achv-ex102_53.htm



 

EXHIBIT 10.2

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of November 18, 2022 by and among Achieve Life Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), each of the persons who have executed counterpart signature pages hereto (each a “Purchaser” and collectively, the “Purchasers”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to enter into a registration rights agreement with each of the Purchasers who purchased Units pursuant to a subscription agreement of even date hereof (the “Subscription Agreement”) in connection with the Offering, granting such Purchasers certain registration rights with respect to the Shares and Warrant Shares.

 

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Subscription Agreement.

 

1. Definitions.

 

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any person, any other person which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such person.

 

“Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share.

 

“Effectiveness Date” means, with respect to the Registration Statement required to be filed hereunder, the 180th calendar day following the final closing of the Offering; provided, however, that in the event the Company is notified by the Commission that one or more of the above Registration Statements will not be reviewed or is no longer subject to further review and comments, the Effectiveness Date as to such Registration Statement shall be the tenth (10th) Trading Day following the date on which the Company is so notified if such date precedes the dates otherwise required above, provided, further, if such Effectiveness Date falls on a day that is not a Trading Day, then the Effectiveness Date shall be the next succeeding Trading Day.

 

“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Filing Date” means, with respect to the Registration Statement required hereunder, the 60th calendar day following the final closing of the Offering, provided, further, if such Filing Date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day that the Commission is closed for business, then the Filing Date shall be the next succeeding Trading Day on which the Commission is open for business.

 

“FINRA” means the U.S. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

 

“Holder” or “Holders” means the holder or holders, as the case may be, from time to time of Registrable Securities.

 

“Prospectus” means the prospectus included in a Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.

 

“Purchaser” or “Purchasers” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

 



 

 

“Registrable Securities” means, as of any date of determination: all of the (a) Shares, (b) Warrant Shares, and (c) any securities issued or then issuable upon any stock split, dividend or other distribution, recapitalization or similar event with respect to the foregoing; provided, that the Holder has completed and delivered to the Company a Selling Stockholder Questionnaire; and provided, further, such Holder’s Shares and Warrant Shares shall cease to be Registrable Securities (and the Company shall not be required to maintain the effectiveness of any, or file another, Registration Statement hereunder with respect thereto) upon the earliest to occur of the following: (a) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such Registrable Securities is declared effective by the Commission under the Securities Act and such Registrable Securities have been disposed of by the Holder in accordance with such effective Registration Statement, (b) such Registrable Securities are sold in accordance with Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, or (c) such securities become eligible for resale by the Holder under Rule 144 without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information requirement thereunder and without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions as set forth in a written opinion letter issued by counsel to the Company to such effect, addressed, delivered and acceptable to the Transfer Agent.

 

“Registration Statement” means any registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act that covers the resale of any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2(a), including amendments and supplements to any such registration statement, including pre- and post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto, and all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in any such registration statement.

 

“Rule 415” means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.

 

“Rule 424” means Rule 424 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the same purpose and effect as such Rule.

 

“SEC Guidance” means (i) any publicly-available written or oral guidance of the Commission staff, or any comments, requirements or requests of the Commission staff and (ii) the Securities Act.

 

“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable to the Purchasers pursuant to the Subscription Agreement.

 

“Trading Day” means any day on which such national securities exchange, the OTC Pink Market, the OTCQB Market or such other securities market or quotation system, which at the time constitutes the principal securities market for the Common Stock, is open for general trading of securities.

 

“Transfer Agent” means American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

 

“Warrants” means the Warrants issued pursuant to the Subscription Agreement.

 

“Warrant Shares” means the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon exercise of the Warrants.

 

2. Resale Registration.

 

(a) On or prior to the Filing Date, the Company shall prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement (which shall be on Form S-1 or if permitted in accordance with SEC Guidance and applicable rules, on Form S-3) covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities that are not already registered on an existing and effective Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 or, if Rule 415 is not available for offers and sales of the Registrable Securities, by such other means of distribution of Registrable Securities as the Holders may reasonably specify. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause a Registration Statement filed under this Agreement to be declared 

 



 

effective by the Commission as soon as practical, but in any event no later than the Effectiveness Date, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities Act (or file and keep continuously effective one or more replacement Registration Statements to register all Registrable Securities) until the earlier of (i) such time as all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been publicly sold by Holders or (ii) the date that all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement may be sold by non-affiliates without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions pursuant to Rule 144 and without the requirement for the Company to be in compliance with the current public information requirement under Rule 144, as determined by the counsel to the Company pursuant to a written opinion letter to such effect, addressed and reasonably acceptable to the Transfer Agent (the “Effectiveness Period”). The Company shall file a final Prospectus with the Commission as required by Rule 424 with respect to each Registration Statement.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the registration obligations set forth in Section 2(a), if the Commission informs the Company that all of the Registrable Securities cannot, as a result of the application of Rule 415, be registered for resale as a secondary offering on a single registration statement, the Company agrees to promptly (i) inform each of the Holders thereof and use its reasonable best efforts to file amendments to the Registration Statement as required by the Commission and/or (ii) withdraw the Registration Statement and file one or more new registration statements (together, the “New Registration Statement”), in either case, covering the maximum number of Registrable Securities permitted to be registered by the Commission, on such other form available to register for resale the Registrable Securities as a secondary offering; provided, however, that prior to filing such amendment or New Registration Statement, the Company shall be obligated to use reasonable best efforts to advocate with the Commission for the registration of all of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the SEC Guidance.

 

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the Commission or any SEC Guidance sets forth a limitation on the number of Registrable Securities permitted to be registered on a particular Registration Statement as a secondary offering, unless otherwise directed in writing by a Holder as to its Registrable Securities, the number of Registrable Securities to be registered on such Registration Statement will be reduced as follows: (i) first, by Registrable Securities not acquired pursuant to a Subscription Agreement; (ii) second, by Registrable Securities represented by Warrant Shares (applied, in the case that some shares may be registered, to such Holders on a pro rata basis based on the number of unregistered Warrant Shares held by such Holders); and (iii) third, by Registrable Securities represented by shares of Common Stock issued in the Offering (applied, in the case that if some of such shares of Common Stock may be registered, to the Holders on a pro rata basis based on the number of unregistered shares held by such Holders).

  

(d) [RESERVED.]

 

(e) Holder agrees to furnish to the Company a completed Selling Stockholder Questionnaire attached hereto as Exhibit A on the date hereof. Prior to the first anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement for any registration under this Agreement, the Company will notify Holder of the information the Company requires from Holder other than the information contained in the Selling Stockholder Questionnaire, if any, which shall be completed and delivered to the Company promptly upon request and, in any event, no later than three (3) Trading Days prior to the applicable anticipated filing date. Holder further agrees that it shall not be entitled to be named as a selling stockholder in the Registration Statement or use a Prospectus for offers and resales of Registrable Securities at any time, unless Holder has returned to the Company a completed and signed Selling Stockholder Questionnaire and a response to any requests for further information in the time frame and as described in the previous sentence. Holder acknowledges and agrees that the information in the Selling Stockholder Questionnaire or request for further information as described in this Section 2(e) will be used by the Company in the preparation of the Registration Statement and hereby consents to the inclusion of such information in the Registration Statement.

 

(f) In its sole discretion, the Company may undertake to register the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 after such form is available to the Company, provided that the Company shall maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement then in effect until such time as a registration statement on Form S-3 covering the Registrable Securities has been declared by the Commission to be or otherwise becomes effective. 

 

3. Registration Procedures. In connection with the Company’s registration obligations hereunder, the Company shall:

 

 



 

 

(a)(i) Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments and supplements, to each Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective as to the applicable Registrable Securities for the Effectiveness Period; (ii) cause the related Prospectus to be amended or supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement (subject to the terms of this Agreement), and, as so supplemented or amended, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; (iii) respond as promptly as reasonably practicable to any comments received from the Commission with respect to each Registration Statement or any amendment thereto; and (iv) during the Effectiveness Period, comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of (subject to the terms of this Agreement) in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Holders thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented; provided, however, that each Holder shall be responsible for the delivery of the Prospectus to the Persons to whom such Holder sells any of the Shares or the Warrant Shares (including in accordance with Rule 172 under the Securities Act), and Holder agrees to dispose of Registrable Securities in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws.

  

(b) Notify each Holder as promptly as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than seven (7) Trading Days after such event, (i) when the Registration Statement has become effective; (ii) of any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information that pertains to the Holders as “Selling Stockholders” or the “Plan of Distribution”; (iii) of the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement covering any or all of the Registrable Securities or the initiation of any governmental action, litigation, hearing or other proceeding (“Proceedings”) for that purpose; and (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any Proceeding for such purpose.

 

(c) Use reasonable best efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if issued, obtain the withdrawal of (i) any order stopping or suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement; or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, as soon as practicable.

 

(d) Prior to any resale of Registrable Securities by a Holder, use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the selling Holders in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption from the Registration or qualification) of such Registrable Securities for the resale by the Holder under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any Holder reasonably requests in writing, to keep each registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness Period and to do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities covered by each Registration Statement; provided, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified, subject the Company to any material tax in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction.

 

(e) If requested by a Holder, cooperate with such Holder to facilitate the preparation and delivery of certificates or book entry statements representing Registrable Securities to be delivered to a transferee pursuant to a Registration Statement, which certificates or book entry statements shall be free, to the extent permitted by the Subscription Agreement and under law, of all restrictive legends, and to enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as any such Holder may reasonably request.

 

(f)  Use its best efforts to promptly regain compliance with the listing and listing maintenance requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC applicable to it for the continued trading of its shares of Common Stock on Nasdaq.

 

(g) [RESERVED.]

 

(h) [RESERVED.]

 

 



 

 

(i) The Company may require each selling Holder to furnish to the Company a certified statement as to (i) the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Holder and any Affiliate thereof, (ii) any FINRA affiliations, (iii) any natural persons who have the power to vote or dispose of the Common Stock and (iv) any other information as may be requested by the Commission, FINRA or any state securities commission.

 

4. Registration Expenses. All fees and expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with this Agreement by the Company shall be borne by the Company whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant to a Registration Statement. In no event however shall the Company be responsible for any underwriting, broker or similar commissions of any Holder or any legal fees or other costs of the Holders except for the Fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Offering.

  

5. Indemnification.

 

(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall, notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, the officers, directors, members, partners, agents, brokers (including brokers who offer and sell Registrable Securities as principal as a result of a pledge or any failure to perform under a margin call of Common Stock), investment advisors and employees of each of them, each Person who controls any such Holder (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, members, stockholders, partners, agents and employees of each such controlling Person, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses (collectively, “Losses”), as incurred, arising out of or based upon (1) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto, preliminary prospectus, free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act), or arising out of or relating to any omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading or (2) any violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder, in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent that (i) such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding such Holder furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder for use therein, or to the extent that such information relates to such Holder or such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was reviewed and approved in writing by such Holder for use in a Registration Statement, such Prospectus, preliminary prospectus, free writing prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto (it being understood that each Holder has approved the contents of the Selling Stockholder Questionnaire for this purpose), (ii) the use by a Holder of an outdated, defective or otherwise unavailable Prospectus after the Company has notified the Holder in writing that the Prospectus is outdated, defective or otherwise unavailable for use by such Holder or an updated Prospectus becomes available on the EDGAR filing system or (iii) to the extent that any such Losses arise out of the Holder’s (or any other Indemnified Party’s) failure to send or give a copy of the Prospectus or supplement (as then amended or supplemented), if required, pursuant to Rule 172 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule) to the Persons asserting an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of the Registrable Securities to such Person if such statement or omission was corrected in such Prospectus or supplement. The Company shall notify the Holders of the institution, threat or assertion of any governmental action, litigation, hearing or other proceeding arising from or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement of which the Company is aware.

 

(b) Indemnification by Holders. Each Holder shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers, agents, stockholders, Affiliates, and employees, each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, partners, members, managers, stockholders, agents or employees of such controlling Persons, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Losses, as incurred, to the extent arising out of or based upon: (x) such Holder’s failure to comply with any applicable prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act through no fault of the Company or (y) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, preliminary prospectus, free writing prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading (i) to the extent that 

 



 

such untrue statement or omission is based upon information furnished by such Holder to the Company for inclusion in such Registration Statement or such Prospectus or (ii) to the extent that such information relates to such Holder’s proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was reviewed and approved by such Holder for use in a Registration Statement (it being understood that the Holder has approved the contents of the Selling Stockholder Questionnaire for this purpose), such Prospectus, preliminary prospectus, free writing prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or (iii) to the extent related to the use by such Holder of an outdated, defective or otherwise unavailable Prospectus after the Company has notified the Holder that the Prospectus is outdated, defective or otherwise unavailable for use by such Holder or an updated Prospectus becomes available on the EDGAR filing system; provided that the total amounts payable in indemnity by such Holder under this Section 5(b) shall not exceed the net proceeds received by such Holder in the registered offering out of which such Losses arise.

  

(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. 

 

(i) If any Proceeding shall be brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity hereunder (an “Indemnified Party”), such Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Person from whom indemnity is sought (the “Indemnifying Party”) in writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and the payment of all reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with defense thereof; provided, that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations or liabilities pursuant to this Agreement, except (and only) to the extent that it shall be finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is not subject to appeal or further review) that such failure shall have materially and adversely prejudiced the Indemnifying Party.

 

(ii) An Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or Parties unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses, (2) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to assume the defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding, or (3) the named parties to any such Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, and such Indemnified Party shall have been advised by counsel that a material conflict of interest exists if the same counsel were to represent such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party (in which case, if such Indemnified Party notifies the Indemnifying Party in writing that it elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof and the reasonable fees and expenses of no more than one separate counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnifying Party). The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such Proceeding effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party, effect any settlement of any pending Proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party is a party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such Proceeding.

 

(iii) Subject to the terms of this Agreement, all reasonable fees and expenses of the Indemnified Party (including reasonable fees and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with investigating or preparing to defend such Proceeding in a manner not inconsistent with this Section) shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as incurred, within ten (10) Trading Days of written notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party; provided, that, the Indemnified Party shall promptly reimburse the Indemnifying Party for that portion of such fees and expenses applicable to such actions for which such Indemnified Party is finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which determination is not subject to appeal or further review) not to be entitled to indemnification hereunder.

  

(d) Contribution. 

 

(i) If a claim for indemnification under Section 5(a) or 5(b) is unavailable to an Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold an Indemnified Party harmless for any Losses, then each Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any 

 



 

other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact, has been taken or made by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action, statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of any Losses shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, any reasonable attorneys’ or other reasonable fees or expenses incurred by such party in connection with any Proceeding to the extent such party would have been indemnified for such fees or expenses if the indemnification provided for in this Section was available to such party in accordance with its terms.

 

(ii) The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5(d) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5(d), no contribution will be made under circumstances where the maker of such contribution would not have been required to indemnify the Indemnified Party under the fault standards set forth in this Section 5. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

(iii) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section are in addition to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the Indemnified Parties and are not in diminution or limitation of the indemnification provisions under the Subscription Agreement.

 

6. Miscellaneous.

 

(a) Remedies. In the event of a breach by the Company or by Holder of any of its obligations under this Agreement, Holder or the Company, as the case may be, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law and under this Agreement, including recovery of damages, shall be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. Each of the Company and Holder agrees that monetary damages would not provide adequate compensation for any Losses incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby further agrees that, in the event of any action for specific performance in respect of such breach, it shall not assert or shall waive the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

(b) Compliance. Holder covenants and agrees that it will comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to it (unless an exemption therefrom is available) in connection with sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement and shall sell the Registrable Securities only in accordance with a method of distribution described in a Registration Statement.

 

(c) Discontinued Disposition. By its acquisition of Registrable Securities, Holder agrees that, upon receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of any event that makes the Registration Statement outdated, defective or otherwise unavailable, Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement until it is advised in writing by the Company or an agent of the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus (as it may have been supplemented or amended) may be resumed. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to ensure that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed as promptly as is practicable, and shall advise Holder thereof as promptly as practicable.

 

(d) Piggy-Back Registrations. If, at any time during the Effectiveness Period and after the Effectiveness Date, there is not an effective Registration Statement covering all of the Registrable Securities and the Company shall determine to prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement relating to an offering for its own account or the account of others under the Securities Act of any of its equity securities, other than on Form S-4 or Form S-8 (each as promulgated under the Securities Act) or their then equivalents relating to equity securities to be issued solely in connection with any acquisition of any entity or business or equity securities issuable in connection with the Company’s incentive, stock option or other employee benefit plans, then the Company shall deliver to the Holder a written notice of such determination and, if within five (5) Trading Days after the date of the delivery of such notice, Holder shall so request in writing, the Company shall include in such registration statement all or any part of such Registrable Securities such Holder requests to be registered; provided, however, that the Company shall 

 



 

not be required to register any Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 6(d) that are the subject of an existing effective Registration Statement. The registration of the Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 6(d) shall not be considered the satisfaction of the requirements of the Company pursuant to Sections 2 and 3 of this Agreement.

 

(e) Addresses and Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries required or permitted to be provided hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the earliest of (a) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via e-mail transmission or facsimile (provided the sender receives a machine-generated confirmation of successful transmission) at the facsimile number specified in this Section prior to 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on a business day, (b) the next business day after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number specified in this Section on a day that is not a business day or later than 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on any business day, (c) the business day following the date of mailing, if sent by U.S. nationally recognized overnight courier service with next day delivery specified, or (d) upon actual receipt by the party to whom such notice is required to be given. The address for such notices and communications shall be as follows:

 


	
 

 

 

 

 

 
	
If to the Company to:

 

 

 

 

 
	
Achieve Life Sciences, Inc.

	
1040 West Georgia Street, Suite 1030

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6E 4H1

Attention: John Bencich

Email: jbencich@achievelifesciences.com

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 

 

 

 

  
	
With copies to:

 

 

 

 
	
Fenwick & West LLP

	
1191 Second Avenue, Floor 10

Seattle, Washington 98101

Attention: Alan Smith, Amanda Rose and Chelsea Anderson

E-mail: acsmith@fenwick.com, arose@fenwick.com, canderson@fenwick.com

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
If to a Holder:
	
As set forth on their signature page hereto




 

(f) Titles and Captions. All Article and Section titles or captions in this Agreement are for convenience only. They shall not be deemed part of this Agreement and do not in any way define, limit, extend or describe the scope or intent of any provisions hereof.

 

(g) Assignability. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of each of the parties and shall inure to the benefit of Holder. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties hereto or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement. The Company may not assign its rights (except by merger or in connection with another entity acquiring all or substantially all of the Company’s assets) or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Holders holding no less than two-thirds of the then outstanding Registrable Securities. A Holder may assign its respective rights hereunder; provided in each case that (i) the Holder agrees in writing with the transferee or assignee to assign such rights and related obligations under this Agreement, and for the transferee or assignee to assume such obligations, and a copy of such agreement is furnished to the Company within a reasonable time after such assignment; (ii) the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer or assignment, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such transferee or assignee and the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned; (iii) at or before the time the Company received the written notice contemplated by clause (ii) of this sentence, the transferee or assignee agrees in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the provisions contained herein; and (iv) the transferee is an “accredited investor,” as that term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D.

 

(h) Applicable Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Subscription Agreement.

 

 



 

 

(i) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented, or waived unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Company and Holders holding no less than a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities, in which case such amendment, modification, supplement or waiver shall be binding on all Holders, provided that any party may give a waiver as to itself.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders and that does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given by Holders of all of the Registrable Securities to which such waiver or consent relates; provided, however, that the provisions of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or supplemented except in accordance with the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence.

 

(j) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.

 

(k) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their good faith reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction.  It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 




 



 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 


	
 
	
ACHIEVE LIFE SCIENCES, INC.

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
By:
	
 

	
 
	
Name:
	
John Bencich

	
 
	
Title:
	
Chief Executive Officer




 

 




 



 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 


	
 
	
NAME OF HOLDER

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
By:
	
 

	
 
	
Name:
	
 

	
 
	
Title:
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
ADDRESS
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
c/o:
	
 

	
 
	
Street:
	
 

	
 
	
City/State/Zip:
	
 

	
 
	
Attention:
	
 

	
 
	
Tel:
	
 

	
 
	
Fax:
	
 

	
 
	
Email:
	
 




 

 




 



 

 

Exhibit A

Selling Stockholder Notice and Questionnaire

 

The undersigned holder of shares of the common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), or securities exercisable for shares of the Common Stock  (the “Registrable Securities”) of Achieve Life Sciences, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), issued pursuant to a certain Subscription Agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”), understands that the Company intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) for the registration and resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the Registrable Securities, in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Agreement. A copy of the Subscription Agreement is available from the Company upon request at the address set forth below. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Subscription Agreement.

 

In order to sell or otherwise dispose of any Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement, a holder of Registrable Securities generally will be required to be named as a selling stockholder in the related prospectus or a supplement thereto (as so supplemented, the “Prospectus”), deliver the Prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities (including pursuant to Rule 172 under the Securities Act) and be bound by the provisions of the Subscription Agreement (including certain indemnification provisions, as described below).  Holders must complete and deliver this Notice and Questionnaire in order to be named as selling stockholders in the Prospectus. Holders of Registrable Securities who do not complete, execute and return this Notice and Questionnaire within three (3) Trading Days following the date of the Subscription Agreement (1) will not be named as selling stockholders in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and (2) may not use the Prospectus for resales of Registrable Securities.

 

Certain legal consequences arise from being named as a selling stockholder in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus. Accordingly, holders of Registrable Securities are advised to consult their own securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being named or not being named as a selling stockholder in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus.

 

NOTICE

 

The undersigned holder (the “Selling Stockholder”) of Registrable Securities hereby gives notice to the Company of its intention to sell or otherwise dispose of Registrable Securities owned by it and listed below in Item (3), unless otherwise specified in Item (3), pursuant to the Registration Statement.  The undersigned, by signing and returning this Notice and Questionnaire, understands and agrees that it will be bound by the terms and conditions of this Notice and Questionnaire and the Subscription Agreement.

 

The undersigned hereby provides the following information to the Company and represents and warrants that such information is accurate and complete.

 




 



 

 

SELLING STOCKHOLDER
QUESTIONNAIRE

 


	
 
	
1.
	
Name.




 


	
 
	
(a)
	
Full Legal Name of Selling Stockholder

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 




 


	
 
	
(b)
	
Full Legal Name of Registered Holder (if not the same as (a) above) through which Registrable Securities are held:

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 




 


	
 
	
(c)
	
Full Legal Name of Natural Control Person(s) (which means a natural person who directly or indirectly alone or with others has power to vote or dispose of the securities covered by this Questionnaire):

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 

	
 




2. Address for Notices to Selling Stockholder.

 


	
 

	
 

	
 

	

Telephone: ______________________________________________________________________

	
Email: ____________________________________________________________________________

	
Contact Person: ___________________________________________________________________




 

3. Beneficial Ownership of Registrable Securities Issuable Pursuant to the Subscription Agreement:

 


			
	
 
	
(a)
	
Type and Number of Registrable Securities beneficially owned and issued pursuant to the Subscription Agreement:

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
(b)
	
Number of shares of Common Stock to be registered pursuant to this Notice for resale:




 

 

4. Broker-Dealer Status.

 


			
	
 
	
(a)
	
Are you a broker-dealer?




 

Yes ☐ No ☐

 


			
	
 
	
(b)
	
If “yes” to Section 4(a), did you receive your Registrable Securities as compensation for investment banking services to the Company?




 

Yes ☐ No ☐

 


	
 
	
Note:
	
If “no” to Section 4(b), the Commission’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement.




 


	
 
	
(c)
	
Are you an affiliate of a broker-dealer?




 

Yes ☐ No ☐

 

 



 

 

Note: If yes, provide a narrative explanation below:

 


	
 
	
(d)
	
If you are an affiliate of a broker-dealer, do you certify that you purchased the Registrable Securities in the ordinary course of business, and at the time of the purchase of the Registrable Securities to be resold, you had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute the Registrable Securities?




 

Yes ☐ No ☐

 


	
 
	
Note:
	
If “no” to Section 4(d), the Commission’s staff has indicated that you should be identified as an underwriter in the Registration Statement.




 

5. Beneficial Ownership of Other Securities of the Company Owned by the Selling Stockholder.

 

Except as set forth below in this Item 5, the undersigned is not the beneficial or registered owner of any securities of the Company other than the Registrable Securities listed above in Item 3.

 


	
 
	
(a)
	
Type and Amount of other securities beneficially owned by the Selling Stockholder:

	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 
	
 




 

6. Relationships with the Company.

 

Except as set forth below, neither the undersigned nor any of its affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (owners of 5% of more of the equity securities of the undersigned) has held any position or office or has had any other material relationship with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates) during the past three years.

 

State any exceptions here:

 


	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 




 

7. Plan of Distribution.

 

The undersigned has reviewed the form of Plan of Distribution to be included in the Prospectus, and hereby confirms that, except as set forth below, the information contained therein regarding the undersigned and its plan of distribution is correct and complete, and the undersigned acknowledges and agrees that it will sell the Registrable Securities in accordance with the Plan of Distribution.

State any exceptions here:

 


	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 

	
 
	
 




 

The undersigned agrees to promptly notify the Company of any inaccuracies or changes in the information provided herein that may occur subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement. All notices hereunder and pursuant to the Agreement shall be made at the address set forth below. In the absence of any such notification, the Company shall be entitled to continue to rely on the accuracy of the information in this Notice and Questionnaire.

 

By signing below, the undersigned consents to the disclosure of the information contained herein in its answers to Items 1 through 7 and the inclusion of such information in the Registration Statement and the related 

 



 

prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto. The undersigned understands that such information will be relied upon by the Company in connection with the preparation or amendment of the Registration Statement and the related prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto.

 

By signing below, the undersigned acknowledges that it understands its obligation to comply, and agrees that it will comply, with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, particularly Regulation M in connection with any offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement.  The undersigned also acknowledges that it understands that the answers to this Questionnaire are furnished for use in connection with Registration Statements filed pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement and any amendments or supplements thereto filed with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act.

 

By signing below, the undersigned hereby acknowledges and is advised of the following Compliance and Disclosure Interpretation (“CDI”) of the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance (with respect to Securities Act Sections) regarding short selling:

“239.10 An issuer filed a Form S-3 registration statement for a secondary offering of common stock which is not yet effective. One of the selling stockholders wanted to do a short sale of common stock “against the box” and cover the short sale with registered shares after the effective date. The issuer was advised that the short sale could not be made before the registration statement becomes effective, because the shares underlying the short sale are deemed to be sold at the time such sale is made. There would, therefore, be a violation of Section 5 if the shares were effectively sold prior to the effective date. [Nov. 26, 2008]”

By returning this Questionnaire, the undersigned will be deemed to be aware of the foregoing CDI, acknowledges that the foregoing CDI applies to the Common Stock to be registered for resale on behalf of the undersigned pursuant to the Registration Statement.  

I confirm that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the foregoing statements (including without limitation the answers to this Questionnaire) are correct.

 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Notice and Selling Stockholder Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its duly authorized agent.

 

Date: ____________________________

 

Name of Holder (print): ____________________________________________

 

Signature (individual): _____________________________________________

 

Signature (corporate):

 


	
By:
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
Name:
	
 

	
 
	
Title:
	
 




 

PLEASE EMAIL A COPY OF THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED NOTICE AND SELLING STOCKHOLDER QUESTIONNAIRE TO:

 


	
 
	
The Company:
	
 
	
Achieve Life Sciences, Inc.

1040 West Georgia Street, Suite 1030

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6E 4H1

Attention: John Bencich

Email: jbencich@achievelifesciences.com

	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 

	
 
	
With copies to:
	
 
	
Fenwick & West LLP

1191 Second Avenue, Floor 10

Seattle, Washington 98101

Attention: Alan Smith, Amanda Rose and Chelsea Anderson

E-mail: acsmith@fenwick.com, arose@fenwick.com, canderson@fenwick.com




 



 

 

 

 




 



 

 

FORM OF PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We are registering the Shares offered hereby to permit the resale of these Shares by the holders thereof from time to time after the date of this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders of the Shares offered hereby. We will bear all fees and expenses incident to our obligation to register these Shares.

The selling stockholders may sell all or a portion of the Shares held by them and offered hereby from time to time directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. If the Shares are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the selling stockholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent’s commissions. The Shares may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices. These sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve crosses or block transactions, pursuant to one or more of the following methods:


	
 
	
•
	
on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the shares may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;




 


	
 
	
•
	
in the over-the-counter market;




 


	
 
	
•
	
in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter market;




 


	
 
	
•
	
through the writing or settlement of options, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise;




 


	
 
	
•
	
ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;




 


	
 
	
•
	
block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;




 


	
 
	
•
	
purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;




 


	
 
	
•
	
an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;




 


	
 
	
•
	
privately negotiated transactions;




 


	
 
	
•
	
short sales made after the date the Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission;




 


	
 
	
•
	
broker-dealers may agree with a selling stockholder to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share;




 


	
 
	
•
	
a combination of any such methods of sale; and




 


	
 
	
•
	
any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.




The selling stockholders may also sell Shares under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, if available, rather than under this prospectus. In addition, the selling stockholders may transfer the Shares by other means not described in this prospectus. If the selling stockholders effect such transactions by selling Shares to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, such underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders or commissions from purchasers of the Shares for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal (which discounts, concessions or commissions as to particular underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved). In connection with sales of the Shares or otherwise, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the Shares in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of common stock short and deliver Shares covered by this prospectus to close out short positions and to return borrowed shares in connection with such short sales. The selling stockholders may also loan or pledge Shares to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such Shares.

The selling stockholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the Shares owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the Shares from time to time pursuant to this prospectus or any amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act amending, if necessary, the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as selling stockholders under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer and donate the Shares in other circumstances in which case the transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.

 



 

To the extent required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, the selling stockholders and any broker-dealer participating in the distribution of Shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commission paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. At the time a particular offering of the Shares, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed, which will set forth the aggregate amount of Shares being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any broker-dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other terms constituting compensation from the selling stockholders and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to broker-dealers.

Under the securities laws of some states, Shares may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states Shares offered hereby may not be sold unless such Shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.

There can be no assurance that any selling stockholder will sell any or all of the Shares registered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

The selling stockholders and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, to the extent applicable, Regulation M of the Exchange Act (“Regulation M”), which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any Shares by the selling stockholders and any other participating person. To the extent applicable, Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the Shares to engage in market-making activities with respect to the Shares. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the Shares and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the Shares.

Once sold under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, the Shares offered hereby will be freely tradable in the hands of persons other than our affiliates.