ex10-1.htm


Exhibit 10.1

 

FORBEARANCE TO LOAN AGREEMENT

 

This FORBEARANCE TO LOAN AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into this 31st day of October, 2014, by and between Silicon Valley Bank (“Bank”) and RESPONSE BIOMEDICAL CORP., a British Columbia corporation (“Borrower”).

 

Recitals

 

A.     Bank and Borrower have entered into that certain Loan Agreement dated as of February 11, 2014 as amended by that certain First Amendment to Loan Agreement by and between Bank and Borrower dated as of April 14, 2014 (as the same may from time to time be amended, modified, supplemented or restated, the “Loan Agreement”) and the other Loan Documents. Bank has extended credit to Borrower for the purposes permitted in the Loan Agreement.

 

B.     Borrower has informed Bank that (i) Borrower is in default of the Loan Agreement for failing to comply with a certain provision of the Loan Agreement as set forth on Schedule A hereto as of the time periods identified on said Schedule A and such failure to comply constitutes an Event of Default (such default set forth, the “Existing Default”) with respect to which Borrower and Bank entered into a Forbearance to Loan Agreement dated as of September 30, 2014 and (iii) Borrower anticipates it will be default of the Loan Agreement for failing to comply with certain provisions of the Loan Agreement as set forth on Schedule B hereto as of the time periods identified on said Schedule B and such failure to comply will constitute Events of Default (such defaults set forth, the “Anticipated Defaults”).

 

C.     Borrower has requested that Bank forbear from exercising its rights and remedies against Borrower during the Forbearance Period (as defined in Section 2.1 below). Although Bank is under no obligation to do so, Bank is willing to forbear from exercising its rights and remedies against Borrower through the Forbearance Period on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, so long as Borrower complies with the terms, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

Agreement

 

Now, Therefore, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which is hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.     Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings given to them in the Loan Agreement.

 

2.     Forbearance. 

 

2.1     Forbearance Period. Subject to all the terms and conditions set forth herein, Bank shall forbear from filing any legal action or instituting or enforcing any rights and remedies it may have against Borrower from the Forbearance Effective Date (as defined in Section 9) until the date (the “Forbearance Termination Date”) which is the earliest to occur of (a) December 15, 2014, (b) the failure after the date hereof of Borrower to comply with any of the terms or undertakings of this Agreement, (c) the occurrence after the date hereof of any Event of Default (other than the Existing Default and the Anticipated Defaults) or (d) the date that Borrower joins in, assists, cooperates, or participates as an adverse party or adverse witness in any suit or other proceeding against Bank relating to the Obligations in connection with or related to any of the transactions contemplated by any of the other Loan Documents. Except as expressly provided herein, this Agreement does not constitute a waiver or release by Bank of any Obligations or of any existing Event of Default or Event of Default which may arise in the future after the date of execution of this Agreement. If Borrower does not comply with the terms of this Agreement, Bank shall have no further obligations under this Agreement and shall be permitted to exercise at such time any rights and remedies against Borrower as it deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion. Borrower understands that Bank has made no commitment and is under no obligation whatsoever to grant any additional extensions of time at the end of the Forbearance Period. The time period between the Forbearance Effective Date and the Forbearance Termination Date is referred to herein as the “Forbearance Period.”

 


 

 




 


 

3.     Limitation of Forbearance.

 

3.1     This Agreement is effective for the purposes set forth herein and shall be limited precisely as written and shall not be deemed to (a) be a consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of any other term or condition of any Loan Document, or (b) otherwise prejudice any right or remedy which Bank may now have or may have in the future under or in connection with any Loan Document.

 

3.2     This Agreement shall be construed in connection with and as part of the Loan Documents, and all terms, conditions, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in the Loan Documents are hereby ratified and confirmed and shall remain in full force and effect.

 

4.     Representations and Warranties. Borrower represents and warrants to Bank as follows:

 

4.1     (a) the representations and warranties contained in the Loan Documents are true, accurate and complete in all material respects as of the date hereof (except to the extent such representations and warranties relate to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct as of such date), and (b) no Event of Default other than the Existing Defaults and the Anticipated Defaults has occurred and is continuing;

 

4.2     Borrower has the power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations under the Loan Agreement;

 

4.3     The organizational documents of Borrower delivered to Bank on the Effective Date remain true, accurate and complete and have not been amended, supplemented or restated and are and continue to be in full force and effect;

 


 

 




 


 

4.4     The execution and delivery by Borrower of this Agreement and the performance by Borrower of its obligations under the Loan Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Borrower; 

 

4.5     The execution and delivery by Borrower of this Agreement and the performance by Borrower of its obligations under the Loan Agreement do not and will not contravene (a) any law or regulation binding on or affecting Borrower, (b) any contractual restriction with a Person binding on Borrower, (c) any order, judgment or decree of any court or other governmental or public body or authority, or subdivision thereof, binding on Borrower, or (d) the organizational documents of Borrower;

 

4.6     The execution and delivery by Borrower of this Agreement and the performance by Borrower of its obligations under the Loan Agreement do not require any order, consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, or exemption by any governmental or public body or authority, or subdivision thereof, binding on either Borrower, except as already has been obtained or made; and

 

4.7     This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Borrower and is the binding obligation of Borrower, enforceable against Borrower in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, moratorium or other similar laws of general application and equitable principles relating to or affecting creditors’ rights.

 

5.     Prior Agreement. The Loan Documents are hereby ratified and reaffirmed and shall remain in full force and effect. This Agreement is not a novation and the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall be in addition to and supplemental to all terms and conditions set forth in the Loan Documents. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between this Agreement and the terms of such documents, the terms of this Agreement shall be controlling, but such document shall not otherwise be affected or the rights therein impaired. As of the date hereof, the aggregate outstanding principal amount owing to Bank is One Million Four Hundred Fifty Three Thousand One Hundred Twenty Five Dollars ($1,453,125).

 

6.     Release by Borrower.

 

6.1     FOR GOOD AND VALUABLE CONSIDERATION, Borrower hereby forever relieves, releases, and discharges Bank and its present or former employees, officers, directors, agents, representatives, attorneys, and each of them, from any and all claims, debts, liabilities, demands, obligations, promises, acts, agreements, costs and expenses, actions and causes of action, of every type, kind, nature, description or character whatsoever, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, absolute or contingent, arising out of or in any manner whatsoever connected with or related to facts, circumstances, issues, controversies or claims existing or arising from the beginning of time through and including the date of execution of this Agreement (collectively “Released Claims”). Without limiting the foregoing, the Released Claims shall include any and all liabilities or claims arising out of or in any manner whatsoever connected with or related to the Loan Documents, the Recitals hereto, any instruments, agreements or documents executed in connection with any of the foregoing or the origination, negotiation, administration, servicing and/or enforcement of any of the foregoing.

 


 

 




 


 

6.2     By entering into this release, Borrower recognizes that no facts or representations are ever absolutely certain and it may hereafter discover facts in addition to or different from those which it presently knows or believes to be true, but that it is the intention of Borrower hereby to fully, finally and forever settle and release all matters, disputes and differences, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected; accordingly, if Borrower should subsequently discover that any fact that it relied upon in entering into this release was untrue, or that any understanding of the facts was incorrect, Borrower shall not be entitled to set aside this release by reason thereof, regardless of any claim of mistake of fact or law or any other circumstances whatsoever. Borrower acknowledges that it is not relying upon and has not relied upon any representation or statement made by Bank with respect to the facts underlying this release or with regard to any of such party’s rights or asserted rights.

 

6.3     This release may be pleaded as a full and complete defense and/or as a cross-complaint or counterclaim against any action, suit, or other proceeding that may be instituted, prosecuted or attempted in breach of this release. Borrower acknowledges that the release contained herein constitutes a material inducement to Bank to enter into this Agreement, and that Bank would not have done so but for Bank’s expectation that such release is valid and enforceable in all events.

 

6.4     Borrower hereby represents and warrants to Bank, and Bank is relying thereon, as follows:

 

(a)     Except as expressly stated in this Agreement, neither Bank nor any agent, employee or representative of Bank has made any statement or representation to Borrower regarding any fact relied upon by Borrower in entering into this Agreement.

 

(b)     Borrower has made such investigation of the facts pertaining to this Agreement and all of the matters appertaining thereto, as it deems necessary.

 

(c)     The terms of this Agreement are contractual and not a mere recital. 

 

(d)     This Agreement has been carefully read by Borrower, the contents hereof are known and understood by Borrower, and this Agreement is signed freely, and without duress, by Borrower. 

 

(e)     Borrower represents and warrants that it is the sole and lawful owner of all right, title and interest in and to every claim and every other matter which it releases herein, and that it has not heretofore assigned or transferred, or purported to assign or transfer, to any person, firm or entity any claims or other matters herein released. Borrower shall indemnify Bank, defend and hold it harmless from and against all claims based upon or arising in connection with prior assignments or purported assignments or transfers of any claims or matters released herein.

 


 

 




 


 

7.     Integration. This Agreement and the Loan Documents represent the entire agreement about this subject matter and supersede prior negotiations or agreements. All prior agreements, understandings, representations, warranties, and negotiations between the parties about the subject matter of this Agreement and the Loan Documents merge into this Agreement and the Loan Documents.

 

8.     Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and all of such counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

 

9.     Conditions to Effectiveness The parties agree that the forbearance obligations of Bank herein shall be effective upon the satisfaction of each of the following conditions precedent, each in form and substance satisfactory to Bank, on or prior to October 31, 2014, (the date of the satisfaction of such conditions precedent referred to herein as the “Forbearance Effective Date”) (a) the due execution and delivery to Bank of this Agreement by each party hereto and (b) the due execution and delivery to Bank of updated Borrowing Resolutions.

 

10.     Miscellaneous.

 

10.1     This Agreement shall constitute a Loan Document under the Loan Agreement; the failure to comply with the covenants contained herein shall constitute an Event of Default under the Loan Agreement; and all obligations included in this Agreement (including, without limitation, all obligations for the payment of principal, interest, fees, and other amounts and expenses) shall constitute obligations under the Loan Agreement and secured by the Collateral.

 

12.2     Each provision of this Agreement is severable from every other provision in determining the enforceability of any provision.

 

11.     Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 


 

 




 


 

In Witness Whereof, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first written above.

 

 

	
BANK
	
BORROWER

	 	 	 	 	 
	


Silicon Valley Bank
	


RESPONSE BIOMEDICAL CORP.

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:	/s/David Sanders	 	By:	/s/W.J. Adams	 
	Name:	David Sanders	 	Name:	William Adams	 
	Title:	VP	 	Title:	Chief Financial Officer	 


 


 

 




 


 

Schedule A

 

EXISTING DEFAULT

 

 

	
Default 
	 	
Period

	  	 	  
	Failure to comply with the minimum Revenue covenant set forth in Section 6.7(a) of the Loan Agreement	 	September 2014


 


 

 




 


 

Schedule B

 

ANTICIPATED DEFAULTS

 

 

	
Default 
	 	
Period

	 	 	 
	Failure to comply with the minimum Revenue covenant set forth in Section 6.7(a) of the Loan Agreement	 	October and November 2014
	 	 	 
	Failure to comply with the Liquidity Ratio covenant set forth in Section 6.7(b) of the Loan Agreement	 	November 2014


 


 

 




 


 

BORROWING RESOLUTIONS

 

 

 

CORPORATE BORROWING certificatE

 

 

Borrower: RESPONSE BIOMEDICAL CORP.      Date: October 31, 2014

Bank:           SILICON VALLEY BANK

 

I hereby certify as follows, as of the date set forth above:

 

 

1.     I am the Secretary, Assistant Secretary or other officer of Borrower. My title is as set forth below.

 

2.     Borrower’s exact legal name is set forth above. Borrower is a British Columbia corporation. 

 

3.     Attached hereto are true, correct and complete copies of Borrower’s Notice of Articles and Articles (including amendments), as filed with the B.C. Registrar of Companies. Such Notice of Articles and Articles have not been amended, annulled, rescinded, revoked or supplemented, and remain in full force and effect as of the date hereof. 

 

4.     The following resolutions were duly and validly adopted by Borrower’s Board of Directors at a duly held meeting of such directors (or pursuant to a unanimous written consent or other authorized corporate action). Such resolutions are in full force and effect as of the date hereof and have not been in any way modified, repealed, rescinded, amended or revoked, and Silicon Valley Bank (“Bank”) may rely on them until Bank receives written notice of revocation from Borrower.

 

Resolved, that any one of the following officers or employees of Borrower, whose names, titles and signatures are below, may act on behalf of Borrower:

 

	
Name
	 	
Title
	 	
Signature
	
Authorized to Add or Remove Signatories

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	
William Adams
	 	
Chief Financial Officer
	 	
/s/W.J. Adams
	
☒

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	
Anastasios Tsonis
	 	
Director of Finance
	 	
/s/Anastasios Tsonis
	
☒

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	
Barbara Kinnaird
	 	
Chief Operating Officer
	 	
/s/Barbara Kinnaird
	
☒

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	  	 	  	 	  	
☒



 

Resolved Further, that any one of the persons designated above with a checked box beside his or her name may, from time to time, add or remove any individuals to and from the above list of persons authorized to act on behalf of Borrower.

 

Resolved Further, that such individuals may, on behalf of Borrower:

 

Borrow Money. Borrow money from Bank.

Execute Loan Documents. Execute any loan documents Bank requires. 

 


 

 




 


 

Grant Security. Grant Bank a security interest in any of Borrower’s assets.

Negotiate Items. Negotiate or discount all drafts, trade acceptances, promissory notes, or other indebtedness in which Borrower has an interest and receive cash or otherwise use the proceeds.

Apply for Letters of Credit. Apply for letters of credit from Bank.

Enter Derivative Transactions. Execute spot or forward foreign exchange contracts, interest rate swap agreements, or other derivative transactions.

Further Acts. Designate other individuals to request advances, pay fees and costs and execute other documents or agreements (including documents or agreement that waive Borrower’s right to a jury trial) they believe to be necessary to effect these resolutions.

 

Resolved Further, that all acts authorized by the above resolutions and any prior acts relating thereto are ratified. 

 

5.     The persons listed above are Borrower's officers or employees with their titles and signatures shown next to their names.

 

	
 
	
By:
	
/s/W.J. Adams
	
 

	
 
	
Name:
	
William Adams 
	
 

	
 
	
Title:
	
Chief Financial Officer
	
 



 

*** If the Secretary, Assistant Secretary or other certifying officer executing above is designated by the resolutions set forth in paragraph 4 as one of the authorized signing officers, this Certificate must also be signed by a second authorized officer or director of Borrower.

 

 

I, the Chairman of Borrower, hereby certify as to paragraphs 1 through 5 above, as of the date set forth above.

 


	
 
	
By:
	
/s/Lewis J. Shuster
	
 

	
 
	
Name:
	
Lewis J. Shuster
	
 

	
 
	
Title:
	
Board Chairman