Exhibit 10.3
EXCLUSIVE LICENSE AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
     THIS EXCLUSIVE LICENSE AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made
as of the 26th day of May 2006, by and between Creighton University (the
“University”) and SafeStitch LLC, a Virginia limited liability company (the
“Company”). References to an Article, Section, or paragraph mean an Article,
Section or paragraph of this Agreement, unless otherwise specified.
     WHEREAS, the University is the owner of United States Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/698,748 filed July 13, 2005, and titled SUTURING SYSTEM FOR
TRANSORAL GASTROPLASTY and United States Provisional Patent Application
No. 60/742,826 filed December 6, 2005, and titled SYSTEMS AND TECHNIQUES FOR
TRANSORAL GASTROPLASTY, as well as International Patent Application No.
PCT/US04/028516 entitled SUTURING DEVICES AND METHODS, filed September 2, 2004
(claiming benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/499,539,
filed September 2, 2003; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial
No. 60/507,837, filed October 1, 2003; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Serial No. 60/576,510, filed June 3, 2004), including any current and future
Improvements (defined below) under the above-listed patents, and the University
wishes to license such technologies to the Company under the terms of this
Agreement; and
     WHEREAS, the University has developed and will continue to develop
Additional Technologies (defined below), and the University wishes to grant the
Company an option to license such Additional Technologies during the first
thirty-six (36) months of this Agreement; and
     WHEREAS, the University agrees to grant the Company an Exclusive License
(defined below) to use, develop and sell such technologies described above; and
     NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual representations and
covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions. The following terms, when used with initial capital
letters, shall have the meanings set forth below:
     1.1 “Additional Technologies” or “Additional Technologies and associated
Know-How” shall mean any current technologies in development or future
technologies commenced within the first thirty-six (36) months after the
effective date of this Agreement by the University (with Dr. Charles Filipi as
an inventor) related to any devices, material, and methods used in the practice
of bariatric medicine and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (“GERD”),
transoral surgical techniques, and further relating to all alimentary and
gastrointestinal components associated therewith, including but not limited to
the esophagus, stomach, intestines and digestive tract, as well as such
conditions as gastric bleeding, hernias, and other medical conditions that may
benefit from such technologies.
     1.2 “Affiliate” shall mean any entity that directly or indirectly controls,
is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company, and for such
purpose “control” shall mean the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management
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and policies of the entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities,
by contract or otherwise.
     1.3 “Development” or “Developed” shall mean actions constituting
commercially reasonable development activities with a goal such that, if
successful and commercially viable, the inventions of the Licensed Patents will
be utilized to provide Licensed Products for sale in the retail market.
     1.4 “Improvements” shall mean any inventions, discoveries, trade secrets,
improvements, and technical, clinical and other information, whether or not
patented or patentable, together with all experience, data, formulas, procedures
and results, and including all chemical, pharmacological, toxicological,
clinical, and assay information relating to any Licensed Patent Rights.
     1.5 “Know-How” shall mean all know-how, trade secrets, inventions, data
processes, techniques, procedures, compositions, devices, methods, formulas,
protocols and information, whether or not patentable, which are confidential and
useful or necessary in making or using the devices set forth in the Licensed
Patents, including, without limitation, all chemical, biochemical, toxicological
and scientific research information necessary or useful in making, using, or
obtaining approval for any device or method disclosed in the Licensed Patents.
     1.6 “Licensed Patent Rights” and “Licensed Patents” shall mean (1) United
States Provisional Patent Application No. 60/698,748 filed July 13, 2005, and
titled SUTURING SYSTEM FOR TRANSORAL GASTROPLASTY and United States Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/742,826 filed December 6, 2005, and titled SYSTEMS AND
TECHNIQUES FOR TRANSORAL GASTROPLASTY; (2) International Patent Application
No. PCT/US04/028516 entitled SUTURING DEVICES AND METHODS, filed September 2,
2004 (claiming benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial
No. 60/499,539, filed September 2, 2003; U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Serial No. 60/507,837, filed October 1, 2003; and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Serial No. 60/576,510, filed June 3, 2004); (3) any and all Patent
Rights under the patents or patent applications for any Additional Technologies
and associated Know-How licensed by the Company pursuant to the Option granted
in Section 5.3; and (4) future Improvements resulting from items described in
(1), (2), and (3).
     1.7 “Licensed Product” shall mean any device, instrument or other product,
(i) which, but for the license granted under this Agreement, would infringe at
least one Valid Claim in any country or (ii) the making or use of which, but for
the license granted under this Agreement, would infringe at least one Valid
Claim in any country. For the purposes of clarifying the meaning of “Licensed
Product” by way of an illustrative example, it is to be understood that a
product that would infringe a Valid Claim in the United States (but for the
license granted under this Agreement) is a “Licensed Product” for all countries
(e.g., England, China, etc.), irrespective of whether or not a Valid Claim
exists in England, China, etc., and irrespective of whether or not the product
would infringe a Valid Claim in England, China, etc.
     1.8 “Patent Rights” shall mean all rights under patents and patent
applications, disclosures of invention and any and all patents that issue
therefrom (including utility, model and
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design patents and certificates of invention), together with any and all
substitutions, extensions (including supplemental protection certificates),
registrations, confirmations, reissues, divisionals, continuations,
continuations-in-part, reexaminations, renewals and foreign counterparts of the
foregoing.
     1.9 “Regulatory Filing” shall mean the formal submission of information,
including clinical data if required, to the Food and Drug Agency (FDA) or other
similar regulatory agencies in other countries in order to apply for approval to
market any Licensed Product within the United States or other countries.
     1.10 “Valid Claim” shall mean a bona fide, unexpired issued claim in a
Licensed Patents which has not been held invalid or unenforceable by a decision
of a court or other governmental agency of competent jurisdiction, unappealable
or unappealed within the time allowed for appeal, which has not been admitted to
be invalid by the licensor or its successors or assigns though reissue or
disclaimer.
Section 2. Grant of Exclusive License.
     2.1 Exclusive License. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, the University grants the Company an exclusive (even as to the
University), worldwide license under the Licensed Patent Rights and associated
Know-How, including the exclusive right to make, have made, use, sell, offer for
sale, import or otherwise dispose of and enjoy any and all Licensed Products,
subject to the University retaining a non-exclusive, non-assignable and
non-sublicensable right limited solely to non-commercial practice under the
Licensed Patents and associated Know-How solely for educational, research, and
clinical study purposes. The University shall, at the Company’s request, execute
a confirmatory license having the terms set forth herein with respect to any
patent application or patent included in the Licensed Patents.
     2.2 Transfer to Affiliates. The Company shall have the right to extend the
rights granted herein to any of its Affiliates, upon the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, provided the Company agrees in writing to be responsible for the
performance by such Affiliates of all of the Company’s obligations hereunder,
including the payment of earned royalties set forth below on Net Sales of any
Licensed Product by the Affiliates to whom the licenses have been extended.
     2.3 Sublicense Rights. The Company shall have the right under any and all
of the licenses granted by the University herein to grant sublicenses to third
parties at earned royalties not less than those the Company is required to pay
as set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement.
          (a) With respect to sublicenses that the Company grants under this
Section 2.3, the Company shall pay the University that proportion of earned
royalties received from its licensees necessary to provide the University with
an amount of revenue from the Licensed Product sold by such sublicensees equal
to the amount the University would have received from the Company if the Company
had sold such Licensed Product. Additionally, with respect to sublicenses that
the Company grants under this Section 2.3 within the first thirty-six months of
the effective date of this Agreement, the Company shall pay to the University a
percentage of all up-front sublicense revenues or fees actually paid to the
Company pursuant to the grant of such
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sublicense, other than royalties, lines of credit, research and development
funding, and other expense payments or reimbursements, in accordance with the
following schedule:

              Date of Sublicense Grant   Percent of Revenues to University (from
date of this Agreement)    
First six months
    50 %
Second six months
    45 %
Third six months
    35 %
Fourth six months
    30 %
Third year
    20 %

The University shall not be entitled to any percentage of up-front sublicense
revenues or fees derived from sublicensing agreements entered into by the
Company after the third year from the date of this Agreement.
               (b) The granting of such sublicenses shall be in the discretion
of the Company, and the Company shall have the sole power to determine whether
or not to grant sublicenses, the identity of sublicensees, and the royalty rates
and terms and conditions of such sublicenses, provided that:
               (i) The University shall be provided with a complete, unredacted,
fully executed copy of each executed sublicense agreement (including all
exhibits, appendices, and other attachments) within thirty (30) days following
its execution;
               (ii) Each sublicense agreement shall contain terms requiring that
the sublicense maintain complete and accurate records and permitting the
University to audit such records, and said terms shall be at least as favorable
to the University as those set forth in Section 3.4(vi) of this Agreement; and
               (iii) Each sublicense agreement shall acknowledge that the
University is a third-party beneficiary to the sublicense agreement.
     2.4 Enforcement Rights. The University expressly grants the Company the
first right to enforce any Licensed Patent, with the Company bearing all costs
of such enforcement. In the event that the Company is found to have insufficient
standing to be entitled to such enforcement rights, then the University agrees
to enforce the Licensed Patent at the Company’s reasonable request and at the
Company’s expense, with the Company having the right to be participate in such
enforcement with counsel of the Company’s choice and expense.
Section 3. Royalty Payments.
     3.1 Royalty Defined. In further consideration for the Exclusive License and
development services granted under this Agreement, the Company shall pay the
University on a quarterly basis an earned royalty of one and one-half percent
(1.5%) on Net Sales (defined below) of any Licensed Product sold worldwide.
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     3.2. Net Sales. (i) For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Net Sales”
shall mean the revenue that the Company or its Affiliates actually collect from
the sale of any Licensed Product to an unaffiliated third party, less the
following amounts: (a) payments made or credits allowed to customers for
promotional purposes, allowances, rebates, discounts, profit share payments and
other usual and customary discounts, including, without limitation, volume and
prompt payment discounts, to customers, (b) the amount of chargebacks, and
amounts repaid or credited by reason of rejections, damages or returns of goods,
or because of retroactive price adjustments, (c) specific amounts not
collectible after reasonable collection efforts, (d) invoiced taxes, duties,
tariffs, surcharges and other governmental charges paid, absorbed or allowed in
connection with the sale, import or export of the Licensed Product, (e) freight,
postage, insurance charges and other transportation costs incurred in connection
with transporting the Licensed Product, and (f) discounts or rebates or other
payments required by law to be made under Medicaid, Medicare or other
governmental special medical assistance programs, all as determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S.
consistently applied.
               (ii) In the event that a Licensed Product is sold in a finished
combination package with one or more other products, devices, equipment or
components (a “Combination Product”), Net Sales for such Combination Product
will be calculated by multiplying actual Net Sales of such Combination Product
by the fraction A/(A+B) where A is the selling price of the Licensed Product if
sold separately in finished form and B is the selling price of any other
products, devices, equipment or components in the Combination Product if sold
separately in finished form provided that the selling price of any Combination
Product shall not be less than A+B. In the event that a product containing such
Licensed Product or one or more of such products, devices, equipment or
components in the Combination Product are not sold separately, then the parties
shall negotiate in good faith a formula for calculating Net Sales for such
Combination Product that reflects the respective contributions of the product
containing the Licensed Product and such other products, devices, equipment or
components to the overall value of such Combination Product. The Company
covenants that it will not intentionally manipulate the fraction A/ (A+B) to
avoid or reduce royalty payments or obligations that would otherwise be due for
sales of the Licensed Product in combination form or otherwise.
               (iii) Net Sales shall not include the distribution of the
Licensed Product free of charge for use in clinical trials or research or for
charitable uses. The “Net Sales” for a Licensed Product that is otherwise
transferred to a third party for promotional purposes without charge or at a
discount shall be the average invoiced price to customers who purchased the
Licensed Product during the applicable calendar quarter.
     3.3 Earned Royalty Reduction for Third Party License. The Company or its
Affiliates, in its sole discretion, may take a license under, or assignment of,
patents or know-how of an unaffiliated third party that arguably cover in whole
or in part any aspect of a Licensed Product under the terms requiring the
Company to pay such third party an earned royalty for the sale of such Licensed
Product. If the Company takes such a third party license or assignment, the
Company shall be entitled to negotiate and enter into agreements with such third
parties and fifty percent (50%) of any amounts payable by the Company, its
Affiliates or sublicensees with respect to the
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Licensed Product under such agreements shall be credited against amounts payable
to the University under this Section 2; provided, however, that the earned
royalty amount due to the University shall not be reduced below 50% of royalties
otherwise due (not less than 0.75% of Net Sales) for such Licensed Product.
     3.4 Accounting for Payments. (i) Amounts owing to the University under this
Section 3 shall be paid on a quarterly basis commencing with the calendar
quarter in which the first commercial sale of any Licensed Product is made, with
such amounts due and payable to the University on or before the forty-fifth
(45th) day following the end of the calendar quarter ending on March 31,
June 30, September 30 or December 31 in which such amounts were earned. Any
amounts which remain unpaid after the date they are due to the University shall
accrue interest from the due date at the rate of 1.5% per month. However, in no
event shall this interest provision be construed as a grant of permission for
any payment delays. The Company shall also be responsible for repayment to the
University of any attorney, collection agency, or other out-of-pocket University
expenses required to collect overdue payments due from this Section, or any
other applicable section of this Agreement.
               (ii) Except as otherwise directed, all amounts owing to the
University under this Agreement shall be paid in U.S. dollars to the University
at the following address:
Lee I. Fenicle, Director
Office of Technology Transfer
Creighton University
601 North 30th Street
Suite 1609
Omaha, NE 68131
               (iii) All royalties owing with respect to Net Sales stated in
currencies other than U.S. dollars shall be converted at the rate shown in the
Federal Reserve Noon Valuation — Value of Foreign Currencies on the last day of
the relevant calendar quarter.
               (iv) A statement showing how any amounts payable to the
University under this Section have been calculated, including a description of
any offsets or credits deducted therefrom, shall be submitted to the University
on the date of each such payment. Such accounting statements shall also contain
the total number of Licensed Products transferred by the Company, by each
Affiliate, and by each sublicense, with country-by-country breakdowns, during
the relevant calendar quarter; the revenue due to the Company for each of the
aforementioned transfers; and the number of Licensed Products distributed during
the relevant calendar quarter by the Company, by each Affiliate, and by each
sublicense free of charge or at a discount per Section 3.2(iii). Such accounting
statements shall contain a written representation signed by an executive officer
of the Company that states that the statements are true, accurate, and fairly
represent all amounts payable to the University pursuant to this Agreement.
               (v) The University is exempt from paying income taxes under U.S.
law. Therefore, all payments due under this Agreement shall be made without
deduction for taxes, assessments, or other charges of any kind which may be
imposed on the University by any
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government outside of the United States or any political subdivision of such
government with respect to any amounts payable to the University pursuant to
this Agreement. The Company may withhold the appropriate tax from any payment to
be made to the University under this Agreement provided that such withholding is
required by applicable law and the Company submits the amounts withheld to the
applicable tax authorities. In such event the Company will furnish the
University with proof of payment of such tax together with official or other
appropriate evidence issued by the applicable governmental authority.
               (vi) During the term of this Agreement, and for a period of three
years thereafter, the Company shall keep complete and accurate records in
sufficient detail to permit the University to confirm the accuracy of all
payments and reports due hereunder. The University shall have the right to cause
an independent, certified public accountant reasonably acceptable to the Company
and subject to terms of a confidentiality agreement to audit such records to
confirm royalty payments for the preceding three years. Such audits may be
exercised during normal business hours no more than once in any 12-month period
upon at least 30 days’ prior written notice to the Company. The University shall
bear the full cost of such audit unless such audit discloses an underpayment by
more than 5% of the amount due under this Agreement. In such case, the Company
shall bear the full cost of such audit.
     3.5 Survival of Royalty. The Company expressly agrees that any transfer, in
whole or in part, of any rights in and/or to any Licensed Product, including but
not limited to an assignment, sale of the assets of the Company, the acquisition
of the Company, or merger of the Company with a third-party or parties shall not
affect the Royalty or any other obligation of the Company to the University set
forth in this Agreement.
     3.6 Minimum Royalty Payments. The Company shall have no minimum royalty
obligations to the University during the term of this Agreement.
Section 4. Scope of Development, Resources.
     4.1 Facilities. The University shall provide and make available all
necessary facilities, including animal research laboratories to accommodate
Dr. Filipi’s research and development of any Licensed Product. The University
shall be compensated by the Company or otherwise reimbursed by the Company for
use of such facilities as provided in the Research and Development Budget, which
is appended hereto as Exhibit A and which is hereby incorporated into this
Agreement, or as otherwise agreed upon by the parties. The Company agrees to
update the Research and Development Budget not less frequently than once per
year, with input from the University.” The University shall not be held liable
for the decisions of any third party or University authority or regulatory
committee to disallow any animal research studies at the University. To the
extent the University is prohibited from conducting any animal research studies
on behalf of the Company, the funding requirements set forth under Section 5.1
shall be reduced by an amount equal to the amount allocated towards animal
research in the Research and Development Budget and any extensions and renewals
thereof.
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     4.2 Dr. Filipi’s Research and Development. For as long as Dr. Filipi is an
employee of the University, the University agrees that Dr. Filipi shall devote
at least ninety percent (90%) of his working time over the next four (4) years
commencing on the effective date of this Agreement and at least fifty percent
(50%) of his time for two (2) years thereafter, using his best efforts, towards
the research and development of any Licensed Product to a final design and
prototype as a commercially viable product and assist the Company with the
prosecution of any and all patent applications related thereto. Dr. Filipi shall
be compensated for such work as provided for in the Research and Development
Budget, or as otherwise agreed upon by the parties.
     4.3 Company Ownership of Intellectual Property.
          (a) Ownership of Intellectual Property Rights. The Company shall own
all inventions conceived of and reduced to practice solely by its employees and
agents, and all patent applications and patents claiming such inventions
developed without the use of any Licensed Patent Rights or associated Know-How;
and such inventions, patent applications and all resulting Patent Rights shall
not be subject to this Agreement. The University shall own all inventions
conceived of and reduced to practice solely by Dr. Filipi, its other employees,
and/or its agents in the course of this Agreement, and all patent applications
and patents claiming such inventions; and such inventions, patent applications
and all resulting Licensed Patent Rights shall be subject to the exclusive
license, royalty, and associated provisions of this Agreement. Company and
University shall jointly own all inventions conceived of and reduced to practice
jointly by (i) Dr. Filipi, the University’s other employees, and/or the
University’s agents and (ii) the Company’s employees and/or the Company’s agents
in the course of this Agreement; and such inventions, patent applications and
all resulting Licensed Patent Rights shall be subject to the exclusive license,
royalty, and associated provisions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary contained in this Section 4.3, the University shall solely own
all inventions conceived of or reduced to practice under the Research and
Development Budget and any extensions and renewals thereof, and all patent
applications and patents claiming such inventions, irrespective of whether such
inventions are conceived of solely by Company employees and agents, solely by
University employees and agents, or jointly by University employees and agents
and Company employees and agents; and such inventions, patent applications and
all resulting Licensed Patent Rights shall be subject to the exclusive license,
royalty, and associated provisions of this Agreement.
          (b) Ownership of Copyright and Trademark Materials. It is also
contemplated that the University and its employees may create copyrightable and
trademark- or servicemark-eligible work related to the Company’s or any Licensed
Product’s marketing, promotion, and public relations (“Other Work”) in
connection with the performance of the development services under this
Agreement. The University agrees that the copyright or mark and all other rights
in and to the Other Work shall belong completely and in all respects to the
Company and that the University and its employees shall retain no rights in or
to such Other Work. The University further expressly agrees that the
aforementioned Other Work will be considered and deemed as work made for hire
for the benefit and exclusive ownership of the Company to the fullest extent
permitted by law, provided, however, that if any copyrightable work shall not be
legally qualified as work made for hire, the University agrees to assign, and
does hereby so assign to the
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Company, all rights, title and interest in and to such Other Work, including,
but not limited to, the copyright or mark therein. Where the Company has
authorized the University to subcontract all or a portion of any services or to
engage any other organization to perform all or a portion of any services, the
University further agrees to require by contract that any such subcontractor or
organization assign, either to the University or to the Company as the
designated client, all such Other Work created by such subcontractor or
organization the University also agrees to furnish and execute such additional
documents as the Company may require to establish the Company’s ownership of the
copyright or mark in the Other Work including, without limitation, such
assignments of the copyright or mark therein throughout the world as the Company
may deem appropriate. Notwithstanding the Company’s ownership of any Other Work
set forth above, the Company agrees that the University shall have the right to
publish or present the results of scientific investigations associated with this
Agreement, provided that confidential and/or propriety information of the
Company not publicly known shall not be disclosed without the Company’s prior
written permission. The University shall provide the Company with a copy of the
manuscript, paper, or poster not less than 30 days prior to any submission to
any third party. If identified by the Company, the University will delete any of
the Company’s proprietary or confidential information contained herein.
Additionally, the trademarks “SafeStitch” and “SafeStitch LLC”, as well as any
and all variants thereof, any domain names thereof, and goodwill associated
therewith, shall be the property of the Company. The parties agree that all
goodwill generated by any Licensed Product or the marks “SafeStitch” and
“SafeStitch LLC”, as well as any variants thereof, shall inure to the benefit of
the Company.
          (c) Prosecution and Maintenance of Patent Rights. The University
shall, using agents or attorneys agreed to by the parties (including agreement
with respect to costs associated with drafting and prosecuting patent
applications), file, prosecute and maintain the Licensed Patents and all patent
applications and patents disclosing and claiming inventions made in whole or in
part by the University employees, agents or contractors resulting from the
research and development the University engages in on behalf of the Company
under the Agreement. The University shall file, prosecute and maintain one or
more patent applications and patents in those countries designated by the
Company. The University shall provide copies of all documents filed with or
received from any domestic or foreign patent office to the Company to allow the
Company adequate time to review and comment. For any patent prosecution or
maintenance in any country designated by the Company, the Company shall
reimburse the University within 45 days or receipt of written invoices provided
to the Company by the University for all expenses, including attorney’s fees and
government fees associated with such filings, prosecution and maintenance costs,
and for patent searches performed as part of an analysis of whether to file a
patent application claiming such an invention. Reimbursement by the Company for
legal services would be limited to an amount no greater than the median amount
set forth in the then current AIPLA Report of the Economic Survey for comparable
legal services unless otherwise agreed to in writing in advance. The amounts of
this reimbursement would not be subjected to the limits or deducted from any
other payments due from the Company to the University under the Agreement. The
Company would reserve the right to discontinue reimbursement of such patent
drafting, prosecution and/or maintenance in any country or for any patent
application or patent by giving the University thirty days written notice. The
Company would be responsible only for costs or fees incurred prior to such
notice to the University, and the University would have the right, but not the
obligation, to continue such drafting, prosecution, or maintenance at
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the University’s own expense. In the event that the Company chooses to
discontinue reimbursement of patent drafting, prosecution, and/or maintenance in
any country for any patent, then the associated Patent Rights in that country
shall revert back to the University. A decision by the Company to discontinue
reimbursement for patent costs in a particular country shall not affect the
Company’s reporting and payment obligations with respect to sales of Licensed
Products by the Company, its Affiliates, and its sublicensees in the particular
country.
          (d) Infringement by Third Parties. If a party to this Agreement
becomes aware of any infringement or potential infringement of any Licensed
Patent Right, the party to this agreement shall promptly notify the other party
of such infringement or potential infringement. During the term of this
Agreement the Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, at is sole
expense and with counsel of its own choice, to enforce the Licensed Patent
Rights and associated Know-How against any infringer, including the right to
file suit for patent infringement naming the University as a party, and the
right to settle such suit with the University’s consent, which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld . The University shall permit the use of its name in
all such suits, sign all necessary papers, and do all reasonable things
necessary, at the Company’s expense, to facilitate the prosecution of such
infringement suits. The Company shall pay to the University one and one-half
percent (1.5%) of any amount collected as a result of such judgement or
settlement within 30 days of the receipt thereof. The Company shall incur no
other liability to the University as a consequence of such litigation, the
conduct of such litigation or any unfavorable decision resulting from it,
including any decision holding any of the Licensed Patent Rights invalid or
unenforceable. In the event that the Company chooses not to file suit for patent
infringement within 180 days after becoming aware of infringement, the
University shall have the right, but not the obligation, at its sole expense and
with counsel of its own choice, to enforce the Licensed Patent Rights and
associated Know-How against any infringer, including the right to file suit for
patent infringement naming the Company as a party, and the right to settle such
suit with the Company’s consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld. The Company shall permit the use of its name in all such suits, sign
all necessary papers, and do all reasonable things necessary, at the
University’s expense, to facilitate the prosecution of such infringement suits.
The University shall pay to the Company one and one-half percent (1.5%) of any
amount collected as a result of such judgement or settlement within 30 days of
the receipt thereof. The University shall incur no other liability to the
Company as a consequence of such litigation, the conduct of such litigation or
any unfavorable decision resulting from it, including any decision holding any
of the Licensed Patent Rights invalid or unenforceable.
Section 5. Commercial Funding and Development.
     5.1 Funding Requirements. Company shall invest, in aggregate, at least
$2,500,000 within thirty-six (36) months of the effective date of this Agreement
(i) under the Research and Development Budget and any extensions and renewals
thereof, and (ii) towards development of any Licensed Product. If the Company
fails to do so, all rights in the Licensed Patent Rights and associated Know-How
shall revert back to the University. Further, Company agrees to pay to the
University a 20% overhead fee on expenditures pursuant to the Research and
Development Budget as set forth in Exhibit A. It is understood that the first
$150,000 of costs related to the prosecution of patents, including costs related
to the defense or claims related thereto, associated
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with the Licensed Patent Rights and associated Know-How are not included in the
$2,500,000 amount recited in this Section 5.1.
     5.2 Commercial Exploitation Term. The Company shall exercise its own
business judgment and its sole and absolute discretion over the marketing, sale,
distribution, promotion, or other commercial exploitation (collectively, the
“Commercial Exploitation” or “Commercially Exploited”) of any Licensed Product.
In the event the Company has not Commercially Exploited or commenced Development
of a Licensed Patent and its associated Know-How by the seventh (7th)
anniversary of the later of the effective date of this Agreement or the date
such technology is disclosed to and accepted by the Company, then Company shall
promptly execute such papers as are necessary to cause the reversion of such
Licensed Patent and associated Know-How back to the University, with no rights
retained by Company, and the University will have the right to seek a third
party with whom to commercialize such Patent and associated Know-How. Company
may purchase one year extensions in addition to the seven years provided for
Commercial Exploitation at a cost of $100,000 per Licensed Patent per year of
extension to avoid the reversion of any Patent Right that has not been
Commercially Exploited or Developed. At any time, the Company may choose at its
discretion not to develop one or more of the Licensed Patents. In such event,
the Company will promptly notify the University in writing that the Company has
decided to not commercialize such Licensed Patent, and all rights to such
Licensed Patent and its associated Know-How shall revert back to the University.
     5.3 New Technology Disclosure and Grant of Option. During the first
thirty-six (36) months from the effective date of this Agreement, the University
shall have an ongoing obligation to disclose any Additional Technologies and
associated Know-How, and the Company shall have an option for thirty (30) days
after such disclosure (the “Option”) to accept or reject such disclosed
technology for continued Development. Such disclosures shall be made no less
than quarterly, and the date of written acceptance by the Company shall commence
the 7-year term set forth in Section 5.2 with respect to each disclosed and
accepted item. The University shall not have any right to reimbursement under
this Agreement for any technology not specifically referenced in this Agreement
until disclosed to and accepted by the Company subject to the terms of this
Section 5.3.
     5.4 Enforceability. The Company agrees to cooperate in executing any
documents necessary to cause rights in the Licensed Patent Rights and associated
Know-How to revert back to the University pursuant to Sections 5.1 and 5.2, and
the rights of the University to such reversion shall be enforceable by specific
performance. The parties agree to submit any dispute to non-binding arbitration
as governed under the rules of arbitration in the Omaha, NE area before filing
suit in any court of law. The prevailing party shall be entitled to
reimbursement of any legal fees incurred pursuant to this Section 5.4.
Section 6. Confidentiality and Disclosure.
     6.1 Confidentiality.
     (a) By the University. From and after the execution of this Agreement, the
University shall keep secret and retain in the strictest confidence, and shall
not use for the benefit of any person other than the Company, all confidential
information and trade secrets disclosed to
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the University relating to any Licensed Product or the business and other
operations of the Company, including, without limitation, the Licensed Patent
Rights and associated Know-How that will be developed, designed, and/or
otherwise created, whether or not any of such technology is protected or can be
protected by patents, trademarks, copyrights or other intellectual property
rights. The University shall use reasonable efforts to ensure that all
employees, contractors and consultants employed or engaged by the University in
furtherance of its business shall maintain the same confidentiality related to
Company matters that are required by the University. For purposes of this
Agreement, the parties understand and agree that the term “confidential
information” does not include information which (i) has been published or is now
in the public domain, or in the future becomes published or in the public domain
through no action of the University; (ii) subsequent to disclosure hereunder, is
received by the University from a third party not known by the University to be
under an obligation of confidentiality to the Company; (iii) is independently
developed by the University without reference to the confidential information of
the Company; or (iv) is disclosed with the prior written approval of the
Company. Company understands that in the course of prosecution of Patent Rights,
it may be desirable and/or necessary that certain information be disclosed to
one or more patent offices or otherwise, and nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed as restricting the University from making such disclosures.
     (b) By the Company. From and after the execution of this Agreement, the
Company shall keep secret and retain in the strictest confidence, and shall not
use for the benefit of any person other than the University, all confidential
information and trade secrets disclosed to the Company relating to any Licensed
Product or the business and other operations of the University, including,
without limitation, the Licensed Patent Rights and associated Know-How that will
be developed, designed, and/or otherwise created, whether or not any of such
technology is protected or can be protected by patents, trademarks, copyrights
or other intellectual property rights. The Company shall use reasonable efforts
to ensure that all employees, contractors and consultants employed or engaged by
the Company in furtherance of its business shall maintain the same
confidentiality related to University matters that are required by the Company.
For purposes of this Agreement, the parties understand and agree that the term
“confidential information” does not include information which (i) has been
published or is now in the public domain, or in the future becomes published or
in the public domain through no action of the Company; (ii) subsequent to
disclosure hereunder, is received by the Company from a third party not known by
the Company to be under an obligation of confidentiality to the University;
(iii) is independently developed by the Company without reference to the
confidential information of the University; or (iv) is disclosed with the prior
written approval of the University. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company
may exercise its sole business judgment in disclosing information related to any
Licensed Product in furtherance of the Development or Commercial Exploitation of
such Licensed Product and may also disclose any information legally required to
be disclosed by any regulatory body related to the Commercial Exploitation or
Development of any Licensed Product without the consent or prior approval of the
University.
     6.2 Disclosure.
     (a) By the University. If the University is requested or required by a
court having competent jurisdiction, by oral questions, by interrogatories, or
similar requests for information or
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documents, by subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar process, to
disclose any confidential information of the Company, the University shall
provide the Company with written notice of such request or requirement so that
the Company may seek an appropriate protective order and/or waive compliance
with the provisions of this Agreement. The University agrees to cooperate with
the Company, at the Company’s sole expense, in obtaining such protective order.
If the Company does not obtain such protective order or provide a waiver of the
obligations of this Agreement within a reasonable time after the University has
provided written notice under this paragraph, the University may disclose such
confidential information pursuant to such request or requirement without
liability under this Agreement.
     (b) By the Company. If the Company is requested or required by a court
having competent jurisdiction, by oral questions , by interrogatories, or
similar requests for information or documents, by subpoena, civil investigative
demand or similar process, to disclose any confidential information of the
University, the Company shall provide the University with written notice of such
request or requirement so that the University may seek an appropriate protective
order and/or waive compliance with the provisions of this Agreement. The Company
agrees to cooperate with the University, at the University’s sole expense, in
obtaining such protective order or provide a waiver of the obligations of this
Agreement within a reasonable time after the Company has provided written notice
under this paragraph; the Company may disclose such confidential information
pursuant to such request or requirement without liability under this Agreement.
Section 7. Indemnification.
     7.1 By the University. The University agrees to defend and indemnify and
hold the Company harmless against any and all claims, suits, proceedings,
expenses, recoveries and damages, including court costs and reasonable attorneys
fees and expenses, arising out of, based on, or caused by the breach by the
University of any representation of warranty contained in this Agreement, except
to the extent that such claims, suits, proceedings, expenses, recoveries or
damages arise from or are aggravated by acts of or failure to act by the
Company; provided that the Company shall provide the University with reasonably
prompt written notice of any claim or action for which it seeks indemnification
under this Section 7.1. The University shall have sole control of the defense
and settlement of any such claim or action; and the Company shall reasonably
cooperate and provide reasonable assistance in connection with the defense and
settlement of any such claim or action. Nothing in this Section 7.1 shall be
construed as requiring the University to defend, indemnify, or hold the Company
harmless with respect to any claim, suit, proceeding, expense, recovery, or
damage related to alleged infringement of any third party Patent Right by any
product, device, or method developed by the University under this Agreement.
     7.2 By the Company. The Company agrees to defend and indemnify and hold the
University harmless against any and all claims, suits, proceedings, expenses,
recoveries, and damages including court costs and reasonable attorneys feeds and
expenses, in connection with any of the Licensed Products sold by the Company or
its Affiliates arising out of, based on, or caused by (i) the Company’s use,
manufacture, sale, offer for sale or disposal of the Licensed Product; (ii) the
storage, sale, shipment, promotion or distribution of the Licensed Products by
the Company or its Affiliates; or (iii) the breach by the Company of any
representation or warranty contained in this Agreement, in each case except to
the extent that such claims, suits,
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proceedings, expenses, recoveries or damages arise from or are aggravated by
acts of or failure to act by the University; provided that (a) the University
shall provide the Company with reasonably prompt written notice of any claim or
action for which it seeks indemnification under this Article; (b) the Company
shall have sole control of the defense and settlement of any such claim or
action; and (c) the University shall reasonably cooperate and provide reasonable
assistance in connection with the defense and settlement of any such claim or
action.
Section 8. Representations and Warranties.
     8.1 University Representations and Warranties. The University represents
and warrants to the Company that all necessary university, corporate, and
governmental authorizations, consents and approvals which are necessary or
required for the entering into of this Agreement have been duly obtained; and
the entering into of this Agreement by the University will not violate any
provision of law, statute, rule or regulation or any ruling, writ, injunction,
order, judgment or decree of any court, administrative agency or other
governmental body to which the University is subject.
     8.2. Company Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and
warrants to the University that:
          (a) all necessary corporate and other authorizations, consents and
approvals which are necessary or required for the entering into of this
Agreement have been duly obtained; the entering into of this Agreement by the
Company shall not (i) violate any provision of law, statute, rule or regulation
or any ruling, writ, injunction, order, judgment or decree of any court,
administrative agency or other governmental body or (ii) conflict with or result
in any breach of any of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a
default (or give raise to any right of termination, cancellation or
acceleration) under, or result in the creation of any lien, security interest,
charge or encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of the Company under
its organizational documents, as amended to date, or any material note,
indenture, mortgage, lease, agreement, contract, purchase order or other
instrument, document or agreement in which the Company is a party or by which it
or any of its properties or assets is bound or affected.
     8.3 Disclaimer of Warranties.
          (a) EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT AND THIS ARTICLE
9, NEITHER PARTY MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY TO THE OTHER PARTY OF ANY
KIND INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
          (b) NEITHER PARTY MAKES ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, CONCERNING
THE SUCCESS OF THE DEVELOPMENT OR THE COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION OF ANY PRODUCT.
Section 9. Governing Law; Construction; Severability. This Agreement and the
rights and liabilities of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and
determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois. All pronouns
shall be deemed to be the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular or plural as the
identity of the person or persons may require. References to a person or
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persons shall include partnerships, corporations, companies, unincorporated
associations, trusts, estates and other types of entities. Every provision of
this Agreement is intended to be severable. To the extent any provision of this
Agreement is prohibited or otherwise ineffective under applicable law, such
provision shall be considered to be ineffective to the smallest degree possible
in order to make this Agreement effective under applicable law. In any judicial
proceeding, if a court shall refuse to enforce the scope of any restrictions
herein, including geographic and/or time restrictions, to their fullest extent,
then such scope, including the geographic and/or time restrictions, shall be
reduced to the extent necessary to permit enforcement of such restrictions to
the fullest extent possible.
Section 10. No Partnership. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as
creating a partnership (including, without limitation, a limited partnership) or
joint venture between or among the parties hereto. No party shall act as or be
deemed to be a partner or joint venturer of any other party.
Section 11. Captions; Headings. The captions and headings in this Agreement are
for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.
Section 12. Counterparts. This Agreement, and any amendments hereto may be
executed in counterparts all of which taken together shall constitute one
agreement.
Section 13. Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. With the exception
of such agreements or other documents that are expressly incorporated herein, it
is the intention of the parties that this Agreement shall be the sole source of
agreement of the parties and this Agreement shall govern even when inconsistent
with or different from, the provisions of any applicable law or rule.
Section 14. Amendments. This Agreement may not be altered, amended, changed,
supplemented, waived or modified in any respect or particular unless the same
shall be in writing and unanimously agreed to by the parties hereto.
Section 15. Effect on Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of the parties hereto and to their respective heirs, executors,
administrators, successors and assigns.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties as of
the date first written above.
     [signature page follows]
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Signature Page
Creighton University

         
By:
  /s/ Daniel E. Burkey   May 26, 2006
 
       
 
  Daniel E. Burkey   Date
 
  VP, Administration and Finance    
 
  Creighton University    
 
        SafeStitch LLC    
 
       
By:
  /s/ Jeffrey G. Spragens   May 4, 2006
 
       
 
  Jeffrey G. Spragens   Date
 
  Business Manager    
 
  SafeStitch LLC    

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EXHIBIT A
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BUDGET

                      Annual   Total
Personnel
               
 
               
Director
    150,000       300,000 *
Biomedical engineer – consultant
    100,000       200,000 *
Biomedical engineer – knotting / electrical
    100,000       200,000  
Biomedical engineer – needle mechanism
    100,000       200,000  
Biomedical engineer – automation
    100,000       200,000  
Animal technician
    30,000       60,000  
Research fellow
    40,000       40,000  
Administrative assistant
    30,000       60,000  
 
               
 
               
SUBTOTAL SALARIES
            1,260,000  
Taxes and Benefits – 37%
            281,200  
 
               
TOTAL PERSONNEL
            1,541,200  
 
               
Direct Costs
               
 
               
Animals
            82,400  
Surgical supplies
            20,000  
Office supplies
            10,000  
Operating room equipment
            10,000  
Consultant costs
            300,000  
Prototype expense
            350,000  
 
               
TOTAL DIRECT COSTS
            772,400  
 
               
Indirect Costs and Overhead
               
 
               
Creighton University Indirect Cost Allowance – 20%
            462,700  
Legal
            150,000  
Accounting
            30,000  
Insurance
            50,000  
Licenses and fees
            10,000  
Travel
            20,000  
Marketing
            10,000  
Contingency at 10%
            304,630  
 
               
TOTAL INDIRECT COSTS
            1,037,330  
 
               
TOTAL BUDGET
            3,350,930  

 

*   No benefits included

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