exv10w37






Exhibit 10.37




Execution Copy: August 21, 2003




SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND RELEASE




     This Settlement Agreement and Release (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as
of the date of the last signature below (the “Effective Date”), by and among Gilead Sciences,
Inc. (in its own capacity and as successor in interest to NeXstar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
successor in interest to NeXagen, Inc.), a Delaware corporation, with its principal place of
business at 333 Lakeside Drive, Foster City, CA, 94404 (“Gilead”), Archemix Corp., a
Delaware corporation, with its principal place of business at 1 Hampshire Street, 5th Floor,
Cambridge, MA 02139 (“Archemix”), and University License Equity Holdings, Inc. (formerly
known as University Technology Corporation, successor in interest to University Research
Corporation), a Colorado corporation, having a mailing address at 4001 Discovery Drive, Suite 390C,
Boulder, CO 80309 (“ULEHI”). Gilead, Archemix and ULEHI are referred to herein individually as a
“Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.



RECITALS




     A. Whereas, University Research Corporation and NeXagen, Inc., entered into
that certain License Agreement dated as of July 17, 1991, pursuant to which NeXagen, Inc. obtained
rights to certain patents and technology relating to the SELEX Process;



     B. Whereas, the July 17, 1991 agreement was subsequently amended on October
26, 1992, April 5, 1994, and September 5, 1996 and ultimately restated on June 25, 1998 as the
Restated Assignment and License Agreement (the “URC License Agreement”);



     C. Whereas, pursuant to the merger of Gilead with NeXstar on July 29, 1999,
Gilead assumed all rights, claims, obligations and liabilities of NeXstar under the URC License
Agreement by virtue of such merger;



     D. Whereas, Archemix and Gilead have entered into that certain License
Agreement dated October 23, 2001, pursuant to which Gilead granted to Archemix rights under the URC
License Agreement (the “Archemix Agreement”); and



     E. Whereas, ULEHI delivered a Termination Notice to Gilead dated November
21, 2002, (the “Termination Notice”), which alleged certain breaches of the URC License Agreement
by Gilead; and



     F. Whereas, the Parties desire to amicably settle and resolve, and release
Gilead and Archemix from, any and all claims relating to or arising in connection with those
matters alleged in the Termination Notice and/or in connection with the URC License Agreement
solely as it relates to the Archemix Agreement.



AGREEMENT




     Now, Therefore, in consideration of the foregoing, of the mutual covenants and
undertakings contained herein and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:


Portions of this Exhibit were omitted and have been filed separately with
the Secretary of the Commission pursuant to the Company’s application requesting confidential
treatment under Rule 406 of the Securities Act.




 









 










     1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement, unless otherwise
indicated, shall have the meanings set forth in the URC License Agreement; provided, however, that,
with respect to Section 2(b) below, “Archemix” shall be substituted for “NeXstar” in the meanings
of capitalized terms set forth in the URC License Agreement.



     2. Payments.



          (a) By Gilead.



               (i) Gilead will pay to ULEHI an amount equal to [***] dollars ($[***]), payable in [***] equal
installments of [***] dollars ($[***]). The first such installment shall be paid by Gilead within
[***] business days of the Effective Date. Each of the remaining three installments shall be paid,
respectively, on the first, second and third [***] of the Effective Date.



               (ii) Gilead will transfer to ULEHI a warrant to purchase [***] ([***]) shares of Archemix
Common Stock, pursuant to the Warrant Transfer Agreement executed by the Parties of even date
herewith.



               (iii) The first sentence of Section 5.2(a) of the URC License Agreement is hereby amended to
provide that Gilead will pay to ULEHI earned royalties on Net Sales of Licensed Products by
non-Affiliate sublicensees equal to [***] percent ([***]%) of any earned royalties received by
Gilead from its sublicensees with respect to such Net Sales of Licensed Products. Gilead further
agrees that, notwithstanding any modifications to the existing terms of such sublicenses after the
Effective Date (including but not limited to any modifications that result in advances credited
against royalties owed to Gilead under such sublicenses on future Net Sales or any conversion of
ongoing royalties owed to Gilead under such sublicenses on future Net Sales into a fixed amount of
License Fees), or any modifications to the existing corporate relationships between Gilead and such
sublicensees (including but not limited to Gilead acquiring or being acquired by [***] or any of
their affiliates), the royalty payable to ULEHI in connection with Net Sales of Licensed Products
by such sublicensee will not be less than [***] percent ([***]%) of any earned royalties that
Gilead would be entitled to receive from such sublicensee on such Net Sales under the terms of such
sublicenses as of the Effective Date (including but not limited to any terms that provide for a
reduction in royalty rates for royalties paid to third parties). Gilead agrees to make the
payments to ULEHI under this paragraph 2(a)(iii) and to provide ULEHI with reports relating to such
payments in accordance with Section 6 of the URC License Agreement. In connection with any
modifications to such sublicenses, Gilead agrees to require the sublicensees to continue to provide
Gilead with ongoing reports sufficient for Gilead to satisfy such Gilead reporting obligations.



          (b) By Archemix.



               (i) Archemix will pay to ULEHI earned royalties equal to [***] percent ([***]%) on Net Sales
by Archemix and Archemix Affiliates of Licensed Products.



               (ii) Archemix will pay to ULEHI earned royalties equal to [***] percent ([***]%) on License
Fees, Milestone Payments and royalty payments on Net Sales


Portions of this Exhibit were omitted and have been filed separately with
the Secretary of the Commission pursuant to the Company’s application requesting confidential
treatment under Rule 406 of the Securities Act.




 









 









received by Archemix and Archemix
Affiliates from sublicensees as consideration for a sublicense granted under the Archemix
Agreement; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to any consideration received by
Archemix pursuant to its [***] with [***].



Archemix shall provide reports to and make payments to ULEHI in accordance with Section 6 of the
URC License Agreement. Gilead hereby [***] guarantees the payment of all such royalties by
Archemix.




     3. Release of Claims. ULEHI, on its own behalf, on behalf of its affiliates
and on behalf of its assigns, attorneys, agents, accountants, legal representatives, officers,
directors, shareholders, partners, employees, contractors, predecessors, successors, subsidiaries,
members and parents (collectively, the “ULEHI Releasing Parties”), hereby absolutely and
unconditionally releases, waives, forever discharges and agrees not to sue or otherwise commence
any action against Gilead, Archemix, each of Gilead’s and Archemix’s affiliates and their
respective assigns, attorneys, agents, accountants, legal representatives, officers, directors,
shareholders, partners, employees, contractors, predecessors, successors, subsidiaries, members and
parents from any and all claims, counterclaims, rights, demands, obligations, debts, liabilities,
judgments, suits, causes of action and actions of any kind, nature or description whatsoever, in
law or in equity, judicial or administrative, civil or criminal, whether or not now known, claimed,
asserted, suspected, or discoverable, arising or accruing at any time prior to and including the
Effective Date, that any of them may ever have had or claimed to have had, from the beginning of
time to the date hereof, or which may hereafter accrue against any one of the above listed entities
based upon any acts or omissions occurring prior to the date of this Agreement that relate to any
of the matters alleged in the Termination Notice or arising out of the URC License Agreement solely
as it relates to the Archemix Agreement.


Each of the ULEHI Releasing Parties understands and acknowledges the significance and consequence
of releasing all of such claims (including presently unknown, unasserted, unsuspected. or
undiscovered claims) and hereby assume full risk and responsibility for any and all injuries,
losses, damages, assessments, penalties, charges, expenses, costs, and/or liabilities that they may
hereafter incur or discover that in any way arise out of or relate to such claims. To the extent
that any provision of applicable law may purport to preserve the rights of any ULEHI Releasing
Party to assert presently unknown, unasserted, unsuspected, or undiscovered claims or causes of
action, such ULEHI Releasing Party hereby specifically and expressly waives its rights under such
provision.




     Without limitation of the foregoing, each of the ULEHI Releasing Parties acknowledges and
agrees that this release includes any claims that (i) the execution and performance of the Archemix
Agreement was or is a breach or violation the URC License Agreement or any provision thereof, (ii)
the Archemix Agreement did or does not fully comply with all provisions of the URC License
Agreement relating to sublicenses thereunder, and (iii) the grant by Archemix of a [***] to [***]
under the Archemix Agreement and the performance thereof was or is a breach or violation the URC
License Agreement or any provision thereof.



     Gilead, on its own behalf, on behalf of its affiliates and on behalf of its assigns,
attorneys, agents, accountants, legal representatives, officers, directors, shareholders, partners, employees,


Portions of this Exhibit were omitted and have been filed separately with
the Secretary of the Commission pursuant to the Company’s application requesting confidential
treatment under Rule 406 of the Securities Act.




 









 









contractors, predecessors, successors, subsidiaries, members and parents (collectively,
the “Gilead Releasing Parties”), hereby absolutely and unconditionally releases, waives, forever
discharges and agrees not to sue or otherwise commence any action against any of the ULEHI
Releasing Parties, in their capacities as such, from any and all claims, counterclaims, rights,
demands, obligations, debts, liabilities, judgments, suits, causes of action and actions of any
kind, nature or description whatsoever, in law or in equity, judicial or administrative, civil or
criminal, whether or not now known, claimed, asserted, suspected, or discoverable, arising or
accruing at any time prior to and including the Effective Date, that any of them may ever have had
or claimed to have had, from the beginning of time to the date hereof, or which may hereafter
accrue against any one of the above listed entities based upon an assertion that any acts or
omissions occurring prior to the date of this Agreement by any of the ULEHI Releasing Parties
(acting in their capacity as such) in connection with the negotiation or execution of the Archemix
Agreement breached any of ULEHI’s obligations to Gilead (excluding any claims relating to a breach
of any representation, warranty or covenants concerning intellectual property licensed by ULEHI to
Gilead) or tortiously interfered with any of Gilead’s contractual or business relationships.



Each of the Gilead Releasing Parties understands and acknowledges the significance and consequence
of releasing all of such claims (including presently unknown, unasserted, unsuspected. or
undiscovered claims) and hereby assume full risk and responsibility for any and all injuries,
losses, damages, assessments, penalties, charges, expenses, costs, and/or liabilities that they may
hereafter incur or discover that in any way arise out of or relate to such claims. To the extent
that any provision of applicable law may purport to preserve the rights of any Gilead Releasing
Party to assert presently unknown, unasserted, unsuspected, or undiscovered claims or causes of
action, such Gilead Releasing Party hereby specifically and expressly waives its rights under such
provision.




     4. Denial of Liability. The promises contained in this Agreement and the
acts done hereunder shall not be construed at any time for any purpose as an admission of liability
by any Party.



     5. Confidentiality. The terms of this Agreement shall be held in confidence
by the Parties and shall not be publicized or disclosed in any manner whatsoever without the prior
written permission of each Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing each Party may disclose the terms
of this Agreement: (a) in confidence to its attorneys, accountants, auditors, tax preparers, and
financial advisors; (b) as necessary to fulfill standard or legally required corporate reporting or
disclosure requirements, provided that the disclosing party shall provide the other party with a
draft of any such required reporting or disclosure relating to this Agreement at least [***]
business days in advance to permit the other party to review and comment on the accuracy or
completeness of the reporting or disclosure; (c) upon request from any government entity, provided
that notice shall be given to the other party to permit the other party to seek an appropriate
protective order; and (d) insofar as such disclosure may be necessary to enforce its terms or as
otherwise required by law. In addition, ULEHI may disclose the terms of this Agreement on a
confidential basis as part of its regular reporting to the inventors (Larry Gold
and Craig Tuerk) and to those representatives of the University of Colorado who have a “need
to know” of its terms because of the economic interests granted in the proceeds from the URC


Portions of this Exhibit were omitted and have been filed separately with
the Secretary of the Commission pursuant to the Company’s application requesting confidential
treatment under Rule 406 of the Securities Act.




 









 







License Agreement or this Agreement to such representatives under the technology transfer policies
of the University of Colorado that may be applicable to ULEHI from time-to-time; provided that such
individuals are subject to the same confidentiality obligations as those set forth herein.




     6. Representations. The Parties hereby warrant and represent, each to the
other, that: (a) it has the full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out
the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
giving and receipt of the consideration provided herein have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of each Party and that the person executing and delivering this
Agreement on behalf of each Party has been duly authorized by such Party to so act on such Party’s
behalf; (c) the execution and delivery of this Agreement does not violate any agreement,
governmental statute, rule or regulation by which either Party is bound or any order, writ,
judgment, injunction, decree, determination or ward which has been entered against either Party;
and (d) the consideration received for this Agreement is fair, reasonable, sufficient, just and
adequate and constitutes lawful consideration supporting the execution of this Agreement. ULEHI
further warrants and represents that it has the authority to represent the interests of all of the
ULEHI Releasing Parties. Gilead further warrants and represents that it has provided ULEHI with
all amendments entered into through the Effective Date by Gilead that modify the terms of the
sublicenses subject to paragraph 2(a)(iii) of this Agreement.



     7. General.



          (a) Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, construction, and performance of this
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Colorado, without reference to its choice
of law rules.



          (b) Disputes. Any claim or cause of action, whether legal or equitable, arising out of or
based upon this Agreement or related documents shall be settled by arbitration in Denver, Colorado
in accordance with Section 15 of the URC License Agreement. In any such arbitration, the
arbitrator, in its discretion, may award a party its reasonable attorney’s fees and costs incurred,
in addition to any other damages.



          (c) Effect on URC License Agreement. The URC License Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect, except as modified by this Agreement. In particular, and not by way of limitation, the
royalty obligations under section 5 of the URC License Agreement shall continue to be applicable to
the activities and to payments made or received by Gilead or its sublicensees, subject to the
provisions of paragraph 2(a)(iii) of this Agreement.



          (d) Effect on Archemix Agreement. The Archemix Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect and shall not be amended or modified hereby.



          (e) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Warrant Transfer Agreement, the URC License
Agreement as amended hereby, and the Archemix Agreement, contain the entire agreement among and/or
between the Parties hereto with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereunder and supersedes all prior arrangements or understandings with respect
thereto, written or oral, other than documents referred to herein. This Agreement may not be


Portions of this Exhibit were omitted and have been filed separately with
the Secretary of the Commission pursuant to the Company’s application requesting confidential
treatment under Rule 406 of the Securities Act.




 









 









amended or modified except in a writing signed by a duly authorized representative of each Party.




          (f) Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the Parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted
assigns.



          (g) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be judicially determined to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.



          (h) Captions. The captions contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and
are not part of this Agreement.



          (i) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and may be
executed by facsimile. Each counterpart shall be deemed to be an original instrument, but all
counterparts shall collectively constitute one and the same Agreement.



          (j) Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of
the Parties hereto, their successors-in-interest, heirs, assigns, officers, employees, attorneys,
agents, devisees, legatees, personal representatives, trustees, directors and shareholders.



          (k) Review by Counsel. Each Party acknowledges that it has read this Agreement and
understands all of its terms, and that this Agreement is executed voluntarily, without duress, and
with full knowledge of its legal significance. Each Party has received independent legal advice
from its attorney with respect to the legal consequences of making the settlement and release
provided for herein and with respect to the execution of this Agreement.



          (l) Miscellaneous. A single number, when used herein, shall include the plural, and the
plural shall include the singular, as the context may require. Masculine, feminine and neuter
gender shall include such other genders as are appropriate.


Portions of this Exhibit were omitted and have been filed separately with
the Secretary of the Commission pursuant to the Company’s application requesting confidential
treatment under Rule 406 of the Securities Act.




 









 








Execution Copy: August 21, 2003




     In Witness Whereof, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their
duly authorized officers on the dates set forth below, to be effective as of the date of the last
signature below.



	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Gilead Sciences, Inc.	 	University License Equity Holdings, Inc.
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:

	 	/s/ John F. Milligan 	 	 	 	By:	 	/s/ Jerry Donahue 	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 
	 	 	 	 

	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Name: John F. Milligan	 	Name: Jerry Donahue
	Title: SVP, Chief Financial Officer	 	Title: President
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Date:

	 	 	 	 	 	Date:	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 
	 	 	 	 

	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Archemix Corp.	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:
	 	/s/ Martin Stanton 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Name:
Martin Stanton
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Title:
EVP, Corporate Development
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Date:
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 





Portions of this Exhibit were omitted and have been filed separately with
the Secretary of the Commission pursuant to the Company’s application requesting confidential
treatment under Rule 406 of the Securities Act.