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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K/A

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 22, 2023

 

Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   001-41245   87-3272543

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

4995 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300

San Diego, California

  92123
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (760) 471-8536

 

Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp.

4995 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300

San Diego, California 92123

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share   CDT   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Redeemable Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50   CDTTW   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

   
 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

 

On September 29, 2023, Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Delaware corporation (f/k/a/ Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp.) filed a Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Original Current Report”). This Amendment to the Original Current Report (as amended, this “Current Report”) is being filed solely to reflect that the accompany interim condensed financial statements of Conduit as of June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022 have been reviewed by the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

 
 

 

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

 

Unless otherwise stated or unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “New Conduit,” “Conduit,” and the “Company” refer to Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Delaware corporation (f/k/a Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation), after giving effect to the Business Combination (as defined below), and as renamed Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc., and where appropriate, its wholly-owned subsidiaries (including Old Conduit, as defined below) following the Closing Date (as defined below). Furthermore, unless otherwise stated or unless the context otherwise requires, references to “MURF” refer to Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation, prior to the Closing Date, and references to “Old Conduit” refer to Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited, a Cayman Islands exempted company, prior to the Closing Date. All references herein to the “Board” refer to the board of directors of the Company.

 

Terms used in this Current Report but not defined herein, or for which definitions are not otherwise incorporated by reference herein, shall have the meaning given to such terms in the joint proxy statement/prospectus of MURF dated August 11, 2023 and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 11, 2023 (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) in the section entitled “Frequently Used Terms,” and such definitions are incorporated herein by reference.

 

This Current Report incorporates by reference certain information from reports and other documents that were previously filed with the SEC, including certain information from the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this Current Report and the information contained in such prior reports and documents and incorporated by reference herein, the information in this Current Report controls.

 

As previously disclosed, on September 20, 2023, MURF held the Special Meeting, at which the MURF stockholders considered and adopted, among other matters, a proposal to approve the Business Combination. On September 22, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), the parties completed the Business Combination. In connection with the Business Combination, MURF changed its name from Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp. to Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc.

 

In connection with MURF’s initial public offering on February 7, 2022 (the “IPO”), 13,225,000 units, with each unit consisting of one share of MURF’s Class A common stock (the “Public Shares”) and a redeemable warrant exercisable for one share of MURF’s Class A Common Stock were issued. As of March 31, 2023, there were 2,187,728 Public Shares subject to possible redemption and holders of 2,129,662 Public Shares properly exercised their right to have such shares redeemed for a full pro rata portion of the trust account holding the proceeds from the IPO, calculated as of two business days prior to the completion of the Business Combination, which was approximately $10.84 per share.

 

As a result of the Business Combination, each ordinary share of Old Conduit was cancelled and converted into shares of Company common stock, on the terms set forth in the Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the aggregate number of shares of Company common stock that was delivered as consideration in the Business Combination was capped at 65,000,000 shares, which includes the consideration to be delivered to holders of Old Conduit convertible notes that were able to be converted into ordinary shares of Old Conduit immediately prior to the Business Combination. Accordingly, as a result of the Business Combination, each holder of Old Conduit convertible notes, on an as-converted basis, and each holder of Old Conduit ordinary shares received such holder’s pro rata portion of the 65,000,000 shares of Company common stock delivered as merger consideration.

 

Also, as a result of the Business Combination, each outstanding share of Class B common stock, par value of $0.0001 per share, of MURF (the “Class B Common Stock”), automatically converted into one share of Class A common stock, $0.0001 per share, of MURF (the “Class A Common Stock”), and then subsequently converted into one share of Company common stock.

 

Concurrently with the completion of the Business Combination, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,000,000 units, with each unit consisting of one share of Company common stock (the “PIPE Shares”), together with one warrant exercisable into one share of Company common stock (the “PIPE Warrants”), at a purchase price of $10.00 per unit, for an aggregate purchase price of $20,000,000 (the “PIPE Financing”), pursuant to the terms of the Subscription Agreement, to Nirland Limited. The foregoing description of the PIPE Shares, PIPE Warrants, and PIPE Financing is qualified in its entirety by the text of the Subscription Agreement, as amended, which is filed as Exhibit 10.12.

 

 1 

 

On September 22, 2023, the Company entered into a termination agreement with Prospect Science Ventures Limited with respect to the subscription agreement that Prospect Science Ventures Limited had previously entered into with the Company on November 8, 2023 and amended on January 27, 2023.

 

After giving effect to the Business Combination, the redemption of Public Shares as described above, the conversion of the Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock and then into Company common stock as described above, and the completion of the PIPE Financing, there are currently 72,418,316 shares of Company common stock issued and outstanding.

 

Item 1.01 Entry into Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Merger Agreement

 

As previously disclosed, on September 22, 2023, MURF held the Special Meeting, at which the MURF stockholders considered and adopted, among other matters, a proposal to approve the Business Combination. On the Closing Date, the parties completed the Business Combination pursuant to the terms of that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated November 8, 2022 and as amended on January 27, 2023 and May 11, 2023 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among MURF, Old Conduit, and Conduit Merger Sub, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of MURF (“Merger Sub”).

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, (and upon all other conditions pursuant to the Merger Agreement being satisfied or waived), on the Closing Date, (i) Merger Sub merged with and into Old Conduit, with Old Conduit surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of MURF, and (ii) MURF changed its name to “Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc.”

 

Employment Agreements

 

The information set forth under Item 5.02 of this Current Report relating to the Executive Employment Agreements is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Lock-Up Agreements

 

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, certain shareholders of Old Conduit entered into lock-up agreements with MURF, pursuant to which such shareholders are subject to a lock-up period commencing from the date of the closing of the Business Combination and ending on the earlier of (x) one hundred and eighty (180) days after the date of the closing of the Business Combination, and (y) the date on which MURF consummates a liquidation, merger, share exchange or other similar transaction with an unaffiliated third party that results in all of MURF’s shareholders having the right to exchange their equity holdings in MURF for cash, securities or other property.

 

PIPE Financing

 

On September 22, 2023, substantially concurrently with the completion of the Business Combination, the Company issued the PIPE Shares and the PIPE Warrants in the PIPE Financing, as described above.

 

The material terms of the Merger Agreement, the Lock-Up Agreements, and the PIPE Financing are described above and in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the sections entitled “The Merger Agreement,” “Certain Agreements Related to The Business Combination — Lock-up Agreements,” and “Certain Agreements Related to the Business Combination — Subscription Agreement,” respectively. The descriptions of the Merger Agreement, the Lock-Up Agreements, and the PIPE Warrants are qualified in their entirety by the text or forms of such agreements, which are included as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.12, and 10.13 to this Current Report and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

 2 

 

Item 2.01

Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

 

To the extent required by this Item 2.01, the disclosure set forth in the “Introductory Note” section above is hereby incorporated into this Item 2.01 by reference.

 

FORM 10 INFORMATION

 

Item 2.01(f) of Form 8-K states that if the predecessor registrant was a “shell company,” (as such term is defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), as the Company was immediately before the Business Combination, then the registrant must disclose the information that would be required if the registrant were filing a general form for registration of securities on Form 10. As a result of the completion of the Business Combination, and as discussed below in Item 5.06 of this Current Report, the Company has ceased to be a shell company. Accordingly, the Company is providing below the information that would be included in a Form 10 if it were to file a Form 10. Please note that the information provided below relates to the Company after the completion of the Business Combination, unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Current Report and the information incorporated herein by reference contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including with respect to the effects of the Business Combination. These statements are based on the current expectations and beliefs of management of the Company and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements about future financial and operating results of the Company; statements of the plans, strategies, and objectives of management for future operations of the Company; statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; and other statements regarding the future business of the Company. Forward-looking statements may contain words such as “will be,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “project,” “believe,” “plan,” “could,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “guidance,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “pursue,” “should,” “target,” or similar expressions, and include the assumptions that underlie such statements. These statements include, but are not limited to the following:

 

  the outcome of any known and unknown litigation and regulatory proceedings, including the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances, including the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company;
     
  the ability to maintain the listing of Company common stock and warrants on The Nasdaq Stock Market;
     
  the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability to grow, manage growth profitably, and retain key employees;
     
  changes adversely affecting the business in which the Company is engaged;
     
  the Company’s ability to execute on its plans to develop and commercialize its current clinical assets, as well as any future clinical assets that it licenses, and the timing of any such commercialization;
     
  the Company’s ability to maintain existing license agreements and its reliance on the license agreement between AstraZeneca and St George Street Capital (“SGSC”);
     
  the Company’s ability to identify future clinical assets to develop and obtain licenses to such clinical assets;
     
  the Company’s projected financial information, growth rate, strategies, and market opportunities;

 

 3 

 

  the ability of the Company to meet its future capital requirements to fund its operations, which may involve debt and/or equity financing, and to obtain such debt and/or equity financing on favorable terms, and its sources and uses of cash;
     
  the success of the Company’s research and development strategies;
     
  the Company’s ability, assessment of, and strategies to compete with, its competitors;
     
  the Company’s reliance on third-party service providers;
     
  the Company’s estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements, and needs for additional financing;
     
  the Company’s ability to maintain and protect its intellectual property;
     
  changes in applicable laws or regulations affecting the Company and/or its business;
     
  the risk of disruption to the Company’s current plans and operations, including, but not limited to, as a result of any business disruption due to political or economic instability, pandemics or armed hostilities or a business disruption resulting from a cybersecurity attack; and
     
  other factors disclosed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the other documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those that the Company has anticipated. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

 

Business

 

Reference is made to the disclosure contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Business of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Risk Factors

 

Reference is made to the disclosure contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Risk Factors,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Financial Information

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Reference is made to the disclosure contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited” and to the disclosure contained in Exhibit 99.1 hereto related to the six-month period ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Reference is made to the disclosure contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited Qualitative and quantitative disclosures about market risk” and to the disclosure contained in Exhibit 99.1 hereto, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

 4 

 

Other Financial Information

 

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth in Item 9.01 of this Current Report concerning the consolidated financial information of Old Conduit and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company.

 

The selected historical financial information of Old Conduit as of and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section of the financial statements entitled “Audited Financial Statements of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited” and the disclosure contained in Exhibit 99.2 hereto related to the unaudited six-month period ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Properties

 

Reference is made to the disclosure contained in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Business of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited — Properties,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

 

The following table sets forth beneficial ownership of Company common stock immediately following the completion of the Business Combination by:

 

  each person known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding Company common stock;
     
  each of the Company’s executive officers and directors; and
     
  all of the Company’s current executive officers and directors as a group.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she, or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security. Under those rules, beneficial ownership includes securities that the individual or entity has the right to acquire, such as through the exercise of warrants or stock options or the vesting of restricted stock units, within 60 days of the closing of the Business Combination for purposes of the calculations set forth below. Shares subject to warrants or options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of the closing of the Business Combination or subject to restricted stock units that vest within 60 days of the closing of the Business Combination are considered outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding such warrants, options, or restricted stock units for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. As of the closing of the Business Combination, there are no issued and outstanding options or restricted stock units.

 

Except as noted by footnote, and subject to community property laws where applicable, based on the information provided to the Company, the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them. Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each beneficial owner listed in the table below is c/o Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc., 4995 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300, San Diego, California 92123.

 

The beneficial ownership of Company common stock is based on 72,418,316 shares of common stock issued and outstanding immediately following completion of the Business Combination on September 22, 2023, including (i) the 58,066 shares of Company common stock remaining after the redemption of the Public Shares by the stockholders of MURF as described above, (ii) the issuance of 65,000,000 shares of Company common stock to shareholders of Old Conduit ordinary shares in connection with the Business Combination, including the holders of convertible notes in Old Conduit which were converted into Old Conduct ordinary shares immediately prior to the Business Combination, and (iii) an aggregate of 1,418,000 shares of Company common stock issued to the Sponsor by MURF in a private placement that was conducted concurrently with MURF’s initial public offering, but excluding (a) shares of Company common stock issuable upon the exercise of all warrants issued in connection with MURF’s initial public offering and (b) 2,000,000 shares of Company common stock issuable upon exercise of the PIPE Warrants.

 

 5 

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner 

Number of
Shares of
Company Common
Stock

Beneficially Owned

  

Percentage of
Shares of

Outstanding Company Common Stock

 
Directors and Executive Officers          
James Bligh   0    0%
Faith L. Charles   0    0%
Chele Chiavacci Farley (1)   30,000    * 
Freda Lewis-Hall (2)   2,520,311    3.5%
Jennifer McNealey   0    0%
Andrew Regan (3)   45,593,799    62.9%
Adam Sragovicz (4)   0    0%
David Tapolczay (5)   2,003,324    2.8%
All directors and executive officers as a group (8 individuals) (6)   50,147,434    69.2%
           
5% Beneficial Owners          
Andrew Regan (7)   45,593,799    62.9%
Murphy Canyon Acquisition Sponsor, LLC (8)   4,724,250    6.5%
St George Street Capital (9)   4,749,816    6.6%

 

* Less than 1%.
   
(1) Reflects 15,000 shares of Company common stock and 15,000 redeemable warrants that Murphy Canyon Acquisition Sponsor, LLC transferred to Ms. Farley on the Closing Date in consideration of her acting as an independent director of MURF prior to the Closing Date.
   
(2) Reflects 2,003,324 shares of Company common stock received by Intelmed LLC (“Intelmed”) pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement as consideration for the Old Conduit ordinary shares that were previously held by it. The shares of Company common stock are held of record by Intelmed. Ms. Lewis-Hall is the Managing Director of Intelmed and in such capacity has voting and investment discretion with respect to the Company common stock held of record by Intelmed. By virtue of this relationship, Ms. Lewis-Hall may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the Company common stock held of record by Intelmed. In addition, includes 516,987 shares of Company common stock received by Ms. Lewis-Hall’s spouse, Mr. Emerson Hall, Jr. By virtue of their relationship, Ms. Lewis-Hall may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of such shares held of record by Mr. Hall. Ms. Lewis-Hall disclaims any such beneficial ownership of the shares of Company common stock held by Intelmed and by Mr. Hall except to the extent of her pecuniary interest therein.

 

 6 

 

(3) Reflects 66,650 shares of Company common stock received by Dr. Regan pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement in respect of the convertible promissory notes of Old Conduit held by him. Also, reflects 31,148,454 shares of Company common stock received by Corvus Capital Ltd. pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement as consideration for the Old Conduit ordinary shares that were previously held by it and 14,378,695 shares of Company common stock received by Algo Holdings, Inc. pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement as consideration for the Old Conduit ordinary shares that were previously held by it. Dr. Regan is the Chief Executive Officer of Corvus Capital Ltd. and Algo Holdings, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Corvus Capital Ltd. By virtue of these relationships, Dr. Regan may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the securities held of record by each of Corvus Capital Ltd. and Algo Holdings, Inc. Dr. Regan disclaims any such beneficial ownership except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
   
(4) As part of his employment, Mr. Sragovicz will receive a sign-on restricted stock unit award covering 0.10% of the shares of Company common stock. As of the date hereof, this grant has not yet occurred but will occur after the Company files a registration statement on Form S-8 (the “Form S-8”).
   
(5) Reflects 2,003,324 shares of Company common stock received by Mr. Tapolczay pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement as consideration for the Old Conduit ordinary shares that were previously held by him. In addition, as part of his employment, Mr. Tapolczay will receive a sign-on stock option award to purchase 0.40% shares of Company common stock. As of the date hereof, this grant has not yet occurred but will occur after the Company files a registration statement on Form S-8.
   
(6) Includes 15,000 shares of Company common stock that may be issued upon exercise of the 15,000 redeemable warrants held by Ms. Farley.
   
(7) See footnote 3 above.
   
(8) Reflects (i) 3,306,250 shares of Company common stock due to the conversion of the shares of MURF Class B common stock into shares of MURF Class A common stock and finally into shares of Company common stock in connection with the closing of the Business Combination, (ii) 709,000 shares of Company common stock, which prior to the Business Combination were part of the MURF units, and (iii) 709,000 shares of Company common stock converted from an equal number of shares of MURF Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the 709,000 private placement warrants, which prior to the Business Combination were part of the MURF units.
   
(9) Reflects 4,749,816 shares of Company common stock received by St George Street Capital pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement as consideration for the Old Conduit ordinary shares that were previously held by it.

 

Directors and Executive Officers

 

Other than as disclosed below in Item 5.02, the Company’s directors and executive officers are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of New Conduit Following the Business Combination,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Executive Compensation and Corporate Governance

 

Executive Compensation

 

Certain matters relating to the Company’s executive officers are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections entitled “Executive and Director Compensation — New Conduit Executive and Director Compensation” and “Management of New Conduit Following the Business Combination — Executive Compensation Arrangements — Employment Arrangements with Executive Officers of New Conduit,” which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, the compensation-related disclosure set forth under Item 5.02 of this Current Report is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Director Compensation

 

Certain matters relating to the Company’s directors are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections entitled “Executive and Director Compensation — New Conduit Executive and Director Compensation” and “Management of New Conduit Following the Business Combination — Director Compensation Arrangements”, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

 7 

 

Committees of the Board of Directors

 

The standing committees of the Board currently include an audit committee, a nominating and corporate governance committee, and a compensation committee. Each of the committees will report to the Board as they deem appropriate and as the Board may request. The committees of the Board are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of New Conduit Following the Business Combination — Board Committees,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Code of Conduct

 

The Board has adopted a new code of conduct that applies to all of the Company’s directors, officers, and employees, including the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer, which is available free of charge on the Company’s corporate website at http://www.conduitpharma.com. The information on the Company’s website is not part of this Current Report. The code of conduct is a “code of ethics,” as defined in Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K. The Company will make any legally required disclosures regarding amendments to, or waivers of, provisions of the code of conduct on the Company’s website.

 

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 

The information described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of New Conduit Following the Business Combination — Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions, and Director Independence

 

Certain relationships and related person transactions are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

A description of the independence of the Company’s directors is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of New Conduit Following the Business Combination — Director Independence,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

Reference is made to the disclosure regarding legal proceedings in the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus entitled “Business of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited — Legal Proceedings,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Market Information and Dividends

 

The Company’s common stock commenced trading on The Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq Global Market”) under the symbol “CDT” on September 25, 2023, and the Company’s warrants commenced trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq Capital Market”) under the symbol “CDTTW” on September 25, 2023. MURF’s units, which were comprised of one share of Class A common stock and one warrant exercisable for one share of Class A common stock, ceased trading separately on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC on September 22, 2023. In addition, as a result of the Business Combination, each share of Class A common stock was converted into one share of Company common stock and each MURF warrant exercisable for shares of Class A common stock is now exercisable for shares of Company common stock.

 

 8 

 

 

The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends and does not presently plan to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of any cash dividends will be within the discretion of the Board. The Company currently expects that it will retain future earnings to finance operations and grow its business.

 

Holders of Record

 

Effective upon the Closing Date, including the redemption of Public Shares as described above and the completion of the PIPE Financing, the Company had 72,418,316 shares of common stock outstanding held of record by approximately 33 holders and no shares of preferred stock outstanding. Such amounts do not include Depository Trust Company participants or beneficial owners holding shares through nominee names.

 

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

 

Reference is made to the disclosure described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “The Incentive Plan Proposal,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”) and the material terms thereunder were approved by MURF’s stockholders at the Special Meeting.

 

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

 

The information set forth under Item 3.02 of this Current Report relating to the issuance of PIPE Shares and PIPE Warrants in connection with the PIPE Financing is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered

 

Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Description of New Conduit Securities,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. As described below, the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation the (“Second A&R Certificate of Incorporation”) was approved by MURF’s stockholders at the Special Meeting and became effective in connection with the Business Combination.

 

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

 

Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections entitled “Management of New Conduit Following the Business Combination — Director and Officer Liability and Indemnification” and “Description of New Conduit Securities — Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions of Delaware Law and New Conduit’s Proposed Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation — Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers,” which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 9.01 of this Current Report relating to the financial information of the Company, and to Exhibits 99.1, 99.2, and 99.3 to this Current Report, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.01 Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.

 

The disclosure set forth in “Introductory Noteabove is hereby incorporated into this Item 3.01 by reference.

 

In connection with the completion of the Business Combination, on the Closing Date, the Company notified The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC that the Business Combination had become effective and that MURF’s outstanding securities had been converted into Company common stock and warrants. The Company’s common stock commenced trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “CDT” on September 25 2023, and the Company’s warrants commenced trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CDTTW” on September 25, 2023. The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC delisted MURF’s units and the warrants that previously traded under the symbol “MURFW”. Trading of MURF’s Class A common stock, redeemable warrants, and units was suspended at 5 p.m. on September 22, 2023.

 

 9 

 

Item 3.02Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

 

The disclosure set forth in “Introductory Noteabove is hereby incorporated into this Item 3.02 by reference. The PIPE Shares and the PIPE Warrants were issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

Item 3.03Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

 

In connection with the completion of the Business Combination, the Company filed the Second A&R Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. The material terms of the Second A&R Certificate of Incorporation and the general effect upon the rights of holders of the Company’s capital stock are discussed in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “The Charter Amendments Proposal,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Additionally, the disclosure set forth in the Introductory Note and Item 5.03 of this Current Report is hereby incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Second A&R Certificate of Incorporation is included as Exhibit 3.1 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.01Changes in Control of the Registrant.

 

The disclosure set forth under the Introductory Note and in Item 2.01 of this Current Report is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.02Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

Effective upon the completion of the Business Combination, and in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, (i) each executive officer of MURF, other than Adam Sragovicz, ceased serving in such capacities, (ii) the existing members of MURF’s board of directors, other than Chele Chiavacci Farley, resigned, and (iii) David Tapolczay, Freda Lewis-Hall, James Bligh, Faith L. Charles, Jennifer I. McNealey, and Andrew Regan were appointed as directors of the Company.

 

Effective upon the completion of the Business Combination, Mr. Tapolczay was appointed Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Sragovicz, who served as the Chief Financial Officer of MURF, will continue to serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Ms. Lewis-Hall was appointed as Chair of the Board.

 

Other than as disclosed in this Item 5.02 of this Current Report, reference is made to the disclosure described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of New Conduit Following the Business Combination” for biographical information about each of the directors and officers following the Business Combination and to Item 1.01 of this Current Report, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Employment Agreements

 

In connection with the completion of the Business Combination, David Tapolczay and Adam Sragovicz each entered into employment agreements (together, the “Executive Employment Agreements”) with the Company. Reference is made to the disclosure of the terms of the Executive Employments Agreements in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of New Conduit Following the Business Combination — Executive Compensation Arrangements — Employment Arrangements with Executive Officers of New Conduit,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, and the full text of the Executive Employment Agreements which are filed as Exhibits 10.6 and 10.7 to this Current Report and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

 10 

 

Compensatory Arrangements for Directors

 

Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of New Conduit Following the Business Combination — Director Compensation Arrangements,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2023 Stock Incentive Plan

 

Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “The Incentive Plan Proposal,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, and the full text of the 2023 Plan which is included as Exhibit 10.8 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Indemnity Agreements

 

On September 22, 2023, each of the Company’s newly appointed directors and officers entered into indemnity agreements with the Company. Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of New Conduit Following the Business Combination — Director and Officer Liability and Indemnification” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, and the full text of the form of the Indemnity Agreement which is included as Exhibit 10.9 to this Current Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.03Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

 

In connection with the completion of the Business Combination, the Company amended and restated its certificate of incorporation, effective as of the Closing Date, pursuant to the Second A&R Certificate of Incorporation, and the Company adopted amended restated bylaws pursuant to an Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “A&R Bylaws”).

 

Copies of the Second A&R Certificate of Incorporation and the A&R Bylaws are attached as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 to this Current Report, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

The material terms of the Second A&R Certificate of Incorporation and the A&R Bylaws and the general effect upon the rights of holders of the Company’s capital stock are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the sections entitled “The Charter Amendments Proposals,” “The Advisory Charter Amendments Proposals,” and “Comparison of Stockholders’ Rights,” which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.05Amendments to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics.

 

Effective upon the Closing Date, in connection with the completion of the Business Combination, the Board adopted a new code of conduct, which is applicable to all of the Company’s directors, officers, and employees, including the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer, which is available free of charge on the Company’s corporate website at http://www.conduitpharma.com. The information on the Company’s website does not constitute part of this Current Report and is not incorporated by reference herein. The Company will make any legally required disclosures regarding amendments to, or waivers of, provisions of the code of conduct on the Company’s website.

 

Item 5.06Change in Shell Company Status.

 

As a result of the Business Combination, the Company ceased to be a shell company. Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “The Business Combination Proposal,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.01Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On September 22, 2023, the parties issued a joint press release announcing the completion of the Business Combination, a copy of which is furnished as Exhibit 99.4 to this Current Report.

 

 11 

 

Item 9.01Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.

 

The consolidated financial statements of Old Conduit as of and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section of the financial statements entitled “Audited Financial Statements of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited,” and are incorporated herein by reference. The unaudited condensed financial statements of Old Conduit for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 are set forth in Exhibit 99.2 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of MURF and Conduit as of June 30, 2023 and for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the six months ended June 30, 2023 is set forth in Exhibit 99.3 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   Description
3.1   Second A&R Certificate of Incorporation.
3.2   A&R Bylaws.
10.1   Merger Agreement (including as Annex A-1 to the Prospect Statement/Prospectus and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2   Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of January 27, 2023, by and among Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp., Conduit Merger Sub, Inc., and Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited (included as Annex A-2 to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and incorporated herein by reference).
10.3   Second Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 11, 2023, by and among Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp., Conduit Merger Sub, Inc. and Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited (included as Annex A-3 to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and incorporated herein by reference).
10.4   Form of Lock-Up Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.5   Form of Amended and Restated Warrant (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2023, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.6#   Executive Employment Agreement with David Tapolczay (filed as Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on August 8, 2023, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.7#   Executive Employment Agreement with Adam Sragovicz (filed as Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed on August 8, 2023, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.8#   2023 Plan (including as Annex C to the Prospect Statement/Prospectus and incorporated herein by reference).
10.9   Form of Indemnity Agreement.
10.10   Form of Subscription Agreement between Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp. and the investors named therein (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.11   Amendment to Subscription Agreement dated as of January 27, 2023 between Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp. and the investors named therein (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2023, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.12   Form of Subscription Agreement between Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp. and the investor named therein (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 13, 2023, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.13   Form of PIPE Warrant (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 13, 2023, and incorporated herein by reference).
99.1   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of the Company as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
99.2   Unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
99.3   Unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022.
99.4   Joint Press Release dated September 22, 2023.
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document).

 

# Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

 12 

 

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: October 5, 2023 CONDUIT PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
     
  By: /s/ Adam Sragovicz
  Name: Adam Sragovicz
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 13 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

MURPHY CANYON ACQUISITION CORP.

 

September 21, 2023

 

Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY AS FOLLOWS:

 

1. The present name of the Corporation is “Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp”. The original certificate of incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 19, 2021 (the “Original Certificate”). The Corporation amended and restated the Original Certificate, which was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 2, 2022 (“First Amended and Restated Certificate”).

 

2. This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Second Amended and Restated Certificate”), which both restates and amends the provisions of the First Amended and Restated Certificate, was duly adopted in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “DGCL”).

 

3. This Second Amended and Restated Certificate shall become effective on the date of filing with the Secretary of State of Delaware.

 

4. The text of the First Amended and Restated Certificate is hereby restated and amended in its entirety to read as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

NAME

 

The name of the corporation is Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Corporation”).

 

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL. The Corporation is to have a perpetual existence.

 

ARTICLE III

REGISTERED AGENT

 

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, New Castle County. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is National Registered Agents, Inc.

 

ARTICLE IV

CAPITALIZATION

 

Section 4.1 Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock, each with a par value of $0.0001 per share, which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 251,000,000 shares, consisting of (a) 250,000,000 shares of common stock (the “Common Stock”), and (b) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock (the “Preferred Stock”). Upon the filing and effectiveness of the Second Amended and Restated Certificate (the “Effective Time”), each share of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Corporation issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, automatically and without any further action by the Corporation or any stockholder, be reclassified into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Common Stock. The number of authorized shares of Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock of the Corporation with the power to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL or any successor provision thereof, and no vote of the holders of any of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock voting separately as a class shall be required therefor.

 

 

 

 

Section 4.2 Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is hereby expressly authorized to provide out of the unissued shares of the Preferred Stock for one or more series of Preferred Stock and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, of each such series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series and included in a certificate of designation (a “Preferred Stock Designation”) filed pursuant to the DGCL, and the Board is hereby expressly vested with the authority to the full extent provided by law, now or hereafter, to adopt any such resolution or resolutions.

 

Section 4.3 Common Stock.

 

(a) Voting.

 

(i) Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of the Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power with respect to the Corporation.

 

(ii) Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders on which the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to vote.

 

(iii) Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, holders of Common Stock, shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), holders of shares of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any amendment to any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series of Preferred Stock are entitled exclusively, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) or the DGCL.

 

(b) Dividends. Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Corporation) when, as and if declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.

 

(c) Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up of the Corporation. Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them.

 

Section 4.4 Rights and Options. The Corporation has the authority to create and issue rights, warrants and options entitling the holders thereof to acquire from the Corporation any shares of its capital stock of any class or classes, with such rights, warrants and options to be evidenced by or in instrument(s) approved by the Board. The Board is empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise and other terms and conditions of such rights, warrants or options; provided, however, that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise thereof may not be less than the par value thereof.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE V

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 5.1 Board Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon the Board by statute, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate or the By-Laws of the Corporation (“By-Laws”), the Board is hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, and any By-Laws adopted by the stockholders; provided, however, that no By-Laws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such By-Laws had not been adopted.

 

Section 5.2 Number, Election and Term.

 

(a) The number of directors which shall constitute the entire Board shall be the number of directors as fixed from time to time in accordance with the By-Laws, a majority of whom shall be independent directors in accordance with The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC’s requirements.

 

(b) A director shall hold office until the annual meeting for the year in which his or her term expires and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

 

(c) Unless and except to the extent that the By-Laws shall so require, the election of directors need not be by written ballot. The holders of shares of Common Stock shall not have cumulative voting rights.

 

Section 5.3 Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Subject to Section 5.5 hereof, newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause may be filled solely and exclusively by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by stockholders), and any director so chosen shall hold office for the remainder of the term of the class of directors to which the new directorship was added or in which the vacancy occurred and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

 

Section 5.4 Removal. Subject to Sections 5.5 hereof and except as otherwise required by this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

Section 5.5 Preferred Stock - Directors. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V, and except as otherwise required by law, whenever the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect one or more directors, the term of office, the filling of vacancies, the removal from office and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of such series of the Preferred Stock as set forth in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) and such directors shall not be included in any of the classes created pursuant to this Article V unless expressly provided by such terms.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE VI

BYLAWS

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board shall have the power and is expressly authorized to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-Laws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-Laws. The By-Laws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-Laws; and provided further, however, that no By-Laws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such By-Laws had not been adopted.

 

ARTICLE VII

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS; ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT

 

Section 7.1 Meetings. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and the ability of the stockholders of the Corporation to call a special meeting is hereby specifically denied. Except as provided in the foregoing sentence, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may not be called by another person or persons.

 

Section 7.2 Advance Notice. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the By-Laws.

 

Section 7.3 No Action by Written Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation shall be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and shall not be taken by any consent in writing by such stockholders.

 

ARTICLE VIII

LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 8.1 Limitation of Director Liability. A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended unless they violated their duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized unlawful payments of dividends, unlawful stock purchases or unlawful redemptions, or derived improper personal benefit from their actions as directors. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.

 

Section 8.2 Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.

 

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section 8.2 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Section 8.2 shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.2(a), except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to an indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

 

 

 

 

(b) The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any indemnitee by this Section 8.2 shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under law, this Second Amended and Restated Certificate, the By-Laws, an agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

 

(c) Any repeal or amendment of this Section 8.2 by the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate inconsistent with this Section 8.2, shall, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision in respect of any proceeding (regardless of when such proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.

 

(d) This Section 8.2 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than indemnitees.

 

ARTICLE IX

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

 

The Corporation will not be subject to Section 203 of the DGCL.

 

ARTICLE X

CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY

 

To the extent allowed by law, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any other analogous doctrine, shall not apply with respect to the Corporation or any of its officers or directors, or any of their respective affiliates, in circumstances where the application of any such doctrine would conflict with any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations they may have as of the date of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate or in the future, and the Corporation renounces any expectancy that any of the directors or officers of the Corporation will offer any such corporate opportunity of which he or she may become aware to the Corporation, except, the doctrine of corporate opportunity shall apply with respect to any of the directors or officers of the Corporation with respect to a corporate opportunity that was offered to such person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation and (i) such opportunity is one the Corporation is legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for the Corporation to pursue and (ii) the director or officer is permitted to refer that opportunity to the Corporation without violating any legal obligation.

 

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENT OF SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

 

The Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Second Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force that may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by this Second Amended and Restated Certificate and the DGCL; and, except as set forth in Article VIII, all rights, preferences and privileges of whatever nature herein conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons by and pursuant to this Second Amended and Restated Certificate in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article XI.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII

EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LAWSUITS; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION

 

Section 12.1 Forum. Subject to the last sentence in this Section 12.1, and unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable law, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate or the By-Laws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine and, if brought outside of Delaware, the stockholder bringing the suit will be deemed to have consented to service of process on such stockholder’s counsel except any action (A) as to which the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, or (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the provisions of this Section 12.1 will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction and (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable law, the federal district courts of the United States of America for the District of Delaware and the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall have concurrent jurisdiction for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Section 12.2 Consent to Jurisdiction. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of Section 12.1 immediately above is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce Section 12.1 immediately above (an “FSC Enforcement Action”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

 

Section 12.3 Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article XII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article XII (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article XII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XII.

 

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[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Second Amended and Restated Certificate to be duly executed and acknowledged in its name and on its behalf by an authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

  By: /s/ Jack Heilbron
  Name: Jack Heilbron
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.2

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY LAWS

OF

CONDUIT PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(THE “CORPORATION”)

 

These Amended and Restated Bylaws of Conduit Pharmaceuticals, Inc. a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), are effective as of September 22, 2023, and hereby amend the restated bylaws of the Corporation in its entirety:

 

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

 

Section 1.1. Registered Office. The registered office of the Corporation within the State of Delaware shall be located at either (a) the principal place of business of the Corporation in the State of Delaware or (b) the office of the corporation or individual acting as the Corporation’s registered agent in Delaware.

 

Section 1.2. Additional Offices. The Corporation may, in addition to its registered office in the State of Delaware, have such other offices and places of business, both within and outside the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) may from time to time determine or as the business and affairs of the Corporation may require.

 

ARTICLE II

STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS

 

Section 2.1. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting, provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a). At each annual meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote on such matters shall elect those directors of the Corporation to fill any term of a directorship that expires on the date of such annual meeting and may transact any other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

 

Section 2.2. Special Meetings. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of the preferred stock of the Corporation (“Preferred Stock”), and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and may not be called by any other person. Special meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the Corporation’s notice of the meeting, provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a).

 

Section 2.3. Notices. Written notice of each stockholders meeting stating the place, if any, date, and time of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting and the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, shall be given in the manner permitted by Section 9.3 to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, by the Corporation not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting unless otherwise required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). If said notice is for a stockholders meeting other than an annual meeting, it shall in addition state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, and the business transacted at such meeting shall be limited to the matters so stated in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto). Any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be postponed, and any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be cancelled, by the Board upon public announcement (as defined in Section 2.7(c)) given before the date previously scheduled for such meeting.

 

 
 

 

Section 2.4. Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, as the same may be amended or restated from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) or these By Laws, the presence, in person or by proxy, at a stockholders meeting of the holders of shares of outstanding capital stock of the Corporation representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. If a quorum shall not be present or represented by proxy at any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the chairman of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 2.6 until a quorum shall attend. The stockholders present at a duly convened meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Shares of its own stock belonging to the Corporation or to another corporation, if a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation is held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation, shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation or any such other corporation to vote shares held by it in a fiduciary capacity.

 

Section 2.5. Voting of Shares.

 

(a) Voting Lists. The Secretary of the Corporation (the “Secretary”) shall prepare, or shall cause the officer or agent who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation to prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders of record entitled to vote at such meeting; provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address and the number and class of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing contained in this Section 2.5(a) shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If a meeting of stockholders is to be held solely by means of remote communication as permitted by Section 9.5(a), the list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of meeting. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list required by this Section 2.5(a) or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

 

(b) Manner of Voting. At any stockholders meeting, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy. If authorized by the Board, the voting by stockholders or proxy holders at any meeting conducted by remote communication may be effected by a ballot submitted by electronic transmission (as defined in Section 9.3), provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which the Corporation can determine that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder or proxy holder. The Board, in its discretion, or the chairman of the meeting of stockholders, in such person’s discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.

 

(c) Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Proxies need not be filed with the Secretary until the meeting is called to order, but shall be filed with the Secretary before being voted. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy, either of the following shall constitute a valid means by which a stockholder may grant such authority. No stockholder shall have cumulative voting rights.

 

 
 

 

(i) A stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy. Execution may be accomplished by the stockholder or such stockholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing such person’s signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means, including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature.

 

(ii) A stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of an electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder. Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission authorizing another person or persons to act as proxy for a stockholder may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used; provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.

 

(d) Required Vote. Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock, at all meetings of stockholders at which a quorum is present, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. All other matters presented to the stockholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, unless the matter is one upon which, by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws or applicable stock exchange rules, a different vote is required, in which case such provision shall govern and control the decision of such matter.

 

(e) Inspectors of Election. The Board may, and shall if required by law, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more persons as inspectors of election, who may be employees of the Corporation or otherwise serve the Corporation in other capacities, to act at such meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The Board may appoint one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspectors of election or alternates are appointed by the Board, the chairman of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall ascertain and report the number of outstanding shares and the voting power of each; determine the number of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots; count all votes and ballots and report the results; determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors; and certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes and ballots. No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election. Each report of an inspector shall be in writing and signed by the inspector or by a majority of them if there is more than one inspector acting at such meeting. If there is more than one inspector, the report of a majority shall be the report of the inspectors.

 

Section 2.6. Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned by the chairman of the meeting, from time to time, whether or not there is a quorum, to reconvene at the same or some other place. Notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the date, time, and place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting the stockholders, or the holders of any class or series of stock entitled to vote separately as a class, as the case may be, may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 9.2, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

 

 
 

 

Section 2.7. Advance Notice for Business.

 

(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of stockholders, other than business that is either (i) specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation (x) who is a stockholder of record entitled to vote at such annual meeting on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2.7(a) and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (y) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.7(a). Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2.7(a) to the contrary, only persons nominated for election as a director to fill any term of a directorship that expires on the date of the annual meeting pursuant to Section 3.2 will be considered for election at such meeting.

 

(i) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business (other than nominations) to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary and such business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action. Subject to Section 2.7(a)(iii), a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary with respect to such business, to be timely, must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the opening of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of (x) the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting is first made by the Corporation. The public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting shall not commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 2.7(a).

 

(ii) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary with respect to any business (other than nominations) must set forth as to each such matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event such business includes a proposal to amend these By Laws, the language of the proposed amendment) and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (B) the name and record address of such stockholder and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, (D) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder, (E) any material interest of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made in such business and (F) a representation that such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting.

 

(iii) The foregoing notice requirements of this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder as to any proposal (other than nominations) if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of such stockholder’s intention to present such proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with Rule 14a-8 (or any successor thereof) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and such stockholder has complied with the requirements of such Rule for inclusion of such proposal in a proxy statement prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.7(a), provided, however, that once business has been properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any such business. If the Board or the chairman of the annual meeting determines that any stockholder proposal was not made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.7(a) or that the information provided in a stockholder’s notice does not satisfy the information requirements of this Section 2.7(a), such proposal shall not be presented for action at the annual meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.7(a), if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present the proposed business, such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such matter may have been received by the Corporation.

 

 
 

 

(iv) In addition to the provisions of this Section 2.7(a), a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in this Section 2.7(a) shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

(b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting only pursuant to Section 3.2.

 

(c) Public Announcement. For purposes of these By Laws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (or any successor thereto).

 

Section 2.8. Conduct of Meetings. The chairman of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Executive Officer or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, such other person as shall be appointed by the Board. The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the chairman of the meeting. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with these By Laws or such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and to adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairman of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (c) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chairman of the meeting shall determine; (d) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (e) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure. The secretary of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Secretary or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary so appointed to act by the chairman of the meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

Section 2.9. No Action Without a Meeting. No action shall be taken by the stockholders except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called and noticed in the manner required by these bylaws. The stockholders may not in any circumstance take action by written consent.

 

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

 

Section 3.1. Powers; Number. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By Laws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. Directors need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware. Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board shall consist of not less than three (3) and not more than nine (9) directors as fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board. Directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders, with each director to hold office until the next annual meeting and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

 

 
 

 

Section 3.2. Advance Notice for Nomination of Directors.

 

(a) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation, except as may be otherwise provided by the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock with respect to the rights of holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock to elect directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors as set forth in the Corporation’s notice of such special meeting, may be made (i) by or at the direction of the Board or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation (x) who is a stockholder of record entitled to vote in the election of directors on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 3.2 and on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (y) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.2.

 

(b) In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a stockholder, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) in the case of an annual meeting, not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day before the meeting and not later than the later of (x) the close of business on the 90th day before the meeting or (y) the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was first made by the Corporation; and (ii) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described in this Section 3.2.

 

(c) Notwithstanding anything in paragraph (b) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board at an annual meeting is greater than the number of directors whose terms expire on the date of the annual meeting and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for the additional directors to be elected or specifying the size of the increased Board before the close of business on the 90th day prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 3.2 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships created by such increase that are to be filled by election at such annual meeting, if it shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the date on which such public announcement was first made by the Corporation.

 

(d) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (C) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (D) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice (A) the name and record address of such stockholder as they appear on the Corporation’s books and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (B) the class or series and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, (C) a description of all arrangements or understandings relating to the nomination to be made by such stockholder among such stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names), (D) a representation that such stockholder (or a qualified representative of such stockholder) intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the persons named in its notice and (E) any other information relating to such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.

 

 
 

 

(e) If the Board or the chairman of the meeting of stockholders determines that any nomination was not made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.2, or that the information provided in a stockholder’s notice does not satisfy the information requirements of this Section 3.2, then such nomination shall not be considered at the meeting in question. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.2, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present the nomination, such nomination shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nomination may have been received by the Corporation.

 

(f) In addition to the provisions of this Section 3.2, a stockholder shall also comply with all of the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in this Section 3.2 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 3.3. Compensation. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors, including for service on a committee of the Board, and may be paid either a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or other compensation as director. The directors may be reimbursed their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of committees of the Board may be allowed like compensation and reimbursement of expenses for service on the committee.

 

ARTICLE IV

BOARD MEETINGS

 

Section 4.1. Annual Meetings. The Board shall meet as soon as practicable after the adjournment of each annual stockholders meeting at the place of the annual stockholders meeting unless the Board shall fix another time and place and give notice thereof in the manner required herein for special meetings of the Board. No notice to the directors shall be necessary to legally convene this meeting, except as provided in this Section 4.1.

 

Section 4.2. Regular Meetings. Regularly scheduled, periodic meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such times, dates and places (within or without the State of Delaware) as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.

 

Section 4.3. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board (a) may be called by the Chairman of the Board or President and (b) shall be called by the Chairman of the Board, President or Secretary on the written request of at least a majority of directors then in office, or the sole director, as the case may be, and shall be held at such time, date and place (within or without the State of Delaware) as may be determined by the person calling the meeting or, if called upon the request of directors or the sole director, as specified in such written request. Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given, as provided in Section 9.3, to each director (i) at least 24 hours before the meeting if such notice is oral notice given personally or by telephone or written notice given by hand delivery or by means of a form of electronic transmission and delivery; (ii) at least two days before the meeting if such notice is sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service; and (iii) at least five days before the meeting if such notice is sent through the United States mail. If the Secretary shall fail or refuse to give such notice, then the notice may be given by the officer who called the meeting or the directors who requested the meeting. Any and all business that may be transacted at a regular meeting of the Board may be transacted at a special meeting. Except as may be otherwise expressly provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By Laws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. A special meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance with Section 9.4.

 

 
 

 

Section 4.4. Quorum; Required Vote. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

 

Section 4.5. Consent In Lieu of Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions (or paper reproductions thereof) are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

 

Section 4.6. Organization. The chairman of each meeting of the Board shall be the Chairman of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Executive Officer or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, a chairman elected from the directors present. The Secretary shall act as secretary of all meetings of the Board. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of the Secretary at such meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

ARTICLE V

COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 5.1. Establishment. The Board may by resolution of the Board designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required by the resolution designating such committee. The Board shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee.

 

Section 5.2. Available Powers. Any committee established pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, to the extent permitted by applicable law and by resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it.

 

Section 5.3. Alternate Members. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of the committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

 

 
 

 

Section 5.4. Procedures. Unless the Board otherwise provides, the time, date, place, if any, and notice of meetings of a committee shall be determined by such committee. At meetings of a committee, a majority of the number of members of the committee (but not including any alternate member, unless such alternate member has replaced any absent or disqualified member at the time of, or in connection with, such meeting) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee, except as otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws or the Board. If a quorum is not present at a meeting of a committee, the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. Unless the Board otherwise provides and except as provided in these By Laws, each committee designated by the Board may make, alter, amend and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board is authorized to conduct its business pursuant to Article III and Article IV of these By Laws.

 

ARTICLE VI

OFFICERS

 

Section 6.1. Officers. The officers of the Corporation elected by the Board shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Secretary and such other officers (including, without limitation, a Chairman of the Board, a President, Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer and Assistant Treasurers) as the Board from time to time may determine. Officers elected by the Board shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article VI. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board. The Chief Executive Officer or President may also appoint such other officers (including without limitation one or more Vice Presidents and Controllers) as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Such other officers shall have such powers and duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as may be provided in these By Laws or as may be prescribed by the Board or, if such officer has been appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as may be prescribed by the appointing officer.

 

(a) Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall have general supervision and control of the acquisition activities of the Corporation subject to the ultimate authority of the Board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The powers and duties of the Chairman of the Board shall not include supervision or control of the preparation of the financial statements of the Corporation (other than through participation as a member of the Board). The position of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.

 

(b) Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Corporation and general control of all of its business subject to the ultimate authority of the Board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters, except to the extent any such powers and duties have been prescribed to the Chairman of the Board pursuant to Section 6.1(a) above. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The position of Chief Executive Officer and President may be held by the same person.

 

(c) President. The President shall make recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer on all operational matters that would normally be reserved for the final executive responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, the President (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The President shall also perform such duties and have such powers as shall be designated by the Board. The position of President and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.

 

(d) Vice Presidents. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President, the Vice President (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated by the Board) shall perform the duties and have the powers of the President. Any one or more of the Vice Presidents may be given an additional designation of rank or function.

 

 
 

 

(e) Secretary.

 

(i) The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders, the Board and (as required) committees of the Board and shall record the proceedings of such meetings in books to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President. The Secretary shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and the Secretary, or any Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it, and when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such Assistant Secretary. The Board may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing thereof by his or her signature.

 

(ii) The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, if one has been appointed, a stock ledger, or duplicate stock ledger, showing the names of the stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each and, with respect to certificated shares, the number and date of certificates issued for the same and the number and date of certificates cancelled.

 

(f) Assistant Secretaries. The Assistant Secretary or, if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, perform the duties and have the powers of the Secretary.

 

(g) Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform all duties commonly incident to that office (including, without limitation, the care and custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation, which from time to time may come into the Chief Financial Officer’s hands and the deposit of the funds of the Corporation in such banks or trust companies as the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may authorize).

 

(h) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Financial Officer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

Section 6.2. Term of Office; Removal; Vacancies. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be appointed by the Board and shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified by the Board or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal from office. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the Board. Any officer appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may also be removed, with or without cause, by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as the case may be, unless the Board otherwise provides. Any vacancy occurring in any elected office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board. Any vacancy occurring in any office appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may be filled by the Chief Executive Officer, or President, as the case may be, unless the Board then determines that such office shall thereupon be elected by the Board, in which case the Board shall elect such officer.

 

Section 6.3. Other Officers. The Board may delegate the power to appoint such other officers and agents, and may also remove such officers and agents or delegate the power to remove same, as it shall from time to time deem necessary or desirable.

 

Section 6.4. Multiple Officeholders; Stockholder and Director Officers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws otherwise provide. Officers need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware.

 

ARTICLE VII

SHARES

 

Section 7.1. Certificated and Uncertificated Shares. The shares of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, subject to the sole discretion of the Board and the requirements of the DGCL.

 

 
 

 

Section 7.2. Multiple Classes of Stock. If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the Corporation shall (a) cause the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights to be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of any certificate that the Corporation issues to represent shares of such class or series of stock or (b) in the case of uncertificated shares, within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of such shares, send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth on certificates as specified in clause (a) above; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided by applicable law, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of such certificate or, in the case of uncertificated shares, on such written notice a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences or rights.

 

Section 7.3. Signatures. Each certificate representing capital stock of the Corporation shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by (a) the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President and (b) the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation. Any or all the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, such certificate may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar on the date of issue.

 

Section 7.4. Consideration and Payment for Shares.

 

(a) Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares of stock may be issued for such consideration, having in the case of shares with par value a value not less than the par value thereof, and to such persons, as determined from time to time by the Board. The consideration may consist of any tangible or intangible property or any benefit to the Corporation including cash, promissory notes, services performed, contracts for services to be performed or other securities, or any combination thereof.

 

(b) Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares may not be issued until the full amount of the consideration has been paid, unless upon the face or back of each certificate issued to represent any partly paid shares of capital stock or upon the books and records of the Corporation in the case of partly paid uncertificated shares, there shall have been set forth the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon up to and including the time said certificate representing certificated shares or said uncertificated shares are issued.

 

Section 7.5. Lost, Destroyed or Wrongfully Taken Certificates.

 

(a) If an owner of a certificate representing shares claims that such certificate has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Corporation shall issue a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form if the owner: (i) requests such a new certificate before the Corporation has notice that the certificate representing such shares has been acquired by a protected purchaser; (ii) if requested by the Corporation, delivers to the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, wrongful taking or destruction of such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares; and (iii) satisfies other reasonable requirements imposed by the Corporation.

 

(b) If a certificate representing shares has been lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken, and the owner fails to notify the Corporation of that fact within a reasonable time after the owner has notice of such loss, apparent destruction or wrongful taking and the Corporation registers a transfer of such shares before receiving notification, the owner shall be precluded from asserting against the Corporation any claim for registering such transfer or a claim to a new certificate representing such shares or such shares in uncertificated form.

 

Section 7.6. Transfer of Stock.

 

(a) If a certificate representing shares of the Corporation is presented to the Corporation with an endorsement requesting the registration of transfer of such shares or an instruction is presented to the Corporation requesting the registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall register the transfer as requested if:

 

(i) in the case of certificated shares, the certificate representing such shares has been surrendered;

 

 
 

 

(ii) (A) with respect to certificated shares, the endorsement is made by the person specified by the certificate as entitled to such shares; (B) with respect to uncertificated shares, an instruction is made by the registered owner of such uncertificated shares; or (C) with respect to certificated shares or uncertificated shares, the endorsement or instruction is made by any other appropriate person or by an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of the appropriate person;

 

(iii) the Corporation has received a guarantee of signature of the person signing such endorsement or instruction or such other reasonable assurance that the endorsement or instruction is genuine and authorized as the Corporation may request;

 

(iv) the transfer does not violate any restriction on transfer imposed by the Corporation that is enforceable in accordance with Section 7.8(a); and

 

(v) such other conditions for such transfer as shall be provided for under applicable law have been satisfied.

 

(b) Whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security and not absolutely, the Corporation shall so record such fact in the entry of transfer if, when the certificate for such shares is presented to the Corporation for transfer or, if such shares are uncertificated, when the instruction for registration of transfer thereof is presented to the Corporation, both the transferor and transferee request the Corporation to do so.

 

Section 7.7. Registered Stockholders. Before due presentment for registration of transfer of a certificate representing shares of the Corporation or of an instruction requesting registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation may treat the registered owner as the person exclusively entitled to inspect for any proper purpose the stock ledger and the other books and records of the Corporation, vote such shares, receive dividends or notifications with respect to such shares and otherwise exercise all the rights and powers of the owner of such shares, except that a person who is the beneficial owner of such shares (if held in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person) may, upon providing documentary evidence of beneficial ownership of such shares and satisfying such other conditions as are provided under applicable law, may also so inspect the books and records of the Corporation.

 

Section 7.8. Effect of the Corporation’s Restriction on Transfer.

 

(a) A written restriction on the transfer or registration of transfer of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, if permitted by the DGCL and noted conspicuously on the certificate representing such shares or, in the case of uncertificated shares, contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares within a reasonable time prior to or after the issuance or transfer of such shares, may be enforced against the holder of such shares or any successor or transferee of the holder including an executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of the holder.

 

(b) A restriction imposed by the Corporation on the transfer or the registration of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, even if otherwise lawful, is ineffective against a person without actual knowledge of such restriction unless: (i) the shares are certificated and such restriction is noted conspicuously on the certificate; or (ii) the shares are uncertificated and such restriction was contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares within a reasonable time prior to or after the issuance or transfer of such shares.

 

Section 7.9. Regulations. The Board shall have power and authority to make such additional rules and regulations, subject to any applicable requirement of law, as the Board may deem necessary and appropriate with respect to the issue, transfer or registration of transfer of shares of stock or certificates representing shares. The Board may appoint one or more transfer agents or registrars and may require for the validity thereof that certificates representing shares bear the signature of any transfer agent or registrar so appointed.

 

 
 

 

ARTICLE VIII

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 8.1. Right to Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “Indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with such proceeding; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 8.3 with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

 

Section 8.2. Right to Advancement of Expenses. In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 8.1, an Indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the Corporation to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law the expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that, if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an Indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such Indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon the Corporation’s receipt of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such Indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VIII or otherwise.

 

Section 8.3. Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a claim under Section 8.1 or Section 8.2 is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (a) any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by an Indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (b) in any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that, the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including a determination by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Indemnitee, shall be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article VIII or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

 

 
 

 

Section 8.4. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights provided to any Indemnitee pursuant to this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other right, which such Indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By Laws, an agreement, a vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

 

Section 8.5. Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and/or any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

 

Section 8.6. Indemnification of Other Persons. This Article VIII shall not limit the right of the Corporation to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Indemnitees. Without limiting the foregoing, the Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation and to any other person who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of Indemnitees under this Article VIII.

 

Section 8.7. Amendments. Any repeal or amendment of this Article VIII by the Board or the stockholders of the Corporation or by changes in applicable law, or the adoption of any other provision of these By Laws inconsistent with this Article VIII, will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in applicable law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights to Indemnitees on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and will not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision; provided however, that amendments or repeals of this Article VIII shall require the affirmative vote of the stockholders holding at least 66.7% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation.

 

Section 8.8. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article VIII, (a) references to “other enterprise” shall include any employee benefit plan; (b) references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; (c) references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service that imposes duties on, or involves services by, a person with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and (d) a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interest of the Corporation” for purposes of Section 145 of the DGCL.

 

Section 8.9. Contract Rights. The rights provided to Indemnitees pursuant to this Article VIII shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, agent or employee and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.

 

Section 8.10. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VIII shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, each such portion of this Article VIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

 

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.1. Place of Meetings. If the place of any meeting of stockholders, the Board or committee of the Board for which notice is required under these By Laws is not designated in the notice of such meeting, such meeting shall be held at the principal business office of the Corporation; provided, however, if the Board has, in its sole discretion, determined that a meeting shall not be held at any place, but instead shall be held by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5 hereof, then such meeting shall not be held at any place.

 

 
 

 

Section 9.2. Fixing Record Dates.

 

(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.2(a) at the adjourned meeting.

 

(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

 

Section 9.3. Means of Giving Notice.

 

(a) Notice to Directors. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws notice is required to be given to any director, such notice shall be given either (i) in writing and sent by mail, or by a nationally recognized delivery service, (ii) by means of facsimile telecommunication or other form of electronic transmission, or (iii) by oral notice given personally or by telephone. A notice to a director will be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, orally, or by telephone, when actually received by the director, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iv) if sent by facsimile telecommunication, when sent to the facsimile transmission number for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, (v) if sent by electronic mail, when sent to the electronic mail address for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, or (vi) if sent by any other form of electronic transmission, when sent to the address, location or number (as applicable) for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation.

 

(b) Notice to Stockholders. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws notice is required to be given to any stockholder, such notice may be given (i) in writing and sent either by hand delivery, through the United States mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or (ii) by means of a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder, to the extent permitted by, and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 232 of the DGCL. A notice to a stockholder shall be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, when actually received by the stockholder, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, and (iv) if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given and otherwise meeting the requirements set forth above, (A) if by facsimile transmission, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (B) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (C) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specified posting, upon the later of (1) such posting and (2) the giving of such separate notice, and (D) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent to receiving notice by means of electronic communication by giving written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (1) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent and (2) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or to the Corporation’s transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

 

 
 

 

(c) Electronic Transmission. “Electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process, including but not limited to transmission by telex, facsimile telecommunication, electronic mail, telegram and cablegram.

 

(d) Notice to Stockholders Sharing Same Address. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively by the Corporation to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent by delivering written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Corporation of its intention to send such a single written notice shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.

 

(e) Exceptions to Notice Requirements. Whenever notice is required to be given, under the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.

 

Whenever notice is required to be given by the Corporation, under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, to any stockholder to whom (1) notice of two consecutive annual meetings of stockholders and all notices of stockholder meetings or of the taking of action by written consent of stockholders without a meeting to such stockholder during the period between such two consecutive annual meetings, or (2) all, and at least two payments (if sent by first-class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a 12-month period, have been mailed addressed to such stockholder at such stockholder’s address as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such stockholder shall not be required. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to such stockholder shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. If any such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation a written notice setting forth such stockholder’s then current address, the requirement that notice be given to such stockholder shall be reinstated. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate need not state that notice was not given to persons to whom notice was not required to be given pursuant to Section 230(b) of the DGCL. The exception in subsection (1) of the first sentence of this paragraph to the requirement that notice be given shall not be applicable to any notice returned as undeliverable if the notice was given by electronic transmission.

 

Section 9.4. Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By Laws, a written waiver of such notice, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to such required notice. All such waivers shall be kept with the books of the Corporation. Attendance at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a person attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

 

 
 

 

Section 9.5. Meeting Attendance via Remote Communication Equipment.

 

(a) Stockholder Meetings. If authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board may adopt, stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and proxy holders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication:

 

(i) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and

 

(ii) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (A) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxy holder, (B) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxy holders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and, if entitled to vote, to vote on matters submitted to the applicable stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (C) if any stockholder or proxy holder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such votes or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.

 

(b) Board Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or any committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other. Such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting, except where a person participates in the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.

 

Section 9.6. Dividends. The Board may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends (payable in cash, property or shares of the Corporation’s capital stock) on the Corporation’s outstanding shares of capital stock, subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Section 9.7. Reserves. The Board may set apart out of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve.

 

Section 9.8. Contracts and Negotiable Instruments. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By Laws, any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument may be executed and delivered in the name and on behalf of the Corporation by such officer or officers or other employee or employees of the Corporation as the Board may from time to time authorize. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board may determine. The Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation. Subject to any restrictions imposed by the Board, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may delegate powers to execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation to other officers or employees of the Corporation under such person’s supervision and authority, it being understood, however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve such officer of responsibility with respect to the exercise of such delegated power.

 

Section 9.9. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board.

 

Section 9.10. Seal. The Board may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be in such form as the Board determines. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or otherwise reproduced.

 

Section 9.11. Books and Records. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept within or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board.

 

 
 

 

Section 9.12. Resignation. Any director, committee member or officer may resign by giving notice thereof in writing or by electronic transmission to the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary. The resignation shall take effect at the time it is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events. Unless otherwise specified therein, the acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

 

Section 9.13. Surety Bonds. Such officers, employees and agents of the Corporation (if any) as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may direct, from time to time, shall be bonded for the faithful performance of their duties and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of their death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in their possession or under their control belonging to the Corporation, in such amounts and by such surety companies as the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may determine. The premiums on such bonds shall be paid by the Corporation and the bonds so furnished shall be in the custody of the Secretary.

 

Section 9.14. Securities of Other Corporations. Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents in writing and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, any Vice President or any officers authorized by the Board. Any such officer, may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may own securities, or to consent in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such corporation, and at any such meeting or with respect to any such consent shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and power incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed. The Board may from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

 

Section 9.15. Amendments. The Board shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws. The By Laws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power (except as otherwise provided in Section 8.7) of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws.

 

*****

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.9

 

INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

 

This INDEMNITY AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of __________, ______, between Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and ____________________ (“Indemnitee”).

 

Background

 

A. Highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve corporations as directors or officers or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation.

 

B. Although the furnishing of such insurance to protect persons serving a corporation and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities has been a customary and widespread practice among United States-based corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers, and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The Company’s bylaws, as amended to date (the “Bylaws”), and the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as amended to date (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) require indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). The Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the Board, officers, and other persons with respect to indemnification.

 

C. The uncertainties relating to such liability insurance and to indemnification have increased the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons.

 

D. The Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company’s stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future.

 

E. It is reasonable, prudent, and necessary for the Company to contractually obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified.

 

F. This Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto and shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

 

G. Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Company’s Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve as an officer or director without adequate protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve, and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that Indemnitee be so indemnified.

 

 
 

 

H. Indemnitee may have certain rights to indemnification and/or insurance provided by other entities and/or organizations which Indemnitee and such other entities and/or organizations intend to be secondary to the primary obligation of the Company to indemnify Indemnitee as provided herein, with the Company’s acknowledgement and agreement to the foregoing being a material condition to Indemnitee’s willingness to serve on the Board.

 

Agreement

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of Indemnitee’s agreement to serve as an officer or a director from and after the date hereof, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. Indemnity of Indemnitee. The Company hereby agrees to hold harmless and indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such may be amended from time to time pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms of this Agreement. In furtherance of the foregoing indemnification, and without limiting the generality thereof:

 

(a) Proceedings Other Than Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 1(a) if, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company. Pursuant to this Section 1(a), Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee, or on Indemnitee’s behalf, in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue, or matter therein, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and with respect to any criminal Proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

(b) Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. Indemnitee shall be entitled to the rights of indemnification provided in this Section 1(b) if, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, the Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company. Pursuant to this Section 1(b), Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Indemnitee, or on the Indemnitee’s behalf, in connection with such Proceeding if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner the Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company; provided, however, if applicable law so provides, no indemnification against such Expenses shall be made in respect of any claim, issue, or matter in such Proceeding as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall determine that such indemnification may be made.

 

(c) Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a party to and is successful, on the merits or otherwise, in any Proceeding, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the maximum extent permitted by law, as such may be amended from time to time, against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues, or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue, or matter. For purposes of this Section and without limitation, the termination of any claim, issue, or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue, or matter.

 

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2. Additional Indemnity. In addition to, and without regard to any limitations on, the indemnification provided for in Section 1 of this Agreement, the Company shall and hereby does indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee against all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf if, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company), including, without limitation, any and all liability arising out of the negligence or active or passive wrongdoing of Indemnitee. The only limitation that shall exist upon the Company’s obligations pursuant to this Agreement shall be that the Company shall not be obligated to make any payment to Indemnitee that is finally determined (under the procedures, and subject to the presumptions, set forth in Sections 6 and 7 hereof) to be unlawful.

 

3. Contribution.

 

(a) Whether or not the indemnification provided in Sections 1 and 2 hereof is available, in respect of any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit or proceeding), the Company shall pay, in the first instance, the entire amount of any judgment or settlement of such action, suit, or proceeding without requiring Indemnitee to contribute to such payment, and the Company hereby waives and relinquishes any right of contribution it may have against Indemnitee. The Company shall not enter into any settlement of any action, suit, or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit, or proceeding) unless such settlement provides for a full and final release of all claims asserted against Indemnitee. The Company shall not settle any action or claim in a manner that would impose any penalty or admission of guilt or liability on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s written consent.

 

(b) Without diminishing or impairing the obligations of the Company set forth in the preceding Subsection (a), if, for any reason, Indemnitee shall elect or be required to pay all or any portion of any judgment or settlement in any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding in which the Company is jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit, or proceeding), the Company shall contribute to the amount of Expenses, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred and paid or payable by Indemnitee in proportion to the relative benefits received by the Company and all officers, directors, or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit, or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, from the transaction from which such action, suit, or proceeding arose; provided, however, that the proportion determined on the basis of relative benefit may, to the extent necessary to conform to law, be further adjusted by reference to the relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors, or employees of the Company other than Indemnitee who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit, or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, in connection with the events that resulted in such expenses, judgments, fines, or settlement amounts, as well as any other equitable considerations which the applicable law may require to be considered. The relative fault of the Company and all officers, directors, or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who are jointly liable with Indemnitee (or would be if joined in such action, suit, or proceeding), on the one hand, and Indemnitee, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, the degree to which their actions were motivated by intent to gain personal profit or advantage, the degree to which their liability is primary or secondary, and the degree to which their respective conduct is active or passive.

 

3
 

 

(c) The Company hereby agrees to fully indemnify and hold Indemnitee harmless from any claims of contribution which may be brought by officers, directors, or employees of the Company, other than Indemnitee, who may be jointly liable with Indemnitee.

  

(d) To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees, and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).

 

4. Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, a witness, or is made (or asked) to respond to discovery requests, in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith.

 

5. Advancement of Expenses. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall advance all Expenses incurred by or on behalf of Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements from Indemnitee requesting such advance or advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of such Proceeding. Such statement or statements shall reasonably evidence the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall include or be preceded or accompanied by a written undertaking by or on behalf of Indemnitee to repay any Expenses advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified against such Expenses. Any advances and undertakings to repay pursuant to this Section 5 shall be unsecured and interest free.

 

6. Procedures and Presumptions for Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification. It is the intent of this Agreement to secure for Indemnitee rights of indemnity that are as favorable as may be permitted under the DGCL and public policy of the State of Delaware. Accordingly, the parties agree that the following procedures and presumptions shall apply in the event of any question as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement:

 

(a) To obtain indemnification under this Agreement, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification. The [Chief Executive Officer] of the Company shall, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any failure of Indemnitee to provide such a request to the Company, or to provide such a request in a timely fashion, shall not relieve the Company of any liability that it may have to Indemnitee unless, and to the extent that, such failure actually and materially prejudices the interests of the Company.

 

4
 

 

(b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of Section 6(a) hereof, a determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case by one of the following methods, which shall be at the election of the Board:

 

(i) unless a Change in Control has occurred: (1) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum, (2) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum, (3) if there are no Disinterested Directors or if the Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Indemnitee, or (4) if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the Company; and

 

(ii) if a Change in Control has occurred, then by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Board, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Indemnitee. For purposes hereof, Disinterested Directors are those members of the Board who are not parties to the action, suit, or proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

 

(c) If the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 6(c). The Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board. Indemnitee may, within 10 days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If a written objection is made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 20 days after submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 6(a) hereof, no Independent Counsel shall have been selected and not objected to, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or other court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Indemnitee to the Company’s selection of Independent Counsel and/or for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 6(b) hereof. The Company shall pay any and all reasonable fees and expenses of Independent Counsel incurred by such Independent Counsel in connection with acting pursuant to Section 6(b) hereof, and the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incident to the procedures of this Section 6(c), regardless of the manner in which such Independent Counsel was selected or appointed. In no event shall Indemnitee be liable for fees and expenses incurred by such Independent Counsel, subject to the limitations on indemnification set forth herein.

 

(d) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination shall presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its Board or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its Board or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

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(e) Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith if Indemnitee’s action is based on the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or on information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, agent, or employee of the Enterprise shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement. Whether or not the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(e) are satisfied, it shall in any event be presumed that Indemnitee has at all times acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.

 

(f) If the person, persons, or entity empowered or selected under Section 6 to determine whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification shall not have made a determination within 60 days after receipt by the Company of the request therefor, the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification shall be deemed to have been made, and Indemnitee shall be entitled to such indemnification absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading in connection with the request for indemnification or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law; provided, however, that such 60 day period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional 30 days, if the person, persons, or entity making such determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time to obtain or evaluate documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided, further, that the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(f) shall not apply if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement and if (A) within 15 days after receipt by the Company of the request for such determination, the Board or the Disinterested Directors, if appropriate, resolve to submit such determination to the stockholders for their consideration at an annual meeting thereof to be held within 75 days after such receipt and such determination is made thereat, or (B) a special meeting of stockholders is called within 15 days after such receipt for the purpose of making such determination, such meeting is held for such purpose within 60 days after having been so called, and such determination is made thereat.

 

(g) Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons, or entity making such determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons, or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any Independent Counsel, member of the Board, or stockholder of the Company shall act reasonably and in good faith in making a determination regarding the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement. Any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons, or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company (irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification), and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom.

 

(h) The Company acknowledges that a settlement or other disposition short of final judgment may be successful if it permits a party to avoid expense, delay, distraction, disruption, and uncertainty. In the event that any action, claim, or proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party is resolved in any manner other than by adverse judgment against Indemnitee (including, without limitation, settlement of such action, claim, or proceeding with or without payment of money or other consideration) it shall be presumed that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits or otherwise in such action, suit, or proceeding. Anyone seeking to overcome this presumption shall have the burden of proof and the burden of persuasion by clear and convincing evidence.

 

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(i) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue, or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement, or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

 

7. Remedies of Indemnitee.

 

(a) In the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification is made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement within 90 days after receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification, (iv) payment of indemnification is not made pursuant to this Agreement within 10 days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v) payment of indemnification is not made within 10 days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or such determination is deemed to have been made pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication in an appropriate court of the State of Delaware, or in any other court of competent jurisdiction, of Indemnitee’s entitlement to such indemnification. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication within 1 year following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 7(a). The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication.

  

(b) In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial on the merits, and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of the adverse determination under Section 6(b).

 

(c) If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6(b) of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s misstatement not materially misleading in connection with the application for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

 

(d) In the event that Indemnitee, pursuant to this Section 7, seeks a judicial adjudication of Indemnitee’s rights under, or to recover damages for breach of, this Agreement, or to recover under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, the Company shall pay on Indemnitee’s behalf, in advance, any and all expenses (of the types described in the definition of Expenses in Section 13 of this Agreement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in such judicial adjudication, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of expenses, or insurance recovery.

 

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(e) The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to this Section 7 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding, and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against any and all Expenses and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (within 10 days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefore) advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, such expenses to Indemnitee, which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee for indemnification or advance of Expenses from the Company under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, regardless of whether Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification, advancement of Expenses or insurance recovery, as the case may be.

 

(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification under this Agreement shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.

 

8. Non-Exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Primacy of Indemnification; Subrogation.

 

(a) The rights of indemnification as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders, a resolution of the Board, or otherwise. No amendment, alteration, or repeal of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration, or repeal. To the extent that a change in the DGCL, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy all greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

 

(b) To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or agents or fiduciaries of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise that such person serves at the request of the Company, the Company shall procure such insurance policy or policies under which the Indemnitee shall be covered in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary under such policy or policies. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

 

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(c) The Company hereby acknowledges that Indemnitee has or may have in the future certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses, and/or insurance provided by other entities and/or organizations (collectively, the “Secondary Indemnitors”). The Company hereby agrees (i) that it is the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., its obligations to Indemnitee are primary and any obligation of the Secondary Indemnitors to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the same expenses or liabilities incurred by Indemnitee are secondary), (ii) that it shall be required to advance the full amount of expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall be liable for the full amount of all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines, and amounts paid in settlement to the extent legally permitted and as required by the terms of this Agreement and the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company (or any other agreement between the Company and Indemnitee), without regard to any rights Indemnitee may have against the Secondary Indemnitors, and (iii) that it irrevocably waives, relinquishes, and releases the Secondary Indemnitors from any and all claims against the Secondary Indemnitors for contribution, subrogation, or any other recovery of any kind in respect thereof. The Company further agrees that no advancement or payment by the Secondary Indemnitors on behalf of Indemnitee with respect to any claim for which Indemnitee has sought indemnification from the Company shall affect the foregoing and the Secondary Indemnitors shall have a right of contribution and/or be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee against the Company. The Company and Indemnitee agree that the Secondary Indemnitors are express third party beneficiaries of the terms of this Section 8(c).

 

(d) Except as provided in Section 8(c), in the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee (other than against the Secondary Indemnitors), who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

(e) Except as provided in Section 8(c), the Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received such payment under any insurance policy, contract, agreement, or otherwise.

 

(f) Except as provided in Section 8(c), the Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee who is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, or agent of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise.

  

9. Exceptions to Right of Indemnification. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnity in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee:

 

(a) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, provided, that the foregoing shall not affect the rights of Indemnitee or the Secondary Indemnitors set forth in Section 8(c);

 

(b) for an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law;

 

(c) in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees, or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation, or (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law;

 

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(d) with respect to remuneration paid to Indemnitee if it is determined by final judgment or other final adjudication that such remuneration was in violation of law (and, in this respect, both the Company and Indemnitee have been advised that the SEC believes that indemnification for liabilities arising under the federal securities laws is against public policy and is, therefore, unenforceable and that claims for indemnification should be submitted to appropriate courts for adjudication, as indicated in the last paragraph of this Section 9);

 

(e) a final judgment or other final adjudication is made that Indemnitee’s conduct was in bad faith, knowingly fraudulent or deliberately dishonest or constituted willful misconduct (but only to the extent of such specific determination);

 

(f) in connection with any claim for reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or pursuant to the Company’s Clawback Policy maintained in accordance with Section 10D of the Exchange Act and the listing requirements of the national securities exchange on which the Company’s securities may be listed from time to time, or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), if Indemnitee is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement); or

 

(g) on account of conduct that is established by a final judgment as constituting a breach of Indemnitee’s duty of loyalty to the Company or resulting in any personal profit or advantage to which Indemnitee is not legally entitled.

 

For purposes of this Section 9, a final judgment or other adjudication may be reached in either the underlying proceeding or action in connection with which indemnification is sought or a separate proceeding or action to establish rights and liabilities under this Agreement.

 

Any provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to indemnify Indemnitee or otherwise act in violation of any undertaking appearing in and required by the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act, or in any registration statement filed with the SEC under the Securities Act. Indemnitee acknowledges that paragraph (h) of Item 512 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Securities Act currently generally requires the Company to undertake, in connection with any registration statement filed under the Securities Act, to submit the issue of the enforceability of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement in connection with any liability under the Securities Act on public policy grounds to a court of appropriate jurisdiction and to be governed by any final adjudication of such issue. Indemnitee specifically agrees that any such undertaking shall supersede the provisions of this Agreement and to be bound by any such undertaking.

 

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10. Duration of Agreement. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period Indemnitee is an officer or director of the Company (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise) and shall continue thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any Proceeding (or any proceeding commenced under Section 7 hereof) by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, whether or not Indemnitee is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), assigns, spouses, heirs, executors, and personal and legal representatives.

 

11. Security. To the extent requested by Indemnitee and approved by the Board, the Company may at any time and from time to time provide security to Indemnitee for the Company’s obligations hereunder through an irrevocable bank line of credit, funded trust, or other collateral. Any such security, once provided to Indemnitee, may not be revoked or released without the prior written consent of the Indemnitee.

 

12. Enforcement.

 

(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumes the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as an officer or director of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as an officer or director of the Company.

 

(b) Other than as provided herein, this Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement supersedes and replaces in its entirety any previous Indemnity Agreement or Indemnification Agreement entered into between the Company and Indemnitee.

 

13. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(a) “Beneficial Owner” has the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Beneficial Owner shall exclude any Person otherwise becoming a Beneficial Owner by reason of the stockholders of the Company approving a merger of the Company with another entity.

 

(b) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(c) “Change in Control” means the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:

 

(i) Acquisition of Stock by Third Party. Any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner (as defined above), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;

 

(ii) Change in Board. During any period of 2 consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (i), (ii), or (iv) of this definition of Change in Control) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a least a majority of the members of the Board;

 

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(iii) Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 51% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the Board or other governing body of such surviving entity;

 

(iv) Liquidation. The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; and

 

(v) Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act, whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

 

(d) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of the Company or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise that such person is or was serving at the express written request of the Company.

 

(e) “Disinterested Director” means a non-executive director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

 

(f) “Enterprise” means the Company and any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise that Indemnitee is or was serving at the express written request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary.

 

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

 

(h) “Expenses” includes all documented and reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, participating, or being or preparing to be a witness in a Proceeding, or responding to, or objecting to, a request to provide discovery in any Proceeding. Expenses also shall include Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding and any federal, state, local, or foreign taxes imposed on the Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersede as bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

 

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(i) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past 5 years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel referred to above and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities, and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto.

 

(j) “Person” for purposes of the definition of Beneficial Owner and Change in Control set forth above, has the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Person shall exclude (i) the Company, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, and (iii) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

 

(k) “Proceeding” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing, or any other actual, threatened, or completed proceeding, whether brought by or in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, in which Indemnitee was, is, or will be involved as a party or otherwise, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was an officer or director of the Company, by reason of any action taken by Indemnitee or of any inaction on Indemnitee’s part while acting as an officer or director of the Company, or by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, agent, or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other Enterprise; in each case whether or not Indemnitee is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement; including one pending on or before the date of this Agreement, but excluding one initiated by an Indemnitee pursuant to Section 7 of this Agreement to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

 

(l) “Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended.

 

(m) “SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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

 

14. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. Further, the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof as to the Indemnitee shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any provision hereof as to the other. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Agreement is intended to confer upon Indemnitee indemnification rights to the fullest extent permitted by applicable laws. In the event any provision hereof conflicts with any applicable law, such provision shall be deemed modified, consistent with the aforementioned intent, to the extent necessary to resolve such conflict.

 

15. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification, termination, or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar) nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

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16. Notice By Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with or otherwise receiving any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information, or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification covered hereunder. The failure to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise unless and only to the extent that such failure or delay materially prejudices the Company.

 

17. Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by confirmed electronic mail or facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not so confirmed, then on the next business day, (c) 5 days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) 1 day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent:

 

  (a) To Indemnitee at the address set forth below Indemnitee’s signature hereto.
     
  (b) To the Company at:
     
    Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc.
    4995 Murphy Canyon Road, Suite 300
    San Diego, CA 92123
    Attention: Chief Executive Officer

 

or to such other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company or to the Company by Indemnitee, as the case may be.

  

18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. This Agreement may also be executed and delivered by facsimile signature, electronic mail (including .pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. Federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument and be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

19. Headings. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

 

20. Governing Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. The Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Court”), and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) appoint, to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, irrevocably National Registered Agents, Inc., 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, New Castle County, as its agent in the State of Delaware for acceptance of legal process in connection with any such action or proceeding against such party with the same legal force and validity as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware, (iv) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (v) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on and as of the day and year first above written.

 

  CONDUIT PHARMACEUTICALS INC.
     
  By:                         
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

  INDEMNITEE
     
     
  Name:
     
  Address:
     
     
     

 

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EXHIBIT 99.1

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OF CONDUIT PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED

 

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations with our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, together with related notes thereto, and unaudited financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2023, together with related notes thereto, included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The discussion and the analysis should also be read together with the section of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus entitled “Business of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited” and the unaudited pro forma combined financial information as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2023, and for the year ended December 31, 2022 (included as Exhibit 99.3 of this Current Report). The following discussion contains forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth under the section titled “Risk factors” or in other parts of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any period in the future. In this section, unless otherwise specified, the terms “we”, “our”, “us” and “Conduit” refer to Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited. All dollar amounts are expressed in thousands of United States dollars (“$”), unless otherwise indicated.

 

Overview

 

Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited formerly SGS Global Limited (“Conduit” or the “Company”) was incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an Exempted Company with Limited Liability in December 2018.

 

We are a clinical-stage specialty biopharmaceutical company that was formed to facilitate the development and commercialization of clinical assets that have not been, or are not being, prioritized by leading biopharmaceutical companies in order to develop pharmaceutical products that meet the unmet medical needs of patients.

 

We are led by highly experienced pharma executives, Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, former Chief Medical Officer of Pfizer Inc., and Dr. David Tapolczay, former Chief Executive Officer of the United Kingdom-based medical research charity LifeArc.

 

Our current development pipeline includes a glucokinase activator, which is Phase II ready in autoimmune diseases including uveitis, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, preterm labor and renal transplant rejection. Our development pipeline also includes a potent, irreversible inhibitor of human Myeloperoxidase (MPO) that has the potential to treat idiopathic male infertility.

 

We have an exclusive relationship and partnership with St George Street Capital (“SGSC”), a biomedical charity based in the United Kingdom. We fund the development of clinical assets that are initially licensed by SGSC from its existing relationship with AstraZeneca AB (PUBL). We conduct clinical trials on the clinical assets that we license from AstraZeneca in collaboration with SGSC. In doing so, we are able to leverage the comprehensive clinical and scientific expertise in order to develop assets through Phase IIb trials in an efficient manner. We expect that successful Phase IIb trials on the assets in our pipeline will increase the value of the assets.

 

Following successful clinical trials, we expect to commercialize the clinical assets in our pipeline through licensing arrangements with larger pharmaceuticals companies, which may include up-front milestone payments and/or royalties during the time at which such clinical asset is subject to patents.

 

We intend to use the income received from licensing our clinical assets to fund the development of additional clinical assets. This will allow us to use the existing income stream from clinical assets that have been licenses to fund our on-going operations without having to rely solely on debt and/or equity financing. We initially intend to focus on assets that have been deprioritized by larger pharmaceuticals companies and that have a high unmet medical need in order to develop these assets through the Phase IIb stage. We also believe that we may be able to apply our business strategy and approach to arrangements to pharmaceutical companies in addition to AstraZeneca.

 

We have incurred significant operating losses since inception. For the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, our net loss was $4.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and we expect to continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future as we continue to invest in a number of research and development programs. As of June 30, 2023, we had an accumulated deficit of $15.4 million.

 

 

 

 

The Merger Agreement and PIPE Financing

 

After a comprehensive review of strategic alternatives, including identifying and reviewing potential candidates for a strategic transaction, on November 8, 2022, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among Conduit, Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp (“MURF”), and Conduit Merger Sub, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of MURF (“Merger Sub”), which, among other things, provides for the merger of Merger Sub with and into Conduit, with Conduit surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of MURF (the “Business Combination”). On September 22, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), we consummated the Business Combination with MURF.

 

Following the Business Combination, MURF will be renamed “Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc.” and will continue as a public company and a registrant with the SEC (“New Conduit”). Conduit and MURF believe that the Business Combination and related proceeds will result in the ability for combined business, through New Conduit, to access the capital markets, increased exposure for the clinical assets that Conduit is currently developing, and an enhanced ability to attract collaboration, partnering and/or license arrangements as more information will be readily available about New Conduit.

 

The Business Combination will be accounted for a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under the reverse recapitalization method, MURF will be treated as the acquired company for financial reporting purposes, and Conduit, the accounting acquirer, will be assumed to have issued shares for the net assets of MURF, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. This determination is primarily based on the following predominant factors: (i) post-closing, our shareholders are expected to have a majority of the voting power of the combined company and ability to elect the members of the combined company Board of Directors; (ii) the on-going operations post-merger will comprise those of Conduit; and (iii) all of the senior management of the combined company except for the Chief Financial Officer will be members of the management of Conduit. The board of directors of each of MURF and Conduit have approved the Business Combination. The completion of the Business Combination, which is expected to occur in the third quarter of 2023, is subject to approval of the shareholders of Conduit and the stockholders of MURF and the satisfaction or waiver of certain other customary closing conditions.

 

Following the completion of the Business Combination and the closing of the PIPE Financing, the most significant change in our future reported financial position and result of operations was an estimated increase in cash (as compared to our balance sheet as of June 30, 2023) to approximately $4.4 million after redemptions, including $20.0 million in gross proceeds from the PIPE Financing. Total direct transaction costs of MURF and Conduit are estimated at approximately $18.5 million, substantially all of which was recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in-capital as costs related to the reverse recapitalization. For additional information refer to the information attached as Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report.

 

Upon the closing of the Business Combination, MURF changed its name to “Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc.” which we refer to as New Conduit and New Conduit is an SEC registrant and its common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “CDT” and its Public Warrants are listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “CDTTW.” As a public company, New Conduit will need to hire additional personnel and implement procedures and processes to address applicable regulatory requirements and customary practices. We expect that New Conduit will incur additional annual expenses as a public company for, among other things, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, director fees and additional internal and external accounting, legal and administrative resources, including increased audit, legal and filing fees.

 

Impact of COVID-19, the Russia and Ukraine Conflict, and Global Economic Conditions

 

As a result of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic uncertainties have arisen which may negatively affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. We have assessed that the COVID-19 pandemic has not so far had a material or direct impact on our operations or financial position. Nevertheless, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have implemented measures to protect employees and take social responsibilities while at the same time attempting to limit any negative effects on our business.

 

The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve as of the date of this Current Report. As such, the full magnitude of the pandemic’s effect on our financial condition, liquidity and future results of operations is uncertain. Management continues to actively monitor our financial condition, liquidity, operations, suppliers, industry and workforce. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Conduit’s Business and Industry—We may in the future be adversely affected by continuation or worsening of the global COVID-19 pandemic, its various strains or future pandemics.”

 

 

 

 

Due to the pandemic, all clinical trials in the United Kingdom that were not related to COVID-19 were put on hiatus for significant portions of the year ended December 31, 2021. As a result, during the hiatus, the Company shifted its activities to focus on clinical trials related to COVID-19. The hiatus on clinical trials not related to COVID-19 was lifted at the end of the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has caused major macroeconomic disruptions that have impacted the global trade and economies. As such increasing inflation around the globe has forced national banks to increase their interest rates, consequently impacting interest yields around the globe. We have assessed the impact of these measures and concluded that as of today, no material impact has been identified on our business or our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

Key Component of Result of Operations

 

Operating Expenses

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs incurred in connection with the research and development of our product candidates and programs. We expense research and development costs and intangible assets acquired that have no alternative future use as incurred. These expenses include:

 

personnel-related expenses, including salaries, bonuses, benefits and stock-based compensation for employees engaged in research and development functions;
   
expenses incurred in connection with the clinical development and regulatory approval of our product candidates, including under agreements with third parties, such as consultants, contractors and CROs;
   
license fees with no alternative use; and
   
other expenses related to research and development.

 

We expense research and development costs as incurred. Advance payments that we make for goods or services to be received in the future for use in research and development activities are recorded as prepaid expenses. The prepaid amounts are expensed as the benefits are consumed.

 

To date, we do not track our research and development expenses on a program-by-program basis as we only worked on one program related to COVID-19 treatment. Moving forward, we do not expect further research and development expense for clinical research into COVID-19 as we explore broader applications of our research to date. Our direct external research and development expenses consist primarily of external costs, such as fees paid to outside consultants, CROs, CMOs and research laboratories in connection with our preclinical development, process development, manufacturing and clinical development activities. We do not allocate employee costs, costs associated with our discovery efforts, laboratory supplies, and facilities, including depreciation or other indirect costs, to specific programs because these costs are deployed across multiple programs and, as such, are not separately classified. We use internal resources primarily to conduct its research and discovery as well as for managing its preclinical development, process development, manufacturing and clinical development activities. These employees work across multiple programs and, therefore, we do not track their costs by program.

 

Research and development activities have historically been central to our business model. We anticipate that our research and development expenses will increase for the foreseeable future in connection with our planned clinical development activities.

 

 

 

 

At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate or know the nature, timing and costs of the efforts that would be necessary to complete the preclinical and clinical development of any of our product candidates or when, if ever, material net cash inflows may commence from any of our product candidates. The successful development and commercialization of any of our product candidates is highly uncertain. This uncertainty is due to the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with product development and commercialization, including the uncertainty of the following:

 

the scope, progress, timing, outcome and costs of any continued preclinical development activities, clinical trials and other related development activities;
   
delays, suspensions, or other setbacks or interruptions encountered, including as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic;
   
successful patient enrollment in and the initiation and completion of any clinical trials;
   
the timing, receipt and terms of any marketing approvals from applicable regulatory authorities including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and non-U.S. regulatory authorities;
   
the extent of any required post-marketing approval commitments to applicable regulatory authorities;
   
establishing clinical and commercial manufacturing capabilities or making arrangements with third-party manufacturers in order to ensure that us or our third-party manufacturers are able to make and scale our products successfully;
   
development and timely delivery of clinical-grade and commercial-grade drug formulations that can be used in Gemini’s clinical trials and for commercial launch;
   
obtaining, maintaining, defending and enforcing patent claims and other intellectual property rights;
   
significant and changing government regulation;
   
launching commercial sales of Gemini’s product candidates, if and when approved, whether alone or in collaboration with others; and
   
maintaining a continued acceptable safety profile of Gemini’s product candidates following approval, if any, of Gemini’s product candidates.

 

A change in any of these variables with respect to any of Gemini’s programs would significantly change the costs, timing and viability associated with that program.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses consist of salaries and other related costs, legal fees relating to intellectual property and corporate matters, professional fees for accounting, auditing, tax and consulting services, insurance costs, travel, and other operating costs.

 

We anticipate that our general and administrative expenses will increase substantially for the foreseeable future as we increase our administrative headcount to operate as a public company and as we advance product candidates through clinical development. We also will incur additional expenses as a result of operating as a public company, including expenses related to compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and the Nasdaq listing rules, additional insurance expenses, investor relations activities and other administrative and professional services. In addition, if regulatory approval is obtained for product candidates, we expect to incur expenses associated with building a sales and marketing team.

 

Other Expense

 

Other expense consists of proceeds from the sale of equity securities, unrealized foreign currency transaction loss, loss on the change in fair value of convertible notes, write-off of long-term debt- related party, donations to a related party and commission on the placement of equity securities.

 

 

 

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table set forth our results of operations for the periods indicated:

 

   Six months ended June 30, 
(In thousands, except share and per share data)  2023   2022 
Operating expenses:          
Research and development expenses  $-   $- 
General and administrative expenses   3,725    553 
Funding expenses   -    - 
Total operating expenses   3,725    553 
Loss from operations   (3,725)   (553)
Other expense:          
Other expense, net   (948)   (307)
Total other expense, net   (948)   (307)
Net loss  $(4,673)  $(860)
Foreign currency translation adjustment   (646)   661 
Net comprehensive loss  $(5,319)  $(199)

 

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022

 

General and administrative expenses

 

   Six months ended June 30,   Change 
(In thousands)  2023   2022   Amount   % 
General and administrative expenses  $3,725   $553   $3,172    574%

 

General and administrative expenses increased by $3.2 million, or 574%, to $3.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to $0.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The increase was primarily driven by an increase of $1.8 million in listing fees, a $1.0 million loss upon the issuance of the Vela option and $0.4 million in travel expenses.

 

 

 

 

Other expense, net

 

   Six months ended June 30,   Change 
(In thousands)  2023   2022   Amount   % 
Other expense  $(948)  $(307)  $(641)   209%

 

Other expense changed by $0.6 million, or 209%, to other expense of $0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2023, as compared to other expense, net for $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022. The change was driven primarily by an increase of $1.0 million on the loss incurred through the issuance of the Vela option and a $0.3 million increase in the loss on the change in fair value of convertible notes payable, partially offset by a gain of $0.3 million on the change in fair value of the Cizzle option, a gain of $0.1 million on the change in fair value of the Vela option and a decrease in the loss on the sale of equity securities of $0.3 million.

 

For further details refer to Note 11 – Other Expense in the unaudited financial statements as of June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022 included as Exhibit 99.3 to this Current Report.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Management assesses liquidity in terms of our ability to generate cash to fund operating, investing and financing activities. Since our inception, and in line with our growth strategy, we have prepared our financial statements assuming we will continue as a going concern. Since our inception, we have incurred net losses and experienced negative cash flows from operations. To date, our primary sources of capital have been through private placements of equity securities and convertible debt. During the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, we had net losses of $4.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we incurred net losses of $4.9 million and $3.7 million, respectively. We expect to incur additional losses and higher operating expenses for the foreseeable future as we continue to invest in research and development programs. We have determined that additional financing will be required to fund our operations for the next 12 months and our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon obtaining additional capital and financing, including through the completion of the Business Combination. In the fourth quarter of 2022 the Company approved approximately $3 million of Convertible Notes, of which approximately $1.9 million was issued and funded in full.

 

Sources and Uses of Liquidity

 

Our primary uses of cash are to fund our operations as we continue to grow our business. We will require a significant amount of cash for expenditures as we invest in ongoing research and development and business operations. Until such time as we can generate significant revenue from commercialization of our product, we expect to finance our cash needs for ongoing research and development and business operations through public or private equity or debt financings or other capital sources, including strategic partnerships. However, we may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such other arrangements, when needed, on favorable terms or at all. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of our shareholders will be, or could be, diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our common shareholders. Debt financing and equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, or substantially reduce research and development efforts. While the Company believes in the viability of its ability to raise additional funds, there can be no assurances to that effect. There is currently no public market for the Company’s ordinary shares. These matters raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of twelve months from the issue date of this report. These financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern and do not include adjustments to reflect the possible effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

 

 

 

Cash Requirements

 

Our material cash requirements include the following contractual and other obligations.

 

2021 Convertible Notes

 

Between June 2021 and October 2022 we issued an aggregate principal amount of $1.2 million of convertible notes to various investors.

 

The convertible notes issuable under the 2021 Convertible Loan Note Instrument mature three years after issuance to the respective noteholders and bear 5% interest, only to be paid to the noteholders in the event we effect a material breach. In the event of a Change of Control, the convertible notes issued under the 2021 Convertible Loan Note Instrument automatically convert into ordinary shares of our common stock. We may prepay the convertible notes payable without penalty. The convertible notes are general, unsecured obligations.

 

2022 Convertible Notes

 

Between November 2022 and February 2023 we issued an aggregate principal amount of $1.8 million of convertible notes to various investors and a related party.

 

The convertible notes issuable under the 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument mature three years after issuance to the respective noteholders and bear 5% interest, only to be paid to the noteholders in the event we effect a material breach. In the event of a Change of Control, the convertible notes issued under the 2021 Convertible Loan Note Instrument automatically convert into ordinary shares of our common stock. We may prepay the convertible notes payable without penalty. The convertible notes are general, unsecured obligations.

 

Promissory Convertible Note

 

In March 2023, we issued an aggregate principal amount of $0.8 million convertible promissory note payable to an investor.

 

The promissory convertible note matures and is payable in full 18 months from the date of the note. The note carries 20% interest and is payable every six (6) months from the date of the note until the maturity date. The note is subject to conversion of MURF common stock upon completion of the Business Combination prior to the maturity date.

 

As of June 30, 2023 the aggregate principal amount of our convertible notes was $3.7 million. For additional information regarding our convertible notes, see Notes 2 and 5 of the notes to the unaudited financial statements.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

We currently anticipate that cash required for capital expenditures for the next 12 months is approximately $6.9 million, which includes accrued expenses of $3.7 million and a note payable of $0.2 million that matures within the next 12 months. We do not anticipate being able to fund required capital expenditures for the next 12 months with cash and cash equivalents on hand as we have a history of limited cash on hand. Management believes that we will be able to fund cash required for the next 12 months through the issuance of existing convertible loan note instruments and the issuance of new convertible loan note instruments. We have historically been able to access funds through the issuance of our convertible notes and believe we can continue to obtain funding through these debt financing agreements as needed to meet cash requirements for the next 12 months.

 

Our future capital requirements and the adequacy of available funds will depend on many factors, including those set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Conduit’s Business and Industry.”

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows

 

The following table set forth our cash flows for the period indicated (in thousands):

 

   Six months ended June 30, 
   2023   2022 
Net cash (used in) provided by:          
Operating Activities  $(2,398)  $(934)
Investing Activities    (332 )   - 
Financing Activities    2,724     974 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   6    (1)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents  $-   $39 

 

Cash Flows (Used) Provided by Operating Activities

 

Net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $2.4 million, resulting primarily from a net loss of $4.7 million, adjusted for non-cash charges of $1.3 million and working capital adjustments of $1.0 million.

 

Net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $0.9 million, resulting primarily from a net loss of $0.9 million, adjusted for non-cash charges of $0.3 million and working capital adjustments of $0.4 million.

 

Cash Flows (Used) Provided by Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $0.3 million resulting from the issuance of a loan to a related party of $0.3 million.

 

Cash Flows (Used) Provided by Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $2.7 million, resulting from the issuance of our convertible debt of $1.4 million, an option fee received from Vela of $0.5 million and proceeds from the issuance of a promissory convertible note payable of $0.8 million.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $0.9 million resulting from the sale equity securities received from the sale of future revenue of $0.9 million and proceeds from the issuance of notes payable of $0.1 million.

 

Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments

 

As of June 30, 2023, we had no non-cancellable commitments for the purchase of clinical materials, contract manufacturing, maintenance and committed funding which we expect to pay within one year.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments

 

Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which we have prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates are based on several factors including the facts and circumstances available at the time the estimates are made, historical experience, risk of loss, general economic conditions and trends and the assessment of the probable future outcome. Subjective and significant estimates include, but are not limited to, research and development accruals. These estimates and assumptions are most significant where they involve levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or matters susceptible to change, and where they can have a material impact on our financial statements and operating performance. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically and the effects of changes, if any, are reflected in the statements of operations in the period that they are determined.

 

We believe that the accounting policies described below involve a significant degree of judgment and complexity. Accordingly, we believe these are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our financial condition and results of operations. For further information, refer to Note 1 “Nature of the Business and Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our financial statements included as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report.

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is to be determined based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. In determining fair value, the Company used various valuation approaches. A fair value hierarchy has been established for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company.

 

Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumption about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels, based on the inputs, as follows:

 

Level 1—Valuations based on quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these instruments does not entail a significant degree of judgment.
   
Level 2— Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for either similar instruments in active markets, identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, or model-derived valuations whose inputs or significant value drivers are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
   
Level 3—Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable. These valuations require significant judgment.

 

The Company’s Level 1 assets consist of cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying balance sheets and the value of accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities.

 

As of June 30, 2023, the Company has three financial liabilities, a convertible note and two liabilities for the Cizzle (the “Cizzle option”) and Vela options (the “Vela option”) that are adjusted to fair value on a recurring basis for which the fair value is determined based on Level 3 inputs as such inputs are not readily observable. For further information, refer to Notes 2 “Fair Value”, 4”Liability Related to the Sale of Future Revenue” and 5 “Convertible Notes Payable” to our financial statements included as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report.

 

Investments in Equity Securities

 

Investments in the equity securities of Cizzle that have a readily determinable fair value are reported at fair value. Changes in fair value between accounting periods are recorded in other income, net, in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Realized gains or losses upon sale are recorded in other income, net, in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss. We assess the fair value of our equity securities periodically, a large fluctuation in the fair value of the shares may lead to a material adjustment of our investment in equity securities.

 

 

 

 

Cizzle Option Agreement

 

We account for the Cizzle option at fair value in order to measure the liability at an amount that more accurately reflects the current economic environment in which we operate. We recorded the convertible notes at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings at each reporting period through settlement. The significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the option liability involved inherent uncertainties and the application of significant judgment and included the time to maturity and the underlying asset price based on the probability of the Covid Asset successfully moving from Phase I to Phase II. The sensitivity of these inputs to the fair value of the convertible notes is assessed on a periodic basis.

 

The fair value of the option liability was estimated using the Black-Scholes-Merton Model, where the value of the Cizzle option was estimated based on an analysis of six inputs. Valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected volatility of the underlying asset. If any of the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes-Merton Model changes significantly, the option liability may differ materially from that recorded in the current period.

 

Fair Value Option for Convertible Notes

 

We elected to account for our convertible notes at fair value in order to measure those liabilities at amounts that more accurately reflect the current economic environment in which we operate. We recorded the convertible notes at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings at each reporting period through settlement. The fair value of the convertible notes was determined using a probability-weighted income approach as the convertible notes contained various settlement outcomes. The significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the convertible notes involved inherent uncertainties and the application of significant judgment, and included the time to maturity and the probability of the various settlement outcomes. The sensitivity of these inputs to the fair value of the convertible notes is assessed on a periodic basis.

 

Fair values of the derivative liabilities related to the convertible notes were estimated using a probability-weighted expected return method, where the values of various instruments were estimated based on an analysis of future values of our business, assuming various future outcomes. The resulting instruments’ values were based upon the probability-weighted present value of expected future investment returns, considering each of the possible future outcomes available to us, as well as the economic benefits attributable to each class of instruments. The expected future investment returns were estimated using a variety of methodologies, including both the market approach and the income approach, where an observable quoted market does not exist, and were generally classified as Level 3. Such methodologies included reviewing values ascribed to our most recent financing, comparing the subject instrument with similar instruments of publicly traded companies in similar lines of business, and reviewing our underlying financial performance and subject instrument, including estimating discounted cash flows. If any of the assumptions used in the probability-weighted expected return method changes significantly, the convertible notes may differ materially from that recorded in the current period.

 

Functional Currency

 

Transaction amounts denominated in foreign currencies are translated into their U.S. dollar equivalents at exchange rates prevailing at the transaction dates. Foreign currency gains and losses on transactions or settlements are recognized in the statement of loss and comprehensive loss. Our functional currency of is the British pound sterling. Assets and liabilities are translated at the period end foreign exchange rate and revenue and expenses are translated at the average rate for the period.

 

The financial statements are translated into U.S. dollars with assets and liabilities translated at the current rate on the financial statements date and revenue and expense items translated at the average rates for the period. Translation adjustments are recorded as accumulated other comprehensive loss in shareholders’ deficit.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

A discussion of recent accounting pronouncements is included in Note 1 - Nature of the Business and Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our financial statements included as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report.

 

 

 

 

Qualitative and quantitative disclosures about market risk

 

We are exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates. As of June 30, 2023, we had an immaterial cash balance. Our primary exposure to market risk is interest rate sensitivity, which is affected by changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates. Due to the low interest rates available on cash investments and the immaterial amount of cash as of June 30, 2023, we believe an immediate 10% change in interest rates would not have a material effect on our operating results until maturity, and therefore, we would not expect our operating results or cash flows to be affected to any significant degree by the effect of a change in market interest rates on our investment portfolio.

 

We are currently exposed to market risk related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates; however, we do contract with vendors that are located primarily in the United Kingdom and may be subject to fluctuations in foreign currency rates. We may enter into additional contracts with vendors located outside the United States in the future, which may increase our foreign currency exchange risk. We do not believe that foreign currency risk had a material effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations during the periods presented.

 

We do not believe that inflation had a significant impact on our results of operations for any periods presented in our financial statements. Nonetheless, if our costs were to become subject to significant inflationary pressures, we may not be able to fully offset such higher costs, and our inability or failure to do so could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Emerging Growth Company Status and Smaller Reporting Company Status

 

In April 2012, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, was enacted. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” may take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. Therefore, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. New Conduit has elected to avail itself of this extended transition period and, as a result, New Conduit will not adopt new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for other public companies. In addition, as an emerging growth company, New Conduit may take advantage of certain reduced disclosure and other requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. New Conduit will take advantage of these exemptions until such earlier time that it is no longer an emerging growth company. New Conduit would cease to be an emerging growth company on the date that is the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the completion of this offering; (ii) the last day of the fiscal year in which its total annual gross revenue is equal to or more than $1.235 billion; (iii) the date on which it has issued more than $1.0 billion in nonconvertible debt during the previous three years; or (iv) the date on which it is deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

In addition, New Conduit will be a smaller reporting company as defined in the Exchange Act. New Conduit may continue to be a smaller reporting company even after we are no longer an emerging growth company. New Conduit may take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies and will be able to take advantage of these scaled disclosures for so long as (i) New Conduit’s voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter or (ii) New Conduit’s annual revenue is less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and its voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700.0 million measured on the last business day of its second fiscal quarter.

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 99.2

 

INDEX TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited:   Page(s)
Condensed Balance Sheets   2
Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss   3
Condensed Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Deficit   4
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows   5
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements   6

 

1

 

 

CONDUIT PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED

BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited, in thousands, except share amounts)

 

   As of June 30,   As of December 31, 
   2023   2022 
Assets          
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $-   $- 
Total current assets   -    - 
Intangible assets – research and development   5    5 
Total assets  $5   $5 
Liabilities and shareholders’ deficit          
Current liabilities:          
Accrued professional fees  $3,681   $2,246 
Accrued payroll and other current liabilities   51    338 
Option liability   2,624    1,417 
Total current liabilities   6,356    4,001 
Convertible notes payable, carried at fair value   3,740    1,835 
Deferred revenue   4,288    4,083 
Convertible promissory note payable, carried at cost   845    - 
Notes payable   184    175 
Total liabilities   15,413    10,094 
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9)          
Ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 (£0.0001) per share; 400,000,000 shares authorized; 2,000 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively   -    - 
Accumulated deficit   (15,437)   (10,764)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   29    675 
Total shareholders’ deficit   (15,408)   (10,089)
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit  $5   $5 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.

 

2

 

 

CONDUIT PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(unaudited, in thousands, except share amounts and per share data)

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2023   2022 
Operating expenses:          
General and administrative expenses  $3,725   $553 
Total operating expenses   3,725    553 
Loss from operation   (3,725)   (553)
Other expense, net:          
Other expense, net   (948)   (307)
Total other expense, net   (948)   (307)
Net loss  $(4,673)  $(860)
Net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders – basic and diluted  $(2,337)  $(860)
Weighted-average shares outstanding used in calculating net loss per share – basic and diluted   2,000    1,000 
Comprehensive income (loss):          
Foreign currency translation adjustment   (646)   661 
Total comprehensive loss  $(5,319)  $(199)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.

 

3

 

 

CONDUIT PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

(unaudited, in thousands, except share amounts)

 

    Ordinary shares     Accumulated     Accumulated other comprehensive     Total shareholders’  
    Shares     Amount     deficit     income     deficit  
Balance at January 1, 2022     1,000     $          -     $ (5,877 )   $ (65 )   $ (5,942 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment     -       -       -                 661                        661  
Net loss     -       -       (860 )     -       (860 )
Balance at June 30, 2022     1,000     $ -     $ (6,737 )   $ 596     $ (6,141 )

 

   Ordinary shares   Accumulated   Accumulated other comprehensive   Total shareholders’ 
   Shares   Amount   deficit   income   deficit 
Balance at January 1, 2023   2,000   $         -   $(10,764)  $675   $(10,089)
Foreign currency translation adjustment   -    -    -              (646)                    (646)
Net loss   -    -    (4,673)   -    (4,673)
Balance at June 30, 2023   2,000   $-   $(15,437)  $29   $(15,408)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.

 

4

 

 

CONDUIT PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited, in thousands)

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2023   2022 
Cash flows from operating activities          
Net Loss  $(4,673)  $(860)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows from operating activities:          
Gain on sale of equity securities   -    (36)
Loss on issuance and change in fair value of option liabilities   610    - 
Loss on equity securities receivable   -    309 
Change in fair value of convertible notes payable   303    30 
Change in reserve for uncollectible loan   332    - 
Interest expense on convertible promissory note payable   44    - 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities   986    (377)
Net cash flows used in operating activities   (2,398)   (934)
Cash flows from investing activities          
Proceeds from issuance of option        - 
Issuance of loan – related party   (332)   - 
Net cash flows provided by investing activities    (332 )   - 
Cash flows from financing activities          
Issuance of convertible promissory note payable, carried at cost   776    - 
Issuance of convertible notes payable, carried at fair value   1,455    - 
Proceeds from issuance of option    493       
Proceeds from notes payable   -    117 
Proceeds from sale of equity securities   -    857 
Net cash flows provided by financing activities    2,724     974 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents before effect of exchange rates   (6)   40 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   6    (1)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   -    39 
Cash and cash equivalents, at beginning of period  $-   $- 
Cash and cash equivalents, ending  $-   $39 
Supplemental schedule of noncash financing activities          
FV of shares received and receivable related to the sale of future revenue  $-   $1,546 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.

 

5

 

 

CONDUIT PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Nature of the Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited, formerly known as SGS Global Limited (“Conduit” or the “Company”), was incorporated in the Cayman Islands as an exempted company in December 2018.

 

Conduit is a clinical-stage specialty biopharmaceutical company that was formed to facilitate the development and commercialization of clinical assets that have not been, or are not being, prioritized by leading biopharmaceutical companies in order to develop pharmaceutical products that meet the unmet medical needs of patients.

 

The Company’s current development pipeline includes a glucokinase activator, which is Phase II ready in autoimmune diseases including uveitis, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, preterm labor and renal transplant rejection. The Company’s development pipeline also includes a potent, irreversible inhibitor of human Myeloperoxidase (MPO) that has the potential to treat idiopathic male infertility.

 

Merger Agreement

 

On September 22, 2023 (the “Closing Date”), the Company and Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp (“MURF”) consummated the Business Combination. In connection with the Business Combination, MURF changed its name from Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp. to Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, a wholly owned subsidiary of Murphy merged with the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving company and therefore becoming, upon closing of the Business Combination, a wholly owned subsidiary of Murphy.

 

The Business Combination was accounted for a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under the reverse recapitalization method, MURF was treated as the acquired company for financial reporting purposes, and the Company, the accounting acquirer, was assumed to have issued shares of stock for the net assets of MURF, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. This determination is primarily based on the following predominant factors: (i) post-closing, the Company’s shareholders are expected to have a majority of the voting power of the combined company and ability to elect the members of the combined company’s Board of Directors (“Board”); (ii) the on-going operations post-merger will comprise those of Conduit; and (iii) all of the senior management of the combined company, except for the Chief Financial Officer, will be members of the management of the Company. As a result of the Business Combination, MURF will be renamed “Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc.” The board of directors of each MURF and Conduit have each approved the Business Combination.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The functional currency of the Company is the British pound sterling. The accompanying financial statements are reported in United States Dollars, the reporting currency of the Company. Operating results for the six months ended June 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected through December 31, 2023. The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Registration Statement.

 

Liquidity and Going Concern

 

Since its inception, and in line with its growth strategy, the Company has prepared its financial statements assuming it will continue as a going concern. As of June 30, 2023, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $15.4 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022, the Company had net losses of $4.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and cash used in operating activities of $2.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively. To date, the Company has not generated sufficient liquidity to fund its operations and has relied on funding through a combination of debt and equity financing. The Company has determined additional financing will be required to fund its operations for the next twelve months and the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon obtaining such additional financing.

 

6

 

 

As further discussed in Note 5 – Convertible Notes Payable, in the fourth quarter of 2022 the Company approved approximately $3.7 million of Convertible Notes, of which approximately $1.9 million was issued and funded in full through the date of issuance of the financial statements. Additionally, as further discussed in the preceding section, on November 8, 2022, the Company entered into a definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger with Merger Sub and MURF, that included a private placement of an aggregate amount of $20 million of MURF’s shares of common stock which will be settled upon closing (referred to as the “PIPE”).

 

The Company has raised and plans on raising further funds as set out above including through the above-mentioned convertible debt as well as through the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the related PIPE transaction. There is currently no public market for the Company’s ordinary shares. While the Company believes in the viability of its ability to raise additional funds, there can be no assurances to that effect. These matters raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of twelve months from the issue date of this report. These financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern and do not include adjustments to reflect the possible effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

Risks and Uncertainties

 

The Company is subject to risks common to companies in the pharmaceutical industry including, but not limited to, uncertainties related to commercialization of competitor products, regulatory approvals, dependence on key products, dependence on key customers and suppliers, and protection of intellectual property rights. Clinical assets currently under development will require significant additional research and development efforts, including extensive preclinical and clinical testing and regulatory approval prior to commercialization. These efforts will require significant amounts of additional capital, adequate personnel, infrastructure, and extensive compliance and reporting capabilities. Even if the Company’s efforts are successful, it is uncertain when, if ever, the Company will realize significant revenue from product sales.

 

In addition, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) a global pandemic. The pandemic has been a highly disruptive economic and societal event that remains unpredictable. Its duration and extent continue to be dependent on various developments, such as the emergence of variants to the virus that may cause additional strains of COVID-19, the administration and ultimate effectiveness of vaccines, and the eventual timeline to achieve a sufficient level of herd immunity among the general population. Accordingly, the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to have negative effects on the health of the U.S. and other economies for the foreseeable future.

 

As this crisis has unfolded, the Company has continued to monitor conditions and adapt its operations to meet federal, state, and local standards. The Company cannot predict the duration or severity of the COVID-19 pandemic or its ultimate impact on the broader economy or the Company’s operations and liquidity.

 

Due to the pandemic, all clinical trials in the United Kingdom that were not related to COVID-19 were put on hiatus for significant portions of the six months ended June 30, 2022. As a result, during the hiatus, the Company shifted its activities to focus on clinical trials related to COVID-19.

 

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents are primarily maintained with major financial institutions in the United Kingdom and Switzerland. The Company considers cash equivalents to be short-term, highly liquid investments that (a) are readily convertible into known amounts of cash, (b) are traded and held for cash management purposes, and (c) have original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase. The Switzerland bank accounts holding cash balances are uninsured. The Company has not experienced any losses on this account through the period ended June 30, 2023.

 

The Company did not hold any cash equivalents as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

 

7

 

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates are based on several factors including the facts and circumstances available at the time the estimates are made, historical experience, risk of loss, general economic conditions and trends, and the assessment of the probable future outcome. Subjective and significant estimates include, but are not necessarily limited to, the inputs used to determine the fair value of convertible notes payable, the Cizzle and Vela options and the amount to reserve for the related party loan receivable. Actual results could differ materially from such estimates. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically by management and changes in estimates are made as management becomes aware of changes in circumstances surrounding the estimates. The effects of changes are reflected in the financial statements in the period that they are determined.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is to be determined based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. In determining fair value, the Company used various valuation approaches. A fair value hierarchy has been established for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company.

 

Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumption about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels, based on the inputs, as follows:

 

  Level 1—Valuations based on quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these instruments does not entail a significant degree of judgment.
  Level 2— Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for either similar instruments in active markets, identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, or model-derived valuations whose inputs or significant value drivers are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
  Level 3—Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable. These valuations require significant judgment.

 

The Company’s Level 1 assets consist of cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying balance sheets and the value of accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities.

 

As of June 30, 2023, the Company has two financial liabilities, convertible notes that are adjusted to fair value on a recurring basis as well as two option liabilities for which the fair value is determined based on Level 3 inputs as such inputs are not readily observable. See Note 2, Note 4 and Note 5 for further information on the Company’s financial liability held at fair value.

 

Research and Development and Funding

 

Research and development expenses consist primarily of costs incurred in connection with the research and development of our product candidates and programs. Funding expenses consist primarily of costs incurred in connection with the Company providing funding to St George Street Capital (“SGSC”) to carry out its research and development activities. SGSC holds all licenses to conduct clinical research through third party pharmaceutical companies. The Company expenses research and development costs and intangible assets acquired that have no alternative future use as incurred. These expenses include:

 

  expenses incurred under agreements with organizations that support the Company’s drug discovery and development activities;
  expenses incurred in connection with the preclinical and clinical development of the Company’s product candidates and programs, including under agreements with contract research organizations, or CROs;
  costs related to contract manufacturing organizations, or CMOs, that are primarily engaged to provide drug substance and product for our clinical trials, research and development programs, as well as investigative sites and consultants that conduct the Company’s clinical trials, nonclinical studies and other scientific development services;

 

8

 

 

  the costs of acquiring and manufacturing nonclinical and clinical trial materials, including manufacturing registration and validation batches;
  employee-related expenses, including salaries, related benefits and equity-based compensation expense, for employees engaged in research and development functions;
  costs related to compliance with quality and regulatory requirements;
  payments made under third-party licensing agreements; and
  direct and allocated costs related to facilities, information technology, personnel and other overhead.

 

Advance payments that we make for goods or services to be received in the future for use in research and development activities are recorded as prepaid expenses. Such amounts are recognized as an expense as the goods are delivered or consumed or the related services are performed, or until it is no longer expected that the goods will be delivered, or the services rendered.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related costs for personnel in executive management, finance, corporate and business development, and administrative functions. General and administrative expenses also include legal fees relating to patent and corporate matters; professional fees for accounting, auditing, tax, and administrative consulting services; insurance costs; administrative travel expenses and other operating costs

 

The Company has incurred increased accounting, audit, legal, regulatory, compliance and director and officer insurance costs as well as investor and public relations expenses associated with being a public company. The Company anticipates that its general and administrative expenses will increase in the future as it increases its headcount to support the development of its product candidates and programs and with continued research and development activities.

 

Income Taxes

 

ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, sets forth standards for financial presentation and disclosure of income tax liabilities and expense. Interest and penalties recognized have been classified in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss as income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating losses carried forward. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the statements of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance for any tax benefits of which future realization is uncertain.

 

The Company is exempt from income tax in the Cayman Islands.

 

Net Loss per Ordinary Share Attributable to Ordinary Shareholders

 

The Company calculates net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders – basic and diluted using the two-class method under ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share. Basic net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders is computed by dividing the net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders by the number of weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders is computed by adjusting net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders to reallocate undistributed earnings based on the potential impact of any dilutive securities. Diluted net loss per share attributable to ordinary shareholders is computed by dividing the diluted net loss attributable to ordinary shareholders by the number of weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding for the period including potential dilutive ordinary shares. All potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from the diluted net loss per share calculations for the periods ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022, respectively, as the assumed issuance of all such potentially dilutive shares would have had an anti-dilutive effect.

 

9

 

 

Investments in Equity Securities

 

Investments in equity securities that have a readily determinable fair value are reported at fair value. Changes in fair value between accounting periods are recorded in other expense, net, in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Realized gains or losses upon sale are recorded in other expense, net, in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company did not hold any available for sale or trading securities at the period ended June 30, 2023 or at the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization include a developed patent. The Company qualitatively evaluates intangible assets for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not the carrying amount of intangible assets may excess their implied fair values. The company recorded an immaterial amount for the intangible asset and an immaterial amount of amortization expense for the periods ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, no indicators of impairment of the intangible asset were identified.

 

Related Party Loan

 

The loan made to a related party is stated at the principal amount of $0.7 million and $0.6 million outstanding at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The Company recorded an allowance in full of $0.7 million and $0.6 million for potential loan losses, resulting in no balance on the face of the balance sheet as of the period ended June 30, 2023 and year ended December 31, 2022, respectively. The loan carries no interest, and as such, no interest receivable is recorded. The Company has recorded a full reserve against the loan as the related party did not have the ability to repay the loans as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. The Company will analyze the reserve periodically to determine whether an adjustment to the allowance is appropriate.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

Monetary assets and liabilities in the functional currency, the British pound, are re-measured into the reporting currency at the rates of exchange prevailing at the reporting date. Income and expense transactions in the functional currency are re-measured into the reporting currency at the average exchange rate prevailing during the reporting period. Non-monetary items in functional currency are re-measured into the reporting currency at the historical exchange rate (i.e., the rate of exchange at the date of the transaction). The gains or losses resulting from foreign currency translation are included in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

Emerging Growth Company Status

 

The Company is an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards issued subsequent to the enactment of the JOBS Act until such time as those standards apply to private companies. The Company has elected to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date that: (i) is no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opts out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, these financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with the new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.

 

If the Business Combination were to be consummated, the surviving company will remain an emerging growth company, as defined by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups act of 2012, until the earliest of (i) the last day of the combined entity’s first fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of MURF’s initial public offering, (ii) the last day of the fiscal year in which the combined entity has total annual gross revenue of at least $1.235 billion, (iii) the last day of the fiscal year in which the combined entity is deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of the combined entity’s common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of the prior December 31st or (iv) the date on which the combined entity has issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three year period.

 

10

 

 

2. Fair Value

 

The following table presents as of June 30, 2023 the Company’s liabilities subject to measurement at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

 

   Fair Value Measurements as of June 30, 2023 
In thousands  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Liabilities:                    
Convertible notes payable  $-   $-   $3,740   $3,740 
Option liability  $     -   $      -   $2,624   $2,624 
Total Liabilities  $-   $-   $6,364   $6,364 

 

The following table presents as of December 31, 2022 the Company’s liabilities subject to measurement at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

 

   Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2022 
In thousands  Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Liabilities:                
Convertible notes payable  $-   $-   $1,835   $1,835 
Option liability  $     -   $        -   $1,417   $1,417 
Total Liabilities  $-   $-   $3,252   $3,252 

 

The following table presents additional information about the convertible notes payable subject to measurement at fair value on a recurring basis for which the Company used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in thousands):

 

   Amount 
Balance as of December 31, 2022  $1,835 
Issuance of debt   1,459 
Change in fair value   303 
Foreign currency exchange impact   143 
Balance as of June 30, 2023  $3,740 

 

The convertible notes payable were valued using the fair value option and are considered Level 3 measured instruments. See Note 5 for additional information. Due to the embedded derivatives included in the convertible notes payable, the Company elected to use the fair value option. The fair value was determined based upon a probability-weighted present value approach under three scenarios that consider the provisions of the convertible notes payable. The following table outlines the range of significant unobservable inputs as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively:

 

   Assumption 
Unobservable input - Change of control  2023   2022 
Probabilities of conversion provisions   10 - 90%   10 - 90%
Estimated timing of conversion   0.19 - 1.34 years    0.25 - 1.41 years 
Time period to maturity   1.34 years    1.41 years 
Risk-adjusted discount rate   7.8%   6.1%

 

Cizzle Option Liability

 

The option liability was valued using public market research to determine the probability of success that similar studies in the respiratory and cardiovascular disease areas and a Black-Scholes pricing model. In reviewing the public market research, the Company determined the phase transition success rates for trials similar to the Covid Asset from Phase I to Phase II was 52.7%. In applying this rate to the sale of future revenue consideration realized , the Company determined the total underlying Covid Asset values to be $2.9 million. The Company used the underlying Covid Asset value within a Black-Scholes model to determine the fair value was $1.2 million and $1.4 million at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. In accordance with ASC 815, the fair value of the option will be remeasured at the end of each reporting period, with changes in fair value recorded to the statement of operations and total comprehensive loss. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recorded an option liability of $1.2 million on the balance sheet.

 

11

 

 

Vela Option Liability

 

The option liability was valued using public market research to determine the probability of success that similar studies in the respiratory and cardiovascular disease areas and a Monte Carlo Simulation model. In reviewing the public market research, the Company determined the phase transition success rates for trials similar to the Covid Asset from Phase I to Phase II was 52.7%. In applying this rate to the sale of future revenue consideration realized , the Company determined the total underlying Covid Asset values to be $4.6 million. The Company used the underlying Covid Asset value within a Monte Carlo Simulation model to determine the fair value was $1.5 million at June 30, 2023. The option was issued in the second quarter of 2023, and as such, did not have a fair value at December 31, 2022. In accordance with ASC 815, the fair value of the option will be remeasured at the end of each reporting period, with changes in fair value recorded to the statement of operations and total comprehensive loss. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recorded an option liability of $1.5 million on the balance sheet.

 

The following table presents additional information about the option liability subject to measurement at fair value on a recurring basis for which the Company used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in thousands):

 

   Amount 
Balance as of December 31, 2022  $1,417 
Option issued   1,537 
Change in fair value   (258)
Foreign currency exchange impact   (72)
Balance as of June 30, 2023  $2,624 

 

During the period ended June 30, 2023, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2, nor into or out of Level 3.

 

3. Accrued Expenses

 

Accrued expenses consisted of the following as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
   2023   2022 
Accrued expenses:          
Professional service fees  $3,681   $2,246 
Payroll   51    338 
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities  $3,732   $2,584 

 

4. Liability Related to the Sale of Future Revenue

 

Indirect Investment Regarding the Covid Asset

 

On June 3, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement with SGSC for an indirect investment in the AZ Covid Asset. Under the terms of the agreement, SGSC agreed to pay the Company a royalty of 30% of sales in excess of $24.5 million (£19.2 million) of the Covid Asset should it reach the commercialization stage and generate revenue in exchange for the Company funding SGSC’s research and development efforts. As of June 30, 2023, the Company provided $0.3 million in funding to SGSC.

 

12

 

 

Vela Technologies PLC

 

The Company entered into an Agreement with SGSC to approve an Indirect Investment from Vela Technologies PLC (“Vela”) on October 20, 2020, whereby Vela agreed to provide funding to the Company for an indirect investment in an asset related to COVID-19 (the “Covid Asset”) for use in the field in exchange for 8% of future revenue earned if the Covid Asset is commercialized (the “Vela Agreement”). Total consideration under the Vela Agreement was $2.9 million (£2.35 million), consisting of $1.6 million (£1.25 million) cash and the issuance of 1.1 billion ordinary shares in Vela, which based on the fair value of stock at the September 10, 2021, was $1.3 million. The Company received the $1.6 million (£1.25) million cash consideration during the year ended December 31, 2020. This consideration was recorded in deferred income as a liability on the balance sheet in accordance with ASC 470-10.

 

In April 2023, the Company entered into an agreement with Vela which granted Vela the right, but not the obligation, to sell its 8% royalty interest in the Covid Asset back to Conduit. Vela paid a one-time, non-refundable option fee to Conduit of $0.5 million (£0.4 million). Total consideration payable to Vela upon exercise of the option is $5.1 million (£4.0 million) worth of NewCo shares, following the consummation of the Merger, at a price per share equal to the volume-weighted average price per share over the ten (10) business days prior to the date of the notice of exercise. The option contains a provision stating that in no event shall the price per share for the consideration shares be lower than $5 or higher than $15. The option is exercisable in whole at any time from the close of the Merger (the “Effective Time”) until the earlier of (i) the date that is six (6) months from the Effective Time, and (ii) February 7, 2024, the expiration date of the term.

 

Cizzle Plc

 

On February 11, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement with Cizzle Plc (“Cizzle”) whereby Cizzle agreed to purchase a percentage of future revenue earned in the Covid Asset, should it reach the commercialization stage. Total consideration under the agreement is specified as $1.6 million (£1.2 million), consisting of the issuance of fair value of 25.0 million new ordinary shares in Cizzle on the date of the agreement and the fair value of 22.0 million shares to be issued at the earlier of Cizzle’s shareholder approval or one year from the date of the agreement. The 22.0 million shares were received by the Company in the fourth quarter of 2022 and were subsequently sold within the fourth quarter of 2022. The Company recorded a liability related to deferred revenue of $1.4 million for the consideration received from Cizzle.

 

The payments received for the sale of future revenue will be classified as deferred income. Under ASC 470-10-25, a seller of future revenue should evaluate whether the proceeds received should be accounted for as debt or deferred income. In assessing the factors that created rebuttable presumption of debt within the guidance, the Company determined that there were factors present to overcome the debt presumption and deferred income classification to be appropriate. The main factors the Company considered were that the transactions in form were sales, and not debt transactions. Each agreement does not guarantee a return to each purchaser, the return is based solely on future performance of the AZ Covid Asset should it reach commercialization, with neither purchaser having an involvement in generating future cash flows from the AZ Covid Asset.

 

The following table presents as of June 30, 2023 the Company’s liability for the sale of future revenue (in thousands):

 

   Liability related to the sale of future royalties 
December 31, 2022  $4,083 
Sale of future royalties   - 
Foreign currency exchange impact      205 
June 30, 2023  $4,288 

 

On December 15, 2022, the Company entered into an agreement with Cizzle whereby the Company granted Cizzle the option, but not the obligation, to sell its economic interest in the Covid Asset back to the Company. The agreement contained an option period of nine months from the date of the agreement for Cizzle to notify the Company of its intent to exercise the option to sell its economic interest in the Covid Asset. Upon closing of the agreement, Cizzle agreed to pay the Company an option fee of $0.1 million (£0.1 million). If Cizzle does exercise the right to sell its interest in the Covid Asset, consideration payable by the Company to Cizzle is $4.1 million (£3.25) million through the issuance of new Ordinary Shares in the combined entity post-Merger at the same price per share of the proposed PIPE investment in the Company by new and existing investors.

 

13

 

 

5. Convertible Notes Payable

 

On May 27, 2021, the Company approved a Master Convertible Loan Note Instrument (the “2021 Convertible Loan Note Instrument”), permitting the Company to issue convertible notes in a maximum aggregate principal amount of up to $1.4 million (£1.0 million). The convertible notes issuable under the 2021 Convertible Loan Note Instrument mature three years after issuance to the respective noteholders and bear 5% interest, only to be paid to the noteholders in the event of a material breach by the Company of the terms of the 2021 Convertible Loan Note Instrument. In the event of a Change of Control (as defined in the 2021 Convertible Loan Note Instrument), the convertible notes issued under the 2021 Convertible Loan Note Instrument automatically convert into ordinary shares of the Company at a conversion price equal to a 20% discount to the price per share paid for the most senior class of shares in respect of such Change of Control. The Company, with consent from the noteholders, may prepay the convertible notes payable issued under the 2021 Convertible Loan Note Instrument without penalty. The convertible notes payable issued under the 2021 Convertible Loan Note Instrument are general, unsecured obligations of the Company.

 

On August 26, 2022, under the terms of the 2021 Convertible Loan Note Instrument, the Company issued a $0.5 million (£0.4 million) convertible note payable to an investor.

 

On October 6, 2022, under the terms of the 2021 Convertible Loan Note Instrument, the Company issued a $67 thousand (£50 thousand) convertible note payable to an investor. As of October 6, 2022, $1.3 million (£950,000) 2021 Convertible Loan Notes were issued and outstanding.

 

On November 1, 2022, the Company approved a master Convertible Loan Note Instrument (the “2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument”), permitting the Company to issue convertible notes payable for a maximum aggregate principal amount of up to $3.3 million (£3.0 million). The convertible notes payable issuable under the 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument mature three years after issuance to the respective noteholders and bear 5% interest, only to be paid to the noteholders in the event of a material breach by the Company of the terms of the 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument. In the event of a Change of Control (as defined in the 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument), the convertible notes payable issued under the 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument automatically convert into ordinary shares of the Company at a conversion price equal to a 20% discount to the price per share paid for the most senior class of shares in respect of such Change of Control. The Company, with consent from the noteholders, may prepay the convertible notes payable issued under the 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument without penalty. The convertible notes payable issued under the 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument are general, unsecured obligations of the Company.

 

On November 16, 2022, under the terms of the 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument, the Company issued convertible notes payable with an aggregate principal amount of $0.4 million (£0.3 million) to an investor.

 

During January and February 2023, under the terms of the 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument, the Company issued convertible notes payable with an aggregate principal amount of $0.9 million (£0.8 million) to non-related third parties.

 

As discussed in Note 10 – Related Party Transactions, during January and February 2023, under the terms of the 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument, the Company issued convertible notes payable with an aggregate principal amount of $0.5 million (£0.4 million) to the CEO of Corvus.

 

The Company elected to fair value the convertible notes payable issued under the 2021 and 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instruments. At the end of each reporting period, the Company calculates the fair value of the convertible notes payable, and any changes in fair value are reported in other income, net, in the current period’s statement of operations and comprehensive loss. There has been no change in fair value from a change in credit quality. For the period ended June 30, 2023, the Company recorded a loss from the change in fair value of convertible notes payable of $0.3 million in other income, net, in its statement of operations and comprehensive less. For the period ended June 30, 2022, the Company recorded an immaterial loss from the change in fair value of convertible notes payable in other income, net, in its statement of operations and comprehensive loss. See Note 2 for additional information regarding the fair value measurement of convertible notes payable. Accrued interest

 

14

 

 

Convertible Promissory Notes Payable

 

During March 2023, the Company issued a promissory convertible note payable with an aggregate principal amount of $0.8 million to a non-related third party. The note matures and is payable in full 18 months from the date of the note. The note carries 20% interest and is payable every six (6) months from the date of the note until the maturity date. The note is subject to conversion of MURF common stock upon consummation of the Business Combination prior to the maturity date. Issuance costs associated with the note were immaterial and expensed as incurred on the Company’s statement of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company has not elected the fair value option and will account for the promissory convertible note payable as a liability in accordance with ASC 480 on the Company’s balance sheet. The only subsequent measurement impact on a recurring basis until conversion (if conversion occurs) or prepayment (if prepayment occurs) will be to record the accrued interest as a liability and reduce the balances of the Note and its accrued interest for cash payments made against these balances. As of June 30, 2023, accrued interest on the convertible promissory note was $44 thousand.

 

The Company notes that this issuance was outside of the terms of the 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument.

 

6. Loans Payable

 

On May 1, 2022, the Company entered into Loan Agreements (the “Loans”) with two lenders, totaling $0.2 million. The Loans mature two years from the date of the agreement and bear no interest. Each loan was made available to the Company by the lenders in three tranches of (i) $33 thousand (£30 thousand); (ii) $33 thousand (£30 thousand) and (iii) $28 thousand (£25 thousand), totaling $0.2 million. The Loans provided for events of default, including, among others, failure to make payment, bankruptcy and non-compliance with the terms of the Loans. As of June 30, 2023 the Company utilized all three tranches of the first loan and two out of three tranches of the second loan, with total loans payable at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 of $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

 

7. Ordinary Shares

 

As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company has authorized the issuance of up to 400,000,000 Ordinary Shares (the “Ordinary Shares”), par value £0.0001 per share.

 

On November 4, 2022, the Company issued 1,000 Ordinary Shares to Corvus Capital Limited. Corvus Capital Limited subsequently transferred 775 Ordinary Shares to other investors.

 

As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 2,000 Ordinary Shares were issued and outstanding. As of June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022, no cash dividends have been declared or paid.

 

Holders of the Ordinary Shares are entitled to one vote per share, and to receive dividends, on and if declared by the board of directors and, upon liquidation or dissolution, are entitled to receive all assets available for distribution, subordinate to the rights, preferences, and privileges of any outstanding preferred shares (if any) with respect to dividends and in connection with liquidation, winding up and dissolution of the Company. The holders have no preemptive or other subscription rights.

 

8. Net Loss Per Share Attributable to Ordinary Shareholders

 

The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to holders of the Ordinary Shares (in thousands, except share amounts and per share data):

 

   June 30, 
   2023   2022 
Numerator:          
Net loss and comprehensive loss  $(4,673)  $(860)
Denominator:          
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding - basic and diluted   2,000    1,000 
Net loss per share - basic and diluted  $(2,337)  $(860)

 

15

 

 

Since the Company was in a loss position for all periods presented, basic net loss per share attributable to holders of the Ordinary Shares is the same as diluted net loss per share attributable to holders of the Ordinary Shares for all periods presented as the inclusion of all potential Ordinary Shares outstanding would have been anti-dilutive.

 

Potentially dilutive securities (upon conversion) that were not included in the diluted per share calculations because they would have been anti-dilutive were as follows:

 

   June 30, 
   2023 
Ordinary Shares potentially issuable upon conversion of convertible notes payable   3,070,000 
Total   3,070,000 

 

   June 30, 
   2022 
Ordinary Shares potentially issuable upon conversion of convertible notes payable   500,000 
Total   500,000 

 

9. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Legal Proceedings

 

The Company is subject to certain claims and contingent liabilities that arise in the normal course of business. While we do not expect that the ultimate resolution of any of these pending actions will have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties. As such, there can be no assurance that any pending legal action, which we currently believe to be immaterial, does not become material in the future.

 

10. Related Party Transactions

 

Corvus Capital Limited

 

Corvus Capital Limited (“Corvus”) is a significant investor in the Company through subscribing to 1,000 Ordinary Shares as of the period ended June 30, 2023. The Chief Executive Officer of Corvus is a member of Conduit’s board of directors. During the period ended September 30, 2021, the Company incurred $1.7 million (£1.3 million) in advisory fees for funding and review of a potential acquisition candidates to Corvus, which are included in general and administrative expenses in the statement of operations and comprehensive loss. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, approximately $0.6 million of the advisory fees were not paid and were recorded to accrued expenses on the balance sheet. For the periods ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022, the Company incurred travel expenses and director’s fees payable to the CEO of Corvus of approximately $0.7 million and $0.2 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company owed the CEO of Corvus director’s fees of approximately $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively. These amounts owed to the CEO of Corvus are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the balance sheets. During the period ended June 30, 2022, the Company paid a family member of the CEO of Corvus approximately $33 thousand. The Company did not make any payments to the family member of the CEO of Corvus for the period ended June 30, 2023.

 

During January and February 2023, under the terms of the 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument, the Company issued convertible notes payable with an aggregate principal amount of $0.5 million (£0.4 million) to the CEO of Corvus. The convertible notes payable mature three years after issuance and bear 5% interest, only to be paid in the event of a material breach by the Company of the terms of the 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument. In the event of a Change of Control, the convertible notes payable automatically convert into ordinary shares of the Company at a conversion price equal to a 20% discount to the price per share paid for the most senior class of shares in respect of such Change of Control.

 

St George Street Capital

 

St George Street Capital is a significant investor in the Company through subscribing to 147 Ordinary Shares. The Chief Executive Officer of St George Street Capital is also the Chief Executive Officer of Conduit. Further, the Company has an Exclusive Funding Agreement (as defined below) with St George Street Capital. For the periods ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022, the Company did not incur expenses to St George Street Capital. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company did not owe any amounts to St George Street Capital.

 

16

 

 

On March 26, 2021, the Company entered into the Exclusive Funding Agreement (“Funding Agreement”) with St George Street Capital. Under the agreement, the Company has the first exclusive right, but not the obligation, to provide or procure funding for the performance or research and development projects undertaken by St George Street Capital. The Funding Agreement entitles the Company to 100% of the net revenue on projects that the Company funds by itself. As of June 30, 2023, the Company has not recognized any net revenue from the Funding Agreement. See Note 1 for discussion on research and development costs.

 

11. Other Expense, net

 

The following table presents other expense, net, for the periods ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

 

   For the six months ended June 30, 
   2023   2022 
Other income:          
Change in fair value of Cizzle option liability  $311   $- 
Change in fair value of Vela option liability   77    - 
Gain on sale of investment in equity securities   -     36  
Realized foreign currency transaction gain   10    - 
Total other income  $398   $ 36  
Other expense:          
Loss on Vela option  $998   $- 
Change in fair value of convertible notes payable   303    30 
Change in fair value of equity securities receivable   -    309 
Interest expense on convertible promissory note   44    - 
Placement fees   -     4  
Total other expense  $1,345   $ 343  
Total other income (expense), net  $(948)  $(307)

 

12. Subsequent Events

 

The Company has evaluated all events occurring through October 5, 2023, the date on which the financial statements were issued. The Company did not identify any subsequent events that would have required adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements, except for the ones described below.

 

On September 7, 2023, the Company and Cizzle agreed to extend the option agreement term to October 25, 2023. The extension was entered into solely to provide Cizzle the opportunity post-Merger to decide whether to exercise its option. On September 26, 2023, Cizzle provided notice to the Company that it was exercising its option; however, the shares of Conduit common stock have not yet been issued to Cizzle

 

On September 13, 2023, SGSC sold 78 shares of the Company to Nirland Limited (“Nirland”) for the amount of $2.6 million. The Company expects a portion of the proceeds raised by SGSC to be used to repay the $0.7 million outstanding loan balance due from SCSG at June 30, 2023.

 

As discussed in Note 1, on September 22, 2023, the Company completed the Merger with MURF. The Business Combination was accounted for a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP, with MURF treated as the acquired company for financial reporting purposes, and the Company, the accounting acquirer, will be assumed to have issued shares of stock for the net assets of MURF, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded.

 

17

 

 

Exhibit 99.3

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Defined terms included below have the same meaning as terms defined and included elsewhere in this Current Report and in the definitions within the exhibits to this Current Report. All dollar amounts are expressed in thousands of United States dollars (“$”), unless otherwise indicated.

 

Introduction

 

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements and accompanying notes are provided to aid you in your analysis of the financial aspects of the Transactions and adjustments for other material events. These other material events are referred to herein as “Material Events” and the pro forma adjustments for the Material Events are referred to herein as “Adjustments for Material Events.”

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been prepared based on MURF’s historical financial statements and Conduit’s historical financial statements as adjusted to give effect to the Transactions and Material Events. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2023 gives pro forma effect to the Transactions and Material Events as if they had occurred on June 30, 2023. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 gives effect to the Transactions and Material Events as if they had occurred on January 1, 2022. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2023 gives effect to the Transactions and Material Events as if they had occurred on January 1, 2022.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been presented for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily reflect what New Conduit’s financial condition or results of operations would have been had the Transactions and Material Events occurred on the dates indicated. Further, the pro forma condensed combined financial information may not be useful in predicting the future financial condition and results of operations of New Conduit. The actual financial position and results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been derived from and should be read in conjunction with:

 

the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements;

 

the historical audited financial statements of MURF as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the historical unaudited financial statements of MURF as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2023, and the related notes included elsewhere in this Current Report;

 

the historical audited financial statements of Conduit as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the historical unaudited financial statements of Conduit as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2023, and the related notes included elsewhere in this Current Report; and

 

the sections entitled “MURF’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, “Conduit’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, and other financial information relating to each of MURF and Conduit included elsewhere in this Current Report.

 

Description of the Business Combination

 

On November 8, 2022, Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation, Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited, a Cayman Islands exempt company, and Conduit Merger Sub, Inc., a Cayman Islands exempt company and wholly-owned subsidiary of MURF (“Merger Sub”), entered into the Merger Agreement, which contains customary representations and warranties, covenants, closing conditions, termination provisions and other terms relating to the transactions contemplated thereby. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub was merged with and into Conduit with Conduit surviving the merger (the “Merger”). As a result of the Merger, which was completed on September 22, 2023, Conduit became a wholly-owned subsidiary of MURF, with the shareholders of Conduit becoming stockholders of MURF.

 

1
 

 

As a result of the Merger, all of the issued and outstanding MURF Class A common stock (including the MURF Class B common stock that was automatically converted on a one-for-one basis into MURF Class A common stock upon the consummation of the Business Combination) was converted into one class of New Conduit common stock and each issued and outstanding warrant to purchase a share of MURF Class A common stock became exercisable for one share of New Conduit common stock.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the aggregate number of shares of New Conduit common stock that were delivered as consideration in the Merger was capped at 65,000,000 shares, which included the consideration to be delivered to holders of the Conduit convertible notes on an as converted basis. Accordingly, in the Merger, each holder of Conduit convertible notes, on an as-converted basis, and each holder of Conduit ordinary shares was entitled to receive such holder’s pro rata portion of the 65,000,000 shares of New Conduit common stock delivered as merger consideration upon the completion of the Business Combination. Please see “Exchange of Conduit Shares for Shares of New Conduit” below.

 

For additional information about the Business Combination, please see the section entitled “The Merger Agreement” in this Current Report.

 

Basis of Pro Forma Presentation

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements were prepared in accordance with Article 11 of SEC Regulation S-X, as amended by the final rule, Release No. 33-10786, Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses. Release No. 33-10786 replaces the historical pro forma adjustments criteria with simplified requirements to depict the accounting for the transaction (“Transaction Accounting Adjustments”) and present the reasonably estimable synergies and other transaction effects that have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur (“Management’s Adjustments”). Conduit has elected not to present Management’s Adjustments and will only be presenting Transaction Accounting Adjustments in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. The adjustments presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been identified and presented to provide relevant information necessary for an understanding of the combined company upon consummation of the Transactions.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2023, was derived from the unaudited historical balance sheet of MURF as of June 30, 2023, and the unaudited historical balance sheet of Conduit as of June 30, 2023 and gives effect to the Transactions and Material Events as if they had occurred on June 30, 2023. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022, combines the historical statement of operations of MURF for the year ended December 31, 2022, and the historical statement of operations of Conduit for the year ended December 31, 2022, and gives effect to the Transactions and Material Events as if they had occurred on January 1, 2022. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2023, combines the historical statement of operations of MURF for the six months ended June 30, 2023, and the historical statement of operations of Conduit for the six months ended June 30, 2023, and gives effect to the Transactions and Material Events as if they had occurred on January 1, 2022.

 

Management has made significant estimates and assumptions in its determination of the pro forma adjustments. As the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared based on these preliminary estimates, the final amounts recorded may differ materially from the information presented.

 

The pro forma adjustments reflecting the consummation of the Transactions and Material Events are based on certain currently available information and certain assumptions and methodologies that each of MURF and Conduit believes are reasonable under the circumstances. The pro forma adjustments, which are described in the accompanying notes, may be revised as additional information becomes available and is evaluated. Therefore, it is likely that the actual adjustments will differ from the pro forma adjustments, and it is possible the differences may be material. Each of MURF and Conduit believes that its assumptions and methodologies provide a reasonable basis for presenting all the significant effects of the Transactions and Material Events based on information available to management at this time and that the pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and are properly applied in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

 

2
 

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not give effect to any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies, tax savings, or cost savings that may be associated with the Transactions. MURF and Conduit have not had any historical relationship prior to the Transactions. Accordingly, no pro forma adjustments were required to eliminate activities between the companies.

 

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared based on actual redemptions of 2,129,662 out of the total 2,187,728 shares of MURF common stock subject to redemption, for an aggregate redemption price of $23.1 million out the Trust Account. No other shares of MURF common stock were subject to redemption.

 

Included in the shares outstanding and weighted-average shares outstanding as presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are the shares of New Conduit common stock issued to legacy Conduit shareholders on the closing date of the Business Combination, the shares of New Conduit common stock that were held by existing MURF investors, and the shares of New Conduit common stock issued in respect of the PIPE Shares.

 

Upon closing of the Business Combination, shares of New Conduit common stock outstanding as presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements include the following:

 

   Acrual Redemptions 
   Number of Shares Owned   % Ownership 
(Shares in thousands)          
Conduit shareholders(2)   65,000    89.7%
Private Placement Investors(2)   2,000    2.8%
MURF Public stockholders   58    0.1%
MURF Directors(1)   45    0.1%
MURF Sponsor(1)   4,015    5.5%
A.G.P.   1,300    1.8%
Total(3)   72,418    100.0%

 

1)In connection with the Business Combination, 3,306,250 shares of MURF Class B common stock held by the Sponsor were converted into 3,306,250 shares of MURF Class A common stock. The 4,015,250 shares of New Conduit common stock held by the MURF Sponsor (as reflected in the table above) result from the MURF Sponsor exchanging the 3,306,250 shares of MURF Class A common stock for 3,306,250 shares of New Conduit common stock upon the closing of the Business Combination and from the MURF Sponsor exchanging an additional 709,000 shares of MURF Class A common stock that it held (prior to the closing of the Business Combination) for 709,000 shares of New Conduit common stock upon the closing of the Business Combination. The 709,000 shares taking part in the above-mentioned exchange were originally issued to the MURF Sponsor as part of the Private Placement and the 3,306,250 shares taking part in the above-mentioned exchange were originally issued to the MURF Sponsor prior to MURF’s initial public offering. The 45,000 shares of New Conduit common stock that are held by MURF Directors result from the MURF Sponsor transferring (in connection with the completion of the Business Combination) to the MURF Directors 45,000 shares of MURF Class A common stock. The 45,000 shares of MURF Class A common stock were exchanged for 45,000 shares of New Conduit common stock upon the closing of the Business Combination.

 

2)In connection with the Business Combination, 2,000 Conduit ordinary shares were exchanged for 64,626,430 shares of New Conduit common stock and Conduit convertible notes were redeemed for 373,570 shares of New Conduit common stock (refer to the Exchange of Conduit Shares for Shares of New Conduit section below for details). The remaining 2,000,000 shares were issued in connection with the PIPE Financing.

 

3
 

 

3)Note that the shares as presented above do not include any shares related to a member of management of New Conduit who will be granted restricted stock units (“RSUs”) in an amount equal to 0.10% of the shares of common stock of New Conduit outstanding as of the closing of the Business Combination. No shares related to this grant were included because the RSUs have not yet been grated and the RSUs vest in equal annual installments on the first three anniversaries of the closing of the Business Combination.

 

Material Events and Background Relevant to Material Events

 

On July 6, 2023 and August 7, 2023, the Company deposited into the Trust Account $78 thousand and $78 thousand, respectively, to extend the period of time to consummate a business combination each month.

 

On August 23, 2023, September 5, 2023 and September 12, 2023, the MURF Sponsor advanced an additional $0.2 million, $55 thousand and $45 thousand, respectively to MURF under the promissory note originally issued on March 7, 2023. Borrowing on the promissory note totals $1.0 million, which was repaid in full at closing.

 

On September 22, 2023, St George Street Capital (“SGSC”) repaid to Conduit the $0.6 million loan balance due under the loan agreement dated August 20, 2022. The loan repayment occurred outside of the closing of the Business Combination.

 

Exchange of Conduit Shares for Shares of New Conduit

 

Based on 2,000 Conduit ordinary shares outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the Business Combination, the Exchange Ratio determined in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement is approximately 32,313.2150. New Conduit issued 65,000,000 shares of New Conduit common stock to legacy Conduit shareholders (including holders of Conduit’s convertible notes) in the Business Combination, determined as follows:

 

    Conduit shares outstanding as of immediately prior to the Closing  
Ordinary shares, par value £0.0001 per share     2,000  
Exchange Ratio     32,313.2150  
Estimated shares of New Conduit common stock issued to Conduit shareholders upon Closing(1)     64,626,430  

 

1)In addition to the shares issued to legacy Conduit shareholders noted above, an additional 373,570 shares of New Conduit common stock will be issued to Conduit convertible note holders, resulting in a total of 65,000,000 shares of New Conduit common stock issued to Conduit shareholders and holders of Conduit convertible notes at the completion of the Business Combination. The 373,570 shares resulting from the redemption of the convertible notes was calculated by taking the principal of the convertible notes payable outstanding in British Pounds Sterling (“GBP”) of £2.4 million and applying the GBP-to-United States Dollars (“USD”) exchange rate as of closing on September 22, 2023 to convert the principal to approximately $3.0 million USD. The Conversion Price is equal to the $10.00 price per share per the PIPE Financing discounted by 20% for the Change of Control ($10.00 * 20% discount = $8.00). The 373,570 shares resulting from the redemption of the convertible notes payable was calculated by taking the approximately $3.0 million outstanding principal and dividing this amount by $8.00.

 

Accounting for the Business Combination

 

Notwithstanding the legal form, the Business Combination will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Under this method of accounting, MURF will be treated as the acquired company for accounting purposes, whereas Conduit will be treated as the accounting acquirer. In accordance with this method of accounting, the Business Combination will be treated as the equivalent of Conduit issuing shares for the net assets of MURF, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of Conduit will be stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded, and operations prior to the Business Combination will be those of Conduit. Conduit has been determined to be the accounting acquirer for purposes of the Business Combination based on an evaluation of the following facts and circumstances:

 

  Legacy Conduit shareholders will have a majority of the voting interest in New Conduit;

 

 

The largest single shareholder of New Conduit will be a legacy shareholder of Conduit;

     
  Conduit will designate a majority of the governing body of New Conduit;

 

  An individual from Conduit will be designated as the chairman of the governing body of New Conduit and the Chief Executive Officer of New Conduit; and

 

  Conduit’s operations will comprise the ongoing operations of New Conduit.

 

4
 

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET

AS OF JUNE 30, 2023

(in thousands)

 

           Transaction Accounting Adjustments   
   MURF Historical  

Conduit Historical

   Adjustments for Material Events   Notes  Other Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
   Notes  Pro Forma Balance Sheet 
ASSETS                               
Current assets:                               
Cash and cash equivalents  $278   $-   $(156)  a  $(4,629)  d  $4,339 
    -    -    250   b   23,496   o   - 
    -    -    578   c   20,000   f   - 
    -    -    -       (11,389)  k   - 
    -    -    -       (23,089)  g   - 
    -    -    -       (1,000)  n   - 
Prepaid expenses - current   77    -    -       -       77 
Total current assets   355    -    672      $3,389       4,416 
Non-current assets:                               
Investments held in Trust Account   23,340    -    156   a   (23,496)  o   - 
Intangible assets - research and development   -    5    -       -       5 
Total non-current assets   23,340    5    156       (23,496)      5 
Total assets  $23,695   $5   $828      $(20,107)     $4,421 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)                               
Current liabilities:                               
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities  $24   $-   $-      $-      $24 
Accrued professional fees   -    3,681    -       (1,903)  k   1,778 
Accrued payroll and other current liabilities   -    51    -       -       51 
Option liability   -    2,624    -       -       2,624 
Accrued excise tax   1,141    -    -       (1,141)  m   - 
Income taxes payable   112    -    -       -       112 
Note payable - Sponsor   750    -    250   b   (1,000)  n   - 
Total current liabilities   2,028    6,356    250       (4,044)      4,589 
Non-current liabilities:                               
Convertible notes payable, carried at fair value   -    3,740    -       (3,211)  h   - 
    -    -    -       (529)  j   - 
Liability related to the sale of future revenue   -    4,288    -       -       4,288 
Convertible promissory note payable   -    845    -       -       845 
Notes payable   -    184    -       -       184 
Derivative warrant liability   -    -    -       100   f   100 
Deferred commission payable   4,629    -    -       (4,629)  d   5,738 
    -    -    -       5,738   k   - 
Total non-current liabilities   4,629    9,057    -       (2,531)      11,155 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

 

5
 

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET

AS OF JUNE 30, 2023

(in thousands)

 

           Transaction Accounting Adjustments   
   MURF Historical  

Conduit Historical

   Adjustments for Material Events   Notes  Other Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
   Notes  Pro Forma Balance Sheet 
Common stock subject to possible redemption at redemption value (2,187,728 shares)   23,109    -    -       (23,089)  g   20 
Stockholders’ equity/(deficit):                               
Conduit ordinary shares   -    -    -       -   h   - 
MURF Class A common stock   -    -    -       -   e   - 
    -    -    -       -   l   - 
MURF Class B common stock   -    -    -       -   e   - 
New Conduit common stock   -    -    -       -   f   7 
    -    -    -       -   j   - 
    -    -    -       6   i   - 
    -    -    -       -   l   - 
    -    -    -       -   k     
Additional paid-in capital   -    -    -       19,740   f   5,111 
    -    -    -       3,075   h   - 
    -    -    -       (6,077)  i   - 
    -    -    -       (12,288)  k   - 
    -    -    -       661   j   - 
Accumulated deficit   (6,071)   (15,437)   578   c   136   h   (16,490)
    -    -    -       6,071   i   - 
    -    -    -       (2,936)  k   - 
    -    -    -       (132)  j   - 
    -    -    -       160   f   - 
    -    -    -       1,141   m   - 
Accumluated other comprehensive income   -    29    -       -       29 
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit):   (6,071)   (15,408)   578       9,557       (11,343)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)  $23,695   $5   $828      $(20,107)     $4,421 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

 

6
 

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

(In thousands, except per share and weighted-average share data)  MURF Historical  

Conduit Historical

   Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
   Notes  Pro Forma Statement of Operations 
Operating expenses (income):                       
Research and devlopment expenses  $-   $37   $-      $37 
General and administrative expenses   111    3,049    2,936   b   6,329 
    -    -    233   e   - 
Administration fee - related party   1,093    -    -       1,093 
Funding expenses   -    74    -       74 
Total operating expenses (income)   1,204    3,160    3,169       7,533 
Income (loss) from operations   (1,204)   (3,160)   (3,169)      (7,533)
Other income (expense):                       
Loss on extinguishment of debt   -    -    4   c   4 
Interest income - Investments held in Trust Account   1,976    -    (1,976)  a   - 
Other income (expense), net   -    (1,727)   120   d   (1,607)
Total other income (expense), net   1,976    (1,727)   (1,852)      (1,603)
Income (loss) before taxes   772    (4,887)   (5,021)      (9,136)
Income tax expense   (375)   -    -       (375)
Net income (loss)  $397   $(4,887)  $(5,021)     $(9,511)
                        
Basic and diluted net loss per share, Conduit ordinary shares       $(2,444)             
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Conduit ordinary shares        2,000              
Basic and diluted earnings attributable to MURF Class A common stock  $316                   
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, MURF Class A common stock   12,558,058                   
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to MURF Class A common stock  $0.03                   
Basic and diluted earnings attributable to MURF Class B common stock  $83                   
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, MURF Class B common stock   3,306,250                   
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to MURF Class B common stock  $0.03                   
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to New Conduit common stock                    $(0.13)
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding attributable to New Conduit common stock                     72,418,316f

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information

 

7
 

 

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2023
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

(In thousands, except per share and weighted-average share data)  MURF Historical  

Conduit Historical

   Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
   Notes  Pro Forma Statement of Operations 
Operating expenses (income):                       
General and administrative expenses  $854   $3,725   $117   e  $4,696 
Administration fee - related party   60    -    -       60 
Total operating expenses (income)   914    3,725    117       4,756 
Income (loss) from operations   (914)   (3,725)   (117)      (4,756)
Other income (expense):                       
Interest income - Investments held in Trust Account   940    -    (940)  a   - 
Other expense, net   -    (948)   40   d   (908)
Total other income (expense), net   940    (948)   (900)      (908)
Income (loss) before taxes   26    (4,673)   (1,017)      (5,664)
Income tax expense   (249)   -    -       (249)
Net income (loss)  $(223)  $(4,673)  $(1,017)     $(5,913)
                        
Basic and diluted net loss per share, Conduit ordinary shares       $(2,337)             
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, Conduit ordinary shares        2,000              
Basic and diluted earnings attributable to MURF Class A common stock  $(127)                  
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, MURF Class A common stock   4,344,254                   
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to MURF Class A common stock  $(0.03)                  
Basic and diluted earnings attributable to MURF Class B common stock  $(97)                  
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding, MURF Class B common stock   3,306,250                   
Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to MURF Class B common stock  $(0.03)                  
Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to New Conduit common stock                    $(0.08)
Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding attributable to New Conduit common stock                     72,441,789f

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information

 

8
 

 

Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2023

 

The pro forma notes and adjustments, based on preliminary estimates that could change materially as additional information is obtained, are as follows:

 

Pro Forma Adjustments for Material Events:

 

a)To reflect the MURF deposit of $78 thousand and $78 thousand into the Trust Account on July 6, 2023, and August 7, 2023, respectively.

 

b)To reflect the MURF Sponsor advancing an additional $0.2 million, $55 thousand and $45 thousand to MURF on August 23, 2023, September 5, 2023 and September 12, 2023, respectively under the promissory note originally issued on March 7, 2023.

 

c)To reflect repayment received by Conduit on the loan to SGSC of $0.6 million on September 22, 2023 under the loan agreement dated August 20, 2022. The loan repayment occurred outside of the closing of the Business Combination.

 

Pro Forma Other Transaction Accounting Adjustments:

 

d)To reflect the payment of $4.6 million in deferred underwriting fees incurred in connection with MURF’s initial public offering.

 

e)To reflect the conversion of 3,306,250 shares of MURF Class B common stock to MURF Class A common stock.

 

f)To reflect the issuance of an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of New Conduit common stock to the investor in the PIPE Financing at a price of $10.00 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $20.0 million. The adjustment reflects the recording of a derivative warrant liability of $0.1 million for the warrant to purchase up to 2,000,000 shares of New Conduit issued to the investor in the PIPE Financing. The warrant is classified as a derivative liability because it does not meet the criteria in ASC 815-40 to be considered indexed to the entity’s own stock as the warrant could be settled for an amount that is not equal to the difference between the fair value of a fixed number of the entity’s shares and a fixed monetary amount. In addition, the adjustment reflects a reduction to accumulated deficit of $0.2 million. The reduction to accumulated deficit is due to remeasurement of the derivative warrant liability for the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations as if the Transactions had occurred and the warrant was issued on January 1, 2022. The derivative warrant liability was measured based on the quoted market price for MURF’s publicly traded warrants, which, for valuation purposes, have materially similar terms as the warrant issued to the Private Placement Investor. The adjustment also increases additional paid-in capital by approximately $19.7 million and increases New Conduit common stock by an immaterial dollar amount (2,000,000 shares multiplied by par value of $0.0001 is less than $1 thousand).

 

Certain terms of the warrant issued to the Private Placement Investor include the following1:

 

Exercise price of $11.50;
Exercisable from 30 days after completion of the Business Combination through 5 years after the completion of the Business Combination;

 

 

1 Capitalized terms in the bullet points below are defined in the warrant. For all of the terms of the warrant, refer to the form of warrant, which is attached as Exhibit 10.13 to this Current Report.

 

9
 

 

Within 30 days of the occurrence of a Fundamental Transaction that is within the control of New Conduit, the holder of the warrant can exercise and as compensation for exercise receive a cash payment equal to the Black Scholes Value. The inputs to the Black Scholes Value are as follows:

 

Risk-free interest rate corresponding to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date;
An expected volatility equal to the greater of 100% and the 100-day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg (determined utilizing a 365-day annualization factor) as of the Trading Day immediately following the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction;
The underlying price per share used in such calculation shall be the greater of (i) the sum of the price per share being offered in cash, if any, plus the value of any non-cash consideration, if any, being offered in such Fundamental Transaction and (ii) the highest VWAP during the period beginning on the Trading Day immediately preceding the announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction (or the consummation of the applicable Fundamental Transaction, if earlier) and ending on the Trading Day of the Holder’s request pursuant to Section 3(d) of the warrant agreement;
A remaining option time equal to the time between the date of the public announcement of the applicable Fundamental Transaction and the Termination Date;
Zero cost of borrow.

 

Since the volatility input is based on the greater of 1) a fixed volatility assumption (100%) and 2) an estimate of current volatility at the time of settlement (the 100-day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg), this input could result in a settlement amount that is greater than the settlement amount of a fixed-for-fixed option on the entity’s equity shares. Therefore, the settlement amount is not considered fixed-for-fixed and thus the warrant is not considered indexed to the entity’s own stock under ASC 815-40. As the warrant is not considered indexed to the entity’s own stock, it cannot be equity-classified and is thus classified as a derivative liability.

 

g)To reflect the redemption of 2,129,662 shares of MURF common stock redeemed at a redemption price per share of $10.84 for an aggregate redemption price of $23.1 million.

 

h)To reflect the automatic redemption of $3.2 million of convertible notes at a 20% discount in accordance with the terms of the 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument and 2021 Convertible Loan Note Instrument.

 

i)To reflect the recapitalization of Conduit through the Business Combination and the issuance of 65,000,000 shares of New Conduit common stock and the elimination of the accumulated deficit of MURF, the accounting acquiree. As a result of the recapitalization, MURF’s accumulated deficit of $6.1 million and Conduit’s ordinary shares consisting of an immaterial dollar amount (2,000 shares multiplied by par value of £0.0001 is less than $1 thousand) were derecognized. The shares of New Conduit common stock issued in exchange for Conduit’s capital were recorded as an increase to New Conduit common stock of $6 thousand and a decrease to additional paid-in capital of $6.1 million.

 

j)To reflect the automatic redemption of $0.5 million of convertible notes issued to a related party at a 20% discount in accordance with the terms of the 2022 Convertible Loan Note Instrument and the 2021 Convertible Loan Note Instrument.

 

10
 

 

k)To reflect the payment of MURF’s and Conduit’s total estimated transaction costs of $18.5 million. Of the total transaction costs, $11.4 million was paid in cash at the closing of the Business Combination. The adjustment reflects estimated advisory, legal, and other professional fees of $12.3 million which are deemed to be direct and incremental costs of the Business Combination, and additional estimated transaction costs of $2.9 million that are not deemed to be direct and incremental to the Business Combination and are not expected to recur, and the payment of transaction costs of $1.9 million that were incurred and expensed in MURF’s and Conduit’s historical financial statements and that are not expected to recur. These expenses were recorded as accrued professional fees of $1.9 million in Conduit’s historical balance sheet. The $12.3 million in total estimated costs that are deemed to be direct and incremental to the Business Combination are recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital, and the $2.9 million in estimated costs that are not direct and incremental to the Business Combination are recorded as an increase to accumulated deficit. The total transaction costs are comprised of $11.9 million of Conduit transaction costs recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital, $0.2 million of Conduit transaction costs recorded as expense, $5.7 million of Conduit transaction costs recorded as an increase to deferred commission payable, $0.4 million of MURF transaction costs recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital, and $2.8 million of MURF transaction costs recorded as expense. The adjustment also increases New Conduit common stock for an immaterial dollar amount (1,300,000 shares multiplied by par value of $0.0001 is less than $1 thousand) as a result of the issuance of 1,300,000 shares of New Conduit common stock to A.G.P. upon the closing of the Business Combination.

 

l)To reflect the conversion of the shares of MURF Class A common stock into shares of New Conduit common stock.

 

m)To reflect the elimination of accrued excise tax liability and additional paid-in capital of $1.1 million as the excise tax is not due if the Business Combination closes prior to December 31, 2023 and it is expected that the Business Combination will close prior to December 31, 2023.

 

n)To reflect the repayment of the note payable to the MURF Sponsor upon closing of the Business Combination in accordance with its terms.

 

o)To reflect the release of the investments held in the Trust Account to cash and cash equivalents.

 

Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the six months ended June 30, 2023

 

The pro forma notes and adjustments, based on preliminary estimates that could change materially as additional information is obtained, are as follows:

 

Pro Forma Transaction Accounting Adjustments:

 

(a)To reflect the elimination of interest income earned on the investments held in the Trust Account.

 

(b)Reflects estimated transaction costs for MURF and Conduit for certain accounting, auditing, and other professional fees that are not deemed to be direct and incremental costs of the Business Combination.

 

(c)To reflect a loss on extinguishment of convertible notes payable, carried at fair value. The convertible notes are automatically redeemed at a 20% discount in accordance with the terms of the 2021 Convertible Note Loan Instrument and the 2022 Convertible Note Loan instrument as a result of the Business Combination.

 

(d)To reflect remeasurement of the derivative warrant liability issued to the Private Placement Investor as if the Transactions had occurred and the warrant was issued on January 1, 2022.

 

(e)To reflect stock-based compensation expense for restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that will be granted to a member of management of New Conduit upon the closing of the Business Combination as if the Business Combination had closed and the RSUs had been issued on January 1, 2022. The number of RSUs that will be granted will be equal to 0.10% of the shares of common stock of New Conduit outstanding upon the closing of the Business Combination. The RSUs have not yet been granted. The RSUs will vest in equal annual installments on the first three anniversaries of the closing of the Business Combination.

 

(f)The pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share amounts presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations are based on the number of New Conduit shares outstanding as if the Business Combination had occurred on January 1, 2022.

 

11
 

 

Pro Forma weighted-average shares outstanding—basic and diluted is calculated as follows for the year ended December 31, 2022:

 

Weighted-average shares calculation - basic and diluted  Actual Redemptions 
Assume conversion of MURF Class B common stock into New Conduit common stock effective January 1, 2022 as a result of assuming closing of the Business Combination on January 1, 2022   3,306,250 
Assume reclassification of common stock subject to possible redemption to New Conduit common stock effective January 1, 2022 as a result of assuming closing of the Business Combination on January 1, 2022   58,066 
Assume January 1, 2022 issuance of New Conduit common stock in connection with the closing of the PIPE Financing   2,000,000 
Assume January 1, 2022 issuance of New Conduit common stock to A.G.P. as a result of assuming closing of the Business Combination on January 1, 2022   1,300,000 
Assume conversion of MURF Class A common stock into New Conduit common stock effective January 1, 2022 as a result of assuming closing of the Business Combination on January 1, 2022   754,000 
Assume January 1, 2022 issuance of New Conduit common stock to Conduit shareholders as a result of assuming closing of the Business Combination on January 1, 2022   65,000,000 
Pro forma weighted-average shares outstanding—basic and diluted   72,418,316 

 

Pro Forma weighted-average shares outstanding—basic and diluted is calculated as follows for the six months ended June 30, 2023:

 

Weighted-average shares calculation - basic and diluted  Actual Redemptions 
     
Assume conversion of MURF Class B common stock into New Conduit common stock effective January 1, 2022 as a result of assuming closing of the Business Combination on January 1, 2022   3,306,250 
Assume reclassification of common stock subject to possible redemption to New Conduit common stock effective January 1, 2022 as a result of assuming closing of the Business Combination on January 1, 2022   58,066 
Assume January 1, 2022 issuance of New Conduit common stock in connection with the closing of the PIPE Financing   2,000,000 
Assume January 1, 2022 issuance of New Conduit common stock to A.G.P. as a result of assuming closing of the Business Combination on January 1, 2022   1,300,000 
Assume conversion of MURF Class A common stock into New Conduit common stock effective January 1, 2022 as a result of assuming closing of the Business Combination on January 1, 2022   754,000 
Assume January 1, 2022 issuance of New Conduit common stock to Conduit shareholders as a result of assuming closing of the Business Combination on January 1, 2022   65,000,000 
Assume one-third vesting on January 1, 2023 of restricted stock units awarded to a member of New Conduit management as a result of assuming issuance on January 1, 2022 (closing of the Business Combination) of the award which vests in equal annual installments on the first three anniversaries of the closing of the Business Combination   23,473 
Pro forma weighted-average shares outstanding—basic and diluted   72,441,789 

 

12
 

 

The following potentially dilutive instruments were not included in the calculation of weighted-average shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2022 as their effects would have been anti-dilutive:

 

   Actual Redemptions 
Public Warrants(1)   15,279,000 
Private Warrants(2)   754,000 
Cizzle option(3)   391,831 
Vela Put option(4)    471,895 
Unvested restricted stock units(5)   70,418 
Total   16,967,144 

 

1)The Public Warrants consist of 13,225,000 warrants issued to MURF Public Stockholders in connection with MURF’s initial public offering, 2,000,000 warrants were issued in connection with the PIPE Financing, and 54,000 warrants were issued to A.G.P. upon the closing of the Business Combination. Assuming that New Conduit were in a net income position, the Public Warrants would have resulted in 15,979,000 potentially dilutive shares for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

2)The Private Warrants consist of 709,000 warrants issued to the Sponsor in connection with MURF’s initial public offering and 45,000 warrants originally issued to the MURF Sponsor prior to MURF’s initial public offering, which were transferred to MURF Directors upon the closing of the Business Combination. Assuming that New Conduit were in a net income position, the Private Warrants would have resulted in 754,000 potentially dilutive shares for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

3)Cizzle PLC holds an option whereby it can exchange its economic interest in an asset of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited for shares worth £3.25 million valued at $10.00 per share at the GBP-to-USD exchange rate in effect on the exercise date. Assuming that New Conduit were in a net income position, the option would have resulted in 391,831 potentially dilutive shares for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

4)Vela holds an option whereby it can exchange its economic interest in an asset of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited for shares worth £4.0 million valued at a price per share equal to the New Conduit volume-weighted average price per share over the ten business days prior to the date of the notice of exercise of the option, at the exchange rate in effect on the exercise date. Assuming that New Conduit were in a net income position, the option would have resulted in 471,895 potentially dilutive shares for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 

5)Assuming the closing of the Business Combination had occurred on January 1, 2022, a member of management of New Conduit would have been granted RSUs equal to 0.10% of the shares of common stock of New Conduit outstanding as of the closing of the Business Combination. The RSUs have not yet been granted. The RSUs vest in equal annual installments on the first three anniversaries of the closing of the Business Combination. The numbers of shares presented in the table above are calculated based on 75,247,978 shares outstanding immediately upon the Closing of the Business Combination in Scenario 1 and 73,060,250 shares outstanding immediately upon the closing of the Business Combination in Scenario 2. These share amounts are multiplied by 0.10% to arrive at the number of unvested restricted stock units as of December 31, 2022. All of the restricted stock units granted are unvested as of December 31, 2022 because the first of the three equal annual installments of vesting occurs on January 1, 2023. Assuming that New Conduit were in a net income position, the unvested restricted stock units would have resulted in 75,248 and 73,060 potentially dilutive shares for Scenario 1 and Scenario 2, respectively, as of December 31, 2022.

 

13
 

 

The following potentially dilutive instruments were not included in the calculation of weighted-average shares outstanding for the six months ended June 30, 2023 as their effects would have been anti-dilutive:

 

   Actual Redemptions 
     
Public Warrants(1)   15,279,000 
Private Warrants(2)   754,000 
Cizzle option(3)   399,705 
Vela option(4)    460,893 
March 2023 convertible note issued by Conduit(5)   84,515 
Unvested restricted stock units(6)   46,946 
Total   17,025,059 

 

1)The Public Warrants will consist of 13,225,000 warrants issued to MURF Public Stockholders in connection with MURF’s initial public offering, 2,000,000 warrants to be issued in connection with the PIPE Financing, and 54,000 warrants to be issued to A.G.P. upon the closing of the Business Combination. Assuming that New Conduit were in a net income position, the Public Warrants would have resulted in 15,279,000 potentially dilutive shares for the six months ended June 30, 2023.

 

2)The Private Warrants will consist of 709,000 warrants issued to the Sponsor in connection with MURF’s initial public offering and 45,000 warrants originally issued to the MURF Sponsor prior to MURF’s initial public offering that will be transferred to MURF Directors upon the closing of the Business Combination. Assuming that New Conduit were in a net income position, the Private Warrants would have resulted in 754,000 potentially dilutive shares for the six months ended June 30, 2023.

 

3)Cizzle PLC holds an option whereby it can exchange its economic interest in an asset of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited for shares worth £3.25 million valued at $10.00 per share at the GBP-to-USD exchange rate in effect on the exercise date. Assuming that New Conduit were in a net income position, the option would have resulted in 399,705 potentially dilutive shares for the six months ended June 30, 2023.

 

4)Vela holds an option whereby it can exchange its economic interest in an asset of Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited for shares worth £4.0 million valued at a price per share equal to the New Conduit volume-weighted average price per share over the ten business days prior to the date of the notice of exercise of the option, at the exchange rate in effect on the exercise date. Assuming that New Conduit were in a net income position, the option would have resulted in 460,893 potentially dilutive shares for the six months ended June 30, 2023.

 

5)A non-related third party holds an option whereby it can redeem the remaining outstanding principal and interest on a convertible note with an original principal balance of $0.8 million for New Conduit common stock at a price of $10.00 per share. Assuming that New Conduit were in a net income position, the option would have resulted in 84,515 potentially dilutive shares for the six months ended June 30, 2023.

 

6)Assuming the closing of the Business Combination had occurred on January 1, 2022, a member of management of New Conduit would have been granted restricted stock units equal to 0.10% of the shares of common stock of New Conduit outstanding immediately as of the closing of the Business Combination. The restricted stock units vest in equal annual installments on the first three anniversaries of the closing of the Business Combination. The numbers of shares presented in the table above are calculated based on 70,418,316 shares outstanding immediately upon the Closing of the Business Combination. These share amounts are multiplied by 0.10% to arrive at the total number of restricted stock units assumed granted on January 1, 2022 of 70,418. Two-thirds of the 70,418 remain unvested as of June 30, 2023 because one-third of the units vested on January 1, 2023 (the first anniversary of the assumed closing of the Business Combination on January 1, 2022). Assuming that New Conduit were in a net income position, the unvested restricted stock units would have resulted in 46,946 potentially dilutive shares as of June 30, 2023.

 

14

 

 

Exhibit 99.4

 

Conduit Pharmaceuticals and Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp. Announce Completion of Business Combination

 

September 22, 2023 / Conduit Pharmaceuticals Limited (“Conduit Pharmaceuticals”), a multi-asset clinical-stage disease-agnostic life science company providing an efficient model for compound development, and Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company (Nasdaq: MURF) (“MURF”), announced today the completion of the previously announced business combination (the “Transaction”).

 

  Conduit expects to commence trading on September 25, 2023, under ticker symbol “CDT” for its common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market and ticker symbol “CDTTW” for its warrants on The Nasdaq Capital Market.
     
  At the debut of trading, there will be a pro forma enterprise value of approximately $720 million. Existing Conduit Pharmaceuticals shareholders will own approximately 90% of the combined company’s common stock issued and outstanding as of the closing.
     
  Immediately prior to completion of the Transaction, MURF closed the previously announced investment by a single institutional investor, which purchased $20.0 million of MURF’s units at a price of $10.00 per unit in a private placement. Each unit consisted of one share of common stock and one warrant to purchase one share of common stock (the “Offering”). The warrants have an exercise price of $11.50, are exercisable after 30 days after the completion of the business combination and expire five years after the completion of the Transaction. Together, the Transaction and the Offering, provide Conduit with approximately $20 million, after giving effect to Murphy Canyon stockholder redemptions and before payment of Transaction and Offering expenses.
     
  The Transaction was completed on September 22, 2023

 

In connection with the completion of the Transaction, MURF changed its name to Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc. The shares of common stock of the combined company (“Conduit”) are expected to begin trading on September 25, 2023, under the new ticker symbol “CDT” on The Nasdaq Global Market and the warrants under the new ticker symbol “CDTTW” on The Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

Management

 

Conduit Pharmaceuticals is led by a team of pharmaceutical industry veterans. Dr. Dave Tapolczay, former CEO of LifeArc and Worldwide Head of Chemistry at Zeneca Agrochemicals, is the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors. Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, former Chief Medical Officer of Pfizer, serves as Non-Executive Chair of the Board of Directors.

 

Dr. Tapolzczay commented, “By acquiring rights to develop assets that have successfully completed Phase 1 trials from large pharmaceutical companies, we believe that we may dramatically reduce risks inherent in the traditional biotech model.”

 

Dr. Lewis-Hall added, “Conduit’s model positions it as a trailblazer in the industry: providing a platform to move deprioritized assets forward by way of a lean and focused pathway. I am excited about Conduit’s potential to bring new treatments to patients that need them.”

 

1

 

 

Jack Heilbron, the former Chairman and CEO of MURF, noted, “We continue to be impressed with Conduit’s management team, and its plans as a public company. We expect that their novel approach to development of deprioritized assets will bring many new growth opportunities.”

 

Advisors

 

A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Conduit Pharmaceuticals in connection with the Transaction and as the sole placement agent to MURF in connection with the Offering. Sichenzia Ross Ference LLP acted as legal counsel to MURF. Thompson Hine LLP and Ogier (Cayman) LLP acted as legal counsel to Conduit Pharmaceuticals.

 

About Conduit

 

Conduit is a disease agnostic life science company providing an efficient model for compound development. Conduit is a departure from the traditional pharma/biotech business model whereby, typically companies shepherd their assets through regulatory approval, Conduit acquires assets that are Phase II-ready and then seeks an exit through third-party license deals following successful clinical trials. Conduit is led by a highly experienced team of pharmaceutical executives, including Dr. David Tapolczay and Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, and was established to fund the development of clinical molecules licensed from major pharmaceutical companies.

 

About MURF

 

Prior to the business combination, MURF was a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Management was led by Jack Heilbron, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors. MURF was sponsored by Murphy Canyon Acquisition Sponsor, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Presidio Property Trust, Inc. (Nasdaq: SQFT).

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding Conduit’s future results of operations and financial position, Conduit’s business strategy, prospective product candidates, product approvals, research and development costs, timing and likelihood of success, plans and objectives of management for future operations, future results of current and anticipated product candidates, and expected use of proceeds, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to; the inability to obtain or maintain the listing of Conduit’s securities on Nasdaq following the business combination; the risk that the business combination disrupts current plans and operations of Conduit as a result of the announcement and consummation of the business combination; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth economically and hire and retain key employees; the risks that Conduit’s product candidates in development fail clinical trials or are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other applicable authorities; costs related to the business combination; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the possibility that Conduit may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and other risks and uncertainties to be identified in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the business combination, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, and in other filings with the SEC made by MURF. Moreover, Conduit operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified and some of which are beyond Conduit’s control, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and except as required by law. Conduit assumes no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Conduit gives no assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

 

Contacts

 

Sean Leous

ICR Westwicke

sean.leous@westwicke.com

 

Adam Sragovicz

Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc.

as@conduitpharma.com

 

2

 

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Cover
Sep. 22, 2023
Entity Addresses [Line Items]  
Document Type 8-K/A
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Amendment Description Amendment No.1
Document Period End Date Sep. 22, 2023
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31
Entity File Number 001-41245
Entity Registrant Name Conduit Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Entity Central Index Key 0001896212
Entity Tax Identification Number 87-3272543
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE
Entity Address, Address Line One 4995 Murphy Canyon Road
Entity Address, Address Line Two Suite 300
Entity Address, City or Town San Diego
Entity Address, State or Province CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 92123
City Area Code (760)
Local Phone Number 471-8536
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Soliciting Material false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Entity Emerging Growth Company true
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Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share  
Entity Addresses [Line Items]  
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share
Trading Symbol CDT
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ
Redeemable Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50  
Entity Addresses [Line Items]  
Title of 12(b) Security Redeemable Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50
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Entity Addresses [Line Items]  
Entity Address, Address Line One Murphy Canyon Acquisition Corp.
Entity Address, Address Line Two 4995 Murphy Canyon Road
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