Document:

ex10-12.htm

Exhibit 10.12

 

SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT UNITS

 

TO:                 VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc. (the "Corporation")

RE:                 Purchase of Units of VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc.

 

	
  

	
Instructions:    Complete and sign this Subscription Agreement. Please be sure to initial the appropriate "accredited investor" category in Box C.

 

A completed and originally executed copy of, and the other documents required to be delivered with, this Subscription Agreement, must be delivered to the following address:

 

Shawn K. Singh, JD Chief Executive Officer VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc. 384 Oyster Point Blvd., No. 8 South San Francisco, CA 94080 (650) 244-9997 ext. 224 ssingh@vistagen.com

 

	
1.  

	
The undersigned (the "Subscriber") hereby irrevocably subscribes for and agrees to purchase from the Corporation the number of units of the Corporation ("Units") at the price and for the aggregate consideration set forth in Box A of Section 6 below (the "Subscription Price"). The consideration can be paid in cash or by cancellation of indebtedness owed by the Corporation to the Subscriber in an aggregate amount (including interest) equal to the purchase price for the Units being purchased. Each Unit will consist of one share of Common Stock (a "Share") and a warrant to purchase 0.25 of one share of Common Stock, provided that no warrant will be exercisable for a fractional share (i.e. warrants must be exercised in multiples of four such that upon exercise one full share is issued) (each warrant to purchase shares of Common Stock, a "Warrant"). Any Warrant to purchase fractional shares to which a purchaser may otherwise be entitled shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share. The Subscriber acknowledges that this subscription agreement is subject to acceptance by the Corporation. The Corporation may also accept this subscription agreement in part. The Subscriber agrees that if this subscription agreement is not accepted in full, any funds related to the portion of this subscription agreement not accepted will be returned to the undersigned, without interest.

 

	
2.  

	
By executing this Subscription Agreement, the Subscriber represents, warrants and covenants (on its own behalf and, if applicable, on behalf of each beneficial purchaser for whom it is contracting hereunder) to the Corporation (and acknowledges that the Corporation is relying thereon) that:

 

       (a) it is authorized to consummate the purchase of the Units;

 

	
(b)  

	
it understands that the Shares, the Warrants and the Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (collectively, the "Securities") have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), or any applicable state securities laws, and that the offer and sale of Shares and Warrants to it is being made in reliance on a private placement exemption available under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D under the Securities Act ("Regulation D") to accredited investors ("Accredited Investors"), as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D;

  

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(c)  

	
it has received a copy, for its information only, of the Corporation's Confidential Offering Memorandum, dated March 22, 2011 (the "Offering Memorandum"), relating to the offering of the Units, it has had access to such additional information, if any, concerning the Corporation as it has considered necessary in connection with its investment decision to acquire the Units, and it acknowledges that it has been offered the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from management of the Corporation concerning the terms and conditions of the offering of the Units, and to obtain any additional information which the Corporation possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense that is necessary to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the Offering Memorandum;

 

	
(d)  

	
it has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Units and is able to bear the economic risks of, and withstand the complete loss of, such investment;

 

	
(e)  

	
it is relying on the information contained in the Offering Memorandum in making its investment decision with respect to the Units. It acknowledges that the Corporation has not made any representations or given any information to it with respect to the Corporation or the offer or sale of the Units other than the information contained in the Offering Memorandum;

 

	
(f)  

	
it is an Accredited Investor acquiring the Units for its own account or, if the Units are to be purchased for one or more accounts ("investor accounts") with respect to whom it is exercising sole investment discretion, each such investor account is an Accredited Investor on a like basis. In each case, the undersigned has completed Box C of Section 6 to indicate under which category of Rule 501(a) the investor qualifies as an Accredited Investor;

 

	
(g)  

	
it is not acquiring the Units with a view to any resale, distribution or other disposition of the Units in violation of federal or applicable state securities laws, and, in particular, it has no intention to distribute either directly or indirectly any of the Units in the U.S. or to U.S. persons; provided, however, that the holder may sell or otherwise dispose of any of the Units pursuant to registration thereof under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws or pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements;

 

	
(h)  

	
in the case of the purchase by the Subscriber of the Units as agent or trustee for any other person, the Subscriber has due and proper authority to act as agent or trustee for and on behalf of such beneficial purchaser in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby;

 

	
  

	
(i)

	
it is not purchasing the Units as a result of any general solicitation or general advertising (as those

	
  

	
terms are used in Regulation D under the Securities Act), including advertisements, articles,

	
  

	
notices or other communications published in any newspaper, magazine or similar media or

	
  

	
broadcast over radio or television, or any seminar or meeting whose attendees have been invited

	
  

	
by general solicitation or general advertising;

 

  

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(j) it understands that the Securities are "restricted securities" as defined in Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act and agrees that if it decides to offer, sell or otherwise transfer the Securities, such Securities may be offered, sold or otherwise transferred only (A) to the Corporation, (B) outside the U.S. in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (C) within the U.S. or to or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person in accordance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws, (D) in a transaction that does not require registration under the Securities Act or any applicable U.S. state securities laws or (E) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and in each case in accordance with any applicable state securities laws in the U.S. or securities laws of any other applicable jurisdiction; provided that with respect to sales or transfers under clauses (C) or (D), only if the holder has furnished to the Corporation a written opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation, prior to such sale or transfer;

 

	
  

	
(k) it has been independently advised as to the applicable holding period and resale restrictions with respect to trading imposed in respect of the Securities, by securities legislation in the jurisdiction in which it resides or to which it is otherwise subject, and confirms that no representation has been made respecting the applicable holding periods for the Securities and is aware of the risks and other characteristics of the Securities and of the fact that the undersigned may not be able to resell the Securities except in accordance with applicable securities legislation and regulations;

 

(l)       no person has made to the Subscriber any written or oral representations:(i)  that any person will resell or repurchase any of the Securities;(ii) that any person will refund the purchase price of the Securities; or (iii) as to the future price or value of any of the Securities;

 

	
  

	
(m) it understands and acknowledges that certificates representing the Shares and the Warrants shall bear the following legend:

 

"THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR UNDER ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS.  THE HOLDER HEREOF, BYPURCHASING THESE SECURITIES, AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CORPORATION, THAT THESE SECURITIES MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (A) TO THE CORPORATION, (B) OUTSIDE THE U.S. IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) IN COMPLIANCE WITH AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATIONREQUIREMENTS  OF THE SECURITIES ACT AND IN ACCORDANCE WITHAPPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, (D) IN ANOTHER TRANSACTION THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, OR (E) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, AND, IN THE CASE OF (C) AND (D), THE SELLER FURNISHES TO THE CORPORATION A WRITTENOPINION OF COUNSEL OF RECOGNIZED STANDING IN FORM AND SUBSTANCESATISFACTORY TO THE CORPORATION TO SUCH EFFECT."

 

	
  

	
(n) it consents to the Corporation making a notation on its records or giving instructions to any transfer agent of the Shares in order to implement the restrictions on transfer set forth and described herein;

  

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(o) the office or other address of the undersigned at which the undersigned received and accepted the offer to purchase the Units is the address listed in Box B of Section 6 below;

 

	
  

	
(p) if required by applicable securities laws, regulations, rule or order or by any securities commission, stock exchange or other regulatory authority, it will execute, deliver and file, within the approved time periods, all documentation as may be required thereunder, and otherwise assist the Corporation in filing reports, questionnaires, undertakings and other documents with respect to the issuance of the Units;

 

	
  

	
(q) this subscription agreement has been duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by and constitutes a legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of the Subscriber; and

 

	
  

	
(r) it is not an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) of the Corporation and is not acting on behalf of an affiliate of the Corporation.

 

	
  

	
3. The Subscriber acknowledges that the representations and warranties and agreements contained herein are made by it with the intention that they may be relied upon by the Corporation and its legal counsel in determining its eligibility or, if applicable, the eligibility of others on whose behalf it is contracting hereunder, to purchase the Units. The Subscriber further agrees that by accepting delivery of the Units or by having its agent accept delivery of the Units on its behalf, it shall be representing and warranting that the representations, warranties, acknowledgements and agreements contained herein are true and correct as at the time of accepting delivery of the Units with the same force and effect as if they had been made by the Subscriber at such time and that the representations and warranties shall survive the purchase by the Subscriber of the Units and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any subsequent disposition by the Subscriber of the Units. The Corporation and its directors, officers, employees, shareholders and its legal counsel shall be entitled to rely on the representations and warranties of the Subscriber contained in this subscription agreement, and the

 

Subscriber shall indemnify and hold harmless the Corporation, its legal counsel for any loss, costs or damages any of them may suffer as a result of any misrepresentations or any breach or failure to comply with any agreement herein.

 

	
4.  

	
The contract arising out of the acceptance of this subscription by the Corporation shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California and represents the entire agreement of the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof.

 

	
5.  

	
The Corporation shall be entitled to rely on delivery of a facsimile copy of this subscription agreement, and acceptance by the Corporation of a facsimile copy of this subscription agreement shall create a legal, valid and binding agreement among the undersigned and the Corporation in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

6. SUBSCRIPTION PARTICULARS

 

BOX A

 

Particulars of Purchase of Units

Number of Units subscribed for:                                                                                                                              

Subscription Price ($1.75 X number of Units                                                                                                                              

  

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BOX B

	  	
Subscriber Information

	
Name

	  
	
Street Address

	  
	
Street Address (2)

	  
	
City and State

	  
	
Zip Code

	  
	
Contact Name

	  
	
Alternate Contact

	  
	
Phone No.

	  
	
Fax No. / E-mail Address

	  

 

BOX C

 

Accredited Investor Status

 

The Subscriber represents and warrants that it is an "accredited investor", as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act, by virtue of satisfying one or more of the categories indicated below (please write your initials on the line next to each applicable category):

 

 Category 1     A bank, as defined in section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

A savings and loan association or other institution, as defined in section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act, whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity.

 

A broker or dealer registered pursuant to section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

An insurance company as defined in section 2(a)(13) of the Securities Act.

 

An investment company registered under the Investment Corporation Act of 1940 or a business development company as defined in section 2(a)(48) of that Act.

 

A Small Business Investment Corporation licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration under section 301(c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.

 

A plan established and maintained by a state, its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions, for the benefit of its employees, if such plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000.

 

An employee benefit plan within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 if the investment decision is made by a plan fiduciary, as defined in section 3(21) of such Act, which is either a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company, or registered investment adviser, or if the employee benefit plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000 or, if a self-directed plan, with investment decisions made solely by persons that are accredited investors.

 

	
  

	
Category 2    Any private business development company as defined in section 202(a)(22) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

 

	
  

	
Category 3    An organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, a corporation, a Massachusetts or similar business trust, or a partnership, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Shares, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000.

  

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Category 4    A director or executive officer of the Corporation.

 

	
  

	
Category 5    A natural person whose individual net worth, or joint net worth with that person's spouse, at the time of this purchase exceeds $1,000,000, excluding the net equity value of such individual's primary residence, if any, but including as a liability the amount by which any indebtedness secured by such residence exceeds the value of such residence.

 

	
  

	
Category 6    A natural person who had an individual income in excess of $200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income with that person's spouse in excess of $300,000 in each of those years and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year.

 

	
  

	
Category 7    A trust, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Shares, whose purchase is directed by a sophisticated person as described in Rule 506(b)(2)(ii) of Regulation D under the U.S. Securities Act.

 

Category 8    An entity in which each of the equity owners is an accredited investor.

 

	
  

	
7. A certified check or bank draft from the Subscriber, or cancellation of indebtedness owed by Corporation to the Subscriber, in the amount of the Subscription Price as set forth in Box A of Section 6 above, accompanies this Subscription Agreement.

 

SIGNATURE OF SUBSCRIBER

 

Signature of Subscriber (on its own behalf and, if applicable, on behalf of each person for whom it is contracting hereunder):

 

(Full Name of Subscriber) (Authorized Signature)

 

(Name and Official Capacity - PLEASE PRINT) ACCEPTANCE BY CORPORATION

 

The Corporation hereby accepts the above subscription as of this                                                                                                                                day of, 2011.

 

VistaGen Therapeutics, Inc.

 

(Signature)

 

Shawn K. Singh, JD, Chief Executive Officerex10-13.htm

Exhibit 10.13

 

VISTAGEN, INC.

 

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT is entered into, effective as of August 27, 2001 between VistaGen, Inc., a California corporation (the “Company”), and Shawn K. Singh;

 

WHEREAS, it is essential to the Company to retain and attract as directors and officers the most capable persons available;

 

WHEREAS, Indemnitee is a director of the Company;

 

WHEREAS, both the Company and Indemnitee recognize the increased risk of litigation and other claims currently being asserted against directors and officers of corporations; and

 

WHEREAS, in recognition of Indemnitee’s need for substantial protection against personal liability in order to enhance Indemnitee’s continued and effective service to the Company, and in order to induce Indemnitee to provide services to the Company as a director, the Company wishes to provide in this Agreement for the indemnification of and the advancing of expenses to Indemnitee to the fullest extent (whether partial or complete) permitted by law and as set forth in this Agreement, and, to the extent insurance is maintained, for the coverage of Indemnitee under the Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises and of Indemnitee’s continuing to serve the Company directly or, at its request, with another enterprise, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Certain Definitions:

 

(a) Board:  the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(b) Change in Control:  shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), other than a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company, is or becomes the “Beneficial Owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20% or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities, or (ii) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof, or (iii) the shareholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation that would result in the Voting Securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into Voting Securities of the surviving entity) at least 80% of the total voting power represented by the Voting Securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.

  

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(c) Expenses:  any expense, liability, or loss, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, any interest, assessments, or other charges imposed thereon, and any federal, state, local, or foreign taxes imposed as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, paid or incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness in, or participating in (including on appeal), or preparing for any of the foregoing in, any Proceeding relating to any Indemnifiable Event.

 

(d) Indemnifiable Event:  any event or occurrence that takes place either prior to or after the execution of this Agreement, related to the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director of the Company, or while a director is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, trustee, agent, or fiduciary of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust, or other enterprise, or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of a foreign or domestic corporation that was a predecessor corporation of the Company or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation, or related to anything done or not done by Indemnitee in any such capacity, whether or not the basis of the Proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Company, as described above.

 

(e) Independent Counsel:  the person or body appointed in connection with Section 3.

 

(f) Proceeding:  any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding (including an action by or in the right of the Company), or any inquiry, hearing, or investigation, whether conducted by the Company or any other party, that Indemnitee in good faith believes might lead to the institution of any such action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative, or other.

 

(g) Reviewing Party:  the person or body appointed in accordance with Section 3.

 

(h) Voting Securities:  any securities of the Company that vote generally in the election of directors.

 

2. Agreement to Indemnify.

 

(a) General Agreement.  In the event Indemnitee was, is, or becomes a party to or witness or other participant in, or is threatened to be made a party to or witness or other participant in, a Proceeding by reason of (or arising in part out of) an Indemnifiable Event, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee from and against any and all Expenses to the fullest extent permitted by law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or interpreted (but in the case of any such amendment or interpretation, only to the extent that such amendment or interpretation permits the Company to provide broader indemnification rights than were permitted prior thereto). The parties hereto intend that this Agreement shall provide for indemnification in excess of that expressly permitted by statute, including, without limitation, any indemnification provided by the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, its Bylaws, vote of its shareholders or disinterested directors, or applicable law.

 

(b) Initiation of Proceeding.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement in connection with any Proceeding initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or any director of the Company unless (i) the Company has joined in or the Board has consented to the initiation of such Proceeding; (ii) the Proceeding is one to enforce indemnification rights under Section 5; or (iii) the Proceeding is instituted after a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control approved by a majority of the directors on the Board who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control) and Independent Counsel has approved its initiation.

  

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(c) Expense Advances.  If so requested by Indemnitee, the Company shall advance (within ten business days of such request) any and all Expenses to Indemnitee (an “Expense Advance”); provided that, if and to the extent that the Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be so indemnified under applicable law, the Company shall be entitled to be reimbursed by Indemnitee (who hereby agrees to reimburse the Company) for all such amounts theretofore paid. If Indemnitee has commenced or commences legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to secure a determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under applicable law, as provided in Section 4, any determination made by the Reviewing Party that Indemnitee would not be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law shall not be binding and Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any Expense Advance until a final judicial determination is made with respect thereto (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or have lapsed). Indemnitee’s obligation to reimburse the Company for Expense Advances shall be unsecured and no interest shall be charged thereon.

 

(d) Mandatory Indemnification.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that Indemnitee has been successful on the merits in defense of any Proceeding relating in whole or in part to an Indemnifiable Event or in defense of any issue or matter therein, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses incurred in connection therewith.

 

(e) Partial Indemnification.  If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of Expenses, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.

 

(f) Prohibited Indemnification.  No indemnification pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid by the Company on account of any Proceeding in which final unappealed judgment beyond the right of appeal is rendered against Indemnitee for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by Indemnitee of securities of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or similar provisions of any federal, state, or local laws.

 

3. Reviewing Party.  Prior to any Change in Control, the Reviewing Party shall be any appropriate person or body consisting of a member or members of the Board or any other person or body appointed by the Board who is not a party to the particular Proceeding with respect to which Indemnitee is seeking indemnification; after a Change in Control, the Reviewing Party shall be the Independent Counsel referred to below. With respect to all matters arising after a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control approved by a majority of the directors on the Board who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control) concerning the rights of Indemnitee to indemnity payments and Expense Advances under this Agreement or any other agreement or under applicable law or the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws now or hereafter in effect relating to indemnification for Indemnifiable Events, the Company shall seek legal advice only from Independent Counsel selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), and who has not otherwise performed services for the Company or the Indemnitee (other than in connection with indemnification matters) within the last five years. The Independent Counsel shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. Such counsel, among other things, shall render its written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee as to whether and to what extent the Indemnitee should be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel and to indemnify fully such counsel against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), claims, liabilities, loss, and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the engagement of Independent Counsel pursuant hereto.

  

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4. Indemnification Process and Appeal.

 

(a) Indemnification Payment.  Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification of Expenses, and shall receive payment thereof, from the Company in accordance with this Agreement as soon as practicable after Indemnitee has made written demand on the Company for indemnification, unless the Reviewing Party has given a written opinion to the Company that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under applicable law.

 

(b) Suit to Enforce Rights.  Regardless of any action by the Reviewing Party, if Indemnitee has not received full indemnification within thirty days after making a demand in accordance with Section 4(a), Indemnitee shall have the right to enforce its indemnification rights under this Agreement by commencing litigation in any court in the State of California having subject matter jurisdiction thereof and in which venue is proper seeking an initial determination by the court or challenging any determination by the Reviewing Party or any aspect thereof. The Company hereby consents to service of process and to appear in any such proceeding. Any determination by the Reviewing Party not challenged by the Indemnitee shall be binding on the Company and Indemnitee. The remedy provided for in this Section 4 shall be in addition to any other remedies available to Indemnitee in law or equity.

 

(c) Defense to Indemnification, Burden of Proof, and Presumptions.  It shall be a defense to any action brought by Indemnitee against the Company to enforce this Agreement (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for Expenses incurred in defending a Proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking has been tendered to the Company) that it is not permissible under applicable law for the Company to indemnify Indemnitee for the amount claimed. In connection with any such action or any determination by the Reviewing Party or otherwise as to whether Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified hereunder, the burden of proving such a defense or determination shall be on the Company. Neither the failure of the Reviewing Party or the Company (including its Board, independent legal counsel, or its shareholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action by Indemnitee that indemnification of the claimant is proper under the circumstances because he has met the standard of conduct set forth in applicable law, nor an actual determination by the Reviewing Party or Company (including its Board, independent legal counsel, or its shareholders) that the Indemnitee had not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.  For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any claim, action, suit, or proceeding, by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval), conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by applicable law.

 

5. Indemnification for Expenses Incurred in Enforcing Rights.  The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against any and all Expenses that are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee for

 

	
(i)  

	
indemnification of Expenses by the Company under this Agreement or any other agreement or under applicable law or the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws now or hereafter in effect relating to indemnification for Indemnifiable Events, and/or

 

	
(ii)  

	
recovery under directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, but only in the event that Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification or insurance recovery, as the case may be. In addition, the Company shall, if so requested by Indemnitee, advance the foregoing Expenses to Indemnitee, subject to and in accordance with Section 2(c).

 

  

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6. Notification and Defense of Proceeding.

 

(a) Notice.  Promptly after receipt by Indemnitee of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding, Indemnitee will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Company under this Agreement, notify the Company of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the Company will not relieve it from any liability that it may have to Indemnitee, except as provided in Section 6(c).

 

(b) Defense.  With respect to any Proceeding as to which Indemnitee notifies the Company of the commencement thereof, the Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense and except as otherwise provided below, to the extent the Company so wishes, it may assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee. After notice from the Company to Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of any Proceeding, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise for any Expenses subsequently incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the defense of such Proceeding other than reasonable costs of investigation or as otherwise provided below. Indemnitee shall have the right to employ his own counsel in such Proceeding, but all Expenses related thereto incurred after notice from the Company of its assumption of the defense shall be at Indemnitee’s expense unless: (i) the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been authorized by the Company, (ii) Indemnitee has reasonably determined that there may be a conflict of interest between Indemnitee and the Company in the defense of the Proceeding, (iii) after a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control approved by a majority of the directors on the Board who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control), the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been approved by the Independent Counsel, or (iv) the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of such Proceeding, in each of which case all Expenses of the Proceeding shall be borne by the Company. The Company shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any Proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Company or as to which Indemnitee shall have made the determination provided for in (ii) above.

 

(c) Settlement of Claims.  The Company shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise for any amounts paid in settlement of any Proceeding effected without the Company’s written consent, provided, however, that if a Change in Control has occurred (other than a Change in Control approved by a majority of the directors on the Board who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control), the Company shall be liable for indemnification of Indemnitee for amounts paid in settlement if the Independent Counsel has approved the settlement. The Company shall not settle any Proceeding in any manner that would impose any penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s written consent. Neither the Company nor the Indemnitee will unreasonably withhold their consent to any proposed settlement. The Company shall not be liable to indemnify the Indemnitee under this Agreement with regard to any judicial award if the Company was not given a reasonable and timely opportunity, at its expense, to participate in the defense of such action; the Company’s liability hereunder shall not be excused if participation in the Proceeding by the Company was barred by this Agreement.

  

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7. Establishment of Trust.  In the event of a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control approved by a majority of the directors on the Board who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control) the Company shall, upon written request by Indemnitee, create a Trust for the benefit of the Indemnitee and from time to time upon written request of Indemnitee shall fund the Trust in an amount sufficient to satisfy any and all Expenses reasonably anticipated at the time of each such request to be incurred in connection with investigating, preparing for, participating in, and/or defending any Proceeding relating to an Indemnifiable Event. The amount or amounts to be deposited in the Trust pursuant to the foregoing funding obligation shall be determined by the Reviewing Party. The terms of the Trust shall provide that (i) the Trust shall not be revoked or the principal thereof invaded, without the written consent of the Indemnitee, (ii) the Trustee shall advance, within ten business days of a request by the Indemnitee, any and all Expenses to the Indemnitee (and the Indemnitee hereby agrees to reimburse the Trust under the same circumstances for which the Indemnitee would be required to reimburse the Company under Section 2(c) of this Agreement), (iii) the Trust shall continue to be funded by the Company in accordance with the funding obligation set forth above, (iv) the Trustee shall promptly pay to the Indemnitee all amounts for which the Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, and (v) all unexpended funds in the Trust shall revert to the Company upon a final determination by the Reviewing Party or a court of competent jurisdiction, as the case may be, that the Indemnitee has been fully indemnified under the terms of this Agreement. The Trustee shall be chosen by the Indemnitee. Nothing in this Section 7 shall relieve the Company of any of its obligations under this Agreement. All income earned on the assets held in the Trust shall be reported as income by the Company for federal, state, local, and foreign tax purposes. The Company shall pay all costs of establishing and maintaining the Trust and shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), claims, liabilities, loss, and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the establishment and maintenance of the Trust.

 

8. Non-Exclusivity.  The rights of Indemnitee hereunder shall be in addition to any other rights Indemnitee may have under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, applicable law, or otherwise. To the extent that a change in applicable law (whether by statute or judicial decision) permits greater indemnification by agreement than would be afforded currently under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, applicable law, or this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties that Indemnitee enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change.

 

9. Liability Insurance.  To the extent the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its or their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any Company director or officer.

 

10. Period of Limitations.  No legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or on behalf of the Company or any affiliate of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors, or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two (2) years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, or such longer period as may be required by state law under the circumstances. Any claim or cause of action of the Company or its affiliate shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing of a legal action within such period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action the shorter period shall govern.

 

  

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11. Amendment of this Agreement.  No supplement, modification, or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding unless in the form of a writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the waiver is sought, and no such waiver shall operate as a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver. Except as specifically provided herein, no failure to exercise or any delay in exercising any right or remedy hereunder shall constitute a waiver thereof.

 

12. Subrogation.  In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.

 

13. No Duplication of Payments.  The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise received payment (under any insurance policy, Bylaw, or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise Indemnifiable hereunder.

 

14. Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company), assigns, spouses, heirs, and personal and legal representatives. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all, substantially all, or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. The indemnification provided under this Agreement shall continue as to Indemnitee for any action taken or not taken while serving in an indemnified capacity pertaining to an Indemnifiable Event even though he may have ceased to serve in such capacity at the time of any Proceeding.

 

15. Severability.  If any provision (or portion thereof) of this Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or otherwise unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. Furthermore, to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of this Agreement containing any provision held to be invalid, void, or otherwise unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, void, or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, void, or unenforceable.

 

16. Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California applicable to contracts made and to be performed in such State without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of laws.

 

  

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17. Notices.  All notices, demands, and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by hand, against receipt, or mailed, postage prepaid, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and addressed to the Company at:

 

VistaGen, Inc.

1450 Rollins Road

Burlingame, California 94010

Attention: Chief Executive Officer

 

and to Indemnitee at:

 

Shawn K. Singh

1737 Elizabeth Court

San Carlos, CA 94070

 

Notice of change of address shall be effective only when done in accordance with this Section. All notices complying with this Section shall be deemed to have been received on the date of delivery or on the third business day after mailing.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as of the day specified above.

 

	  	
VISTAGEN, INC.

	  	
By:                                                                    

	  	
Name: H. Ralph Snodgrass

	  	
Title: President and CEO

	  	
INDEMNITEE

	  	  
	  	
Name:  Shawn K. Singh

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