market conditions.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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 | | | ☐ | | | Smaller reporting company | | | ☐ |
| | | | | 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 Securities Act. ☐
EXPLANATORY NOTE
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) is submitting this filing solely to replace its existing Registration Statement on Form S-3, which is due to expire in March 2024. In keeping with its consistent practice, the Company maintains an active shelf Registration Statement. The filing of this Registration Statement, however, should not be interpreted as an indication of any immediate plans to issue and sell any securities; it merely provides the Company with the option to do so.
PROSPECTUS
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Purchase Contracts
Warrants
Debt Securities
Units
By this prospectus, we may from time to time offer securities to the public. We will provide specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement, and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest.
Our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, trades on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “BCRX.”
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurances as to the reliability of, any information other than the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We are not making or soliciting an offer of any securities other than the securities described in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We are not making or soliciting an offer of these securities in any state or jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted or in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents.
Investing in these securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” on page 2 of this prospectus, in the applicable prospectus supplement we will deliver with this prospectus and in the documents incorporated herein and therein by reference.
The securities may be sold by us to or through underwriters or dealers, directly to purchasers or through agents designated from time to time, or through a combination of these methods. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. If any underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters and any applicable discounts or commissions and over-allotment options will be set forth in a prospectus supplement. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement. This prospectus may not be used to sell any securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
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 date of this prospectus is February 27, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration or continuous offering process. Under this registration statement, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus from time to time, either separately or in units, in one or more offerings.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of that offering. That prospectus supplement may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus and will also include the following information:
• | the type and amount of securities that we propose to sell; |
• | the public offering price of the securities; |
• | the names of any underwriters, agents or dealers through or to which the securities will be sold; |
• | any compensation of those underwriters, agents or dealers; |
• | information about any securities exchanges or automated quotation systems on which the securities will be listed or traded; |
• | any risk factors applicable to the securities that we propose to sell; and |
• | any other material information about the offering and sale of the securities. |
If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.” The registration statement containing this prospectus, including the exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and the securities offered under this prospectus. The registration statement, including the exhibits, can be read at the SEC’s website referenced under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
All references to “Company,” “BioCryst,” “we,” “our,” or “us” refer solely to BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and not to the persons who manage us or sit on our Board of Directors. All trade names used in this prospectus are either our registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.
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This summary highlights information contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Because it is a summary, it does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our securities. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the section entitled “Risk Factors” and the documents that we incorporate by reference into this prospectus, before making an investment decision.
Business of BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
We are a global biotechnology company with a deep commitment to improving the lives of people living with complement-mediated and other rare diseases. We leverage our expertise in structure-guided drug design with the goal of developing first-in-class or best-in-class oral small-molecule and protein therapeutics to target difficult-to-treat rare diseases. In addition to these discovery and development efforts, our business strategy includes the efficient commercialization of these drugs in the United States and certain other regions upon regulatory approval. By focusing on rare disease markets, we believe that we can more effectively control the costs of, and our strategic allocation of financial resources toward, post-approval commercialization.
We are a Delaware corporation originally founded in 1986. Our principal executive offices are located at 4505 Emperor Blvd., Suite 200, Durham, North Carolina 27703, and our telephone number is (919) 859-1302. For more information about us, please visit our website at http://www.biocryst.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
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Investing in our securities involves risks. Our business is influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict and beyond our control and that involve uncertainties that may materially affect our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, or the value of these securities. These risks and uncertainties are described in the risk factors section of the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Any subsequent prospectus supplement may contain a discussion of additional risks applicable to an investment in us and the particular type of securities we are offering under such prospectus supplement. You should carefully consider all of the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement before you invest in our securities.
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This prospectus and any subsequent prospectus supplement, including the information we incorporate by reference, include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which are subject to the “safe harbor” created in those sections. In particular, statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives or assumptions of future events or performance are contained in this prospectus, any subsequent prospectus supplement and the information we incorporate by reference. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus, any subsequent prospectus supplement and the information we incorporate by reference are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” the negative of these words or similar expressions. Statements that describe our future plans, strategies, intentions, expectations, objectives, goals or prospects are also forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:
• | the preclinical development, clinical development, commercialization, or post-marketing studies of our products and product candidates, including ORLADEYO® (berotralstat), BCX10013, and early-stage discovery programs (including BCX17725, avoralstat, and our complement inhibitors), and our plans regarding the same; |
• | the potential for out-licensing of late-stage development and commercialization of BCX10013; |
• | our discovery and commercialization of best-in-class and first-in-class medicines; |
• | the timing and success of our commercialization of ORLADEYO in the United States and elsewhere and expectations regarding the commercial market for ORLADEYO; |
• | additional regulatory approvals, or milestones, royalties or profit from sales of our products by us or our partners; |
• | the implementation of our business model, strategic plans for our business, products, product candidates and technology; |
• | our ability to establish and maintain collaborations or out-license rights to our products and product candidates; |
• | plans, programs, progress and potential success of our collaborations, including with Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. for ORLADEYO in Japan and Shionogi & Co., Ltd. and Green Cross Corporation for peramivir in their territories; |
• | our and our subsidiary guarantors’ ability to satisfy obligations under our Pharmakon Loan Agreement and to comply with the covenants as set forth in the agreements governing our debt obligations; |
• | the scope of protection we are able to establish and maintain for intellectual property rights covering our products, product candidates, and technology; |
• | our ability to operate our business without infringing the intellectual property rights of others; |
• | estimates of our revenues, expenses, capital requirements, annual cash utilization, and our needs for additional capital or financing; |
• | the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings or regulatory agreements, deferrals, approvals, and other decisions; |
• | our ability to manage our liquidity needs to fund our operations or repay our recourse debt obligations; |
• | our financial performance; |
• | statements and projections regarding financial goals, including timing for achieving profitability or positive cash flow; |
• | our ability to remediate any material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting; and |
• | competitive companies, technologies, and our industry. |
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These statements relate to future events or to our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, those listed under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus, any subsequent prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein. Any forward-looking statement reflects our current views with respect to future events and is subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, industry and future growth. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available in the future.
Discussions containing these forward-looking statements are also included in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” incorporated by reference from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as any amendments we make to that filing and any future filings we make with the SEC.
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The following summary of our capital stock is based on and qualified in its entirety by reference to our Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), and our Amended and Restated By-Laws, as amended (the “Bylaws”), each of which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Authorized Capital Stock
Under the Certificate of Incorporation, we are currently authorized to issue up to 450,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. On February 23, 2024, there were 206,149,929 shares of common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding. The number of authorized shares of common stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the capital stock of the Company entitled to vote.
Common Stock
Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. There are no cumulative voting rights. Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote. Except as provided otherwise in the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, or the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), the holders of a majority of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy and voting on a matter shall decide any matter to be voted upon by the stockholders at a meeting.
Holders of our common stock have the right to receive dividends as and when declared by our Board of Directors (the “Board”) from funds legally available therefor, subject to any preferential dividend rights of any preferred stock then outstanding. We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock.
Upon our dissolution or liquidation, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive all assets legally available for distribution to stockholders, subject to any preferential rights of any preferred stock then outstanding. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive rights and have no rights to convert their common stock into any other securities. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. All outstanding shares of our common stock are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
Preferred Stock
Preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, each such series to have such terms as determined by the Board. The Board has the authority to determine and fix such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences, and relative participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, including without limitation dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges, and liquidation preferences, without further vote or action by our stockholders. We will distribute a prospectus supplement with regard to each particular series of preferred stock that will describe the terms and provisions of that series of preferred stock. The rights of the holders of any preferred stock that may be issued may adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock could make it more difficult for third parties to acquire a majority of our outstanding voting stock.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
Some provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, and DGCL may have the effect of delaying, discouraging, or preventing a change in control of us or changes in our management. Pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws:
• | the Board is authorized to issue “blank check” preferred stock without further stockholder approval; |
• | the Board is classified, with members thereof serving staggered three-year terms; |
• | stockholders may not cumulate votes in the election of directors; |
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• | vacancies on the Board may be filled only by the Board; |
• | stockholders may remove directors only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75 percent of the total number of votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all of the shares of our capital stock then entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (a “supermajority vote”); |
• | stockholders may take action only at a duly called meeting of the stockholders, and stockholders are not permitted to act by written consent; |
• | special meetings of stockholders may be called only by the Board; and |
• | stockholders must satisfy advance notice procedures to submit proposals or nominate directors for consideration at a stockholders meeting. |
A supermajority vote is required to amend Article NINTH and Article TENTH of the Certificate of Incorporation, which pertain to the number, classification, and removal of our directors, the creation and filling of vacancies on the Board, the requirement that actions of stockholders be taken at a duly called meeting and not by written consent, and the requirement that special meetings only be called by the Board.
In addition, we are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL. In general, the statute prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date that the person became an interested stockholder unless, with some exceptions, the business combination or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the stockholder, and an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years prior, did own) 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock. This provision may have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in control without further action by the stockholders.
Exclusive Forum for Certain Actions
The Bylaws provide that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, stockholders, employees, or agents to us or to our stockholders; (iii) any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors, officers, stockholders, employees, or agents arising out of or relating to any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation, or the Bylaws; or (iv) any action against us or any of our directors, officers, stockholders, employees, or agents governed by the internal affairs doctrine of the State of Delaware. The Bylaws provide that any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our common stock will be deemed to have notice of, and to have consented to, this choice of forum provision. This exclusive forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to choose its preferred judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees, or agents, which may discourage the filing of lawsuits with respect to such claims. This exclusive forum provision does not apply to establish the Delaware Court of Chancery as the forum for actions or proceedings brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
Depositary Shares
We may, at our option, elect to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we exercise this option, we will issue to the public receipts for depositary shares, and each of these depositary shares will represent a fraction, to be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, of a share of a particular series of preferred stock.
The shares of any series of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us. The depositary will have its principal office in the United States and a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock underlying the depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock underlying that depositary share. Those rights may include dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights.
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The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under a deposit agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares, in accordance with the terms of the offering. The following description of the material terms of the deposit agreement, the depositary shares and the depositary receipts is only a summary and you should refer to the forms of the deposit agreement and depositary receipts that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of the specific depositary shares.
Pending the preparation of definitive engraved depositary receipts, the depositary, upon our written order, may issue temporary depositary receipts substantially identical to the definitive depositary receipts but not in definitive form. These temporary depositary receipts would entitle their holders to all the rights of definitive depositary receipts. Temporary depositary receipts would be exchangeable for definitive depositary receipts at our expense.
Dividends and Other Distributions. The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received with respect to the underlying stock to the record holders of depositary shares in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders.
If there were a distribution other than in cash, the depositary would distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary shares that are entitled to receive the distribution, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution. If this occurs, the depositary, with our approval, would sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the applicable holders.
Withdrawal of Underlying Preferred Stock. Unless we provide otherwise in a prospectus supplement, holders may surrender depositary receipts at the principal office of the depositary and, upon payment of any unpaid amount due to the depositary, would be entitled to receive the number of whole shares of underlying preferred stock and all money and other property represented by the related depositary shares. We will not issue any partial shares of preferred stock. If the holder delivers depositary receipts evidencing a number of depositary shares that represent more than a whole number of shares of preferred stock, the depositary will issue a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares to that holder.
Redemption of Depositary Shares. If a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares were subject to redemption, the depositary shares would be redeemed from the proceeds received by the depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of that series of underlying stock held by the depositary. The redemption price per depositary share would be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to that series of underlying stock. Whenever we redeem shares of underlying stock that are held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem, as of the same redemption date, the number of depositary shares representing the shares of underlying stock so redeemed. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or proportionately, as may be determined by the depositary.
Voting. Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the underlying stock are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares underlying the preferred stock. Each record holder of the depositary shares on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the underlying stock, will be entitled to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of the underlying stock represented by that holder's depositary shares. The depositary will then try, as far as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock underlying those depositary shares in accordance with those instructions, and we will agree to take all actions which may be deemed necessary by the depositary to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote the underlying shares to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares underlying the preferred stock.
Conversion of Preferred Stock. If the prospectus supplement relating to the depositary shares provides that the deposited preferred stock is convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or preferred stock of another series of BioCryst or securities of any third party, the following will apply. The depositary shares, as such, will not be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of BioCryst or any third party. Rather, any holder of the depositary shares may surrender the related depositary receipts to the depositary with written instructions to instruct us to cause conversion or exchange of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares into or for whole shares of common stock or shares of another series of preferred stock of BioCryst or securities of the relevant third party, as applicable. Upon receipt of those instructions and any amounts payable by the holder in
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connection with the conversion or exchange, we will cause the conversion or exchange using the same procedures as those provided for conversion or exchange of the deposited preferred stock. If only some of the depositary shares are to be converted or exchanged, a new depositary receipt or receipts will be issued for any depositary shares not to be converted or exchanged.
Amendment and Termination of the Depositary Agreement. The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended at any time by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The deposit agreement may be terminated by us or by the depositary only if (a) all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or converted or exchanged for any other securities into which the underlying preferred stock is convertible or exchangeable or (b) there has been a final distribution of the underlying stock in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up and the underlying stock has been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts.
Charges of Depositary. We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will also pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the underlying stock and any redemption of the underlying stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and those other charges, including a fee for any permitted withdrawal of shares of underlying stock upon surrender of depositary receipts, as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.
Reports. The depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications from us that we deliver to the depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the underlying stock.
Limitation on Liability. Neither we nor the depositary will be liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our respective obligations under the deposit agreement. Our obligations and those of the depositary will be limited to performance in good faith of our respective duties under the deposit agreement. Neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or underlying stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. We and the depositary may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting underlying stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
Resignation and Removal of Depositary. The depositary may resign at any time by delivering notice to us of its election to resign. We may remove the depositary at any time. Any resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of the appointment. The successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.
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The following is a general description of the terms of the purchase contracts we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any purchase contracts we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such purchase contracts. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the purchase contracts will also be discussed in the applicable prospectus supplement. You should refer to the form of purchase contract and purchase certificate that we will file with the SEC in connection with the offering of the specific purchase contracts for more complete information.
We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to holders, shares of common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities at a future date. The consideration for such common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares or debt securities may be fixed at the time that the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the purchase contracts. Any purchase contract may include anti-dilution provisions to adjust the number of shares issuable pursuant to such purchase contract upon the occurrence of certain events.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any purchase contracts in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, including, to the extent applicable, the following:
• | whether the purchase contracts obligate the holder or us to purchase or sell, or both purchase and sell, the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract, and the nature and amount of each of those securities, or the method of determining those amounts; |
• | whether the purchase contracts are to be prepaid or not; |
• | whether the purchase contracts will be issued as part of a unit and, if so, the other securities comprising the unit; |
• | whether the purchase contracts are to be settled by delivery, or by reference or linkage to the value, performance, or level of the securities subject to purchase under the purchase contract; |
• | any acceleration, cancellation, termination, or other provisions relating to the settlement of the purchase contracts; and |
• | whether the purchase contracts will be issued in full registered or global form. |
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We may issue warrants to purchase our preferred stock, depositary shares, common stock or debt securities or any combination thereof. Warrants may be issued independently or together with any other securities in the form of units, and may be attached to, or separate from, such securities. The terms of any warrants to be issued and a description of the material provisions of the applicable warrant agreement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. You should refer to the form of warrant agreement and warrant that we file with the SEC in connection with the offering of the specific warrants for more complete information.
The prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any warrants being offered, including:
• | the title and the aggregate number of warrants; |
• | the price or prices at which the warrants will be issued; |
• | the currency or currencies in which the price of the warrants will be payable; |
• | the securities or other rights, including rights to receive payment in cash or securities based on the value, rate or price of one or more specified commodities, currencies, securities or indices, or any combination of the foregoing, purchasable upon exercise of the warrants; |
• | the price at which, and the currency or currencies in which, the securities or other rights purchasable upon exercise of such warrants may be purchased; |
• | the periods during which, and places at which, the warrants are exercisable; |
• | the date or dates on which the warrants shall commence and the date or dates on which the warrants will expire; |
• | the terms of any mandatory or optional call provisions; |
• | the price or prices, if any, at which the warrants may be redeemed at the option of the holder or will be redeemed upon expiration; |
• | whether the warrants will be sold separately or with other securities as part of a unit; |
• | if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security; |
• | if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable; |
• | any provisions for the adjustment of the number or amount of securities receivable upon exercise of warrants; |
• | the identity of the warrant agent; |
• | the exchanges, if any, on which the warrants may be listed; |
• | the maximum or minimum number of warrants which may be exercised at any time; |
• | if applicable, a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations; |
• | whether the warrants shall be issued in book-entry form; and |
• | any other terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants. |
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We may issue debt securities from time to time, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the indenture, we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.
We will issue the debt securities under an indenture to be entered into between us and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, or another trustee chosen by us that is qualified to act as such under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), and appointed under an indenture. The indenture will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act. We have filed the form of indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.
The following summary of material provisions of the debt securities and the indenture is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indenture that contains the terms of the debt securities.
General
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. It provides that we may issue debt securities up to the principal amount that we may authorize and may be in any currency or currency unit that we may designate. Except for the limitations on consolidation, merger and sale of all or substantially all of our assets contained in the indenture, the terms of the indenture do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to give holders of any debt securities protection against changes in our operations, financial condition or transactions involving us.
We may issue the debt securities issued under the indenture as “discount securities,” which means they may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. These debt securities, as well as other debt securities that are not issued at a discount, may be issued with “original issue discount,” or OID, for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of interest payment and other characteristics or terms of the debt securities. Material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities issued with OID will be described in more detail in any applicable prospectus supplement.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, including:
• | the title of the series of debt securities; |
• | any limit upon the aggregate principal amount that may be issued; |
• | the maturity date or dates; |
• | the form of the debt securities of the series; |
• | whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt; |
• | whether the debt securities rank as senior debt, senior subordinated debt, subordinated debt or any combination thereof, and the terms of any subordination; |
• | if the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal amount thereof) at which such debt securities will be issued is a price other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that is convertible into another security or the method by which any such portion shall be determined; |
• | the interest rate or rates, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates; |
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• | our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period; |
• | if applicable, the date or dates after which, or the period or periods during which, and the price or prices at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions; |
• | the date or dates, if any, on which, and the price or prices at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are payable; |
• | the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $2,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; |
• | any and all terms, if applicable, relating to any auction or remarketing of the debt securities of that series and any security for our obligations with respect to such debt securities and any other terms which may be advisable in connection with the marketing of debt securities of that series; |
• | whether the debt securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities; the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such global security or securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual securities; and the depositary for such global security or securities; |
• | if applicable, the provisions relating to conversion or exchange of any debt securities of the series and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the conversion or exchange price, as applicable, or how it will be calculated and may be adjusted, any mandatory or optional (at our option or the holders’ option) conversion or exchange features, the applicable conversion or exchange period and the manner of settlement for any conversion or exchange; |
• | if other than the full principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof; |
• | additions to or changes in the covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued, including, among others, the consolidation, merger or sale covenant; |
• | additions to or changes in the events of default with respect to the securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders to declare the principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, with respect to such securities to be due and payable; |
• | additions to or changes in or deletions of the provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance; |
• | additions to or changes in the provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture; |
• | additions to or changes in the provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture; |
• | the currency of payment of debt securities if other than U.S. dollars and the manner of determining the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars; |
• | whether interest will be payable in cash or additional debt securities at our or the holders’ option and the terms and conditions upon which the election may be made; |
• | the terms and conditions, if any, upon which we will pay amounts in addition to the stated interest, premium, if any and principal amounts of the debt securities of the series to any holder that is not a “United States person” for federal tax purposes; |
• | any restrictions on transfer, sale or assignment of the debt securities of the series; and |
• | any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, any other additions or changes in the provisions of the indenture, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations. |
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Events of Default and Remedies
Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, an event of default with respect to any series of debt securities will be defined in the indenture or applicable supplemental indenture or authorizing resolution as being:
• | our failure to pay interest on any debt security of such series when the same becomes due and payable and the continuance of any such failure for a period of 30 days; |
• | our failure to pay the principal or premium of any debt security of such series when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise; |
• | our failure or the failure of any restricted subsidiary to comply with any of its agreements or covenants in, or provisions of, the debt securities of such series or the indenture (as they relate thereto) and such failure continues for a period of 90 days after our receipt of notice of the default from the trustee or from the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series (except in the case of a default with respect to the provisions of the indenture regarding the consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets (or any other provision specified in the applicable supplemental indenture or authorizing resolution), which will constitute an event of default with notice but without passage of time); or |
• | certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur with respect to us. |
The indenture will provide that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of any series of debt securities of any default, except a default in payment of principal or interest, if any, with respect to such series of debt securities, if the trustee considers it in the interest of the holders of such series of debt securities to do so.
The indenture will provide that if any event of default has occurred and is continuing with respect to any series of debt securities, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of such series of debt securities then outstanding may declare the principal of all the debt securities of such series to be due and payable immediately. However, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding by notice to the trustee may waive any existing default and its consequences with respect to such series of debt securities, other than any event of default in payment of principal or interest. Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration with respect to such series and its consequences, except an acceleration due to nonpayment of principal or interest on such series, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing events of default with respect to such series have been cured or waived.
The holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the trustee with respect to such series, subject to limitations specified in the indenture.
Defeasance
The indenture will permit us to terminate all our respective obligations under the indenture as they relate to any particular series of debt securities, other than the obligation to pay interest, if any, on and the principal of the debt securities of such series and certain other obligations, at any time by:
• | depositing in trust with the trustee, under an irrevocable trust agreement, money or government obligations in an amount sufficient to pay principal of and interest, if any, on the debt securities of such series to their maturity or redemption; and |
• | complying with other conditions, including delivery to the trustee of an opinion of counsel to the effect that holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of our exercise of such right and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case otherwise. |
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The indenture will also permit us to terminate all of our respective obligations under the indenture as they relate to any particular series of debt securities, including the obligations to pay interest, if any, on and the principal of the debt securities of such series and certain other obligations, at any time by:
• | depositing in trust with the trustee, under an irrevocable trust agreement, money or government obligations in an amount sufficient to pay principal and interest, if any, on the debt securities of such series to their maturity or redemption; and |
• | complying with other conditions, including delivery to the trustee of an opinion of counsel to the effect that (A) we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (B) since the date such series of debt securities were originally issued, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel shall state that, holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of our exercise of such right and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case otherwise. |
In addition, the indenture will permit us to terminate substantially all our respective obligations under the indenture as they relate to a particular series of debt securities by depositing with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all principal and interest on such series at its maturity or redemption date if the debt securities of such series will become due and payable at maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year of the deposit.
Transfer and Exchange Rights
A holder will be able to transfer or exchange debt securities only in accordance with the indenture. The registrar may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the indenture.
Consolidation, Merger or Sale
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indenture will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. However, any successor to or acquirer of such assets (other than a subsidiary of ours) must assume all of our obligations under the indenture or the debt securities, as appropriate.
Amendment, Supplement and Waiver
Without notice to or the consent of any holder, we and the trustee may amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities of a series to:
• | cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency; |
• | comply with the provisions of the indenture regarding the consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets; |
• | provide that specific provisions of the indenture shall not apply to a series of debt securities not previously issued or to make a change to specific provisions of the indenture that only applies to any series of debt securities not previously issued or to additional debt securities of a series not previously issued; |
• | create a series and establish its terms; |
• | provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities; |
• | release a guarantor in respect of any series of debt securities which, in accordance with the terms of the indenture applicable to the particular series, ceases to be liable in respect of its guarantee; |
• | add a guarantor subsidiary in respect of any series of debt securities; |
• | secure any series of debt securities; |
• | comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; |
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• | make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder; or |
• | conform the provisions of the indenture to the final offering document in respect of any series of debt securities. |
With the exceptions discussed below, we and the trustee may amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities of a particular series with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding. In addition, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding may waive any existing default under, or compliance with, any provision of the debt securities of a particular series or of the indenture relating to a particular series of debt securities, other than any event of default in payment of interest or principal. These consents and waivers may be obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities.
Without the consent of each holder affected, we and the trustee may not:
• | reduce the amount of debt securities of such series whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver; |
• | reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest, including defaulted interest; |
• | reduce the principal of or extend the fixed maturity of any debt security or alter the provisions with respect to redemptions or mandatory offers to repurchase debt securities; |
• | make any change that adversely affects any right of a holder to convert or exchange any debt security into or for shares of our common shares or other securities, cash or other property in accordance with the terms of such security; |
• | modify the ranking or priority of the debt securities; |
• | make any change to any provision of the indenture relating to the waiver of existing defaults, the rights of holders to receive payment of principal and interest on the debt securities, or to the provisions regarding amending or supplementing the indenture or the debt securities of a particular series with the written consent of the holders of such series; |
• | waive a continuing default or event of default in the payment of principal of or interest on the debt securities; or |
• | make any debt security payable at a place or in money other than that stated in the debt security, or impair the right of any holder of a debt security to bring suit as permitted by the indenture. |
The right of any holder to participate in any consent required or sought pursuant to any provision of the indenture, and our obligation to obtain any such consent otherwise required from such holder, may be subject to the requirement that such holder shall have been the holder of record of debt securities with respect to which such consent is required or sought as of a record date fixed by us in accordance with the indenture.
Governing Law
The laws of the State of New York will govern the indenture and the debt securities.
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We may issue units consisting of one or more of the other securities described in this prospectus in any combination, as described in a prospectus supplement. We may issue units in one or more series, which will be described in a prospectus supplement. We will issue the units or hybrid securities under one or more unit agreements, each referred to as a unit agreement, to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as unit agent. You should refer to the form of unit agreement and unit certificate that we file with the SEC in connection with the offering of the specific units for more complete information.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe:
• | the designation and the terms of the units and of the securities constituting the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be traded separately; |
• | any additional terms of the governing unit agreement; |
• | any additional provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the preferred stock, common stock, stock purchase contracts, depositary shares, warrants or debt securities constituting the units; and |
• | any applicable U.S. federal income tax consequences. |
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We may sell the securities being offered hereby at prices and under terms then prevailing, at prices related to the then current market price or in negotiated transactions from time to time in one or more of the following ways:
• | directly to one or more purchasers; |
• | through one or more underwriters on a firm commitment or best-efforts basis; |
• | through broker-dealers, who may act as agents or principals, including a block trade in which a broker or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; |
• | through agents; |
• | through remarketing firms; |
• | in privately negotiated transactions; or |
• | in any combination of these methods of sale. |
We will set forth in a prospectus supplement the terms of the offering of securities, including:
• | the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents; |
• | the number of securities and purchase price of the securities being offered and the proceeds we will receive from the sale; |
• | any underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation; |
• | any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us; |
• | any delayed delivery arrangements; |
• | any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers; and |
• | any securities exchange on which the securities may be listed. |
The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
We may designate agents who agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment or to sell securities on a continuing basis. Agents may receive compensation in the form of commissions, discounts or concessions from us. Agents may also receive compensation from the purchasers of the securities for whom they sell as principals. Each particular agent will receive compensation in amounts negotiated in connection with the sale, which might be in excess of customary commissions. Agents and any other participating broker-dealers may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act in connection with sales of the securities. Accordingly, any commission, discount or concession received by them and any profit on the resale of the securities purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. We have not entered into any agreements, understandings or arrangements with any underwriters or broker-dealers regarding the sale of their securities. As of the date of this prospectus, there are no special selling arrangements between any broker-dealer or other person and us. No period of time has been fixed within which the securities will be offered or sold.
If required under applicable state securities laws, we will sell the securities only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states, we may not sell securities unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and complied with.
If we use underwriters for a sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting
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agreement. We may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions the underwriters allow or re-allow or pay to dealers. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe in the prospectus supplement naming the underwriter the nature of any such relationship.
We may use a remarketing firm to offer to sell the securities in connection with a remarketing arrangement upon their purchase. Remarketing firms will act as principals for their own account or as agents for us. These remarketing firms will offer or sell the securities pursuant to the terms of the securities. A prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and will describe the remarketing firm’s compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities they remarket.
If we offer and sell securities through a dealer, we or an underwriter will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. Any such dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter of the securities so offered and sold. The name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may also sell securities directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
We will identify in the applicable prospectus supplement any underwriters, dealers or agents and will describe their compensation. We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against specified civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.
We may authorize agents, dealers or underwriters to solicit offers to purchase securities at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. The terms of these delayed delivery contracts, including when payment for and delivery of the securities sold will be made under the contracts and any conditions to each party’s performance set forth in the contracts, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The compensation received by underwriters, agents or dealers soliciting purchases of securities under delayed delivery contracts will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
We may enter into derivative or other hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in the related prospectus supplement, all securities we offer, other than common stock, will be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters may make a market in these securities, but will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We may apply to list any series of securities on an exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to the liquidity of, or the trading market for, any series of securities.
Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by
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the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time. These transactions may be effected on The Nasdaq Global Select Market or otherwise.
Any underwriters who are qualified market makers on The Nasdaq Global Select Market may engage in passive market making transactions in the common stock on The Nasdaq Global Select Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M, during the business day before the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the common stock. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded.
We will bear all costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration of the securities, as well as the expense of all commissions and discounts, if any, attributable to sales of the securities by us.
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Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP has rendered an opinion with respect to the validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus. We have filed this opinion as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. If counsel for any underwriters passes on legal matters in connection with an offering made by this prospectus, we will name that counsel in the prospectus supplement relating to that offering.
Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, as set forth in their reports, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement. Our financial statements and our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 are incorporated by reference in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP's reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
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We file electronically with the SEC our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and other information. We make available on or through our website, http://www.biocryst.com, free of charge, copies of these filings as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file them with or furnish them to the SEC. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You can also request copies of such documents by contacting our Investor Relations Department at 4505 Emperor Blvd., Suite 200, Durham, North Carolina 27703 or sending an email to investorrelations@biocryst.com.
The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information about issuers, like BioCryst, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov. Unless specifically listed below under “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference,” the information contained on the SEC website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 that registers the securities we are offering. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits and schedules, contains additional relevant information about us and our securities. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit certain information included in the registration statement from this prospectus.
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, except for any information that is superseded by information that is included directly in this document.
This prospectus includes by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC and that are not included in or delivered with this document. They contain important information about us and our financial condition.
• | Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2024; |
• | The information specifically incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 from our Definitive Proxy Statement (other than information furnished rather than filed) for our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 27, 2023; |
• | Our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 18, 2024; and |
• | The description of our common stock that is contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 000-23186) filed with the SEC on January 7, 1994, together with the amendment thereto filed with the SEC on March 14, 1994, as updated by the description of our common stock filed as Exhibit 4.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2021, and any other amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
All documents filed by us pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act on or after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of our offering of securities shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part of this prospectus from the date of filing of such documents, excluding any information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
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You can obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus from us without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference as an exhibit to this prospectus. You can obtain documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus at no cost by requesting them in writing or by telephone from us at the following address:
Investor Relations
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
4505 Emperor Blvd., Suite 200
Durham, North Carolina 27703
(919) 859-1302
We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurances as to the reliability of, any information other than the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not extend to you.
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BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Stock Purchase Contracts
Warrants
Debt Securities
Units
PROSPECTUS
February 27, 2024
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. | OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION. |
The following table sets forth all expenses payable by the registrant in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities, other than underwriting discounts and commissions. The registrant will bear all of such expenses. All the amounts shown are estimates except the registration fee.
Registration fee | | | $ * |
Accounting fees and expenses | | | ** |
Legal fees and expenses | | | ** |
Printing and engraving | | | ** |
Miscellaneous | | | ** |
Total | | | $ ** |
* | Deferred in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933. |
** | These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time. |
ITEM 15. | INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. |
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) sets forth the circumstances in which a Delaware corporation is permitted and/or required to indemnify its directors and officers. The DGCL permits a corporation to indemnify its directors and officers in certain proceedings if the director or officer has complied with the standard of conduct set out in the DGCL. The standard of conduct requires that the director or officer must have acted in good faith, in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to matters in a criminal proceeding, the director or officer must have had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. With respect to suits by or in the right of the corporation, the DGCL permits indemnification of directors and officers if the person meets the standard of conduct, except that it precludes indemnification of directors and officers who are adjudged liable to the corporation, unless the Court of Chancery or the court in which the corporation’s action or suit was brought determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for expenses. To the extent that a present or former director or officer of the corporation is successful on the merits or otherwise in his or her defense of a proceeding, the corporation is required to indemnify the director or officer against reasonable expenses incurred in defending himself or herself. The rights provided in Section 145 of the DGCL are not exclusive, and the corporation may also provide for indemnification under bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
The registrant’s Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), and its Amended and Restated By-Laws, as amended (the “Bylaws”) provide for indemnification of any director or officer who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer of the registrant, or is or was serving, or agreed to serve, at the request of the registrant, as a director, officer or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including any employee benefit plan), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person or on such person’s behalf in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. The registrant shall not indemnify any person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding or part thereof initiated by such person unless the initiation was approved by the Board of Directors of the registrant. The Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws further provide for permissible indemnification of employees and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by the DGCL and the Certificate of Incorporation with respect to directors and officers.
Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL provides that a corporation may relieve its directors or officers from personal liability to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of their fiduciary duty as directors or officers except for (i) a breach of the duty of loyalty; (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith
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or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) with respect to directors, willful or negligent violations of certain provisions in the DGCL imposing certain requirements with respect to stock repurchases, redemptions and dividends; (iv) for any transactions from which the director derived an improper personal benefit; or (v) with respect to officers, in any action by or in the right of the corporation. The registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation provides that no directors of the registrant shall be liable to the registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL.
In addition, the registrant currently maintains liability insurance for its directors and officers insuring them against certain liabilities asserted against them in their capacities as directors or officers or arising out of such status.
The indemnification provisions noted above may be sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of the registrant’s officers and directors for liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
ITEM 16. | EXHIBITS. |
Exhibit No. | | | Description |
1.1* | | | Form of Underwriting Agreement. |
| | | Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed December 22, 2006 (File No. 000-23186). | |
| | | Certificate of Amendment to the Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed July 24, 2007 (File No. 000-23186). | |
| | | Certificate of Amendment to the Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed May 7, 2014 (File No. 000-23186). | |
| | | Certificate of Elimination of the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed May 13, 2020 (File No. 000-23186). | |
| | | Certificate of Amendment to the Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed May 13, 2020 (File No. 000-23186). | |
| | | Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company, effective January 16, 2024. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed January 18, 2024 (File No. 000-23186). | |
| | | Specimen Certificate for Registrant’s Common Stock. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Form S-3 filed November 28, 2008 (File No. 333-155783). | |
| | | Form of Indenture. | |
4.9* | | | Form of Supplemental Indenture or Officers’ Certificate. |
4.10* | | | Form of Global Debt Security. |
4.11* | | | Certificate of Designation of Preferred Stock. |
4.12* | | | Form of Warrant Agreement (including form of Warrant). |
4.13* | | | Form of Deposit Agreement with respect to Depositary Shares (including form of Depositary Receipt). |
4.14* | | | Form of Purchase Contract (including form of Purchase Certificate). |
4.15* | | | Form of Unit Agreement (including form of Unit Certificate). |
| | | Opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. | |
| | | Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. | |
| | | Consent of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1). | |
| | | Power of Attorney (included on the signature page of this Registration Statement). | |
| | | Statement of eligibility of trustee for debt securities on Form T-1. | |
| | | Filing Fee Table |
* | To be filed by amendment hereto or pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be incorporated herein by reference. |
( ) | Filed herewith. |
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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: |
(a) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; |
(b) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and |
(c) | 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)(a), (1)(b) and (1)(c) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, 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 to any purchaser: |
(a) | Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
(b) | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
II-3
(5) | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: |
(a) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
(b) | 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; |
(c) | 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 |
(d) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
(6) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(7) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions described in Item 15, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the 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. |
(8) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Act. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Durham, State of North Carolina, on February 27, 2024.
| | | BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | ||||
| | | | | |||
| | | By: | | | /s/ Jon P. Stonehouse | |
| | | | | Jon P. Stonehouse | ||
| | | | | President and Chief Executive Officer | ||
Each of the undersigned officers and directors of BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. hereby severally constitutes and appoints Jon P. Stonehouse, Anthony Doyle, and Alane Barnes, and each of them singly, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agent, with full power to them and each of them singly, with full and several power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign for him or her in his or her name in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission; granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to perform any other act on behalf of the undersigned required to be done in the premises, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them or their substitutes or resubstitutes, lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on February 27, 2024.
Name | | | Title |
/s/ Jon P. Stonehouse | | | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
Jon P. Stonehouse | | ||
| | | ||
/s/ Anthony J. Doyle | | | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Interim Principal Accounting Officer) |
Anthony J. Doyle | | ||
| | | ||
/s/ George B. Abercrombie | | | Director |
George B. Abercrombie | | ||
| | | ||
/s/ Stephen J. Aselage | | | Director |
Stephen J. Aselage | | ||
| | | ||
/s/ Steven K. Galson, M.D. | | | Director |
Steven K. Galson, M.D. | | ||
| | | ||
/s/ Theresa M. Heggie | | | Director |
Theresa M. Heggie | | ||
| | | ||
/s/ Nancy J. Hutson, Ph.D. | | | Director |
Nancy J. Hutson, Ph.D. | | ||
| | | ||
/s/ Alan G. Levin | | | Director |
Alan G. Levin | | ||
| | |
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Name | | | Title |
/s/ Amy E. McKee, M.D. | | | Director |
Amy E. McKee, M.D. | | ||
| | | ||
/s/ Vincent J. Milano | | | Director |
Vincent J. Milano | | ||
| | | ||
/s/ Machelle Sanders | | | Director |
Machelle Sanders | |
II-6
Exhibit 4.8
EXECUTION VERSION
BIOCRYST PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Debt Securities
Indenture
Dated as of [___]
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
This Cross-Reference Table is not a part of the Indenture
| TIA Section | Indenture Section |
| 310(a)(1) | 7.10 |
| (a)(2) | 7.10 |
| (a)(3) | N.A. |
| (a)(4) | N.A. |
| (b) | 7.08; 7.10; 12.02 |
| 311(a) | 7.11 |
| (b) | 7.11 |
| (c) | N.A. |
| 312(a) | 2.05 |
| (b) | 12.03 |
| (c) | 12.03 |
| 313(a) | 7.06 |
| (b)(1) | N.A. |
| (b)(2) | 7.06 |
| (c) | 12.02 |
| (d) | 7.06 |
| 314(a) | 4.03; 12.02 |
| (b) | N.A. |
| (c)(1) | 12.04 |
| (c)(2) | 12.04 |
| (c)(3) | N.A. |
| (d) | N.A. |
| (e) | 12.05 |
| 315(a) | 7.01(b) |
| (b) | 7.05; 12.02 |
| (c) | 7.01(a) |
| (d) | 7.01(c) |
| (e) | 6.11 |
| 316(a)(last sentence) | 12.06 |
| (a)(1)(A) | 6.05 |
| (a)(1)(B) | 6.04 |
| (a)(2) | N.A. |
| (b) | 6.07 |
| 317(a)(1) | 6.08 |
| (a)(2) | 6.09 |
| (b)d | 2.04 |
| 318(a) | 12.01 |
N.A. means Not Applicable.
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Table of Contents is not a part of the Indenture
| Page | |||
| ARTICLE ONE | |||
| DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE | |||
| Section 1.01 | Definitions | 1 | |
| Section 1.02 | Other Definitions | 4 | |
| Section 1.03 | Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act | 5 | |
| Section 1.04 | Rules of Construction | 5 | |
| ARTICLE TWO | |||
| THE SECURITIES | |||
| Section 2.01 | Form and Dating | 6 | |
| Section 2.02 | Execution and Authentication | 8 | |
| Section 2.03 | Registrar and Paying Agent | 9 | |
| Section 2.04 | Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust | 9 | |
| Section 2.05 | Securityholder Lists | 9 | |
| Section 2.06 | Transfer and Exchange | 10 | |
| Section 2.07 | Replacement Securities | 10 | |
| Section 2.08 | Outstanding Securities | 10 | |
| Section 2.09 | Temporary Securities | 11 | |
| Section 2.10 | Cancellation | 11 | |
| Section 2.11 | Defaulted Interest | 11 | |
| Section 2.12 | Treasury Securities | 11 | |
| Section 2.13 | CUSIP/ISIN Numbers | 12 | |
| Section 2.14 | Deposit of Moneys | 12 | |
| Section 2.15 | Book-Entry Provisions for Global Security | 12 | |
| Section 2.16 | No Duty to Monitor | 14 | |
| ARTICLE THREE | |||
| REDEMPTION | |||
| Section 3.01 | Notices to Trustee | 14 | |
| Section 3.02 | Selection of Securities to be Redeemed | 15 | |
| Section 3.03 | Notice of Redemption | 15 | |
| Section 3.04 | Effect of Notice of Redemption | 16 | |
| Section 3.05 | Deposit of Redemption Price | 16 | |
| Section 3.06 | Securities Redeemed in Part | 16 | |
| ARTICLE FOUR | |||
| COVENANTS | |||
| Section 4.01 | Payment of Securities | 17 | |
| Section 4.02 | Maintenance of Office or Agency | 17 | |
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
| Page | |||
| Section 4.03 | Compliance Certificate | 17 | |
| Section 4.04 | Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws | 17 | |
| ARTICLE FIVE | |||
| SUCCESSOR CORPORATION | |||
| Section 5.01 | Company May Merge, etc. | 18 | |
| ARTICLE SIX | |||
| DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | |||
| Section 6.01 | Events of Default | 18 | |
| Section 6.02 | Acceleration | 19 | |
| Section 6.03 | Other Remedies | 20 | |
| Section 6.04 | Waiver of Existing Defaults | 20 | |
| Section 6.05 | Control by Majority | 20 | |
| Section 6.06 | Limitation on Suits | 21 | |
| Section 6.07 | Rights of Holders to Receive Payment | 21 | |
| Section 6.08 | Collection Suit by Trustee | 21 | |
| Section 6.09 | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 21 | |
| Section 6.10 | Priorities | 22 | |
| Section 6.11 | Undertaking for Costs | 22 | |
| ARTICLE SEVEN | |||
| TRUSTEE | |||
| Section 7.01 | Duties of Trustee | 22 | |
| Section 7.02 | Rights of Trustee | 24 | |
| Section 7.03 | Individual Rights of Trustee | 25 | |
| Section 7.04 | Trustee’s Disclaimer | 25 | |
| Section 7.05 | Notice of Defaults | 26 | |
| Section 7.06 | Reports by Trustee to Holders | 26 | |
| Section 7.07 | Compensation and Indemnity | 26 | |
| Section 7.08 | Replacement of Trustee | 27 | |
| Section 7.09 | Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. | 27 | |
| Section 7.10 | Eligibility; Disqualification | 28 | |
| Section 7.11 | Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company | 28 | |
| ARTICLE EIGHT | |||
| DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE | |||
| Section 8.01 | Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or Government Obligations | 28 | |
| Section 8.02 | Survival of the Company’s Obligations | 31 | |
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
| Page | |||
| Section 8.03 | Application of Trust Money | 31 | |
| Section 8.04 | Repayment to the Company | 31 | |
| Section 8.05 | Reinstatement | 31 | |
| ARTICLE NINE | |||
| RESERVED | |||
| ARTICLE TEN | |||
| AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS | |||
| Section 10.01 | Without Consent of Holders | 32 | |
| Section 10.02 | With Consent of Holders | 33 | |
| Section 10.03 | Compliance with Trust Indenture Act | 34 | |
| Section 10.04 | Revocation and Effect of Consents | 34 | |
| Section 10.05 | Notation on or Exchange of Securities | 35 | |
| Section 10.06 | Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc. | 35 | |
| ARTICLE ELEVEN | |||
| SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES | |||
| Section 11.01 | Applicability of Article | 35 | |
| ARTICLE TWELVE | |||
| MISCELLANEOUS | |||
| Section 12.01 | Trust Indenture Act Controls | 36 | |
| Section 12.02 | Notices | 36 | |
| Section 12.03 | Communications by Holders with Other Holders | 37 | |
| Section 12.04 | Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 37 | |
| Section 12.05 | Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 38 | |
| Section 12.06 | Rules by Trustee and Agents | 38 | |
| Section 12.07 | Legal Holidays | 38 | |
| Section 12.08 | Governing Law | 38 | |
| Section 12.09 | No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements | 38 | |
| Section 12.10 | No Recourse Against Others | 38 | |
| Section 12.11 | Successors and Assigns | 39 | |
| Section 12.12 | Duplicate Originals | 39 | |
| Section 12.13 | Severability | 39 | |
| Section 12.14 | Waiver of Jury Trial | 39 | |
| SIGNATURES | |||
iv
INDENTURE dated as of [___], (the “Base Indenture”), by and among BIOCRYST PHARMACEUTICALS, INC., a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns, the “Company”), and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other party and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company’s debt securities issued under this Base Indenture:
Article
One
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
| Section 1.01 | Definitions. |
“Affiliate” means, when used with reference to a specified person, any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Person specified.
“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-Registrar or agent for service of notices and demands.
“Authorizing Resolution” means a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors or by an Officer or committee of Officers pursuant to delegation by the Board of Directors authorizing a Series of Securities which shall be delivered to the Trustee.
“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee thereof.
“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of or in such Person’s capital stock or other equity interests.
“control” means, when used with respect to any Person, the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
“Default” means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Definitive Security” means a certificated Security registered in the name of the Securityholder thereof.
1
“Depositary” means, with respect to Securities of any Series which the Company shall determine will be issued in whole or in part as a Global Security, DTC, another clearing agency, or any successor registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act, and any other applicable U.S. or foreign statute or regulation, which, in each case, shall be designated by the Company pursuant to Section 2.01.
“Dollars” and “$” mean United States Dollars.
“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Foreign Currency” means any currency, currency unit or composite currency, including, without limitation, the euro, issued by the government of one or more countries other than the United States of America or by any recognized confederation or association of such governments and reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the accounting standards codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such or any other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, as in effect on the date of this Base Indenture.
“Global Security” means, with respect to any Series of Securities, a Security executed by the Company and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with the Indenture, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee.
“Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States or the other government or governments in the confederation which issued the Foreign Currency in which the principal of or any interest on the Security of the applicable Series shall be payable, in each case for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States or such other government or governments, in each case the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States or such other government or governments, which, in either case are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer or issuers thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligations or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depositary receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.
“Holder” or “Securityholder” means the Person in whose name a Security is registered on the Registrar’s books.
2
“Indenture” means this Base Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time, including pursuant to any Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture pertaining to any Series, and including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture, the provisions of the TIA that are deemed to be a part of and govern this Base Indenture and any such Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture, respectively.
“Issue Date” means, with respect to any Series of Securities, the date on which the Securities of such Series are originally issued under this Indenture.
“NYUCC” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect from time to time.
“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Controller or the Secretary of the Company.
“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer of the Company.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, from legal counsel. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 12.05 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
“principal” of a debt security means the principal of the security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on the security.
“Property” of any Person means all types of real, personal, tangible, intangible or mixed property owned by such Person, whether or not included in the most recent consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries under GAAP.
“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company which is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency performing the duties now assigned to it under the TIA.
“Securities” means any Securities that are issued under this Base Indenture.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Series” means a series of Securities established under this Base Indenture.
“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company which would constitute a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Rule 1.02 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
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“Subsidiary” of any Person means any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the Capital Stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such entity or other persons performing similar functions is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person.
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect from time to time, except as otherwise provided herein.
“Trustee” means the party named as such in this Base Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to this Base Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean only the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.
“Trust Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, senior associate, associate, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.
“United States” means the United States of America.
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Series, any Subsidiary of the Company (1) so designated by a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company as provided below and (2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, subject, in each case, to such conditions as may be stated in the supplemental indenture or specified in the Authorizing Resolution with respect to such Series.
| Section 1.02 | Other Definitions. |
| Term | Defined in Section | |
| Agent Members | 2.15 | |
| Base Indenture | Preamble | |
| Business Day | 12.07 | |
| Company | Preamble | |
| Covenant Defeasance | 8.01(c) | |
| Custodian | 6.01 | |
| Event of Default | 6.01 | |
| Legal Defeasance | 8.01(b) | |
| Legal Holiday | 12.07 | |
| Paying Agent | 2.03 | |
| Registrar | 2.03 | |
| Security Register | 2.03 | |
| Successor | 5.01 | |
| Trustee | Preamble |
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| Section 1.03 | Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. |
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“Commission” means the SEC.
“indenture securities” means the Securities of a particular Series.
“indenture security holder” means a Securityholder.
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.
“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of a Series.
All other TIA terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the meanings so assigned to them.
| Section 1.04 | Rules of Construction. |
Unless the context otherwise requires:
| (1) | a term has the meaning assigned to it herein; |
| (2) | an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP and all accounting determinations shall be made in accordance with GAAP; |
| (3) | “or” is not exclusive and “including” means “including without limitation”; |
| (4) | words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular; |
| (5) | “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and other words of similar import, refer to this Indenture as a whole (including any Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture relating to the relevant Series) and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; |
| (6) | all exhibits are incorporated by reference herein and expressly made a part of this Indenture; and |
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| (7) | any transaction or event shall be considered “permitted by” or made “in accordance with” or “in compliance with” this Indenture or any particular provision thereof if such transaction or event is not expressly prohibited by this Indenture or such provision, as the case may be. |
Article
Two
THE SECURITIES
| Section 2.01 | Form and Dating. |
The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be issued under this Base Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more Series. Each Series shall be created by an Authorizing Resolution or a supplemental indenture that establishes the terms of the Series, which may include the following:
| (1) | the title of the Series; |
| (2) | the aggregate principal amount (or any limit on the aggregate principal amount) of the Series and, if any Securities of a Series are to be issued at a discount from their face amount, the method of computing the accretion of such discount; |
| (3) | the interest rate or method of calculation of the interest rate; |
| (4) | the date from which interest will accrue; |
| (5) | the record dates for interest payable on Securities of the Series; |
| (6) | the dates when, places where and manner in which principal and interest are payable; |
| (7) | the Registrar and Paying Agent; |
| (8) | the terms of any mandatory (including any sinking fund requirements) or optional redemption by the Company; |
| (9) | the terms of any redemption at the option of Holders; |
| (10) | the permissible denominations in which Securities of such Series are issuable, if different from $2,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; |
| (11) | whether Securities of such Series will be issued in registered or bearer form and the terms of any such forms of Securities; |
| (12) | whether the Securities of the Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities, the terms and conditions, if different from those contained in this Base Indenture, upon which such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for Definitive Securities; the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities; the form of any legend or legends, if any, to be borne by any such Global Security or Securities in addition to or in lieu of the legends referred to in Section 2.15; |
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| (13) | the currency or currencies (including any composite currency) in which principal or interest or both may be paid; |
| (14) | if payments of principal or interest may be made in a currency other than that in which Securities of such Series are denominated, the manner for determining such payments, including the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the currency in which such Securities are denominated and the currency in which such Securities or any of them may be paid, and any deletions from or modifications of or additions to the terms of this Indenture to provide for or to facilitate the issuance of Securities denominated or payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof or otherwise, in a Foreign Currency; |
| (15) | provisions for electronic issuance of Securities or issuance of Securities of such Series in uncertificated form; |
| (16) | any Events of Default, covenants and/or defined terms in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in this Base Indenture; |
| (17) | whether and upon what terms Securities of such Series may be defeased or discharged if different from the provisions set forth in this Base Indenture; |
| (18) | the form of the Securities of such Series; |
| (19) | any terms that may be required by or advisable under applicable law; |
| (20) | the percentage of the principal amount of the Securities of such Series which is payable if the maturity of the Securities of such Series is accelerated in the case of Securities issued at a discount from their face amount; |
| (21) | whether Securities of such Series will or will not have the benefit of guarantees and the Company’s Subsidiaries that will be the initial guarantors of such Series and, if applicable, the terms and conditions upon which such guarantees may be subordinated to other indebtedness of the respective guarantors; |
| (22) | whether the Securities of such Series are senior or subordinated debt securities, and if subordinated debt securities, the terms of such subordination; |
| (23) | whether the Securities of the Series will be convertible into or exchangeable for other Securities, common shares or other securities of any kind of the Company or another obligor, and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate or the method of calculation, how and when the conversion price or exchange ratio may be adjusted, whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at the Company’s option, the conversion or exchange period, and any other provision in relation thereto; and |
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| (24) | any other terms in addition to or different from those contained in this Base Indenture applicable to such Series. |
All Securities of one Series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a Series may be reopened for issuances of additional Securities of such Series pursuant to an Authorizing Resolution, an Officer’s Certificate or in any indenture supplemental hereto.
The creation and issuance of a Series and the authentication and delivery thereof are not subject to any conditions precedent.
| Section 2.02 | Execution and Authentication. |
One Officer shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.
A Security shall not be valid until the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Base Indenture.
At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Trustee shall authenticate Securities for original issue upon receipt of, and shall be fully protected in relying upon:
(a) An order to the Trustee signed by an officer of the Company directing the Trustee to authenticate the Securities;
(b) a copy of the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors in or pursuant to which the terms and form of the Securities were established, certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect as of the date of such certificate, and if the terms and form of such Securities are established by an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to general authorization of the Board of Directors, such Officer’s Certificate;
(c) an Officer’s Certificate of the Company delivered in accordance with Section 12.04; and
(d) an Opinion of Counsel delivered in accordance with Section 12.04, and that states that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
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The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities under this Section if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders.
| Section 2.03 | Registrar and Paying Agent. |
The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or where Securities of a Series that are convertible or exchangeable may be surrendered for conversion or exchange (“Registrar”), an office or agency where Securities may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”) and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange (the “Security Register”). The Company may have one or more co-Registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.
The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this Base Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such Agent and the Trustee shall have the right to inspect the Securities Register at all reasonable times to obtain copies thereof, and the Trustee shall have the right to rely upon such register as to the names and addresses of the Holders and the principal amounts and certificate numbers thereof. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent or fails to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as such.
The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent.
| Section 2.04 | Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. |
Each Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Securityholders and the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Securities, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon doing so the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money.
| Section 2.05 | Securityholder Lists. |
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least five (5) Business Days before each semiannual interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Securityholders.
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| Section 2.06 | Transfer and Exchange. |
Where a Security is presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the other provisions of this Section 2.06 are satisfied. Where Securities are presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met. To permit transfers and exchanges, the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request. The Registrar need not transfer or exchange any Security selected for redemption or repurchase, except the unredeemed or repurchased part thereof if the Security is redeemed or repurchased in part, or transfer or exchange any Securities for a period of 15 days before a selection of Securities to be redeemed or repurchased, or between a record date and related payment date. Any exchange or transfer shall be without charge, except that the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto except in the case of exchanges pursuant to 2.09, 3.06, or 10.05 not involving any transfer.
Any Holder of a Global Security shall, by acceptance of such Global Security, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Security may be effected only through a book entry system maintained by the Holder of such Global Security (or its agent), and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the Security shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.
| Section 2.07 | Replacement Securities. |
If the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been lost, destroyed, mutilated or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and execute a replacement security and, upon written request of any Officer of the Company, the Trustee shall authenticate such replacement Security. If any such lost, destroyed, mutilated or wrongfully taken Security shall have matured or shall be about to mature, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Security therefor, pay such Security without requiring (except in the case of a mutilated Security) the surrender thereof. An indemnity bond must be sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Trustee to protect the Company, the Trustee and any Agent from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced, including the acquisition of such Security by a bona fide purchaser. The Company and the Trustee may charge for its expenses in replacing a Security.
| Section 2.08 | Outstanding Securities. |
Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it and those described in this Section. A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or one of its Affiliates holds the Security.
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to the Company that the replaced Security is held by a “protected purchaser” (as such term is defined in the NYUCC).
If the Paying Agent holds on a redemption date, purchase date or maturity date money sufficient to pay Securities payable on that date, then on and after that date such Securities shall cease to be outstanding and interest on them shall cease to accrue.
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Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
| Section 2.09 | Temporary Securities. |
Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and, upon surrender for cancellation of the temporary Security, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities authenticated and delivered hereunder.
| Section 2.10 | Cancellation. |
The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, redemption, purchase or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel and dispose of such cancelled or tendered securities, or retain in accordance with its standard retention policy, all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, redemption, purchase, payment or cancellation. Unless the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture so provides, the Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that it has previously paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
| Section 2.11 | Defaulted Interest. |
If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities of any Series, it shall pay the defaulted interest plus any interest payable on the defaulted interest to the persons who are Securityholders of such Series on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix such special record date and a payment date which shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. At least 15 days before such special record date, the Company shall send to each Securityholder of the relevant Series a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid. On or before the date such notice is sent, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the amount of defaulted interest to be so paid. The Company may pay defaulted interest in any other lawful manner if, after written notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
| Section 2.12 | Treasury Securities. |
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities of a Series have concurred in any direction, waiver, consent or notice, Securities owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates shall be considered as though they are not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which a Trust Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so considered.
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| Section 2.13 | CUSIP/ISIN Numbers. |
The Company in issuing the Securities of any Series may use a “CUSIP” and/or “ISIN” or other similar number, and if so, the Trustee shall use the CUSIP and/or ISIN or other similar number in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders of such Securities; provided that no representation is hereby deemed to be made by the Trustee as to the correctness or accuracy of any such CUSIP and/or ISIN or other similar number printed in the notice or on such Securities, and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on such Securities. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in any CUSIP and/or ISIN or other similar number.
| Section 2.14 | Deposit of Moneys. |
Prior to 11:00 a.m. New York City time on each interest payment date and maturity date with respect to each Series of Securities, the Company shall have deposited with the Paying Agent in immediately available funds money in the applicable currency sufficient to make cash payments due on such interest payment date or maturity date, as the case may be, in a timely manner which permits the Paying Agent to remit payment to the Holders of such Series on such interest payment date or maturity date, as the case may be.
| Section 2.15 | Book-Entry Provisions for Global Security. |
(a) Any Global Security of a Series initially shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of such Depositary, (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depositary and (iii) bear any required legends.
Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Security.
(b) Transfers of any Global Security shall be limited to transfers in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in the Global Security may be transferred or exchanged for Definitive Securities in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary. In addition, Definitive Securities shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Security if (i) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Security and a successor depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice or (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from the Depositary to issue Definitive Securities.
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(c) In connection with any transfer or exchange of a portion of the beneficial interest in any Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b), the Registrar shall (if one or more Definitive Securities are to be issued) reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the Global Security in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Global Security to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one or more Definitive Securities of like Series and amount.
(d) In connection with the transfer of an entire Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (b), the Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Securities of the same Series in authorized denominations.
(e) The Holder of any Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any person, including Agent Members and persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities of such Series.
(f) Unless otherwise provided in the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture for a particular Series of Securities, each Global Security of such Series shall bear legends in substantially the following forms:
“THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS SECURITY) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE HOLDERS OF BENEFICIAL INTERESTS HEREIN, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE ANY SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.”
“UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR TO ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), TO ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”
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| Section 2.16 | No Duty to Monitor. |
The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among Agent Members or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.
Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.
Article
Three
REDEMPTION
| Section 3.01 | Notices to Trustee. |
Securities of a Series that are redeemable prior to maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and, unless the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture provides otherwise, in accordance with this Article Three.
If the Company wants to redeem Securities pursuant to Paragraph 4 of the Securities, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the redemption date and the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed. Any such notice may be cancelled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being sent to Holders. Any such cancelled notice shall be void and of no effect.
If the Company wants to credit any Securities previously redeemed, retired or acquired against any redemption pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Securities, it shall notify the Trustee of the amount of the credit and it shall deliver any Securities not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation with such notice.
The Company shall give each notice provided for in this Section 3.01 at least 15 days before the notice of any such redemption is to be delivered to Holders (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee).
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| Section 3.02 | Selection of Securities to be Redeemed. |
If fewer than all of the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be selected pro rata, by lot, or such other method the Trustee (or depository, as applicable) considers fair and appropriate and, in the case of Global Securities, in a manner that complies with applicable requirements of the Depositary. The Trustee (or depository, as applicable) shall make the selection from Securities outstanding not previously called for redemption and shall promptly notify the Company of the serial numbers or other identifying attributes of the Securities so selected. The Trustee (or depository, as applicable) may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities that have denominations larger than the minimum denomination for the Series. Securities and portions of them it selects shall be in amounts equal to a permissible denomination for the Series. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption.
Unless otherwise provided in the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture relating to a Series, if any Security selected for partial redemption is converted into or exchanged for shares of the Company’s common stock or other securities, cash or other property in part before termination of the conversion or exchange right with respect to the portion of the Security so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been converted or exchanged during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by the Trustee as outstanding for the purpose of such selection.
| Section 3.03 | Notice of Redemption. |
At least 15 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail, postage prepaid (or in the case of Global Securities, deliver electronically in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary), to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed.
The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:
| (1) | the redemption date; |
| (2) | the redemption price or the formula pursuant to which such price will be calculated; |
| (3) | if any Security is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Security to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Security; |
| (4) | in the case of Securities of a Series that are convertible or exchangeable into shares of the Company’s common stock or other securities, cash or other property, the conversion or exchange price or rate, the date or dates on which the right to convert or exchange the principal of the Securities of such Series to be redeemed will commence or terminate and the place or places where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion or exchange; |
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| (5) | the name and address of the Paying Agent; |
| (6) | that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price; |
| (7) | that interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date; |
| (8) | that the Securities are being redeemed pursuant to the mandatory redemption or the optional redemption provisions, as applicable; and |
| (9) | the CUSIP number and that no representation is hereby deemed to be made be made by the Trustee as to the correctness or accuracy of any such CUSIP and/or ISIN or other similar number printed in the notice or on such Securities, and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on such Securities. |
At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company shall deliver to the Trustee at least 15 days prior to the date on which notice of redemption is to be sent or such shorter period as may be satisfactory to the Trustee, an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.
| Section 3.04 | Effect of Notice of Redemption. |
Once notice of redemption is sent, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price as set forth in the notice of redemption. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. Notices of redemption may be subject to one or more conditions. In the event that any such conditions are not satisfied the Company may amend or revoke such notice of redemption by sending notice to Securityholders (with a copy to the Trustee) in accordance with the applicable procedures of the depository.
| Section 3.05 | Deposit of Redemption Price. |
On or before the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent immediately available funds in the applicable currency sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Securities to be redeemed on that date.
| Section 3.06 | Securities Redeemed in Part. |
Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for each Holder a new Security of the same Series equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.
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Article
Four
COVENANTS
| Section 4.01 | Payment of Securities. |
The Company shall pay the principal of and interest on a Series on the dates, in the currency and in the manner provided in the Securities of the Series. An installment of principal or interest shall be considered paid on the date it is due if the Paying Agent holds on that date money in the applicable currency designated for and sufficient to pay the installment.
The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Series; it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate.
| Section 4.02 | Maintenance of Office or Agency. |
The Company shall maintain the office or agency required under Section 2.03. The Company shall give prior written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the Trustee.
| Section 4.03 | Compliance Certificate. |
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company an Officer’s Certificate stating whether or not the signers know of any continuing Default by the Company in performing any of its obligations under this Indenture. If they do know of such a Default, the certificate shall describe the Default. In addition, the Company will notify the Trustee within 5 business days upon the Company’s knowledge of a Default.
| Section 4.04 | Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws. |
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on the Securities of any Series as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) the Company expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
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Article
Five
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
| Section 5.01 | Company May Merge, etc. |
Nothing contained in this Indenture shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company) or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Company or its successor or successors may be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any other Person (whether or not affiliated with the Company or its successor or successors); provided, however, the Company hereby covenants and agrees that, upon any such consolidation or merger (in each case, if the Company is not the survivor of such transaction) or any such sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition (other than a sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition to a Subsidiary of the Company), the due and punctual payment of the principal of (premium, if any) and interest on all of the Securities of all series in accordance with the terms of each series, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all the covenants and conditions of this Indenture with respect to each series or established with respect to such series pursuant to Section 2.01 to be kept or performed by the Company shall be expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, as then in effect) reasonably satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the Trustee by the Person formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company shall have been merged, or by the Person to which such sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition has been made (the “Successor”).
Upon any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the Successor will be substituted for the Company under the Indenture. The Successor may then exercise every power and right of the Company under this Indenture, and the Company will be released from all of its liabilities and obligations in respect of the Securities and the Indenture.
Article
Six
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
| Section 6.01 | Events of Default. |
An “Event of Default” on a Series occurs if, voluntarily or involuntarily, whether by operation of law or otherwise, any of the following occurs:
| (1) | the failure by the Company to pay interest on any Security of such Series when the same becomes due and payable and the continuance of any such failure for a period of 30 days; |
| (2) | the failure by the Company to pay the principal of any Security of such Series when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise; |
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| (3) | the failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to comply with any of its agreements or covenants in, or provisions of, the Securities of such Series or this Indenture (as they relate thereto) and such failure continues for the period and after the notice specified below (except in the case of a default with respect to Article Five (or any other provision specified in the applicable supplemental indenture or Authorizing Resolution), which will constitute Events of Default with notice but without passage of time); |
| (4) | the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law: |
| (A) | commences a voluntary case, |
| (B) | consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, |
| (C) | consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its Property, or |
| (D) | makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; |
| (5) | a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that: |
| (A) | is for relief against the Company as debtor in an involuntary case, |
| (B) | appoints a Custodian of the Company or a Custodian for all or substantially all of the Property of the Company, or |
| (C) | orders the liquidation of the Company, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days. |
A Default as described in subclause (3) above will not be deemed an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company, or the Holders of at least 25 percent in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the applicable Series notify the Company and the Trustee, of the Default and (except in the case of a default with respect to Article Five (or any other provision specified in the applicable supplemental indenture or Authorizing Resolution)) and the Company does not cure the Default within 90 days after receipt of the notice. The notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “Notice of Default.” If such a Default is cured within such time period, it ceases to exist, without any action by the Trustee or any other Person.
The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
| Section 6.02 | Acceleration. |
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default with respect to the Company resulting from subclause (4) or (5) above), shall have occurred and be continuing under the Indenture, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25 percent in principal amount of the Securities of the applicable Series then outstanding by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare all Securities of such Series to be due and payable immediately. Upon such declaration of acceleration, the amounts due and payable on the Securities of such Series will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default with respect to the Company specified in subclauses (4) or (5) above occurs, all amounts due and payable on the Securities of such Series will ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration, notice or other act on the part of the Trustee and the Company or any Holder.
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Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such Series may rescind an acceleration with respect to such Series and its consequence (except an acceleration due to nonpayment of principal or interest) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (other than the non-payment of accelerated principal) have been cured or waived.
No such rescission shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent Event of Default, or shall impair any right or power consequent thereon.
| Section 6.03 | Other Remedies. |
If an Event of Default on a Series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Series or to enforce the performance of any provision in the Securities or this Indenture applicable to the Series.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.
| Section 6.04 | Waiver of Existing Defaults. |
Subject to Section 10.02, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of a Series on behalf of all the Holders of the Series by written notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default on such Series and its consequences. When a Default is waived, it is cured and stops continuing, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
| Section 6.05 | Control by Majority. |
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of a Series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it with respect to such Series. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction (i) that conflicts with law or this Indenture, (ii) that, subject to Section 7.01, the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Securityholders, (iii) that would involve the Trustee in personal liability, or (iv) if the Trustee shall not have been provided with indemnity satisfactory to it.
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| Section 6.06 | Limitation on Suits. |
A Securityholder of a Series may not pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Series unless:
| (1) | the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default on the Series; |
| (2) | the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of the Series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy; |
| (3) | such Holder or Holders offer, and if requested provide, to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense; |
| (4) | the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and |
| (5) | no written request inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 6.06. |
A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of Securities of the same Series or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of Securities of the same Series (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances by such Holder are unduly prejudicial to another Holder).
| Section 6.07 | Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. |
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on any Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.
| Section 6.08 | Collection Suit by Trustee. |
If an Event of Default in payment of interest or principal specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal and interest remaining unpaid.
| Section 6.09 | Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. |
The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements, and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Securityholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or its creditors or Property, and unless prohibited by applicable law or regulation, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a Custodian, and shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any moneys or other Property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Securityholder to make such payments to the Trustee. Nothing herein shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or vote for or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder except as aforesaid for the election of the Custodian.
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| Section 6.10 | Priorities. |
If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article with respect to Securities of any Series, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
| First: | to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07; |
| Second: | to Securityholders of the Series for amounts due and unpaid on the Series for principal and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Series for principal and interest, respectively; and |
| Third: | to the Company or as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct. |
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Securityholders pursuant to this Section 6.10.
| Section 6.11 | Undertaking for Costs. |
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having the due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Series.
Article
Seven
TRUSTEE
| Section 7.01 | Duties of Trustee. |
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall exercise its rights and powers and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
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| (b) | Except during the continuance of an Event of Default: |
(1) The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.
(2) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. The Trustee, however, in the case of certificates or opinions specifically required by any provision hereof to be furnished to it, shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts or matters stated therein.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(1) This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section.
(2) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
(3) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 or any other direction of the Holders permitted hereunder.
(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.
(e) The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(g) None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such liability is not reasonably assured to it.
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| Section 7.02 | Rights of Trustee. |
Subject to Section 7.01:
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting on any document, resolution, certificate, instrument, report, or direction believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, resolution, certificate, instrument, report, or direction.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both, which shall conform to Sections 12.04 and 12.05 hereof and containing such other statements as the Trustee reasonably deems necessary to perform its duties hereunder. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the Officer’s Certificate, Opinion of Counsel or any other direction of the Company permitted hereunder.
(c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel as to matters of law shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(f) Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.
(g) For all purposes under this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any Event of Default unless written notice of any Event of Default is received by the Trustee at its address specified in Section 12.02 hereof and such notice references the Securities generally, the Company and this Indenture.
(h) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(i) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
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(j) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
(k) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(l) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.
(m) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, epidemics, pandemics, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
| Section 7.03 | Individual Rights of Trustee. |
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee, however, must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
| Section 7.04 | Trustee’s Disclaimer. |
The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Securities or of any prospectus used to sell the Securities of any Series; it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities; it shall not be accountable for any money paid to the Company, or upon the Company’s direction, if made under and in accordance with any provision of this Indenture; it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee; and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or in the Securities other than its certificate of authentication.
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| Section 7.05 | Notice of Defaults. |
If a Default on a Series occurs and is continuing and if a responsible officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge of such Default, the Trustee shall deliver to each Securityholder of the Series notice of the Default (which shall specify any uncured Default known to it) within 90 days after the Trustee obtains such knowledge. Except in the case of a default in payment of principal of or interest on a Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the board of directors of the Trustee, the executive or any trust committee of such directors and/or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determine(s) that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders of the Series.
| Section 7.06 | Reports by Trustee to Holders. |
Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Base Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder a brief report dated as of such May 15 that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(1) through (8) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date no report in relation thereto need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b).
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders shall be delivered to the Company and filed by the Trustee with the SEC and each national securities exchange on which the Securities are listed. The Company agrees to notify the Trustee of each national securities exchange on which the Securities are listed.
| Section 7.07 | Compensation and Indemnity. |
The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its services subject to any written agreement between the Trustee and the Company (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust). The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel. The Company shall indemnify the Trustee, its officers, directors, employees and agents and hold it harmless against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense incurred or made by or on behalf of it in connection with the administration of this Indenture or the trust hereunder and its duties hereunder including the costs and expenses of defending itself against or investigating any claim in the premises. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim of which it has received written notice and for which it may seek indemnity. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s, or its officers’, directors’, or employees’ negligence or willful misconduct.
Unless otherwise provided in any supplemental indenture or Authorizing Resolution relating to any Series, to ensure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of all Series on all money or Property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of or interest on particular Securities. When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01 or in connection with Article Six hereof, the expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for services in connection therewith are to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law. Section 7.07 shall survive the discharge of the Indenture or resignation or removal of Trustee.
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| Section 7.08 | Replacement of Trustee. |
The Trustee may resign with respect to Securities of any or all Series by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities (or of the relevant Series) may remove the Trustee by so notifying the removed Trustee in writing (at any time when the Trustee holds funds on behalf of the Company, upon 30 days’ prior written notice) and may appoint a successor trustee with the Company’s consent. Such resignation or removal shall not take effect until the appointment by the Securityholders of the relevant Series or the Company as hereinafter provided of a successor trustee and the acceptance of such appointment by such successor trustee. The Company (at any time when the Trustee holds funds on behalf of the Company, upon 30 days’ prior written notice) may remove the Trustee and any Securityholder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee for any or no reason, including if:
| (1) | the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 after written request by the Company or any bona fide Securityholder who has been a Securityholder for at least six months; |
| (2) | the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent; |
| (3) | a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its Property; or |
| (4) | the Trustee becomes incapable of acting. |
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of the relevant Series. If a successor trustee does not take office within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee at the expense of the Company, the Company or any Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee.
A successor trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after that, the retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its fees and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) hereunder, transfer all Property held by it as Trustee to the successor trustee, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each Securityholder.
| Section 7.09 | Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. |
If the Trustee consolidates with, merges with or into or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor trustee. In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; provided that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall only apply to its successor or successors by merger, consolidation or conversion.
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| Section 7.10 | Eligibility; Disqualification. |
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $10,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 310(b).
| Section 7.11 | Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. |
The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
Article
Eight
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE
| Section 8.01 | Defeasance upon Deposit of Moneys or Government Obligations. |
(a) The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) below be applied to the outstanding Securities of any Series upon compliance with the applicable conditions set forth in paragraph (d).
(b) Upon the Company’s exercise under paragraph (a) of the option applicable to this paragraph (b) with respect to any Series, the Company shall be deemed to have been released and discharged from its obligations with respect to the outstanding Securities of the Series on the date the applicable conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the outstanding Securities of a Series, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of the Sections and matters under this Indenture referred to in (i) and (ii) below, and the Company shall be deemed to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned, except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (i) the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities of a Series to receive solely from the trust fund described in paragraph (d) below and as more fully set forth in such paragraph, payments in respect of the principal of and interest on such Securities when such payments are due and (ii) obligations listed in Section 8.02, subject to compliance with this Section 8.01. The Company may exercise its option under this paragraph (b) with respect to a Series notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under paragraph (c) below with respect to the Securities of the Series.
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(c) Upon the Company’s exercise under paragraph (a) of the option applicable to this paragraph (c) with respect to a Series, the Company shall be released and discharged from the obligations under any covenant contained in Articles Four and Five and any other covenant contained in or referenced in the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture relating to such Series (to the extent such release and discharge shall not be prohibited thereby), on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Securities of such Series shall thereafter be deemed to be not “outstanding” for the purpose of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Securities of a Series, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01(3) or otherwise, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.
(d) The following shall be the conditions to application of either paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) above to the outstanding Securities of the applicable Series:
(1) The Company shall have irrevocably deposited in trust with the Trustee (or another qualifying trustee), money in the currency in which the Securities of such Series are payable or Government Obligations or a combination thereof in such amounts and at such times as are sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of and interest on the outstanding Securities of such Series to maturity or redemption; provided, however, that the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) shall have received an irrevocable written order from the Company instructing the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to apply such money or the proceeds of such Government Obligations to said payments with respect to the Securities of such Series to maturity or redemption;
(2) No Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from non-compliance with any covenant from which the Company is released upon effectiveness of such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) hereof, as applicable) shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or result therefrom;
(3) Such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other material instrument or agreement to which the Company or any of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of their Property is bound;
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(4) (i) In the event the Company elects paragraph (b) hereof, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to the effect that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the Issue Date pertaining to such Series, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall state that, or (ii) in the event the Company elects paragraph (c) hereof, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United States, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to the effect that, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), and subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, Holders of the Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and the defeasance contemplated hereby and will be subject to federal income tax in the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred;
(5) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate, stating that the deposit under clause (1) was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the Securities of such Series over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company or others; and
(6) The Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent specified herein relating to the defeasance contemplated by this Section 8.01 have been complied with.
In the event all or any portion of the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed through such irrevocable trust, the Company must make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, at the time of such deposit, for the giving of the notice of such redemption or redemptions by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.
(e) In addition to the Company’s rights above under this Section 8.01, the Company may terminate all of its obligations under this Indenture with respect to a Series, when:
(1) All Securities of such Series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.07 and Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (A) have become due and payable, (B) will become due and payable at maturity within one year or (C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and in each such case, the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another qualifying trustee) as trust funds in trust solely for that purpose an amount of money in the currency in which the Securities of such Series are payable or Government Obligations or a combination thereof sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Securities of such Series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of and interest on the Securities of such Series, on the date of such deposit or to the maturity or redemption date, as the case may be;
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(2) The Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company;
(3) The Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee (or such other qualifying trustee), to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Securities of such Series at maturity or redemption, as the case may be; and
(4) The Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, stating that all conditions precedent specified in this Section 8.01(e) relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
| Section 8.02 | Survival of the Company’s Obligations. |
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture under Section 8.01, the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.03 through 2.07, 4.01, 7.07, 7.08, 8.04 and 8.05, however, shall survive until the Securities of an applicable Series are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, the Company’s obligations in Sections 7.02, 7.07, 8.04 and 8.05 shall survive (as they relate to such Series) such satisfaction and discharge.
| Section 8.03 | Application of Trust Money. |
The Trustee shall hold in trust money or Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from Government Obligations in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities of the defeased Series.
| Section 8.04 | Repayment to the Company. |
The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once in a newspaper of general circulation in the City of New York or send to each such Holder notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company. After payment to the Company, Securityholders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless applicable abandoned property law designates another person and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such money shall cease.
| Section 8.05 | Reinstatement. |
If the Trustee is unable to apply any money or Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.01 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities relating to the Series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01 until such time as the Trustee is permitted to apply all such money or Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.01; provided, however, that (a) if the Company has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Securities of the Series because of the reinstatement of its obligations hereunder, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or Government Obligations held by the Trustee and (b) unless otherwise required by any legal proceeding or any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority, the Trustee shall return all such money or Government Obligations to the Company promptly after receiving a written request therefor at any time, if such reinstatement of the Company’s obligations has occurred and continues to be in effect.
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Article
Nine
RESERVED
Article
Ten
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
| Section 10.01 | Without Consent of Holders. |
The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of a Series without notice to or consent of any Securityholder of such Series:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;
(2) to comply with Article Five;
(3) to provide that specific provisions of this Indenture shall not apply to a Series not previously issued or to make a change to specific provisions of this Indenture that only applies to any
Series not previously issued or to additional Securities of a Series not previously issued;
(4) to create a Series and establish its terms;
(5) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities;
(6) to release a guarantor in respect of any Series which, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture applicable to
the particular Series, ceases to be liable in respect of its guarantee;
(7) to add a guarantor in respect of any Series;
(8) to secure any Series;
(9) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this
Indenture under the TIA;
(10) to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of Securityholders; and
(11) to conform the provisions of the Indenture to the final offering memorandum in respect of any
Series.
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After an amendment under this Section 10.01 becomes effective, the Company shall deliver notice of such amendment to the Securityholders.
| Section 10.02 | With Consent of Holders. |
The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of a Series without notice to any Securityholder of such Series but with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each Series affected by the amendment (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities of such Series). Each such Series shall vote as a separate class. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may waive compliance by the Company with any provision of the Securities of such Series or of this Indenture relating to such Series without notice to any Securityholder (including any waiver granted in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities of such Series). Without the consent of each Holder of a Security affected thereby, however, an amendment, supplement or waiver, including a waiver pursuant to Section 6.04, may not:
(1) reduce the amount of Securities of the relevant Series whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest, including defaulted interest, on any Security;
(3) reduce the principal of or extend the fixed maturity of any Security or alter the provisions (including related definitions) with respect to redemption of any Security pursuant to Article Three hereof or with respect to any obligations on the part of the Company to offer to purchase or to redeem Securities of a Series pursuant to the Authorizing Resolution or supplemental indenture pertaining to such Series (it being understood that only the consent of the Holders of a majority of the principal amount of the applicable Series of Securities will be required in connection with the waiver or modification of any obligation by the Company to make an offer to purchase the Securities of such Series as a result of a change of control prior to the occurrence of a change of control);
(4) make any change that adversely affects any right of a Holder to convert or exchange any Security into or for shares of the Company’s common stock or other securities, cash or other property in accordance with the terms of such Security;
(5) modify the ranking or priority of the Securities of the relevant Series or any guarantee thereof;
(6) release any guarantor of any Series from any of its obligations under its guarantee or this Indenture otherwise than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
(7) make any change in Sections 6.04, 6.07 or this Section 10.02;
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(8) waive a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security; or
(9) make any Security payable at a place or in money other than that stated in the Security, or impair the right of any Securityholder to bring suit as permitted by Section 6.07.
An amendment of a provision included solely for the benefit of one or more Series does not affect the interests of Securityholders of any other Series.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplement, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
| Section 10.03 | Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. |
Every amendment to or supplement of this Indenture or any Securities shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.
| Section 10.04 | Revocation and Effect of Consents. |
A consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver by a Holder shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. Unless otherwise provided in the consent or the consent solicitation statement or other document describing the terms of the consent, any Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Security or portion of a Security. Any revocation of a consent by the Holder of a Security or any such subsequent Holder shall be effective only if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date on which the Trustee receives an Officer’s Certificate from the Company certifying that the requisite number of consents have been received.
The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Securities of any Series entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver, which record date shall be at least 10 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent. If a record date is fixed, and if Holders otherwise have a right to revoke their consent under the consent or the consent solicitation statement or other document describing the terms of the consent, then notwithstanding the second to last sentence of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date.
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An amendment, supplement or waiver with respect to a Series becomes effective upon the (i) receipt by the Company or the Trustee of the requisite consents, (ii) satisfaction of any conditions to effectiveness as set forth in this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto containing such amendment, supplement or waiver and (iii) execution of such amendment, supplement or waiver (or the related supplemental indenture) by the Company and the Trustee. After an amendment, supplement or waiver with respect to a Series becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder of such Series, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (1) through (9) of Section 10.02, in which case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind a Holder of a Security who is affected thereby only if it has consented to such amendment, supplement or waiver and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security; provided that no such waiver shall impair or affect the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on a Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates without the consent of such Holder.
| Section 10.05 | Notation on or Exchange of Securities. |
If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Security, the Company may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee, at which time the Trustee shall place an appropriate notation on the Security about the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms.
| Section 10.06 | Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc. |
Subject to Section 7.02(b), the Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing or refusing to sign such amendment or supplemental indenture, the Trustee shall be provided with and shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, and (solely with respect to such Opinion of Counsel) that it will be valid and binding upon the Company and enforceable in accordance with its terms.
Article
Eleven
SECURITIES IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES
| Section 11.01 | Applicability of Article. |
Whenever this Indenture provides for (i) any action by, or the determination of any of the rights of, Holders of Securities of any Series in which not all of such Securities are denominated in the same currency, or (ii) any distribution to Holders of Securities, in the absence of any provision to the contrary pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities of any particular Series, any amount in respect of any Security denominated in a Foreign Currency shall be treated for any such action or distribution as that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount on such reasonable basis of exchange and as of the record date with respect to Securities of such Series (if any) for such action, determination of rights or distribution (or, if there shall be no applicable record date, such other date reasonably proximate to the date of such action, determination of rights or distribution) as the Company may specify in a written notice to the Trustee or, in the absence of such written notice, as the Trustee may determine.
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Article
Twelve
MISCELLANEOUS
| Section 12.01 | Trust Indenture Act Controls. |
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the required provision shall control.
| Section 12.02 | Notices. |
Any order, consent, notice or communication shall be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, or delivered by commercial courier service, addressed as follows:
if to the Company:
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
4505 Emperor Blvd., Suite 200
Durham, North Carolina 27703
(919) 859-1302
Attention: [_____________]
if to the Trustee:
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
Denver Tower
Mail Stop: DN-CO-5GCT
950 17th Street
Denver, CO 80202
Attention: BioCryst Notes Administrator
The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication mailed to a Securityholder shall be mailed to him by first class mail, or delivered by commercial courier service, at his address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar, or, in the case of Global Securities sent electronically in accordance with the procedures of the Depositary, and shall be sufficiently given to him if so sent within the time prescribed.
Failure to send a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders. If a notice or communication is sent in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it except that notice to the Trustee shall only be effective upon receipt thereof by the Trustee.
If the Company sends notice or communications to the Securityholders, it shall send a copy to the Trustee at the same time.
36
In addition to the foregoing, the Trustee agrees to accept and act upon notice, instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar unsecured electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event to a Holder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee.
| Section 12.03 | Communications by Holders with Other Holders. |
Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).
| Section 12.04 | Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. |
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
| (1) | an Officer’s Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers (who may rely upon an Opinion of Counsel with respect to matters of law), all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and |
| (2) | an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel (who may rely upon an Officer’s Certificate or certificates of public officials as to matters of fact), all such conditions precedent and covenants, compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action or inaction, have been complied with. |
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| Section 12.05 | Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. |
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:
| (1) | a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; |
| (2) | a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; |
| (3) | a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and |
| (4) | a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with. |
| Section 12.06 | Rules by Trustee and Agents. |
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Securityholders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for its functions.
| Section 12.07 | Legal Holidays. |
A “Legal Holiday” is a Saturday, a Sunday, a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York or in the place of payment are not required to be open. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment may be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If this Indenture provides for a time period that ends or requires performance of any non-payment obligation by a day that is not a Business Day, then such time period shall instead be deemed to end on, and such obligation shall instead be performed by, the next succeeding Business Day. A “Business Day” is any day other than a Legal Holiday.
| Section 12.08 | Governing Law. |
The laws of the State of New York shall govern this Indenture and the Securities of each Series.
| Section 12.09 | No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. |
This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.
| Section 12.10 | No Recourse Against Others. |
All liability described in Paragraph 12 of the Securities of any director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company is, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, waived and released.
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| Section 12.11 | Successors and Assigns. |
All covenants and agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors and assigns. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns.
| Section 12.12 | Duplicate Originals. |
The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes. The words “execute,” “execution,” “signed” and “signature” and words of similar import used in or related to any document to be signed in connection with this Indenture, any Security or any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including amendments, supplements, waivers, consents and other modifications) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures and the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature in ink or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as applicable, to the fullest extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format except for facsimile and PDF unless expressly agreed to by the Trustee pursuant to reasonable procedures approved by the Trustee.
| Section 12.13 | Severability. |
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture or in the Securities of a Series shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Indenture or of such Securities.
| Section 12.14 | Waiver of Jury Trial. |
EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE (AND EACH HOLDER BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF ANY NOTE) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
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SIGNATURES
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.
| BIOCRYST PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Exhibit 5.1
 |
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP 200 Park Avenue New York, NY 10166-0193 Tel 212.351.4000 www.gibsondunn.com |
February 27, 2024
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
4505 Emperor Blvd., Suite 200
Durham, North Carolina 27703
| Re: | BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-3 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the registration under the Securities Act and the proposed issuance and sale from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, together or separately and in one or more series (if applicable) of:
(i) the Company’s unsecured debt securities (the “Debt Securities”);
(ii) shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”);
(iii) shares of the Company’s preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”);
(iv) depositary shares each representing a fraction of a share of a particular series of Preferred Stock (the “Depositary Shares”);
(v) contracts for the purchase or sale of Debt Securities, Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares (the “Purchase Contracts”);
Abu
Dhabi ● Beijing ● Brussels ● Century City ● Dallas ● Denver ● Dubai ● Frankfurt ●
Hong Kong ● Houston ● London ● Los Angeles
Munich ● New York ● Orange County ● Palo Alto ● Paris ● San Francisco ● Singapore ●
Washington, D.C.
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
February 27, 2024
Page 2
(vi) warrants for the purchase of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities or any combination thereof (the “Warrants”); and
(vii) units of the Company comprised of any combination of Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Purchase Contracts, Debt Securities or Warrants (the “Units”).
The Debt Securities, Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Purchase Contracts, Warrants and Units are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.” The Debt Securities are to be issued under an indenture to be entered into between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as indenture trustee (the “Base Indenture”).
In arriving at the opinions expressed below, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction as being true and complete copies of the originals, of the form of Base Indenture, the specimen Common Stock certificate and such other documents, corporate records, certificates of officers of the Company and of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable to enable us to render these opinions. In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies. As to any facts material to these opinions, we have relied to the extent we deemed appropriate and without independent investigation upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others.
We have assumed without independent investigation that:
(i) at the time any Securities are sold pursuant to the Registration Statement (the “Relevant Time”), the Registration Statement and any supplements and amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) will be effective and will comply with all applicable laws;
(ii) at the Relevant Time, a prospectus supplement will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Securities offered thereby and all related documentation and will comply with all applicable laws;
(iii) all Securities will be issued and sold in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the applicable prospectus supplement;
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
February 27, 2024
Page 3
(iv) at the Relevant Time, all corporate or other action required to be taken by the Company to duly authorize each proposed issuance of Securities and any related documentation (including (a) the due reservation of any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock for issuance upon exercise, conversion or exchange of any Securities for Common Stock or Preferred Stock (a “Convertible Security”), and (b) the execution (in the case of certificated Securities), delivery and performance of the Securities and any related documentation referred to in paragraphs 1 through 7 below) shall have been duly completed and shall remain in full force and effect;
(v) upon issuance of any Common Stock or Preferred Stock, including upon exercise, conversion or exchange of any Convertible Security, the total number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, that the Company is then authorized to issue under its certificate of incorporation and other relevant documents;
(vi) in the case of Debt Securities, at the Relevant Time, the Base Indenture shall have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and all other parties thereto and duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; and
(vii) at the Relevant Time, a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement and any other necessary agreement with respect to any Securities offered or issued will have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action of the Company and duly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto.
Based on the foregoing and in reliance thereon, and subject to the assumptions, exceptions, qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. With respect to any Debt Securities, when:
| a. | the terms and conditions of such Debt Securities have been duly established by supplemental indenture or officers’ certificate in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Base Indenture, |
| b. | any such supplemental indenture has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the relevant trustee (together with the Base Indenture, the “Indenture”), and |
| c. | such Debt Securities have been executed (in the case of certificated Debt Securities), delivered and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and issued and sold for the consideration set forth in the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, |
such Debt Securities will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms.
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
February 27, 2024
Page 4
2. With respect to any shares of Preferred Stock, when:
| a. | the certificate of designations relating to such Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designations”) has been duly executed and filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, |
| b. | such shares have been issued either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement and for the consideration therefor provided for therein or (ii) upon exercise, conversion or exchange of any Convertible Security and for any additional consideration specified in such Convertible Security or the instrument governing such Convertible Security providing for such conversion or exercise, which consideration (including any consideration paid for such Convertible Security), on a per-share basis, shall in either event not be less than the par value of the Preferred Stock, and |
| c. | any such Convertible Security was previously validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable (in the case of an equity Security) or is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, |
such shares of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
3. With respect to Depositary Shares, when:
| a. | a deposit agreement relating to such Depositary Shares (“Deposit Agreement”) has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and the depositary appointed by the Company, |
| b. | the terms of the Depositary Shares have been established in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, and |
| c. | the depositary receipts representing the Depositary Shares have been duly executed and countersigned (in the case of certificated Depositary Shares), registered and delivered in accordance with the related Deposit Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement for the consideration provided therein, |
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
February 27, 2024
Page 5
the Depositary Shares will be legally issued and will entitle the holders of such Depositary Shares to the rights specified in the applicable Deposit Agreement and the applicable depositary receipts.
4. With respect to shares of Common Stock, when:
| a. | such shares of Common Stock have been duly executed (in the case of certificated shares) and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement for the consideration provided for therein, or (ii) upon conversion or exercise of any Convertible Security, in accordance with the terms of such Convertible Security or the instrument governing such Convertible Security providing for such conversion or exercise, and for any additional consideration specified therein, which consideration (including any consideration paid for such Convertible Security), on a per-share basis, shall in either event not be less than the par value of the Common Stock, and |
| b. | any such Convertible Security was previously validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable (in the case of an equity Security) or is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, |
such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
5. With respect to any Purchase Contracts, when:
| a. | the related purchase contract agreement (“Purchase Contract Agreement”), if any, has been duly executed by the Company and each other party thereto, |
| b. | the terms of the Purchase Contracts have been established in accordance with the Purchase Contract Agreement, if any, or the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, |
| c. | the terms of any collateral or security arrangements relating to such Purchase Contracts have been established and the agreements thereto have been validly executed and delivered by each of the parties thereto and any collateral has been deposited with the collateral agent, if applicable, in accordance with such arrangements, and |
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
February 27, 2024
Page 6
| d. | such Purchase Contracts have been executed (in the case of certificated Purchase Contracts) and delivered in accordance with the Purchase Contract Agreement, if any, and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement for the consideration provided for therein, |
such Purchase Contracts will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
6. With respect to any Warrants, when:
| a. | the warrant agreement relating to such Warrants (the “Warrant Agreement”), if any, has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and each other party thereto, |
| b. | the terms of the Warrants have been established in accordance with the Warrant Agreement, if any, and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, and |
| c. | the Warrants have been duly executed (in the case of certificated Warrants) and delivered in accordance with the Warrant Agreement, if any, and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement for the consideration provided for therein, |
such Warrants will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
7. With respect to any Units, when:
| a. | the unit agreement relating to the Units (the “Unit Agreement”), if any, has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and each other party thereto, |
| b. | the terms of the Units have been duly established in accordance with the Unit Agreement, if any, and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, and |
| c. | the Units have been duly executed (in the case of certificated Units) and delivered in accordance with the Unit Agreement, if any, and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement for the consideration provided for therein, |
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
February 27, 2024
Page 7
the Units will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.
The opinions expressed above are subject to the following exceptions, qualifications, limitations and assumptions:
A. We render no opinion herein as to matters involving the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York and, for purposes of paragraphs 2 and 4 above, the Delaware General Corporation Law. This opinion is limited to the effect of the current state of the laws of the State of New York, the Delaware General Corporation Law and the facts as they currently exist. We assume no obligation to revise or supplement this opinion in the event of future changes in such laws or the interpretations thereof or such facts.
B. The opinions above with respect to the Indenture, the Debt Securities, depositary receipts representing the Depositary Shares, the Deposit Agreement, the Purchase Contracts, any Purchase Contract Agreement, the Warrants, the Warrant Agreement, the Units and the Unit Agreement (collectively, the “Documents”) are each subject to (i) the effect of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, arrangement or similar laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally, including without limitation the effect of statutory or other laws regarding fraudulent transfers or preferential transfers, (ii) general principles of equity, including without limitation concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and the possible unavailability of specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law and (iii) the provisions of the sixth article of the Company’s Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended.
C. We express no opinion regarding the effectiveness of (i) any waiver of stay, extension or usury laws; (ii) provisions relating to indemnification, exculpation or contribution, to the extent such provisions may be held unenforceable as contrary to public policy or federal or state securities laws, (iii) any waiver of the right to jury trial or (iv) any provision to the effect that every right or remedy is cumulative and may be exercised in addition to any other right or remedy or that the election of some particular remedy does not preclude recourse to one or more others.
D. To the extent relevant to our opinions in paragraphs 3, 5, 6 and 7 and not covered by our opinions in paragraphs 1, 2 or 4, we have assumed that any securities, currencies or commodities underlying, comprising or issuable upon exchange, conversion or exercise of any Depositary Shares, Purchase Contracts, Warrants, or Units are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (in the case of an equity security) or a legal, valid and binding obligation of the issuer thereof, enforceable against such issuer in accordance with its terms.
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
February 27, 2024
Page 8
You have informed us that you intend to issue Securities from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, and we understand that prior to issuing any Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement (i) you will advise us in writing of the terms thereof, and (ii) you will afford us an opportunity to (x) review the operative documents pursuant to which such Securities are to be issued or sold (including the applicable offering documents), and (y) file such supplement or amendment to this opinion (if any) as we may reasonably consider necessary or appropriate.
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and we further consent to the use of our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement and the prospectus that forms a part thereof. In giving these consents, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the registration of its common stock and other securities and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 27, 2024, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc., included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
| /s/ Ernst & Young LLP |
Raleigh, North Carolina
February 27, 2024
Exhibit 25.1
securities and exchange commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
Statement of Eligibility Under
The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of a
Corporation Designated to Act as Trustee
Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of
a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) ☐
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of Trustee as specified in its charter)
91-1821036
I.R.S. Employer Identification No.
|
800 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, Minnesota |
55402 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Michael W McGuire
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
950 17th Street
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 585-4594
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(Issuer with respect to the Securities)
| Delaware | 62-1413174 |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
|
4505 Emperor Blvd., Suite 200 Durham, North Carolina |
27703 |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
Debt Securities
(Title of the Indenture Securities)
FORM T-1
| Item 1. | GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the Trustee. |
| a) | Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject. | |
|
Comptroller of the Currency
|
||
|
Washington, D.C.
|
| b) | Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. | |
|
Yes
|
| Item 2. | AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the Trustee, describe each such affiliation. |
|
None
|
| Items 3-15 |
Items 3-15 are not applicable because to the best of the Trustee’s knowledge, the obligor is not in default under any Indenture for which
the Trustee acts as Trustee.
|
| Item 16. | LIST OF EXHIBITS: List below all exhibits filed as a part of this statement of eligibility and qualification. |
| 1. | A copy of the Articles of Association of the Trustee, attached as Exhibit 1. |
| 2. | A copy of the certificate of authority of the Trustee to commence business, attached as Exhibit 2. |
| 3. | A copy of the authorization of the Trustee to exercise corporate trust powers, included as Exhibit 2. |
| 4. | A copy of the existing bylaws of the Trustee, attached as Exhibit 4. |
| 5. | A copy of each Indenture referred to in Item 4. Not applicable. |
| 6. | The consent of the Trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached as Exhibit 6. |
| 7. | Report of Condition of the Trustee as of December 31, 2023, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7. |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the Trustee, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility and qualification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Denver, State of Colorado on the 27th of February, 2024.
| By: | /s/ Michael W. McGuire | |
| Michael W. McGuire | ||
| Vice President |
Exhibit 1
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
U. S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association (the “Association”) to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned enter into the following Articles of Association:
FIRST. The title of this Association shall be U. S. Bank Trust Company, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the Association shall be in the city of Portland, county of Multnomah, state of Oregon. The business of the Association will be limited to fiduciary powers and the support of activities incidental to the exercise of those powers. The Association may not expand or alter its business beyond that stated in this article without the prior approval of the Comptroller of the Currency.
THIRD. The board of directors of the Association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, the exact number to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the Association or of a holding company owning the Association, with an aggregate par, fair market, or equity value of not less than $1,000, as of either (i) the date of purchase, (ii) the date the person became a director, or (iii) the date of that person’s most recent election to the board of directors, whichever is more recent. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the Association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may increase the number of directors up to the maximum permitted by law. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the Association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determined the number of directors of the Association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the Bylaws, or if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the Association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases, at least 10 days’ advance notice of the meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
- 1 -
In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares he or she owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the Association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by the shareholders at a meeting called to remove him or her, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove him or her is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect him or her under cumulative voting is voted against his or her removal.
FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of the Association shall be 1,000,000 shares of common stock of the par value of ten dollars ($10) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States. The Association shall have only one class of capital stock.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the Association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the Association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the Association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix.
Transfers of the Association’s stock are subject to the prior written approval of a federal depository institution regulatory agency. If no other agency approval is required, the approval of the Comptroller of the Currency must be obtained prior to any such transfers.
Unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the Articles of Association must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
-2-
Unless otherwise specified in the Articles of Association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval.
Unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
The Association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether subordinated, which may be issued by the Association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this Association and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the Association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this Association. A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the Bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
| (1) | Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the Association. |
| (2) | Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the Association. |
| (3) | Fix the compensation and enter employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law. |
| (4) | Dismiss officers and employees. |
| (5) | Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof. |
| (6) | Ratify written policies authorized by the Association’s management or committees of the board. |
| (7) | Regulate the manner any increase or decrease of the capital of the Association shall be made; provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the Association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital. |
-3-
| (8) | Manage and administer the business and affairs of the Association. |
| (9) | Adopt initial Bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the Articles of Association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the Association. |
| (10) | Amend or repeal Bylaws, except to the extent that the Articles of Association reserve this power in whole or in part to the shareholders. |
| (11) | Make contracts. |
| (12) | Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform. |
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any authorized branch within the limits of the city of Portland, Oregon, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of the Association for a location outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of the city of Portland, Oregon, but not more than thirty miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any office or offices of the Association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this Association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of the Association, or any shareholder owning, in the aggregate, not less than 25 percent of the stock of the Association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws or the laws of the United States, or waived by shareholders, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed at least 10, and no more than 60, days prior to the date of the meeting to each shareholder of record at his/her address as shown upon the books of the Association. Unless otherwise provided by the Bylaws, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. These Articles of Association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount; provided, that the scope of the Association’s activities and services may not be expanded without the prior written approval of the Comptroller of the Currency. The Association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the Articles of Association for submission to the shareholders.
- 4 -
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 11th of June, 1997.
Exhibit 2
CERTIFICATE OF CORPORATE EXISTENCE AND FIDUCIARY POWERS
I, Michael J. Hsu, Acting Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that:
1. The Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq, as amended, and 12 USC 1, et seq, as amended, has possession, custody, and control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation, and supervision of all national banking associations.
2. “U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association,” Portland, Oregon (Charter No. 23412), is a national banking association formed under the laws of die United States and is authorized thereunder to transact the business of banking and exercise fiduciary powers on the date of this certificate.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, today, December 13, 2023, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused my seal of office to be affixed to these presents at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia.
 |
| Acting Comptroller of the Currency |
2024-00286-C
Exhibit 4
U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1.1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders, for the election of directors and the transaction of any other proper business, shall be held at a time and place as the Chairman or President may designate. Notice of such meeting shall be given not less than ten (10) days or more than sixty (60) days prior to the date thereof, to each shareholder of the Association, unless the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) determines that an emergency circumstance exists. In accordance with applicable law, the sole shareholder of the Association is permitted to waive notice of the meeting. If, for any reason, an election of directors is not made on the designated day, the election shall be held on some subsequent day, as soon thereafter as practicable, with prior notice thereof. Failure to hold an annual meeting as required by these Bylaws shall not affect the validity of any corporate action or work a forfeiture or dissolution of the Association.
Section 1.2. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise specially provided by law, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose, at any time by a majority of the board of directors (the “Board”), or by any shareholder or group of shareholders owning at least ten percent of the outstanding stock. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called upon not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days prior notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
Section 1.3. Nominations for Directors. Nominations for election to the Board may be made by the Board or by any shareholder.
Section 1.4. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting and any adjournments of such meeting and shall be filed with the records of the meeting.
Section 1.5. Record Date. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting will be thirty days before the date of such meeting, unless otherwise determined by the Board.
Section 1.6. Quorum and Voting. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Association.
Section 1.7. Inspectors. The Board may, and in the event of its failure so to do, the Chairman of the Board may appoint Inspectors of Election who shall determine the presence of quorum, the validity of proxies, and the results of all elections and all other matters voted upon by shareholders at all annual and special meetings of shareholders.
Section 1.8. Waiver and Consent. The shareholders may act without notice or a meeting by a unanimous written consent by all shareholders.
Section 1.9. Remote Meetings. The Board shall have the right to determine that a shareholder meeting not be held at a place, but instead be held solely by means of remote communication in the manner and to the extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 2.1. Board of Directors. The Board shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the Association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the Association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board.
Section 2.2. Term of Office. The directors of this Association shall hold office for one year and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal.
Section 2.3. Powers. In addition to the foregoing, the Board shall have and may exercise all of the powers granted to or conferred upon it by the Articles of Association, the Bylaws and by law.
Section 2.4. Number. As provided in the Articles of Association, the Board of this Association shall consist of no less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the Association from the twenty-five- member limit. The Board shall consist of a number of members to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of the Board or the shareholders at any meeting thereof, in accordance with the Articles of Association. Between meetings of the shareholders held for the purpose of electing directors, the Board by a majority vote of the full Board may increase the size of the Board but not to more than a total of twenty-five directors, and fill any vacancy so created in the Board; provided that the Board may increase the number of directors only by up to two directors, when the number of directors last elected by shareholders was fifteen or fewer, and by up to four directors, when the number of directors last elected by shareholders was sixteen or more. Each director shall own a qualifying equity interest in the Association or a company that has control of the Association in each case as required by applicable law. Each director shall own such qualifying equity interest in his or her own right and meet any minimum threshold ownership required by applicable law.
Section 2.5. Organization Meeting. The newly elected Board shall meet for the purpose of organizing the new Board and electing and appointing such officers of the Association as may be appropriate. Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter as practicable, and, in any event, within thirty days thereafter, at such time and place as the Chairman or President may designate. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum present, the directors present may adjourn the meeting until a quorum is obtained.
Section 2.6. Regular Meetings. The regular meetings of the Board shall be held, without notice, as the Chairman or President may designate and deem suitable.
Section 2.7. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called at any time, at any place and for any purpose by the Chairman of the Board or the President of the Association, or upon the request of a majority of the entire Board. Notice of every special meeting of the Board shall be given to the directors at their usual places of business, or at such other addresses as shall have been furnished by them for the purpose. Such notice shall be given at least twelve hours (three hours if meeting is to be conducted by conference telephone) before the meeting by telephone or by being personally delivered, mailed, or electronically delivered. Such notice need not include a statement of the business to be transacted at, or the purpose of, any such meeting.
Section 2.8. Quorum and Necessary Vote. A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board, except when otherwise provided by law; but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice. Unless otherwise provided by law or the Articles or Bylaws of this Association, once a quorum is established, any act by a majority of those directors present and voting shall be the act of the Board.
Section 2.9. Written Consent. Except as otherwise required by applicable laws and regulations, the Board may act without a meeting by a unanimous written consent by all directors, to be filed with the Secretary of the Association as part of the corporate records.
Section 2.10. Remote Meetings. Members of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference telephone, video or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 2.11. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, the remaining members of the Board may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the Board, or at a special meeting called for that purpose.
ARTICLE III
Committees
Section 3.1. Advisory Board of Directors. The Board may appoint persons, who need not be directors, to serve as advisory directors on an advisory board of directors established with respect to the business affairs of either this Association alone or the business affairs of a group of affiliated organizations of which this Association is one. Advisory directors shall have such powers and duties as may be determined by the Board, provided, that the Board’s responsibility for the business and affairs of this Association shall in no respect be delegated or diminished.
Section 3.2. Trust Audit Committee. At least once during each calendar year, the Association shall arrange for a suitable audit (by internal or external auditors) of all significant fiduciary activities under the direction of its trust audit committee, a function that will be fulfilled by the Audit Committee of the financial holding company that is the ultimate parent of this Association. The Association shall note the results of the audit (including significant actions taken as a result of the audit) in the minutes of the Board. In lieu of annual audits, the Association may adopt a continuous audit system in accordance with 12 C.F.R. § 9.9(b).
The Audit Committee of the financial holding company that is the ultimate parent of this Association, fulfilling the function of the trust audit committee:
(1) Must not include any officers of the Association or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the Association’s fiduciary activities; and
(2) Must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the Board has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the Association.
Section 3.3. Executive Committee. The Board may appoint an Executive Committee which shall consist of at least three directors and which shall have, and may exercise, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all the powers of the Board between meetings of the Board or otherwise when the Board is not meeting.
Section 3.4. Trust Management Committee. The Board of this Association shall appoint a Trust Management Committee to provide oversight of the fiduciary activities of the Association. The Trust Management Committee shall determine policies governing fiduciary activities. The Trust Management Committee or such sub-committees, officers or others as may be duly designated by the Trust Management Committee shall oversee the processes related to fiduciary activities to assure conformity with fiduciary policies it establishes, including ratifying the acceptance and the closing out or relinquishment of all trusts. The Trust Management Committee will provide regular reports of its activities to the Board.
Section 3.5. Other Committees. The Board may appoint, from time to time, committees of one or more persons who need not be directors, for such purposes and with such powers as the Board may determine; however, the Board will not delegate to any committee any powers or responsibilities that it is prohibited from delegating under any law or regulation. In addition, either the Chairman or the President may appoint, from time to time, committees of one or more officers, employees, agents or other persons, for such purposes and with such powers as either the Chairman or the President deems appropriate and proper. Whether appointed by the Board, the Chairman, or the President, any such committee shall at all times be subject to the direction and control of the Board.
Section 3.6. Meetings, Minutes and Rules. An advisory board of directors and/or committee shall meet as necessary in consideration of the purpose of the advisory board of directors or committee, and shall maintain minutes in sufficient detail to indicate actions taken or recommendations made; unless required by the members, discussions, votes or other specific details need not be reported. An advisory board of directors or a committee may, in consideration of its purpose, adopt its own rules for the exercise of any of its functions or authority.
ARTICLE IV
Officers
Section 4.1. Chairman of the Board. The Board may appoint one of its members to be Chairman of the Board to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Chairman shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these Bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the Board.
Section 4.2. President. The Board may appoint one of its members to be President of the Association. In the absence of the Chairman, the President shall preside at any meeting of the Board. The President shall have general executive powers, and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the office of President, or imposed by these Bylaws. The President shall also have and may exercise such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the Board.
Section 4.3. Vice President. The Board may appoint one or more Vice Presidents who shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board and to perform the duties of the President on those occasions when the President is absent, including presiding at any meeting of the Board in the absence of both the Chairman and President.
Section 4.4. Secretary. The Board shall appoint a Secretary, or other designated officer who shall be Secretary of the Board and of the Association, and shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The Secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these Bylaws to be given; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the Association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the Association; shall, upon request, authenticate any records of the Association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the Secretary, or imposed by these Bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board. The Board may appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries with such powers and duties as the Board, the President or the Secretary shall from time to time determine.
Section 4.5. Other Officers. The Board may appoint, and may authorize the Chairman, the President or any other officer to appoint, any officer as from time to time may appear to the Board, the Chairman, the President or such other officer to be required or desirable to transact the business of the Association. Such officers shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by these Bylaws, the Board, the Chairman, the President or such other authorized officer. Any person may hold two offices.
Section 4.6. Tenure of Office. The Chairman or the President and all other officers shall hold office until their respective successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, subject to the right of the Board or authorized officer to discharge any officer at any time.
ARTICLE V
Stock
Section 5.1. The Board may authorize the issuance of stock either in certificated or in uncertificated form. Certificates for shares of stock shall be in such form as the Board may from time to time prescribe. If the Board issues certificated stock, the certificate shall be signed by the President, Secretary or any other such officer as the Board so determines. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the Association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall, in proportion to such person’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. Each certificate of stock shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the Association properly endorsed. The Board may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the Association for stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings, and related matters, and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
ARTICLE VI
Corporate Seal
Section 6.1. The Association shall have no corporate seal; provided, however, that if the use of a seal is required by, or is otherwise convenient or advisable pursuant to, the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction, the following seal may be used, and the Chairman, the President, the Secretary and any Assistant Secretary shall have the authority to affix such seal:
ARTICLE VII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 7.1. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, checks, drafts, orders, indentures, notes, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, endorsements, assignments, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, guarantees, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, countersigned, executed, acknowledged, endorsed, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the Association, whether in a fiduciary capacity or otherwise, by any officer of the Association, or such employee or agent as may be designated from time to time by the Board by resolution, or by the Chairman or the President by written instrument, which resolution or instrument shall be certified as in effect by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Association. The provisions of this section are supplementary to any other provision of the Articles of Association or Bylaws.
Section 7.2. Records. The Articles of Association, the Bylaws as revised or amended from time to time and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board, and standing committees of the Board, shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for the purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the Secretary, or other officer appointed to act as Secretary of the meeting.
Section 7.3. Trust Files. There shall be maintained in the Association files all fiduciary records necessary to assure that its fiduciary responsibilities have been properly undertaken and discharged.
Section 7.4. Trust Investments. Funds held in a fiduciary capacity shall be invested according to the instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship and according to law. Where such instrument does not specify the character and class of investments to be made and does not vest in the Association a discretion in the matter, funds held pursuant to such instrument shall be invested in investments in which corporate fiduciaries may invest under law.
Section 7.5. Notice. Whenever notice is required by the Articles of Association, the Bylaws or law, such notice shall be by mail, postage prepaid, e- mail, in person, or by any other means by which such notice can reasonably be expected to be received, using the address of the person to receive such notice, or such other personal data, as may appear on the records of the Association.
Except where specified otherwise in these Bylaws, prior notice shall be proper if given not more than 30 days nor less than 10 days prior to the event for which notice is given.
ARTICLE VIII
Indemnification
Section 8.1. The Association shall indemnify such persons for such liabilities in such manner under such circumstances and to such extent as permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as now enacted or hereafter amended. The Board may authorize the purchase and maintenance of insurance and/or the execution of individual agreements for the purpose of such indemnification, and the Association shall advance all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending any action, suit or proceeding to all persons entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.1. Such insurance shall be consistent with the requirements of 12 C.F.R. § 7.2014 and shall exclude coverage of liability for a formal order assessing civil money penalties against an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u).
Section 8.2. Notwithstanding Section 8.1, however, (a) any indemnification payments to an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), for an administrative proceeding or civil action initiated by a federal banking agency, shall be reasonable and consistent with the requirements of 12 U.S.C. § 1828(k) and the implementing regulations thereunder; and (b) any indemnification payments and advancement of costs and expenses to an institution-affiliated party, as defined at 12 U.S.C. § 1813(u), in cases involving an administrative proceeding or civil action not initiated by a federal banking agency, shall be in accordance with Delaware General Corporation Law and consistent with safe and sound banking practices.
ARTICLE IX
Bylaws: Interpretation and Amendment
Section 9.1. These Bylaws shall be interpreted in accordance with and subject to appropriate provisions of law, and may be added to, altered, amended, or repealed, at any regular or special meeting of the Board.
Section 9.2. A copy of the Bylaws and all amendments shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the principal office of the Association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during Association hours.
ARTICLE X
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 10.1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Association shall begin on the first day of January in each year and shall end on the thirty-first day of December following.
Section 10.2. Governing Law. This Association designates the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time, as the governing law for its corporate governance procedures, to the extent not inconsistent with Federal banking statutes and regulations or bank safety and soundness.
***
(February 8, 2021)
Exhibit 6
CONSENT
In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the undersigned, U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.
Dated: February 27, 2024
| By: | /s/ Michael W. McGuire | |
| Michael W. McGuire | ||
| Vice President |
Exhibit 7
U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association
Statement of Financial Condition
as of 12/31/2023
($000’s)
| 12/31/2023 | ||||
| Assets | ||||
| Cash and Balances Due From Depository Institutions | $ | 1,171,838 | ||
| Securities | 4,441 | |||
| Federal Funds | 0 | |||
| Loans & Lease Financing Receivables | 0 | |||
| Fixed Assets | 1,409 | |||
| Intangible Assets | 578,492 | |||
| Other Assets | 218,268 | |||
| Total Assets | $ | 1,974,448 | ||
| Liabilities | ||||
| Deposits | $ | 0 | ||
| Fed Funds | 0 | |||
| Treasury Demand Notes | 0 | |||
| Trading Liabilities | 0 | |||
| Other Borrowed Money | 0 | |||
| Acceptances | 0 | |||
| Subordinated Notes and Debentures | 0 | |||
| Other Liabilities | 255,900 | |||
| Total Liabilities | $ | 255,900 | ||
| Equity | ||||
| Common and Preferred Stock | 200 | |||
| Surplus | 1,171,635 | |||
| Undivided Profits | 546,713 | |||
| Minority Interest in Subsidiaries | 0 | |||
| Total Equity Capital | $ | 1,718,548 | ||
| Total Liabilities and Equity Capital | $ | 1,974,448 | ||
Exhibit 107
Calculation of Filing Fee Tables
Form S-3
(Form Type)
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities
Security Type |
Security Class Title |
Fee Calculation or Carry Forward Rule |
Amount Registered |
Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit |
Maximum Aggregate Offering Price |
Fee Rate |
Amount of Registration Fee |
Carry Forward Form Type |
Carry Forward File Number |
Carry Forward Initial Effective Date |
Filing Fee Previously Paid In Connection with Unsold Securities to be Carried Forward | |
| Newly Registered Securities | ||||||||||||
| Equity | Common Stock, par value $0.01 (1) | Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) (2) | (2) | (2) | (2) | (3) | (3) | |||||
| Equity | Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 (1) | Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) (2) | (2) | (2) | (2) | (3) | (3) | |||||
| Fees to be Paid | Other | Depositary Shares (1) | Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) (2) | (2) | (2) | (2) | (3) | (3) | ||||
| Other | Purchase Contracts (1) | Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) (2) | (2) | (2) | (2) | (3) | (3) | |||||
| Other | Warrants (1) | Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) (2) | (2) | (2) | (2) | (3) | (3) | |||||
| Debt | Debt Securities (1) | Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) (2) | (2) | (2) | (2) | (3) | (3) | |||||
| Other | Units (1) | Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) (2) | (2) | (2) | (2) | (3) | (3) | |||||
| Carry Forward Securities | ||||||||||||
Carry Forward Securities |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||
| Total Offering Amounts | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
| Total Fees Previously Paid | N/A | |||||||||||
| Total Fee Offsets | N/A | |||||||||||
| Net Fee Due | N/A | |||||||||||
| (1) | Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. |
| (2) | Omitted pursuant to Instruction 2.A.iii.c. to Item 16(b) of Form S-3. An indeterminate aggregate offering price or number of securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices. Includes such indeterminate amounts of securities as may be issued upon exercise, conversion or exchange of, or pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments with respect to, any securities that provide for that issuance or adjustment. Also includes such indeterminate amount as may be issued in units. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of, or pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments with respect to, any other securities. |
| (3) | The registrant is deferring payment of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 456(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and is excluding this information in reliance on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act. Any registration fees will be paid subsequently on a pay-as-you-go basis. |