Document:

Exhibit

EXHIBIT 4.17
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
As of February 24, 2020, El Paso Electric Company, a Texas corporation (“EPE”), had one class of securities registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended: common stock, no par value (“common stock”). The following contains a description of our common stock, as well as certain related additional information. This description is a summary only and does not purport to be complete. We encourage you to read the complete text of EPE’s Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles”) and Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), which we have incorporated by reference as exhibits to EPE’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. References to “we”, “our” and “us” refer to EPE, unless the context otherwise required. References to “shareholders” refer to holders of our common stock. 
Our authorized capital stock under our Articles consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock and 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value. The following description is a brief summary of certain provisions relating to our common stock contained in the Articles and does not purport to be complete. This description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Articles.
Common Stock
Our authorized common stock consists of 100,000,000 shares, of which 64,428,688 shares were issued and 40,752,141 shares were outstanding as of February 24, 2020. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the shareholders. As of February 24, 2020, there were approximately 2,096 registered holders of record of our common stock.
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of us, subject to prior distribution rights of preferred stock, if any, then outstanding, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive all of the remaining assets available for distribution. The Articles do not provide for preemptive or other subscription rights of the holders of common stock. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. The issued and outstanding shares of common stock are, and any shares of common stock issued will be, fully paid and non-assessable. Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends as declared by the Board of Directors of EPE (the “Board of Directors”).The common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “EE.” Computershare serves as the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.
Preferred Stock
Our authorized preferred stock consists of 2,000,000 shares, no par value, of which no shares were issued and outstanding as of February 24, 2020. Preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, and the Board of Directors, without further approval of the shareholders, is authorized to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions applicable to each series of preferred stock. The purpose of authorizing the Board of Directors to determine these rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions is to eliminate delays associated with a shareholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, adversely affect the voting power of our then-existing shareholders and, under certain circumstances, make it more difficult for a third party to gain control of EPE.
Certain Antitakeover Effects of Texas Law
We are subject to Section 21.606 of the Texas Business Organizations Code (the “TBOC”). In general, the law prohibits Texas corporations from engaging in a wide range of specified transactions with any affiliated shareholder during the three-year period immediately following the affiliated shareholder’s acquisition of shares in the absence of certain board of director or shareholder approvals. An affiliated shareholder of a corporation is any person, other than the corporation and any of its wholly owned subsidiaries, that is or was within the preceding three-year period the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Section 21.606 may make it more difficult for a person who would be an affiliated shareholder to effect various business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period.
Certain Provisions of our Articles and Bylaws
In addition to the restrictions of the TBOC, a number of provisions in our Articles and our Bylaws could have an effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change in control of us in the context of a merger, reorganization, tender offer, sale or transfer of substantially all of our assets, or liquidation involving us.

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Our Articles contain specific provisions governing the approval of certain “business combinations” with an “interested shareholder.” Under our Articles, a business combination may be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of our shareholders as is required by our Articles and pursuant to the restrictions of the TBOC outlined above, only (1) if it is approved by a majority of disinterested directors at a meeting of the Board of Directors or by unanimous written consent of our Board of Directors in lieu of such meeting; and (2) if the per share aggregate amount of the cash and the fair market value, as defined in our Articles, as of the date of the consummation of the business combination, of consideration other than cash to be received by our shareholders in the proposed business combination is, subject to adjustment, at least equal to the higher of (a) the highest price per share for any share of our common stock paid by the interested shareholder within the two-year period immediately prior to the first date of public announcement of the business combination or in the transaction in which the interested shareholder became an interested shareholder, whichever is higher; or (b) the fair market value per share of our common stock on the announcement date or on the date on which the interested shareholder became an interested shareholder, whichever is higher. Furthermore, our Articles (1) limit the form of consideration that may be received by the holders of our common stock, (2) grant our Board of Directors the power to determine whether the amount, any adjustments to and the form of the consideration meet the requirements of our Articles, (3) prohibit an interested shareholder from acquiring beneficial ownership of any additional shares of our stock, (4) bar the interested shareholder from receiving any benefit of any financial assistance or tax advantages provided by or for us and (5) impose certain requirements for notification of our shareholders about the business combination.
If the proposed business combination does not meet the requirements outlined in the paragraph above, then, in addition to the affirmative vote of a majority of our shareholders required by our Articles and in addition to the restrictions of the TBOC, the business combination must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote in the election of directors at the time of the business combination.
A “business combination” includes any merger or consolidation of us or any subsidiary with an interested shareholder or its affiliate, certain sales, leases, exchanges, mortgages, pledges, transfers or other dispositions of assets to an interested shareholder or its affiliate, certain issuances or transfers of securities to an interested shareholder or its affiliate, adoption of any plan or proposal for liquidation or dissolution proposed by or on behalf of an “interested shareholder” and certain reclassifications of securities to the benefit of any “interested shareholder.” An “interested shareholder” is any person who beneficially owns 15% or more of the voting power of our outstanding shares; or at any time within the two-year period immediately prior the applicable date was the beneficial owner of 15% or more of the voting power of our outstanding shares.
Our Articles and Bylaws provide for a classified Board of Directors and that the number of directors will be fixed by the Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes, and directors are elected for staggered three-year terms with one class of directors up for election each year. Directors are elected by a plurality of votes cast by holders of shares entitled to vote. No cumulative voting is allowed in the election of directors or for any other purpose. Classified directors may be removed only with cause at a special meeting called expressly for that purpose upon the affirmative vote of at least 80% of all outstanding shares entitled to vote. An affirmative vote of at least 80% of outstanding shares entitled to vote is required to amend or repeal, or adopt any provision inconsistent with, the provisions of the Articles relating to the election and removal of directors.
Pursuant to our Bylaws, the timing of our annual meeting is determined by the Board of Directors. In the absence of a request in writing from a majority of the Board of Directors or from shareholders owning at least 25% of all shares, special meetings of the shareholders may be called only by the chairman of the Board of Directors or the president. Special meetings of the shareholders shall be called by the chairman of the Board of Directors, the president or secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors or at the request in writing of  shareholders owning at least 25% of all outstanding shares entitled to vote. Shareholders may not take action by written consent without a meeting.
Our Board of Directors could create and issue a series of preferred stock with rights, privileges or restrictions that effectively discriminate against an existing or prospective shareholder as a result of the holder’s beneficially owning or commencing a tender offer for a substantial amount of common stock. One of the effects of authorized but unissued and unreserved shares of capital stock may be to make it more difficult for or discourage an attempt by a potential acquirer to obtain control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. This protects the continuity of our management. The issuance of these shares of capital stock may defer or prevent a change in control of us without any further shareholder action. 

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Exhibit 4.7

 

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

The following description of the registered securities of Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc. (“us,” “our,” “we” or the “Company”) summarizes certain information regarding the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and does not purport to be complete. It is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), our amended and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws”), the amended and restated investors’ rights agreement to which we and certain of our stockholders are parties (the “Investors’ Rights Agreement”), and our amended and restated registration rights agreement to which we and a stockholder are parties (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), each of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Stock

As of December 31, 2019, only our Common Stock was registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “AIMT.”

Shares Outstanding

We are authorized to issue up to 290,000,000 shares of Common Stock. As of December 31, 2019, there are 63,778,512 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding, 7,629,571 shares are issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options, and 530,795 shares are issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units.

As of December 31, 2019, there were approximately 15 holders of record of our Common Stock. This number does not include beneficial owners whose shares are held by nominees in street name.

The actual number of stockholders is greater than the number of record holders and includes stockholders who are beneficial owners but whose shares are held in street name by brokers and other nominees. This number of holders of record also does not include stockholders whose shares may be held in trust by other entities.

Voting Rights

Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the voting shares are able to elect all of the directors. In addition, the affirmative vote of holders of 66 2⁄3% of the voting power of all of the then outstanding voting stock will be required to take certain actions, including amending certain provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, such as the provisions relating to amending the Bylaws, the classified board and director liability.

Dividends

Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of legally available funds.

 

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Liquidation

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of Common Stock will be entitled to share ratably in the net assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all of our debts and other liabilities and the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any then outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Rights and Preferences

Holders of Common Stock have no preemptive, conversion, subscription or other rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the holders of Common Stock are subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock.

Fully Paid and Nonassessable

All of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.

Preferred Stock

 

Our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our stockholders, to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof. These rights, preferences and privileges could include dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and the number of shares constituting, or the designation of, such series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of our common stock. The issuance of our preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon our liquidation. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company or other corporate action. As of December 31, 2019, no shares of preferred stock were outstanding, and we have no present plan to issue any shares of preferred stock.

 

In February 2020, our board of directors designated 525,634 shares of our authorized and unissued preferred stock as Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and filed a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock with the Delaware Secretary of State. Subject to certain limitations, each share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of our Common Stock at a rate of 1-to-10.

 

Registration Rights

 

Under our Investors’ Rights Agreement, as of February 14, 2020, the holders of approximately 6.2 million shares of common stock, or their transferees, have the right to require us to register their shares under the Securities Act so that those shares may be publicly resold, or to include their shares in any registration statement we file, in each case as described below.

 

Demand Registration Rights

 

Based on the number of shares outstanding as of February 14, 2020, the holders of approximately 6.2 million shares of our common stock, or their transferees, are entitled to certain demand registration rights. The holders of at least 50% of these shares can, on not more than two occasions, request that we 

 

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register all or a portion of their shares if the aggregate price to the public of the shares offered is at least $3.0 million. 

 

Piggyback Registration Rights

 

Based on the number of shares outstanding as of February 14, 2020, in the event that we determine to register any of our securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) (subject to certain exceptions), either for our own account or for the account of other security holders, the holders of approximately 6.2 million shares of our common stock, or their transferees, are entitled to certain “piggyback” registration rights allowing the holders to include their shares in such registration, subject to certain marketing and other limitations. As a result, whenever we propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act, other than with respect to a registration related to employee benefit plans, the offer and sale of debt securities, or corporate reorganizations or certain other transactions, the holders of these shares are entitled to notice of the registration and have the right, subject to limitations that the underwriters may impose on the number of shares included in the registration, to include their shares in the registration. In an underwritten offering, the managing underwriter, if any, has the right, subject to specified conditions, to exclude or limit the number of shares such holders may include.

 

Form S-3 Registration Rights

 

Based on the number of shares outstanding as of February 14, 2020, the holders of approximately 6.2 million shares of our common stock, or their transferees, are entitled to certain Form S-3 registration rights. The holders of at least 25% of these shares can make a written request that we register their shares on Form S-3 if we are eligible to file a registration statement on Form S-3 and if the aggregate price to the public of the shares offered is at least $1.0 million (after deductions of underwriters’ discounts and expenses related to the issuance). These stockholders may make an unlimited number of requests for registration on Form S-3, but in no event shall we be required to file more than two registrations on Form S-3 in any given calendar year.

 

Expenses of Registration

 

We will pay the registration expenses of the holders of the shares registered pursuant to the demand, piggyback and Form S-3 registration rights described above, including the expenses in an amount not to exceed $25,000 of one counsel for the selling holders.

 

Expiration of Registration Rights

 

The demand, piggyback and Form S-3 registration rights described above will expire, with respect to any particular stockholder, upon the earlier of five years after the consummation of our initial public offering or when that stockholder can sell all of its shares under Rule 144 of the Securities Act during any three month period.

 

Additional Registration Rights

 

Under our Registration Rights Agreement, Nestle Health Sciences US Holdings, Inc. (“NHSc US”), which held approximately 12.7 million shares of our Common Stock as of February 14, 2020, is entitled to register the resale of all shares of Common Stock issued to NHSc US and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the shares of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock issued to NHSc US on a registration statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission upon the request of NHSc US, which request cannot be made prior to the 45th day preceding February 4, 2021 (the “Termination Date”). The Registration Rights Agreement terminates if NHSc US fails to request that the 

 

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NHSc shares be registered within the two year anniversary of the Termination Date or, if earlier, such date that NHSc US and its affiliates own in the aggregate less than 30% of the number of shares of Common Stock that NHSc US and its affiliates owned in the aggregate as of the date of the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation, our Bylaws and Delaware Law

 

Certain provisions of Delaware law and our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws contain provisions that could make the following transactions more difficult: acquisition of us by means of a tender offer; acquisition of us by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or removal of our incumbent officers and directors. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in our best interests, including transactions that might result in a premium over the market price for our shares.

 

These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

 

Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

 

We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits persons deemed “interested stockholders” from engaging in a “business combination” with a publicly-held Delaware corporation for three years following the date these persons become interested stockholders unless the business combination is, or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder was, approved in a prescribed manner or another prescribed exception applies. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the board of directors, such as discouraging takeover attempts that might result in a premium over the market price of our common stock.

 

Undesignated Preferred Stock

 

The ability to authorize undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of us. These and other provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of our company.

 

Special Stockholder Meetings

 

Our amended and restated bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called at any time by our board of directors, but such special meetings may not be called by the stockholders or any other person or persons.

 

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals

 

 

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Our amended and restated bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors or a committee of the board of directors.

 

Stockholder Action by Written Consent

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws preclude stockholder action by written consent without a meeting.

 

Classified Board; Election and Removal of Directors; Filling Vacancies

 

Our board of directors is divided into three classes. The directors in each class serve for a three-year term, with one class being elected each year by our stockholders, with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors will be elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms. Because our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights, our stockholders holding a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding will be able to elect all of our directors. Our Certificate of Incorporation provides for the removal of any of our directors only for cause and requires a stockholder vote by the holders of at least a 66 2/3% of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock. Furthermore, any vacancy on our board of directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the size of the board, may only be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office unless the board of directors determines that such vacancies shall be filled by the stockholders. This system of electing and removing directors and filling vacancies may tend to discourage a third party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, because it generally makes it more difficult for stockholders to replace a majority of the directors.

 

Choice of Forum

 

Our Certificate of Incorporation provide that, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for: any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty; any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, our Certificate of Incorporation or our Bylaws; or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Although our Certificate of Incorporation contains the choice of forum provision described above, it is possible that a court could find that such a provision is inapplicable for a particular claim or action or that such provision is unenforceable.

 

Amendment of Charter Provisions

 

The amendment of any of the above provisions, except for the provision making it possible for our board of directors to issue undesignated preferred stock, would require approval by a stockholder vote by the holders of at least a 66 2/3% of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock.

 

The provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

 

Limitations of Liability and Indemnification Matters

 

 

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Our Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions that limit the liability of our directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Consequently, our directors will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for:

 

	
 
	
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any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;

	
 
	
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any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

	
 
	
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unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or

	
 
	
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any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Each of our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that we are required to indemnify our directors and officers, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Our Bylaws also obligate us to advance expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding, and permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in that capacity regardless of whether we would otherwise be permitted to indemnify him or her under Delaware law. We have entered and expect to continue to enter into agreements to indemnify our directors, executive officers and other employees as determined by our board of directors. With specified exceptions, these agreements provide for indemnification for related expenses including, among other things, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by any of these individuals in any action or proceeding. We believe that these bylaw provisions and indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers. We also maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

 

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors and officers for breach of their fiduciary duty. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and our stockholders. Further, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent that we pay the costs of settlement and damages.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Equiniti Trust Company. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 1110 Centre Point Curve Suite 101, Mendota Heights, MN 55120.

 

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