Document:

EX-10.1

 Exhibit 10.1 

[Pursuant to Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K, certain confidential portions of this exhibit have been omitted by
means of marking such portions with asterisks as the identified confidential portions (i) are not material and (ii) would be competitively harmful if publicly disclosed.] 

Confidential 
  

	From:	 Denali Therapeutics Inc. 

161 Oyster Point Blvd. 
 South San
Francisco 
 CA 94080 
 U.S.A.

 BBB Holding Ltd 
 Hill House

 1 Little New Street 
 London,
United Kingdom 
 EC4A 3TR 
  

	To:	 F-star Biotechnology Limited 

Eddeva B920 
 Babraham Research
Campus 
 Cambridge, United Kingdom 

CB22 3AT 
 Attn: Chief Executive
Officer 
 F-star Biotechnologische Forschungs- und Entwicklungsges.m.b.h. 

C/O - F-star Biotechnology Limited 

Eddeva B920 
 Babraham Research
Campus 
 Cambridge, United Kingdom 

CB22 3AT 
 Attn: Chief Executive
Officer 
 F-star Therapeutics Limited 

Eddeva B920 
 Babraham Research
Campus 
 Cambridge, United Kingdom 

CB22 3AT 
 Attn: Chief Executive
Officer 
 CC: alliances@f-star.com 

June 30th, 2021 
 RE: Side Letter to License and Collaboration
Agreement, the Amended and Restated Gamma License Agreement, the Support Services Agreement and the Share Purchase Agreement 

 Dear Sirs: 

We refer to (a) the License and Collaboration Agreement between BBB Holding Ltd (f/k/a F-star Gamma Limited,
“DBH”), F-star Biotechnologische Forschungs- und Entwicklungsges.m.b.h. (“F-star GmbH”), F-star
Biotechnology Limited (“F-star Ltd”, together with F-star GmbH, “F-star”) and Denali
Therapeutics Inc. (“Denali”), dated August 24, 2016 as amended by the letter agreement dated February 23, 2018 (“Patent Side Letter”), the letter agreement dated May 21, 2018 (“Buy-Out Side Letter”) and the amendment dated June 1, 2018 (together the “LCA”), (b) the Amended and Restated Gamma IP License Agreement between
F-star Ltd and DBH dated August 24, 2016, as amended by the Patent Side Letter and Buy-Out Side Letter (the “GIPL”), (c) the Gamma Support Services
Agreement between F-star Ltd. and DBH dated August 24, 2016 (“SSA”) as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated April 11, 2019 and (d) the Share Purchase Agreement between the
Sellers, Shareholder Representative Services LLC (“SRS”) and Denali dated May 30, 2018 (“SPA”). 
 Capitalized terms
in this letter have the meaning given to them in the LCA, GIPL, SSA and SPA unless otherwise stated. 
 By signing this letter, we, Denali and DBH, and by
counter-signing, you, F-star and F-star Therapeutics, acknowledge and agree to the terms of this letter, which shall control notwithstanding any provision to the
contrary in the LCA, GIPL, SSA or (as between Denali and F-star only) the SPA. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this letter shall vary or purport to vary the SPA and no right or obligation of a party
arising under the LCA, GIPL or SSA shall be limited or restricted save to the extent expressly set out in this letter. 
  

	 	1.	 Acknowledgments and Confirmations. By signing this letter, we, Denali and DBH and by counter-signing,
you, F-star and F-star Therapeutics, acknowledge and agree that: 

  

	 	a.	 all of the assets and business of F-star, including intellectual
property rights, were assigned to F-star Therapeutics Limited, a company incorporated in England with registered number 11532458 and registered office at Eddeva B920, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge,
United Kingdom (“F-star Therapeutics”) on May 31, 2021 (“Novation Date”); 

  

	 	b.	 the rights and obligations of F-star arising under the LCA, GIPL, SSA,
this letter and (as between Denali and F-star only) the SPA are to be deemed novated to F-star Therapeutics with effect from the Novation Date; 

 

	 	c.	 all rights and obligations of F-star arising under the LCA, GIPL, SSA,
this letter and (as between Denali and F-star only) the SPA have been assumed by F-star Therapeutics with effect from the Novation Date; 

 

	 	d.	 this letter and any further notice served by a party to any F-star
entity or F-star Therapeutics pursuant to any of the LCA, GIPL, SSA and (as between Denali and F-star only) the SPA does not need to be served on or copied to Cooley
LLP; and 

  

	 	e.	 any further notice served on any F-star entity or F-star Therapeutics under the LCA, GIPL, SSA, this letter and (as between Denali and F-star only) the SPA shall be required to be sent to
F-star Therapeutics only and marked for the attention of the Chief Executive Officer (and copied by email to alliances@f-star.com). 

  
 2 

	 	2.	 Denali Fcab Notice. The parties agree and acknowledge that this letter agreement serves as the Denali
Fcab Notice with respect to [***]. 

  

	 	3.	 Disbandment of JSC. In recognition of the winding down of collaboration activities related to the Fcab
Discovery Plans for TfR and [***] under the LCA and SSA, the parties mutually agree to disband the JSC and Working Groups thereunder and, in accordance with Section 2.4 of the LCA, neither the JSC nor any Working Group shall have any
further responsibility or authority under the LCA or the SSA. 

 After the date hereof, contact between Denali and DBH on
the one hand and F-star Therapeutics on the other hand shall be overseen by the Alliance Managers, and, notwithstanding Section 2.5 of the LCA, the Alliance Managers shall meet [***]. 

 

	 	4.	 Status Reports. The parties mutually agree that Denali’s and DBH’s obligations under Sections
4.1, 4.7.2, 4.9 and 5.3 of the LCA and Sections 4.2 and 4.4.1 of the GIPL shall be limited to a written report in the form attached hereto as Appendix A which will be provided to F-star Therapeutics (with a
copy being sent by email to alliances@f-star.com) [***]. For avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not limit Denali’s reporting obligations under Paragraph 2.8 of Schedule 5 to the SPA.

 Nothing in this paragraph shall restrict or limit a party’s obligation under Section 11.4 of the LCA,
Section 9.3 of the GIPL and Section 7.3 of the SSA (to the extent applicable to such party) to provide to the other applicable party(ies) for its review and comment a proposed public disclosure by such party relating to the LCA, GIPL or
SSA, as the case may be, where in the opinion of that disclosing entity’s counsel it is required by applicable law or the rules of a stock exchange on which its securities are listed to issue such public disclosure. 

 

	 	5.	 Transfer of Libraries.Denali agrees to deliver to F-star
Therapeutics a copy of the two libraries known internally at Denali as [***], which library copies shall be provided to F-star Therapeutics in DNA form (and not in the form of a glycerol stock) within
sixty (60) days after the date hereof. Following the date hereof, Denali and DBH’s obligations under Section 4.1 of the LCA and Section 4.3 of the GIPL shall be limited to providing F-star
Therapeutics with [***]. 

  

	 	6.	 Denali Materials. F-star and
F-star Therapeutics agree to destroy or return to Denali (at Denali’s election provided always that such election shall be made by Denali within ninety (90) days of the date of this letter) all
biological, chemical and other laboratory materials provided by Denali or DBH to F-star or F-star Therapeutics in connection with the LCA, SSA, or GIPL, including any
Denali Fcabs, antigens and antibodies, and all subunits and derivatives thereof developed or generated by or on behalf of F-star or F-star Therapeutics, other than any
Denali Libraries and Transferred Libraries provided by Denali to F-star or F-star Therapeutics. 

  
 3 

	 	7.	 [***]. 

  

	 	8.	 Denali Fcab-Specific IP. The parties hereby agree and acknowledge the following: 

 

	 	a.	 “Denali Fcab-Specific IP” means, subject to paragraph 8.b, (i) any Know-How to the extent pertaining to an Fcab that binds to TfR or CD98hc and (ii) any Patent that only includes claims that [***] (any such Patent, a “Denali Fcab-Specific Patent”).

  

	 	b.	 For clarity, Denali Fcab-Specific Patents shall not include a Patent that includes a claim that covers the
composition of matter, use, or method of identification, improvement, manufacture or other use of [***]. 

  

	 	c.	 As between the parties, Denali and/or DBH shall retain ownership of Denali Fcab-Specific IP and, for avoidance
of doubt, neither Denali nor DBH or any of their Affiliates or (sub)licensees shall be obligated to assign any Denali Fcab-Specific IP to F-star or F-star Therapeutics.

  

	 	d.	 Denali and/or DBH shall have the sole right to prosecute and maintain the Denali Fcab-Specific Patents, and
shall keep F-star Therapeutics informed of the prosecution and maintenance thereof where Denali includes a claim in any such Patent that covers the composition of matter, use, or method of identification,
improvement, manufacture or other use of [***], provided that Denali shall provide F-star Therapeutics with a patent status report regarding the Denali Fcab-Specific Patents every six months, such
status report including a brief description of the claimed subject matter in each patent family, and Denali shall provide F-star Therapeutics with a copy of any claims in any Denali Fcab-Specific Patents prior
[***]. For avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not limit Denali or DBH’s obligations under the LCA or GIPL with respect to the assignment, prosecution and maintenance of any Patent that is not a Denali Fcab-Specific Patent.

  

	 	e.	 Nothing in this paragraph 8 shall oblige F-star or F-star Therapeutics to assign rights to Know-How or Patents to Denali or DBH that were developed, generated or invented by F-star or F-star Therapeutics on or prior to the date hereof. For clarity, the preceding sentence shall not limit any rights granted to Denali under the LCA or GIPL. 

Please acknowledge your acceptance of the terms of this letter by countersigning this letter below. 

  
 4 

 Sincerely, 
  

	
	 /s/ Ryan Watts

	
	Ryan Watts, CEO

 For and on behalf of Denali Therapeutics Inc. and BBB Holding Ltd 

Agreed and Acknowledged by: 
  

	
	 /s/ Eliot Forster

	 Chief Executive Officer 

 For and on behalf of F-star Biotechnology Limited,
F-star Biotechnologische Forschungs -und Entwicklungsges.m.b.h. and F-star Therapeutics Limited 

  
 5 

 [***] 

  
 6Document

Exhibit 10.1

RECIPROCAL LOAN AGREEMENT

This RECIPROCAL LOAN AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of April 1, 2021, between Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company, a Connecticut life insurance company (“VRIAC” or “Company”), located at One Orange Way, Windsor, Connecticut 06095 and Voya Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Voya Financial” or “Company”), located at 230 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10169 (collectively referred to as the "Companies").

WITNESSETH: 

WHEREAS, each of the Companies may have, from time to time, a need to borrow funds on a revolving basis; and 

WHEREAS, each of the Companies may have, from time to time, excess cash available to lend to the other on a revolving basis; and 

WHEREAS, the Companies are affiliated entities and as such are willing to extend financing to, and borrow from each other as provided herein; and 

WHEREAS, each of the Companies desires to enter into this Agreement providing for, among other things, the making of such Loans by and among each other;

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Companies agree as follows: 

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1.     Defined Terms.  For purposes of this Agreement: 

“Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto. 

“Authorized Person” shall mean the CFO, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Treasury Officer, or Treasury Manager of the Borrowing Company, or a person so designated. 

“Borrowing Company” shall mean each of the Companies to which a Loan is outstanding or is to be made pursuant to a Request for Borrowing. 

“Business Day” shall mean a day on which U.S. financial markets are open for the transaction of business required for this Agreement. 

“Companies” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto. 

“Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto. 

Exhibit 10.1

“Corporate Treasury Office” ("CTO") shall mean the Treasurer's office of Voya Financial, Inc. 

“Default” shall mean any of the events specified in Section 6.1, regardless of whether there shall have occurred any passage of time or giving of notice, or both, that would be necessary in order to constitute such an Event of Default. 

“Event of Default” shall mean any of the events specified in Section 6.1. 

“Interest Period” shall mean the number of days or months that a particular interest rate applies to a particular Loan advanced hereunder. 

“Lending Company” shall mean each of the Companies that has made, or is obligated to make, in accordance with a Request for Borrowing one or more Loans hereunder. 

“Loans” shall mean the amounts advanced by a Lending Company to a Borrowing Company under this Agreement. 

“Notice of Borrowing” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b) of this Agreement. 

“Obligations” shall mean all payment and performance obligations of every kind, nature and description of each Borrowing Company to the Lending Company, or either of them, under this Agreement (including any interest, fees and other charges on the Loans or otherwise), whether such obligations are direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or not due, contractual or tortious, liquidated or unliquidated, arising by operation of law or otherwise, now existing or hereafter arising. 

 “Request for Borrowing” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement. 

“Revolving Loan Commitment” shall mean the maximum outstanding amount to be funded by the Lending Company to the Borrowing Company. The aggregate sum which the Lending Company may loan to the Borrowing Company under this Agreement shall not exceed three percent of VRIAC’s admitted assets as of the thirty-first day of December next preceding.

“Termination Date” shall mean April 1, 2026, or such earlier date as payment of the Obligations shall be due (whether by acceleration or otherwise). 

“Voya Financial” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto. 

“VRIAC” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

Section 1.2.     Terminology.  Each definition of a document in this Article 1 shall include such document as amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time, and, except where the context otherwise requires, definitions imparting the singular shall include the plural and visa versa. Except where specifically restricted, reference to a party shall include that party and its successors and assigns.  All personal pronouns used in this Agreement, whether used in the 

Exhibit 10.1

masculine, feminine, or neuter gender, shall include all other genders.  Titles of articles and sections in this Agreement are for convenience only, and neither limit nor amplify the provisions of this Agreement, and all references in this Agreement to articles, sections, subsections, paragraphs, clauses, subclauses or exhibits shall refer to the corresponding article, section, subsection, paragraph, clause, subclause of, or exhibit attached to, this Agreement, unless otherwise provided. 

Section 1.3.     Accounting Terms.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted in accordance with customary insurance accounting practices consistently applied. 

ARTICLE 2

TERMS OF THE LOANS

Section 2.1.     Revolving Credit. 

(a)        Subject to and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, each Lending Company agrees to advance Loans to the Borrowing Company, from time to time prior to the Termination Date.  Loans advanced under the Revolving Loan Commitment shall be repaid in accordance with Section 2.4 and may be reborrowed from time to time on a revolving basis.  

(b)        Each Borrowing Company's obligation to pay to the Lending Company the principal of and interest on the Loans shall be evidenced by the records of the CTO in lieu of a promissory note or notes.

Section 2.2.     Notice and Manner of Borrowing. 

(a)        Whenever the Borrowing Company desires to borrow money hereunder, it shall give the CTO a written or facsimile request (or verbal request promptly confirmed in writing or by facsimile) of such borrowing or reborrowing (a “Request for Borrowing”).  Such Request for Borrowing shall be given by an Authorized Person to the CTO prior to 10:00 a.m. (New York, New York time).  Any Request for Borrowing received after 10:00 a.m. shall be deemed received on the next Business Day. 

(b)        The CTO, upon receipt of a Request for Borrowing, shall determine if the requested funds are available and the interest rates in accordance with Section 2.3(a) of this Agreement (and related Interest Periods, if any) at which the Borrowing Company can borrow money in a principal amount equal to, and on the date of, the proposed borrowing or reborrowing described in each such Request for Borrowing, and shall notify the Lending Company of such interest rates and the related Interest Periods, if any, and the principal amount of the proposed borrowing or reborrowing (a “Notice of Borrowing”) by telephone (confirmed in writing) or by facsimile no later than 12 p.m. (New York, New York time) on the Business Day of the requested borrowing or reborrowing.  The CTO shall promptly convey to the Borrowing Company the information contained in the Notice of Borrowing by telephone (confirmed in writing) or by facsimile.    

Exhibit 10.1

(c)        On the date of each borrowing, the Lending Company will make available the amount of such borrowing or reborrowing in immediately available funds to the Borrowing Company by depositing such amount in the account of the Borrowing Company by wire transfer via electronic funds transfer (EFT). 

(d)       The CTO shall maintain on its books a control account for each Company in which shall be recorded (i) the amount and payment terms of each Loan made hereunder to each such Company, (ii) the interest rate applicable with respect to each Loan, (iii) the amount of any principal, interest or fees due or to become due from each Borrowing Company with respect to the Loans, (iv) the payment dates for any principal, interest or fees due or to become due from each Borrowing Company with respect to each Loan made hereunder, and (v) the amount of any sum received by each Lending Company hereunder in respect of any such principal, interest or fees due on such Loans.  The entries made in the CTO's control accounts shall be prima facie evidence, in the absence of manifest error, of the existence and amounts of Obligations therein recorded and any payments thereon.  Accordingly, the Companies acknowledge and agree that the payment terms and due dates set out in the CTO’s control accounts with respect to each Loan made hereunder shall be deemed incorporated herein by this reference and shall govern as the payment terms and due dates for each such Loan made hereunder. 

(e)        The CTO shall account to each Company on a quarterly basis with a statement of borrowings, interest rates, charges and payments made pursuant to this Agreement with respect to the Loans and Revolving Loan Commitment.  An Authorized Person of the Companies shall review each quarterly accounting for accuracy within thirty days of receipt thereof from the CTO.  Each such account rendered by the CTO shall be deemed final, binding and conclusive unless the CTO is notified by the Lending Company or the Borrowing Company within thirty days after the date the account is so rendered that either the Lending Company or the Borrowing Company disputes any item thereof.  Disputes for which the CTO receives notice in accordance with this Section 2.2(e) will be settled in accordance with Section 7.5 only if an amicable understanding cannot be reached by the parties within sixty (60) days of receipt of the notice of dispute.

(f)        The CTO shall be justified in assuming, for purposes of carrying out its duties and obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, its obligation to maintain accounts and provide accountings of the Loans pursuant to Section 2.2(d) and (e) above, that (1) Loans are disbursed by the Lending Company to the Borrowing Company in accordance with the terms of the Notice of Borrowing, (2) payments on the Loans are made to the Lending Company when due, and (3) no prepayments of any Loans prior to the date that they are due and payable under Section 2.4(a) have occurred, unless the CTO is otherwise notified by either Company within seven Business Days of any such delayed disbursement, overdue payment, or receipt of a prepayment. 

Section 2.3.     Interest. 

(a)        The Borrowing Company agrees to pay interest in respect of all unpaid principal amounts of the Loans from the respective dates such principal amounts were advanced until the respective dates such principal amounts are repaid at a rate per annum as determined by the CTO and agreed upon by the Companies pursuant to Section 2.2(b) of this Agreement.  The Borrowing Company shall pay interest on each Loan at a per annum rate which is based on the 

Exhibit 10.1

prevailing market rate for similar borrowings or securities with a similar credit quality and with a similar duration.  The interest rate shall be determined by the CTO in accordance with its usual practices.  In the event that there is no market for similar borrowings or securities, or the market for such borrowings is limited, the CTO shall determine the interest rate for a Loan by performing a relative analysis of other borrowings or securities that are not materially dissimilar to the Loan in order to infer the prevailing market rate for such Loan.  

(b)        Overdue principal and, to the extent not prohibited by applicable law, overdue interest in respect of any of the Loans and all other overdue amounts owing hereunder shall bear interest from each date that such amounts are overdue at the rate otherwise applicable to such underlying Loans plus an additional 2% per annum.  Interest on each Loan shall accrue from and including the date of such Loan to, but excluding, the date of any repayment thereof; provided, however, that if a Loan is repaid on the same day it is made, one day's interest shall be paid on such Loan.  Interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days elapsed. 

(c)        The Companies hereby agree that the only charges imposed or to be imposed by the Lending Company hereunder for the use of money in connection with the Loans is and will be the interest required to be paid under the provisions of Sections 2.2(b).  In no event shall the amount of interest due and payable under this Agreement or any other documents executed in connection herewith exceed the maximum rate of interest allowed by applicable law and, in the event any such payment is made by the Borrowing Company or received by the Lending Company, such excess sum shall be credited as a payment of principal.  It is the express intent hereof that the Borrowing Company not pay and the Lending Company not receive, directly or indirectly in any manner, interest in excess of that which may be lawfully paid under applicable law. 

Section 2.4.     Repayment of Principal and Interest. 

(a)        The entire outstanding principal balance of the Loans shall be due and payable by no later than 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on the Business Day on which the Loan is due, together with all remaining accrued and unpaid interest thereon, unless an extension of no more than three additional days is authorized by the Lending Company.  The maximum term of any Loan shall be 270 days.  

(b)        Any of the Loans may be prepaid in whole or in part at any time without premium or penalty.  Any such prepayment made on any Loan shall be applied, first, to interest accrued thereon through the date thereof and then to the principal balance thereof. 

(c)        Each payment and prepayment of principal of any Loan and each payment of interest on any Loan shall be made to the Lending Company and applied to outstanding Loan balances in the following order; first, toward any Loan or Loans then due and payable; and, second, towards the Loan or Loans which are next due and payable at the time of such prepayment. 

ARTICLE 3

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Exhibit 10.1

Section 3.1.     Representations and Warranties.  In order to induce the Lending Company to enter into this Agreement, the Borrowing Company hereby represents and warrants as set forth below: 

(a)        Organization; Power; Qualification.  The Borrowing Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of its incorporation, has the power and authority to own or lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted, and is duly qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation, and authorized to do business, in each jurisdiction in which the character of its properties or the nature of its business require such qualification or authorization. 

(b)        Authorization; Enforceability.  The Borrowing Company has the power and has taken all necessary action to authorize it to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrowing Company and is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrowing Company, enforceable in accordance with its respective terms, (i) subject to limitations imposed by general principles of equity and (ii) subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to moratorium laws from time to time in effect. 

(c)        No Conflict.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement in accordance with its terms and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (i) violate any applicable law or regulation, (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under the articles or certificate of  incorporation or by-laws of the Borrowing Company or under any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which the Borrowing Company is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound, or (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any lien upon or with respect to any property now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrowing Company. 

(d)       Compliance with Law; Absence of Default.  The Borrowing Company is in compliance with all applicable laws the failure to comply with which has or could reasonably be expected to have a materially adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition or results of operations of the Borrowing Company, and no event has occurred or has failed to occur which has not been remedied or waived, the occurrence or non‐occurrence of which constitutes a Default. 

Section 3.2.     Survival of Representations and Warranties.  All representations and warranties made under this Agreement shall be deemed to be made, and shall be true and correct, as of the date hereof and as of the date of each Loan. 

ARTICLE 4

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

So long as this Agreement is in effect:

Exhibit 10.1

Section 4.1.     Preservation of Existence.  The Borrowing Company will (a) preserve and maintain its existence, rights, franchises, licenses and privileges in its jurisdiction of organization and (b) qualify and remain qualified and authorized to do business in each jurisdiction in which the character of its properties or the nature of its business requires such qualification or authorization. 

Section 4.2.     Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations.  The Borrowing Company will comply with the requirements of all applicable laws and regulations the failure with which to comply could have a materially adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition or results of operations of the Borrowing Company. 

Section 4.3.     Visits and Inspections. 

(a)        Upon reasonable advance notice from the Lending Company, the Borrowing Company will permit representatives of the Lending Company to (a) visit and inspect the properties of the Borrowing Company during normal business hours, (b) inspect and make extracts from and copies of its books and records, and (c) discuss with its principal officers its businesses, assets, liabilities, financial positions and results of operations. 

(b)        Each Company agrees that upon reasonable advance notice from an auditor of either Company or any regulatory official employed by the Department of Insurance of any state in which either Company is engaged in business, each Company will prepare and deliver to such auditor or regulatory official, within a reasonable time following such request, a written verification of all Loans made to and by the relevant Company.  Upon reasonable advance notice to each Company, the books and records of the CTO and each Company relating to the subject matter of this Agreement shall be available for inspection by any auditor of either Company or any regulatory official during normal business hours, and the CTO and each Company will cooperate with said auditor or regulatory official in making any audit which requires inspection of said books and records.

ARTICLE 5

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

So long as this Agreement is in effect:

Section 5.1.     Liquidation; Merger; Sale of Assets; Change of Business.  The Borrowing Company shall not at any time, without proper notice to the Lending Company: 

(a)        Liquidate or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution) or otherwise wind up; 

(b)        Merge or consolidate with any other person or entity; 

(c)        Sell, lease, abandon or otherwise dispose of or transfer all or substantially all of its assets other than in the ordinary course of business; or 

Exhibit 10.1

(d)       Make any substantial change in the type of business conducted by the Borrowing Company as of the date hereof without the prior written consent of the Lending Company if such action would have a material adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition or results of operations of the Borrowing Company. 

Any corporation into which either Company may be merged, converted or with which either Company may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which either Company shall be a party, shall succeed to all either Company's rights, obligations and immunities hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding. 

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULT

Section 6.1.     Events of Default. Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default: 

(a)        Any representation or warranty made by the Borrowing Company under this Agreement shall prove incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made; 

(b)        The Borrowing Company shall default in the payment of (i) any interest payable under this Agreement within five days of when due, or (ii) any principal payable under this Agreement within three days of when due; 

(c)        The Borrowing Company shall default in the performance or observance of any agreement or covenant contained in this Agreement, and such Default shall not be cured within a period of 30 days from the occurrence of such Default; 

(d)       The Borrowing Company shall default under any other agreement or instrument evidencing or relating to any indebtedness which Default shall not have been cured within any applicable grace period set forth therein; 

(e)        There shall be entered a decree or order by a court having jurisdiction in the premises constituting an order for relief in respect of the Borrowing Company under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy law or similar law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, or similar official of the Borrowing Company or of any substantial part of its properties, or ordering the winding-up or liquidation of the affairs of the Borrowing Company and any such decree or order shall continue in effect for a period of sixty consecutive days; 

(f)        The Borrowing Company shall file a petition, answer or consent seeking relief under Title 11 of the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other applicable federal or state bankruptcy law or other similar law, or the Borrowing Company shall consent to the institution of proceedings thereunder or to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment or taking of possession of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, custodian, 

Exhibit 10.1

sequestrator, or other similar official of the Borrowing Company or of any substantial part of its properties, or the Borrowing Company shall fail generally to pay its debts as such debts become due, or the Borrowing Company shall take any corporate action in furtherance of any such action; or 

(g)        This Agreement or any provision hereof shall at any time and for any reason be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be null and void, or a proceeding shall be commenced by the Borrowing Company or any other person or entity seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof, or the Borrowing Company shall deny that it has any liability or any obligation for the payment of principal or interest purported to be created under this Agreement. 

Section 6.2.     Remedies.  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing, 

(a)        The obligation of the Lending Company to make Loans hereunder shall immediately cease; 

(b)        With the exception of an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or (f), the Lending Company, shall declare the principal of and interest on the Loans and all other amounts owed under this Agreement to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon all such amounts shall immediately become absolute and due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest, or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, and whereupon all such amounts shall be immediately due and payable; 

(c)        Upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(e) or (f), such principal, interest and other amounts shall thereupon and concurrently therewith become absolute and due and payable, all without any action by the Lending Company, all of which are hereby expressly waived, anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding; 

(d)       The Lending Company shall have the right and option to exercise all of the post‐default rights granted to them hereunder; and 

(e)        The Lending Company shall have the right and option to exercise all rights and remedies available to them at law or in equity.

ARTICLE 7

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 7.1.     Notices.  Except as otherwise provided herein, all notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and, if mailed, shall be deemed to have been received on the earlier of the date shown on the receipt or three Business Days after the postmarked date thereof and, if sent by facsimile, shall be followed forthwith by letter and shall be deemed to have been received on the next Business Day following dispatch and acknowledgment of receipt by the recipient's facsimile machine.  In 

Exhibit 10.1

addition, notices hereunder may be delivered by hand or overnight courier, in which event the notice shall be deemed effective when delivered.  All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be given to the parties at the address or facsimile number listed below such party's signature line hereto, or such other address or facsimile number as may be specified by any party in a writing addressed to the other parties hereto. 

Section 7.2.     Indemnification.  

(a)        VRIAC shall indemnify and hold harmless Voya Financial against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) resulting from any claim, demand, action, or suit arising out of, or in connection with (i) VRIAC’s failure to perform its duties and responsibilities under this Agreement; or (ii) the breach of any representation or warranty under this Agreement by VRIAC.

(b)        Voya Financial shall indemnify and hold harmless VRIAC against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) resulting from any claim, demand, action, or suit arising out of, or in connection with (i) Voya Financial’s failure to perform its duties and responsibilities under this Agreement; or (ii) the breach of any representation or warranty under this Agreement by Voya Financial.   

Section 7.3.     Waivers.  The rights and remedies of the Lending Company under this Agreement shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which they would otherwise have.  No failure or delay by the Lending Company in exercising any right shall operate as a waiver of it.  The Lending Company expressly reserves the right to require strict compliance with the terms of this Agreement.  In the event the Lending Company decides to fund a request for a Loan at a time when the Borrowing Company is not in strict compliance with the terms of this Agreement, such decision by the Lending Company shall not be deemed to constitute an undertaking by the Lending Company to fund any further requests for Loans or precluding the Lending Company from exercising any rights available to it under the Agreement or at law or equity with respect to the Borrowing Company.  Any waiver or indulgence granted by the Lending Company shall not constitute a modification of this Agreement, except to the extent expressly provided in such waiver or indulgence, or constitute a course of dealing by the Lending Company at variance with the terms of this Agreement such as to require further notice by the Lending Company of its intent to require strict adherence to the terms of this Agreement in the future.  Any such actions shall not in any way affect the ability of the Lending Company, in their respective sole discretion, to exercise any of their respective rights under this Agreement or under any other agreement. 

Section 7.4.     Assignment; Successors. 

(a)        The Borrowing Company may not assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without notice to the Lending Company.  Assignment by the Borrowing Company of all or a portion of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any affiliate shall be undertaken in accordance with the Connecticut insurance holding company act notice and/or approval provisions.  An assignee of the Borrowing Company shall be required to assume and agree to perform and discharge the obligations of the Borrowing Company hereunder that are outstanding as of the date of such assignment and those arising after such assignment.  

Exhibit 10.1

(b)        The Lending Company may not at any time assign or participate its interest under this Agreement without notice to the Borrowing Company.  Assignment by the Lending Company of all or a portion of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any affiliate shall be undertaken in accordance with the Connecticut insurance holding company act notice and/or approval requirements.  An assignee of the Lending Company shall be required to assume and agree to perform and discharge the obligations of the Lending Company hereunder that are outstanding as of the date of such assignment and those arising after such assignment.  Any holder of a participation in, and any assignee or transferee of, all or any portion of any amount owed by the Borrowing Company under this Agreement may exercise any and all rights provided in this Agreement with respect to any and all amounts owed by the Borrowing Company to such assignee, transferee or holder as fully as if such assignee, transferee or holder had made the Loans in the amount of the obligation in which its holds a participation or which is assigned or transferred to it. 

(c)        This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Borrowing Company, the Lending Company, and the permitted successors and assigns of each party hereto. 

Section 7.5      Arbitration.  

(a)        Any dispute or difference with respect to the operation or interpretation of this Agreement on which an amicable understanding cannot be reached shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association and the Expedited Procedures thereof. 

(b)        The arbitration shall be held in New York, New York, or such other place as may be mutually agreed between the parties, and the arbitration panel shall consist of three arbitrators.  VRIAC shall appoint one arbitrator and Voya Financial the second.  Such arbitrators shall then select the third arbitrator before the arbitration commences.  Should one of the parties decline to appoint an arbitrator or should the two arbitrators be unable to agree upon the choice of a third, such appointment shall be left to the American Arbitration Association.

(c)        Decisions of the arbitrators shall be by majority vote.  The award rendered by the arbitrators shall be final and binding upon the parties, and the judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any Court having jurisdiction thereof.  Each party shall bear its own costs of the arbitration, except that the fees of the arbitrators shall be borne equally by the parties.  

Section 7.6.     Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. 

Section 7.7.     Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof in that jurisdiction or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. 

Exhibit 10.1

Section 7.8.     Entire Agreement; Amendments.  This Agreement represents the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this transaction. No amendment or modification of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless such amendment or modification is:  (i) in writing and signed by both Companies and (ii) undertaken in accordance with the Connecticut insurance holding company act notice and/or approval provisions. 

Section 7.9.     Payment on Non‐Business Days.  Whenever any payment to be made hereunder shall be stated to be due on a non‐Business Day, such payment may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of payment of interest hereunder. 

Section 7.10.   Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated with respect to any party hereto by such party upon its giving the other parties thirty days notice of its intent to terminate.  In the event of termination as provided in this paragraph, the Lending Company's obligation to make Loans to the Borrowing Company shall cease; provided, however, that the Borrowing Company shall continue to be obligated to make all repayments of Loans and all other amounts due and payable by it as provided under this Agreement. 

Section 7.11.   Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of Delaware and Connecticut, without regard to the conflict of laws rules thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement or caused it to be executed by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and year first above written. 

Voya Retirement Insurance and Annuity Company

By: /s/ Carlo Bertucci
                                                                        Name:  Carlo Bertucci
Title:    SVP, Treasurer and Chief Tax Officer
Dated:   March 11, 2021

Address for notices:
            5780 Powers Ferry Road
            Suite P1
Atlanta, Georgia  30327
                                                                        Attention: Treasurer

Exhibit 10.1

Voya Financial, Inc.

By: /s/ Carlo Bertucci
                                                                        Name:  Carlo Bertucci
Title:    SVP, Treasurer and Chief Tax Officer
Dated:   March 11, 2021

Address for notices:
230 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10169
                                                                        Attention: Treasurer

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