# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000010795
**File Stem:** 0001193125-26-039448
**Filing Date:** 2026-2
**Character Count:** 23722
**Document Hash:** 5eea5b8fefffa573f314b4b39ba327e4
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001193125-26-039448.hdr.sgml**: 20260205

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001193125-26-039448

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 14

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20260130

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260205

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260205

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** BECTON DICKINSON & CO
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000010795
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 08 Industrial Applications and Services
- **EIN:** 220760120
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** NJ
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 0930

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-04802
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26603218

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** ONE BECTON DR
- **CITY:** FRANKLIN LAKES
- **STATE:** NJ
- **ZIP:** 07417-1880
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 2018476800

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** ONE BECTON DR
- **CITY:** FRANKLIN LAKE
- **STATE:** NJ
- **ZIP:** 07417

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? 8-K

### UNITED STATES

### SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

#### Washington, D.C. 20549

### FORM 8-K

#### CURRENT REPORT

#### Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

#### of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

#### Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 30, 2026

## BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY

#### (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **New Jersey** | **001-4802** | **22-0760120** |
| **(State or other jurisdiction**<br> **of incorporation)** | **(Commission**<br> **File Number)** | **(I.R.S. Employer**<br> **Identification No.)** |

---

#### 1 Becton Drive, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey 07417-1880

#### (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

#### Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (201) 847-6800

#### N/A

#### (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Title of each class** | **Trading**<br> **Symbol** | **Name of each exchange**<br> **on which registered** |
| Common Stock, par value $1.00 | BDX | New York Stock Exchange |
| 1.900% Notes due December 15, 2026 | BDX26 | New York Stock Exchange |
| 1.208% Notes due June 4, 2026 | BDX/26A | New York Stock Exchange |
| 1.213% Notes due February 12, 2036 | BDX/36 | New York Stock Exchange |
| 3.519% Notes due February 8, 2031 | BDX31 | New York Stock Exchange |
| 3.828% Notes due June 7, 2032 | BDX32A | New York Stock Exchange |

---

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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#### Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
The information set forth in Item 5.03 below is incorporated herein by reference. The Preferred Shares (defined below) were issued in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

#### Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
The information below relates to the anticipated upcoming consummation of the distribution (the "Distribution") by Becton, Dickinson and Company (the "Company") of all of the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Augusta SpinCo Corporation (the "SpinCo Common Stock"), which was formed to hold BD's Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions business, in connection with the Company's announced combination of Augusta SpinCo Corporation with Waters Corporation in a Reverse Morris Trust transaction (the "RMT Transaction").

On January 30, 2026, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey a Certificate of Designation (the "Certificate of Designation") of Series D Junior Participating Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series D Preferred Stock"). The Certificate of Designation was adopted by resolution of the Company's Board of Directors pursuant to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (the "Charter"), which vests in the Company's Board of Directors the authority to provide for the authorization and issuance of one or more series of preferred stock of the Company within the limitations and restrictions set forth in the Charter.

On February 2, 2026, the Company entered into an exchange agreement with each of (i) the Trust under the Becton, Dickinson and Company 1996 Directors' Deferral Plan and (ii) Becton, Dickinson and Company Salary and Bonus Deferral Plan Trust for the BD Deferred Compensation and Retirement Benefit Restoration Plan (collectively, the "Exchange Parties"), pursuant to which the Company issued to each Exchange Party one share of Series D Preferred Stock ("Preferred Shares") in exchange for each 10,000 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company ("Company Common Stock") held by such Exchange Party (the "Exchange"). The Company issued an aggregate of 27.5159 Preferred Shares to the Exchange Parties in the Exchange. The Exchange is intended to ensure that the Exchange Parties do not receive shares of SpinCo Common Stock in the Distribution.

The Preferred Shares are redeemable, at the option of the Company, for shares of Company Common Stock at the redemption rate set forth in the Certificate of Designation. If the Company completes the distribution of SpinCo Common Stock pursuant to the RMT Transaction, then the Preferred Shares will automatically be redeemed by the Company for shares of Company Common Stock, at the redemption rate set forth in the Certificate of Designation. The Preferred Shares have such other powers, privileges, preferences and relative participation, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as are set forth in the Certificate of Designation. The Certificate of Designation is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1, and is incorporated herein by reference, and the foregoing summary of the Certificate of Designation and the Preferred Shares is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.

#### Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) <u>Exhibits</u> 

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| 3.1 | [Certificate of Designation of Series D Junior Participating Redeemable Preferred Stock.](d910855dex31.htm) |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |

---

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Signature

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY | BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY |
|  | By: | /s/ Stephanie M. Kelly |
|  |  | Stephanie M. Kelly<br> Chief Securities and Governance Counsel, Corporate Secretary |
| Dated: February 5, 2026 |  |  |

---

## Exhibit 3.1

**Exhibit 3.1** 

**CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT** 

**OF** 

**THE RESTATED** 

**CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION** 

**OF** 

**BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY** 

**(N.J. Identification No. 1943801000)** 

The undersigned Corporation, for the purpose of amending its Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated as of January 30, 2019 (the "<u>2019 Restated Certificate of Incorporation</u>"), as amended by the Certificate of Amendment dated as of May 21, 2020 (the "<u>2020 Certificate of Amendment</u>") and as further amended by the Certificate of Amendment dated as of March 16, 2022 (the "<u>2022 Certificate of Amendment</u>" and the 2019 Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended by the 2020 Certificate of Amendment and the 2022 Certificate of Amendment, the "<u>Existing Restated Certificate of Incorporation</u>"), and pursuant to the provisions of Sections 14A:7-2 and 14A:9-2(2) of the New Jersey Business Corporation Act, hereby executes the following Certificate of Amendment (the "<u>Certificate of Amendment</u>"):

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. The name of the corporation is BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY (the " <u>Corporation</u> ").

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. On January 27, 2026, the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the " <u>Board of Directors</u> ") adopted the resolutions set forth immediately below, which resolutions are now, and at all times since their date of adoption, have been in full force and effect.

"WHEREAS, on July 13, 2025, the Corporation, Augusta SpinCo Corporation and Waters Corporation entered into a Separation Agreement (the "<u>Separation Agreement</u>") pursuant to which the Corporation will separate its Biosciences and Diagnostic Solutions business units from its remaining businesses and, following such separation, make a distribution to the holders of the Corporation's common shares on a pro rata basis on the record date (the "<u>Record Date</u>") of all of the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Augusta SpinCo Corporation owned by the Corporation;

WHEREAS, the Corporation will enter into exchange agreements (collectively, the "<u>Exchange Agreement</u>") with each of (i) the Becton, Dickinson and Company Salary and Bonus Deferral Plan Trust for the BD Deferred Compensation and Retirement Benefit Restoration Plan and (ii) the Trust under the Becton, Dickinson and Company 1996 Directors' Deferral Plan (collectively, the "<u>Rabbi Trusts</u>"), pursuant to which the Corporation has agreed to issue to each of the Rabbi Trusts, prior to the Record Date, shares of a series of preferred stock of the Corporation having the powers, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights set forth herein, in exchange for the Common Stock held by each such Rabbi Trust;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by law and the provisions of the Existing Restated Certificate of Incorporation, by resolution to provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Corporation (the "<u>Preferred Stock</u>") in one or more series, and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation, powers, privileges, preferences, and relative participating, optional or other rights, if any, of the shares of each such series and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof;

------

WHEREAS, following the effectiveness of the 2022 Certificate of Amendment 1,500,000 shares of Preferred Stock were designated as "6.00% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B" (the "Series B Preferred Stock"), 5,000 shares of Preferred Stock were designated as "Junior Participating Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series C" (the "<u>Series C Preferred Stock</u>") and 3,495,000 shares were reserved as blank check preferred stock without designation;

WHEREAS, no shares of the Series B Preferred Stock or the Series C Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding;

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has determined that it is in the best interests of the Corporation and its shareholders to (a) reclassify and redesignate 1,500,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and 5,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock to shares of blank check preferred stock without designation, and to remove from the Existing Restated Certificate of Incorporation the designation and the preferences, rights and limitations of the Series B Preferred Stock and the Series C Preferred Stock; and (b) create, designate and authorize a new series of the Corporation's Preferred Stock as "Junior Participating Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series D" (the "<u>Series D Preferred Stock</u>");

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that, the Board of Directors hereby reclassifies and redesignates 1,500,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock and 5,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock to shares of blank check preferred stock without designation and classifies and designates 5,000 shares of the Corporation's blank check preferred stock without designation (none of which are outstanding) so that 5,000 shares are classified and designated as Series D Preferred Stock;

RESOLVED, that the terms and conditions of the Series D Preferred Stock, including its relative preferences, participating, optional and other special rights and limitations, shall be as set forth in **Exhibit A** attached hereto; and

RESOLVED, that the authorized officers of the Corporation are hereby authorized and directed to file with the New Jersey Department of Treasury a Certificate of Amendment to the Corporation's Existing Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which Certificate of Amendment shall remove Article IV, Section (E) of the Existing Restated Certificate of Incorporation and add a new Article IV, Section (E) to the Existing Restated Certificate of Incorporation to set forth the designation, number and the relative preferences, participating, optional and other special rights and limitations of the Series D Preferred Stock, as the same are set forth on **Exhibit A** attached hereto."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 14A:7-2(4) and 14A:9-2(2), no vote of the shareholders of the Corporation is required to authorize this amendment.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4. The effective time of the amendment herein certified is the date of filing of this Certificate of Amendment.

------

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this certificate to be executed on its behalf by its duly authorized officer as of January 30, 2026.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY** | **BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY** |
| By: | /s/ Thomas E. Polen |
|  | Name: Thomas E. Polen |
|  | Title: Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President |

---

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**Exhibit A** 

Article IV, Section (E) of the Existing Restated Certificate of Incorporation is hereby deleted and the following shall be inserted as Article IV, Section (E) in lieu thereof:

(E) <u>Provisions Applicable to the Junior Participating Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series D.</u>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. *Designation and Number*. The Board of Directors hereby designates a series of preferred stock of the
Corporation entitled the "Junior Participating Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series D" (the " <u>Series D Preferred Stock</u> "). The total number of Series D Preferred Stock that may be issued pursuant to this Designation shall
be 5,000, but such Series D Preferred Stock shall only be issuable pursuant to (i) the exchange agreement between the Corporation and the Becton, Dickinson and Company Salary and Bonus Deferral Plan Trust for the BD Deferred Compensation and
Retirement Benefit Restoration Plan and (ii) the exchange agreement between the Corporation and the Trust under the Becton, Dickinson and Company 1996 Directors' Deferral Plan.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. *Ranking*. The Series D Preferred Stock shall, with respect to the payment of distributions of the
Corporation and rights upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Corporation, subject to Section (D) 3, rank: (i) junior to any other series of Preferred Stock (unless the terms of such other
series of Preferred Stock expressly state otherwise), and (ii) *pari passu* with the Common Stock.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. *Distributions*. Each holder of Series D Preferred Stock (each, a " <u>Series D Holder</u> ")
shall be entitled to receive, on a *pari p* assu basis, for each share of Series D Preferred Stock, any dividends or distributions payable to holders of shares of Common Stock in the amount that such Series D Holders would have received if,
immediately prior to any record date in respect of which dividends or distributions are paid, each share of Series D Preferred Stock were converted into 10,000 shares of Common Stock; <u>provided</u> that no share of Series D Preferred Stock shall
be entitled to receive any distribution by the Corporation of shares of common stock (the " <u>SpinCo Common Stock</u> "), par value $0.01 per share, of Augusta SpinCo Corporation (" <u>SpinCo</u> ").

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4. *Maturity*. The Series D Preferred Stock shall be perpetual.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5. *Redemption*.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) *Optional Redemption.* Prior to the record date for the distribution by the Corporation of all of the outstanding shares of SpinCo Common Stock owned by the Corporation to the Company's stockholders on a pro rata basis (the "<u>Distribution</u>") pursuant to the Separation Agreement by and among the Corporation, SpinCo and Waters Corporation ("<u>Waters</u>") dated as of July 13, 2025 (the "<u>Separation Agreement</u>"), the Corporation may, at its option and without further notice required, redeem at any time all (but not less than all) of the Series D Preferred Stock at a redemption rate of 10,000 shares of Common Stock for each share of Series D Preferred Stock (and a pro rata portion of 10,000 shares of Common Stock for any fractional share of Series D Preferred Stock) (the "<u>Optional Exchange Ratio</u>").

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) *Mandatory Redemption*. At the effective time of the Distribution (the "<u>Effective Time</u>"), each share of the Series D Preferred Stock shall, without any further action on the part of the Corporation or any holder thereof, be redeemed at the redemption rate set forth in Section (D) 5(c)

------

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) *Redemption Rate*. Upon the occurrence of a mandatory redemption set forth in Section (D) 5(b), each share of Series D Preferred Stock shall be redeemed for a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (i) the Optional Exchange Ratio *multiplied by* (ii) the Adjustment Ratio (as defined below); <u>provided</u> that the Corporation shall deliver cash in lieu of any fractional shares of Common Stock to which a holder of shares of Series D Preferred Stock would otherwise be entitled after giving effect to the calculation set forth in this Section (D) 5(c).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) For purposes hereof:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A. " <u>Adjustment Ratio</u> " means (I) the Pre-Distribution BD Common Stock Value *divided by* (II) the excess of the Pre-Distribution BD Common Stock Value over the product of (A) the Exchange
Ratio (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2025, by and among the Corporation, Waters, SpinCo and Beta Merger Sub, Inc.) and (B) the Pre-Distribution Waters Common
Stock Value;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B. " <u>Pre-Distribution Waters Common Stock Value</u> " means
the volume-weighted average price of a share of Waters Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share on the New York Stock Exchange as reported by Bloomberg L.P. for the 10 trading days ending on the last trading day immediately before the Effective Time;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C. " <u>Pre-Distribution BD Common Stock Value</u> " means the
volume-weighted average price of a share of Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange as reported by Bloomberg L.P. for the 10 trading days ending on the last trading day immediately before the Effective Time;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e) *Status of Series D Preferred Stock.* Shares of Series D Preferred Stock (or any fraction thereof) that have been redeemed or reacquired in any manner shall (upon compliance with any applicable provisions of the laws of New Jersey) have the status of authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock undesignated as to series, and may be designated or re-designated and issued or reissued, as the case may be, as part of any series of Preferred Stock; <u>provided</u> that any issuance of such shares as Series D Preferred Stock (or fraction thereof) must be in compliance with the terms hereof.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(f) *No Other Redemption.* Except as provided in this Section (D) 5, the Series D Preferred Stock is not convertible into or redeemable for any other property or securities of the Corporation or SpinCo.

Section 6. *Voting Rights*.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Each share of Series D Preferred Stock shall entitle the Series D Holder thereof to 10,000 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders of the Corporation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) Any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or this Certificate of Amendment that materially and disproportionately adversely affects the rights, powers or preferences of the Series D Preferred Stock shall require the prior affirmative consent or approval of not less than two-thirds in voting power of the shares of Series D Preferred Stock; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>*,* that (i) the creation, or increase in the authorized number of shares, of Common Stock or Preferred Stock of any kind will not be deemed to materially and disproportionately adversely affect such rights, powers or preferences, and (ii) the Distribution or any transaction contemplated by Section (D) 5 will not be deemed to materially and disproportionately adversely affect such rights, powers or preferences.