Document:

reph-ex48_284.htm

Exhibit 4.8

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of March 2, 2018, by and between RECRO PHARMA, INC., a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Company”), and ASPIRE CAPITAL FUND, LLC, an Illinois limited liability company (together with its permitted assigns, the “Buyer”).  Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Common Stock Purchase Agreement by and between the parties hereto, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Purchase Agreement”).

 

WHEREAS:

 

A.Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Purchase Agreement, (i) the Company has agreed to issue to the Buyer, and the Buyer has agreed to purchase,  up to Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), pursuant to Section 1 of the Purchase Agreement (such shares, the “Purchase Shares”), and (ii) the Company has agreed to issue to the Buyer such number of shares of Common Stock as is required pursuant to Section 4(e) of the Purchase Agreement (the “Commitment Shares”); and

 

B.To induce the Buyer to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the “1933 Act”), and applicable state securities laws.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Buyer hereby agree as follows:

 

1.DEFINITIONS.

 

As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

a.“Person” means any person or entity including any corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a partnership, an organization, a business, an individual, a governmental or political subdivision thereof or a governmental agency.

 

b.“Prospectus” means the base prospectus, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, included in any Registration Statement (as hereinafter defined), as it may be supplemented by a prospectus or prospectus supplement (including the Prospectus Supplement (as hereinafter defined)), in the form in which such prospectus and/or Prospectus Supplement have most recently been filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the 1933 Act, together with any then issued “issuer free writing prospectus(es),” as defined in Rule 433 of the 1933 Act, relating to the Registrable Securities.

 

c.“Register,” “registered,” and “registration” refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing one or more registration statements of the Company in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415 under the 1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities 

 

 

on a continuous basis (“Rule 415”), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such registration statement(s) by the SEC.

 

d.“Registrable Securities” means the Purchase Shares that may from time to time be issued or issuable to the Buyer upon purchases of the Available Amount under the Purchase Agreement (without regard to any limitation or restriction on purchases), the Commitment Shares issued or issuable to the Buyer, and any shares of capital stock issued or issuable with respect to the Purchase Shares, the Commitment Shares or the Purchase Agreement as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, exchange or similar event, without regard to any limitation on purchases under the Purchase Agreement.

 

e.“Registration Statement” means the Shelf Registration Statement and any other registration statement of the Company, as amended when it became effective, including all documents filed as part thereof or incorporated by reference therein, and including any information contained in a Prospectus subsequently filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the 1933 Act or deemed to be a part of such registration statement pursuant to Rule 430B or 462(b) of the 1933 Act, covering the sale of the Registrable Securities.

 

f.“Shelf Registration Statement” means the Company’s existing registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-218487).

 

2.REGISTRATION.

 

a.Mandatory Registration.  The Company shall within two (2) Business Days from the Commencement Date file with the SEC a prospectus supplement to the prospectus dated June 12, 2017 forming a part of the Shelf Registration Statement specifically relating to the Registrable Securities (the “Prospectus Supplement”).  The Buyer and its counsel shall have had a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon such Prospectus Supplement prior to its filing with the SEC.  The Buyer shall furnish all information reasonably requested by the Company for inclusion therein.  The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement effective pursuant to Rule 415 promulgated under the 1933 Act and available for sales of all of the Registrable Securities at all times until the earlier of (i) the Company no longer qualifies to make sales under the Shelf Registration Statement (which shall be understood to include the inability of the Company to immediately register sales of Registrable Securities to the Buyer under the Shelf Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement (as defined below) pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3), (ii) the date on which the Company shall have sold all the Registrable Securities and no Available Amount remains under the Purchase Agreement, or (iii) the date on which the Purchase Agreement is terminated (the “Registration Period”).  The Shelf Registration Statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses contained therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  

 

b.Rule 424 Prospectus.  The Company shall, as required by applicable securities regulations, from time to time file with the SEC, pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the 1933 Act, a prospectus, including any amendments or prospectus supplements thereto, to be used in connection with sales of the Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement.  The Buyer and its counsel shall have two (2) Business Days to review and comment upon such prospectus prior to its filing with the 

 

 

SEC.  The Buyer shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to comment upon such prospectus within two (2) Business Days from the date the Buyer receives the final version of such prospectus. 

 

c.Sufficient Number of Shares Registered.  In the event the number of shares available under the Shelf Registration Statement is insufficient to cover the Registrable Securities, the Company shall, to the extent necessary and permissible, amend the Shelf Registration Statement or file a new registration statement (a “New Registration Statement”), so as to cover all of such Registrable Securities as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event not later than ten (10) Business Days after the necessity therefor arises.  The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to have such amendment and/or New Registration Statement become effective as soon as reasonably practicable following the filing thereof.    

 

3.RELATED OBLIGATIONS.

 

With respect to the Registration Statement and whenever any Registrable Securities are to be registered pursuant to Sections 2(a) and (c), including on the Shelf Registration Statement or on any New Registration Statement, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof and, pursuant thereto, the Company shall have the following obligations:

 

a.The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to any Registration Statement and any New Registration Statement and any Prospectus used in connection with such Registration Statement, as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement effective at all times during the Registration Period, subject to Permitted Delays and Section 3(e) hereof and, during such period, comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by the Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement until such time as all of such Registrable Securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers thereof as set forth in such Registration Statement.  Should the Company file a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or a New Registration Statement, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to have such filing declared effective by the SEC within thirty (30) consecutive Business Days following the date of filing, which such period shall be extended for an additional thirty (30) Business Days if the Company receives a comment letter from the SEC in connection therewith.  If (i) there is material non-public information regarding the Company which the Company’s Board of Directors reasonably determines not to be in the Company’s best interest to disclose and which the Company is not otherwise required to disclose or (ii) there is a significant business opportunity (including, but not limited to, the acquisition or disposition of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business) or any merger, consolidation, tender offer or other similar transaction) available to the Company which the Company’s Board of Directors reasonably determines not to be in the Company’s best interest to disclose and which the Company would be required to disclose under a Registration Statement or a New Registration Statement, then the Company may postpone or suspend filing or effectiveness of such Registration Statement or New Registration Statement or use of the prospectus under the Registration Statement or New Registration Statement for a period not to exceed thirty (30) consecutive days, provided that the Company may not postpone or suspend its obligation under this Section 3(a) for more than sixty (60) days in the aggregate during any twelve (12) month period (each, a “Permitted Delay”).

 

 

 

b.The Company shall submit to the Buyer for review and comment any disclosure in the Registration Statement, and all amendments and supplements thereto (other than prospectus supplements that consist only of a copy of a filed Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Current Report on Form 8-K or any amendment as a result of the Company’s filing of a document that is incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement), containing information provided by the Buyer for inclusion in such document and any descriptions or disclosure regarding the Buyer, the Purchase Agreement, including the transaction contemplated thereby, or this Agreement at least two (2) Business Days prior to their filing with the SEC, and not file any document in a form to which Buyer reasonably and timely objects.  Upon request of the Buyer, the Company shall provide to the Buyer all disclosure in the Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto (other than prospectus supplements that consist only of a copy of a filed Form 10‐K, Form 10-Q or Current Report on Form 8-K or any amendment as a result of the Company’s filing of a document that is incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement) at least two (2) Business Days prior to their filing with the SEC, and not file any document in a form to which Buyer reasonably and timely objects.  The Buyer shall use its reasonable best efforts to comment upon the Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement and any amendments or supplements thereto within two (2) Business Days from the date the Buyer receives the final version thereof.  The Company shall furnish to the Buyer, without charge, any correspondence from the SEC or the staff of the SEC to the Company or its representatives relating to the Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement.

 

c.Upon request of the Buyer, the Company shall furnish to the Buyer, (i) promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, at least one copy of the Registration Statement and any amendment(s) thereto, including all financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits, (ii) upon the effectiveness of any amendment(s) to a Registration Statement, a copy of the prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto (or such other number of copies as the Buyer may reasonably request) and (iii) such other documents, including copies of any preliminary or final prospectus, as the Buyer may reasonably request from time to time in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by the Buyer.

 

d.The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register and qualify, unless an exemption from registration and qualification is available, the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Buyer reasonably requests, (ii) subject to Permitted Delays, prepare and file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(d), (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction.  The Company shall promptly notify the Buyer who holds Registrable Securities of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.

 

 

 

e.Subject to Permitted Delays, as promptly as reasonably practicable after becoming aware of such event or facts, the Company shall notify the Buyer in writing if the Company has determined that the Prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and as promptly as reasonably practical (taking into account the Company’s good faith assessment of any adverse consequences to the Company and its shareholders of premature disclosure of such event or facts) prepare a prospectus supplement or amendment to such Registration Statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and, upon the Buyer’s request, deliver a copy of such prospectus supplement or amendment to the Buyer.  In providing this notice to the Buyer, the Company shall not include any other information about the facts underlying the Company’s determination and shall not in any way communicate any material nonpublic information about the Company or the Common Stock to the Buyer.  The Company shall also promptly notify the Buyer in writing (i) when a prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and when a Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment has become effective (notification of such effectiveness shall be delivered to the Buyer by facsimile or e-mail on the same day of such effectiveness), (ii) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to any Registration Statement or related prospectus or related information, and (iii) of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate.  In no event shall the delivery of a notice under this Section 3(e), or the resulting unavailability of a Registration Statement, without regard to its duration, for disposition of securities by Buyer be considered a breach by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement.  The preceding sentence in this Section 3(e) does not limit whether an event of default has occurred as set forth in Section 9(a) of the Purchase Agreement.

 

f.The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of any Registration Statement, or the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction and, if such an order or suspension is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order or suspension at the earliest practical time and to notify the Buyer of the issuance of such order and the resolution thereof or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.

 

g.The Company shall (i) cause all the Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then permitted under the rules of such exchange, or (ii) secure designation and quotation of all the Registrable Securities if the Principal Market (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement) is an automated quotation system.  The Company shall pay all fees and expenses in connection with satisfying its obligation under this Section.

 

h.The Company shall cooperate with the Buyer to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates (not bearing any restrictive legend) representing the Registrable Securities to be offered pursuant to any Registration Statement and enable such certificates to be in such denominations or amounts as the Buyer may reasonably request and registered in such names as the Buyer may request.

 

i.The Company shall at all times provide a transfer agent and registrar with respect to its Common Stock.

 

 

 

j.If reasonably requested by the Buyer, the Company shall (i) promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement such information as the Buyer believes should be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities; (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as promptly as practicable once notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment; and (iii) supplement or make amendments to any Registration Statement (including by means of any document incorporated therein by reference).

 

k.The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities in the United States as may be necessary to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.

 

l.If reasonably requested by the Buyer at any time, the Company shall deliver to the Buyer a written confirmation of whether or not the effectiveness of such Registration Statement has lapsed at any time for any reason (including, without limitation, the issuance of a stop order) and whether or not the Registration Statement is currently effective and available to the Company for sale of all of the Registrable Securities.  

 

m.The Company agrees to take all other reasonable actions as necessary and reasonably requested by the Buyer to expedite and facilitate disposition by the Buyer of Registrable Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement.

 

4.OBLIGATIONS OF THE BUYER.

 

a.The Buyer has furnished to the Company in Exhibit A hereto such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities held by it as required to effect the registration of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request. The Company shall notify the Buyer in writing of any other information the Company reasonably requires from the Buyer in connection with any Registration Statement hereunder. The Buyer will as promptly as practicable notify the Company of any material change in the information set forth in Exhibit A, other than changes in its ownership of the Common Stock.

 

b.The Buyer agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of any amendments and supplements to any Registration Statement hereunder.

 

5.EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.

 

All reasonable expenses of the Company, other than sales or brokerage commissions and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Buyer, incurred in connection with registrations, filings or qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all registration, listing and qualifications fees, printers and accounting fees, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, shall be paid by the Company.

 

 

 

6.INDEMNIFICATION.

 

a.To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Company will, and hereby does, indemnify, hold harmless and defend the Buyer, each Person, if any, who controls the Buyer, the members, the directors, officers, partners, employees, agents, representatives of the Buyer and each Person, if any, who controls the Buyer within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) (each, an “Indemnified Person”), against any third party losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, fines, penalties, charges, costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees, amounts paid in settlement (with the prior consent of the Company, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) or reasonable expenses, (collectively, “Claims”) reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending any action, claim, suit, inquiry, proceeding, investigation or appeal taken from the foregoing by or before any court or governmental, administrative or other regulatory agency or body or the SEC, whether pending or threatened, whether or not an indemnified party is or may be a party thereto (“Indemnified Damages”), to which any of them may become subject insofar as such Claims (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in the Registration Statement, any New Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto or in any filing made in connection with the qualification of the offering under the securities or other “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction in which Registrable Securities are offered (“Blue Sky Filing”), or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the final Prospectus or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading, or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement or any New Registration Statement (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) being, collectively, “Violations”).  The Company shall reimburse each Indemnified Person promptly as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable, for any reasonable legal fees or other reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (A) shall not apply to a Claim by an Indemnified Person arising out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by the Buyer or such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement, any New Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any such amendment thereof or supplement thereto, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company; (B) with respect to any superseded prospectus, shall not inure to the benefit of any such person from whom the person asserting any such Claim purchased the Registrable Securities that are the subject thereof (or to the benefit of any other Indemnified Person) if the untrue statement or omission of material fact contained in the superseded prospectus was corrected in the revised prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, if such revised prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(c) or Section 3(e), and the Indemnified Person was promptly advised in writing not to use the incorrect prospectus prior to the use giving rise to a violation; (C) shall not be available to the extent such Claim is based on a failure of the Buyer to deliver, or to cause to be delivered, the prospectus made available by the Company, if such prospectus was theretofore made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(c) or Section 3(e); and (D) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  Such indemnity shall remain in full force 

 

 

and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Buyer pursuant to Section 8.

 

b.In connection with the Registration Statement any New Registration Statement or Prospectus, the Buyer agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same manner as is set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement or signs any New Registration Statement, each Person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act (collectively and together with an Indemnified Person, an “Indemnified Party”), against any Claim or Indemnified Damages to which any of them may become subject, under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim or Indemnified Damages arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent, and only to the extent, that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information about the Buyer set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto or updated from time to time in writing by the Buyer and furnished to the Company by the Buyer expressly for inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or any New Registration Statement or from the failure of the Buyer to deliver or to cause to be delivered the prospectus made available by the Company, if such prospectus was timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(c) or Section 3(e); and, subject to Section 6(d), the Buyer will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) and the agreement with respect to contribution contained in Section 7 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Buyer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the Buyer pursuant to Section 8. 

 

c.Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving a Claim, such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party, as the case may be, and upon such notice, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof; provided, however, that an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party (together with all other Indemnified Persons and Indemnified Parties that may be represented without conflict by one counsel) shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the representation by such counsel of the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person shall cooperate with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person which relates to such action or claim.  The indemnifying party shall keep the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person fully apprised as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto.  No indemnifying party shall be 

 

 

liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its written consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent.  No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.  Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made.  The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is prejudiced in its ability to defend such action.

 

d.The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or Indemnified Damages are incurred.  Any person receiving a payment pursuant to this Section 6 which person is later determined to not be entitled to such payment shall return such payment (including reimbursement of expenses) to the person making it.

 

e.The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (i) any cause of action or similar right of the Indemnified Party or Indemnified Person against the indemnifying party or others, and (ii) any liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.

 

7.CONTRIBUTION.

 

To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that: (i) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any party who was not guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation; and (ii) contribution by any seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities.

 

8.ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

 

The Company shall not assign this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Buyer; provided, however, that any transaction, whether by merger, reorganization, restructuring, consolidation, financing or otherwise, whereby the Company remains the surviving entity immediately after such transaction shall not be deemed an assignment.  The Buyer may not assign its rights under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company. 

 

9.AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

 

Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only with the written consent of the Company and the Buyer.

 

 

 

10.MISCELLANEOUS.

 

a.Any notices, consents, waivers or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered: (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by facsimile (provided confirmation of transmission is mechanically or electronically generated and kept on file by the sending party); (iii) upon receipt, when sent by electronic message (provided the recipient responds to the message and confirmation of both electronic messages are kept on file by the sending party); or (iv) one (1) Business Day after timely deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses and facsimile numbers for such communications shall be:

 

 

If to the Company:

 

Recro Pharma, Inc. 

490 Lapp Road 

Malvern, PA 19355 

Telephone: 484-395-2470 

Facsimile: 484-395-2471 

Attention: Michael Celano 

Email: mcelano@recropharma.com 

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to: 

 

Pepper Hamilton LLP 

3000 Two Logan Square

Eighteenth and Arch Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19103 

Telephone: 215-981-4331 

Facsimile: 215-981-4750 

Attention: Rachael M. Bushey

Email: busheyr@pepperlaw.com

 

If to the Buyer:

 

Aspire Capital Fund, LLC

155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 1600

Chicago, IL 60606 

Telephone:312-658-0400

Facsimile:312-658-4005

Attention:Steven G. Martin

Email:smartin@aspirecapital.com

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Morrison & Foerster LLP

 

 

2000 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 6000

Washington, DC 20006

Telephone:202-778-1611

Facsimile:202-887-0763

Attention:Martin P. Dunn, Esq.

Email:mdunn@mofo.com

 

or at such other address and/or facsimile number and/or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to each other party at least one (1) Business Day prior to the effectiveness of such change.  Written confirmation of receipt (A) given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (B) mechanically or electronically generated by the sender’s facsimile machine containing the time, date, and recipient facsimile number, (C) electronically generated by the sender’s electronic mail containing the time, date and recipient email address or (D) provided by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, shall be rebuttable evidence of receipt in accordance with clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, respectively.  Any party to this Agreement may give any notice or other communication hereunder using any other means (including messenger service, ordinary mail or electronic mail), but no such notice or other communication shall be deemed to have been duly given unless it actually is received by the party for whom it is intended.

 

b.No failure or delay in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege.

 

c.The corporate laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania shall govern all issues concerning the relative rights of the Company and its shareholders.  All other questions concerning the construction, validity, enforcement and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of Illinois, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Illinois or any other jurisdictions) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdictions other than the State of Illinois.  Each party hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts sitting in the City of Chicago for the adjudication of any dispute hereunder or in connection herewith or with any transaction contemplated hereby or discussed herein, and hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert in any suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, that such suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper.  Each party hereby irrevocably waives personal service of process and consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address for such notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof.  Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit in any way any right to serve process in any manner permitted by law.  If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in that jurisdiction or the validity or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.  EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE, AND AGREES NOT TO REQUEST, A JURY TRIAL FOR THE ADJUDICATION OF ANY DISPUTE HEREUNDER OR IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

d.This Agreement, the Purchase Agreement and the other Transaction Documents constitute the entire understanding among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof 

 

 

and thereof.  There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein and therein.  This Agreement, the Purchase Agreement and the other Transaction Documents supersede all other prior oral or written agreements between the Buyer, the Company, their affiliates and persons acting on their behalf with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

 

e.Subject to the requirements of Section 8, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the permitted successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto.

 

f.The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference and shall not form part of, or affect the interpretation of, this Agreement.

 

g.This Agreement may be executed in two or more identical counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party; provided that a facsimile or pdf (or other electronic reproduction of a) signature shall be considered due execution and shall be binding upon the signatory thereto with the same force and effect as if the signature were an original, not a facsimile or pdf (or other electronic reproduction of a) signature.

 

h.Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents as the other party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

i.The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rules of strict construction will be applied against any party.

 

j.This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other Person.

 

* * * * * *

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights Agreement to be duly executed as of day and year first above written.

 

 

 

THE COMPANY:

 

RECRO PHARMA, INC.

 

By: _/s/ Geraldine A. Henwood  

Name:  Geraldine A. Henwood

Title:    Chief Executive Officer

 

 

BUYER:

 

ASPIRE CAPITAL FUND, LLC

BY: ASPIRE CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC

BY: CHRISKO INVESTORS INC.

 

By: _/s/ Christos Komissopoulos 

Name: Christos Komissopoulos

Title: President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Information About The Buyer Furnished To The Company By The Buyer

Expressly For Use In Connection With The Registration Statement and Prospectus

 

Aspire Capital Partners LLC (“Aspire Partners”) is the Managing Member of Aspire Capital Fund LLC (“Aspire Fund”).  SGM Holdings Corp (“SGM”) is the Managing Member of Aspire Partners.  Mr. Steven G. Martin (“Mr. Martin”) is the president and sole shareholder of SGM, as well as a principal of Aspire Partners.  Mr. Erik J. Brown (“Mr. Brown”) is the president and sole shareholder of Red Cedar Capital Corp (“Red Cedar”), which is a principal of Aspire Partners. Mr. Christos Komissopoulos (“Mr. Komissopoulos”) is president and sole shareholder of Chrisko Investors Inc. (“Chrisko”), which is a principal of Aspire Partners.  Mr. William F. Blank, III (“Mr. Blank”) is president and sole shareholder of WML Ventures Corp. (“WML Ventures”), which is a principal of Aspire Partners.  Each of Aspire Partners, SGM, Red Cedar, Chrisko, WML Ventures, Mr. Martin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Komissopoulos and Mr. Blank may be deemed to be a beneficial owner of common stock held by Aspire Fund. Each of Aspire Partners, SGM, Red Cedar, Chrisko, WML Ventures, Mr. Martin, Mr. Brown, Mr. Komissopoulos and Mr. Blank disclaims beneficial ownership of the common stock held by Aspire Fund.reph-ex1020_281.htm

Exhibit 10.20

Recro Pharma, Inc.

Award Agreement for

[                                       ]

                                                                                               

 We are pleased to advise you that Recro Pharma, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby awards to you Restricted Stock Units, subject to your signing this Award Agreement (this “Agreement”).  The date of award of the Restricted Stock Units shall for all purposes be [__________], 201[__] (the “Grant Date”). 

The Company maintains the Recro Pharma, Inc. Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which provides the general terms and restrictions for certain equity incentive awards to the Company’s employees, consultants and directors.  These Restricted Stock Units are not awarded pursuant to the Plan, but rather are intended to constitute a non-plan based “inducement grant,” as described in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).  Nonetheless, the terms and provisions of the Plan are hereby incorporated into this Agreement by this reference, as though fully set forth herein, as if this award was granted pursuant to the Plan. 

All capitalized terms used but not defined herein will have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.  In addition to the terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in the Plan, all terms, conditions and restrictions set forth in this Agreement are applicable to the award of Restricted Stock Units as evidenced hereby:

1.Grant Schedule.  Certain terms of the grant of Restricted Stock Units are set forth on the grant schedule (the “Grant Schedule”) that is attached to, and is a part of, this Agreement.

2.Grant of Restricted Stock Units.  As of the Grant Date, the Company hereby awards to you the number of Restricted Stock Units set forth on the Grant Schedule (the “Award”), subject to the restrictions and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement

3.Grant Date.  The Grant Date of the Restricted Stock Units is set forth on the Grant Schedule.

4.Performance Target.  To the extent that the Grant Schedule includes a performance-based target, the Grant Schedule will specify the extent to which the Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited for failure to achieve the performance-based target.

5.Vesting.  Subject to the further provisions of this Agreement, the Restricted Stock Units will vest as set forth on the Grant Schedule (each date on which Restricted Stock Units vest being referred to as a “Vesting Date”).

6.Transferability.  The Restricted Stock Units are not transferable or assignable otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  Any attempt to transfer Restricted Stock Units, whether by transfer, pledge, hypothecation or otherwise and whether voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise, will not vest the transferee with any interest or right in or with respect to such Restricted Stock Units. 

 

 

 

7.Termination of Employment.  In the event of your termination of service with the Company and its Affiliates that is a “separation from service” within the meaning of section 409A of the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations issued under section 409A, all unvested Restricted Stock Units will vest or be forfeited according to the terms and conditions of the Grant Schedule, unless your employment agreement provides for a result that is more favorable to you.  To the extent compliance with the requirements of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-3(i)(2) is necessary to avoid the application of an additional tax under section 409A of the Code to the issuance of Shares to you, then any issuance of Shares to you that would otherwise be made during the six-month period beginning on the date of such termination will be deferred and delivered to you immediately following the lapse of such six-month period. 

8.Issuance of Shares.

a.Unless otherwise set forth on the Grant Schedule, within thirty (30) days following each Vesting Date (including any accelerated vesting date provided in the Grant Schedule or pursuant to the your employment agreement), the Company shall issue to the you, either by book-entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or certificates, a number of Shares equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder that have vested as of such date.  Any Shares issued to you hereunder shall be fully paid and non-assessable.

b.The Company may require as a condition of the issuance of Shares, pursuant to Section 8(a) hereof, that you remit to the Company an amount sufficient in the opinion of the Company to satisfy any federal, state and other governmental tax withholding requirements related to the issuance of such shares.  The Committee, in its sole discretion, may permit you to satisfy such obligation by delivering shares of Common Stock or by directing the Company to withhold from delivery shares of Common Stock, in either case valued at their Fair Market Value on the applicable issuance date, with fractional shares being settled in cash.

c.You will not be deemed for any purpose to be, or have rights as, a stockholder of the Company by virtue of the grant of Restricted Stock Units, until shares of Common Stock are issued in settlement of such Restricted Stock Units pursuant to Section 8(a) hereof.  Upon the issuance of a stock certificate or the making of an appropriate book entry on the books of the transfer agent, you will have all of the rights of a stockholder.

d.With respect to any grant of Restricted Stock Units that vests in whole or in part based on the Company's achievement of financial or operating results, if it is determined by the Committee that gross negligence, intentional misconduct or fraud you caused or partially caused the Company to restate all or a portion of its financial statements, the Committee shall, to the extent permitted by law, require repayment of Shares delivered pursuant to the vesting of the Restricted Stock Units, and/or effect the cancellation of unvested Restricted Stock Units, if (i) the vesting of the Award was calculated based upon, or contingent on, the achievement of financial or operating results that were the subject of or affected by the restatement, and (ii) the extent of vesting of the Award would have been less had the financial statements been correct. The required repayment or cancellation shall be such as will put you in the same position relative to vesting of the Award as you would have been in had the financial statements been correct.

 

 

9.Securities Matters.  The Company shall be under no obligation to effect the registration pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) of any interests in the Plan or any Shares to be issued thereunder or to effect similar compliance under any state laws.  The Company shall not be obligated to cause to be issued any Shares, whether by means of stock certificates or appropriate book entries, unless and until the Company is advised by its counsel that the issuance of such Shares is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authority and the requirements of any securities exchange on which Shares are traded.  The Committee may require, as a condition of the issuance of Shares pursuant to the terms hereof, that the recipient of such Shares make such covenants, agreements and representations, and that any certificates bear such legends and any book entries be subject to such electronic coding or stop order, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or desirable.  You specifically understand and agree that the Shares, if and when issued, may be “restricted securities,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the 1933 Act and, accordingly, you may be required to hold the shares indefinitely unless they are registered under the 1933 Act or an exemption from such registration is available.

10.Delays or Omissions.  No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party hereto upon any breach or default of any party under this Agreement, will impair any such right, power or remedy of such party, nor will it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring, nor will any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring.  Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character by the of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party or any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be in a writing signed by such party and will be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing.

11.Withholding.  The Company reserves the right to withhold, in accordance with any applicable laws, from any consideration payable or property transferable you any taxes required to be withheld by federal, state or local law as a result of the grant or vesting of this Award or other disposition of the Shares.   

12.Right of Discharge Preserved.  The grant of Restricted Stock Units hereunder will not confer upon you any right to continue in service with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates.

13.The Plan. By accepting this Award, you acknowledge that you have received a copy of the Plan, has read the Plan and is familiar with its terms, and accepts the Restricted Stock Units subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan, as amended from time to time.  Pursuant to the Plan, the Board or its Committee is authorized to interpret the Plan and to adopt rules and regulations not inconsistent with the Plan as it deems appropriate.  By accepting this Award, you acknowledge and agree to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Board or its Committee upon any questions arising under the Plan.   

14.Governing Law.  This Agreement and all claims or causes of action (whether in contract or tort) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement or 

 

 

the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement or as an inducement to enter this Agreement) shall be governed by, and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to the application of the principles of conflicts of laws. 

15.No Right of Continued Employment.  Nothing contained in the Plan or this Agreement shall restrict the right of the Company and/or its affiliates to terminate your employment or service.  Any termination of your employment or service, regardless of the reason therefor, shall have the consequences provided for in the Plan and this Agreement with respect to your rights under the Plan.

16.Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended, in whole or in part and in any manner not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, at any time and from time to time, by written agreement between the Company and you.

17.Notice.  Any notice to be given to the Company shall be in writing and either hand delivered or mailed to the office of the President of the Company.  If mailed, it shall be addressed to the Company at 490 Lapp Road, Malvern, PA 19355.  Any notice given to you shall be addressed to you at your address as reflected in the personnel records of the Company, or at such other address as either party hereto may hereafter designate by like notice to the other.  Notice shall be deemed to have been duly delivered when hand delivered or, if mailed, on the fifth day after such notice is postmarked.

The Award is made by the Company as of the date stated in the introductory paragraph.

RECRO PHARMA, INC.

 

By:____________________________________

	
 
	

	
Gerri Henwood, President / Chief Executive Officer

 

 

In order to indicate your acceptance of the award of Restricted Stock Units granted by this Agreement subject to the restrictions and upon the terms and conditions set forth above and in the Plan, please execute and immediately return to the Company the enclosed duplicate original of this Agreement.

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED,

Intending to be legally bound:

 

 

[NAME OF GRANTEE]

 

 

Date

 

 

[Grant Schedule]

 

Grant Schedule

	
Grantee’s name:
	
 

	
Grant Date:
	
 

	
 
	
 

	
1.   Number of Restricted Stock Units granted:

 
	
 

	
2.   Target Number of Restricted Stock Units granted:

 

3.   Vesting Date: 

 
	
 

 

	
If a Change of Control occurs, any outstanding Restricted Stock Units that are then still subject to vesting conditions shall become vested as of the date of such Change of Control, provided the Grantee remains an employee of the Company through such date.  If the Grantee terminates employment with the Company by reason of the Grantee’s death or Disability, the Restricted Stock Units will remain outstanding during the applicable performance period and will vest in full based on satisfaction of the applicable performance goal.

 

Unless otherwise provided for above, if the Grantee’s employment with the Company and its Affiliates terminates or is terminated for any other reason, any Restricted Stock Units that are then still subject to vesting conditions as of such date shall be immediately forfeited with no other compensation due to the Grantee.        

 

A number of Shares equal to the number of vested Restricted Stock Units shall be issued to the Grantee, either by book-entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or certificates, as soon as administratively practicable following the Vesting Date, but in no event later than 21⁄2 months following the end of the calendar year containing the applicable Vesting Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Restricted Stock Units become vested as a result of Change of Control, a number of Stock Award Shares equal to such units will be issued to the Grantee not later than thirty (30) days following the date of such Change of Control.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Restricted Stock Units subject to this Agreement shall vest unless the Grantee has complied with all applicable provisions of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”).  If the Restricted Stock Units subject to this Agreement would have vested pursuant to this Agreement but did not vest solely because the Grantee was not in compliance with all applicable provisions of the HSR Act, the Vesting Date and the Share issuance date for such Restricted Stock Units shall occur on the first date following the date on which such Restricted Stock Units would otherwise have vested pursuant to this Agreement on which the Grantee has complied with all applicable provisions of the HSR Act.

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