Document:

Exhibit 10.31

 

 

	 	January 3, 2017

 

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

 

Biostage, Inc.

84 October Hill Road

Suite 11

Holliston, MA 01746

Attn: James McGorry, President and Chief Executive
Officer

 

Dear Mr. McGorry:

 

This letter agreement (this
“Agreement”) constitutes the agreement between Biostage, Inc. (the “Company”) and Rodman
& Renshaw, a unit of H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“Rodman”), that Rodman shall serve as the exclusive
agent, advisor or underwriter in an offering (the “Offering”) of securities of the Company (“Securities”),
including but not limited to an Offering that qualifies as a “public offering” under the NASDAQ rules during the Term
(as defined below) of this Agreement (“Public Offering”). The terms of the Offering and the Securities issued
in connection therewith shall be mutually agreed upon by the Company and Rodman and nothing herein implies that Rodman would have
the power or authority to bind the Company and nothing herein implies that the Company shall have an obligation to issue any Securities.
It is understood that Rodman’s assistance in the Offering will be subject to the satisfactory completion of such investigation
and inquiry into the affairs of the Company as Rodman deems appropriate under the circumstances and to the receipt of all internal
approvals of Rodman in connection with the transaction. The Company expressly acknowledges and agrees that Rodman’s involvement
in the Offering is strictly on a reasonable best efforts basis to raise gross proceeds of up to $10,000,000 and that the consummation
of the Offering will be subject to, among other things, market conditions. The execution of this Agreement does not constitute
a commitment by Rodman to purchase the Securities and does not ensure a successful Offering of the Securities or the success of
Rodman with respect to securing any other financing on behalf of the Company. Rodman may retain other brokers, dealers, agents
or underwriters on its behalf in connection with the Offering, subject to the prior written approval in each case of the Company.

 

Notwithstanding the above
or anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event the Company wishes to pursue a Public Offering, and subject to the Company’s
prior written approval of such third party, Rodman shall retain one or more third party selected dealers, each of which has a retail
presence and related marketing capacity to serve as selected dealers in marketing the Offering to retail investors and work with
the Company in identifying and contacting prospective purchasers of the securities in the Offering and arranging for meetings between
the Company with prospective purchasers and retail brokerages who express an interest in the Offering or meeting with the Company.

 

In furtherance of its obligations hereunder,
Rodman will perform the following financial advisory and investment banking services in connection with the Offering:

 

 

 

430 Park Avenue | New York, New York 10022 |
212.356.0500

Security services provided by H.C. Wainwright
& Co., LLC | Member: FINRA/SIPC

 

    	 	 	 

     

    

 

		I.	review the business and operations of the Company and its historical and projected financial condition (provided that no such
information shall be material non-public information);

 

		II.	assist the Company in the drafting, preparation and distribution of documentation (the
                                                                 “Offering Materials”) describing the Company, the securities and the terms of the Offering;

 

		III.	work with Company in identifying and contacting prospective purchasers of the securities in the Offering, which shall include
healthcare investors as well as significant retail brokerages, and arrange for meetings between the Company and any such prospective
purchasers and retail brokerage firms who express an interest in the Offering or meeting with the Company;

 

		IV.	advise the Company as to the strategy and tactics of negotiations with prospective purchasers of the securities in the Offering
and, if requested by the Company, participate in such negotiations;

 

		V.	advise the Company as to the timing and structure of the Offering; and

 

		VI.	render such other financial advisory and investment banking services as may from time to time be agreed upon by Rodman and
the Company.

 

A.          Compensation;
Reimbursement. At the closing of the Offering (the “Closing”), the Company shall compensate Rodman as follows:

 

1.          Cash
Fee. The Company shall pay to Rodman a cash fee, or as to an underwritten Offering an underwriter discount, equal to 7% of
the aggregate gross proceeds raised in the Offering, provided that with respect to any cash consideration paid to the Company in
the Offering that was provided by the Excluded Parties (as defined below), such percentage shall be reduced to 4%. For purposes
of this Agreement, the term “Excluded Parties” shall mean the investors listed on Schedule A attached hereto.

 

2.          Warrant
Coverage. The Company shall issue to Rodman or its designees at each Closing, warrants (the “Rodman Warrants”)
to purchase that number of shares of common stock of the Company equal to 5% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
placed in the Offering (if the Securities are convertible or include a “greenshoe” or “additional investment”
option component, such shares of Common Stock underlying such Securities or options). If the Securities included in an Offering
are non-convertible, the Rodman Warrants shall be determined by dividing the gross proceeds raised in such Offering divided by
the then market price of the Common Stock. The Rodman Warrants shall have the same terms as the warrants issued to investors in
the applicable Offering. If no warrants are issued to investors in an Offering, the Rodman Warrants shall be in a customary form
reasonably acceptable to Rodman, have a term of 5 years and an exercise price equal to 110% of the then market price of the Common
Stock.

 

3.          Expense
Allowance. Out of the proceeds of the Closing, the Company also agrees to pay Rodman (a) a management fee equal to 1% of the
gross proceeds raised in the Offering, (b) up to $35,000 for out of pocket expenses incurred by Rodman in connection with marketing
the transaction (i.e., road show expenses, background checks, tombstones, etc.) and (c) up to $100,000 for legal fees and expenses
actually incurred by Rodman (provided, however, that such reimbursement amount in no way limits or impairs the indemnification
and contribution provisions of this Agreement).

 

4.          Tail
Fee. In the event an Offering did not close during the Term, Rodman shall be entitled to compensation under clauses (1) and
(2) hereunder, calculated in the manner set forth therein, with respect to any public or private offering or other financing or
capital-raising transaction of any kind (“Tail Financing”) to the extent that such financing is both (i) provided
to the Company by institutional investors that were, during the Term, brought “over-the-wall” by Rodman or investors
that were contacted by Rodman, and (ii) such Tail Financing is consummated at any time within the 12-month period following the
expiration or termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other agreement between
the parties hereto, the compensation due hereunder shall expressly exclude any stock or equity of the Company issued to (a) its
officers, directors, employees, consultants as compensation and not in connection with equity financing, or (b) any Excluded Parties.

 

    	 	 2	 

     

    

 

5.          Right
of First Refusal; Participation. If within the 12-month period following consummation of the Offering, the Company or any of
its subsidiaries (a) decides to dispose of or acquire business units or acquire any of its outstanding securities or make any exchange
or tender offer or enter into a merger, consolidation or other business combination or any recapitalization, reorganization, restructuring
or other similar transaction, including, without limitation, an extraordinary dividend or distributions or a spin-off or split-off,
and the Company decides to retain a financial advisor for such transaction, Rodman (or any affiliate designated by Rodman) shall
have the right to act as the Company’s exclusive financial advisor for any such transaction; or (b) decides to finance or
refinance any indebtedness using a manager or agent, Rodman (or any affiliate designated by Rodman) shall have the right to act
as lead book runner, lead manager, lead placement agent or lead agent with respect to such financing or refinancing; or (c) decides
to raise funds by means of a public offering or a private placement of equity or debt securities using an underwriter or placement
agent, other than sales to Aspire Capital under the Company’s purchase agreement with Aspire Capital or an modification or
replacement thereof on similar terms, Rodman (or any affiliate designated by Rodman) shall have the right to act as book runner,
underwriter or placement agent for such financing, including lead book runner, underwriter or placement agent during the first
6 months; provided, however, during the first 6 months Rodman shall receive 100% of the investment banking economics paid by the
Company and thereafter as lead book runner, underwriter or placement agent not less than 50% of the investment banking economics
paid by the Company. If Rodman or one of its affiliates decides to accept any such engagement, the agreement governing such engagement
will contain, among other things, provisions for customary fees for transactions of similar size and nature and the provisions
of this Agreement, including indemnification, which are appropriate to such a transaction. If Rodman should decline such retention
or fails to respond within 7 business days’ notice of the Company, the Company shall have no further obligations to Rodman
under this Section 5 as to such financing.

 

B.          Term and Termination
of Engagement. This Agreement and the term of Rodman’s exclusive engagement will begin on the date hereof and end on
the earlier to occur of (i) the Closing of the Offering and (ii) the delivery of written notice of termination by the Company to
Rodman during the Term for any other reason upon not less than 90 days prior written notice (the “Term”). Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company agrees that the provisions relating to the payment of fees, reimbursement
of expenses, indemnification and contribution, tail, right of first refusal, confidentiality, conflicts, independent contractor
and waiver of the right to trial by jury will survive any termination of this Agreement. During Rodman’s engagement hereunder:
(i) the Company will not, and will not permit its representatives to, other than in coordination with Rodman, contact or solicit
institutions, corporations or other entities or individuals as potential purchasers of the Securities with respect to the Offering,
provided that this clause (i) shall not be construed to limit in any manner the Company from selling or issuance of securities
to employees, directors or consultants in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to agreements currently in place prior to
this engagement, or in connection with an acquisition, a merger, a consolidation or a sale or purchase of assets or in connection
with a partnership or joint venture, and (ii) the Company will not pursue any financing transaction which would be in lieu of an
Offering, other than with the Excluded Parties or pursuant to the exclusions listed in clause (i). Furthermore, the Company agrees
that during Rodman’s engagement hereunder, all inquiries, whether direct or indirect, from prospective investors, other than
with the Excluded Parties or parties listed in clause (i), will be referred to Rodman.

 

    	 	 3	 

     

    

 

C.          Information; Reliance.
The Company shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, to Rodman all information reasonably requested by Rodman for the purpose of
rendering services hereunder (all such information being the “Information”). In addition, the Company agrees
to make available to Rodman upon request from time to time the officers, directors, accountants, counsel and other advisors of
the Company. The Company recognizes and confirms that Rodman (a) will use and rely on the Information, including any documents
provided to investors in the Offering (the “Offering Documents” which shall include any Purchase Agreements
(as defined below)), and on information available from generally recognized public sources in performing the services contemplated
by this Agreement without having independently verified the same; (b) does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness
of the Offering Documents or the Information and such other information; and (c) will not make an appraisal of any of the assets
or liabilities of the Company. Upon reasonable request, the Company will meet with Rodman or its representatives to discuss all
information relevant for disclosure in the Offering Documents and will cooperate in any reasonable investigation undertaken by
Rodman thereof, including any document included or incorporated by reference therein. At the Offering, at the request of Rodman,
the Company shall deliver such legal letters, comfort letters and officer’s certificates, all in form and substance satisfactory
to Rodman and its counsel as is customary for such Offering. Rodman shall be a third party beneficiary of any representations,
warranties, covenants and closing conditions made by the Company in the Offering Documents, including representations, warranties,
covenants and closing conditions made to any investor in the Offering.

 

D.          Related Agreements.
At the Offering, the Company shall enter into the following additional agreements:

 

1.          Underwritten
Offering. If an Offering is an underwritten Offering, the Company and Rodman shall enter into a customary underwriting agreement
in form and substance satisfactory to Rodman and its counsel.

 

2.          Not
Underwritten Offering. If an Offering is not an underwritten offering, the sale of Securities to the investors in the Offering
will be evidenced by a purchase agreement (“Purchase Agreement”) between the Company and such investors in a
form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and Rodman. Prior to the signing of any Purchase Agreement, officers of the Company
with responsibility for financial affairs will be available to answer inquiries from prospective investors.

 

3.          Escrow
and Settlement. In respect of the Offering, the Company and Rodman shall enter into an escrow agreement with a third party
escrow agent, which may also be Rodman’s clearing agent, pursuant to which Rodman’s compensation and expenses shall
be paid from the gross proceeds of the Securities sold. If the Offering is settled in whole or in part via delivery versus payment
(“DVP”), Rodman shall arrange for its clearing agent to provide the funds to facilitate such settlement. The Company
shall bear the cost of the escrow agent and the cost of such clearing agent settlement and financing, if any, up to $10,000.

 

4.          FINRA
Amendments. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that Rodman determines that any of the terms provided
for hereunder shall not comply with a FINRA rule, including but not limited to FINRA Rule 5110, then the Company shall agree to
amend this Agreement (or include such revisions in the final underwriting agreement) in writing upon the request of Rodman to comply
with any such rules; provided that any such amendments shall not provide for terms that are less favorable to the Company.

 

    	 	 4	 

     

    

 

E.           Confidentiality.
In the event of the consummation or public announcement of the Offering, Rodman shall have the right to disclose its participation
in such Offering, including, without limitation, the Offering at its cost of “tombstone” advertisements in financial
and other newspapers and journals. Except as contemplated by the terms hereof or as required by applicable law, Rodman will keep
strictly confidential all non-public information concerning the Company provided to Rodman. No obligation of confidentiality will
apply to information that: (a) is in the public domain as of the date hereof or hereafter enters the public domain without a breach
by Rodman, (b) was known or became known by Rodman prior to the Company’s disclosure thereof to Rodman as demonstrated by
the existence of its written records, (c) becomes known to Rodman from a source other than the Company, and other than by the breach
of an obligation of confidentiality owed to the Rodman, (d) is disclosed by the Company to a third party without restrictions on
its disclosure or (e) is independently developed by Rodman without using such confidential information.

 

F.           Indemnity.

 

1.          In connection
with the Company’s engagement of Rodman as Offering agent, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Rodman
and its affiliates, and the respective controlling persons, directors, officers, members, shareholders, agents and employees of
any of the foregoing (collectively the “Indemnified Persons”), from and against any and all claims, actions,
suits, proceedings (including those of shareholders), damages, liabilities and expenses incurred by any of them (including the
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel), as incurred, (collectively a “Claim”), that are (A) related to or
arise out of (i) any actions taken or omitted to be taken (including any untrue statements made or any statements omitted to be
made) by the Company, or (ii) any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any Indemnified Person in furtherance of the activities
of Rodman in connection with the purposes of this engagement, or (B) otherwise relate to or arise out of Rodman’s activities
on the Company’s behalf under Rodman’s engagement, and the Company shall reimburse any Indemnified Person for all expenses
(including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) as incurred by such Indemnified Person and which are necessary in connection
with investigating, preparing or defending any such claim, action, suit or proceeding, provided that, the Company will not, however,
be responsible for any Claim that is finally judicially determined to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct
of Rodman or any Indemnified Person. The Company further agrees that no Indemnified Person shall have any liability to the Company
for or in connection with the Company’s engagement of Rodman except for any Claim incurred by the Company as a result of
such Indemnified Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in no
event shall the Company be required to pay fees and expenses under this indemnity of more than one firm of attorneys (in addition
to local counsel) in any jurisdiction in any one legal action or group of related legal actions.

 

2.          The Company
further agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of Rodman, settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any
judgment in any pending or threatened Claim in respect of which indemnification may be sought hereunder (whether or not any Indemnified
Person is an actual or potential party to such Claim), unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional,
irrevocable release of each Indemnified Person from any and all liability arising out of such Claim.

 

    	 	 5	 

     

    

 

3.          Promptly
upon receipt by an Indemnified Person of notice of any complaint or the assertion or institution of any Claim with respect to which
indemnification is being sought hereunder, such Indemnified Person shall notify the Company in writing of such complaint or of
such assertion or institution but failure to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company from any obligation it may have
hereunder, except and only to the extent such failure results in the forfeiture by the Company of substantial rights and defenses.
If the Company so elects or is requested by such Indemnified Person, the Company will assume the defense of such Claim, including
the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person and the payment of the fees and expenses of such counsel.
In the event, however, that legal counsel to such Indemnified Person reasonably determines that having common counsel would present
such counsel with a conflict of interest or if the defendant in, or target of, any such Claim, includes an Indemnified Person and
the Company, and legal counsel to such Indemnified Person reasonably concludes that there may be legal defenses available to it
or other Indemnified Persons different from or in addition to those available to the Company, then such Indemnified Person may
employ its own separate counsel to represent or defend him, her or it in any such Claim and the Company shall pay the reasonable
fees and expenses of such counsel. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Company fails timely or diligently to
defend, contest, or otherwise protect against any Claim, the relevant Indemnified Party shall have the right, but not the obligation,
to defend, contest, compromise, settle, assert crossclaims, or counterclaims or otherwise protect against the same, and shall be
fully indemnified by the Company therefor, including without limitation, for the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel and
all amounts paid as a result of such Claim or the compromise or settlement thereof. In addition, with respect to any Claim in which
the Company assumes the defense, the Indemnified Person shall have the right to participate in such Claim and to retain his, her
or its own counsel therefor at his, her or its own expense. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in no event shall
the Company be required to pay fees and expenses under this indemnity of more than one firm of attorneys (in addition to local
counsel) in any jurisdiction in any one legal action or group of related legal actions.

 

4.          The Company
agrees that if any indemnity sought by an Indemnified Person hereunder is held by a court to be unavailable for any reason then
(whether or not Rodman is the Indemnified Person), the Company and Rodman shall contribute to the Claim for which such indemnity
is held unavailable in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits to the Company, on the one hand, and
Rodman on the other, in connection with Rodman’s engagement referred to above, subject to the limitation that in no event
shall the amount of Rodman’s contribution to such Claim exceed the amount of fees actually received by Rodman from the Company
pursuant to Rodman’s engagement. The Company hereby agrees that the relative benefits to the Company, on the one hand, and
Rodman on the other, with respect to Rodman’s engagement shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as (a) the total value
paid or proposed to be paid or received by the Company pursuant to the Offering (whether or not consummated) for which Rodman is
engaged to render services bears to (b) the fee paid or proposed to be paid to Rodman in connection with such engagement.

 

5.          The Company’s
indemnity, reimbursement and contribution obligations under this Agreement (a) shall be in addition to, and shall in no way limit
or otherwise adversely affect any rights that any Indemnified Party may have at law or at equity and (b) shall be effective whether
or not the Company is at fault in any way.

 

G.           Limitation of
Engagement to the Company. The Company acknowledges that Rodman has been retained only by the Company, that Rodman is providing
services hereunder as an independent contractor (and not in any fiduciary or agency capacity) and that the Company’s engagement
of Rodman is not deemed to be on behalf of, and is not intended to confer rights upon, any shareholder, owner or partner of the
Company or any other person not a party hereto as against Rodman or any of its affiliates, or any of its or their respective officers,
directors, controlling persons (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), employees or agents. Unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing
by Rodman, no one other than the Company is authorized to rely upon this Agreement or any other statements or conduct of Rodman,
and no one other than the Company is intended to be a beneficiary of this Agreement. The Company acknowledges that any recommendation
or advice, written or oral, given by Rodman to the Company in connection with Rodman’s engagement is intended solely for
the benefit and use of the Company’s management and directors in considering a possible Offering, and any such recommendation
or advice is not on behalf of, and shall not confer any rights or remedies upon, any other person or be used or relied upon for
any other purpose. Rodman shall not have the authority to make any commitment binding on the Company. The Company, in its sole
discretion, shall have the right to reject any investor introduced to it by Rodman.

 

    	 	 6	 

     

    

 

H.         Limitation of
Rodman’s Liability to the Company. Rodman and the Company further agree that neither Rodman nor any of its affiliates
or any of its their respective officers, directors, controlling persons (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act
or Section 20 of the Exchange Act), employees or agents shall have any liability to the Company, its security holders or creditors,
or any person asserting claims on behalf of or in the right of the Company (whether direct or indirect, in contract, tort, for
an act of negligence or otherwise) for any losses, fees, damages, liabilities, costs, expenses or equitable relief arising out
of or relating to this Agreement or the services rendered hereunder, except for losses, fees, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses
that arise out of or are based on any action of or failure to act by Rodman and that are finally judicially determined to have
resulted solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Rodman.

 

I.          Governing Law.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements
made and to be fully performed therein. Any disputes that arise under this Agreement, even after the termination of this Agreement,
will be heard only in the state or federal courts located in the City of New York, State of New York. The parties hereto expressly
agree to submit themselves to the jurisdiction of the foregoing courts in the City of New York, State of New York. The parties
hereto expressly waive any rights they may have to contest the jurisdiction, venue or authority of any court sitting in the City
and State of New York. In the event Rodman or any Indemnified Person is successful in any action, or suit against the Company,
arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the final judgment or award entered shall be entitled to have and recover from the
Company the costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith, including its reasonable attorneys’ fees. In the event the
Company is successful in any action, or suit against Rodman, arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the final judgment or
award entered shall be entitled to have and recover from the Rodman the costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith, including
its reasonable attorneys’ fees. Any rights to trial by jury with respect to any such action, proceeding or suit are hereby
waived by Rodman and the Company.

 

J.          Notices.
All notices hereunder will be in writing and sent by certified mail, hand delivery, overnight delivery or fax, if sent to Rodman,
at the address set forth on the first page hereof, e-mail: notices@rodm.com, Attention: Head of Investment Banking, and if sent
to the Company, to the address set forth on the first page hereof, email: jmcgorry@biostage.com and tmcnaughton@biostage.com,
Attention: Chief Executive Officer. Notices sent by certified mail shall be deemed received five days thereafter, notices sent
by hand delivery or overnight delivery shall be deemed received on the date of the relevant written record of receipt, and notices
delivered by fax shall be deemed received as of the date and time printed thereon by the fax machine.

 

K.          Conflicts.
The Company acknowledges that Rodman and its affiliates may have and may continue to have investment banking and other relationships
with parties other than the Company pursuant to which Rodman may acquire information of interest to the Company. Rodman shall have
no obligation to disclose such information to the Company or to use such information in connection with any contemplated transaction.

 

L.          Anti-Money Laundering.
To help the United States government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, the federal laws of the United States
requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person with whom they do business.
This means we must ask you for certain identifying information, including a government-issued identification number (e.g., a U.S.
taxpayer identification number) and such other information or documents that we consider appropriate to verify your identity, such
as certified articles of incorporation, a government-issued business license, a partnership agreement or a trust instrument.

 

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M.          Miscellaneous.
The Company represents and warrants that it has all requisite power and authority to enter into and carry out the terms and provisions
of this Agreement and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement does not breach or conflict with any agreement,
document or instrument to which it is a party or bound. This Agreement shall not be modified or amended except in writing signed
by Rodman and the Company. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of both Rodman and the Company and their
respective assigns, successors, and legal representatives. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of Rodman and the Company
with respect to this Offering and supersedes any prior agreements with respect to the subject matter hereof. If any provision of
this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such determination will not affect such provision in
any other respect, and the remainder of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. This Agreement may be executed in
counterparts (including facsimile counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.

 

*********************

 

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In acknowledgment that
the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding reached by Rodman and the Company, please sign in the space provided below,
whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding Agreement as of the date indicated above.

 

	 	 	Very truly yours,
	 	 	 
	 	 	RODMAN & RENSHAW, A UNIT OF H.C. WAINWRIGHT & CO., LLC
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By	/s/ Edward D. Silvera
	 	 	 	Name: Edward D. Silvera
	 	 	 	Title:   COO

 

	Accepted and Agreed:	 	 
	 	 	 
	biostage, inc.	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	By	/s/ Thomas McNaughton	 	 
	 	Name: Thomas McNaughton	 	 
	 	Title: CFO	 	 

 

 

430 Park Avenue | New York, New York 10022 |
212.356.0500

Security services provided by H.C. Wainwright
& Co., LLC | Member: FINRA/SIPC

 

    	 	 9Exhibit 10.32

 

 

February 7, 2017

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

 

Biostage, Inc.

84 October Hill Road

Suite 11

Holliston, MA 01746

Attn: James McGorry, President and Chief Executive
Officer

 

Dear Mr. McGorry:

 

Reference is made to the
engagement agreement (the “Engagement Agreement”), dated January 3, 2017, by and between Biostage, Inc. (the
“Company”) and Rodman & Renshaw, a unit of H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC (“Rodman”),
pursuant to which Rodman shall serve as the exclusive agent, advisor or underwriter of the Company in connection with an Offering
(as defined in the Engagement Agreement) filed on Form S-1 on a best-efforts basis.

 

The Company and Rodman
hereby agree to amend the Engagement Agreement, as follows:

 

Section A.2 is hereby amended
and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 

Warrant Coverage.
The Company shall issue to Rodman or its designees at the Closing, warrants (the “Rodman Warrants”) to purchase
that number of shares of common stock of the Company equal to 5% of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock placed in the
Offering (and if the Securities are convertible or include a “greenshoe” or “additional investment” option
component, such number of shares of Common Stock underlying such Securities or options). If the Securities included in the Offering
are non-convertible, the Rodman Warrants shall be determined by dividing the gross proceeds raised in the Offering divided by the
then market price of the Common Stock. The Rodman Warrants shall have the same terms as the warrants issued to investors in the
Offering, except that such Rodman Warrant shall have an exercise price equal to 125% of the public offering price per share in
the Offering. If no warrants are issued to investors in the Offering, the Rodman Warrants shall be in a customary form reasonably
acceptable to the Company and to Rodman, have a term of 5 years and an exercise price equal to 125% of the then market price of
the Common Stock.

 

 

 

430
Park Avenue | New York, New York 10022 | 212.356.0500 | www.hcwco.com

Member:
FINRA/SIPC

 

    	 	 1	 

     

    

 

Section A.5 is hereby amended
and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 

Right of First
Refusal; Participation. Upon the successful completion of the Offering, if within the 12-month period thereafter the Company
or any of its subsidiaries (a) decides to dispose of or acquire business units or acquire any of its outstanding securities or
make any exchange or tender offer or enter into a merger, consolidation or other business combination or any recapitalization,
reorganization, restructuring or other similar transaction, including, without limitation, an extraordinary dividend or distributions
or a spin-off or split-off, and the Company decides to retain a financial advisor for such transaction, Rodman (or any affiliate
designated by Rodman) shall have the right to act as the Company’s exclusive financial advisor for any such transaction;
or (b) decides to finance or refinance any indebtedness using a manager or agent, Rodman (or any affiliate designated by Rodman)
shall have the right to act as lead book runner, lead manager, lead placement agent or lead agent with respect to such financing
or refinancing; or (c) decides to raise funds by means of a public offering or a private placement of equity or debt securities
using an underwriter or placement agent, other than sales to Aspire Capital under the Company’s purchase agreement with Aspire
Capital or an modification or replacement thereof on similar terms, Rodman (or any affiliate designated by Rodman) shall have the
right to act as book runner, underwriter or placement agent for such financing, including lead book runner, underwriter or placement
agent during the first 6 months; provided, however, during the first 6 months Rodman shall receive 100% of the investment banking
economics paid by the Company and thereafter as lead book runner, underwriter or placement agent not less than 50% of the investment
banking economics paid by the Company. If Rodman or one of its affiliates decides to accept any such engagement, the agreement
governing such engagement will contain, among other things, provisions for customary fees for transactions of similar size and
nature and the provisions of this Agreement, including indemnification, which are appropriate to such a transaction. If Rodman
should decline such retention or fails to respond within 7 business days’ notice of the Company, the Company shall have no
further obligations to Rodman under this Section 5 as to such financing.

 

Except as expressly set
forth above, all of the terms and conditions of the Engagement Agreement shall continue in full force and effect after the execution
of this agreement and shall not be in any way changed, modified or superseded by the terms set forth herein. Defined terms used
herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Engagement Agreement.

 

This agreement may be
executed in two or more counterparts and by facsimile or “.pdf” signature or otherwise, and each of such counterparts
shall be deemed an original and all of such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same agreement. 

 

 

 

430
Park Avenue | New York, New York 10022 | 212.356.0500 | www.hcwco.com

Member:
FINRA/SIPC

 

    	 	 2	 

     

    

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this agreement
is executed as of the date first set forth above.

 

	 	 	Very truly yours,
	 	 	 
	 	 	RODMAN & RENSHAW, A UNIT OF H.C. WAINWRIGHT & CO., LLC
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	By 	/s/ Mark W. Viklund
	 	 	 	Name: Mark W. Viklund
	 	 	 	Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

	Accepted and Agreed:	 	 
	 	 	 
	BIOSTAGE, INC.	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	By	/s/ Thomas McNaughton	 	 
	 	Name: Thomas McNaughton	 	 
	 	Title:   Chief Financial Officer	 	 

 

 

 

430
Park Avenue | New York, New York 10022 | 212.356.0500 | www.hcwco.com

Member:
FINRA/SIPC

 

    	 	 3

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