UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Month of November 2023

Commission File Number: 001-39431

 

 

Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

 

Sycamore House

Gunnels Wood Road

Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2BP

United Kingdom

(Address of principal executive office)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

☒  Form 20-F            ☐  Form 40-F

 

 

 


INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This Report on Form 6-K (the “Report”) shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the registration statements on Form F-3 (File No. 333-259444) and Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-242129, 333-242133, 333-259852 and 333-265634) of Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc (including any prospectuses forming a part of such registration statements) and to be a part thereof from the date on which this Report is furnished, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.

INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT ON FORM 6-K

Following the receipt of a proposal from Syncona Investment Management Limited in respect of the proposed Acquisition (as defined below), the board of directors of Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc (the “Company”) established a special committee of independent directors of the Company (the “Special Committee”), to, among other things, review, evaluate, negotiate and consider all matters which may arise in connection with the Acquisition. Upon its establishment, the Special Committee engaged Leerink Partners LLC (“Leerink Partners”) as its exclusive financial adviser.

Implementation Agreement

On November 22, 2023, the Company entered into an Implementation Agreement (the “Implementation Agreement”) with Bidco 1354 Limited (“Bidco”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Syncona Portfolio Limited (collectively referred to as “Syncona”). Pursuant to the terms of the Implementation Agreement, Syncona has agreed to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of the Company (the “Company Shares”) for $6.50 in cash per American Depositary Share (“ADS”) (the “Consideration”), excluding any treasury shares, any Company Shares held by Bidco or its affiliates, and certain pre-initial public offering equity awards forfeited upon the termination of the holder’s employment (collectively, the “Excluded Shares”). Under the terms of the Implementation Agreement, the proposed acquisition (the “Acquisition”) would be implemented by means of a scheme of arrangement to be undertaken by the Company pursuant to Part 26 of the UK Companies Act 2006 (a “Scheme”). Bidco reserves the right under the Implementation Agreement to effect the Acquisition by way of a takeover offer after consultation with the Special Committee.

Leerink Partners has delivered to the Special Committee an opinion to the effect that, based upon and subject to the various assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken in preparing such opinion as set forth therein, the Consideration proposed to be paid to the holders of Company Shares (other than the Excluded Shares) is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders.

The Consideration was arrived at after arm’s length negotiations between Bidco and the Special Committee on a willing-seller, willing-buyer basis, taking into account, amongst other things, the prevailing market conditions and precedent transactions, the historical and expected financial performance of the Company, and the market prices of the ADSs on Nasdaq Capital Market.

The Scheme involves an application by the Company to the High Court of Justice in England and Wales (the “Court”) to sanction the Scheme, pursuant to which the issued and outstanding Company Shares that are not the Excluded Shares (the “Scheme Shares”), will be transferred to Bidco, in consideration for which holders of Scheme Shares will receive the Consideration. The transfer of the Scheme Shares to Bidco, provided for in the Scheme, will result in the entire issued and to be issued share capital of the Company (other than the Excluded Shares) being held by Bidco.

The Scheme will apply to any Company Shares which are acquired and held by (or on behalf of) Company Share Plan (as defined in the Implementation Agreement) participants as at the Scheme record time. Pursuant to the terms of the Implementation Agreement, Bidco and the Company have agreed that the vesting of all outstanding equity awards (the “Awards”) which are outstanding immediately before the date the Court sanctions the Scheme will be accelerated in full, save that any Award granted in the form of an option which has a per Company Share exercise price which is equal to or exceeds the per Company Share consideration payable under the terms of the Scheme will be cancelled for no consideration.

The completion of the proposed Acquisition is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, including, among other things: (1) the absence of any law or order by any governmental authority enjoining, preventing, restraining, prohibiting or otherwise making illegal the proposed acquisition; (2) the accuracy of the Company’s representations and warranties under the Implementation Agreement (subject to a material adverse effect standard in certain cases); (3) the absence of a Company material adverse effect; and (4) the Company’s compliance with its obligations under the Implementation Agreement.

 


The proposed Acquisition is also subject to, among other things: approval by at least 75% in value and a majority in number of the holders of Scheme Shares (the “Company Shareholders”), present, entitled to vote and voting (in person or by proxy) at the meeting to be convened by order of the Court in order for the Company Shareholders to consider, and if thought fit, to approve, the Scheme (the “Court Meeting”); the passing of all resolutions necessary to approve and implement the Scheme by the requisite majority at the general meeting to be convened for Company Shareholders to consider, and if thought fit approve, certain matters in connection with the Scheme and the proposed Acquisition; and the sanctioning of the Scheme by the Court. Syncona will not be entitled to vote at the Court Meeting.

In addition, if the Scheme does not become effective by 11:59 p.m. on the Long Stop Date (as defined in the Implementation Agreement), the Acquisition will lapse and either party will be entitled to terminate the Implementation Agreement. The Implementation Agreement also contains certain other termination rights for each of the Company and Bidco.

The Implementation Agreement contains certain customary representations, warranties and covenants, including, among others, covenants with respect to the conduct of the Company’s business prior to completion of the Acquisition.

The Implementation Agreement contains certain termination rights for each of the Company and Bidco. Under specified circumstances, the Company is permitted to terminate the Implementation Agreement to accept a superior proposal (generally defined as a proposal for 80% or more of the voting power and economic rights or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets), which proposal the Special Committee has determined, in good faith, after consultation with its outside counsel and financial advisors: (i) would be a superior proposal to the Acquisition; and (ii) that it would be in breach of its fiduciary duties or would otherwise violate its obligations under the UK Companies Act 2006 if it failed to pursue, engage in or otherwise participate in discussions or negotiations with respect to such proposal.

The foregoing description of the Implementation Agreement is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the copy of the Implementation Agreement attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference. The representations and warranties contained in the Implementation Agreement were made only for purposes of that agreement and as of specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to the Implementation Agreement, may be subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from what might be viewed as material to shareholders and may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made by the parties to each other. Investors should not rely on the representations and warranties contained in the Implementation Agreement as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of the Company, Bidco or any of their respective subsidiaries, affiliates or businesses.

Convertible Loan Notes

On November 22, 2023, the Company issued U.S.$10,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Fixed Rate Convertible Loan Notes due 2024 (the “Convertible Loan Notes”) to Syncona. On completion of certain business and Acquisition-related milestones, the Company will issue an additional U.S.$5,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Loan Notes. The proceeds of the Convertible Loan Notes will be used for working capital to continue its GALILEO-1 clinical trial for FLT201 in Gaucher disease, prepare for a potential registrational trial, advance its GBA1-linked Parkinson’s disease research program, and for general corporate purposes.

The Convertible Loan Notes are governed by a Secured Convertible Loan Note Certificate, dated November 22, 2023 (attached as Exhibit 99.2 hereto) and are secured pursuant to a Security Agreement dated November 22, 2023, granted by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (attached as Exhibit 99.3). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meaning ascribed to them in the Secured Convertible Loan Note Certificate.


The Convertible Loan Notes will bear interest on a daily basis at a rate of 12% per annum. Interest on the Convertible Loan Notes will be capitalized monthly in arrears. Upon repayment or conversion, a premium of 10% of the principal outstanding (excluding capitalized interest) will be added to the loan balance. It is expected that the Convertible Loan Notes will mature on November 20, 2024 (the “Maturity Date”), subject to earlier conversion or repayment.

The Convertible Loan Notes are convertible at the option of the holder during the period starting on the earlier to occur of May 22, 2024 and the date of termination of the Implementation Agreement and ending on the Maturity Date into ADSs on and subject to certain conditions. If at any time following the issuance of the Convertible Loan Notes and prior to the Maturity Date either a Qualified Equity Financing or a Matching Right Financing (each as defined in the Secured Convertible Loan Note Certificate) shall occur, the Repayment Amount in respect of all of the Convertible Loan Notes shall be mandatorily converted into ADSs. In each case the Convertible Loan Notes will be converted into ADSs at the conversion price of U.S.$6.50, subject to reduction or adjustment in accordance with the terms of the Secured Convertible Loan Note Certificate (the “Conversion Price”).

Under the Security Agreement, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries provide fixed and floating charges over all of their assets (and assign certain assets) to Syncona to secure the Company’s obligations under the Convertible Loan Notes. If the Company breaches its obligations under the Convertible Loan Notes, subject in various cases to certain cure rights, Syncona would be entitled to enforce the Security Agreement and dispose of the secured assets in order to discharge the amount owed to under the Convertible Loan Notes.

The foregoing summaries of the Convertible Loan Notes, the Secured Convertible Loan Note Certificate and the Security Agreement do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by the full text of the Secured Convertible Loan Note Certificate and the Security Agreement, which are attached as Exhibit 99.2 and Exhibit 99.3, respectively, and are incorporated by reference.

Press Release

On November 22, 2023, the Company issued a press release (the “Press Release”) announcing that the Company and Bidco had reached an agreement on the terms of the proposed Acquisition of the Company by Bidco. The Press Release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.4 and is incorporated herein by reference.

EXHIBIT LIST

 

Exhibit   

Description

99.1*^    Implementation Agreement, dated November 22, 2023, by and between Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc and Bidco 1354 Limited.
99.2   

Security Agreement, dated November 22, 2023, relating to U.S.$10,000,000 Fixed Rate Convertible Loan Notes due 2024.

99.3^   

Secured Convertible Loan Note Certificate, dated November 22, 2023, relating to U.S.$10,000,000 Fixed Rate Convertible Loan Notes due 2024.

99.4    Press Release, dated November 22, 2023.

 

*

Certain schedules to this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Registrant hereby agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedules to the Commission upon request.

^

Portions of this exhibit have been redacted because it (i) is not material and (ii) the registrant customarily and actually treats that information as private or confidential.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

      FREELINE THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS PLC
Date: November 22, 2023       By:   /s/ Chip McCorkle
      Name   Chip McCorkle
      Title:   Vice President, Legal & Company Secretary

Exhibit 99.1

CERTAIN INFORMATION IN THIS EXHIBIT IDENTIFIED BY [***] IS

CONFIDENTIAL AND HAS BEEN EXCLUDED BECAUSE IT (I) IS NOT

MATERIAL AND (II) THE REGISTRANT CUSTOMARILY AND ACTUALLY

TREATS THAT INFORMATION AS PRIVATE OR CONFIDENTIAL.

22 NOVEMBER 2023

 

(1)

BIDCO 1354 LIMITED

 

(2)

FREELINE THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS PLC

 

 

IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENT

 

 

 

LOGO

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP

22 Bishopsgate

London

EC2N 4BQ


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1.

  INTERPRETATION      1  

2.

  CASH CONSIDERATION      17  

3.

  INDICATIVE TIMETABLE      18  

4.

  CONDITIONS      18  

5.

  IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACQUISITION      18  

6.

  DOCUMENTATION, INFORMATION AND UNDERTAKINGS      20  

7.

  COMPANY INCENTIVE ARRANGEMENTS      24  

8.

  ANNOUNCEMENT      24  

9.

  RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFORMATION AND STANDARDS OF CARE      24  

10.

  CONDUCT PENDING COMPLETION OF THE ACQUISITION      26  

11.

  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES      31  

12.

  TERMINATION      49  

13.

  FEES, COSTS, PAYMENTS AND TRANSFER TAXES      51  

14.

  REMEDIES AND WAIVERS      52  

15.

  INVALIDITY      52  

16.

  NOTICES      52  

17.

  ENTIRE AGREEMENT; SEVERANCE      54  

18.

  GENERAL; NO THIRD PARTY RIGHTS      54  

19.

  GOVERNING LAW      55  

20.

  NO SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES      55  

SCHEDULE I INDICATIVE TIMETABLE

     58  

SCHEDULE II CONDITIONS

     59  

SCHEDULE III ANNOUNCEMENT

     64  

SCHEDULE IV [***] COMPANY INCENTIVE ARRANGEMENTS

     65  

SCHEDULE V [***] SENIOR EMPLOYEES

     68  

SCHEDULE VI [***] DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES

     69  

 

i


THIS AGREEMENT is made on 22 November 2023.

AMONG:

 

(1)

BIDCO 1354 LIMITED, a company incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 15295548 and whose registered office is at 8 Bloomsbury Street, London, United Kingdom, WC1B 3SR (“Bidco”); and

 

(2)

FREELINE THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS PLC, a public limited company incorporated in England and Wales (registered number 12546479), whose registered office is at Sycamore House, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England, SG1 2BP United Kingdom (the Company”),

together referred to as the “Parties” and each as a “Party” to this agreement (the “Agreement”).

WHEREAS:

 

(A)

The Parties each desire the Acquisition of the Company by Bidco.

 

(B)

The Special Committee intend to recommend the Acquisition to the Company Shareholders.

 

(C)

The Parties have agreed that the Acquisition will be implemented by means of a scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Act, although Bidco may, in the circumstances and subject to the conditions set out in this Agreement, elect to implement the Acquisition by means of a Takeover Offer.

 

(D)

The Scheme will result in Bidco acquiring the entire issued and to be issued share capital of the Company (other than the Excluded Shares).

 

(E)

The Parties have agreed to take certain steps to implement the Acquisition and wish to enter into this Agreement to record their respective obligations relating to such matters.

IT IS AGREED:

 

1.

Interpretation

 

  1.1

In this Agreement, its Recitals and Schedules, each of the following expressions shall have the following meaning:

 

Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement    any customary confidentiality agreement that: (i) contains provisions that are not, in the aggregate, less favourable to the Company than those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement; and (ii) does not prohibit the Company from providing any information to Bidco in accordance with Clause 10.2;
Acquisition    the acquisition by Bidco of the entire issued and to be issued share capital of the Company (other than the Excluded Shares) for the Consideration, to be effected in accordance with this Agreement by means of the Scheme or, in the event that Bidco elects to proceed with such acquisition by way of a Takeover Offer in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, a Takeover Offer, and shall, in any case, where the context so requires, include any subsequent revision, variation, extension or renewal thereof as agreed by the Parties in writing;


Acquisition Proposal    any inquiry, proposal or offer from any person (other than Bidco) relating to: (i) any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, of (A) 20% or more (based on the fair market value thereof, as reasonably determined by the Special Committee) of the assets (including share capital of the Company’s subsidiaries) of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (B) shares carrying 20% or more of the aggregate voting power and economic rights of the Company; or (ii) any takeover offer, exchange offer, merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalisation, liquidation, dissolution, share exchange or similar transaction involving the Company that, if consummated, would result in any person (or the shareholders of any person) owning, directly or indirectly, shares carrying 20% or more of the aggregate voting power and economic rights of the Company or the resulting direct or indirect parent of the Company, other than, in each case, the Acquisition;
Act    the UK Companies Act 2006 (including the schedules thereto);
Additional Bonus    has the meaning given to it in paragraph 6.1 in Schedule IV;
Advisers    in relation to Bidco, S&S and Mintz, and, in relation to the Company, Skadden, including (unless the context requires otherwise) partners in and directors, members and employees of such advisers;
ADS    an American Depositary Share representing fifteen Company Shares;
Affiliate    with respect to any person, any other person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such person (as used in this definition, “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by Contract or otherwise);
Agreed Form    in relation to any document, such document in the terms agreed among the Parties as at the date of this Agreement, subject to any further changes as the Parties may agree from time to time;
Agreed Switch    has the meaning given to it in Clause 5.3;
Announcement    the press announcement of an intention to proceed with the Acquisition, in the Agreed Form as set out in Schedule III (Announcement);
Anti-Corruption Laws    the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, the US Anti-Kickback Act of 1986, as amended, the UK Bribery Act of 2012 and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions or any applicable Law of similar effect, and the related regulations and published interpretations thereunder;
Articles    the articles of association of the Company;
Awards    has the meaning given to it in Schedule IV;

 

2


Benefit Plan    means each “employee benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, whether or not subject to ERISA, and each other employment, consulting, cash, equity or equity-based incentive, commission, pension, retirement, termination, severance, deferred compensation, health, welfare, paid time-off, compensation, benefit or similar plan, scheme, program, policy, agreement or arrangement that is sponsored, maintained, contributed to or required to be contributed to by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or with respect to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has any Liability, without regard to whether participation in, or contribution to, such plan, scheme, program, policy, agreement or arrangement is required by Law;
Bidco Directors    the directors of Bidco from time to time;
Bidco Group    Bidco, its Affiliates and its subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings from time to time (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall exclude the Company or any other member of the Company Group);
Bidco Information    has the meaning given to it in Clauses 6.2 and 6.7;
Bidco Material Adverse Effect    a material adverse effect on Bidco’s ability to consummate the Acquisition;
Bidco Offer Documents    has the meaning given to it in Clause 6.9;
Business Day    a day (other than Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday) on which banks in the City of London and New York City are open for business generally;
BW Deferred Share    means the deferred share in the Company with a par value of £100,000 issued to Benjamin Warriner;
Cash Consideration    has the meaning given to it in Clause 2.1;
Circular    the circular to be issued by the Company to the Company Shareholders setting out, among other things, the terms and conditions of the Acquisition and the notice of the Court Meeting and the General Meeting, and which shall be an exhibit to the Schedule 13E-3 prepared in accordance with Section 13E-3 of the Exchange Act;
Company Adverse Change Recommendation    has the meaning given to it in Clause 10.4.1;
Company Directors    the directors of the Company from time to time;
Company Group    the Company and its subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings from time to time;
Company Incentive Arrangements    the Company Share Plans and the other incentive arrangements described in Schedule IV;
Company Intellectual Property Rights    any and all Intellectual Property Rights (i) owned or purported to be owned by the Company or any of its Affiliates or (ii) licensed, or for which rights are otherwise granted or held for use, to the Company or any of its Affiliates by a third party, including, but not limited to, the Licensed Intellectual Property Rights, the Owned Intellectual Property Rights, the Product Intellectual Property Rights, the Licensed Registered IP and the Owned Registered IP;

 

3


Company Material Adverse Effect   

any state of facts, condition, development, circumstance, change, effect or event which, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on:

(i) the condition (financial or otherwise), business, assets, liabilities or results of operations of the Company Group, taken as a whole; provided, however that, solely for the purposes of this sub-clause (i), none of the following shall be deemed, either alone or in combination, to constitute or be taken into account in determining whether there is, or would reasonably be expected to be, a Company Material Adverse Effect:

 

(A)  changes in general economic conditions, or changes in securities, credit or other financial markets, in the United States or the UK, or conditions generally affecting the industry in which the Company operates, including the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries;

 

(B)  acts of war, sabotage or terrorism or natural disasters or pandemics involving the United States or the UK;

 

(C)  changes of applicable Law or GAAP or the interpretation thereof;

 

(D)  any event arising directly or indirectly from or otherwise relating to any change in, or any compliance with or action taken for the purpose of complying with any change in, any applicable Law or GAAP (or interpretations of any applicable Law or GAAP), provided that such change is not at the Company’s discretion in a manner inconsistent with past practice;

 

(E)  the announcement, pendency or consummation of this Agreement and the Acquisition, the identity of Bidco or any of its Affiliates or any communication by Bidco or any of its Affiliates regarding plans, proposals or projections with respect to the Company or its employees (provided, however, that this sub-clause (E) shall not apply with respect to the representations and warranties (in whole or in relevant part) made by the Company in this Agreement, the purpose of which is to address the consequences resulting from, relating to or arising out of the entry into or the announcement, pendency or consummation of this Agreement or the Acquisition);

 

(F)  the direct or indirect effects of:

 

(1)   any breach by Bidco of the terms of this Agreement;

 

4


 

(2) any action that Bidco directs the Company to take in writing or which Bidco specifically consents in writing pursuant to this Agreement; or

 

(3) any action specifically required to be taken by the Company, or the failure of the Company to take any action that the Company is specifically prohibited by the terms of the Agreement from taking, to the extent Bidco fails to give its timely consent thereto after a written request therefor pursuant to Clause 10.1;

 

(G)  any failure of the Company to meet any internal or public projections, forecasts, estimates of earnings or revenues;

 

(H)  the results of the Company’s GALILEO-1 trial in FLT201; or

 

(I)   any proceedings, claim, suit or action made by a Company Shareholder: (i) arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the Acquisition; or (ii) relating to a breach of the fiduciary duties of the Special Committee to the Company Shareholders under applicable Laws;

 

except,

 

(1)   in the case of sub-clauses (A), (B) and (C), to the extent such state of facts, condition, development, circumstance, change, effect or event disproportionately affect the Company relative to other participants in the industry in which the Company operates;

 

(2)   the exceptions set forth in sub-clause (G) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any state of facts, condition, development, circumstance, change, effect or event underlying, or that may have contributed to, such failure has resulted in or contributed to a Company Material Adverse Effect; or

 

(3) in the case of sub-clause (H), the following matters in relation to the results of the Company’s GALILEO-1 trial in FLT201 may be taken into account in determining whether there is, or would reasonably be expected to be, a Company Material Adverse Effect: (i) any material increase in alanine transaminase (ALT) or aspartame transaminase (AST) levels resulting in decreases in plasma enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase) levels to below (or failure to maintain such levels above) [***] in a patient dosed with FLT201 in such trial; or (ii) any serious adverse event resulting in death or serious injury attributable to FLT201; or (iii) any circumstances resulting in (a) an actual clinical hold, or (b) an order issued by the FDA or other relevant regulator, in each case with respect to the GALILEO-1 trial, that would reasonably be expected to result in the termination of such trial; or (iv) any termination of the GALILEO-1 trial; or

 

(ii) the ability of the Company to fulfill its obligations hereunder or to consummate the Acquisition on or before the Long Stop Date;

 

5


Company Share Plans    the Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, the Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc 2021 Equity Inducement Plan, the Freeline Therapeutics Share Option Plan, the Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc 2020 Employee Share Purchase Plan and the IPO Vesting Agreement;
Company Shareholders    holders of the Company Shares from time to time;
Company Shares    ordinary shares of the Company with a par value of GBP 0.00001 each; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, “Company Shares” include ordinary shares of the Company represented by ADSs;
Conditions    the conditions to completion of the Acquisition set out in Part A of Schedule II (Conditions);
Confidentiality Agreement    the confidentiality agreement entered into by Syncona Investment Management Limited and the Company on 21 July 2023;
Consideration    USD 0.433333 in cash for each Company Share (other than the Excluded Shares);
Contract    with respect to any person, any legally binding contract, agreement, lease, sublease, license, commitment, sale or purchase order, indenture, note, bond, loan, mortgage, deed of trust, instrument or other arrangement, whether written or oral, express or implied, to which such person is a party or by which such person or such person’s properties or assets are bound;
Court    the High Court of Justice in England and Wales;
Court Hearing    the hearing by the Court of the petition to sanction the Scheme (and to grant the Court Order);
Court Meeting    the meeting of Company Shareholders (and any adjournment, postponement or reconvention thereof) to be convened by order of the Court pursuant to section 896 of the Act in order for the Company Shareholders to consider, and if thought fit approve, the Scheme;
Court Order    the order of the Court sanctioning the Scheme under section 899 of the Act;
D&O Indemnified Parties    has the meaning given to it in Clause 6.10;
Depositary    Citibank, N.A.;
Deposit Agreement    the agreement dated 11 August 2020 between the Company, the Depositary and the holders from time to time of ADSs issued thereunder;
Disclosed    means the information which has been fairly disclosed: (i) in the Disclosure Schedules; and (ii) in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission prior to the date of this Agreement;

 

6


Disclosure Schedules    Schedule VI to this Agreement;
Effective Date   

the date upon which:

 

(i) the Scheme becomes effective in accordance with its terms; or

 

(ii)  if Bidco elects in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to implement the Acquisition by way of a Takeover Offer, the date that the Takeover Offer becomes or is declared unconditional;

Employee Shares    restricted shares in the Company granted pursuant to “pre IPO share award letters” issued to employees of the Company Group before the initial public offering of the Company on 7 August 2020, and which remain in issue in the form of Company Shares immediately prior to the granting of the Court Order (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Unvested Employee Leaver Shares);
Environmental Law    any applicable Law relating to pollution or protection of human health, worker health or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata), including any Law or regulation relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of Hazardous Materials, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials;
Environmental Permit    any Permit that is required by a Governmental Authority under any Environmental Law and necessary to the operation of the business of the Company Group;
ERISA    the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended;
Exchange Act    the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;
Excluded Shares    (i) any Company Shares legally or beneficially held by Bidco or any of its Affiliates; (ii) any Treasury Shares; (iii) the BW Deferred Share; and (iv) the Unvested Employee Leaver Shares;
FDA    the US Food and Drug Administration;
Federal Health Care Program    has the meaning given to it in Clause 11.1.13(f);
Financial Adviser    in relation to the Special Committee, Leerink Partners LLC, including (unless the context otherwise requires) directors, officers and employees thereof;
FY23 Bonuses    has the meaning given to it in paragraph 5.1 of Schedule IV;
GAAP    generally accepted accounting principles in the United States;

 

7


General Meeting    the general meeting of the Company Shareholders (including any adjournment, postponement or reconvention thereof) to be convened in connection with the Scheme in order for the Company Shareholders to consider, and if thought fit approve, certain matters in connection with the Scheme and the Acquisition, notice of which is to be set out in the Circular (including any adjournment, postponement or reconvention thereof);
Governmental Authority    any: (i) nation, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (ii) federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other government; or (iii) governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature including any governmental division, department, agency, commission, instrumentality, official, ministry, fund, foundation, centre, organisation, unit or body and any court, arbitrator or other tribunal;
Hazardous Materials    any waste, material, or substance that is listed, regulated or defined under any Environmental Law and includes any pollutant, chemical substance, hazardous substance, hazardous waste, special waste, solid waste, asbestos, mould, radioactive material, polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum or petroleum-derived substance or waste;
Health Authority    the Governmental Authorities which administer Health Laws including the FDA, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and other equivalent agencies in any jurisdiction;
Health Law    any applicable Law of any Governmental Authority (including multi-country organisations) the purpose of which is to ensure the safety, efficacy and quality of medicinal and pharmaceutical products by regulating the research, development, manufacturing, processing, importation, exportation, marketing, advertising, labelling, storage, pricing and distribution of these products, including applicable Law relating to good laboratory practices, good clinical practices, investigational use, product marketing authorisation, manufacturing facilities compliance and approval, good manufacturing practices, labelling, advertising, promotional practices, safety surveillance, record keeping and filing of required reports;
Health Submissions    has the meaning given to it in Clause 11.1.13(b);
HIPAA    collectively: (a) the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Pub. L. No. 104-191), including its implementing rules and regulations with respect to privacy, security of health information, and transactions and code sets; (b) the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (Title XIII of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009); (c) the Omnibus Rule effective March 26, 2013 (78 Fed. Rg. 5566), and other implementing rules regulations at 45 CFR Parts 160 and 164; and (d) any federal, state and local laws regulating the privacy and/or security of individually identifiable information, in each case, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time;

 

8


Indebtedness    any and all (i) indebtedness for borrowed money, whether current or funded, secured or unsecured, including that evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar instruments (and including all outstanding principal, prepayment premiums, if any, and accrued interest, fees and expenses related thereto), (ii) amounts owed with respect to drawn letters of credit, (iii) cash overdrafts, (iv) net obligations in respect of interest rate, currency or commodity swaps, collars, caps, hedges, futures Contract, forward Contract, options or other derivative instruments or arrangements, (v) obligations under conditional sale, title retention or similar agreements or arrangements creating an obligation with respect to the deferred purchase price of property, services, securities or assets with respect to which the Company Group is liable, primarily or secondarily, absolutely, contingently or otherwise, including all Company Group notes and “earn-out” payments, and (vi) indebtedness secured by an Encumbrance on the Company Group’s assets or properties and (vii) outstanding guarantees of obligations of the type described in (i) through (iii) above;
Indicative Timetable    the indicative timetable set out in Schedule I;
Intellectual Property Rights    all rights, title, and interests in and to all intellectual property rights of every kind and nature however denominated, throughout the world, including: (i) patents, patent applications, invention disclosures, and all related continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, reissues, re-examinations, substitutions, and extensions thereof (“Patents”), (ii) trademarks, service marks, names, corporate names, trade names, domain names, logos, slogans, trade dress, design rights, and other similar designations of source or origin, together with the goodwill symbolised by any of the foregoing (“Trademarks”), (iii) copyrights and copyrightable subject matter (“Copyrights”), (iv) rights in computer programs (whether in source code, object code, or other form), algorithms, databases, compilations and data, technology supporting the foregoing, and all documentation, including user manuals and training materials, related to any of the foregoing (“Software”), (v) trade secrets and all other confidential information, ideas, know-how, inventions, proprietary processes, formulae, models, and methodologies (“Trade Secrets”), (vi) rights of publicity, privacy, and rights to personal information, (vii) moral rights and rights of attribution and integrity, (viii) domain names and social media accounts and handles, (ix) all applications and registrations for the foregoing, and (x) all rights and remedies against past, present, and future infringement, misappropriation, or other violation thereof;
Internal Revenue Code    the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
IT Assets    computers, computer software, firmware, middleware, servers, workstations, routers, hubs, switches, data communications lines and all other information technology equipment, and all associated documentation owned by the Company or licensed or leased by the Company pursuant to any written agreement (excluding any public networks);

 

9


knowledge    with respect to the Company, any matter within the knowledge, information or belief of any of Michael Parini, Paul Schneider and Chip McCorkle, following due inquiry, and with respect to Bidco, any matter within the knowledge, information or belief of Chris Hollowood and Andrew Cossar following due inquiry;
IPO Vesting Agreement    the vesting agreement entered into between the Company and certain employees on 11 August 2020, under which the Parties to such agreement agreed to the continued existence of a transfer restriction and repurchase right in relation to certain Employee Shares in accordance with the terms specified therein;
Law    any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other law, statute, constitution, resolution, ordinance, common law, code, edict, decree, guidance, rule, regulation, ruling or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority or the Nasdaq Capital Market;
Leased Real Property    the real property that is leased or subleased by the Company and its subsidiaries;
Liability    any direct or indirect debt, liability, obligation, commitment, guaranty, claim, loss, damage, deficiency, fine, cost or expense of any kind or nature (in each case, including interest thereon), whether relating to payment, performance or otherwise, known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, fixed, absolute or contingent, joint or several, accrued or unaccrued, secured or unsecured, disclosed or undisclosed, liquidated or unliquidated, due or to become due, or determined, determinable or otherwise, asserted or not asserted, vested or unvested, or executory, whenever or however arising (including, whether or not required to be reflected or reserved against on the financial statements of the relevant person under GAAP if applicable);
Licensed Intellectual Property Rights    any and all Intellectual Property Rights, other than off-the-shelf commercially available software generally available on non-discriminatory pricing terms, owned by a third party and licensed or sublicensed to the Company or any of its Affiliates and related to a Product Candidate, or for which the Company or any of its Affiliates has obtained a covenant not to be sued related to a Product Candidate, including all Licensed Registered Intellectual Property Rights;
Licensed Registered IP    has the meaning given to it in Clause 11.1.16(a);
Lien    any mortgage, deed of trust, hypothecation, lien, license, pledge, charge, security interest, encumbrance or other adverse claim of any kind in respect of any property or asset, whether voluntarily incurred or arising by operation of law or otherwise, including any agreement to give or grant any of the foregoing. For the purposes of this Agreement, a person shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any property or asset that it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital or other lease or other title retention agreement relating to such property or asset;

 

10


Loan Documents    the Loan Note Certificate and the Security Agreement;
Loan Note Certificate    the secured convertible loan note certificate executed by the Company on or around the date of this Agreement, pursuant to which the Company agrees to issue, or has issued, as the context may require, the Notes;
Long Stop Date    22 May 2024 or such later date as the Bidco and the Company may agree in writing;
Matching Acquisition Proposal    has the meaning given to it in Clause 10.5(b)(i);
Material Contract    has the meaning given to it in Clause 11.1.18;
Mintz    Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.;
Notes    the USD 15,000,000 fixed rate convertible loan notes due 2024 issued by the Company on or around the date of this Agreement pursuant to the Loan Note Certificate;
NSI Act    means the National Security and Investment Act 2021 (as amended from time to time);
Offer Document    if Bidco elects to effect the Acquisition by means of a Takeover Offer pursuant to Clause 5.3, the document which would be despatched by Bidco to Company Shareholders in connection with the Takeover Offer which will contain, inter alia, the terms and conditions of the Takeover Offer;
Owned Intellectual Property Rights    has the meaning given to it in Clause 11.1.16(a);
Owned Registered IP    has the meaning given to it in Clause 11.1.16(a);
Permits    any certificates, permits, licenses, franchises, approvals, new drug applications (NDAs), biologics license applications (BLAs), investigational new drug applications (INDs), concessions, qualifications, registrations, certifications, designations, and similar authorisations from any Governmental Authority (including any Health Authority);
Permitted Liens    (a) any Lien for Taxes that are not due and payable or the validity of which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; (b) any Lien representing the rights of customers, suppliers and subcontractors in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice under the terms of any Contracts to which the relevant party hereto is a party or under general principles of commercial or government contract law (including mechanics’, materialmen’s, carriers’, workmen’s, warehouseman’s, repairmen’s, landlords’ and similar liens

 

11


   granted or which arise in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice); (c) in the case of any Contract, Liens that are restrictions against the transfer or assignment thereof that are included in the terms of such Contract; (d) in the case of real property, Liens that are easements, rights-of-way, encroachments, restrictions, conditions and other similar Liens incurred or suffered in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and which, individually or in the aggregate, do not and would not materially impair the use (or contemplated use), utility or value of the applicable real property or otherwise materially impair the present or contemplated business operations at such location, or zoning, entitlement, building and other land use regulations imposed by Governmental Authorities having jurisdiction over such real property or that are otherwise set forth on a title report; and (e) non-exclusive licenses of or other grants of rights to use or obligations with respect to Intellectual Property Rights that accompany the sale of the Company’s products or services in the ordinary course of business;
Personal Information    data and information concerning an identifiable natural person;
Personnel    in relation to any person, its board of directors and executive officers, members of their immediate families, related trusts and persons connected with them;
Privacy Laws    Laws relating to privacy and/or data security of Personal Information, including the EU Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC) (together with relevant national implementing legislation), the EU General Data Protection Regulation (2016/679) (together with relevant national implementing legislation, such as in the United Kingdom, the Data Protection Act 2018) and HIPAA;
Privacy Policies    has the meaning given to it in Clause 11.1.24;
Proceedings    has the meaning given to it in Clause 19.2;
Process    any operation that is performed upon Personal Information whether or not by automatic means, including the access, acquisition, collection, recording, organization, storage, alteration, retrieval, consultation, use, processing, disclosure, combination, blocking, transfer, return or destruction, and “Processed” or “Processing” shall be construed accordingly;
Product Candidate    the Company’s clinical program in FLT201 for the treatment of Gaucher disease type 1;
Product Intellectual Property Rights    the Intellectual Property Rights owned by or licensed to the Company and used or held for use in the use, sale, offer for sale, development, manufacture, distribution, importation, commercialization or other exploitation of the Product Candidates;
Proposals    has the meaning given to it in paragraph 3.1 of Schedule IV;

 

12


Receiving Agent    Computershare Investor Services plc, or any other receiving agent appointed by the Company in connection with the Acquisition after consultation with Bidco in accordance with Clause 2.5;
Receiving Agent Agreement    the agreement pursuant to which the Receiving Agent is appointed;
Relevant Period    the period between the date of this Agreement and the earlier to occur of: (i) the Effective Date; and (ii) the date of termination of this Agreement in accordance with Clause 12;
Relevant Withdrawal Event    has the meaning given to it in Clause 12.1.4;
Representatives    in relation to each Party, its Financial Advisers, Advisers, directors, officers, employees, and consultants;
Resolutions    the resolutions of the Company Shareholders to be proposed at the Court Meeting and the General Meeting in order to approve the Scheme and certain other matters in connection with the Acquisition;
Review Period    has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 14(9) of the NSI Act;
S&S    Simmons & Simmons LLP;
Sanction Date    the date that the Court sanctions the Scheme;
Sarbanes-Oxley Act”    the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2001, as amended;
SC Meeting Fees    the additional fees payable per Special Committee meeting to members of the Special Committee in consideration of their additional duties, responsibilities and time-spent in serving on the Special Committee, as determined from time to time by the Company Board and paid on the next practicable payroll date following each Special Committee meeting;
Sign-On Bonuses”    cash bonuses to be paid in accordance with the Company’s ordinary course of business, to new employees who have commenced or are due to commence their employment with the Company Group during 2023, such bonuses to be paid on the next practicable payroll date following the relevant individual’s commencement of employment with the Company Group, which is expected to be on or prior to 31 December 2023;
Schedule 14D-9    if Bidco elects to effect the Acquisition by means of a Takeover Offer pursuant to Clause 5.3, the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 filed by the Company with the SEC with respect to the Takeover Offer;
Schedule TO    if Bidco elects to effect the Acquisition by means of a Takeover Offer pursuant to Clause 5.3, the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO filed by Bidco with the SEC with respect to the Takeover Offer, together with all amendments and supplements thereto, and including all exhibits thereto;

 

13


Scheme    the scheme of arrangement to be proposed under section 899 of the Act by the Company to the Company Shareholders to implement the Acquisition, with or subject to any modification, addition or condition approved or imposed by the Court and agreed to by Bidco;
Scheme Conditions    the Conditions set out in paragraph 1 of Part A of Schedule II;
Scheme Record Time    the time and date to be specified as such in the Circular, expected to be 6.00 pm on the Business Day immediately preceding the Effective Date, or such other time as the Parties may agree;
SEC    the US Securities and Exchange Commission;
“Secretary of State    means the Secretary of State for the purposes of the NSI Act;
Securities Act    the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;
Security Agreement    the security agreement relating to the Loan Note Certificate entered into on or around the date of this Agreement by: (i) the Company, Freeline Holdings (UK) Limited and Freeline Therapeutics Limited (as chargors); and (ii) Syncona Portfolio Limited (as chargee);
Security Breach    any actual or suspected breach of security leading to the accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, theft, alteration, unauthorized disclosure, destruction of, access or damage to Personal Information Processed by the Company;
Senior Employees    each of the individuals listed in Schedule V;
Skadden    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP;
Special Committee    the special committee comprising certain independent Company Directors established by the board of directors of the Company for the purposes of considering, negotiating and implementing the Acquisition;
Special Committee Recommendation    the unanimous recommendation of the Special Committee to the Company Shareholders in respect of the Acquisition: (i) to vote in favour of the Scheme at the Court Meeting and in favour of the Resolutions at the General Meeting; or (ii) if Bidco elects to implement the Acquisition by way of a Takeover Offer pursuant to Clause 5.3, to accept the Takeover Offer (as the case may be);
Stamp Duty    any stamp duty payable on the transfer of Company Shares under the Act;
Superior Proposal    any bona fide written Acquisition Proposal that if consummated would result in a person (or the shareholders of any person) owning, directly or indirectly: (i) 80% or more of the aggregate voting power and economic rights of the Company or the resulting direct or indirect parent of the Company; or (ii) all or substantially all of the assets (including share capital of the Company’s subsidiaries) of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (A) on terms which the Special Committee determines, in good faith, after consultation with outside counsel and its Financial Adviser, would be a superior proposal to the Acquisition; and (B) which the Special Committee determines, in good faith, after consultation with outside counsel and its Financial Adviser, would result in the Special Committee being in breach of its fiduciary duties or violating its obligations under the Act or at common law if it failed to pursue, engage in or otherwise participate in discussions or negotiations with the person making such Acquisition Proposal;

 

14


Supplement    has the meaning given to it in Clause 6.7;
Takeover Offer    if Bidco elects to implement the Acquisition by way of a takeover offer pursuant to Clause 5.3, the takeover offer (within the meaning of section 974 of the Act) to be made by Bidco, to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of the Company (other than the Excluded Shares) including, where the context admits, any subsequent revision, variation, extension or renewal of such offer effected in accordance with this Agreement;
Tax    all forms of taxation and statutory, governmental, state, federal, provincial, local, foreign, government or municipal charges, fees, tolls, customs, duties, imposts, contributions, levies, withholdings, or liabilities or social security or national insurance contributions of any kind wherever chargeable and in any jurisdiction (including any amount due as if it were an amount of Tax) including net income, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, profits, branch profits, profit share, license, lease, service, service use, value added, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, estimated, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property, windfall profits, wealth, net wealth, net worth, export and import fees and charges, registration fees, tonnage, vessel, or other taxes, charges, fees, duties, levies, tariffs, imposts, tolls, customs, or other tax (however denominated), whether disputed or not, imposed or required to be withheld by any Tax Authority; and any penalty, fine, surcharge, interest, inflationary adjustment, additions to tax, charges, costs, or other additional amounts imposed thereon, with respect thereto, or relating thereto, in all cases, wherever and whenever imposed and regardless of whether such taxes, penalties, charges, costs and interest are directly or primarily chargeable against or attributable to the Company, any member of the Company Group or any other person and regardless of whether the Company, any member of the Company Group or any other person has or may have any right of reimbursement against any other person;
Tax Authority    any government, state or municipality or any local, state, federal or other fiscal, revenue, customs or excise authority, body or official or other Governmental Authority in any jurisdiction having authority in the assessment, collection or administration of Tax;
Tax Return    any return, report, certificate, form or similar statement or document (including any related or supporting information or schedule attached thereto and any information return, amended tax return, claim for refund or declaration of estimated Tax) required or permitted to be supplied to, or filed with, a Tax Authority in connection with the determination, assessment or collection of any Tax or the administration of any applicable Laws relating to any Tax;
Tax Sharing Agreement    any existing agreement or arrangement (whether or not written) binding any member of the Company Group that provide for the allocation, apportionment, sharing or assignment of any Tax Liability or benefit, excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Contract entered into in the ordinary course of business and which does not relate primarily to Taxes;

 

15


Transaction Documents    means this Agreement, the Announcement and the Confidentiality Agreement (and “Transaction Document” means any one of them);
Transfer Taxes    has the meaning given to it in Clause 13.2;
Treasury Shares    any Company Shares which are for the time being held by the Company as treasury shares (within the meaning of the Act);
undertaking party    has the meaning given to it in Clause 14.5;
Unvested Employee Leaver Shares    restricted shares in the Company granted pursuant to “pre IPO share award letters” issued to employees of the Company Group before the initial public offering of the Company on 7 August 2020, which have not vested and which have been forfeited pursuant to the terms of the relevant letter, and which will be repurchased by the Company prior to the Effective Date; and
Voting Record Time    in relation to the Court Meeting or General Meeting, as the context requires, the date and time to be specified in the Circular by reference to which entitlement to vote at the Court Meeting or General Meeting, as the case may be, will be determined.

 

  1.2

In this Agreement:

 

  1.2.1

the Recitals and Schedules form an integral part of this Agreement;

 

  1.2.2

the headings are for convenience only and shall not affect its interpretation;

 

  1.2.3

expressions used in this Agreement shall have the same meanings as in the Act, unless the context requires otherwise or they are otherwise defined in this Agreement;

 

  1.2.4

a reference to the provisions of applicable Law includes a reference to any provision which from time to time amends, extends, consolidates or replaces that provision and any subordinate legislation, rule or regulation made under any such provisions;

 

  1.2.5

words denoting the singular number shall include the plural, the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender and neuter, and vice versa;

 

  1.2.6

references to Clauses, Recitals and Schedules are, unless otherwise stated, to clauses of and recitals and schedules to this Agreement;

 

  1.2.7

references to offer and takeover offer shall be construed in accordance with the Act;

 

  1.2.8

references to a Party means a party to this Agreement and a reference to Parties means each of the parties to this Agreement;

 

  1.2.9

the expressions holding company, subsidiary and subsidiary undertaking shall have the meaning given to them in the Act;

 

  1.2.10

references to USD, US dollars or “$” shall mean the lawful currency of the United States of America and references to GBP, pound sterling, pence or “£” shall mean the lawful currency of the United Kingdom;

 

16


  1.2.11

references to persons shall include individuals, corporations (wherever incorporated), unincorporated associations (including partnerships), trusts, any form of governmental body, agency or authority, and any other organisation of any nature (in each case, whether or not having separate legal personality);

 

  1.2.12

references to a time of day are, unless expressly stated otherwise, to London time;

 

  1.2.13

references to include and including, and variations thereof, shall be deemed to be followed by the words without limitation; and

 

  1.2.14

a reference to any English legal term for any action, remedy, method or form of judicial proceeding, legal document, court or any other legal concept or matter will be deemed to include a reference to the corresponding or most similar legal term in any jurisdiction other than England, to the extent that such jurisdiction is relevant to the Acquisition or the terms of this Agreement.

 

  1.3

In construing this Agreement, the rule known as the ejusdem generis rule shall not apply and accordingly general words introduced or followed by the word other or including or in particular shall not be given a restrictive meaning because they are followed or preceded (as the case may be) by particular examples intended to fall within the meaning of the general words.

 

2.

Cash Consideration

 

  2.1

Bidco warrants and undertakes that sufficient resources are, and will remain until such time as Bidco procures payment of the Cash Consideration to the Receiving Agent in accordance with Clause 2.3, available to Bidco to satisfy, in full, the cash consideration requirements under and in connection with the Acquisition, including, without limitation: (i) the Consideration; (ii) any amount payable to holders of Awards pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) any Stamp Duty (together, in aggregate, the “Cash Consideration”). In the event that the Cash Consideration is increased, references in this Agreement to the Cash Consideration and to the amount required to enable Bidco to satisfy the Cash Consideration in full shall be to the amount as so increased.

 

  2.2

Bidco further warrants and undertakes that it will ensure that cash resources are, and will remain until the Effective Date, available to it sufficient to meet all the fees and expenses incurred by the Bidco Group in connection with the Acquisition, including without limitation, the fees and expenses of its Advisers.

 

  2.3

Bidco hereby undertakes that on or before the Effective Date, it shall procure the payment of the Cash Consideration (other than the Stamp Duty) to the Receiving Agent, in immediately available funds, which shall constitute satisfaction of its obligations to the Company Shareholders in respect of such Cash Consideration.

 

  2.4

Bidco undertakes that it shall provide to the Company such co-operation and assistance as may reasonably be required in connection with establishing procedures with the Receiving Agent and Depositary to ensure that the Receiving Agent transmits to the Depositary as promptly as practicable all amounts owed to holders of ADSs.

 

  2.5

The Company undertakes that it shall consult with Bidco to the extent reasonably practicable in respect of the appointment of the Receiving Agent (including the terms of the Receiving Agent Agreement).

 

17


3.

Indicative Timetable

Each Party shall use its reasonable endeavours to take all steps as are necessary to implement the Acquisition in accordance with the Indicative Timetable.

 

4.

Conditions

General

 

  4.1

The obligation of the Parties to implement the Scheme (or, if Bidco elects to implement the Acquisition by way of a Takeover Offer pursuant to Clause 5.3, the Takeover Offer) is subject to satisfaction of the Conditions or, where permitted or required under this Agreement, waiver of the Conditions (other than the Scheme Conditions) by Bidco or the Company, as applicable. Bidco shall appear by counsel at the Court Hearing (either individually or jointly with the Company) to undertake to be bound by the terms of the Scheme in so far as it relates to Bidco to the extent that all Conditions have been satisfied (or, with respect to the Conditions other than the Scheme Conditions, waived by Bidco or the Company, as applicable) prior to or on the date of the Court Hearing.

 

  4.2

Bidco undertakes that by 9.00 a.m. on the date of the Court Hearing, it shall deliver a notice in writing to the Company either: (i) confirming the satisfaction or waiver (where permitted) of all Conditions; or (ii) confirming its intention to invoke a Condition and, if so, it shall in such notice identify the Condition or Conditions which it considers it is entitled to invoke and provide reasonable details of the event which has occurred, or circumstance which has arisen, which it considers entitle it to invoke that Condition or those Conditions.

 

  4.3

Except as Disclosed, the Company undertakes to Bidco to keep Bidco informed promptly if it becomes aware of the occurrence or existence or any fact, event or circumstance that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect or would cause or constitute a material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained herein, provided, that nothing in this Agreement shall oblige the Company to provide any information to Bidco which is: (i) personally identifiable information of a director, officer or employee of the Company or its subsidiary undertakings, except to Bidco’s Advisers on an external counsel basis; or (ii) the Company is not permitted to provide pursuant to applicable Law or contractual obligation (provided, that, the Company shall use reasonable endeavours to make substitute arrangements or permit such disclosure in a manner that would not violate such restrictions).

 

5.

Implementation of the Acquisition

 

  5.1

The Acquisition shall entail the acquisition by Bidco of the entire issued and, to the extent issued in compliance with Clause 10.1.1(d), to be issued share capital of the Company (other than the Excluded Shares) by way of the Scheme.

 

  5.2

The Company undertakes to use all reasonable endeavours to implement the Scheme in accordance with the terms of, and the timetable set out in, the Circular, and to consult with Bidco in relation to such implementation.

 

  5.3

Each Party shall cooperate with each other and use reasonable endeavours to take, or cause to be taken, all actions necessary to consummate the Acquisition. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Party: (a) shall make all filings (if any) and give all notices (if any) required to be made and given by such Party (pursuant to any applicable Law or contract, or otherwise), including any required filings with or notices to any Governmental Authority, in connection with the Acquisition; (b) shall

 

18


  use reasonable endeavours to obtain each consent (if any) required to be obtained (pursuant to any applicable Law or contract, or otherwise) by such Party in connection with the Acquisition (provided, that in no event shall Bidco or the Company be required to pay any monies or agree to any material undertaking in connection with the foregoing); (c) shall submit promptly any information reasonably requested by any Governmental Authority in connection with the Acquisition or the filings made or notices given pursuant to this Clause 5.3; and (d) shall use reasonable endeavours to lift any restraint, injunction or other legal bar to the Acquisition. Each Party shall promptly deliver to the other Party a copy of each such filing made, notice given and consent obtained prior to the Effective Date.

 

  5.4

Notwithstanding Clause 5.1, the Parties each acknowledge that circumstances may arise whereby it may be considered preferable for the Acquisition to be implemented by way of a Takeover Offer. If, in Bidco’s opinion, such is the case then it may inform the Special Committee and the Special Committee agrees to enter into good faith discussions with Bidco regarding the preferred structure of the Acquisition, taking into account, amongst other things, the prospect of the Acquisition succeeding. The Special Committee will consent to the Acquisition being implemented by way of a Takeover Offer (rather than by way of the Scheme) (an “Agreed Switch”), unless the Special Committee determines in good faith, after consultation with outside counsel and its Financial Adviser, that providing such consent would result in the Special Committee being in breach of its fiduciary duties or violating its obligations under the Act or at common law.

 

  5.5

In the event that the Special Committee does not provide its consent to the Acquisition being implemented by way of a Takeover Offer pursuant to Clause 5.4, Bidco shall be entitled to proceed with such Takeover Offer (without the Special Committee Recommendation) and the Company agrees that it will promptly (and in any event within three (3) Business Days) following request by Bidco, provide or cause to be provided to Bidco mailing labels, security position listings, any non-objecting beneficial owner lists and any available listings or computer files containing the names and addresses of the record holders of Company Shares, in each case that are accurate and complete as of the most recent practicable date, and shall furnish Bidco with such additional available information (including, but not limited to, periodic updates of such information) and such other assistance as Bidco or their agents may reasonably request in communicating the Takeover Offer to the record and beneficial holders of Company Shares.

 

  5.6

In the event of an Agreed Switch:

 

  5.6.1

the Parties agree that the Takeover Offer will be conducted in compliance with US tender offer rules, including the requirement that such Takeover Offer be open for a period of at least 20 Business Days;

 

  5.6.2

the acceptance condition shall be set at not less than 75 per cent. of the Company Shares (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Company Shares already owned by Bidco or any of its Affiliates);

 

  5.6.3

neither Bidco nor its Affiliates or Representatives shall take any action which would cause the Takeover Offer not to proceed, to lapse or to be withdrawn in each case for non-fulfilment of the acceptance condition to the Takeover Offer for as long as the Takeover Offer is open for acceptance; and

 

  5.6.4

Bidco shall keep the Company informed, on a regular basis and in any event when next informed by the Receiving Agent following a request from the Company, of the number of the Company Shares in respect of which the Company Shareholders have validly returned their forms of acceptance or withdrawal forms or incorrectly completed their withdrawal or acceptance forms and the identity of such shareholders.

 

19


  5.7

In the event of an Agreed Switch, this Agreement shall continue in force until terminated pursuant to Clause 12, and shall be construed as far as possible to give effect to the intentions of the Parties under this Agreement.

 

  5.8

Save as otherwise permitted by Clause 10.4, the Company shall not, and shall procure that none of its subsidiaries or Representatives shall, take or knowingly omit to take any action that may result in the Acquisition being frustrated or in Company Shareholders being denied the opportunity to decide on its merits.

 

6.

Documentation, Information and Undertakings

The Circular and the Scheme

 

  6.1

The Company will procure that the Circular includes the Special Committee Recommendation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties agree and acknowledge that, subject to the provisions of this Agreement (including complying with Clauses 10.2 through 10.7), nothing will prevent the Special Committee from: (i) considering any proposal received from any other person during the Relevant Period; or (ii) adjourning or postponing or delaying the General Meeting if the Company receives a proposal from any other person and the Special Committee determines that such proposal is a Superior Proposal.

 

  6.2

Bidco undertakes to provide promptly to the Company all such information about itself and the Bidco Directors as may reasonably be requested by the Company for the purpose of inclusion in the Circular (“Bidco Information”) and to provide such other co-operation and assistance as may reasonably be required in connection with the preparation of the Circular, provided that the Company submits, or procures the submission of, drafts and revised drafts of the Circular to Bidco for review and considers its reasonable comments in relation thereto.

 

  6.3

The Company undertakes to:

 

  6.3.1

promptly provide Bidco with such information that Bidco may reasonably require in connection with implementing the Acquisition about the Company’s shareholder and other statutory registers, including, but not limited to, information about the holders of ADSs;

 

  6.3.2

prior to the General Meeting and Court Meeting, keep Bidco informed of the number of proxy votes received in respect of the resolutions to be proposed at the General Meeting and the Court Meeting and promptly to provide Bidco with details of any material changes to the Company’s shareholder and other statutory registers, including, without limitation, any material changes to the holders of ADSs, which occur prior to the Effective Date;

 

  6.3.3

co-operate with and provide such details to Bidco and its Advisers in relation to the Company Share Plans and Awards thereunder as Bidco or its Advisers may reasonably request and to communicate with participants of the Company Share Plans as necessary or desirable to implement the Acquisition in the manner contemplated by this Agreement (including the provisions of Schedule IV);

 

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  6.3.4

co-ordinate with Bidco for the purpose of obtaining any Tax clearances that Bidco may reasonably require to be obtained in connection with the Scheme and the Acquisition, to provide drafts of any such application for clearance and take into account Bidco’s reasonable comments and not to despatch any application for such clearance without the prior written consent of Bidco;

 

  6.3.5

provide, and procure that each member of the Company Group provides, promptly to Bidco and its Advisers such information, documentation and access to the management, employees, facilities and assets of the Company Group and its Advisers and independent auditors as is reasonably requested by Bidco for the purposes of implementing the Acquisition (including, without limitation, information provided to any member of the Company Group by the Receiving Agent), post-Acquisition planning, verifying the Company’s business plan and preparing or making any filing, notification or submission with a Tax Authority or Governmental Authority in connection with the Acquisition; and

 

  6.3.6

take any action not otherwise contemplated under this Agreement and which is reasonably requested by Bidco to implement the Acquisition.

 

  6.4

Bidco undertakes to notify the Company promptly of: (a) any changes in the information disclosed in any document or announcement published by Bidco in connection with the Acquisition which are material in the context of that document or announcement; and (b) any material new information which may be relevant to a Company Shareholder in considering the merits of the Acquisition, and agrees that any such information may be published by the Company if: (i) it determines that such disclosure is necessary to ensure that all Company Shareholders have sufficient information to consider the merits of the Acquisition; and (ii) Bidco has consented to the content and form of the disclosure (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

 

  6.5

None of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Company for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Circular will, at the date it is first mailed to the Company Shareholders, or at the time of the General Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein not false or misleading in light of the circumstances under which they are made. No representation is made by the Company with respect to statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied by Bidco for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein.

 

  6.6

None of the information supplied or to be supplied by Bidco for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Circular will, at the date it is first mailed to the Company Shareholders, or at the time of the General Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein not false or misleading in light of the circumstances under which they are made. No representation is made by Bidco with respect to statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on information supplied by the Company for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein.

 

  6.7

If any supplemental circular (or related materials) or document is required to be published by the Company in connection with the Acquisition or, subject to the prior written consent of Bidco, any variation or amendment to the Acquisition (a “Supplement”), Bidco shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, provide such co-operation and information (including such information as is necessary for the Supplement to comply with all applicable legal and regulatory provisions) as may be required or reasonably requested by the Company in order to finalise the relevant Supplement (such information also being Bidco Information). The Company shall submit, or procure the submission of drafts and revised drafts of the Supplement to Bidco in reasonable time for review and shall consider Bidco’s reasonable comments in relation thereto.

 

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  6.8

Subject to Bidco discharging its obligations under Clause 6.2, the Company and Bidco shall use best efforts to jointly prepare and shall file with the SEC, as promptly as practicable following execution of this Agreement and in any event no later than 10 Business Days after the date of this Agreement, or such later date as the Parties agree in writing, a Schedule 13E-3, which will include the Circular as an exhibit. Bidco and the Company shall furnish to each other all information concerning such Party as may be reasonably requested in preparation of the Schedule 13E-3 and the Circular. Thereafter:

 

  6.8.1

each Party shall promptly provide the other Party with copies of any written comments, or inform the other Party of any oral comments, from the SEC with respect to the Schedule 13E-3 and/or the Circular and shall respond as promptly as reasonably practicable to any such comments after providing the other Party reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any draft correspondence and giving reasonable consideration to such comments; and each Party shall provide the other Party a reasonable opportunity to participate in any discussions with the SEC or its staff concerning such comments;

 

  6.8.2

the Company and Bidco shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable: (a) prepare and file any amendments to the Schedule 13E-3 and/or the Circular, as applicable, which are necessary to be filed in response to any such comments from the SEC; (b) use its reasonable endeavours to have the Schedule 13E-3 cleared by the staff of the SEC; and (c) to the extent required by applicable Law, as promptly as reasonably practicable, prepare and file any amendments to the Schedule 13E-3 and/or the Circular;

 

  6.8.3

if either Party becomes aware that any information supplied by such Party for inclusion in the Schedule 13E-3 or the Circular shall have become false or misleading in any material respect, then: (i) such Party shall promptly inform the other; and (ii) the Parties shall cooperate and mutually agree upon (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) any necessary amendment or supplement to the Schedule 13E-3 and/or the Circular, as applicable, and shall, as required by Law, cooperate in disseminating the information contained in such amendment or supplement to the Company Shareholders;

 

  6.8.4

the Company and Bidco shall file with the SEC the final Schedule 13E-3, which will include the Circular as an exhibit, and disseminate such Schedule 13E-3 containing the Circular to Company Shareholders as promptly as reasonably practicable following the Court hearing to convene the Scheme; and

 

  6.8.5

the Parties shall use reasonable endeavours to cause the Schedule 13E-3 to comply with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC.

 

  6.9

Where Bidco elects to implement the Acquisition by way of a Takeover Offer and the Special Committee has provided its written consent to such election, Bidco shall prepare the Offer Document and the Schedule TO (together, the “Bidco Offer Documents”) and shall use all reasonable endeavours to cause the Schedule TO to be cleared by the staff of the SEC. In preparing the Bidco Offer Documents, Bidco shall submit, or procure the submission of drafts and revised drafts of, the Bidco Offer Documents to the Company for review, and shall consider the Company’s reasonable comments in relation thereto.

 

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Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification and Insurance

 

  6.10

From and after the Effective Date, Bidco shall cause the Company and each of its subsidiaries to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law: (a) to indemnify, defend and hold harmless any directors, managers and officers of the Company or any of its subsidiaries and any person who was a director, manager or officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in the six (6) years prior to the Effective Date (collectively, the “D&O Indemnified Parties”) against any Liability arising in connection with or in relation to such D&O Indemnified Party’s position as a director, manager or officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries at least to the extent such D&O Indemnified Party is indemnified immediately prior to the Effective Date pursuant to the Articles or any deed of indemnity or other agreement between such D&O Indemnified Party and the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and (b) to: (i) maintain in effect for a period of six (6) years after the Effective Date, if available, the current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries immediately prior to the Effective Date for the benefit of any D&O Indemnified Party; or (ii) to provide substitute policies of at least the same coverage and amounts and containing terms and conditions that are not less advantageous to the D&O Indemnified Parties when compared to the insurance maintained by the Company and its subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement; or (c) to obtain as of the Effective Date “tail” directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies with a claims period of six (6) years from the Effective Date with at least the same coverage and amounts, and containing terms and conditions that are not less advantageous to the D&O Indemnified Parties when compared to the insurance maintained by the Company and its subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement,

in the case of (i) Sub-Clauses (a) – (c) above, with respect to claims arising out of or relating to events which occurred on or prior to the Effective Date and (ii) Sub-Clauses (b) and (c) above, provided that Bidco shall not be required to maintain such policies if the cost exceeds three (3) times the annual cost of the current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance maintained by the Company or any of its subsidiaries immediately prior to the Effective Date.

 

  6.11

The obligations of Bidco and the Company and its subsidiaries under Clause 6.10 to 6.13 shall not be terminated, amended or modified in any manner so as to materially adversely affect any D&O Indemnified Party (including such person’s successors, heirs and legal representatives) to whom Clause 6.10 applies without the written consent of such affected D&O Indemnified Party (it being expressly agreed that the D&O Indemnified Parties to whom Clause 6.10 applies shall be third party beneficiaries of Clause 6.10, and Clause 6.10 shall be enforceable by such D&O Indemnified Parties and their respective successors, heirs and legal representatives and shall be binding on all successors and assigns of Bidco and the Company and its subsidiaries).

 

  6.12

If, following the Effective Date, the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any of their respective successors or assigns: (i) consolidates with or merges into any other corporation or entity and is not the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger; or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any person, then, and in each such case, proper provisions shall be made so that the successors and assigns of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective successors or assigns, as the case may be, shall assume all of the obligations set forth in Clauses 6.10 to 6.13.

 

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  6.13

The rights of the D&O Indemnified Parties under Clause 6.10 shall be in addition to any rights such D&O Indemnified Parties may have under the articles of association or other comparable organisational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or under any applicable Contracts or applicable Law, and Bidco shall, and shall cause the Company and each of its subsidiaries to, honour and perform under all indemnification agreements entered into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, as applicable, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and to the extent set out in Schedule VI.

 

  6.14

Upon execution of this Agreement, the Company will deliver to Bidco an extract of the resolutions of the Special Committee pursuant to which the Acquisition was approved and the Special Committee Recommendation was given.

 

  6.15

On the Effective Date, the Company shall deliver resignation letters in the Agreed Form from the directors and/or secretary (if any) of the applicable members of the Company Group, the identity of whom Bidco notifies the Company prior to the Effective Date.

 

  6.16

At or immediately prior to the Effective Date (subject to the Effective Date taking place), the Company will procure that at a duly convened meeting of the Special Committee it will be resolved that:

 

  6.16.1

the Acquisition and the Scheme will be approved for registration at Companies House and in the Company’s shareholder and other statutory registers;

 

  6.16.2

any resignations pursuant to Clause 6.15 will be approved; and

 

  6.16.3

any appointments of directors and/or secretary (if any) to the boards of the applicable members of the Company Group, the identity of whom Bidco notifies the Company prior to the Effective Date, will be approved.

 

7.

Company Incentive Arrangements

Each Party agrees to the treatment of entitlements under the Company Incentive Arrangements set forth in Schedule IV, and undertakes to take the relevant steps and other actions provided for in Schedule IV in relation to the Company Incentive Arrangements.

 

8.

Announcement

The initial press release relating to this Agreement shall be the Announcement issued by the Company and a press release issued by Bidco or one of its Affiliates in a form consented to by the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and, except as required by Law, thereafter Bidco and the Company shall consult with, and seek the consent of, each other before issuing any further press release(s) or otherwise making any public statement with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, in each case prior to a Company Adverse Change Recommendation; provided that a Party will not need to consult with, or seek the consent of, the other Party, with respect to communications that are required by Law, that are consistent with previous releases, public disclosures or public statements made jointly by the Parties (or individually, if approved by the other Party).

 

9.

Responsibility for Information and Standards of Care

 

  9.1

If the Acquisition is implemented by way of the Scheme:

 

  9.1.1

Bidco will procure that the Bidco Directors accept responsibility for all of the information in the Circular and the Schedule 13E-3 relating to Bidco and other members of the Bidco Group and their respective Personnel (it being understood that the Bidco Directors make no representation, warranty or covenant with respect to any information made or incorporated by reference in the Circular or the Schedule 13E-3 that was not supplied by or on behalf of Bidco or the Bidco Directors for use therein); and

 

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  9.1.2

the Company will procure that the relevant Company Directors, or members of the Special Committee, as applicable, accept responsibility for: (i) their views set out in the Circular and the Schedule 13E-3; and (ii) all information in the Circular and the Schedule 13E-3 other than information for which responsibility is accepted by the Bidco Directors under Clause 9.1.1 (it being understood that such Company Directors, or members of the Special Committee, as applicable, make no representation, warranty or covenant with respect to any information made or incorporated by reference in the Circular or the Schedule 13E-3 that was not supplied by or on behalf of the Company, such Company Director or such Special Committee member for use therein).

 

  9.2

If the Acquisition is implemented by way of a Takeover Offer pursuant to an Agreed Switch:

 

  9.2.1

Bidco will procure that the Bidco Directors accept responsibility for all of the information in the Bidco Offer Documents, the Schedule 14D-9 and the Schedule 13E-3 relating to Bidco (it being understood that the Bidco Directors make no representation, warranty or covenant with respect to any information made or incorporated by reference in the Bidco Offer Documents, the Schedule 14D-9 or the Schedule 13E-3 that was not supplied by or on behalf of Bidco or the Bidco Directors for use therein); and

 

  9.2.2

the Company will procure that the relevant Company Directors, or members of the Special Committee, as applicable, accept responsibility for: (i) their views set out in the Bidco Offer Documents, the Schedule 14D-9 and the Schedule 13E-3; and (ii) all information in the Bidco Offer Documents, the Schedule 14D-9 and the Schedule 13E-3 other than information for which responsibility is accepted by the Bidco Directors under Clause 9.2.1 (it being understood that such Company Directors, or members of the Special Committee, as applicable, make no representation, warranty or covenant with respect to any information made or incorporated by reference in the Bidco Offer Documents, the Schedule 14D-9 or the Schedule 13E-3 that was not supplied by or on behalf of the Company, such Company Director or such Special Committee member for use therein).

 

  9.3

Without prejudice to Clause 6.8.3 above, each Party acknowledges and agrees that: (a) each document, announcement or other information published, or statement made, from the date of this Agreement until the Scheme Effective Date must be prepared with the highest standards of care and accuracy; (b) the language used in such document, announcement or other information must clearly and concisely reflect the position being described and the information given must be adequately and fairly presented; and (c) these requirements apply whether the document, announcement or other information is published, or the statement is made, by the Party concerned or by an adviser on its behalf.

 

  9.4

Each Party undertakes to use its reasonable endeavours not to make statements in relation to this Acquisition from the date of this Agreement until the Scheme Effective Date which, while not factually inaccurate, may be misleading.

 

25


10.

Conduct Pending Completion of the Acquisition

 

  10.1

During the Relevant Period, except: (a) as required or otherwise contemplated under this Agreement (including as set forth in Schedule IV) or as required by applicable Law; (b) as or required or otherwise contemplated under the Loan Documents; or (c) with the written consent of Bidco (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed):

 

  10.1.1

the Company shall, and shall cause each of its subsidiaries to, use reasonable endeavours to: (i) conduct the business in the ordinary course, preserve intact its material assets and business organisation and maintain its advantageous relationships with patients, material suppliers, material distributors and regulators; and (ii) not do any of the following:

 

  (a)

authorise or pay any dividends on or make any distribution with respect to the outstanding shares of its share capital or Awards (in cash or in kind);

 

  (b)

repurchase, redeem, repay, reduce or otherwise reacquire any Company Shares or other equity interests, or any Awards, rights, warrants or options to acquire any of the Company Shares or other equity interests (except for: (i) repurchases or forfeitures of Awards in connection with terminations of employment or service, as applicable (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Unvested Employee Leaver Shares); and (ii) in respect of exercise price or tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting or exercise of Awards in accordance with the terms of such Awards as in effect on the date hereof);

 

  (c)

create, split, combine, subdivide or reclassify any Company Shares or other equity interests;

 

  (d)

issue, grant or sell or otherwise dispose of any additional shares of, or other equity interests in, the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares or equity interests or issue or grant any Awards, options, warrants, calls, subscription rights or other rights of any kind to acquire such shares, other equity interests or securities, except for: (i) the grant of Awards in connection with the Company Share Plans; and (ii) the issuance of shares upon settlement or exercise of any Awards;

 

  (e)

amend or permit the adoption of any amendment to its Articles or other charter or organisational documents in a way that could impair, materially delay or prevent the ability of the Company to consummate the Acquisition;

 

  (f)

acquire (by merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise) any person or other business organisation or division thereof or, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and in an amount that does not exceed USD 250,000 in the aggregate, any properties or assets;

 

  (g)

(i) incur or guarantee any Indebtedness or (ii) make any loans, capital contributions or advances to any Person, other than to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company;

 

26


  (h)

make, incur or authorise any capital expenditure (except for capital expenditures that do not exceed USD 250,000 in the aggregate);

 

  (i)

(i) amend or modify in any material respect, or waive any material rights under or cancel, fail to renew, voluntarily terminate, or assign any Material Contract; or (ii) enter into any Contract which if entered into prior to the date hereof would have been a Material Contract;

 

  (j)

except with respect to Tax matters (which shall be governed by Clause 10.1.1(w)), commence any new litigation involving claims for money damages in excess of USD 250,000; or enter into any material settlement, release, waiver or compromise of any pending or threatened litigation;

 

  (k)

establish, adopt, enter into or terminate any Benefit Plan or any plan, scheme, program, policy, agreement or arrangement that would be a Benefit Plan if it were in effect on the date of this Agreement, except as otherwise permitted by Clause (d) above, Clause (l) below, or Schedule IV;

 

  (l)

other than: (A) as set forth in Schedule IV; (B) with respect to Sign-On Bonuses; or (C) with respect to SC Meeting Fees, grant, increase, or pay any bonus, incentive, change in control, retention, severance, or termination payment or benefit, or increase the base compensation, cash bonus opportunity or other compensation of, or accelerate the vesting or payment of any payment or benefit payable to, any current or former employee, director or individual independent contractor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, except to the extent required by applicable Law;

 

  (m)

hire, engage, promote or terminate the employment or engagement of (other than for cause) any employee or director;

 

  (n)

amend or modify in any way any employment agreement or supplementary terms entered into with a Senior Employee;

 

  (o)

enter into any collective bargaining agreement or other agreement or understanding with any labour organisation;

 

  (p)

adopt or implement any stockholder rights plan or similar arrangement;

 

  (q)

adopt a plan or agreement of complete or partial liquidation or dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalisation or other reorganisation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;

 

  (r)

enter into any new line of business that is not reasonably related to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as of the date hereof;

 

  (s)

sell, assign, lease, mortgage, pledge, encumber, transfer of dispose of any of its material assets, except for the sale or other reduction of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (t)

license or otherwise dispose of the rights to use any material Company Intellectual Property Rights, or disclose material trade secrets to a third party other than in the ordinary course of business pursuant to a non-disclosure or confidentiality agreement;

 

27


  (u)

fail to maintain any of its material insurance policies in effect as of the date of this Agreement, other than renewals or replacement of such policies with comparable coverage;

 

  (v)

enter into any transaction with any Company Shareholder (legally enforceable or not) save, for the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents;

 

  (w)

make or adopt any change in its accounting methods, principles, practices policies or procedures, except as required by a concurrent change in GAAP, including without limitation, any change in depreciation or amortization policies or rates;

 

  (x)

make or change any Tax election, change an annual accounting period, adopt or change any Tax accounting method, file any amended Tax Return, enter into any closing agreement, settle any Tax claim or assessment relating to the Company Group, surrender any right to claim a refund of Taxes, consent to any extension of waiver of the limitation period applicable to any Tax claim or assessment relating to the filing of any Tax Return or the payment of any Tax, if such election, adoption, change, amendment, agreement, settlement, surrender, consent or other action is outside of the ordinary course of business and would have the effect of materially increasing the Tax liability of the Company Group for any period or materially decreasing any Tax attribute of the Company Group; or

 

  (y)

authorise any of, or agree or commit to take, any of the actions described in the foregoing Sub-Clauses (a) through (y) of this Clause 10.1.1;

Acquisition Proposals

 

  10.2

If at any time during the Relevant Period, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their Representatives receives an unsolicited bona fide written Acquisition Proposal from any person, which Acquisition Proposal was made or renewed on or after the date of this Agreement,

 

  10.2.1

after providing notice to Bidco pursuant to Clause 10.3, the Special Committee and its Representatives may contact such person solely to clarify the terms and conditions thereof; and

 

  10.2.2

if the Special Committee determines, in good faith, after consultation with its Financial Adviser and outside legal counsel, that such Acquisition Proposal constitutes or is reasonably likely to lead to a Superior Proposal and the failure to take such action would constitute a breach of their fiduciary duties or would violate their obligations under the Act, then the Special Committee and its Representatives may:

 

  (a)

furnish, pursuant to an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement, information (including non-public information) with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries to the person who has made such Acquisition Proposal; provided that the Company shall, as promptly as practicable (and in any event within 24 hours), provide to Bidco any non-public information concerning the Company and its subsidiaries that is provided to any person pursuant to this Clause 10.2.2(a) to the extent access to such information was not previously provided to Bidco or its Representatives; and

 

28


  (b)

engage in or otherwise participate in discussions or negotiations with the person making such Acquisition Proposal for so long as the Company and its Representatives reasonably believe such Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal.

 

  10.3

During the Relevant Period, the Company shall: (i) promptly (and in any event within 24 hours) notify Bidco if any inquiries, proposals or offers with respect to an Acquisition Proposal are received by the Company or its subsidiaries, including the identity of any third party that makes such an inquiry, proposal or offer, and provide to Bidco a copy of any written Acquisition Proposal (including any proposed term sheet, letter of intent, implementation agreement, co-operation agreement, acquisition agreement or similar agreement with respect thereto) and a summary of any material unwritten terms and conditions thereof; (ii) keep Bidco reasonably informed of any material developments, discussions or negotiations regarding any Acquisition Proposal permitted by this Agreement on a prompt basis (and in any event within 24 hours of such material development, discussion or negotiation); and (iii) to respond promptly to any reasonable requests made by Bidco in light of such information.

Special Committee Recommendation:

 

  10.4

Subject to Clauses 6.1 and 10.5:

 

  10.4.1

the Special Committee shall not (i) withdraw (or modify in a manner adverse to Bidco), or publicly propose to withdraw (or modify in a manner adverse to Bidco), the Special Committee Recommendation; or (ii) approve, recommend or declare advisable, or publicly propose to approve, recommend or declare advisable, any Acquisition Proposal (any action described in this Clause 10.4.1 being referred to as a “Company Adverse Change Recommendation”); or

 

  10.4.2

none of the Special Committee or the Company shall approve, recommend or declare advisable, or propose to approve, recommend or declare advisable, or execute or enter (or cause the Company to) into any Contract with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, requiring, or reasonably expected to cause, the Company to abandon, terminate, delay or fail to consummate, or that would otherwise materially impede, interfere with or be inconsistent with, the Acquisition (other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement).

 

  10.5

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, at any time during the Relevant Period, if the Company, or any of its subsidiaries, has received a bona fide written Acquisition Proposal that is a Superior Proposal:

 

  (a)

the Special Committee may make a Company Adverse Change Recommendation; and/or

 

  (b)

the Company may terminate this Agreement pursuant to Clause 12.1.2 and implement such Superior Proposal,

in both cases, if and only if:

 

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  (i)

the Company shall have given Bidco prior written notice of its intention to consider making a Company Adverse Change Recommendation or terminating this Agreement pursuant to Clause 12.1.2 at least four (4) Business Days prior to making any such Company Adverse Change Recommendation or termination (a “Determination Notice”) (which notice and any public disclosure thereof that is required by Law shall not constitute a Company Adverse Change Recommendation or termination) and Bidco has not elected during such four (4) Business Day period to negotiate, in good faith, with respect to any revisions to the terms of the Acquisition or another proposal to the extent proposed by Bidco so that the terms proposed by Bidco are at least as favourable as the competing Acquisition Proposal (Bidco’s revised Acquisition Proposal, being the “Matching Acquisition Proposal”); and

 

  (ii)

the Company shall have provided to Bidco information with respect to such Acquisition Proposal in accordance with Clause 10.3; and after giving effect to the proposals made by Bidco during such period, if any, after consultation with its Financial Adviser and outside legal counsel, the Special Committee shall have determined, in good faith, that such Acquisition Proposal is a Superior Proposal and the failure to take such action specified in clause (a) or (b), as applicable, would constitute a breach of the Special Committee’s fiduciary duties or would violate the Special Committee’s obligations under the Act.

The provisions of this Clause 10.5 shall also apply to any material amendment to any Acquisition Proposal or any Matching Acquisition Proposal and require a new Determination Notice, except that the references to four (4) Business Days shall be deemed to be three (3) Business Days.

 

  10.6

If Bidco delivers a Matching Acquisition Proposal pursuant to Clause 10.5, the Special Committee shall deliver a revised Special Committee Recommendation in respect of Bidco’s Matching Acquisition Proposal, and the terms of this Agreement shall apply mutatis mutandis.

 

  10.7

Unless such Acquisition Proposal, as is referred to in Clause 10.5, proposes a further Superior Proposal following a Matching Acquisition Proposal, within four (4) Business Days of the Matching Acquisition Proposal, the Company shall, and shall procure its Affiliates and Representatives to, terminate all discussions with such party.

Enforceability of Undertakings:

 

  10.8

The Parties further agree that, without prejudice to any other remedy which may be available to Bidco, Bidco shall be entitled to seek injunctive or other equitable relief in relation to any breach or prospective breach of the undertakings in Clause 10, it being acknowledged that an award of damages may not be an adequate remedy for such a breach.

 

  10.9

The Company agrees with Bidco to procure that its subsidiaries and each of its and their respective Representatives is made aware of and complies with each of the undertakings contained in Clause 10.

 

30


Company Share Plans:

 

  10.10

Bidco agrees that the satisfaction of any Awards subject to, and in accordance with, Schedule IV shall be permitted.

Transaction Litigation:

 

  10.11

The Company shall as promptly as reasonably practicable notify Bidco in writing (and shall thereafter keep Bidco informed on a current basis with respect to), and shall give Bidco the opportunity to participate in the defence and settlement of any litigation related to the Acquisition or related transactions, including the right to review and comment on all filings and responses to be made by the Company and to attend any negotiations and discussions with third parties related thereto. The Company shall not agree to settle any such litigations without Bidco’s prior written consent.

Nasdaq; Post-Closing SEC Reports; Termination of Deposit Agreement

 

  10.12

During the Relevant Period, the Company shall cooperate with Bidco and use reasonable best endeavours to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and do or cause to be done all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable on its part under Laws and rules and policies of Nasdaq to enable the delisting by the Company of the Company Shares from Nasdaq and the deregistration of the Company Shares in accordance with the Exchange Act promptly after the Effective Date.

 

  10.13

As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Date, the Company shall provide notice to the Depositary to terminate the Deposit Agreement.

 

11.

Representations and Warranties

 

  11.1

The Company represents and warrants to Bidco that:

 

  11.1.1

Corporate Existence and Power: the Company is a public company limited by shares duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of England and Wales and has all corporate power and all governmental licenses, authorisations, Permits, consents and approvals required to carry on its business as now conducted. Each of the Company’s subsidiaries has all corporate powers and all governmental licenses, authorisations, Permits, consents and approvals required to carry on its business as now conducted, except for those licenses, authorisations, Permits, consents and approvals the absence of which would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each of its subsidiaries is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary or applicable, except for those jurisdictions where failure to be so qualified would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect;

 

  11.1.2

Subsidiaries: each of the subsidiaries of the Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation (in the case of good standing, to the extent such jurisdiction recognises such concept). The Company owns beneficially and of record all of the equity interests of its subsidiaries, free and clear of all Liens. All the issued and outstanding shares, share capital or other equity interests of, or ownership interests in, each of the Company’s subsidiaries, have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable;

 

  11.1.3

Organisational Documents: the Company has delivered or made available to Bidco accurate and complete copies of the Articles of the Company and the equivalent organisational documents of each of its subsidiaries, including all amendments thereto, as in effect on the date of this Agreement;

 

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  11.1.4

Corporate Authorisation: the Company has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been duly and validly authorised by the Special Committee;

 

  11.1.5

Binding Obligations: assuming due authorisation, execution and delivery by Bidco, this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and is enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity;

 

  11.1.6

Governmental Authorisation: the execution, delivery and performance by Company of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the Acquisition requires no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any stock market or stock exchange on which Company Shares are listed for trading in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ performance of their obligations hereunder or the consummation of the Acquisition and the other transactions contemplated by the Circular other than: (i) compliance with the provisions of the Act; (ii) compliance with any applicable Competition Laws; (iii) the filing with the SEC of the Circular in preliminary and definitive forms, and compliance with, the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as may be required in connection with this Agreement, the Acquisition and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) such other actions, authorisations, consents, approvals or filings, the absence of which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect; and (v) in order to comply with any applicable Health Law;

 

  11.1.7

Non-Contravention: the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation of the Acquisition and the other transactions contemplated by the Circular do not and will not:

 

  (a)

contravene, conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both) under, or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation, acceleration or other change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit or any obligation to make an offer to purchase or redeem any Indebtedness or capital shares or any loss of any benefit under, require a consent or waiver under, require the payment of a penalty or change in control payment under, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company Group under, any provision of the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ constitutional documents;

 

  (b)

require the approval of the Company Shareholders (other than shareholder approval referred to in this Agreement, including pursuant to the Scheme);

 

  (c)

assuming compliance with the matters referred to in Clause 11.1.6, contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any applicable Law;

 

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  (d)

assuming compliance with the matters referred to in Clause 11.1.6, require any payment to or consent or other action by any person under, constitute a default, or an event that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a breach or default, under, or cause or permit the termination, cancellation, acceleration or other change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is entitled under, require a consent or waiver under, require the payment of a penalty or change in control payment under, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Company Group under, any provision of any Contract or other instrument binding on the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any Contract, license, franchise, Permit, certificate, approval or other similar authorisation affecting, or relating in any way to, the assets or business of the Company and its subsidiaries; or

 

  (e)

result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Company

with only such exceptions, in the case of each of Sub-Clauses (c) through (e), as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect;

 

  11.1.8

Capitalisation; Indebtedness:

 

  (a)

the share capital of the Company is as set out in the table below as of 31 October 2023;

 

Class of Shares

  

Currency

  

Nominal Value

  

Number Allotted

  

Aggregate

Nominal Value

Ordinary    GBP    0.00001    65,406,819    654.06819
Deferred    GBP    100,000    1    100,000

 

  (b)

other than as set out in the Loan Documents, the Company Shares (excluding the BW Deferred Share and the Unvested Employee Leaver Shares) are duly authorised, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and free of pre-emptive rights, rights of repurchase or forfeiture, rights of participation, rights of maintenance or any similar rights;

 

  (c)

other than pursuant to the Loan Documents, there are no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other Indebtedness of the Company having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote (excluding any rights on enforcement of security)) on any matters on which Company Shareholders may vote. Except as described in this Clause 11.1.8 and as set out in Schedule IV, there are no issued or outstanding (i) securities of the Company convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Company Shares in the share capital or other voting securities of or ownership interests in the Company; (ii) warrants, calls, options or other rights to acquire from the Company, or other obligation of the Company to issue, any shares or other voting securities or ownership interests in or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Company Shares or other voting securities or ownership interests in the Company; or (iii) Awards, restricted shares, stock appreciation rights, performance units, contingent value rights, “phantom” stock or similar securities or rights that are derivative of, or provide economic benefits based, directly or indirectly, on the value or price of any part of the share capital or voting securities of the Company (the items in (i) through (iii) of this clause being referred to collectively as the

 

33


  Company Securities”). No Option has been granted with a per share exercise price that is less than the fair market value of a Company Share on the applicable date that it was granted. Each Award granted under any Company Share Plan (i) was granted in all material respects in accordance with the applicable Company Share Plan and all applicable Laws, including the stock exchange listing rules and the Internal Revenue Code and (ii) qualifies for the Tax and accounting treatment described in the Company’s Tax Returns and financial statements (including exhibits and all other information incorporated therein). There are no outstanding obligations of the Company to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the Company Securities. None of the Company and its subsidiaries is a party to any voting agreement with respect to the voting of any the Company Securities or pursuant to which any person is entitled to elect, designate or nominate any director of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The Company is not a party to any agreement with respect to any of its securities granting any registration rights to any person;

 

  (d)

other than as set out in Schedule VI, the Company has no subsidiaries; and

 

  (e)

other than as set out in Schedule VI, there is no outstanding Indebtedness of the Company or the Company Group;

 

  11.1.9

SEC Filings; Financial Statements:

 

  (a)

since 31 December 2022, the Company has filed or furnished on a timely basis all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents (including exhibits and all other information incorporated therein) required to be filed or furnished by the Company with the SEC (as supplemented, modified or amended since the time of filing, collectively, the “Company SEC Documents”). As of their respective dates, or, if amended prior to the date of this Agreement, as of the date of (and giving effect to) the last such amendment (and, in the case of registration statements and proxy statements, on the date of effectiveness and the dates of the relevant meetings, respectively), the Company SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to those Company SEC Documents, and, except to the extent that information contained in such Company SEC Document has been revised, amended, modified or superseded (prior to the date of this Agreement) by a later filed Company SEC Document, none of the Company SEC Documents when filed or furnished contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

 

  (b)

the financial statements (including any related notes and schedules) contained or incorporated by reference in the Company SEC Documents: (i) complied as to form in all material respects with the published rules and regulations of the SEC applicable thereto; (ii) were prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered (except as may be indicated in the

 

34


  notes to such financial statements or, in the case of unaudited interim financial statements, as may be permitted by the SEC); and (iii) fairly presented, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company Group as of the respective dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows of the Company Group for the periods covered thereby (subject, in the case of the unaudited financial statements, to normal and recurring year-end adjustments that are not, individually or in the aggregate, material);

 

  (c)

the Company maintains a system of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act) that is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP, and includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorisations of management and the Company Board; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding the prevention or timely detection of unauthorised acquisition, use or disposition of the assets of the Company that could have a material effect on the financial statements. To the knowledge of the Company, since 31 December 2022 to the date of this Agreement, neither the Company nor the Company’s independent registered accountant has identified or been made aware of: (1) any significant deficiency or material weakness in the design or operation of the internal control over financial reporting utilised by the Company, which is reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarise and report financial information; or (2) any allegation of fraud, whether or not material, that involves the management or other employees of the Company who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Since 31 December 2022 through the date of this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any written complaint, allegation, assertion or claim regarding the accounting or auditing practices, procedures, methodologies or methods of the Company or its subsidiaries or their respective internal accounting controls that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to be material to the Company Group, taken as a whole;

 

  (d)

the Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures as defined in and required by Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 under the Exchange Act that are reasonably designed to ensure that all information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarised and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that all such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to enable the principal executive officer of the Company and the principal financial officer of the Company to make the certifications required under the Exchange Act with respect to such reports. The Company is in compliance in all material respects with all current listing and corporate governance requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market;

 

35


  (e)

the Company is not a party to, nor does it have any obligation or other commitment to become a party to, “off-balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in Item 303(a) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act) where the result, purpose or intended effect of such Contract is to avoid disclosure of any material transaction involving, or material liabilities of, the Company in the Company SEC Documents; and

 

  (f)

as of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding or unresolved comments in comment letters received from the SEC with respect to the Company SEC Documents. To the knowledge of the Company, none of the Company SEC Documents is the subject of ongoing SEC review and there are no inquiries or investigations by the SEC or any internal investigations pending or threatened, in each case regarding any accounting practices of the Company;

 

  11.1.10

Absence of Certain Changes: since 30 June 2023 to the date of this Agreement, except as contemplated by this Agreement:

 

  (a)

there has not been any Company Material Adverse Effect; and

 

  (b)

the business of the Company has been conducted in all material respects in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and the Company has not authorised, agreed or committed to take any action, or failed to take any action that would result in:

 

  (i)

any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividends on, or making of any distribution with respect to the outstanding shares of its share capital (in cash or in kind);

 

  (ii)

any establishment, adoption, amendment or termination of any material Benefit Plan or any plan, scheme, program, policy agreement or arrangement that would be a material Benefit Plan if it were in effect on the date of this Agreement;

 

  (iii)

any split, combination or reclassification of any part of the share capital of the Company or any issuance or the authorisation of any issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares of the share capital of the Company;

 

  (iv)

any change in accounting methods, principles or practices by the Company or any of its subsidiaries materially affecting the consolidated assets, liabilities or results of operations of the Company, except as may have been required (A) by GAAP (or any interpretation thereof), including pursuant to standards, guidelines and interpretations of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or any similar organisation, or (B) by applicable Law, including Regulation S-X under the Securities Act;

 

36


  (v)

any sale, lease (as lessor), license or other disposition of (including through any “spin-off” or by permitting any Intellectual Property Rights to lapse), or pledge, encumbrance or other Lien imposed upon (other than a Permitted Lien), any properties or assets that are material, individually or in the aggregate, to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except (A) sales, leases, or other dispositions of (1) inventory and (2) excess or obsolete properties or assets, in each case, in the ordinary course of business, (B) the grant of non-exclusive licenses for Intellectual Property Rights in the ordinary course of business pursuant to agreements with contract manufacturers, contract research organisations and other service providers where the license is incidental to and not the primary purpose of the agreement or (C) abandonments of patent applications in the ordinary course of prosecution, where a continuation, continuation-in-part, request for continued examination or divisional application (or foreign equivalent of any of the foregoing) is filed;

 

  (vi)

any material election with respect to Taxes by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or settlement or compromise by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of any material Tax liability or refund other than, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (vii)

any material settlement, release, waiver or compromise of any pending or threatened litigation that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

  (viii)

any other action that would be prohibited by Clause 10.1.1 if it were taken during the Relevant Period;

 

  11.1.11

Real Property:

 

  (a)

the Company and its subsidiaries do not own, and have never owned, any real property;

 

  (b)

the Company and its subsidiaries hold valid and existing leasehold interests in the real property that is leased or subleased by them (the “Leased Real Property”), in each case free and clear of any material Liens. As of the date of this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any written notice regarding any material violation or breach or default under any lease related to the Leased Real Property that has not since been cured;

 

  11.1.12

Compliance with Laws; Permits:

 

  (a)

since 31 December 2022 to the date of this Agreement: (i) the Company is and has been in compliance in all material respects with and is not under investigation with respect to, (ii) to the Company’s knowledge, the Company has not been threatened to be charged with, nor has it been subject to, or (iii) to the Company’s knowledge, the Company has not been threatened with an Action concerning, nor given notice of, any material violation of, any applicable Law or Permit. There is no judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any arbitrator or Governmental Authority outstanding against the Company or any of its Affiliates;

 

37


  (b)

the Company and its subsidiaries have in effect all material Permits that are necessary for the Company to own, lease or operate its properties and assets, including the manufacturing, packaging, storage and distribution, and to carry on its business as currently conducted. All Permits are in full force and effect and will continue to be upon the Effective Date. All material terms and requirements of such Permits have been complied with in all material respects. There have been no occurrences, events, notices, or Actions that are pending, under investigation, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened that have resulted in or would reasonably be expected to result in a materially adverse action against any Permit; and

 

  (c)

the Company has not been restrained by a Governmental Authority or other person in its ability to conduct or have conducted its business as currently conducted;

 

  11.1.13

Regulatory Matters:

 

  (a)

the Company has been in material compliance with, and has not been notified by any Governmental Authority of any failure (or any investigation with respect thereto) by the Company to comply in all material respects with any Health Law;

 

  (b)

(i) the Company has filed, maintained or furnished with the applicable Health Authorities all material filings, declarations, listings, registrations, reports, submissions, applications, amendments, modifications, supplements, notices, correspondence, and other documents required under applicable Health Laws (collectively “Health Submissions”); and (ii) all such Health Submissions were materially complete and accurate and in compliance with applicable Health Laws when filed (or were corrected or completed by a subsequent filing) in all material respects;

 

  (c)

no manufacturing site of the Company, or to the knowledge of the Company, any of its contract manufacturers for pharmaceutical products, with respect to any Product Candidate of the Company (i) is subject to a shutdown by a Governmental Authority or import or export prohibition or (ii) has received any FDA Form 483, notice of violation, warning letter, untitled letter, or similar correspondence or notice from a Health Authority alleging or asserting noncompliance with any applicable Health Law, in each case that have not been materially complied with or closed to the satisfaction of the relevant Governmental Authority, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no Governmental Authority is considering such action;

 

  (d)

neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, have received any written notice from any Health Authority terminating, withdrawing, refusing to renew, or refusing to grant any material governmental license, Permit, registration, or authorisation, including any IND, NDA, other clinical trial application or regulatory approval application, in any jurisdiction; or placing a clinical hold order on, or otherwise terminating or suspending, any material ongoing clinical trial conducted by or on behalf of the Company, and, to the knowledge of the Company, there are no facts which could form the basis for such an Action;

 

38


  (e)

none of the Company, any of its subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of its officers, employees or agents (authorised to speak on behalf of the Company), have (i) made an untrue statement of a material fact or fraudulent statement to any Health Authority, failed to disclose a material fact required to be disclosed to any Health Authority, or committed an act, made a statement, or failed to make a statement, including with respect to any scientific data or information, that, at the time such disclosure was made or failure to disclose occurred, would reasonably be expected to provide a basis for the FDA to invoke its policy respecting “Fraud, Untrue Statements of Material Facts, Bribery, and Illegal Gratuities,” set forth in 56 Fed. Reg. 46191 (September 10, 1991), and any amendments thereto, or for any other Health Authority to invoke any similar policy; or (ii) been debarred pursuant to 21 U.S.C. section 335a (a) or (b) or any comparable Health Law;

 

  (f)

none of the Company, any of its respective officers, directors, or, to the knowledge of the Company, its managing employees, agents (as those terms are defined in 42 C.F.R. § 1001.2), or any other person described in 42 C.F.R. § 1001.1001(a): (i) has been charged with or convicted of any criminal offense relating to the delivery of an item or service under any federal health care program as defined in 42 U.S.C. §1320a-b(f) and including the Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE programs (“Federal Health Care Program”); (ii) has been debarred, excluded or suspended from participation in any Federal Health Care Program; (iii) has had a civil monetary penalty assessed against it, him or her under 42 U.S.C. §1320a-7a; (iv) is currently listed on the list of parties excluded from federal procurement programs and non-procurement programs as maintained in the Government Services Administration’s System for Award Management or other federal agencies; (v) is, to the knowledge of the Company, the target or subject of any material current or potential investigation relating to any Federal Health Care Program-related offense; or (vi) has engaged in any activity that is in material violation of or is cause for civil penalties or mandatory or permissive exclusion under federal or state Laws; and

 

  (g)

neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, has received or otherwise learned of any material complaints, information, or adverse drug experience reports related to any Product Candidates;

 

  11.1.14

Certain Business Practices: neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any of its employees, Representatives or agents (in each case, acting in the capacity of an employee or Representative of the Company or its subsidiaries) has: (i) used any material funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity; (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees or to foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns; or (iii) violated any provision of any Anti-Corruption Laws or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, anti-money laundering laws or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder or any applicable Law of similar effect. Since 31 December 2022 to the date of this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any written communication that alleges any of the foregoing;

 

39


  11.1.15

Litigation: as of the date hereof, there is no material Action or suit (or any basis therefor) pending against, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against, the Company or any of its subsidiaries;

 

  11.1.16

Intellectual Property:

 

  (a)

except as otherwise set out in Schedule VI, the Company is the sole and exclusive owner of all Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Owned Registered IP”) and all other material Company Intellectual Property Rights other than Intellectual Property Rights licensed to the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Licensed Registered IP”) (collectively, the “Owned Intellectual Property Rights”) and holds all right, title and interest in and to all Owned Intellectual Property Rights free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens);

 

  (b)

(i) the Company possesses valid rights to use, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens), the Company Intellectual Property Rights, other than the Owned Registered IP and (ii) the Company owns or has adequate rights to use all Intellectual Property Rights used or proposed to be used in connection with the operation of the Company’s business; and

 

  (c)

the Product Intellectual Property Rights constitute all of the Intellectual Property Rights necessary to, or used or held for use in, the use, sale, offer for sale, development, manufacture, distribution, importation, commercialisation or other exploitation of the Product Candidates;

 

  (d)

except as set forth in Schedule VI:

 

  (i)

neither the Company nor any activities of the Company (including the operation of the Company’s business), including without limitation the use, sale, offer for sale, development, manufacture, distribution, importation, commercialisation or other exploitation of the Product Candidates has infringed, contributed to the infringement of, misappropriated or otherwise violated any Intellectual Property Right of any person;

 

  (ii)

there is no Action pending against, or threatened in writing against, the Company (A) based upon, or challenging or seeking to deny or restrict, any right of the Company Intellectual Property Rights, (B) alleging that any of the Company Intellectual Property Rights is invalid or unenforceable, (C) alleging that any use of any of the Company Intellectual Property Rights or any use, sale, offer for sale, development, manufacture, distribution, importation, commercialisation or other exploitation of Product Candidates does or may misappropriate, infringe, or otherwise violate any Intellectual Property Right of any person, or (D) otherwise alleging that the Company has infringed misappropriated or otherwise violated any Intellectual Property Right of any person;

 

40


  (iii)

none of the Owned IP or, to the knowledge of the Company, Licensed Intellectual Property Rights, have been adjudged invalid or unenforceable in whole or part;

 

  (iv)

all of the Owned IP and, to the knowledge of the Company, Licensed Registered IP are valid, enforceable, in full force and effect and subsisting;

 

  (v)

all registration, maintenance and renewal fees applicable to the Owned Registered IP and, to the knowledge of the Company, Licensed Registered IP that are currently due have been paid and all documents and certificates necessary for the maintenance of such items have been filed with the Governmental Authority or other authorities in the applicable jurisdictions for the purposes of maintaining such items;

 

  (vi)

to the knowledge of the Company, no person has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated any Company Intellectual Property Right;

 

  (vii)

the Company has taken reasonable steps in accordance with normal industry practice to maintain the confidentiality of all Trade Secrets of the Company, the value of which to the Company is contingent upon maintaining the confidentiality thereof and no such Trade Secrets have been disclosed other than to persons who are bound by written confidentiality agreements that protect the confidentiality of such Intellectual Property Rights;

 

  (viii)

each current and former employee of the Company, as well as each third party involved in the development or creation of any Company Intellectual Property Rights has executed a written agreement with the Company expressly assigning to the Company all right, title and interest (including all Intellectual Property Rights) in any inventions and Copyrights, whether or not patentable, which inventions and Copyrights were invented, created, developed, authored, conceived or reduced to practice in the scope of and during the term of such employee’s employment for the Company;

 

  (ix)

the IT Assets operate and perform in a manner that permits the Company to conduct its business as currently conducted, and in the past three years, there has been no failure or other material substandard performance of any IT Asset that has caused a material disruption to the Company;

 

  (x)

to the knowledge of the Company, no person has gained material unauthorised access to the IT Assets and there has been no material (i) unauthorized acquisition of, access to, loss of, misuse (by any means) of any personal information, confidential information or trade secret, or (ii) unauthorized or unlawful handling of any personal information, confidential information or trade secret, in each case, used or held for use by or on behalf of the Company; and

 

41


  (xi)

the Company takes commercially reasonable actions, consistent with current industry standards, to protect the confidentiality, integrity and security of the IT Assets (and all information and transactions stored or contained therein or transmitted thereby) against any unauthorised use, access, interruption, modification or corruption;

 

  11.1.17

Taxes:

 

  (a)

with respect to Taxes for which the period of assessment or collection has not lapsed, all material Tax Returns required by applicable Law to be filed with any Tax Authority by, or on behalf of, the Company and its subsidiaries have been filed when due (taking into account any authorised extensions) in accordance with all applicable Law and all such Tax Returns were, when filed, true, correct and complete in all material respects;

 

  (b)

each of the Company and its subsidiaries has paid (or has had paid on its behalf) or has withheld and remitted to the appropriate Tax Authority all material Taxes shown on any Tax Returns as due and payable, or, where payment is not yet due, has established (or has had established on its behalf and for its sole benefit and recourse) in accordance with GAAP an adequate accrual for all material Taxes through the end of the last period for which each of the Company and its subsidiaries ordinarily records items on its books;

 

  (c)

there is no audit or Action now pending or to the Company’s knowledge threatened in writing against or with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries in respect of any material Taxes, and no deficiency in respect of material Taxes has been asserted in writing as a result of any audit, examination or Action by any Tax Authority that has not been paid, accrued for or contested in good faith (with appropriate reserves established in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the UK) and in accordance with applicable Law;

 

  (d)

each of the Company and its subsidiaries:

 

  (i)

is not, and has not been, a party to any Tax Sharing Agreement pursuant to which it will have any obligation to make any payments for material Taxes after the Effective Date that will not be terminated prior to the Effective Date; and

 

  (ii)

for taxable years for which the applicable statute of limitations for an assessment of Taxes has not expired, has not been a member of a group filing a consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Return (other than a group the common parent of which is or was the Company or any of its subsidiaries and which included only the Company and /or any of its subsidiaries);

 

  (e)

the Company does not have any liability for the payment of any material Tax imposed on any person (other than the Company) as a transferee or successor; and

 

42


  (f)

this Clause 11.1.17, together with Clauses 11.1.8(c), 11.1.9 and 11.1.23, constitute the sole and exclusive representations and warranties of any member of the Company Group with respect to any Tax matters. For the avoidance of doubt, no representation is made concerning the existence or amount of any net operating loss, Tax basis or other Tax asset or liability.

 

  11.1.18

Material Contracts:

 

  (a)

Each “Material Contract” (collectively, the “Material Contracts”) is, with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries, valid, binding and in full force and effect and, to the knowledge of the Company, enforceable against the other party or parties thereto in accordance with its terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganisation, moratorium and other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity)). For the purposes of this Agreement, each of the following constitutes a Material Contract:

 

  (i)

each Contract that provides for annual payments or receipts in excess of USD 1,000,000 or provides for payments or receipts in the aggregate in excess of USD 1,000,000, other than payments for legal, tax, audit and similar services;

 

  (ii)

each material Contract with a Governmental Authority;

 

  (iii)

each Contract that is a settlement, conciliation or similar agreement pursuant to which (A) the Company or its subsidiaries will be required after the date of this Agreement to pay more than USD 1,000,000 or (B) that contains material restrictions on such party’s conduct;

 

  (iv)

other than the Loan Documents, each Contract relating to Indebtedness of the Company or any of its subsidiaries having an outstanding principal amount under such Contract in excess of USD 1,000,000;

 

  (v)

each Contract constituting a material joint venture, partnership or collaboration or similar Contract to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party relating to the formation, creation, operation, management or control of any partnership or joint venture or to the ownership of any equity interest in any entity or business enterprise other than the subsidiaries;

 

  (vi)

each Contract that (A) restricts the ability of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to compete in any business with any person in any geographical area, (B) requires the Company or any of its subsidiaries to conduct any business on a “most favoured nation” basis with any third party or (C) provides for “exclusivity” or any similar requirement in favour of any third party, except in the case of each of clauses (A), (B) and (C) for such restrictions, requirements or provisions that are not material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

43


  (vii)

each Contract for the acquisition or divestiture of a business (including any Contract containing an option to so acquire or divest) that contains (A) aggregate consideration in excess of USD 1,000,000, (B) continuing covenants, indemnities or other payment obligations that would reasonably be expected to result in the receipt or making of future payments by the Company or any of its subsidiaries in excess of USD 1,000,000 or (C) any other material obligations;

 

  (viii)

each Contract pursuant to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has continuing obligations or interest involving (A) milestone or similar payments, including upon the achievement of regulatory or commercial milestones, in each case in excess of USD 1,000,000 of future payments in the aggregate or (B) payment of royalties or other amounts calculated based upon any revenues or income of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, in each case in excess of USD 1,000,000 of future payments in the aggregate;

 

  (ix)

each Contract under which the Company or any of its subsidiaries licenses, sublicenses or otherwise grants or receives Intellectual Property Rights from or to any third party (other than off-the-shelf, commercially available and/or “shrink-wrap” agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business), except for such licenses, sublicenses and other rights that are not material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

  (x)

each Contract for the lease of real property with annual payments by the Company and its subsidiaries in excess of USD 1,000,000 or any future indemnification obligations in respect of any real property;

 

  (xi)

any other Contract that is currently in effect and has been filed (or is required to be filed) by the Company as an exhibit pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act or that would be required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act;

 

  (xii)

any Contract that is an employment or consulting agreement with any executive officer or other employee of the Company or any Company subsidiary or member of the Company Board earning an annual salary or fee from the Company or any Company subsidiary in excess of USD 250,000; and

 

  (xiii)

any Contract with any Affiliate, director, executive officer, person holding 5% of more of the Company Shares, or to the knowledge of the Company, any Affiliate or immediate family member of any of the foregoing; and

 

  (b)

neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Company), nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party to a Material Contract, has materially breached or violated any material provision of, or taken or failed to take any action which, with or without notice, lapse of time, or both, would constitute a material breach under the provisions of such Material Contract, and, since 31 December 2022 to the date of this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates has received written notice that it has materially breached, materially violated or defaulted under any Material Contract;

 

44


  11.1.19

Environmental Matters: (i) the Company and each of its subsidiaries is in material compliance with applicable Environmental Laws; and (ii) as of the date of this Agreement, there are no Actions pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing, against the Company or any of its subsidiaries alleging that the Company or any of its subsidiaries is violating any applicable Environmental Law in any material respects. The representations and warranties made by the Company in this Clause 11.1.19, together with the representations and warranties set forth in Clause 11.1.6 (Governmental Authorisation) are the sole and exclusive representations and warranties made regarding environmental, health or safety matters, Environmental Laws, Environmental Permits or Hazardous Materials;

 

  11.1.20

Insurance: The Company maintains insurance coverage in such amounts and covering such risks as are in accordance in all material respects with normal industry practice for companies of similar size and stage of development. To the Company’s knowledge, all material insurance policies are in full force and effect, no written notice of cancellation or material modification has been received (other than a notice in connection with ordinary renewals), and there is no existing material default or event which, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a material default, by any insured thereunder. As of the date of this Agreement, there is no material claim pending under any of the Company’s insurance policies as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed by the underwriters of such policies;

 

  11.1.21

Opinion of Financial Adviser: the Special Committee has on or prior to the date of this Agreement received the opinion of its Financial Adviser, dated on or about the date hereof, that, as of such date, and based upon and subject to the various assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken in preparing such opinion as set forth therein, the consideration proposed to be paid to the holders of Company Shares (other than the Excluded Shares) is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. The Company shall deliver or make available to Bidco solely for informational purposes a copy of the signed opinion following the date of this Agreement;

 

  11.1.22

Finders Fees: except for the Company’s Financial Adviser, there is no investment banker, broker, finder or other similar intermediary that has been retained by or is authorised to act on behalf of the Company who might be entitled to any fee or commission from the Company in connection with the Acquisition. The Company has made available to Bidco or its Representatives a true and complete copy of all agreements with its Financial Adviser pursuant to which it would be entitled to any payment relating to the Acquisition; and

 

  11.1.23

Employees and Benefit Plans:

 

  (a)

each Benefit Plan has been operated, funded and administered in material compliance with its terms and applicable Law;

 

  (b)

the Benefit Plans do not include any defined benefit pension schemes or any liability for such schemes;

 

45


  (c)

none of the Company, any of its subsidiaries nor any employer, trade or business that could at any time be treated as a “single employer” with the Company or any of its subsidiaries under Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA has ever sponsored, maintained, contributed to or been required to contribute to, or has any Liability in respect of, (i) a plan that is or was subject to Title IV of ERISA, (ii) a plan that is or was subject to the minimum funding rules of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code, or (iii) any defined benefit pension plan;

 

  (d)

except as required under applicable Law, no Benefit Plan provides health or welfare benefits following retirement or other termination of employment or service;

 

  (e)

except as provided in this Agreement, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby (whether alone or in conjunction with any other event) could (i) result in any payment or benefit to any current or former employee, director or individual independent contractor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) directly or indirectly cause or result in the acceleration or increase of any obligation or benefits under any Benefit Plan, including accelerated vesting or payment of any compensation or benefits under, or the required funding of, any Benefit Plan, (iii) limit or restrict the ability of the Company or its subsidiaries, as applicable, to modify, amend or terminate any Benefit Plan, or (iv) require any current or former employee or independent contractor of the Company to be notified of or consent to the transactions;

 

  (f)

no current or former employee, director or independent contractor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has received or could receive any payments or benefits under any Benefit Plan (other than any agreements or plans implemented by Bidco) that have resulted or could result, individually or in combination with any other payments or benefits, in the payment of any “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code;

 

  (g)

no current or former employee, director or independent contractor of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is entitled to a gross-up, reimbursement or other payment in respect of any Taxes under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code (or any corresponding provisions of state, local or non-U.S. tax Law) or otherwise in respect of any payments or benefits that may be paid in connection with or following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

  (h)

none of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party to or bound by a collective bargaining agreement or other agreement with any labour organisation and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries recognises a labour union or organisation in relation to its employees;

 

  (i)

there is no labour strike, dispute, slowdown, stoppage, picketing, lockout or other similar labour activity pending or threatened in writing against or affecting the Company or any its subsidiaries, nor has there been any such action or event during the three years prior to the date of this Agreement;

 

46


  (j)

the Company and each of its subsidiaries are, and for the past three (3) years have been, in compliance in all material respects with respect to all Laws relating to labour and employment;

 

  (k)

there is no action or proceeding pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened with respect to or involving any Benefit Plans, employees (in their capacities as such) or employment-related matters. To the Company’s knowledge, in the last three (3) years, no allegations or sexual harassment or misconduct have been made to the Company or any of its subsidiaries involving any of their respective current or former employees, directors or individual independent contractors; and

 

  (l)

no employee with a title of “vice president” or above is employed under a non-immigrant work visa or other work authorisation that is limited in duration;

 

  11.1.24

Privacy and Data Security: The Company has materially complied with all applicable Privacy Laws relating to Processing of Personal Information (including the Personal Information of employees, clinical trial participants, patients, patient family members, caregivers or advocates, physicians and other health care professionals, clinical trial investigators, researchers, pharmacists). The Company has materially complied with each of its written and published policies and procedures concerning the privacy and security of Personal Information (the “Privacy Policies”). No claims have been asserted or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company by any Person or Governmental Authority alleging a material violation of Privacy Laws. To the knowledge of the Company, no material Security Breach of Personal Information Processed by the Company has occurred.

 

  11.1.25

No Other Representations or Warranties: except in the case of fraud, the Company acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the only representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made by Bidco or any of its Affiliates or Representatives or any other person are the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made in this Agreement; and (b) neither Bidco nor any other person has made any representation or warranty, whether express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding Bidco furnished or made available to the Company and its Representatives except as expressly set forth in this Agreement.

 

  11.2

Bidco represents and warrant to the Company that:

 

  11.2.1

Corporate Existence and Power: Bidco is a company duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation and has all corporate powers and all governmental licenses, authorisations, Permits, consents and approvals required to carry on its business as now conducted, except for those licences, authorisations, Permits, consents and approvals the absence of which would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Bidco Material Adverse Effect. Bidco is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary or applicable, except for those jurisdictions where failure to be so qualified would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Bidco Material Adverse Effect;

 

  11.2.2

Corporate Authorisation: Bidco has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof. The execution and delivery of this Agreement have been duly and validly authorised by the Bidco Directors;

 

47


  11.2.3

Binding Obligations: assuming due authorisation, execution and delivery by the Company, this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligations of Bidco and is enforceable against Bidco in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity;

 

  11.2.4

Non-Contravention: the execution, delivery and performance by Bidco of this Agreement and the consummation of the Acquisition do not and will not:

 

  (a)

contravene, conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of any provision of its or its subsidiaries’ constitutional documents;

 

  (b)

require the approval of its shareholders (other than a shareholder approval referred to in this Agreement);

 

  (c)

assuming compliance with the matters referred to in Clause 11.2.5, contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any applicable Law;

 

  (d)

assuming compliance with the matters referred to in Clause 11.2.5, require any payment to or consent or other action by any person under, constitute a default, or an event that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a breach or default, under, or cause or permit the termination, cancellation, acceleration or other change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit to which Bidco or any of its subsidiaries is entitled under any provision of any Contract or other instrument binding on Bidco or any of its subsidiaries or any Contract, license, franchise, Permit, certificate, approval or other similar authorisation affecting, or relating in any way to, the assets or business of Bidco and its subsidiaries;

 

  (e)

result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of Bidco,

with only such exceptions, in the case of each of Sub-Clauses (c) through (e), as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Bidco Material Adverse Effect;

 

  11.2.5

Governmental Authorisation: the execution, delivery and performance by Bidco of this Agreement, the consummation by it of the Acquisition and the implementation of the Scheme requires no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority other than: (i) compliance with the provisions of the Act; (ii) compliance with any applicable Competition Laws; (iii) compliance with any applicable requirements of applicable US securities laws; and (iv) any actions, authorisations, consents, approvals or filings, the absence of which would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Bidco Material Adverse Effect;

 

  11.2.6

Capitalisation: the entire issued and outstanding share capital of Bidco is owned, legally and beneficially, by Syncona Portfolio Limited, free and clear of all Liens and transfer restrictions;

 

48


  11.2.7

Litigation: as of the date hereof, there is no material Action or suit (or any basis therefor) pending against, or, to the knowledge of Bidco, threatened against, Bidco or any of its subsidiaries, that would reasonably be expected to prevent Bidco from being able to comply with its obligations pursuant to this Agreement;

 

  11.2.8

Finders’ Fees: there is no investment banker, broker, finder or other similar intermediary that has been retained by or is authorised to act on behalf of Bidco who might be entitled to any fee or commission from Bidco in connection with the Acquisition; and

 

  11.2.9

No Other Representations or Warranties: except in the case of fraud, Bidco acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the only representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made by the Company or any of its Affiliates or Representatives or any other person are the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made in this Agreement; and (b) neither the Company nor any other person has made any representation or warranty, whether express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding the Company furnished or made available to Bidco and its Representatives except as expressly set forth in the Transaction Documents.

 

  11.3

Each of the representations and warranties in this Clause 11 shall be construed as separate and shall not be limited or restricted by the terms of any other such representation or warranty.

 

12.

Termination

 

  12.1

This Agreement may be terminated as follows:

 

  12.1.1

upon agreement in writing between Bidco and the Company at any time prior to the Effective Date;

 

  12.1.2

by the Company, in accordance with Clause 10.5(b), subject to the Company having complied with Clauses 10.2 through 10.7;

 

  12.1.3

by either Bidco or the Company, by written notice to the other, if:

 

  (a)

the Circular is not distributed to the Company Shareholders in accordance with Clause 6.8 (provided that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Clause 12.1.3(a) shall not be available to a Party whose breach of any provision of this Agreement shall have been the primary cause of such failure to distribute the Circular in accordance therewith); or

 

  (b)

an injunction shall have been entered permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Acquisition and such injunction shall have become final and non-appealable (provided that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Clause 12.1.3(b) shall not be available to a Party whose breach of any provision of this Agreement shall have been the primary cause of such injunction).

 

  12.1.4

by Bidco, by written notice to the Company, if at any time after the date of this Agreement:

 

49


  (a)

the Special Committee notifies Bidco or publicly states that it no longer recommends (or intends to recommend) that the Company Shareholders vote in favour of the Acquisition;

 

  (b)

following the Court Meeting or the General Meeting the Special Committee notifies Bidco in writing or publicly states that the Company will not seek the sanctioning of the Scheme by the Court or the Company announces that it has adjourned or postponed the Court Hearing;

 

  (c)

(i) the Special Committee effects a Company Adverse Change Recommendation; (ii) the Special Committee shall have failed to include the Special Committee Recommendation in the Circular or the Schedule 14D-9 (as applicable) when published; or

 

  (d)

the Company breaches any of its representations and warranties set out in Clause 11 or fails to perform any covenant or obligation in this Agreement on the part of the Company such that the Condition set forth in paragraph 3 of Part A of Schedule II (Conditions) would not be satisfied and cannot be cured by the Company by the Long Stop Date, or if capable of being cured in such time period, shall not have been cured within thirty (30) days of the date Bidco gives the Company written notice of such breach or failure to perform; provided, however, that Bidco shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Clause 12.1.4(d) if Bidco is then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or obligation hereunder,

each of (a) to (d) being a “Relevant Withdrawal Event”; provided that for the purposes of this Clause 12.1.4, any holding statement(s) issued by the Special Committee to the Company Shareholders following a change of circumstances shall not itself constitute a Relevant Withdrawal Event so long as any such holding statement contains an express statement that such recommendation is not withdrawn and does not contain a statement that the Special Committee intends to withdraw such recommendation;

 

  12.1.5

by the Company, by written notice to Bidco if:

 

  (a)

Bidco breaches any of its representations and warranties set out in Clause 11 or fails to perform any covenant or obligation in this Agreement on the part of Bidco, in each case, if such breach or failure would reasonably be expected to prevent Bidco from consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and such breach or failure cannot be cured by Bidco by the Long Stop Date, or if capable of being cured in such time period, shall not have been cured within thirty (30) days of the date Bidco gives the Company written notice of such breach or failure to perform; provided, however, that the Company shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Clause 12.1.5 if the Company is then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or obligation hereunder; or

 

  (b)

the Special Committee does not provide its consent to the Acquisition being implemented by way of a Takeover Offer pursuant to Clause 5.3 and Bidco subsequently proceeds to make a Takeover Offer; provided that, if the Agreement is terminated in accordance with this Clause 12.1.5(b), the Company’s obligations pursuant to Clause 5.4 in relation to such Takeover Offer shall survive termination for the duration of such Takeover Offer; or

 

50


  12.1.6

by either Bidco or the Company, by written notice to the other, if the Effective Date has not occurred by the Long Stop Date, provided that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Clause 12.1.6 shall not be available to any Party whose material breach of this Agreement has caused the failure of the Effective Date to have occurred by the Long Stop Date.

 

  12.2

Subject to the provisions of this Agreement which are expressly provided to survive termination in Clause 12.3, and without prejudice to any liability of any Party in respect of any antecedent breach hereof or to any accrued rights of any Party hereto, if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Clause 12, this Agreement shall terminate and there shall be no other liability between the Company, on the one hand, or Bidco, on the other hand.

 

  12.3

The Confidentiality Agreement and Clauses 1 (Interpretation), 13 (Fees, Costs, Payments and Transfer Taxes), 14 (Remedies and Waivers), 15 (Invalidity), 16 (Notices), 17 (Entire Agreement; Severance), 18 (General; No Third Party Rights) and 19 (Governing Law) shall survive termination of this Agreement and in the event of the termination of this Agreement no Party shall have any liability other than for fraud or wilful and material breach of this Agreement prior to termination.

 

  12.4

No Party shall have any right to terminate this Agreement, whether under this Agreement or otherwise, except as expressly set out in Clause 12.1 (and if, by operation of law, any Party has such a right, it undertakes not to exercise such right).

 

13.

Fees, Costs, Payments and Transfer Taxes

 

  13.1

Without prejudice to its other rights pursuant to this Agreement (or in relation to a breach by any Party of the terms of this Agreement), each Party shall pay its own costs and expenses in relation to the negotiation, preparation, execution and carrying into effect of this Agreement and any other agreement incidental to the implementation of the Acquisition or referred to in this Agreement.

 

  13.2

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, all Tax Returns with respect to any excise, sales, use, transfer (including real property transfer), Stamp Duty, documentary, filing, recordation and other similar taxes arising directly or indirectly from the entry into this Agreement or the Acquisition (“Transfer Taxes”) shall be timely filed by the Party responsible for such filing under applicable Law (provided that the Parties hereto shall cooperate in the preparation and filing of any Tax Returns with respect to the Transfer Taxes, including by promptly supplying any information in their possession that is reasonably necessary for the preparation and timely filing of such Tax Returns or the payment of any amounts pursuant to this Clause 13.2). All Stamp Duty (and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs for the preparation of such Tax Returns) shall be borne by Bidco.

 

  13.3

Bidco shall be entitled to deduct and withhold (or to direct the Company to deduct and withhold) from the Consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as may be required to be deducted and withheld with respect to the making of such payment under any applicable Laws related to Tax. To the extent that amounts are so deducted and withheld and timely remitted to the appropriate Tax Authority by Bidco (or the Company), such amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the person in respect of which Bidco (or the Company) made such deduction and withholding. Any amount so withheld will timely be remitted to the appropriate Governmental Authority.

 

51


14.

Remedies and Waivers

 

  14.1

No delay or omission by any Party to this Agreement in exercising any right, power or remedy provided by law or under this Agreement shall affect that right, power or remedy or operate as a waiver of it.

 

  14.2

No waiver of any right, power or remedy provided by law or under this Agreement shall have effect unless given by notice in writing and executed by or on behalf of each of the Parties.

 

  14.3

The single or partial exercise of any right, power or remedy provided by law or under this Agreement shall not preclude any other or further exercise of it or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy.

 

  14.4

The rights, powers and remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, powers and remedies provided by law.

 

  14.5

Without prejudice to any other rights and remedies which a Party may have, each Party (each being, as applicable, for the purposes of this Clause 14 the “undertaking party”) acknowledges and agrees that the other Party would be materially harmed by a breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement and that damages alone would not be an adequate remedy for any such breach. Accordingly, the undertaking party acknowledges that the other Party shall be entitled to seek the remedies of injunction, specific performance and other equitable relief (and the undertaking party agrees that it shall not contest the appropriateness or availability thereof), for any threatened or actual breach of any provision of this Agreement and no proof of special damages shall be necessary for the enforcement by a Party of its rights under this Agreement.

 

  14.6

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by or on behalf of the Parties on separate counterparts, but shall not be effective until each Party has executed at least one counterpart. Each counterpart shall constitute an original of this Agreement, but all the counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

15.

Invalidity

 

  15.1

If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, void, invalid or unenforceable under the laws of any jurisdiction, the legality, validity and enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction shall not be affected, and the legality, validity and enforceability of the whole of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction shall not be affected.

 

  15.2

If this Agreement would require a Party to do or omit to do anything that would be contrary to the Act or applicable Law, then the Parties shall endeavour to comply with this Agreement in a manner that is not contrary to the Act or applicable Law as the case may be, but if that is impossible then the relevant provision of this Agreement shall, to that extent, be of no force or effect.

 

16.

Notices

 

  16.1

Notices under this Agreement shall be given in writing by personal delivery, international courier, facsimile or email transmission (with a copy despatched by personal delivery or international courier) and shall be effective when received. Notices shall be given as follows:

 

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  16.1.1

if to the Company:

 

For the attention of:    General Counsel
Address:   

c/o Freeline Therapeutics, Inc.

915 Broadway, Suite 1005

New York, NY 10010

Email:    general.counsel@freeline.life
Copied to (but shall not constitute notice to the Company):   

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP

Attention: Scott Hopkins / Craig Kelly

Address:    22 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4BQ, United Kingdom
Email:   

scott.hopkins@skadden.com and

craig.kelly@skadden.com

 

  16.1.2

if to Bidco:

 

For the attention of:    Company Secretary
Address:   

c/o Syncona Investment Management Limited

8 Bloomsbury Street, London WC1B 3SR, United Kingdom

Email:    company.secretary@synconaltd.com
Copied to (but shall not constitute notice to Bidco):   

Simmons & Simmons LLP

Attention: Colin Bole and Mark Curtis

Address:    CityPoint, One Ropemaker Street, London, EC2Y 9SS
Email:   

Colin.Bole@simmons-simmons.com

Mark.Curtis@simmons-simmons.com

   Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C
   Attention: Matthew J. Gardella/Matthew W. Tikonoff
Address:    One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA
Email:   

mgardella@mintz.com

mwtikonoff@mintz.com

 

53


or to such other address or email (as applicable) as may from time to time be notified in writing by the recipient to each other Party as being the recipient’s address, facsimile number or email (as applicable) for notice.

 

  16.2

Any notice given under this Agreement shall, in the absence of earlier receipt, be deemed to have been duly given:

 

  16.2.1

if personally delivered, at the time of delivery;

 

  16.2.2

if sent by international courier, at the time that delivery at the address referred to in Clause 16.1 is acknowledged to the relevant international courier; or

 

  16.2.3

if sent by facsimile or email transmission, upon receipt by the sender of a transmission report or confirmation (or other appropriate evidence) that the facsimile or email has been transmitted to and received in full by the addressee,

provided that where delivery or transmission occurs after 5:00 p.m. on a Business Day or on a day which is not a Business Day, receipt shall be deemed to occur at 9:00 a.m. on the next following Business Day.

 

17.

Entire Agreement; Severance

 

  17.1

The Transaction Documents constitute the whole and only agreement among the Parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede any previous agreement whether written or oral among the Parties in relation to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

 

  17.2

Each Party acknowledges that in entering into this Agreement it is not relying upon any pre-contractual statement that is not set out in this Agreement.

 

  17.3

No Party shall have any right of action against any other Party to this Agreement arising out of or in connection with any pre-contractual statement except to the extent that it is repeated in this Agreement. Nothing in this Clause 17.3 shall limit the liability of any Party in respect of any fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation or misstatement. For the purposes of this Clause 17.3, pre-contractual statement means any draft, agreement, undertaking, representation, warranty, promise, assurance or arrangement of any nature whatsoever, whether or not in writing, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement made or given by any person at any time prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

  17.4

If any provision of this Agreement is declared by any legal or other competent authority to be void or otherwise unenforceable, that provision shall be severed from the Agreement and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

18.

General; No Third Party Rights

 

  18.1

Nothing in this Agreement and no action taken by the Parties under this Agreement shall constitute a partnership, association, joint venture or other co-operative entity among any of the Parties.

 

  18.2

No amendment, variation, change or addition to this Agreement shall be effective or binding on any party unless made in writing and executed by or on behalf of each of the Parties. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless such waiver is in writing and executed by or on behalf of the Party waiving such provision.

 

54


  18.3

This Agreement is personal to the Parties and no Party shall assign, transfer or create a trust over all or any part of the benefit of, or its rights or benefits under, this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other Parties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Bidco may, upon written notice to the Company, assign to an Affiliate its rights, interests and obligations under this Agreement, provided that no such assignment shall: (i) relieve Bidco of its obligations hereunder; or (ii) adversely impact in any respect the Company or its rights hereunder or materially impede or delay in any way the Acquisition.

 

  18.4

Except for the D&O Indemnified Parties (which shall have the right to enforce the terms of Clauses 6.10 to 6.13), the Parties do not intend that any term of this Agreement should be enforceable by any person who is not a party to this Agreement by virtue of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 or otherwise.

 

19.

Governing Law

 

  19.1

This Agreement (together with all documents to be entered into pursuant to it which are not expressed to be governed by another law) and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law.

 

  19.2

Each of the Parties agrees that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any claim, legal action, proceedings, dispute or matter of difference which may arise out of or in connection with this Agreement (including claims for set-off or counterclaim) or the legal relationships established by this Agreement, whether contractual or non-contractual (“Proceedings”).

 

  19.3

Each of the Parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales and waives any objection to any Proceedings in such courts or on the grounds of venue or on the grounds that such Proceedings have been brought in an inappropriate forum.

 

  19.4

Each of the Parties agrees that a judgment against it in the courts of England and Wales may be enforced against it in any other jurisdiction in accordance with the laws of that jurisdiction.

 

20.

No Survival of Representations and Warranties

None of the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, the Disclosure Schedule, or in any certificate or schedule or other document delivered by any person pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Acquisition.

 

55


AS WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been executed and delivered as a deed on the date which first appears above.

 

Executed and delivered as a DEED by FREELINE THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS PLC

in the presence of:

 

)

)

)

  

 

/s/ Michael Parini

Witness Signature:   )   

/s/ Chip McCorkle

  )   
Witness Name:     

Chip McCorkle

Witness Address:     

915 Broadway, Ste 1005, NY, NY 10010

    

 

    

 

Witness Occupation:     

Attorney

 

56


Executed and delivered as a DEED by

BIDCO 1354 LIMITED acting by:

   
Andrew Cossar, a Director   )  

/s/ Andrew Cossar

Signature of Director:   )  
  )  
Alexander Hamilton, a Director   )  

/s/ Alexander Hamilton

Signature of Director:   )  
  )  

 

57


SCHEDULE I

INDICATIVE TIMETABLE

 

Event    Time/Date
Signing of this Agreement    P
Publication of the Announcement    P
Filing of Schedule 13E-3 containing the Circular with the SEC    P + 15
Publication of Circular    P + 34
Voting Deadline    P + 60
Voting Record Time    P + 61
Latest time for Company Shareholders who hold their Company Shares in uncertificated form to make electronic proxy appointments    P + 61
Latest time for Company Shareholders who hold their Company Shares in certificated form to lodge the Form of Proxy    P + 61
Court Meeting and General Meeting    P + 62
Last day of dealings in ADSs on Nasdaq    P + 76
Scheme Record Time    P + 76
Court Hearing to sanction the Scheme    P + 78
Effective Date    P + 80
Cancellation of listing of ADSs on Nasdaq    P + 83
Long Stop Date    22 May 2024

 

58


SCHEDULE II

CONDITIONS

Part A

Conditions to the Acquisition

The Acquisition will be conditional upon the Scheme becoming unconditional and becoming effective by no later than 11:59 p.m. on the Long Stop Date.

Scheme approval

 

1.

The Scheme will be conditional upon:

 

  (a)

 

  (i)

its approval by a majority in number of the Company Shareholders (other than Bidco and its Affiliates) representing not less than 75 per cent. in value of the Company Shares (other than the Excluded Shares) (or the relevant class or classes thereof, if applicable) in each case present, entitled to vote and voting, either in person or by proxy, at the Court Meeting and at any separate class meeting that may be required by the Court or at any adjournment of any such meeting;

 

  (b)

 

  (i)

all resolutions necessary to approve and implement the Scheme being duly passed by the requisite majority or majorities at the General Meeting or at any adjournment of that meeting;

 

  (c)

 

  (i)

the sanction of the Scheme by the Court with or without modification (but subject to any such modification being acceptable to Bidco and the Company) and, following such sanction, the delivery of a copy of the Court Order to the Registrar of Companies; and

 

  (ii)

the Court Hearing being held on or before the date immediately preceding the Long Stop Date (or such later date, if any, as Bidco and the Company may agree and the Court may allow).

If any Condition referred to in paragraphs 1(a) to 1(c) is not capable of being satisfied by the date specified therein, Bidco shall make an announcement through GlobeNewswire or another national news wire service as soon as practicable and, in any event, by not later than 7:00 a.m. (New York time) on the Business Day following the date so specified, stating whether Bidco has invoked that Condition or, with the agreement of the Company, specified a new date by which that Condition must be satisfied.

In addition, Bidco and the Company have agreed that the Acquisition will be conditional upon the following Conditions and, accordingly, the necessary actions to make the Scheme effective will not be taken unless the following Conditions have been satisfied or, where relevant, waived.

 

59


No restraints

 

2.

No Law shall have been enacted, issued, enforced or entered into, and no preliminary or permanent injunction, judgment or ruling shall have been issued by any Governmental Authority that is, in either case, in effect and enjoins, restrains, prevents or prohibits or otherwise makes illegal the Acquisition.

Accuracy of representations and warranties

 

3.

Except as Disclosed, (i) the representations and warranties set forth in Clause 11.1.1 (Corporate Existence and Power), Clause 11.1.2 (Subsidiaries), Clause 11.1.3 (Organisational Documents), Clause 11.1.4 (Corporate Authorisation), Clause 11.1.5 (Binding Obligations), Clause 11.1.8(c) - 11.1.8(e) (Capitalisation; Indebtedness), Clause 11.1.10(a) (Absence of Certain Changes), Clause 11.1.21 (Opinion of Financial Adviser) and Clause 11.1.22 (Finders Fees) of this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects (in the case of any representation or warranty qualified by materiality or Company Material Adverse Effect) or in all material respects (in the case of any representation or warranty not qualified by materiality or Company Material Adverse Effect) as of the date of this Agreement and as at 11:59 p.m. (London time) on the date immediately preceding the date of the Court Hearing, as though made at 11:59 p.m. (London time) on the date immediately preceding the date of the Court Hearing (expect to the extent such representations and warranties are made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date); (ii) the representations and warranties set forth in Clause 11.1.8(a) and 11.1.8(b) (Capitalisation) of the Implementation Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects other than de minimis inaccuracies as of the date of the Implementation Agreement and as at 11.59 p.m. (London time) on the date immediately preceding the date of the Court Hearing, as though made as at 11.59 p.m. (London time) on the date immediately preceding the date of the Court Hearing (except to the extent such representations and warranties are made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date) and (iii) each of the other representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as at 11:59 p.m. (London time) on the date immediately preceding the date of the Court Hearing, as though made as at 11:59 p.m. (London time) on the date immediately preceding the date of the Court Hearing (except to the extent such representations and warranties are made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), except in the case of this paragraph 3(iii) where such failure(s) to be true and correct (without giving effect to any materiality or Company Material Adverse Effect qualifications set forth therein) have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

Compliance with terms of the Agreement

 

4.

The Company shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all obligations, agreements and covenants required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it at or prior to 9.00 a.m. on the date of the Court Hearing.

No Company Material Adverse Effect

 

5.

Since the date of this Agreement, no Company Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred and be continuing;

Delivery of officer’s certificate

 

6.

The Company shall have delivered to Bidco a certificate, effective as of 9.00 a.m. on the date of the Court Hearing and signed by an authorised officer of the Company, certifying that the Conditions in paragraphs 2 to 5 have been satisfied.

 

60


NSI Act

 

7.

In the event that Bidco, acting reasonably and in good faith, is satisfied that the Acquisition is a notifiable acquisition within the meaning of section 6 of the NSI Act and, having made a notification as regards the Acquisition to the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State having notified Bidco:

 

  (a)

that the notification requirement has been waived or is otherwise not required, on a basis which provides reasonable legal certainty to Bidco that completing the Acquisition will not be unlawful or result in the Acquisition being rendered legally void or incurring criminal or civil penalties; or

 

  (b)

that no further action will be taken in relation to the Acquisition pursuant to Section 14(8)(b)(ii) of the NSI Act; or

 

  (c)

by way of a final notification pursuant to Section 26 of the NSI Act, that no further action in relation to the call-in notice is to be taken; or

 

  (d)

by way of a final order pursuant to Section 26 of the NSI Act, provided that such order does not prohibit consummation of the Acquisition.

 

61


Part B

Waiver and Invocation of the Conditions

Bidco reserves the right to waive, in whole or in part, all or any of the Conditions in Part A above, except for the Scheme Conditions which cannot be waived.

The Acquisition will be subject to the satisfaction (or waiver, with respect to the Conditions other than the Scheme Conditions) of the Conditions in Part A above, and to certain further terms set out in Part C below and to the full terms and conditions that will be set out in the Circular.

Conditions 1(a)(i), 1(b)(i) and 2 to 7 (inclusive) must be fulfilled, determined by Bidco to be or to remain satisfied or (if capable of waiver) waived, by no later than 9.00 a.m. on the date of the Court Hearing, failing which the Acquisition will lapse. Bidco shall be under no obligation to waive or treat as satisfied any of Conditions 2 to 7 (inclusive) by a date earlier than the latest date specified above for the fulfilment or waiver thereof, notwithstanding that the other Conditions to the Acquisition may at such earlier date have been waived or fulfilled and that there are at such earlier date no circumstances indicating that any of such Conditions may not be capable of fulfilment.

 

62


Part C

Certain further terms of the Acquisition

The Acquisition will lapse if the Scheme does not become effective by 11.59 p.m. on the Long Stop Date.

The availability of the Acquisition to persons not resident in the U.K. or U.S. may be affected by the Laws of the relevant jurisdictions. Persons who are not resident in the U.K. or U.S. should inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable requirements. Company Shareholders who are in any doubt about such matters should consult an appropriate independent professional adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay and observe any applicable requirements.

This Acquisition will be governed by English law and be subject to the jurisdiction of the English courts and to the Conditions set out in the Circular.

Each of the Conditions shall be regarded as a separate Condition and shall not be limited by reference to any other Condition.

The Company Shares will be acquired by Bidco (or its nominee) with full title guarantee, fully paid and free from all liens, equitable interests, charges, encumbrances, rights of pre-emption and any other third party rights or interests whatsoever and together with all rights existing at the date of this Announcement or thereafter attaching thereto, including (without limitation) the right to receive and retain, in full, all dividends and other distributions (if any) declared, made or paid or any other return of capital (whether by way of reduction of share capital or share premium account or otherwise) made on or after the Effective Date in respect of the Company Shares.

 

63


SCHEDULE III

ANNOUNCEMENT

 

64

Exhibit 99.2

EXECUTION VERSION

Security Agreement

between

The Companies listed in Schedule 1

as Chargors

and

Syncona Portfolio Limited

as Lender

relating to

U.S.$15,000,000 Fixed Rate Convertible Loan Notes due 2024

 


CONTENTS

 

1.

  Interpretation      1  

2.

  Covenant to Pay      6  

3.

  Creation of Security      6  

4.

  Continuing Security      9  

5.

  Further Assurance      10  

6.

  Land      10  

7.

  Investments      12  

8.

  Intellectual Property      15  

9.

  Bank Accounts      16  

10.

  Contracts      17  

11.

  Plant and Machinery      17  

12.

  Insurances      18  

13.

  Representations      18  

14.

  Information Undertakings      20  

15.

  General Undertakings      20  

16.

  Enforcement      23  

17.

  Receiver      24  

18.

  Powers of Receiver      25  

19.

  Power of Attorney      27  

20.

  Tacking      27  

21.

  Delegation      28  

22.

  Preservation of Security      28  

23.

  Costs and Expenses      30  

24.

  Enforcement Expenses      30  

25.

  Changes to the Parties      30  

26.

  Payments      30  

27.

  Set-Off      31  

 

i


28.

  Notices      31  

29.

  Release of Security      32  

30.

  Partial Invalidity      32  

31.

  Remedies and Waivers      33  

32.

  Counterparts      33  

33.

  Governing Law      33  

34.

  Enforcement      33  

 

SCHEDULE 1 : THE CHARGORS    34
SCHEDULE 2 : MORTGAGED PROPERTY    35
SCHEDULE 3 : INVESTMENTS    36
SCHEDULE 4 : ASSIGNED CONTRACTS    37
SCHEDULE 5 : BANK ACCOUNTS    38
SCHEDULE 6 : PLANT AND MACHINERY    39
SCHEDULE 7 : INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY    40
SCHEDULE 8 : NOTICE TO BANK HOLDING AN ACCOUNT    41
SCHEDULE 9 : NOTICE TO COUNTERPARTY TO ASSIGNED CONTRACT    44
SCHEDULE 10 : NOTICE TO INSURERS    47
SCHEDULE 11 : NOTICE TO TENANTS    50

 

 

ii


THIS DEED (this “Deed”) is dated and made

BETWEEN:

 

(1)

THE COMPANIES listed in Schedule 1 (The Chargors), as chargors (the “Chargors”); and

 

(2)

SYNCONA PORTFOLIO LIMITED a company incorporated in Guernsey (registration number 62778) whose registered office is at Frances House, PO Box 273, Sir William Place, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 3RD (the “Lender”).

BACKGROUND:

 

(A)

Each Chargor is entering into this Deed in connection with the Loan Note Certificate.

 

(B)

It is intended that this document takes effect as a deed even though a Party may only execute it under hand.

IT IS AGREED as follows:

 

1.

Interpretation

 

1.1

Definitions

Unless the context otherwise requires, capitalised terms and expressions used in this Deed and not otherwise defined in this Deed have the respective meanings given to them in the Loan Note Certificate. The following definitions also apply in this Deed (including its recitals):

Accounting Principles” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

Assigned Contracts” means each intra-group loan agreement entered into between any of the Chargors and any agreement or other document designated in writing by a Chargor and the Lender as an “Assigned Contract” for the purposes of this Deed.

Authorisation” means an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration.

Bank Account” means any account in the name of a Chargor with any person (including those listed in Schedule 5 (Bank Account)) maintained with any bank or financial institution in England and Wales and includes any other account which is a successor to that account on any renumbering or re-designation of accounts and any account into which all or a part of the balance from that account is transferred for investment or administrative purposes.

Charged Property” means all of the assets of a Chargor which from time to time are, or are expressed to be, subject to the Transaction Security.

Company” means Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc, a public limited company incorporated in England and Wales with registration number 12546479.

Convertible Loan Notes” means the U.S.$15,000,000 fixed rate convertible loan notes due 2024 created by the Company as issuer on or about the date of this Deed.

Delegate” means any delegate or sub delegate appointed under Clause 21 (Delegation).

 

1


Enforcement Event” means, following the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing, the receipt by the Chargors from the Lender of a written notice stating that the Lender is enforcing the Transaction Security.

Existing Security Documents” means:

 

  (A)

the charge over bank account dated 30 October 2015 between FTL and CSK Therapeutics Limited; and

 

  (B)

the charge over bank account dated 16 September 2019 given by FTL in favour of Silicon Valley Bank.

Finance Documents” means this Deed and the Loan Note Certificate.

Financial Indebtedness” means any indebtedness for or in respect of:

 

  (A)

moneys borrowed;

 

  (B)

any amount raised by acceptance under any acceptance credit facility or dematerialised equivalent;

 

  (C)

any amount raised pursuant to any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument;

 

  (D)

the amount of any liability in respect of any lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with the Accounting Principles, be treated as a finance or capital lease;

 

  (E)

receivables sold or discounted (other than any receivables to the extent they are sold on a non-recourse basis);

 

  (F)

any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase agreement) having the commercial effect of a borrowing;

 

  (G)

any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price (and, when calculating the value of any derivative transaction, only the marked to market value shall be taken into account);

 

  (H)

any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, indemnity, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution; and

 

  (I)

the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity for any of the items referred to in paragraphs (A) to (H) above.

FTL” means Freeline Therapeutics Limited, a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales with registration number 09500073.

Group” means the Company and its Subsidiaries for the time being.

IFRS” means international accounting standards within the meaning of the IAS Regulation 1606/2002 to the extent applicable to the relevant financial statements.

Intellectual Property” means:

 

2


  (A)

any patents, trade marks, service marks, designs, business names, copyrights, database rights, design rights, domain names, moral rights, inventions, confidential information, knowhow and other intellectual property rights and interests (which may now or in the future subsist), whether registered or unregistered; and

 

  (B)

the benefit of all applications and rights to use such assets of a Chargor (which may now or in the future subsist).

Investments” means any securities and investments of any kind (including shares, stock, debentures, units, depositary receipts, bonds, notes, commercial paper and certificates of deposit), warrants, options or other rights to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire securities and investments now or in the future owned by a Chargor or (to the extent of its interest) in which it now or in the future has any interest.

Loan Note Certificate” means the certificate dated on or about the date of this Deed executed by the Company as issuer pursuant to which the Convertible Loan Notes are constituted by, are subject to, and have the benefit of.

Legal Reservations“ means:

 

  (A)

the principle that equitable remedies (or remedies that are analogous to equitable remedies in other jurisdictions) may be granted or refused at the discretion of a court, the principles of reasonableness and fairness, the limitation of enforcement by laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, reorganisation, court schemes, moratoria, administration, examinership and other laws generally affecting the rights of creditors and similar principles or limitations under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction;

 

  (B)

the time barring of claims under the Limitation Act 1980 or the Foreign Limitation Periods Act 1984 or applicable statutes of limitation under any applicable laws of any relevant jurisdiction, the possibility that an undertaking to assume liability for or indemnify a person against non-payment of stamp duty may be void and defences of set-off or counterclaim and similar principles or limitations under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction;

 

  (C)

the principle that in certain circumstances Security granted by way of fixed charge may be recharacterised as a floating charge or that Security purported to be constituted as an assignment may be recharacterised as a charge;

 

  (D)

the principle that additional interest imposed pursuant to any relevant agreement may be held to be unenforceable on the grounds that it is a penalty and thus void;

 

  (E)

the principle that the creation or purported creation of Security over any contract or agreement which is subject to a prohibition on transfer, assignment or charging may be void, ineffective or invalid and may give rise to a breach of the contract or agreement over which Security has purportedly been created;

 

  (F)

similar principles, rights and defences under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction; and

 

  (G)

the principles of private and procedural laws of the relevant jurisdiction which affect the enforcement of a foreign court judgment.

LPA” means the Law of Property Act 1925.

 

3


Mortgaged Property” means all of the freehold or leasehold property listed in Schedule 2 (Mortgaged Property) and any other freehold or leasehold property located in England and Wales included in the definition of Charged Property.

Party” means a party to this Deed.

Perfection Requirements” means the making or the procuring of the necessary or appropriate registrations, filings, endorsements, notarisations, stampings and/or notifications of the Finance Documents and/or the Transaction Security created thereunder (including any such action contemplated by any legal opinion delivered under or in connection with any Finance Document and the delivery or possession of share certificates pursuant to this Deed).

Receiver” means a receiver, receiver or manager or administrative receiver of the whole or any part of the Charged Property.

Secured Liabilities” means all present and future moneys, debts, liabilities and obligations due, owing or incurred by the Chargors to the Secured Parties under the Finance Documents (in each case whether alone or jointly, or jointly and severally, with any other person, whether actually or contingently and whether as principal, surety or otherwise).

Secured Party” means the Lender, a Receiver or any Delegate.

Security” means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or other security interest securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect.

Security Period” means the period beginning on the date of this Deed and ending on the date on which the Secured Liabilities have been irrevocably paid in full.

Subsidiary” means an entity of which a person has direct or indirect control or owns directly or indirectly more than 50 per cent. of the voting capital or similar right of ownership and “control” for this purpose means the power to direct the management and the policies of the entity whether through the ownership of voting capital, by contract or otherwise.

Transaction Security” means the Security created or expressed to be created in favour of the Lender pursuant to this Deed or any document entered into pursuant to Clause 6.2(A)(2).

 

1.2

Construction

 

  (A)

Unless a contrary indication appears, a reference in this Deed to:

 

  (1)

any “Party” or any other person shall be construed so as to include its successors in title, permitted assigns and permitted transferees;

 

  (2)

assets” includes present and future properties, revenues and rights of every description;

 

  (3)

a “Finance Document” or any other agreement or instrument is a reference to that Finance Document or other agreement or instrument as amended, novated, supplemented, extended, restated (however fundamentally and whether or not more onerous) or replaced and includes any change in the purpose of, any extension of or any increase in any facility under that Finance Document or other agreement or instrument;

 

4


  (4)

indebtedness” includes any obligation (whether incurred as principal or as surety) for the payment or repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or contingent;

 

  (5)

a “person” includes any individual, firm, company, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust, joint venture, consortium or partnership (whether or not having separate legal personality);

 

  (6)

a “regulation” includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) , but if not having the force of law, being of a type with which persons to whom it is directed are expected and accustomed to comply) of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation;

 

  (7)

a provision of law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted;

 

  (8)

a time of day is a reference to London time;

 

  (9)

the singular includes the plural and vice versa; and

 

  (10)

Charged Property” includes any part of that Charged Property and the proceeds of that Charged Property.

 

  (B)

Clause, Part and Schedule headings are for ease of reference only.

 

  (C)

Unless a contrary indication appears, a term used in any other Finance Document or in any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document has the same meaning in that Finance Document or notice as in this Deed.

 

  (D)

Each of the undertakings given by a Chargor in this Deed remain in force from the date of this Deed until the end of the Security Period.

 

  (E)

An Event of Default is “continuing” unless it has been remedied or waived.

 

  (F)

An Enforcement Event is “continuing” unless the relevant notice issued by the Lender has been revoked.

 

1.3

Disposition of property

The terms of the other Finance Documents and of any agreement, document or side letter between the Parties are incorporated into this Deed to the extent required for any purported disposition of all or any part of any freehold or leasehold property contained in this Deed to be a valid disposition in accordance with section 2(1) of the Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989.

 

1.4

Third party rights

 

  (A)

A person who is not a Party has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce or enjoy the benefit of any term of this Deed.

 

  (B)

Notwithstanding any term of any Finance Document, the consent of any person who is not a Party is not required to rescind or vary this Deed at any time.

 

5


  (C)

Any Receiver or Delegate may, subject to this Clause 1.4 and the Third Parties Act, rely on any Clause of this Deed which expressly confers rights on it.

 

2.

Covenant to Pay

Each Chargor shall pay each of the Secured Liabilities when due in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents.

 

3.

Creation of Security

 

3.1

Security generally

All the Transaction Security:

 

  (A)

is created in favour of the Lender;

 

  (B)

is created over the present and future assets of each Chargor;

 

  (C)

is security for the payment of all the Secured Liabilities; and

 

  (D)

is made with full title guarantee in accordance with the Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1994.

 

3.2

Land

 

  (A)

Each Chargor charges:

 

  (1)

by way of a first legal mortgage all estates or interests in any freehold or leasehold property now owned by it and all rights under any licence or other agreement or document which gives that Chargor a right to occupy or use that property, including the freehold or leasehold property (if any) including the Mortgaged Property specified in Schedule 2 (Mortgaged Property); and

 

  (2)

(to the extent that they are not the subject of a legal mortgage under Clause 3.2(A)(1)) by way of first fixed charge all estates or interests in any freehold or leasehold property now or in the future owned by it and all rights under any licence or other agreement or document which gives that Chargor a right to occupy or use that property.

 

  (B)

A reference in this Deed to a mortgage, charge or assignment of any freehold or leasehold property includes:

 

  (1)

each and every part of that property, including the land, cellars, eaves, buildings, structures, fixtures and fittings (including trade fixtures and fittings) and fixed plant and machinery now or in the future on that property and all easements and rights attaching to it; and

 

  (2)

all rights under any licence, agreement for sale any agreement for lease in respect of that property;

 

  (3)

the proceeds of sale of any part of that property and all monies or proceeds paid or payable in respect of that asset; and

 

6


  (4)

the benefit of all rights, covenants or warranties for title given or entered into by any predecessor in title of a Chargor in respect of that property or any moneys paid or payable in respect of those rights, covenants or warranties.

 

3.3

Investments

 

  (A)

Each Chargor charges by way of a first fixed charge all of its rights and interests in its Investments (including those specified next to its name in Schedule 3 (Investments)).

 

  (B)

A reference in this Deed to any mortgage or charge of any Investments includes:

 

  (1)

any dividend or interest paid or payable in relation to it;

 

  (2)

any right, money or property accruing or offered at any time in relation to it by way of redemption, substitution, exchange, bonus or preference, under option rights or otherwise;

 

  (3)

any right against any clearance system in relation to it; and

 

  (4)

any right under any custodian or other agreement in relation to it.

 

3.4

Assigned Contracts

 

  (A)

Each Chargor assigns absolutely subject and without prejudice to any contractual netting and set-off provisions contained therein to the Lender all of its rights and interests in, to and under all Assigned Contracts.

 

  (B)

To the extent that any such right described in Clause 3.4(A) is not capable of assignment, the assignment of that right purported to be effected by Clause 3.4(A) shall operate as an assignment of any damages, compensation, remuneration, profit, rent or income which that Chargor may derive from that right or be awarded or entitled to in respect of that right.

 

  (C)

To the extent that they do not fall within any other part of this Clause or are not effectively assigned under Clauses 3.4(A) and 3.4(B), each Chargor charges by way of first fixed charge all of its rights under each Assigned Contract.

 

3.5

Insurances

 

  (A)

Each Chargor assigns absolutely to the Lender:

 

  (1)

all of its rights in respect of any contract or policy of insurance taken out by it or on its behalf or in which it has an interest; and

 

  (2)

all moneys payable and all moneys paid to it under or in respect of all such contracts or policies of insurance,

excluding, in each case, any proceeds received in connection with any third party liability insurance and required to settle a liability of a Chargor to a third party.

 

  (B)

To the extent that any such right described in Clause 3.5(A) is not capable of assignment, the assignment of that right purported to be effected by Clause 3.5(A) shall operate as an assignment of any damages, compensation, remuneration, profit, rent or income which that Chargor may derive from that right or be awarded or entitled to in respect of that right.

 

7


  (C)

To the extent that they do not fall within any other part of this Clause or are not effectively assigned under Clause 3.5(A) or 3.5(B), each Chargor charges by way of first fixed charge all of its rights under the property described in Clauses 3.5(A) and 3.5(B).

 

3.6

Book Debts etc.

Each Chargor charges by way of a first fixed charge:

 

  (A)

all of its book and other debts;

 

  (B)

all other moneys due and owing to it; and

 

  (C)

the benefit of all rights, securities or guarantees of any nature enjoyed or held by it in relation to any item under Clause 3.6(A) and Clause 3.6(B).

 

3.7

Plant and machinery

Each Chargor charges by way of a first fixed charge:

 

  (A)

all fixed and moveable plant and machinery owned by it (including any specified in Schedule 6 (Plant and Machinery)), and its interest in any plant or machinery in its possession, in each case, with a value exceeding USD 25,000; and

 

  (B)

the benefit of all related Authorisations, agreements and warranties.

 

3.8

Intellectual Property

Each Chargor charges by way of first fixed charge all its Intellectual Property (including any specified in Schedule 7 (Intellectual Property)).

 

3.9

Authorisations

Each Chargor charges by way of first fixed charge the benefit of all Authorisations held by it in relation to any Charged Property, together with the right to recover and receive compensation which may be payable to it in respect of any Authorisation.

 

3.10

Goodwill

Each Chargor charges by way of first fixed charge its goodwill.

 

3.11

Uncalled capital

Each Chargor charges by way of first fixed charge its uncalled capital.

 

3.12

Floating charge

 

  (A)

Each Chargor charges by way of first floating charge its undertaking and assets, both present and future not otherwise effectively mortgaged or charged under this Deed.

 

8


  (B)

The floating charge created by each Chargor pursuant to Clause 3.12(A) is a “qualifying floating charge” for the purposes of paragraph 14 of Schedule B1 to the Insolvency Act 1986.

 

  (C)

Paragraph 14 of Schedule B1 to the Insolvency Act 1986 shall apply to this Deed and the Lender may appoint an administrator to a Chargor pursuant to that paragraph.

 

  (D)

The Lender may convert the floating charge created by this Deed over all or any of the Charged Property into a fixed charge by notice to the relevant Chargor specifying the relevant Charged Property (either specifically or generally):

 

  (1)

an Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing; and/or

 

  (2)

those assets are in danger of being seized or sold under any form of distress, attachment, execution or other legal process.

 

  (E)

If:

 

  (1)

a Chargor takes any step to create any Security in breach of Clause 15.1 (Negative Pledge) over any of the Charged Property not subject to a mortgage or fixed charge;

 

  (2)

an administrator is appointed or the Lender receives notice of an intention to appoint an administrator in respect of a Chargor; or

 

  (3)

any person takes any step to effect any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress or execution against any of the Charged Property,

the floating charge over the relevant Charged Property shall automatically and immediately be converted into a fixed charge.

 

3.13

Excluded Assets

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Deed, there shall be excluded from the Security created by this Clause 3 (Creation of Security) and from the other provisions of this Deed (including any further assurance provisions) any asset which is secured pursuant to the Existing Security Documents.

 

4.

Continuing Security

 

4.1

Continuing Security

The Transaction Security is a continuing security and will extend to the ultimate balance of the Secured Liabilities, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.

 

4.2

Additional Security

The Transaction Security:

 

  (A)

is in addition to, and is not in any way prejudiced by, any other Security or other right now or subsequently held by the Lender; and

 

  (B)

may be enforced against a Chargor without having recourse to any other rights of the Lender.

 

9


5.

Further Assurance

 

  (A)

Each Chargor shall promptly do all such acts or execute all such documents (including assignments, transfers, mortgages, charges, notices and instructions) as the Lender may reasonably specify (and in such form as the Lender may reasonably require in favour of the Lender or its nominee(s)):

 

  (1)

to perfect the Security created or intended to be created by the Transaction Security (which may include the execution of a mortgage, charge, assignment or other Security over all or any of the assets which are, or are intended to be, the subject of Transaction Security) or for the exercise of any rights, powers and remedies of the Lender provided by or pursuant to the Finance Documents or by law;

 

  (2)

to confer on the Lender Security over any property and assets of that Chargor located in any jurisdiction equivalent or similar to the Security conferred or intended to be conferred by or pursuant to the Transaction Security; and/or

 

  (3)

to facilitate the realisation of the assets which are, or are intended to be, the subject of the Transaction Security.

 

  (B)

Each Chargor shall take all such action as is available to it (including making all filings and registrations) as may be necessary for the purpose of the creation, perfection, protection or maintenance of any Security conferred or intended to be conferred on the Lender by or pursuant to the Transaction Security.

 

6.

Land

 

6.1

The Land Registry

In the case of a Chargor’s existing freehold or leasehold property, that Chargor shall promptly:

 

  (A)

and in any event within any applicable priority period, apply to the Land Registry to register the Security created or expressed to be created by the Transaction Security;

 

  (B)

submit to the Land Registry a duly completed form RX1 in which the Chargor applies for a restriction in the form specified by the Lender to be entered on the register of title to that freehold or leasehold property in respect of the Security created or expressed to be created by the Transaction Security;

 

  (C)

submit to the Land Registry a duly completed form CH2 in which the Chargor applies for a note of an obligation to make further loans or advances to be entered on the register of title to that freehold or leasehold property in respect of the Security created or expressed to be created by the Transaction Security; and

 

  (D)

pay all appropriate registration fees.

 

6.2

Acquisitions

 

  (A)

If a Chargor acquires any freehold or leasehold property after the date of this Deed, the Chargor shall:

 

10


  (1)

promptly notify the Lender;

 

  (2)

promptly on request by the Lender and at the cost of the relevant Chargor, execute and deliver to the Lender a legal mortgage in favour of the Lender of that freehold or leasehold property in any form which the Lender may require together with such constitutional documents, corporate authorisations and other matters as the Lender may require to verify that such document constitutes that Chargor’s legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations;

 

  (3)

if title to that freehold or leasehold property is registered at the Land Registry or is required to be so registered:

 

  (a)

promptly and in any event within any applicable priority period, apply to the Land Registry for first registration of that freehold or leasehold property (where that freehold or leasehold property is not already registered at the Land Registry) and registration of that Chargor as the registered proprietor of that freehold or leasehold property;

 

  (b)

promptly and in any event within any applicable priority period, apply to the Land Registry to register the Security created or expressed to be created by the Transaction Security;

 

  (c)

promptly and in any event within any applicable priority period, apply to the Land Registry submit to the Land Registry a duly completed form RX1 in which the Chargor applies for a restriction in the form specified by the Lender to be entered on the register of title to that freehold or leasehold property in respect of the Security created or expressed to be created by the Transaction Security;

 

  (d)

promptly submit to the Land Registry a duly completed form CH2 in which the Chargor applies for a note of an obligation to make further advances to be entered on the register of title to that freehold or leasehold property in respect of the Security created or expressed to be created by the Transaction Security; and

 

  (e)

promptly pay all appropriate registration fees.

 

  (B)

If the consent of the landlord in whom the reversion of a lease is vested is required for a Chargor to execute a legal mortgage over it, that Chargor shall not be required to perform that obligation unless and until it has obtained the landlord’s consent. The relevant Chargor shall use its reasonable endeavours to obtain the landlord’s consent.

 

6.3

Deposit of title deeds

Each Chargor shall deposit with the Lender all deeds and documents of title relating to any Mortgaged Property and all local land charges, land charges and Land Registry search certificates and similar documents received by or on behalf of that Chargor.

 

6.4

Investigation of title

Each Chargor shall grant the Lender or its lawyers on reasonable request all facilities within its power to enable the Lender or its lawyers (at the expense of that Chargor) to:

 

  (A)

carry out investigations of title to any Mortgaged Property; and

 

  (B)

make such enquiries in relation to any part of any Mortgaged Property as a prudent mortgagee might carry out.

 

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6.5

Title Information Document

On completion of the registration of any Security in respect of its Mortgaged Property, each Chargor shall promptly supply to the Lender a certified copy of the Title Information Document issued by the Land Registry.

 

6.6

Power to remedy

If an Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing, each Chargor shall permit the Lender and/or any of its representatives, agents or contractors to enter any Mortgaged Property and to take any steps which it believes necessary in relation to that Mortgaged Property. Each Chargor shall immediately on demand by the Lender pay the costs and expenses of the Lender, its representatives, agents or contractors incurred in connection with any action taken under this Clause.

 

6.7

Notice of charge or assignment

 

  (A)

If an Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing, each Chargor shall promptly upon request by the Lender serve a notice of charge or assignment, substantially in the applicable form as set out in Schedule 11 (Notice to Tenants) on each tenant of any Mortgaged Property.

 

  (B)

Each Chargor shall use reasonable endeavours to ensure that each person referred to in Clause 6.7(A) acknowledges receipt of that notice, substantially in the applicable form as set out in Schedule 11 (Notice to Tenants).

 

7.

Investments

 

7.1

Investments

Each Chargor represents and warrants to the Lender that:

 

  (A)

the Investments are duly authorised, validly issued and fully paid and are not subject to any option to purchase or similar right;

 

  (B)

the constitutional documents of the issuer(s) of the Investments do not and could not restrict or inhibit the transfer of those Investments on creation or the enforcement of the Transaction Security;

 

  (C)

it is the sole legal and beneficial owner of the Investments;

 

  (D)

there are no agreements in force which provide for the issue or allotment of, or grant any person the right to call for the issue or allotment of, any share or loan capital of any issuer of the Investments (including any option or right of pre-emption or conversion); and

 

  (E)

the Investments are the entire issued share capital of the issuer(s) of those Investments.

 

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7.2

Certificated Investments

Each Chargor shall, within ten (10) Business Days of the date of this Deed (or in the case of any certificated Investments acquired after the date of this Deed, as soon as reasonably practicable after that acquisition):

 

  (A)

deposit with the Lender, or as the Lender may direct, any bearer instrument, share certificate or other document of title or evidence of ownership in relation to its Investments (including those Investments listed in Schedule 3 (Investments)); and

 

  (B)

promptly take any action and execute and deliver to the Lender any share transfer or other document which may be reasonably requested by the Lender in order to enable the transferee to be registered as the owner or otherwise obtain a legal title to its Investments; this includes:

 

  (1)

delivering executed blank share transfers in favour of the Lender or any of its nominees as transferee or, if the Lender so directs, with the transferee left blank; and

 

  (2)

procuring that those share transfers are, following the occurrence of an Enforcement Event which is continuing, registered by the issuer(s) of the Investments and that share certificates in the name of the transferee are delivered to the Lender.

 

7.3

Calls

 

  (A)

Each Chargor shall pay all calls or other payments due and payable in respect of its Investments.

 

  (B)

If a Chargor fails to do so within 15 Business Days of written request by the Lender, the Lender may pay the calls or other payments in respect of any Investment on behalf of the Chargor. Each Chargor shall promptly on request reimburse the Lender for any payment made by the Lender under this Clause 7.3.

 

7.4

Other obligations in respect of Investments

 

  (A)

The Company shall promptly copy to the Lender and comply with all requests for information which is within its knowledge and which are made under Section 793 of the Companies Act 2006 or any similar provision contained in any articles of association or other constitutional document relating to any of the applicable Investments. If it fails to do so, the Lender may elect to provide such information as it may have on behalf of the Company.

 

  (B)

Each Chargor shall comply with all other conditions and obligations assumed by it in respect of any Investments.

 

  (C)

The Lender is not obliged to:

 

  (1)

perform any obligation of a Chargor;

 

  (2)

make any payment;

 

  (3)

make any enquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by it or a Chargor; or

 

13


  (4)

present or file any claim or take any other action to collect or enforce the payment of any amount to which it may be entitled under the Transaction Security,

in respect of any Investments.

 

7.5

Rights before enforcement

 

  (A)

Subject to Clause 7.6 (Rights after enforcement), a Chargor may continue to exercise the voting rights, powers and other rights in respect of its Investments.

 

  (B)

If the relevant Investments have been registered in the name of the Lender or its nominee, the Lender (or that nominee) shall exercise the voting rights, powers and other rights in respect of the Investments in any manner which the Chargor may direct in writing but only to the extent that it does so for a purpose not inconsistent with any Finance Document and the exercise of or failure to exercise those rights would not prejudice the interests of the Lender. The Lender (or that nominee) shall execute any form of proxy or other document which a Chargor may reasonably require for this purpose.

 

  (C)

Subject to Clause 7.6 (Rights after enforcement), all dividends or other income or distributions paid or payable in relation to any Investments shall be paid to the relevant Chargor. To achieve this:

 

  (1)

the Lender or its nominee will promptly execute any dividend mandate necessary to ensure that payment is made direct to that Chargor; or

 

  (2)

if payment is made directly to the Lender (or its nominee) before this Security becomes enforceable, the Lender (or that nominee) will promptly pay that amount to that Chargor.

 

  (D)

Subject to Clause 7.6 (Voting rights after enforcement), the Lender shall use its reasonable endeavours promptly to forward to the relevant Chargor all material notices, correspondence and/or other communication it receives in relation to the Investments.

 

7.6

Rights after enforcement

 

  (A)

If an Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing, the Lender or its nominee may exercise or refrain from exercising:

 

  (1)

any voting rights; and

 

  (2)

any other powers or rights which may be exercised by the legal or beneficial owner of any Investments, any person who is the holder of any Investments or otherwise,

in each case, in the name of the relevant Chargor, the registered holder or otherwise and without any further consent or authority on the part of that Chargor and irrespective of any direction given by that Chargor.

 

  (B)

If an Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing, the relevant Chargor shall promptly pay all dividends or other monies received by it in respect of the Investments to the Lender or as the Lender may direct from time to time.

 

14


  (C)

To the extent that the Investments remain registered in the name of a Chargor, that Chargor irrevocably appoints the Lender or its nominee as its proxy to exercise all voting rights in respect of those Investments at any time after this Security has become enforceable.

 

  (D)

Each Chargor shall indemnify the Lender against any loss or liability incurred by the Lender as a consequence of the Lender acting in respect of Investments on the direction of the Chargor.

 

7.7

Clearance systems

 

  (A)

If an Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing, each Chargor shall, if so requested by the Lender:

 

  (1)

instruct any clearance system to transfer any Investment held by it for the Chargor or its nominee to an account of the Lender or its nominee with that clearance system; and

 

  (2)

take whatever action the Lender may request for the dematerialisation or rematerialisation of any Investments held in a clearance system.

 

  (B)

Without prejudice to the rest of this Clause the Lender may, at the expense of the Chargor, take whatever action is required for the dematerialisation or rematerialisation of the Investments if an Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing.

 

7.8

Custodian arrangements

Each Chargor shall:

 

  (A)

promptly give notice of the Transaction Security to any custodian of any Investments in any form which the Lender may reasonably require; and

 

  (B)

use reasonable endeavours to ensure that the custodian acknowledges that notice in any form which the Lender may reasonably require.

 

8.

Intellectual Property

 

8.1

Representations

Each Chargor represents and warrants to the Lender that:

 

  (A)

it is the sole legal and beneficial owner of or has licensed to it on normal commercial terms all the Intellectual Property which is material to its business and which is required by it in order to carry on its business as it is being conducted; and

 

  (B)

it has taken all formal or procedural actions (including payment of fees) required to maintain any Intellectual Property owned by it.

 

15


8.2

Preservation

 

  (A)

Each Chargor shall:

 

  (1)

preserve and maintain the subsistence and validity of the Intellectual Property necessary for its business;

 

  (2)

use reasonable endeavours to prevent any infringement in any material respect of its Intellectual Property;

 

  (3)

make registrations and pay all registration fees and taxes necessary to maintain its Intellectual Property in full force and effect and record its interest in that Intellectual Property; and

 

  (4)

not use or permit its Intellectual Property to be used in a way or take any step or omit to take any step in respect of that Intellectual Property which would be reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  (B)

Each Chargor shall promptly, if requested to do so by the Lender, sign or procure the signature of, and comply with all instructions of the Lender in respect of, any document required to make entries in any public register of Intellectual Property (including the United Kingdom Trade Marks Register) which either record the existence of the Transaction Security or the restrictions on disposal imposed by the Transaction Security.

 

  (C)

Each Chargor shall provide all reasonable assistance to the Lender to enable it to register in the relevant trade mark registries (and any other relevant intellectual property registries), at the reasonable cost of the Chargors, the Security created or purported to be created by it pursuant to Clause 3.8 (Intellectual Property) of this Deed in each jurisdiction the Lender reasonably selects.

 

9.

Bank Accounts

 

9.1

Withdrawals from accounts

 

  (A)

If an Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing, each Chargor shall not withdraw any moneys (including interest) standing to the credit of any of its Bank Accounts other than with the prior consent of the Lender.

 

  (B)

Following the occurrence of an Enforcement Event which is continuing, the Lender (or a Receiver) may withdraw amounts standing from the credit of a Chargor’s Bank Accounts.

 

9.2

Notices of charge

 

  (A)

Each Chargor shall promptly (and, in any event, within 10 Business Days) serve a notice of charge or assignment, substantially in the applicable form as set out in Schedule 8 (Notice to Bank Holding an Account), on each bank or financial institution at which a Chargor maintains any of its Bank Accounts.

 

  (B)

Each Chargor shall use reasonable endeavours (for a period not exceeding 10 Business Days beginning on the date on which the notice of charge or assignment is sent by the relevant Chargor to the relevant counterparty in accordance with Clause 9.2(A)) to ensure that each person referred to in Clause 9.2(A) acknowledges receipt of that notice, substantially in the applicable form as set out in Schedule 8 (Notice to Bank Holding an Account).

 

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10.

Contracts

 

10.1

Documents

Each Chargor shall promptly deliver to the Lender copies of all Assigned Contracts as now in effect and as requested by the Lender and shall promptly deliver such other documents relating to the Assigned Contracts as the Lender reasonably requires.

 

10.2

Information

Each Chargor shall promptly provide the Lender with any information it reasonably requires in relation to any Assigned Contract.

 

10.3

Rights

 

  (A)

Subject to the rights of the Lender under Clause 10.3(B), each Chargor shall diligently pursue its rights under each of its Assigned Contracts, but only if and to the extent that the exercise of those rights in the manner proposed would not result in a default.

 

  (B)

Following the occurrence of an Enforcement Event which is continuing, the Lender may exercise (without any further consent or authority on the part of a Chargor and irrespective of any direction given by a Chargor) any of that Chargor’s rights under its Assigned Contracts.

 

10.4

Notices of charge or assignment

 

  (A)

If an Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing, each Chargor shall promptly upon request by the Lender serve a notice of charge or assignment, substantially in the applicable form as set out in Schedule 9 (Notice to Counterparty to Assigned Contract) on each counterparty to an Assigned Contract.

 

  (B)

Each Chargor shall use reasonable endeavours (for a period not exceeding 10 Business Days beginning on the date on which the notice of charge or assignment is sent by the relevant Chargor to the relevant counterparty in accordance with Clause 10.4(A)) to ensure that each person referred to in Clause 10.4(A) acknowledges receipt of that notice, substantially in the applicable form as set out in Schedule 9 (Notice to Counterparty to Assigned Contract).

 

11.

Plant and Machinery

 

11.1

Maintenance

Each Chargor shall keep its plant and machinery in good repair and in good working order and condition.

 

11.2

Nameplates

If an Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing, each Chargor shall take any action which the Lender may reasonably require to evidence the interest of the Lender in any of its plant and machinery having a value which exceeds USD 25,000; this includes fixing a nameplate on its plant and machinery in a prominent position stating that:

 

  (A)

the plant and machinery is charged in favour of the Lender; and

 

  (B)

the plant and machinery must not be disposed of without the prior consent of the Lender.

 

17


12.

Insurances

 

12.1

Rights

 

  (A)

Subject to the rights of the Lender under Clause 12.1(B), each Chargor shall diligently pursue its rights under any contract or policy of insurance taken out by it or on its behalf or in which it has an interest, but only if and to the extent that the exercise of those rights in the manner proposed would not result in a default.

 

  (B)

If an Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing, the Lender may exercise (without any further consent or authority on the part of a Chargor and irrespective of any direction given by any Chargor) any of the rights of a Chargor in connection with any amounts payable to it under any of its contracts or policies of insurance.

 

12.2

Notices of charge or assignment

 

  (A)

Each Chargor shall promptly (and, in any event, within 10 Business Days) serve a notice of charge or assignment, substantially in the applicable form as set out in Schedule 10 (Notice to Insurers), on each of it insurers (or insurance broker(s) on their behalf).

 

  (B)

Each Chargor shall use reasonable endeavours for a period not exceeding 10 Business Days beginning on the date on which the notice of charge or assignment is sent by the relevant Chargor to the relevant counterparty in accordance with Clause 12.2(A)) to ensure that each person referred to in Clause 12.2(A) acknowledges receipt of that notice, substantially in the applicable form as set out in Schedule 10 (Notice to Insurers).

 

13.

Representations

Each Chargor makes the representations and warranties set out in this Clause 12.2(A) to the Lender

 

13.1

Status

 

  (A)

It is a corporation, duly incorporated and validly existing under the law of its jurisdiction of incorporation.

 

  (B)

It has the power to own its assets and carry on its business as it is being conducted.

 

13.2

Binding obligations

Subject to the Legal Reservations and the Perfection Requirements, the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in the Finance Documents to which it is a party are legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations.

 

13.3

Non-conflict with other obligations

The entry into and performance by it of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance Documents to which it is a party do not and will not conflict with:

 

  (A)

any law or regulation applicable to it in any material respect;

 

18


  (B)

its constitutional documents in any material respect; or

 

  (C)

any agreement or instrument binding upon it or any of its assets, breach of which would, in each case, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

13.4

Power and authority

Subject to the Legal Reservations, it has the power to enter into, perform and deliver, and has taken all necessary action to authorise its entry into, performance and delivery of, the Finance Documents to which it is a party and the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents to which it is a party.

 

13.5

Validity and admissibility in evidence

Subject to the Legal Reservations and the Perfection Requirements, all material Authorisations required:

 

  (A)

to enable it lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations in the Finance Documents to which it is a party;

 

  (B)

to make the Finance Documents to which it is a party admissible in evidence in its jurisdiction of incorporation; and

 

  (C)

to enable it to create the Security created or expressed to be created pursuant to the Finance Documents to which it is a party and to ensure that such Security has the priority and ranking it is expressed to have,

have been (or will be by the required date) obtained or effected and are (or will be by the required date) in full force and effect.

 

13.6

Governing law and enforcement

Subject to the Legal Reservations:

 

  (A)

the choice of English law as the governing law of the Finance Documents to which it is a party will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation; and

 

  (B)

any judgment obtained in England in relation to the Finance Documents to which it is a party will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation.

 

13.7

Pari passu ranking

Subject to the Legal Reservations, its payment obligations under the Finance Documents to which it is a party rank at least pari passu with the claims of all its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.

 

13.8

Security

Subject to the Legal Reservations and the Perfection Requirements, this Deed creates (or, once entered into, will create) in favour of the Lender, the Security which it is expressed to create fully perfected and with the ranking and priority it is expressed to have.

 

19


14.

Information Undertakings

 

14.1

Information: miscellaneous

 

  (A)

Subject to paragraph (B) below, each Chargor shall supply to the Lender:

 

  (1)

all documents dispatched by that Chargor to its creditors generally at the same time as they are dispatched;

 

  (2)

promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against it, and which would, if adversely determined, have a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

  (3)

promptly, such further information regarding its financial condition, business and operations as Lender may reasonably request.

 

  (B)

Notwithstanding any other term of the Finance Documents, all reporting and other information requirements in the Finance Documents shall be subject to any confidentiality, regulatory or other restrictions relating to the supply of information concerning the Group or otherwise binding on any member of the Group.

 

14.2

Financial reports

The Company shall, on or before the fifth Business Day of each calendar month, deliver to the Lender a financial report detailing all debits and credits that have been made from and to each Chargor’s Bank Account in the immediately prior calendar month.

 

14.3

Notification of Event of Default

 

  (A)

Each Chargor shall notify the Lender of any Event of Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence (unless that Chargor is aware that a notification has already been provided by another Chargor).

 

  (B)

Promptly upon a request by the Lender, each Chargor shall supply to the Lender a certificate signed by two of its directors or senior officers on its behalf certifying that no Event of Default is continuing (or if an Event of Default is continuing, specifying the Event of Default and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it).

 

15.

General Undertakings

 

15.1

Negative pledge

 

  (A)

No Chargor shall create or permit to subsist any Security over any of its assets.

 

  (B)

No Chargor shall:

 

  (1)

sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets on terms whereby they are or may be leased to or re-acquired by a Chargor or any other member of the Group;

 

  (2)

sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its receivables on recourse terms;

 

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  (3)

enter into any arrangement under which money or the benefit of a bank or other account may be applied, set-off or made subject to a combination of accounts; or

 

  (4)

enter into any other preferential arrangement having a similar effect,

in circumstances where the arrangement or transaction is entered into primarily as a method of raising Financial Indebtedness or of financing the acquisition of an asset(such arrangement or transaction being “Quasi-Security”).

 

  (C)

Clauses 15.1(A) and 15.1(B) do not apply to any Security or Quasi-Security listed or described below:

 

  (1)

any netting or set-off arrangement entered into by any member of the Group in the ordinary course of its banking arrangements for the purpose of netting debit and credit balances;

 

  (2)

any lien arising by operation of law or in the ordinary course of business (including liens in respect of assets imposed by law, title retention, netting, set-off, other encumbrances arising as part of hedging, operation of bank accounts (including under a bank’s general terms and conditions) and trading relationships or arising as part of letter of credit transactions, and rental deposits);

 

  (3)

any Security over or affecting any asset acquired by a member of the Group after the date of this Deed if:

 

  (a)

the Security was not created in contemplation of the acquisition of that asset by a member of the Group;

 

  (b)

the principal amount secured has not been increased in contemplation of, or since the acquisition of that asset by a member of the Group; and

 

  (c)

the Security is removed or discharged within 6 months of the date of acquisition of such asset;

 

  (4)

any Security over or affecting any asset of any company which becomes a member of the Group after the date of this Deed, where the Security is created prior to the date on which that company becomes a member of the Group, if:

 

  (a)

the Security was not created in contemplation of the acquisition of that company;

 

  (b)

the principal amount secured has not increased in contemplation of or since the acquisition of that company; and

 

  (c)

the Security is removed or discharged within 6 months of that company becoming a member of the Group;

 

  (5)

any Security or Quasi-Security created or evidenced by any Finance Document;

 

  (6)

any Security or Quasi-Security arising under the Existing Security Documents;

 

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  (7)

any Security or Quasi-Security arising pursuant to court proceedings and assessments by authorities (including tax and environmental) being contested in good faith with appropriate reserves;

 

  (8)

any Security or Quasi-Security granted by a member of the Group in favour of a Chargor;

 

  (9)

any Security or Quasi-Security arising under hire purchase agreements, conditional sale arrangements in respect of goods supplied to a Chargor in the ordinary course of day-to-day business and under suppliers’ standard or usual terms or arrangements having similar effect;

 

  (10)

any Security or Quasi-Security in favour of tax or customs authorities in connection with the importation of goods;

 

  (11)

any Security or Quasi-Security over goods, inventory or documents of title where the shipment or storage price is financed by a documentary credit;

 

  (12)

cash cover relating to a letter of credit or by way of replacement for a letter of credit;

 

  (13)

any Security or Quasi-Security in relation to which the Lender has provided its consent; and

 

  (14)

any additional Security which exists in respect of any asset other than permitted under paragraphs (1) to (13) above securing indebtedness the outstanding principal amount of which in aggregate does not at any time exceed USD 1,000,000 (or its equivalent).

 

15.2

Disposals

 

  (A)

No Chargor shall enter into a single transaction or a series of transactions (whether related or not) and whether voluntary or involuntary to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any asset with a market value exceeding USD 25,000.

 

  (B)

Clause 15.2(A) does not apply to any sale, lease, transfer or other disposal:

 

  (1)

made in the ordinary course of trading of the disposing entity;

 

  (2)

of assets in exchange for other assets comparable or superior as to type, value and quality;

 

  (3)

of obsolete or redundant assets for cash;

 

  (4)

which is made by one Chargor to another Chargor;

 

  (5)

which is mandatorily required by law; or

 

  (6)

which is made with the prior consent of the Lender.

 

15.3

Pensions

The Company shall ensure that no member of the Group is or has been at any time an employer (for the purposes of sections 38 to 51 of the Pensions Act 2004) of an occupational pension scheme which is not a money purchase scheme (both terms as defined in the Pension Schemes Act 1993) or “connected” with or an “associate” of (as those terms are used in sections 38 or 43 of the Pensions Act 2004) such an employer.

 

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15.4

Merger

No Chargor shall enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger or corporate reconstruction without the prior consent of the Lender (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

15.5

Financial assistance

Each Chargor shall (and the Company shall procure each other member of the Group will) comply in all respects with sections 678 and 679 of the Companies Act 2006 and any equivalent legislation in other jurisdictions including in relation to the execution of this Deed and payment of amounts due under the Loan Notes.

 

15.6

Conditions subsequent

Within 10 Business Days of the date of this Deed, the Chargors shall supply to the Lender Schedule 2 (Mortgaged Property), Schedule 5 (Bank Accounts), Schedule 6 (Plant and Machinery) and Schedule 7 (Intellectual Property) to this Deed fully completed and shall enter into a supplemental security agreement on substantially the same terms as this Deed and including such fully completed Schedules.

 

16.

Enforcement

 

16.1

When enforceable

At any time following the occurrence of an Enforcement Event which is continuing, the Security created by or pursuant to this Deed is immediately enforceable and the Lender may, in its absolute discretion, enforce all or any part of that Transaction Security.

 

16.2

Power of sale

The statutory powers of sale, of appointing a receiver and the other powers conferred on mortgagees by Section 101 of the LPA (Powers incident to estate or interest of mortgagee) as varied and extended by this Deed shall arise on the date of this Deed.

 

16.3

Section 103 of the LPA

Section 103 of the LPA (Regulation of exercise of power of sale) shall not apply to this Deed.

 

16.4

Section 93 of the LPA

Section 93 of the LPA (Restriction on consolidation of mortgages) shall not apply to this Deed.

 

16.5

No liability as mortgagee in possession

Neither the Lender nor any Receiver or Delegate shall be liable, by reason of entering into possession of any Charged Property, to account as mortgagee in possession for any loss on realisation of for any default or omission for which a mortgagee in possession might be liable.

 

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16.6

Privileges

The Lender, each Receiver and each Delegate is entitled to all the rights, powers and immunities conferred by the LPA on mortgagees and receivers duly appointed under the LPA except that Section 103 of the LPA (Regulation of exercise of power of sale) shall not apply to this Deed.

 

16.7

No duty to enquire

No person dealing with the Lender, any Receiver or any Delegate shall be concerned to enquire:

 

  (A)

whether the rights conferred by or pursuant to any Finance Document are exercisable;

 

  (B)

whether any consents, regulations, restrictions or directions relating to such rights have been obtained or complied with;

 

  (C)

otherwise as to the propriety or regularity of acts purporting or intended to exercise any such rights; or

 

  (D)

as to the application of any money borrowed or raised.

 

16.8

Protection to purchasers

All the protection to purchasers contained in Sections 104 (Conveyance on sale) and 107 (Mortgagee’s receipts, discharges etc.) of the LPA, Section 42(3) of the Insolvency Act 1986 or in any other applicable legislation shall apply to any person purchasing from or dealing with the Lender, any Receiver or any Delegate.

 

17.

Receiver

 

17.1

Appointment of receiver

 

  (A)

The Lender may appoint any one or more persons to be a Receiver of all or any part of the Charged Property if:

 

  (1)

an Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing; or

 

  (2)

requested to do so by the Chargor.

 

  (B)

Any appointment under Clause 17.1(A) may be by deed, under seal or in writing under hand.

 

17.2

Removal

The Lender may by writing under hand remove any Receiver appointed by it and may appoint a new Receiver in place of any Receiver whose appointment it may have terminated.

 

17.3

Remuneration

The Lender may determine the remuneration of any Receiver appointed by it and direct payment of that remuneration out of moneys received by it as Receiver. The maximum rate specified in section 109(6) of the LPA shall not apply to this Deed.

 

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17.4

Agent of Chargor

 

  (A)

Any Receiver will be deemed to be the agent of the Chargor for all purposes. Each Chargor alone is responsible for all contracts, engagements, acts, omissions, defaults, remuneration and all other costs, losses and expenses of a Receiver and for liabilities incurred by a Receiver.

 

  (B)

The Lender will not incur any liability (either to a Chargor or any other person) by reason of its appointment of a Receiver or for any other reasons.

 

17.5

Lender’s rights

Any rights conferred by any Finance Document upon a Receiver may be exercised by the Lender, whether or not the Lender shall have taken possession or appointed a Receiver of the Charged Property.

 

18.

Powers of Receiver

 

18.1

General

 

  (A)

A Receiver has all of the rights, powers and discretions set out below in this Clause 18 in addition to those conferred on it by any law, including all the rights, powers and discretions conferred on a receiver under the LPA and a receiver or an administrative receiver under the Insolvency Act 1986.

 

  (B)

If there is more than one Receiver holding office at the same time, each Receiver may (unless the document appointing him states otherwise) exercise all of the powers conferred on a Receiver under this Deed individually and to the exclusion of any other Receiver.

 

18.2

Possession

A Receiver may take immediate possession of, get in and collect any Charged Property.

 

18.3

Carry on business

A Receiver may carry on the business of a Chargor in any manner he thinks fit.

 

18.4

Employees

 

  (A)

A Receiver may appoint and discharge managers, officers, agents, accountants, servants, workmen and others for the purposes of this Deed upon such terms as to remuneration or otherwise as he thinks fit.

 

  (B)

A Receiver may discharge any person appointed by a Chargor.

 

18.5

Borrow money

A Receiver may raise and borrow money either unsecured or on the security of any Charged Property either in priority to the Security created by this Deed or otherwise and generally on any terms and for whatever purpose which he thinks fit.

 

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18.6

Sale of assets

 

  (A)

A Receiver may sell, exchange, convert into money and realise any Charged Property by public auction or private contract and generally in any manner and on any terms which he thinks fit.

 

  (B)

The consideration for any such transaction may consist of cash, debentures or other obligations, shares, stock or other valuable consideration and any such consideration may be payable in a lump sum or by instalments spread over any period which he thinks fit.

 

  (C)

Fixtures may be severed and sold separately from the property containing them without the consent of a Chargor.

 

18.7

Leases

A Receiver may let any Charged Property for any term and at any rent (with or without a premium) which he thinks fit and may accept a surrender of any lease or tenancy of any Charged Property on any terms which he thinks fit (including the payment of money to a lessee or tenant on a surrender).

 

18.8

Compromise

A Receiver may settle, adjust, refer to arbitration, compromise and arrange any claim, account, dispute, question or demand with or by any person who is or claims to be a creditor of a Chargor or relating in any way to any Charged Property.

 

18.9

Legal actions

A Receiver may bring, prosecute, enforce, defend and abandon any action, suit or proceedings in relation to any Charged Property which he thinks fit.

 

18.10

Receipts

A Receiver may give a valid receipt for any moneys and execute any assurance or thing which may be proper or desirable for realising any Charged Property.

 

18.11

Subsidiaries

A Receiver may form a Subsidiary of a Chargor and transfer to that Subsidiary any Charged Property.

 

18.12

Delegation

A Receiver may delegate his powers in accordance with this Deed.

 

18.13

Lending

A Receiver may lend money or advance credit to any customer of a Chargor.

 

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18.14

Protection of assets

A Receiver may:

 

  (A)

effect any repair or insurance and do any other act which a Chargor might do in the ordinary conduct of its business to protect or improve any Charged Property;

 

  (B)

commence and/or complete any building operation; and

 

  (C)

apply for and maintain any planning permission, building regulation approval or any other authorisation,

in each case as he thinks fit.

 

18.15

Other powers

A Receiver may:

 

  (A)

do all other acts and things which he may consider desirable or necessary for realising any Charged Property or incidental or conducive to any of the rights, powers or discretions conferred on a Receiver under or by virtue of this Deed or law;

 

  (B)

exercise in relation to any Charged Property all the powers, authorities and things which he would be capable of exercising if he were the absolute beneficial owner of that Charged Property; and

 

  (C)

use the name of a Chargor for any of the above purposes.

 

19.

Power of Attorney

 

19.1

Appointment

Each Chargor by way of security irrevocably appoints the Lender, any Receiver and any Delegate severally its attorney (with full power of substitution), on its behalf and in its name or otherwise at such time and in such manner as the attorney may think fit:

 

  (A)

to do anything which that Chargor is obliged to do under any Finance Document; and

 

  (B)

to exercise any of the rights conferred on the Lender, any Receiver or any Delegate in relation to the Charged Property or under any Finance Document, the LPA or the Insolvency Act 1986,

provided that no Secured Party may exercise (or purport to exercise) any such powers, rights or authorities prior to the occurrence of an Enforcement Event which is continuing.

 

19.2

Ratification

Each Chargor ratifies and confirms and agrees to ratify and confirm whatever any such attorney does or purports to do under its appointment under this Clause 19, in each case, except to the extent the attorney in its name is acting negligently, with wilful misconduct or in breach of law or the terms of the Finance Documents.

 

20.

Tacking

The Lender shall comply with its obligations under the Finance Documents (including any obligation to make further advances).

 

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21.

Delegation

 

21.1

Delegate and sub-delegates

The Lender or any Receiver may delegate by power of attorney or in any other manner to any person any right, power or discretion exercisable by it under this Deed.

 

21.2

Terms

Any such delegation may be made upon any terms (including power to sub-delegate) as the Lender or any Receiver thinks fit.

 

21.3

Liability

Neither the Lender nor any Receiver will be in any way liable or responsible to a Chargor for any loss or liability arising from any act, default, omission or misconduct on the part of any delegate or sub-delegate.

 

22.

Preservation of Security

 

22.1

Reinstatement

If any discharge, release or arrangement (whether in respect of the obligations of a Chargor or any security for those obligations or otherwise) is made by the Lender in whole or in part on the faith of any payment, security or other disposition which is avoided or must be restored in insolvency, liquidation, administration or otherwise, without limitation, then the liability of each Chargor under the Transaction Security will continue or be reinstated as if the discharge, release or arrangement had not occurred.

 

22.2

Waiver of defences

The obligations of each Chargor under the Transaction Security will not be affected by an act, omission, matter or thing which, but for this Clause, would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under the Transaction Security (and whether or not known to it or the Lender) including without limitation:

 

  (A)

any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, any Chargor or other person;

 

  (B)

the release of any other Chargor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any other person;

 

  (C)

the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of, any Chargor or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;

 

  (D)

any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of a Chargor or any other person;

 

  (E)

any amendment, novation, supplement, extension (whether of maturity or otherwise) or restatement (in each case, however fundamental and of whatsoever nature) or replacement of a Finance Document or any other document or security;

 

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  (F)

any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Finance Document or any other document or security; or

 

  (G)

any insolvency or similar proceedings.

 

22.3

Immediate recourse

Each Chargor waives any right it may have of first requiring the Lender (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) to proceed against or enforce any other rights or security or claim payment from any person before claiming from that Chargor under the Transaction Security. This waiver applies irrespective of any law or any provision of a Finance Document to the contrary.

 

22.4

Appropriations

Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Chargors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full, the Lender (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) may:

 

  (A)

refrain from applying or enforcing any other moneys, security or rights held or received by it (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) in respect of those amounts, or apply and enforce the same in such manner and order as it sees fit (whether against those amounts or otherwise) and no Chargor shall be entitled to the benefit of the same; and

 

  (B)

hold in an interest-bearing suspense account any moneys received from a Chargor or on account of a Chargor’s liability under the Transaction Security.

 

22.5

Deferral of Chargor’s rights

Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Chargors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full and unless the Lender otherwise directs, no Chargor shall exercise any rights which it may have by reason of performance by it of its obligations under the Finance Documents or by reason of any amount being payable, or liability arising, under the Transaction Security:

 

  (A)

to be indemnified by a Chargor or any other person;

 

  (B)

to claim any contribution from any other guarantor of a Chargor’s obligations under the Finance Documents;

 

  (C)

to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Lender under the Finance Documents or of any other guarantee or security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Finance Documents by the Lender;

 

  (D)

to bring legal or other proceedings for an order requiring any Chargor to make any payment, or perform any obligation, in respect of which a Chargor has given a guarantee, undertaking or indemnity under any other Finance Document;

 

  (E)

to exercise any right of set-off against any Chargor or other person; and/or

 

  (F)

to claim or prove as a creditor of any Chargor or other person in competition with the Lender.

 

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If a Chargor receives any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to such rights it shall hold that benefit, payment or distribution to the extent necessary to enable all amounts which may be or become payable to the Lender by the Chargors under or in connection with the Finance Documents to be repaid in full on trust for the Lender and shall promptly pay or transfer the same to the Lender or as the Lender may direct for application in accordance with Clause 26 (Payments) this Deed.

 

23.

Costs and Expenses

 

23.1

Amendment costs

If a Chargor requests an amendment, waiver or consent, that Chargor shall, within 10 Business Days of demand, reimburse the Lender for the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Lender in responding to, evaluating, negotiating or complying with that request or requirement.

 

24.

Enforcement Expenses

 

24.1

Enforcement expenses

Each Chargor shall, within five Business Days of demand, pay to the Lender the amount of all costs, losses, liabilities and expenses (including legal fees) incurred by the Lender, any Receiver or any Delegate in connection with the enforcement of or the preservation of any right under the Transaction Security and any proceedings instituted by or against the Lender as a consequence of taking or holding the Transaction Security or enforcing those rights.

 

25.

Changes to the Parties

 

25.1

Assignments and transfer by the Chargors

No Chargor may assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations under the Transaction Security.

 

25.2

Assignment and transfer by the Lender

The Lender may assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations under the Transaction Security to any person to which it is permitted to assign its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations to under the terms of the Loan Note Certificate.

 

26.

Payments

 

26.1

Payments

All payments by a Chargor under the Transaction Security (including damages for its breach) shall be made in the currency in which the relevant amount is denominated, or if different, is payable and to such account, with such person and such other manner as the Lender may direct.

 

26.2

Continuation of accounts

 

  (A)

At any time if any subsequent Security affects any Charged Property or a petition is presented or resolution passed in relation to the winding-up of a Chargor, the Lender may open a new account in the name of that Chargor (whether or not it permits any existing account to continue).

 

30


  (B)

If the Lender does not open such a new account, it shall nevertheless be treated as if it had done so when the relevant event occurred.

 

  (C)

No moneys paid into any account, whether new or continuing, after that event shall discharge or reduce any Secured Liabilities.

 

26.3

Order of distributions

All amounts received or recovered by the Lender or any Receiver or Delegate in the exercise of their rights under the Transaction Security shall be applied in the following order:

 

  (A)

first, in or towards payment of all costs, losses, liabilities and expenses of and incidental to the appointment of any Receiver or Delegate and the exercise of any of its rights, including any remuneration and outgoings paid to it;

 

  (B)

second, in or towards payment of the Secured Liabilities in the order selected by the Lender; and

 

  (C)

third, in payment of any surplus to the relevant Chargor or other person entitled to it.

 

26.4

No set-off by Chargors

All payments to be made by a Chargor under this Deed shall be calculated and be made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim.

 

27.

Set-Off

If an Enforcement Event has occurred and is continuing, the Lender may set off any matured obligation due from a Chargor under the Finance Documents (to the extent beneficially owned by the Lender) against any matured obligation owed by the Lender to that Chargor, regardless of the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation. If the obligations are in different currencies, the Lender may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off.

 

28.

Notices

 

28.1

Communications in writing

Any communication to be made under or in connection with this Deed shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated, may be made by email or letter.

 

28.2

Addresses

The address and email address (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention the communication is to be made) of each Party for any communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with this Deed is:

 

  (A)

in the case of a Chargor, that identified with its name below; and

 

  (B)

in the case of the Lender, that identified with its name below,

or any substitute address or email address or department or officer as the Party may notify to the other Parties by not less than five Business Days’ notice.

 

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28.3

Delivery

 

  (A)

Any communication or document made or delivered by one person to another under or in connection with this Deed will only be effective:

 

  (1)

if by way of email, when received; or

 

  (2)

if by way of letter, when it has been left at the relevant address or five Business Days after being deposited in the post postage prepaid in an envelope addressed to it at that address;

and, if a particular department or officer is specified as part of its address details provided under Clause 28.2 (Addresses), if addressed to that department or officer.

 

  (B)

Any communication or document to be made or delivered to the Lender will be effective only when actually received by the Lender and then only if it is expressly marked for the attention of the department or officer identified with the Lender’s signature below (or any substitute department or officer as the Lender shall specify for this purpose).

 

  (C)

Any communication or document made or delivered to a Chargor in accordance with this Clause will be deemed to have been made or delivered to each of the Chargors.

 

28.4

Notification of address and email address

Promptly upon receipt of notification of an address or email or change of address or email pursuant to Clause 28.2 (Addresses) or changing its own address or email, the Lender shall notify the other Parties.

 

28.5

English language

 

  (A)

Any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document must be in English.

 

  (B)

All other documents provided under or in connection with any Finance Document must be:

 

  (1)

in English; or

 

  (2)

if not in English, and if so required by the Lender, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document.

 

29.

Release of Security

At the end of the Security Period the Lender shall promptly, at the request and cost of the Chargors, take whatever action is necessary to release the Charged Property from the Security created by or expressed to be created by the Transaction Security.

 

30.

Partial Invalidity

If, at any time, any provision of the Finance Documents is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.

 

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31.

Remedies and Waivers

No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of the Lender, any right or remedy under the Finance Documents shall operate as a waiver, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided in this Deed are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

32.

Counterparts

This Deed may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Deed.

 

33.

Governing Law

This Deed and any non-contractual obligations and other matters arising from or in connection with it are governed by English law.

 

34.

Enforcement

 

34.1

Jurisdiction

 

  (A)

The courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Deed (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Deed or any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with this Deed) (a “Dispute”).

 

  (B)

The Parties agree that the courts of England are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle Disputes and accordingly no Party will argue to the contrary.

 

  (C)

This Clause 34.1 is for the benefit of the Lender only. As a result, the Lender shall not be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction. To the extent allowed by law, the Lender may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.

THIS DEED has been executed and delivered as a deed on the date stated at the beginning of this Deed.

 

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SCHEDULE 1 : THE CHARGORS

 

Name of Chargor

  

Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or

Establishment

  

Registration Number

Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc    England and Wales    12546479
Freeline Holdings (UK) Limited    England and Wales    12577387
Freeline Therapeutics Limited    England and Wales    09500073

 

34


SCHEDULE 2 : MORTGAGED PROPERTY

[Intentionally left blank]

 

35


SCHEDULE 3 : INVESTMENTS

 

Name of Chargor

  

Name of company in

which Investments

are held

  

Investments held

Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc    Freeline Holdings (UK) Limited    2000 Ordinary Shares
Freeline Holdings (UK) Limited    Freeline Therapeutics Limited    2000 Ordinary Shares

 

36


SCHEDULE 4 : ASSIGNED CONTRACTS

[Intentionally left blank]

 

37


SCHEDULE 5 : BANK ACCOUNTS

[Intentionally left blank]

 

38


SCHEDULE 6 : PLANT AND MACHINERY

[Intentionally left blank]

 

39


SCHEDULE 7 : INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

[Intentionally left blank]

 

40


SCHEDULE 8 : NOTICE TO BANK HOLDING AN ACCOUNT

To: [Account Bank]

Address: [•]

[Date]

Dear Sirs / Madams,

This letter constitutes notice to you that under a security agreement dated [•] (the “Security Agreement”) between [[•] as Chargors][each of the companies listed at the end of this notice] and [•] as Lender (the “Lender”) we have charged in favour of the Lender all of our rights in respect of any amount standing to the credit of any account maintained by us with you at any of your branches (the “Account[s]”) and the debts represented by those Account[s].

If the Lender notifies you in writing that the Security Agreement has become enforceable, we irrevocably instruct and authorise you to:

 

  (A)

disclose to the Lender any information relating to the Account[s] requested from you by the Lender;

(B) comply with the terms of any written notice or instruction relating to the Account[s] received by you from the Lender;

(C) hold all sums standing to the credit of the Account[s] to the order of the Lender; and

(D) pay or release any sum standing to the credit of the Account in accordance with the written instructions of the Lender.

This notice and any non-contractual obligations and other matters arising from or in connection with it are governed by English law.

Please acknowledge receipt of this notice, and confirm that you will pay all moneys in respect of the Account[s] as directed by or pursuant to this notice, by signing the acknowledgement on the attached copy of this notice and returning that copy to the Lender at [•], marked for the attention of [•].

 

        

 

For and on behalf of

[•]

as Chargor

 

             

 

For and on behalf of

[•]

as Chargor

 

41


          

             

  For and on behalf of
 

[•]

as Chargor

 

42


[On duplicate]

We acknowledge receipt of the notice of which this is a copy and confirm that:

 

  (A)

if the Lender notifies us in writing that the Security Agreement has become enforceable, we agree to comply with any instructions given by the Lender;

 

  (B)

we have not received notice of the interest of any third party in the Account[s];

 

  (C)

we have neither claimed nor exercised, nor will claim or exercise, any security interest, set-off, counter-claim or other right in respect of the Account[s]; and

 

  (D)

if the Lender notifies us in writing that the Security Agreement has become enforceable, we will not permit any amount to be withdrawn from the Account[s] without the prior written consent of the Lender.

 

          

         

  For and on behalf of
  [Account Bank]
  Date:                                                                          

 

43


SCHEDULE 9 : NOTICE TO COUNTERPARTY TO ASSIGNED CONTRACT

To: [Counterparty]

Address: [•]

[Date]

Dear Sirs / Madams,

This letter constitutes notice to you that under a security agreement dated [•] between [[•] as chargor][each of the companies listed at the end of this notice and [•] as Lender (the “Lender”) we have assigned to the Lender all of our present and future right, title and interest in and to [describe agreement] (the “Agreement”).

We will remain liable under the Agreement to perform all the obligations assumed by us under the Agreement. None of the Lender, its agents, any receiver or any other person will at any time be under any obligation or liability to you under or in respect of the Agreement.

We will be entitled to exercise all of its rights, powers and discretions under the Agreement, and you should continue to give notices under the Agreement to us, unless and until you receive notice from the Lender to the contrary. In this event, all the rights, powers and discretions under the Agreement will be exercisable by, and notices must be given to, the Lender or as it directs.

Please note that we have agreed not to amend, waive or vary any provision of or terminate the Agreement without the prior consent of the Lender.

We confirm that you may comply with the instructions in this letter without any further permission from us and without enquiry by you as to the justification for or validity of any notice, request or instructions.

This notice and any non-contractual obligations and other matters arising from or in connection with it are governed by English law.

Please acknowledge receipt of this notice, and confirm that you will pay all moneys in respect of the Agreement as directed by or pursuant to this notice, by signing the acknowledgement on the attached copy of this notice and returning that copy to the Lender at [•], marked for the attention of [•].

 

          

                 

  For and on behalf of
 

[•]

as Chargor

 

             

  For and on behalf of
 

[•]

as Chargor

 

44


          

             

  For and on behalf of
 

[•]

as Chargor

 

45


[On duplicate]

We acknowledge receipt of the Notice of Assignment of which this is a copy and agree to comply with its terms. We confirm that we have not received any other notice of assignment or charge or notice that any other person claims any rights in respect of the Agreement.

 

          

             

  For and on behalf of
  [Counterparty]
  Date:                                                                  

 

46


SCHEDULE 10 : NOTICE TO INSURERS

To:    [Insurers]

Address:    [•]

[Date]

Dear Sirs / Madams,

This letter constitutes notice to you that under a security agreement dated [•] between [[•] as chargor][each of the companies listed at the end of this notice] and [•] as Lender (the “Lender”) we have assigned to the Lender all of our present and future right, title and interest in and any contract of insurance taken out with you by or on behalf of us or under which we have a right to claim (the “Insurances”).

 

1.

All moneys payable by you to each Chargor in respect of the Insurances other than third party Insurances shall be paid as directed by each Chargor, unless and until you receive written notice from the Lender to the contrary, in which event you should make all future payments as then directed by the Lender. Thereafter we shall cease to have any right to deal with you in relation to the Insurances and from that time you should deal only with the Lender.

 

2.

Subject to any applicable legislation and despite the assignments referred to above, all sums in respect of any claim under any third-party Insurance by an insured party shall be paid:

 

  (A)

directly to the person whose claim(s) constitute(s) the risk or liability insured against, provided that such person has executed a discharge of all claims against each insured party in respect of the risk or liability in relation to which the claim was made; or

 

  (B)

(despite any policy term to the contrary) to the extent that insurers accept liability to indemnify the insured party in respect of the claims or liabilities which the insured party has settled directly with the claimant, to the relevant insured party, unless the insured party is the Chargor, in which case such sums shall be paid as directed by the Chargor, unless and until you receive written notice from the Lender to the contrary, in which event you should make all future payments as then directed by the Lender. Thereafter we shall cease to have any right to deal with you in relation to the third-party Insurances and from that time you should deal only with the Lender.

 

3.

You are authorised to disclose information in relation to the Insurances to the Lender on their request.

 

4.

This authority and instruction may only be revoked or amended with the prior written consent of the Lender.

This notice and any non-contractual obligations and other matters arising from or in connection with it are governed by English law.

Please acknowledge receipt of this notice, and confirm that you will pay all moneys in respect of the Insurances as directed by or pursuant to this notice, by signing the acknowledgement on the attached copy of this notice and returning that copy to the Lender at [•], marked for the attention of [•].

 

47


 

             

           For and on behalf of
 

[•]

as Chargor

 

             

  For and on behalf of
 

[•]

as Chargor

 

             

  For and on behalf of
 

[•]

as Chargor

 

48


[On duplicate]

We acknowledge receipt of the Notice of Assignment of which this is a copy and agree to comply with its terms. We confirm that we have not received any other notice of assignment or notice that any other person claims any rights in respect of the Insurances.

 

          

             

  For and on behalf of
  [Insurers]
  Date:                                                                  

 

 

49


SCHEDULE 11 : NOTICE TO TENANTS

To: [Tenant]

[Date]

Dear Sirs / Madams,

This letter constitutes notice to you that under a security agreement dated [•] between [[•] as chargor][each of the companies listed at the end of this notice and [•] as Lender (the “Lender”) we have assigned to the Lender all of our present and future right, title and interest in and to [describe lease] (the “Lease Document”).

We irrevocably instruct and authorise you to pay any rent payable by you under the Lease Document to our account [with the Lender] at [•], Account No. [•], Sort Code [•] (the “Rent Account”).

We will remain liable under the Lease Document to perform all the obligations assumed by us under the Lease Document. None of the Lender, its agents, any receiver or any other person will at any time be under any obligation or liability to you under or in respect of the Lease Document.

Please note that we have agreed not to amend, waive or vary any provision of or terminate the Lease Document without the prior consent of the Lender.

We confirm that you may comply with the instructions in this letter without any further permission from us and without enquiry by you as to the justification for or validity of any notice, request or instructions.

The instructions in this letter apply until you receive notice from the Lender to the contrary and notwithstanding any previous instructions given by us.

The instructions in this letter may not be revoked or amended without the prior written consent of the Lender.

This notice and any non-contractual obligations and other matters arising from or in connection with it are governed by English law.

Please acknowledge receipt of this notice, and confirm that you will pay all moneys in respect of the Lease Documents as directed by or pursuant to this notice, by signing the acknowledgement on the attached copy of this notice and returning that copy to the Lender at [•], marked for the attention of [•].

 

          

             

  For and on behalf of
 

[•]

as Chargor

 

         

 

 

50


           For and on behalf of
 

[•]

as Chargor

 

         

  For and on behalf of
 

[•]

as Chargor

 

51


[On duplicate]

We acknowledge receipt of the notice of which this is a copy and agree to comply with its terms. We confirm that we have not received any other notice of assignment or charge or notice that any other person claims any rights in respect of the Lease Document.

We accept the instructions contained in the notice.

We confirm that we:

 

  (A)

have not received any notice that any third party has or will have any right or interest in, or has made or will be making any claim or demand or taking any action in respect of, the rights of each Chargor under or in respect of the Lease Document (as defined in the notice); and

 

  (B)

must pay all rent and all other monies payable by us under the Lease Document into the Rent Account (as defined in the notice); and

 

  (C)

must continue to pay those monies into the Rent Account until we receive your written instructions to the contrary.

 

          

             

  For and on behalf of
  [Tenant]
  Date:                                                                  

 

52


EXECUTION PAGE TO SECURITY AGREEMENT

The Chargors

 

EXECUTED as a DEED by   )   
Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc   )   
acting by   )   
Michael Parini, a director   )   

/s/ Michael Parini

in the presence of:     
Witness signature:     

/s/ Chip McCorkle

Name (print):     

Chip McCorkle

Address:     

915 Broadway, Ste 1005, NY, NY 10010

    

 

    

 

Occupation:     

Attorney

 

Address:    c/o Freeline Therapeutics, Inc.
   915 Broadway, Suite 1005
   New York, NY 10010
   United States
Email:    general.counsel@freeline.life

 

53


EXECUTED as a DEED by    )   
Freeline Holdings (UK) Limited    )   
acting by    )   
Michael Parini, a director    )   

/s/ Michael Parini

in the presence of:      
Witness signature:      

/s/ Chip McCorkle

Name (print):      

Chip McCorkle

Address:      

915 Broadway, Suite 1005, NY, NY 10010

     

 

     

 

Occupation:      

Attorney

 

Address:    c/o Freeline Therapeutics, Inc.
   915 Broadway, Suite 1005
   New York, NY 10010
   United States
Email:    general.counsel@freeline.life

 

54


EXECUTED as a DEED by    )   
Freeline Therapeutics Limited    )   
acting by    )   
Michael Parini, a director    )   

/s/ Michael Parini

in the presence of:      
Witness signature:      

/s/ Chip McCorkle

Name (print):      

Chip McCorkle

Address:      

915 Broadway, ste 1005, NY, NY 10010

     

 

     

 

Occupation:      

Attorney

 

Address:    c/o Freeline Therapeutics, Inc.
   915 Broadway, Suite 1005
   New York, NY 10010
   United States
Email:    general.counsel@freeline.life

 

55


The Lender
Syncona Portfolio Limited
By:

 

Email:    company.secretary@synconaltd.com
Address:    Frances House
   PO Box 273
   Sir William Place
   St. Peter Port
   Guernsey
   GY1 3RD

 

56

Exhibit 99.3

CERTAIN INFORMATION IN THIS EXHIBIT IDENTIFIED BY [***] IS

CONFIDENTIAL AND HAS BEEN EXCLUDED BECAUSE IT (I) IS NOT

MATERIAL AND (II) THE REGISTRANT CUSTOMARILY AND ACTUALLY

TREATS THAT INFORMATION AS PRIVATE OR CONFIDENTIAL.

EXECUTION VERSION

Secured Convertible Loan

Note Certificate

Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc

as Issuer

relating to

Secured Fixed Rate Convertible Loan Notes

 

Simmons & Simmons LLP

Citypoint, 1 Ropemaker Street

London

EC2Y 9SS

United Kingdom

  

T: +44 20 7628 2020

F: +44 20 7628 2070

   LOGO

 


CONTENTS

 

1.

  Introduction      1  

2.

  References to Conditions      1  

3.

  Registered Holder      2  

4.

  Maintenance of Register      2  

5.

  Promise to Pay/Comply with Conversion Requirement      2  

6.

  Transfers      2  

7.

  Conversion      3  

8.

  Conditions Apply      3  

9.

  Meetings      3  

10.

  Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999      3  

11.

  Payment      3  

12.

  Determination of Entitlement      3  

13.

  Cancellation      3  

14.

  Legends      3  

15.

  Governing Law and Jurisdiction      4  

SCHEDULE 1 :

  FORM OF TRANSFER      6  

SCHEDULE 2 :

  TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE CONVERTIBLE LOAN NOTES      8  

SCHEDULE 3 :

  FORM OF CONVERSION NOTICE      20  

SCHEDULE 4 :

  FORM OF CALL NOTICE      23  

 


THIS LOAN NOTE CERTIFICATE is dated 22 November 2023

Serial Number: 1

THE CONVERTIBLE LOAN NOTES CONSTITUTED AND REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”) AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED AND SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS (I) AS PART OF THEIR DISTRIBUTION AT ANY TIME OR (II) OTHERWISE UNTIL 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE OFFERING AND THE CLOSING DATE, EXCEPT IN EITHER CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. TERMS USED ABOVE HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY REGULATION S.

FREELINE THERAPEUTICS HOLDINGS PLC

(incorporated in the United Kingdom with registered number 12546479)

(the “Issuer”)

U.S.$10,000,000 Fixed Rate Convertible Loan Notes due 2024

Convertible into American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) of the Issuer

 

1.

Introduction

The Issuer hereby creates and issues U.S.$10,000,000 Fixed Rate Convertible Loan Notes due 2024 (the “Convertible Loan Notes”). The Convertible Loan Notes are constituted by, are subject to, and have the benefit of, this Loan Note Certificate.

The Convertible Loan Notes are convertible into ADSs of the Issuer on and subject to the Conditions.

The Issuer covenants in favour of each Holder that it will duly perform and comply with the obligations expressed to be undertaken by it in the Convertible Loan Notes and in the Conditions (and for this purpose any reference in the Conditions to any obligation or payment under or in respect of the Convertible Loan Notes shall be construed to include a reference to any obligation or payment under or pursuant to this provision).

The Convertible Loan Notes are secured pursuant to a Security Agreement dated 22 November 2023, granted by the Issuer and others.

Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalised terms and expressions used in this Loan Note Certificate shall have the same meaning as given to such terms and expressions in the Conditions.

 

2.

References to Conditions

Any reference herein to the “Conditions” is to the terms and conditions of the Convertible Loan Notes attached hereto at Schedule 2 and any reference to a numbered “Condition” is to the correspondingly numbered provision thereof.

 

1


3.

Registered Holder

This is to certify that Syncona Portfolio Limited of Frances House, PO Box 273, Sir William Place, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 3RD is, at the date hereof, entered in the register maintained by or on behalf of the Issuer in relation to the Convertible Loan Notes (the “Register”) as the duly registered Holder (as such term is defined in the Conditions) of U.S.$10,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Loan Notes (as such amount shall be increased from time to time pursuant to the Conditions).

 

4.

Maintenance of Register

The Issuer shall, for so long as any Convertible Loan Note is outstanding, maintain a register (the “Register”) in accordance with the Conditions. The Register shall show:

 

  (A)

the principal amount and serial number(s) of the Convertible Loan Notes;

 

  (B)

all Capitalised Interest (including compounded interest);

 

  (C)

the date of issue of all Convertible Loan Notes;

 

  (D)

all subsequent transfers and changes of ownership of Convertible Loan Notes;

 

  (E)

the names and addresses of the holders of the Convertible Loan Notes; and

 

  (F)

details of all conversions, payments of interest, redemptions, cancellations and replacements of Convertible Loan Notes.

The Issuer shall maintain the Register and update it on a regular basis to reflect any changes in holdings or ownership.

 

5.

Promise to Pay/Comply with Conversion Requirement

Unless previously converted, redeemed and cancelled, the Issuer, for value received, hereby promises to redeem any Convertible Loan Notes on the Maturity Date, and agrees that interest will accrue on the principal amount of the Convertible Loan Notes (plus any Capitalised Interest) monthly in arrear at the rate specified in the Conditions, all subject to and in accordance with the Conditions.

 

6.

Transfers

The Convertible Loan Notes shall be transferable in whole or in part:

(i) by Syncona Portfolio Limited (as initial Holder of all of the Convertible Loan Notes) to any of its Affiliates without the consent of the Issuer;

(ii) by any Affiliate of Syncona Portfolio Limited to any other Affiliate of Syncona Portfolio Limited, without the consent of the Issuer; or

(iii) otherwise than in the case of (i) or (ii), to any other Person provided that the prior consent of the Issuer is obtained.

If the Convertible Loan Notes are transferred to any Person that is not an Affiliate of Syncona Portfolio Limited, the Issuer will take such steps as are reasonably required to ensure that the transferor(s) have the benefit of the security created pursuant to the Security Agreement.

 

2


7.

Conversion

Any Conversion Rights attaching to Convertible Loan Notes constituted and represented by this Loan Note Certificate may be exercised by the presentation of one or more Conversion Notices duly completed by or on behalf of a holder of such Convertible Loan Note together with this Loan Note Certificate to the Issuer. The provisions of Condition 6 will otherwise apply.

 

8.

Conditions Apply

Save as otherwise provided herein, the Holder of this Loan Note Certificate shall have the benefit of, and be subject to, the Conditions and, for the purposes of this Loan Note Certificate, any reference in the Conditions to “Loan Note Certificate” or “Loan Note Certificates” shall, except where the context otherwise requires, be construed so as to include this Loan Note Certificate.

 

9.

Meetings

The Holder shall be treated at any meeting of Holders as having one vote in respect of each U.S.$1 principal amount of Convertible Loan Notes for which this Loan Note Certificate may be exchanged.

 

10.

Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999

No rights are conferred on any person under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term of this Loan Note Certificate but this does not affect any right or remedy of a third party which exists or is available apart from that Act.

 

11.

Payment

Payments of principal, premium and interest in respect of Convertible Loan Notes constituted and represented by this Loan Note Certificate shall be made to the person shown as the Holder in the Register at the close of business on the Business Day before the due date for payment, and shall be made against presentation for endorsement and if no further payment falls to be made in respect of the Convertible Loan Notes, surrender of the Loan Note Certificate to or to the order of the Issuer.

 

12.

Determination of Entitlement

Entitlements are determined by the Register and only the Holder is entitled to payment in respect of this Loan Note Certificate.

 

13.

Cancellation

All Convertible Loan Notes that are redeemed or converted shall be cancelled following such redemption or conversion (and, where applicable, such cancellation shall be effected by reduction in the principal amount of this Loan Note Certificate).

 

14.

Legends

The statements set forth in the legend above are an integral part of the Convertible Loan Note or Convertible Loan Notes in respect of which this certificate is issued and by acceptance thereof each Holder agrees to be subject to and bound by the terms and provisions set forth in such legend.

 

3


15.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This Loan Note Certificate, including any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with this Loan Note Certificate, is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law.

The Issuer agrees (and the Holders shall be deemed to have agreed) that the courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine any suit, action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this Loan Note Certificate (including any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with this Loan Note Certificate) and, for such purposes, irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of such courts.

 

4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Loan Note Certificate has been executed as a deed on the date stated at the beginning.

 

EXECUTED as a DEED by    )   
Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc    )   
acting by    )   
Michael Parini, a director    )   

/s/ Michael Parini

in the presence of:      
Witness signature:      

/s/ Chip McCorkle

Name (print):      

Chip McCorkle

Address:      

915 Broadway, ste 1005, NY, NY 10010

     

 

     

 

Occupation:      

Attorney

Issued on 22 November 2023

 

5


SCHEDULE 1 : FORM OF TRANSFER

Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc

(incorporated in the United Kingdom with registered number 12546479)

(the “Issuer”)

Fixed Rate Convertible Loan Notes due 2024

For value received [insert name of transferor] (the “Transferor”), being the registered holder of this Loan Note Certificate, hereby transfers to [insert name of transferee] of [insert address (including postcode or equivalent) of transferee] (the “Transferee”), U.S.$ [insert amount] in principal amount of Fixed Rate Convertible Loan Notes due 2024 (the “Convertible Loan Notes”) of the Issuer and irrevocably requests and authorises the Issuer, in its capacity as registrar, in relation to the Convertible Loan Notes (or any successor to the Issuer, in its capacity as such) to effect the relevant transfer by means of appropriate entries in the register kept by it.

 

Dated:                                                              

             

By: (duly authorised)
Name: [insert name of Transferor]

Convertible Loan Notes:

 

1.

The name of the person by or on whose behalf this form of transfer is signed must correspond with the name of the registered holder as it appears on the face of this Loan Note Certificate.

 

2.

A representative of such registered holder should state the capacity in which he signs, e.g., executor.

 

3.

The signature of the person effecting a transfer shall conform to any list of duly authorised specimen signatures supplied by the registered holder or be certified by a recognised bank, notary public or in such other manner as the Issuer may require.

 

4.

This form of transfer must be accompanied by such documents, evidence or information as the Issuer may require.

 

5.

If the Transferor is a corporation, partnership or fiduciary, the title of the person signing on behalf of such Transferor must be stated.

 

6.

Any transfer of Convertible Loan Notes shall be in an amount equal to U.S.$100,000 or integral multiples of U.S.$100,000 in excess thereof.

 

7.

Any transfer of Convertible Loan Notes shall be subject to Clause 6 of the Loan Note Certificate and Condition 3.

 

6


SCHEDULE 2 : TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE CONVERTIBLE LOAN NOTES

The terms and conditions of the Convertible Loan Notes are as follows:

 

1.

Definitions

The following terms used in these terms and conditions shall, unless the context otherwise requires, bear the following meanings:

ADS” means an American Depositary Share representing fifteen Shares;

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any person, any other person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such person (as used in this definition, “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies of a person, whether through the ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise);

Loan Note Certificate” means a registered form certificate representing the Convertible Loan Notes;

Business Day” any calendar day other than Saturday, Sunday or any other days on which banks are authorised to close in London (United Kingdom) and New York City (United States);

Capitalised Interest” means interest that has accrued on the Convertible Loan Notes at the Interest Rate and that has been capitalised in accordance with Condition 4, and shall include compounded interest;

Conversion Notice” means the conversion notice to be sent to the Issuer by the Holder substantially in the form set out in Schedule 3 of the Loan Note Certificate in order to convert the Convertible Loan Notes;

Conversion Price” means, on the Issue Date, U.S.$6.50, but subject to adjustment in accordance with Condition 6.3.

Conversion ADSs” means the ADSs of the Issuer having the same rights and privileges as all of the other outstanding ADSs of the Issuer as at the date of the conversion of the Convertible Loan Notes, reserved exclusively and irrevocably to the conversion of the Convertible Loan Notes;

Convertible Loan Notes” means the Issuer’s convertible Loan Notes, represented by a Loan Note Certificate that is registered in the name of the Holder of the Convertible Loan Notes from time to time, to which these terms and conditions relate;

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States;

Governmental Authority” means any: (i) nation, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (ii) federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other government; or (iii) governmental or quasi-governmental authority of any nature including any governmental division, department, agency, commission, instrumentality, official, ministry, fund, foundation, centre, organisation, unit or body and any court, arbitrator or other tribunal;

 

7


Holders” means the Persons in whose names the Convertible Loan Notes are registered for the time being in the Register, and each of the Holders, the “Holder”;

Implementation Agreement” means the Implementation Agreement dated 22 November 2023 between the Issuer and Bidco 1354 Limited;

Interest Payment Date” means 22 December 2023, 22 January 2024, 22 February 2024, 22 March 2024, 22 April 2024, 22 May 2024, 22 June 2024, 22 July 2024, 22 August 2024, 22 September 2024, 22 October 2024 and the Maturity Date;

Interest Period” means the period beginning on (and including) the Issue Date and ending on (but excluding) the first Interest Payment Date, and each subsequent period beginning on (and including) an Interest Payment Date and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding Interest Payment Date thereafter up until the earlier of (i) the Maturity Date, (ii) any date prior to the Maturity Date on which the Convertible Loan Notes are redeemed in full pursuant to Condition 9, and (iii) the settlement date of the Conversion ADSs;

Interest Rate” means 12.0 per cent. per annum;

Issue Date” means the date of the Loan Note Certificate constituting the Convertible Loan Notes;

Issuer” means Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc;

Law” means any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other law, statute, constitution, resolution, ordinance, common law, code, edict, decree, guidance, rule, regulation, ruling or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority or the Nasdaq Capital Market;

Legal Reservations“ means:

 

  (A)

the principle that equitable remedies (or remedies that are analogous to equitable remedies in other jurisdictions) may be granted or refused at the discretion of a court, the principles of reasonableness and fairness, the limitation of enforcement by laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, reorganisation, court schemes, moratoria, administration, examinership and other laws generally affecting the rights of creditors and similar principles or limitations under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction;

 

  (B)

the time barring of claims under the Limitation Act 1980 or the Foreign Limitation Periods Act 1984 or applicable statutes of limitation under any applicable laws of any relevant jurisdiction, the possibility that an undertaking to assume liability for or indemnify a person against non-payment of stamp duty may be void and defences of set-off or counterclaim and similar principles or limitations under the laws of any applicable jurisdiction;

 

  (C)

the principle that in certain circumstances security granted by way of fixed charge may be recharacterised as a floating charge or that security purported to be constituted as an assignment may be recharacterised as a charge;

 

  (D)

the principle that additional interest imposed pursuant to any relevant agreement may be held to be unenforceable on the grounds that it is a penalty and thus void;

 

8


  (E)

the principle that the creation or purported creation of security over any contract or agreement which is subject to a prohibition on transfer, assignment or charging may be void, ineffective or invalid and may give rise to a breach of the contract or agreement over which security has purportedly been created;

 

  (F)

similar principles, rights and defences under the laws of any relevant jurisdiction; and

 

  (G)

the principles of private and procedural laws of the relevant jurisdiction which affect the enforcement of a foreign court judgment;

Matching Right Financing” means any equity financing by the Issuer that is announced on or after the Issue Date and prior to the Maturity Date in which Syncona Portfolio Limited or any of its Affiliates agrees to participate;

Material Adverse Effect” means any state of facts, condition, development, circumstance, change, effect or event occurring on or after the date hereof which, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on:

 

  (A)

the condition (financial or otherwise), business, assets, liabilities or results of operations of the Issuer and its subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings from time to time, taken as a whole; provided, however that, solely for the purposes of this sub-clause (A), none of the following shall be deemed, either alone or in combination, to constitute or be taken into account in determining whether there is, or would reasonably be expected to be, a Material Adverse Effect:

 

  (1)

changes in general economic conditions, or changes in securities, credit or other financial markets, in the United States or the UK, or conditions generally affecting the industry in which the Issuer operates, including the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries;

 

  (2)

acts of war, sabotage or terrorism or natural disasters or pandemics involving the United States or the UK;

 

  (3)

changes of applicable Law or GAAP or the interpretation thereof;

 

  (4)

any event arising directly or indirectly from or otherwise relating to any change in, or any compliance with or action taken for the purpose of complying with any change in, any applicable Law or GAAP (or interpretations of any applicable Law or GAAP), provided that such change is not at the Issuer’s discretion in a manner inconsistent with past practice;

 

  (5)

any failure of the Issuer to meet any internal or public projections, forecasts, estimates of earnings or revenues;

 

  (6)

the results of the Company’s GALILEO-1 trial in FLT201; or

except:

(i) in the case of sub-clauses (1), (2) and (3), to the extent such state of facts, condition, development, circumstance, change, effect or event disproportionately affect the Issuer relative to other participants in the industry in which the Issuer operates;

(ii) in the case of sub-clause (6), the following matters in relation to the results of the Issuer’s GALILEO-1 trial in FLT201 may be taken into account in determining whether there is, or would reasonably be expected to be, a Material Adverse Effect: (x) any material increase in alanine transaminase (ALT) or aspartame transaminase

 

9


(AST) levels resulting in decreases in plasma enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCase) levels to below (or failure to maintain such levels above) [***] in a patient dosed with FLT201 in such trial; or (y) any serious adverse event resulting in death or serious injury attributable to FLT201; or (z) any circumstances resulting in (I) an actual clinical hold, or (II) an order issued by the US Food and Drug Administration or other relevant regulator, in each case with respect to the GALILEO-1 trial, that would reasonably be expected to result in the termination of such trial; or (iv) any termination of the GALILEO-1 trial; ; or

 

  (B)

the ability of the Issuer to enter into and perform any of its obligations under the terms and conditions of the Convertible Loan Notes;

Maturity Date” means 20 November 2024;

Optional Conversion Period” means the period starting on the earlier to occur of (i) 22 May 2024 and (ii) the date of termination of the Implementation Agreement, and ending on the Maturity Date;

an “Ownership Event” means a material change in the management or ownership structure of the Issuer;

Ownership Event Date” means the date announced publicly by the Issuer on which an Ownership Event is to become effective;

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

Qualified Equity Financing” means the issuance of ADSs only in a transaction or series of related transactions resulting in gross proceeds (excluding the principal amount of any Convertible Loan Notes that are converted in connection with such financing) of at least U.S.$25m, at a price per ADS of not less than U.S.$4.32, and which includes one institutional investor acceptable (as regards its identity and quantum invested by it) to the Issuer and Syncona Portfolio Limited; for the avoidance of doubt, any transaction or series of related transactions in which any other security or rights of any kind other than ADSs are issued will not be a Qualified Equity Financing;

Repayment Amount” means, in respect of each U.S.$100,000 in principal amount of the Convertible Loan Notes, an amount equal to the sum of (A) + (B) + (C), where:

(A) U.S.$100,000 (being the principal amount thereof but excluding any interest capitalised pursuant to Condition 4),

(B) U.S.$10,000 (being a 10% repayment premium over (A)); and

(C) an amount equal to all Capitalised Interest from (and including) the Issue Date to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or conversion (as applicable) of the Convertible Loan Notes, or the date on which the Convertible Loan Notes are repaid pursuant to Condition 8.2;

Shares” means ordinary shares of the Issuer with a par value of GBP 0.00001 each (and, for the avoidance of doubt, “Shares” include ordinary shares of the Issuer represented by ADSs);

 

10


Shareholders” means holders of the Shares;

Trading Day” means any day on which Nasdaq is open; and

Voting Rights” means the right generally to vote at a general meeting of Shareholders of the Issuer (irrespective of whether or not, at the time, stock of any other class or classes shall have, or might have, voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) or to elect the majority of the members of the board of directors or other governing body of the Issuer.

 

2.

Denomination and Form of Convertible Loan Notes

The Convertible Loan Notes shall each have a denomination of U.S.$100,000.

The Convertible Loan Notes will be issued in registered form, represented by a Loan Note Certificate, and fractions of Convertible Loan Notes cannot be issued. The Issuer will maintain a Register and will update the Register on a regular basis to reflect any changes in holdings or ownership.

 

3.

Term of the Convertible Loan Notes

Unless previously redeemed or converted as provided in these Conditions, the Issuer will redeem the Convertible Loan Notes at their Repayment Amount on the Maturity Date.

The Convertible Loan Notes may be redeemed before the Maturity Date at the option of the Issuer pursuant to Condition 8 of these terms and conditions (the “Conditions”).

The Convertible Loan Notes shall be subscribed at a fixed price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof on the Issue Date.

The Convertible Loan Notes may be transferred, in whole or in part:

(i) by Syncona Portfolio Limited (as initial Holder of all of the Convertible Loan Notes) to any of its Affiliates without the consent of the Issuer;

(ii) by any Affiliate of Syncona Portfolio Limited to any other Affiliate of Syncona Portfolio Limited, without the consent of the Issuer; or

(iii) otherwise than in the case of (i) or (ii), to any other Person provided that the prior consent of the Issuer is obtained.

 

4.

Interest

Except as otherwise set out in Condition 9, interest will accrue on the Convertible Loan Notes on a daily basis (and by reference to a 360 day year) from the Issue Date at the Interest Rate for the relevant Interest Period, calculated by reference to the outstanding principal amount of each Convertible Loan Note (including, for these purposes, any Capitalised Interest) and will be capitalised monthly in arrear on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

Accordingly, the principal amount of the Loan Notes shall be increased on each Interest Payment Date by the amount of interest that would otherwise have been payable in cash on such Interest Payment Date. For the avoidance of doubt, interest shall accrue on all Capitalised Interest at the Interest Rate.

 

11


The amount of interest payable in respect of any period which is not an Interest Period shall be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days in the relevant period from (and including) the first day of such period to (but excluding) the last day of such period and a 360 day year.

 

5.

Legal Status of Convertible Loan Notes

The Convertible Loan Notes constitute direct, unconditional and unsubordinated obligations of the Issuer ranking pari passu, without any preference among themselves.

The Convertible Loan Notes are secured pursuant to a Security Agreement dated 22 November 2023, granted by the Issuer and certain of its subsidiaries (the “Security Agreement”). The Security Agreement contains provisions dealing with, inter alia, enforcement of the security created thereby.

 

6.

Conversion

 

6.1

Mandatory Conversion

Subject as provided in these Conditions, if at any time following the Issue Date and prior to the Maturity Date either a Qualified Equity Financing or a Matching Right Financing shall occur, the Repayment Amount in respect of all but not some only of the Convertible Loan Notes shall be mandatorily converted into ADSs at the Conversion Price. The number of ADSs to be delivered pursuant to this Condition 6.1 shall be calculated by dividing the Repayment Amount of the outstanding Convertible Loan Notes by the Conversion Price (rounded up to the nearest whole ADS).

The Issuer shall give prior notice in writing to the Holders in accordance with Condition 13 in the event of any mandatory conversion pursuant to this Condition 6.1. In order to receive ADSs upon the occurrence of a mandatory conversion pursuant to this Condition 6.1, each Holder shall be required to deliver a Conversion Notice mutatis mutandis in accordance with Condition 6.2.

 

6.2

Optional Conversion

 

  (A)

At any time during the Optional Conversion Period, the Holder is entitled to request the conversion of all or a part of the outstanding principal amount of the Convertible Loan Notes into the Conversion ADSs (the “Conversion Right”).

The issue and/or delivery of Conversion ADSs upon exercise of a Conversion Right shall be effected as provided or specified in these Conditions and in accordance with the requirements of applicable law and regulation.

The Holder may exercise the Conversion Right at any time during the Optional Conversion Period by delivering a duly completed Conversion Notice to the Issuer whereupon the Issuer shall procure the delivery to the Holder or to the Person directed by the relevant Holder, of the Conversion ADSs credited as paid up in full.

If the Conversion Notice is received by the Issuer by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on the first Trading Day before an “ex-date” under the regulations of Nasdaq, the Holder shall be entitled to retain the dividends (in cash or in kind) and any corporate action distributions (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any rights relating to conversion, sub-division, consolidation, pre-emption, rights arising under a takeover offer and rights to receive securities or a certificate which may at a future date be exchanged for securities) in respect of any Conversion ADSs.

 

12


The number of Conversion ADSs to be issued on exercise of a Conversion Right (subject as provided above) shall be determined by dividing the Repayment Amount of the outstanding Convertible Loan Notes to be converted by the Conversion Price (rounded up to the nearest whole ADS).

The Conversion ADSs will be delivered on the fourth Trading Day following the delivery of the relevant Conversion Notice by the Holder (the “Conversion Date”).

The Conversion ADSs will be delivered in the account authorised by the Holder.

A Holder may exercise its Conversion Right conditional upon and effective immediately prior to the occurrence of an event specified in the Conversion Notice, and the Issuer will give effect to that exercise.

 

  (B)

The Issuer will give notice to the Holders in accordance with Condition 13 as soon as practicable upon becoming aware of the existence of circumstances that are likely to result in an Ownership Event, which notice shall include the anticipated Ownership Event Date and full details of the potential Ownership Event referred to therein.

 

6.3

Conversion Price Adjustment

 

  (A)

If, at any time after the Issue Date, the Issuer shall issue or grant any right to acquire ADSs or any other equity securities for a consideration per ADS or per such other security that is less than the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issue or grant, then the Conversion Price shall be reduced, concurrently with such issue or grant, to the consideration per ADS or other security received or receivable by the Issuer in connection with such issue or grant. No adjustment will be made to the Conversion Price where ADSs or other securities (including rights, warrants and options) are issued, offered, exercised, allotted, purchased, appropriated, modified or granted to, or for the benefit of, employees or former employees (including directors holding or formerly holding executive office or the personal service company of any such person) or their spouses or relatives, in each case, of the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries or any associated company or to a trustee or trustees to be held for the benefit of any such person, in any such case pursuant to any share or option scheme or pursuant to any dividend reinvestment plan or similar plan or scheme existing on the Issue Date.

For the purposes of this Condition 6.3, the consideration received by the Issuer for the issuance or deemed issuance of any ADSs or other equity securities shall be computed as follows:

 

  (1)

insofar as it consists of cash, it shall be computed at the aggregate amount of cash received by the Company, excluding amounts paid or payable for accrued interest; and

 

  (2)

insofar as it consists of property other than cash, be computed at the fair market value thereof at the time of such issue, as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Issuer.

For the avoidance of doubt, in the case of a Qualified Equity Financing or Matching Right Financing, the Conversion Price shall be adjusted to take into account the effect of any such financing prior to any mandatory conversion pursuant to Condition 6.1 taking effect.

 

13


  (B)

Each time a Security Structure Event occurs, the Conversion Price shall be reduced or, as the case may be, increased, in the same proportion as the issued capital of the Issuer is, as the case may be, consolidated, sub-divided, reclassified or cancelled. A “Security Structure Event” means any consolidation, sub-division, re-classification or pro-rata cancellation of the Shares or any payment of a scrip dividend on the Shares by the Issuer or any distribution of Shares to holders of Shares other than by means of a rights issue, open offer or bonus issue, and shall include any adjustment to the number of Shares underlying each ADS.

 

  (C)

When the Issuer becomes aware of a fact that may give rise to an adjustment under this Clause 6.3, the Issuer must promptly notify the Holders of the specifics of the fact that may give rise to such adjustment.

 

7.

Fractions

If, following the exercise of the Conversion Right, the Holder has the right to receive an amount of Conversion ADSs that is not a whole number, the Issuer shall deliver additional Conversion ADSs, pursuant to the procedures and deadlines as set out in Condition 6 above, to reach a whole number.

 

8.

Redemption

The Convertible Loan Notes may not be redeemed otherwise than in accordance with the provisions below. For the avoidance of doubt, redemption may apply only to those Convertible Loan Notes issued by the Issuer and paid by the Holder, which have not been previously converted at the time of the redemption.

 

8.1

Early redemption at the option of the Issuer (Issuer Call)

The Issuer will have the option at any time on and from the first day of the Optional Conversion Period to redeem all or some only (in a multiple of U.S.$100,000) of the Convertible Loan Notes (the “Call Option”) then outstanding, having given not less than 30 calendar days’ notice in writing to the Holders, or such shorter period as mutually agreed with the Holders (the “Call Notice Period”), in accordance with Condition 13 (which notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the date fixed for redemption) together with a duly signed and completed call notice substantially in the form set out in Schedule 4 of the Loan Note Certificate (the “Call Notice”), at the Repayment Amount. The Holder may convert any Convertible Loan Notes then outstanding during the Call Notice Period and such Conversion Right is in any case subject to the conditions detailed under Condition 6 above.

In the case of a partial redemption of the Convertible Loan Notes, the Convertible Loan Notes to be redeemed (the “Redeemed Convertible Loan Notes”) will be selected individually by lot, not more than 10 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. A list of the serial numbers of such Redeemed Convertible Loan Notes will be delivered in accordance with Condition 13 not less than 5 days prior to the date fixed for redemption.

 

8.2

Early redemption at the option of the Holder following an Event of Default

If one or more of the following events (each an “Event of Default”) shall have occurred:

 

  (A)

Non-Payment

There is a default for more than four (4) Business Days in the payment of any amount due under the Convertible Loan Notes or in the delivery of Conversion ADSs to be issued pursuant to these Conditions; or

 

14


  (B)

Breach of other obligations under these Conditions

The Issuer does not perform or comply with any one or more of its other obligations or undertakings in these Conditions which default is not remedied within fifteen (15) days after notice of such default shall have been given to the Issuer by the Holder; or

 

  (C)

Cross Default

Any other present or future indebtedness of the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries for or in respect of moneys borrowed or raised becomes due and payable prior to its stated maturity by reason of any actual or potential default or event of default (howsoever described), or (ii) any such indebtedness is not paid when due or, as the case may be, within any originally applicable grace period, or (iii) the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries fails to pay when due any amount payable by it under any present or future guarantee for, or indemnity in respect of, any moneys borrowed or raised provided that in each case the aggregate amount of the relevant indebtedness, guarantees and indemnities in respect of which one or more of the events mentioned in this Clause equals or exceeds U.S.$500,000 or its equivalent and failure to comply with the relevant obligations is not supported by a justified reason; or

 

  (D)

Enforcement proceedings

A distress, attachment, execution or other legal process is levied, enforced or sued out on or against any part of the property, assets or revenues of the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries having an aggregate value of at least U.S.$500,000 or its equivalent unless such distress, attachment, execution or other legal process (A) is being disputed in good faith with a reasonable prospect of success as confirmed by an opinion of independent legal advisers of recognised standing or (B) is discharged, stayed or dismissed within 60 days; or

 

  (E)

Security enforced

Any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or other encumbrance, present or future, created or assumed by the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries having an aggregate value of at least U.S.$500,000 or its equivalent becomes enforceable and any step is taken to enforce it (including the taking of possession or the appointment of a receiver, manager or other similar Person) unless discharged, stayed or dismissed within 60 days; or

 

  (F)

Insolvency

 

  (1)

the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries is unable to, or recognises its inability to, pay its debts on a timely basis, suspends the payment of its debts or, due to current or anticipated financial problems, initiates negotiations with one or more of its creditors (other than the Holders) with a view to rescheduling its debt; or

 

  (2)

a moratorium is declared on the debt of the Issuer or of one of its subsidiaries; or

 

  (G)

Insolvency proceeding

An Insolvency Event occurs in relation to either the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries or any of its subsidiaries becomes insolvent;

For the purpose of this provision (G), an “Insolvency Event” will have occurred in respect of the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries if:

 

15


  (1)

any one of them becomes (except for the purpose of implementing a reconstruction, amalgamation or scheme of arrangement on terms previously sanctioned by a resolution of the Shareholders) subject to any applicable bankruptcy, liquidation, administration, receivership or insolvency proceedings under the law of the jurisdiction in which it is deemed to carry on business including the seeking of (except for the purpose of implementing a reconstruction, amalgamation or scheme of arrangement on terms previously sanctioned by a resolution of the Shareholders) liquidation, winding-up, reorganisation, dissolution, administration, receivership, protection or relief of debtors) or similar proceedings, unless such proceedings (A) are being disputed in good faith with a reasonable prospect of success as confirmed by an opinion of independent legal advisers of recognised standing or (B) are discharged or stayed within 60 days;

 

  (2)

an application for the commencement of any of the proceedings under (1) above is made in respect of or by any one of them or the same proceedings are otherwise initiated against any one of them or notice is given of intention to appoint an administrator in relation to any one of them unless (A) the commencement of such proceedings is being disputed in good faith with a reasonable prospect of success as confirmed by an opinion of independent legal advisers of recognised standing or (B) such proceedings are discharged, stayed or dismissed within 60 days;

 

  (3)

any one of them takes any action for a re-adjustment or deferral of any of its obligations or makes a general assignment or an arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors generally or is granted by a competent court a moratorium in respect of any of its indebtedness or any guarantee of any of its indebtedness; or

 

  (4)

an order is made (except for the purpose of implementing a reconstruction, amalgamation or scheme of arrangement on terms previously sanctioned by a resolution of the Shareholders) or an effective resolution is passed for the insolvent winding-up, liquidation, administration or dissolution in any form of any one of them or any of the analogous events occurs with respect to any one of them; or

 

  (H)

Cessation or suspension of activity

Any suspension or cessation by the Issuer or by one of its subsidiaries of all or any material part of its business; or

 

  (I)

Cessation or suspension of the trading of the Issuer’s ordinary shares

The ADSs cease to be listed on Nasdaq or there occurs any suspension or limitation of trading in the ADSs by Nasdaq for a period longer than 5 (five) consecutive Trading Days; or

 

  (J)

Material Adverse Effect

A Material Adverse Effect occurs in relation to the Issuer; or

 

  (K)

Insufficient number of Conversion ADSs

 

16


The Issuer does not have existing and continuing authority to issue, admit to trading and deliver to Holders free from pre-emption rights sufficient Issuer Shares and ADSs to satisfy the exercise of Conversion Rights in respect of all outstanding Convertible Loan Notes from time to time; or

 

  (L)

Security

Subject to the Legal Reservations, the Security Agreement is no longer in full force and effect,

then all, but not some only, of the Convertible Loan Notes held by the Holder may, by written notice addressed by the Holder to the Issuer and delivered to the Issuer, be declared immediately due and payable, whereupon they shall become immediately due and payable at the Repayment Amount calculated by reference to the date on which all amounts owing to the Holder in respect of the Convertible Loan Notes are repaid, without further action or formality.

 

9.

Undertakings

 

9.1

The Issuer shall give not less than 15 Business Days’ prior notice in writing to the Holders of any equity financing which could result in a Matching Right Financing, which notice shall include indicative terms of such equity financing, and shall grant to the Holders the right to participate in such equity financing up to their collective pro rata ownership of the outstanding Shares in issue immediately prior to completion of such financing on no worse terms than the terms, including as to price, on which the other investors are to participate in such financing. The Issuer shall as soon as practicable after becoming aware thereof provide the Holders with any further or final details as to the terms of the equity financing, and once the terms of the equity financing have been finalised will grant the Holders no less than 2 Business Days to decide whether to participate in the relevant financing. If a Holder participates in an equity financing pursuant to this Condition 9.1. then the ADSs received by such Holder upon exercise of the Conversion Right pursuant to Condition 6.1 shall form part of such participation, and the Holder shall in addition be entitled to receive (on a pro rata basis) any other securities (if any) or have the benefit from any other terms which the other investors in such equity financing receive.

The Issuer agrees that it will not issue any equity securities to any person unless it is made conditional upon, or the Issuer has, the requisite authorities to issue equity securities to the Holders in the event the Holders exercise their rights under this Condition 9.1.

 

9.2

The Issuer shall maintain authority to issue, admit to trading and deliver to Holders free from pre-emption rights sufficient ADSs to satisfy the exercise of Conversion Rights in respect of all outstanding Loan Notes from time to time.

 

9.3

The Issuer will keep the Holders (for so long as the Holders are Syncona Portfolio Limited and/or any of its Affiliates) reasonably informed at all times about its business, including any proposed equity financing or merger, acquisition of similar transaction or process, provided that this Condition 9.3 may be satisfied by delivery of equivalent information where required by the Implementation Agreement (for so long as such agreement has not been terminated).

 

9.4

By holding Convertible Loan Notes, each Holder shall be deemed to have undertaken and agreed that it will vote in favour of any resolution proposed by the Issuer to increase the share capital of the Issuer to enable the Issuer to satisfy its obligation to deliver ADSs where so required pursuant to the Conditions.

 

10.

Listing

The Issuer shall not apply for the listing or admission to trading of the Convertible Loan Notes on any stock exchange or trading market.

 

17


11.

Miscellaneous Provisions

Title to the Convertible Loan Notes implies the full acceptance of all conditions set forth in these Conditions. All matters not specifically covered by these Conditions shall be subject to provisions of applicable laws.

All Convertible Loan Notes which are redeemed or in respect of which Conversion Rights are exercised will be cancelled and may not be reissued or resold.

 

12.

Governing Law and Jurisdictions

The Convertible Loan Notes and all non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law.

The courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Conditions (including a dispute relating to the existence, validity or termination of this Instrument or any non-contractual obligations arising out of, or in connection with, these Conditions) and accordingly any legal action or proceedings arising out of or in connection with these Conditions may be brought in such courts.

 

13.

Notices

Notices to Holders will be sent to them by first class mail (or its equivalent) or (if posted to an overseas address) by airmail at their respective addresses on the Register. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the fourth day after the date of mailing.

 

14.

Further Convertible Loan Notes

The Issuer shall issue, on completion of the Milestones (or following a waiver thereof by the Issuer and all of the Holders), issue to the Holders of the Convertible Loan Notes at the relevant time (on a pro rata basis) U.S.$5,000,000 in principal amount of further Convertible Loan Notes (“Further Convertible Loan Notes”) having the same terms (save as to their Issue Date and the first Interest Payment Date) as, and which will be consolidated and form a single series with, the Convertible Loan Notes issued on 22 November 2023. A further Loan Note Certificate shall be issued in respect of such Further Convertible Loan Notes, and the Issuer shall update the Register (or procure that the Register is updated) to reflect any such issuance upon receipt of payment from the Holders of the issue price of 100% of the principal amount thereof (and any failure by the Holders to make such payment shall render such issuance null and void).

The “Milestones” means (i) signing of a definitive agreement with a contract development manufacturing organisation for manufacturing of Phase 3 clinical trial drug product and (ii) either (A) publication of the Scheme Circular (as defined in the Implementation Agreement) in a manner substantially consistent with the Indicative Table attached as Schedule I to the Implementation Agreement, or (B) Bidco determines to proceed with the Acquisition as a Takeover Offer (all as defined in the Implementation Agreement).

 

18


SCHEDULE 3 : FORM OF CONVERSION NOTICE

Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc

(incorporated in the United Kingdom with registered number 12546479)

Fixed Rate Convertible Loan Notes due 2024

(the “Convertible Loan Notes”)

To: Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc (the “Issuer”)

Once validly delivered, this Notice is irrevocable, subject as provided in Condition 6.2.

 

1.

I/We*, the undersigned, being the holder(s) of the Convertible Loan Notes/interests in the Loan Note Certificate specified below hereby elect to convert such Convertible Loan Notes, and (if specified below) accrued but uncapitalised interest thereon, in accordance with the Conditions of the Convertible Loan Notes into American Depositary Shares in the Issuer representing 15 ordinary shares of the Issuer with a par value of GBP 0.00001 each (“ADSs”).

The total principal amount of Convertible Loan Notes and (if applicable) accrued but uncapitalised interest, where applicable, certificate numbers of the Loan Note Certificates to which the Notice applies and applicable Conversion Price are set out below.

 

Convertible Loan Notes:
Loan Note Certificate numbers:                                                                                       
Total principal amount:                                                                                                    
Total Capitalised Interest:                                                                              
Total uncapitalised interest:                                                                                                                       
Repayment Amount applicable:                                                                              
Conversion Price:                                                                                                               
If necessary, the certificate numbers can be attached separately.

 

2.

I/We* request that the ADSs to be issued or otherwise delivered on conversion of the Convertible Loan Notes mentioned above be delivered as follows:

 

  Name:    [•]
  Address:    [•]

Print Name

 

3.

I/We* hereby request that ADSs to be delivered be credited to the DTC participant account, details of which are set out below:

 

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DTC participant ID:                                                                                                                                                                             
[INSERT RELEVANT ACCOUNT DETAILS]:                                                                                                                                
Name:                                                                                                                                                                                                     
Address:                                                                                                                                                                                                 

             

 

 

4.

The relevant Loan Note Certificate(s) in respect of Convertible Loan Notes to be converted is/are attached hereto.

 

5.

I/we* and any person(s) for whom I/we am/are acquiring any ADSs hereby certify/certifies that I/we* and any person(s) for whom I/we am/are acquiring any ADSs am/is/are not a U.S. person (as such term is defined in Regulation S (“Regulation S”) under the Securities Act) and am/is/are not acting as agent for, or on behalf of, a U.S. person, and the conversion of the Convertible Loan Notes into the ADSs hereto is being made outside of the United States (as such term is defined in Regulation S).

 

6.

No implied duties or obligations may be read into this Notice against the Issuer (or any person acting on its behalf) other than a duty to act honestly and in good faith.

 

7.

Terms used in this Conversion Notice and not otherwise defined have the meanings set forth in the Conditions. Text in italics in this Notice is for reference only.

 

8.

This Notice, including any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it, is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law.

[The Holder agrees* / Each of the Holders agrees* / Each of the Loan Noteholders agrees and [each of]* the person(s) named in paragraph 2 above agrees as if it were the relevant Holder*] to the provisions of this Notice (see note (vi) below).

 

Dated:                                                                                                                                                                                                           
Name of Holder:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
Signature:                                                                                                                                                                                                     
[Dated:                                                                                                                                                                                                          
Name:                                                                                                                                                                                                            
Signature:                                                                                                                                                                                                      ]*

 

*

Delete as appropriate.

Note:

 

(i)

This Conversion Notice will be void unless all relevant details are properly completed and it is duly signed by the holder(s) of the relevant Convertible Loan Notes and, properly delivered (each in the determination of the Issuer).

 

20


(ii)

Your attention is drawn to Condition 6 of the Convertible Loan Notes with respect to the conditions relating to conversion.

 

(iii)

The exercise of a Conversion Right is subject to any applicable fiscal or other laws or regulations applicable in the jurisdiction where the office of the Agent to whom this notice is presented is located.

 

(iv)

If it is desired to nominate a person or persons other than the holder of the Convertible Loan Note(s) specified above as the allottee(s) of ADSs issued or otherwise delivered on conversion of such Convertible Loan Note(s), that person or those persons must have had transferred to them the rights in respect of such relevant Convertible Loan Note(s), must have consented to ADSs being held on its behalf and being registered in its/their name(s) and must also evidence its/their agreement to the terms of this Notice (as if it were the holder(s) of the relevant Convertible Loan Notes) by signing this Notice.

 

(v)

A corporation should sign under hand by an authorised official who must state his/her capacity and print the name of the relevant corporation.

 

(vi)

Where Conversion Rights are exercised in respect of a Loan Note Certificate, in circumstances where Conversion Rights are exercised in respect of less than the entire aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Loan Notes represented by the relevant Loan Note Certificate, a Loan Note Certificate for the balance of the Convertible Loan Notes will be registered in the name of the Holder exercising Conversion Rights and such certificate will be despatched as provided in the Conditions.

Items I and II below to be completed by the Issuer:

 

I.         
   (a)    Date of delivery of Conversion Notice to the Issuer:   

         

     

             

   (b)    Conversion Date:   

         

II.         
   (d)    Aggregate principal amount of Convertible Loan Notes deposited for conversion/represented by the Loan Note Certificate* being converted:   
   Interest payable:   

 

   Repayment Amount:   

 

 

21


SCHEDULE 4 : FORM OF CALL NOTICE

Form of Call Notice

Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc (the “Issuer”)

(incorporated in the United Kingdom with registered number 12546479)

Fixed Rate Convertible Loan Notes due 2024

(the “Convertible Loan Notes”)

To: [•]

By delivering this duly completed Call Notice to the Holder(s) the Issuer irrevocably exercises its option to redeem [the full/[insert amount]] principal amount of the Convertible Loan Notes at the Repayment Amount in accordance with Condition 8 on [Call Date] in cash.

This Call Notice relates to Convertible Loan Notes in the aggregate principal amount of                                          bearing the following serial number(s):

 

 

Dated [•]

 

22

Exhibit 99.4

 

LOGO     

Syncona to Acquire Freeline Therapeutics

Freeline shareholders to receive $6.50 per American Depositary Share, a 51% premium over closing price prior to announcement of Syncona’s initial proposal on October 18, in an all-cash transaction

Based on extensive evaluation of available strategic and financing options, Freeline’s independent directors unanimously recommend transaction as best value for shareholders

Syncona to provide $15 million in convertible debt financing to cover Freeline’s near-term capital needs and support ongoing advancement of its programs

LONDON, November 22, 2023 – Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc (Nasdaq: FRLN) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with a newly established portfolio company of Syncona Ltd (LON: SYNC), a leading life science investor focused on creating, building and scaling global leaders in life science, to acquire Freeline in an all-cash transaction. Under the agreement, the newly established portfolio company will acquire all shares of Freeline not currently owned by Syncona for $6.50 per American Depositary Share (ADS). This price values Freeline’s entire issued share capital at approximately $28.3 million and represents a 51% premium over the closing price prior to the announcement of Syncona’s initial proposal on October 18. The acquisition is subject to the approval of Freeline’s minority shareholders and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024.

In conjunction with the agreement, Syncona is committing to provide Freeline with up to $15 million in secured convertible debt financing to support operations and continued advancement of FLT201, its gene therapy candidate in Gaucher disease, through completion of the transaction.

Independent Directors Recommend Minority Shareholders Vote to Approve Transaction

A special committee of the board of directors of Freeline (the “Special Committee”), comprised entirely of independent directors, has unanimously recommended that the minority shareholders vote in favor of the acquisition. The Special Committee and management team explored a range of strategic options, including potential financing and M&A transactions, engaging with multiple potential investors and third parties, before negotiating and entering into a definitive agreement with Syncona.

“We conducted a thorough exploration and review of our financing and strategic alternatives, taking into account our need for further funding to enable operations to continue beyond the near term. We are confident this negotiated transaction for Syncona to acquire Freeline and support it as a private entity is in the best interest of the company, as well as shareholders, employees and ultimately patients,” said Julia P. Gregory, an independent director and Chair of the Special Committee.

“Our goal at Freeline is to bring life-changing gene therapies to people with chronic debilitating diseases, starting with FLT201, our highly differentiated AAV gene therapy candidate for Gaucher disease,” said Michael Parini, Freeline’s Chief Executive Officer. “Given the compelling data that we have seen from the first two patients treated with FLT201, we are committed to advancing FLT201 as expeditiously as possible, and we believe we will be better positioned to do that as a privately held, Syncona-backed company than we could by continuing as a publicly traded company in the current environment.”


“We are encouraged by the data from the FLT201 program and are pleased with how Freeline is executing, but the company needs further funding to continue to drive FLT201 through clinical development,” said Chris Hollowood, CEO of Syncona Investment Management Limited. “The challenging market conditions impacting the biotech sector have presented a differentiated opportunity to support the company as a private entity. We look forward to working with the team to deliver on its next milestones.”

Terms of the Going-Private Transaction

It is intended that the acquisition will be implemented by means of a scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the UK Companies Act 2006, whereby the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Freeline will be acquired by a newly established Syncona portfolio company. The acquisition is conditional on, among other things: (i) the approval by not less than 75 percent in value of the Freeline shareholders present, entitled to vote and voting, either in person or by proxy, at each of the Court Meeting and the General Meeting; and (ii) the sanction of the Scheme by the U.K. Court. Syncona will not be entitled to vote at the Court Meeting. The acquisition does not require the approval of Syncona’s shareholders.

If completed, the acquisition will result in the company becoming a wholly owned Syncona portfolio company, and its ADSs will no longer be listed on Nasdaq.

Further details of the acquisition will be contained in the Scheme Document, which is intended to be made available to Freeline shareholders along with notices of the Court Meeting and General Meeting and the Forms of Proxy as promptly as reasonably practicable following the date Freeline has cleared comments received from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Committee (“SEC”), if any, on such document.

Leerink Partners is acting as exclusive financial advisor to the Special Committee, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is acting as legal counsel to the Special Committee. Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. is acting as US legal counsel to Syncona; and Simmons & Simmons LLP is acting as UK legal counsel to Syncona.

Terms of the Convertible Debt Financing

Freeline entered into a secured convertible loan note in the aggregate amount of up to $15 million with Syncona (the “Note”). The Note will bear interest at a rate of 12% annually and will be capitalized monthly in arrears. The Note has a conversion price of $6.50 per ADS, representing the take-private transaction price, subject to adjustment and a repayment premium of 10% on the principal outstanding. The Note will mature in November 2024, unless prepaid or converted in accordance with its terms prior to such date.

Freeline intends to use the proceeds from the Note for working capital to continue its GALILEO-1 trial for FLT201 in Gaucher disease, prepare for a potential registrational trial, advance its GBA1-linked Parkinson’s disease research program, and for general corporate purposes.

About Freeline Therapeutics

Freeline is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing transformative gene therapies for chronic debilitating diseases. Freeline uses its proprietary, rationally designed AAV vector and capsid (AAVS3), along with novel promoters and transgenes, to deliver a functional copy of a therapeutic gene into human liver cells, thereby expressing a persistent functional level of the missing or dysfunctional protein into a patient’s bloodstream. The company is currently advancing FLT201, a highly differentiated


gene therapy candidate that delivers a novel transgene, in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in people with Gaucher disease type 1. Freeline has additional programs in research, including one focused on GBA1-linked Parkinson’s disease that leverages the same novel transgene as FLT201. Freeline is headquartered in the UK and has operations in the United States. For more information, visit www.freeline.life or connect with Freeline on LinkedIn and X.

Important Notices

The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers

The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers does not apply to the acquisition.

Further Information

The Company will furnish to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a current report on Form 6-K regarding the acquisition, which will include as an exhibit thereto the Implementation Agreement. All parties desiring details regarding the acquisition are urged to review these documents, which will be available at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov).

In connection with the acquisition, the Company will prepare and mail a Schedule 13E-3 Transaction Statement (the “Schedule 13E-3”). The Schedule 13E-3 will be filed with the SEC. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY THE SCHEDULE 13E-3 AND OTHER MATERIALS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY, THE ACQUISITION, AND RELATED MATTERS. In addition to receiving the Schedule 13E-3 by mail, shareholders also will be able to obtain these documents, as well as other filings containing information about the Company, the acquisition, and related matters, without charge from the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov).

This press release is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute, or form any part of, an offer to sell or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction pursuant to the acquisition or otherwise. The acquisition will be made solely by the Scheme Document, which will contain the full terms and conditions of the acquisition, including details of how to vote in respect of the Scheme. INVESTORS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE SCHEME DOCUMENT, AS IT MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE CAREFULLY AND IN ITS ENTIRETY PRIOR TO MAKING ANY DECISIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE ACQUISITION BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors may obtain a free copy of the Scheme Document (when available) at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov, or free of charge from Freeline at https://www.freeline.life or by directing a request to Freeline at investor@freeline.life. Any voting decision or response in relation to the acquisition should be made solely on the basis of the Scheme Document.

This press release does not constitute a prospectus or a prospectus equivalent document.

Syncona and Freeline, and their respective directors and executive officers, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the transactions contemplated by the implementation agreement. Information regarding Freeline’s directors and executive officers is contained in Freeline’s Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2022, which is filed with the SEC. Additional information regarding the participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the transactions contemplated by the implementation agreement and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the Scheme Document and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.


Overseas Shareholders

The release, publication or distribution of this press release in jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom and the United States may be restricted by law and therefore any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United Kingdom or the United States (including Restricted Jurisdictions) should inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable legal or regulatory requirements. In particular, the ability of persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom or United States or who are subject to the laws of another jurisdiction to vote their Freeline Shares in respect of the Scheme at the Court Meeting, or to execute and deliver Forms of Proxy appointing another to vote at the Court Meeting on their behalf, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are located or to which they are subject. Any failure to comply with applicable legal or regulatory requirements of any jurisdiction may constitute a violation of securities laws in that jurisdiction. This press release has been prepared for the purpose of complying with English law and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this press release had been prepared in accordance with the laws of jurisdictions outside England.

Copies of this press release and any formal documentation relating to the acquisition are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly, mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction or any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of the laws of such jurisdiction and persons receiving such documents (including custodians, nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise forward, distribute or send them in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction. Doing so may render invalid any related purported vote in respect of acceptance of the acquisition.

Further details in relation to Freeline Shareholders in overseas jurisdictions will be contained in the Scheme Document.

Notice to U.S. Investors in Freeline

The acquisition relates to the shares of a U.K. company and is being made by means of a scheme of arrangement provided for under Part 26 of the Companies Act and subject to the proxy solicitation rules under the U.S. Exchange Act. The acquisition, implemented by way of a scheme of arrangement, is not subject to the tender offer rules under the U.S. Exchange Act. If, in the future, Bidder exercises its right to implement the acquisition by way of an Offer, subject to the terms of the Implementation Agreement, the acquisition will be made in compliance with applicable U.S. laws and regulations.

It may be difficult for U.S. Freeline Shareholders and Freeline ADR Holders to enforce their rights and any claim arising out of the U.S. federal securities laws, because Freeline is located in a non-U.S. country, and some or all of its officers and directors are residents of a non-U.S. country. U.S. Freeline Shareholders and Freeline ADR Holders may not be able to sue a non-U.S. company or its officers or directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-U.S. company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court’s judgment.


U.S. Freeline Shareholders and Freeline ADR Holders are urged to consult with legal, tax and financial advisers in connection with making a decision regarding the acquisition.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements that express the opinions, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or projections of Freeline Therapeutics Holdings plc (the “Company”) regarding future events or future results, in contrast with statements that reflect historical facts. All statements, other than historical facts, including statements regarding the anticipated benefits of the acquisition and the expected time of effectiveness of the acquisition are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify such forward-looking statements by terminology such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “seek,” “project,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could” or “should,” the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to the Company, and you should not place undue reliance on such statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including (1) the acquisition is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, including the receipt of requisite approvals by Freeline’s shareholders and the sanction of the Scheme by the High Court of Justice in England and Wales, which conditions may not be satisfied or waived; (2) uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation of the acquisition and the ability of each party to consummate the acquisition; (3) the risk that the acquisition disrupts the parties’ current operations or affects their ability to retain or recruit key employees; (4) the possible diversion of management time on acquisition-related issues; (5) litigation relating to the acquisition; (6) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the acquisition; and (7) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the acquisition. Such risks and uncertainties may cause the statements to be inaccurate and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. The Company cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be realized. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from past results and those anticipated, estimated, or projected. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements. A further list and description of risks, uncertainties, and other matters can be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and in subsequent reports on Form 6-K, in each case including in the sections thereof captioned “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 3.D. Risk factors.” Many of these risks are outside of the Company’s control and could cause its actual results to differ materially from those it thought would occur. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. The Company does not undertake, and specifically declines, any obligation to update any such statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any such statements to reflect future events or developments, except as required by law. For further information, please reference the Company’s reports and documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may review these documents by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

Freeline Investor and Media Contact:

Naomi Aoki

naomi.aoki@freeline.life

Senior Vice President, Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications

+ 1 617 283 4298


Freeline Therapeutics (NASDAQ:FRLN)
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