Company: RPID
Filing Date: 2025-02-27
Form Type: 8-K
Source: 0001380106-25-000043
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Company: RAPID MICRO BIOSYSTEMS, INC.
Filing Date: 2025-02-27
Form: 8-K
Item: Item 1.01
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Item 1.01      Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.  

Distribution and Collaboration Agreement

On February 21, 2025, Rapid Micro Biosystems, Inc. (“we”, “us” or the “ Company”) entered into a Distribution and Collaboration Agreement (the “ Distribution Agreement”) with Millipore S. A. S., a subsidiary of the Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, which operates in the U. S. as MilliporeSigma (“ MilliporeSigma”). Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, we granted MilliporeSigma a global, co-exclusive right to sell our products, initially consisting of our Growth Direct systems and related consumables, into all fields related to industrial quality control applications in the pharmaceutical, medical device, personal care, cosmetics and food and beverage spaces in all regions of the world. During the term of the Distribution Agreement, MilliporeSigma will receive tier-based transfer pricing on such products. We will continue to directly market, sell, manufacture and distribute our products and provide all services to customers, including in respect of system installation, validation, maintenance and support.

Over the first two years of the Distribution Agreement, MilliporeSigma has committed to purchase a minimum number of Growth Direct systems. Thereafter, we and MilliporeSigma will evaluate and mutually agree on additional purchase commitments, if any. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, we are permitted to continue to sell our products independently and through our existing distributors, but we may not grant the right to sell the products covered by the Distribution Agreement to other third parties so long as a purchase commitment by MilliporeSigma is in place. The initial term of the Distribution Agreement is five years, unless earlier terminated by us or MilliporeSigma in accordance with its terms.

The Distribution Agreement also contemplates future collaboration by the parties, including with respect to sourcing materials and service delivery. In that regard, within six months, the parties intend to negotiate in good faith towards a supply agreement, pursuant to which the parties will explore cost-saving measures within our supply chain focused on accelerating gross margin improvement, particularly with respect to consumables. The focus of such supply agreement may include raw materials and components as well as manufacturing and supply chain services. The parties intend to share in any cost savings achieved in the supply of the products through this supply agreement. Additionally, within one year, the parties intend to negotiate in good faith towards a services agreement to permit us and MilliporeSigma to provide certain services to each