Document:

Exhibit 10.4

 

 

August 1, 2013

 

David B. Berger

7723 Prospect Place
 La Jolla, CA 92037

 

Dear David:

 

This letter (the “Agreement”) sets forth the terms of your continuing part-time employment with Senomyx, Inc. (the “Company”) effective as of August 2, 2013.

 

1.             Terms of Service.  Effective August 2, 2013 you hereby resign from the positions of Senior Vice President and General Counsel. As of that date your continuing service will be on a part-time basis whereby you will devote up to ten (10) hours of service to the Company per month (as requested by the Company) and you also are expected to continue to serve as Corporate Secretary of the Company until a successor is appointed. Also, in your continuing role as the Company’s Corporate Secretary, we anticipate that you will attend regularly scheduled meetings of the Company’s Board of Directors and its Committees. You will use reasonable efforts to attend such meetings in person. In your part-time role, you will continue to report to me in my capacity as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. You acknowledge your continuing obligations under your Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement during the period of your ongoing part-time employment with the Company.

 

2.             Accrued Salary.  On or prior to August 2, 2013, the Company will pay to you all accrued and unpaid salary and unused paid time off earned through that date, less applicable deductions and withholdings.

 

3.             Continuous Service.  You agree to serve as a part-time employee to the Company under the terms specified below.

 

(a)           Service Period.  Your service shall commence on August 2, 2013 and will continue until terminated as provided in Paragraph 3(f) below (the “Service Period”).  The parties hereto presently contemplate that the Service Period shall not extend beyond April 15, 2014.

 

(b)           Additional Terms.  The parties acknowledge that you will perform the services contemplated above at the location of your choice, but with advance notice you may also be available to attend meetings at Company’s principal place of business or at other places upon mutual agreement of between you and an authorized representative of the Company. You

 

 

also agree to perform a reasonable amount of informal consultation with the Company over the telephone or otherwise.  The Company acknowledges that during the Service Period you may be a full-time employee of Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. and if so that you will be subject to their respective policies, as they may be revised from time to time, including, among others, policies concerning part-time service, consulting, conflicts of interest, and intellectual property.  The Company agrees that your employment with Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. does not violate any of the Company’s policies or agreements that are applicable to you.

 

(c)           Compensation; Expenses.  As compensation for performing the services as contemplated during the Service Period you will be paid a bi-weekly amount of $1,153.85, less applicable deductions and withholdings, payable in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll policies and procedures. The Company will also reimburse you for business expenses reasonably incurred on behalf of the Company during the Service Period pursuant to its established expense reimbursement policy. You and the Company may mutually agree to modify the compensation arrangement for services at any time.

 

(d)           Treatment of Outstanding Stock Options. Your issued and outstanding stock options under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2004 Equity Incentive Plan will continue to vest in accordance with their terms during the Service Period. Provided that you do not voluntarily terminate your part-time service to the Company as contemplated by this letter prior to December 31, 2013, then the exercise period for any vested and unexercised stock options shall be deemed extended until the later of (i) December 31, 2014, or (ii) nine (9) months following your termination of continuous service to the Company.

 

(e)           No Solicitation.  During the Service Period, you will not personally or through others recruit, solicit or induce any employee of the Company to terminate his or her employment with the Company; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply with respect to any employee of the Company who responds independently to a general advertisement or job posting not specifically directed to employees of the Company.

 

(f)            At-Will Employment; Termination of Service Period.  Your employment will be “at-will,” which means it may be terminated at any time by you or the Company with or without cause or advance notice. Any such termination shall be in writing. In fact, every aspect of your employment relationship with the Company is on an at-will basis.  As part of your at-will employment, the Company expressly reserves its inherent authority to manage and control its business enterprise and to exercise its sole discretion to determine all issues pertaining to your employment.  No one other than the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or his designee has the authority to alter this Agreement, to enter into a different agreement for your employment for a specified period, or to make any agreement contrary to this Agreement.  Furthermore, any agreement that alters the at-will nature of employment must be in writing and must be signed by both the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or his designee and you. Termination or expiration of your Service Period shall not affect: (i) the Company’s obligation to pay for services previously performed by you or expenses reasonably incurred by you for which you are entitled to reimbursement; (ii) the Company’s obligations and your associated rights as contemplated by Sections 2, 3 and 4 of this letter; or (iii) your continuing obligations to the Company under your Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement.

 

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4.             2013 Incentive Cash Bonus.  In addition to the compensation set forth above, the parties acknowledge and agree that you will be eligible for a pro-rata portion (7/12ths) of your cash incentive bonus under the Company’s 2013 Executive Bonus Plan (the “2013 Bonus Plan”), based on your target bonus of 40% of your base salary (as in effect during your full-time employment through August 2, 2013), regardless of your employment status as of the date of the determination of the bonus payout or the bonus payment date. The determination of the actual bonus, if any, remains subject to the final determination by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) of the Company’s corporate goal achievement as well as the Committee’s discretionary authority under the 2013 Bonus Plan; but in any event will be determined for you using the same methodology applied to all of the Company’s officers (other than the target bonus amount). We anticipate that this will occur during the first quarter of 2014 and your pro-rata bonus will be paid to you at the same time as bonuses, if any, are paid to the Company’s other officers.

 

5.             Other Compensation Or Benefits.  As a part-time employee regularly scheduled to work less than 30 hours per week, you will not be eligible to participate in the Company’s medical or dental benefit plans, the paid time off program, or receive holiday pay.  Except as specifically provided in Section 4 above, you also will not be eligible for any cash bonus as compensation for your service during the 2014 calendar year. You may continue to be eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) plan pursuant to plan eligibility. If you have any questions regarding benefits, please see the Company’s Human Resources Department. The Company may modify compensation and benefits from time to time as it deems necessary.

 

6.             Change of Control Benefits.  The parties mutually agree and acknowledge that your Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement dated as of December 31, 2008 is hereby amended by deleting Paragraphs 1(b) and 1(c) thereof. The deleted paragraphs shall have no further force or effect, and you shall have no rights to receive benefits under either of such paragraphs following August 2, 2013. The remaining provisions of your Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

7.             Return of Company Property. You agree that, within 30 days after the expiration or termination of your Service Period, you will return to the Company all Company documents and other Company property in your possession or control, including, but not limited to files, notes, memoranda, correspondence, agreements, notebooks, records, reports, tangible property and equipment; provided, however, that during the Service Period only, the Company will permit you to retain, receive, and/or use any documents, equipment and/or information reasonably necessary to perform the services contemplated hereunder.

 

8.             Miscellaneous.  This Agreement constitutes the complete, final and exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between you and the Company with regard to its subject matter.  This Agreement is entered into without reliance on any promise or representation, written or oral, other than those expressly contained herein, and it supersedes any other such promises, warranties or representations.  This Agreement may not be modified or amended except in a writing signed by both you and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or his designee.  This Agreement will bind the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of both you and the Company, and inure to the benefit of both you and the Company, their heirs,

 

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successors and assigns.  If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, this determination will not affect any other provision of this Agreement and the provision in question will be modified so as to be rendered enforceable.  This Agreement will be deemed to have been entered into and will be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California as applied to contracts made and to be performed entirely within California.  Any ambiguity in this Agreement shall not be construed against either party as the drafter.  Any waiver of a breach of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any successive breach.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and facsimile signatures will suffice as original signatures.

 

If this Agreement is acceptable to you, please sign below and return the original to me.

 

Sincerely,

 

SENOMYX, INC.

 

 

	
By:   
    	
/S/   KENT SNYDER
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:   
    	
Chief   Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
I HAVE READ, UNDERSTAND AND   AGREE FULLY TO THE FOREGOING AGREEMENT:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
/S/   DAVID B. BERGER
    	
 
    
	
DAVID B. BERGER
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
DATE: 
    	
AUGUST 1, 2013
    	
 
    
						

 

4Exhibit 10.1

 

CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of [·], 2013 (this “Agreement”), is entered into by and between Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation, as Rights Agent.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Parent, BRGO Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Sub”), and Trius Therapeutics, Inc. a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of July 30, 2013 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time pursuant to the terms thereof, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which Sub (a) has made a tender offer (the “Offer”) to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Company Common Stock”) and (b) following acceptance of the shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the Offer, will merge with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the Merger as a subsidiary of Parent;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, in each of the Offer and the Merger, Parent has agreed to provide to Company’s stockholders the right to receive contingent cash payments as hereinafter described; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to this Agreement, the maximum potential amount payable per CVR is $2.00.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the consummation of the transactions referred to above, Parent and Rights Agent agree, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders (as hereinafter defined), as follows:

 

1.                                      DEFINITIONS; CERTAIN RULES OF CONSTRUCTION

 

1.1.                            Definitions.  Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein will have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms will have the following meanings:

 

“Acting Holders” means, at the time of determination, Holders of at least thirty-five percent (35%) of the outstanding CVRs.

 

“Assignee” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.

 

“Bayer Territories” means the countries listed on Exhibit B to the Collaboration and License Agreement between the Company and Bayer Pharma AG, dated July 26, 2011, as amended, as of the date of the Merger Agreement.

 

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of Parent.

 

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“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of Parent to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Rights Agent.

 

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to remain closed.

 

“Compound” shall mean: (a) tedizolid, (b) the Company’s proprietary second-generation oxazolidinone, tedizolid phosphate; or (c) any other oxazolidinone derivative, the composition of matter, manufacture, use, importation, sale or offer for sale of which is within the scope of the patent(s) and/or patent application(s) listed in Part 3.8(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule to the Merger Agreement that relates to tedizolid or tedizolid phosphate.

 

“CVRs” means the rights of Holders to receive contingent cash payments pursuant to the Merger Agreement and this Agreement.

 

“CVR Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3(b).

 

“CVR Shortfall” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8.

 

“Diligent Efforts” means, with respect to the Product, efforts of a Person to carry out its obligations, and to cause its controlled Affiliates and Product licensees, if any, to carry out their respective obligations, using such efforts and employing such resources normally used by Persons in the pharmaceutical business similar in size and resources to Parent relating to seeking regulatory approval for a product candidate or commercialization of an approved product that is of similar market potential at a similar stage in its development or product life, taking into account issues of market exclusivity, product profile, including efficacy, safety, tolerability and convenience, the competitiveness of alternate products in the marketplace or under development, the availability of existing forms or dosages of the Product for other indications, the launch or sales of a generic or biosimilar product, the regulatory environment and the profitability of the Product (including pricing and reimbursement status) and other relevant considerations, including technical, commercial, legal, scientific and/or medical factors.

 

“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company or any successor thereto.

 

“Governmental Entity” means any foreign or domestic arbitrator, court, nation, government, any state or other political subdivision thereof and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial regulatory or administrative functions of, or pertaining to, government.

 

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a CVR is registered in the CVR Register at the applicable time.

 

“Independent Accountant” means an independent certified public accounting firm of nationally recognized standing designated either (i) jointly by the Acting Holders and Parent, or (ii) if such parties fail to make a designation, jointly by an independent public accounting firm selected by Parent and an independent public accounting firm selected by the Acting Holders.

 

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“Milestone Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4.

 

“Net Sales” means the gross amount invoiced by or on behalf of the relevant Selling Entity for the Product sold to third parties other than any other Selling Entity, less the Permitted Deductions, all as determined in accordance with the Selling Entity’s usual and customary accounting methods consistent with the treatment of other branded prescription products commercialized by the applicable Selling Entity, which shall be in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including the accounting methods for translating activity denominated in foreign currencies into United States dollar amounts.  In the case of any sale of the Product between or among the Company, its Affiliates, licensees and sublicensees, for resale, Net Sales will be calculated as above only on the value charged or invoiced on the first arm’s-length sale thereafter to a third party.  For the avoidance of doubt, in the case of any sale of the Product between or among the Company, its Affiliates, licensees and sublicensees where such Affiliate or licensee is an end-user of, and does not further sell, the Product, Net Sales will be calculated on the value charged or invoiced to such Affiliate, licensee or sublicensee. In the case of any sale for value other than exclusively for money (but excluding any patient assistance programs), Net Sales will be calculated on the market price of the Product in the jurisdiction of sale during the relevant period.

 

“Net Sales Statement” means a written statement of Parent, certified by the Chief Financial Officer of Parent, setting forth with reasonable detail (i) an itemized calculation of the gross amounts invoiced by the Selling Entities for the Product sold to third parties other than any other Selling Entity, (ii) an itemized calculation of the Permitted Deductions, and (iii) to the extent that sales for the Products is recorded in currencies other than United States dollars, the exchange rates used for conversion of such foreign currency into United States dollars.

 

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, any vice president, the controller, the treasurer or the secretary, in each case of Parent, in his or her capacity as such an officer, and delivered to the Rights Agent.

 

“Payment Amount” means $1.00 per CVR upon achievement of the Sales Milestone plus $0.10 per CVR for each $1 million by which Net Sales exceed $125 million during the Sales Milestone Period; provided that the aggregate Payment Amount will not exceed $2.00 per CVR.

 

“Permitted Deductions” means the following deductions to the extent actually deducted by a Selling Entity from the gross invoiced sales price of the Product, or otherwise directly paid or incurred by the Selling Entity with respect to the applicable sale of the Product:

 

(1)                                 trade and quantity discounts actually allowed;

 

(2)                                 amounts repaid or credited by reasons of defects, recalls, returns, rebates or allowances of goods or because of retroactive price reductions specifically identifiable to the Product;

 

(3)                                 chargebacks, rebates (or the equivalent thereof) and other amounts paid on sale of the Product, including such payments mandated by programs of Governmental Entities;

 

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(4)                                 rebates (or the equivalent thereof) and administrative fees paid to medical healthcare organizations, to group purchasing organizations or to trade customers in line with approved contract terms or other normal and customary understandings and arrangements;

 

(5)                                 tariffs, duties, excise, sales, value-added and other taxes (other than taxes based on net income) and charges of Governmental Entities;

 

(6)                                 deductions for uncollectible amounts on previously sold products (which adjustment shall be based on actual bad debts incurred and written off as uncollectible by the Selling Entity in a quarter, net of any recoveries of amounts previously written off as uncollectible from current or prior quarters);

 

(7)                                 discounts pursuant to indigent patient programs and patient discount programs and coupon discounts;

 

(8)                                 transportation, freight, postage, importation, shipping insurance and other handling expenses; and

 

(9)                                 required distribution commissions and fees (including fees related to services provided pursuant to distribution service agreements with wholesalers, fee-for-service wholesaler fees and inventory management fees) payable to any third party providing distribution services to the Selling Entities.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, if a single item falls into more than one of the categories set forth in clauses (1) through (9) above, such item may not be deducted more than once.

 

“Permitted Transfer” means: a transfer of CVRs (a) upon death of a Holder by will or intestacy; (b) pursuant to a court order; (c) by operation of law (including by consolidation or merger) or without consideration in connection with the dissolution, liquidation or termination of any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity; or (d) in the case of CVRs held in book-entry or other similar nominee form, from a nominee to a beneficial owner and, if applicable, through an intermediary, to the extent allowable by DTC.

 

“Product” means any pharmaceutical product that contains Compound and is intended for intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, oral or sublingual administration, including, in each case, all formulations and line extensions thereof.

 

“Review Request Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.4.

 

“Rights Agent” means the Rights Agent named in the first paragraph of this Agreement, until a successor Rights Agent will have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Agreement, and thereafter “Rights Agent” will mean such successor Rights Agent.

 

“Sales Milestone” means cumulative Net Sales of the Product worldwide, other than in the Bayer Territories, during the Sales Milestone Period exceeding $125 million.

 

“Sales Milestone Period” means the period from and including January 1, 2016 through and including December 31, 2016.

 

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“Selling Entity” means Parent, any Assignee, and each of their controlled Affiliates (including, from and after the Effective Time, the Company), licensees and sublicensees.

 

1.2.                            Rules of Construction.  Except as otherwise explicitly specified to the contrary, (a) references to a Section means a Section of this Agreement unless another agreement is specified, (b) the word “including” (in its various forms) means “including without limitation,” (c) references to a particular statute or regulation include all rules and regulations thereunder and any successor statute, rules or regulation, in each case as amended or otherwise modified from time to time, (d) words in the singular or plural form include the plural and singular form, respectively, (e) references to a particular Person include such Person’s successors and assigns to the extent not prohibited by this Agreement and (f) all references to dollars or “$” refer to United States dollars.

 

2.                                      CONTINGENT VALUE RIGHTS

 

2.1.                            CVRs.  The CVRs represent the rights of Holders to receive contingent cash payments pursuant to this Agreement.  The initial Holders will be determined pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement.

 

2.2.                            Nontransferable.  The CVRs may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, encumbered or in any other manner transferred or disposed of, in whole or in part, other than through a Permitted Transfer.

 

2.3.                            No Certificate; Registration; Registration of Transfer; Change of Address.

 

(a)                                 The CVRs will not be evidenced by a certificate or other instrument.

 

(b)                                 The Rights Agent will keep a register (the “CVR Register”) for the purpose of registering CVRs and transfers of CVRs as herein provided.  The CVR Register will initially show one position for Cede & Co representing all the shares of Company Common Stock held by DTC on behalf of the street holders of the shares of Company Common Stock tendered by such holders in the Offer or held by such holders as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.  The Rights Agent will have no responsibility whatsoever directly to the street name holders with respect to transfers of CVRs.  With respect to any payments to be made under Section 2.4 below, the Rights Agent will accomplish the payment to any former street name holders of shares of Company Common Stock by sending one lump payment to DTC.  The Rights Agent will have no responsibilities whatsoever with regard to the distribution of payments by DTC to such street name holders.

 

(c)                                  Subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in Section 2.2, every request made to transfer a CVR must be in writing and accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Rights Agent pursuant to its guidelines, duly executed by the Holder thereof, the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, the Holder’s personal representative or the Holder’s survivor, and setting forth in reasonable detail the circumstances relating to the transfer.  Upon receipt of such written notice, the Rights Agent will, subject to its reasonable determination that the transfer instrument is in

 

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proper form and the transfer otherwise complies with the other terms and conditions of this Agreement (including the provisions of Section 2.2), register the transfer of the CVRs in the CVR Register.  Parent and Rights Agent may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp or other tax or governmental charge that is imposed in connection with any such registration of transfer.  The Rights Agent shall have no duty or obligation to take any action under any section of this Agreement that requires the payment by a Holder of a CVR of applicable taxes or charges unless and until the Rights Agent is satisfied that all such taxes or charges have been paid.  All duly transferred CVRs registered in the CVR Register will be the valid obligations of Parent and will entitle the transferee to the same benefits and rights under this Agreement as those held immediately prior to the transfer by the transferor.  No transfer of a CVR will be valid until registered in the CVR Register.

 

(d)                                 A Holder may make a written request to the Rights Agent to change such Holder’s address of record in the CVR Register.  The written request must be duly executed by the Holder.  Upon receipt of such written notice, the Rights Agent will, subject to its reasonable determination that the transfer instrument is in proper form, promptly record the change of address in the CVR Register.

 

2.4.                            Payment Procedures.

 

(a)                                 On or before February 15, 2017, Parent will deliver to the Rights Agent (i) a notice (the “Milestone Notice”) indicating whether the Sales Milestone was achieved and (ii) the Net Sales Statement for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 along with any letter of instruction required by the Rights Agent.  In addition, in the event that Parent does not timely file, in accordance with applicable SEC rules and regulations, with the SEC a quarterly report on Form 10-Q with respect to any of the first, second or third fiscal quarters of 2016, Parent will deliver to the Rights Agent on or before the 45th day following the completion of any such fiscal quarter of 2016 a Net Sales Statement with respect to all then completed fiscal quarters during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016.

 

(b)                                 The Rights Agent will promptly, and in any event within ten Business Days of receipt of a Milestone Notice and/or Net Sales Statement as well as any letter of instruction required by the Rights Agent, send each Holder at its registered address a copy of such Milestone Notice and/or Net Sales Statement.  If a Payment Amount is payable to the Holders, then at the time the Rights Agent sends a copy of the Milestone Notice to the Holders, the Rights Agent will also pay the Payment Amount to each of the Holders (the amount to which each Holder is entitled to receive will be the Payment Amount multiplied by the number of CVRs held by such Holder as reflected on the CVR Register) by check mailed to the address of each Holder as reflected in the CVR Register as of the close of business on the date of the Milestone Notice.

 

(c)                                  Parent shall be entitled to deduct or withhold, or cause the Rights Agent to deduct or withhold, from any Payment Amount otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as may be required to be deducted or withheld therefrom under the Code, the Treasury Regulations thereunder, or any other applicable Tax Law, as may be

 

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determined by Parent or the Rights Agent.  Prior to making any such Tax withholdings or causing any such Tax withholdings to be made with respect to any Holder, Parent shall instruct the Rights Agent to solicit IRS Form W-9s from Holders eligible for Tax withholding within a reasonable amount of time in order to provide the opportunity for the Holder to provide any necessary Tax forms (including an IRS Form W-9 or an applicable IRS Form W-8) in order to avoid or reduce such withholding amounts. To the extent such amounts are so deducted or withheld, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes under this Agreement as having been paid to the person to whom such amounts would otherwise have been paid, and prior to the 15th day of February in the year following any payment of such taxes by Parent or the Rights Agent, Parent shall deliver (or shall cause the Rights Agent to deliver) to the person to whom such amounts would otherwise have been paid the original Form 1099 or other reasonably acceptable evidence of such withholding.

 

(d)                                 Any portion of any Payment Amount that remains undistributed to the Holders six (6) months after the date of the Milestone Notice will be delivered by the Rights Agent to Parent, upon demand, and any Holder will thereafter look only to Parent for payment of such Payment Amount, without interest, but such Holder will have no greater rights against Parent than those accorded to general unsecured creditors of Parent under applicable law.

 

(e)                                  Neither Parent nor the Rights Agent will be liable to any person in respect of any Payment Amount delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.  If, despite Parent’s and/or the Rights Agent’s commercially reasonable efforts to deliver a Payment Amount to the applicable Holder, such Payment Amount has not been paid immediately prior to the date on which such Payment Amount would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any Governmental Entity, any such Payment Amount will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, become the property of Parent, free and clear of all claims or interest of any person previously entitled thereto.  In addition to and not in limitation of any other indemnity obligation herein, Parent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Rights Agent with respect to any liability, penalty, cost or expense Rights Agent may incur or be subject to in connection with transferring such property to Parent.

 

2.5.                            No Voting, Dividends or Interest; No Equity or Ownership Interest in Parent.

 

(a)                                 The CVRs will not have any voting or dividend rights, and interest will not accrue on any amounts payable on the CVRs to any Holder.

 

(b)                                 The CVRs will not represent any equity or ownership interest in Parent or in any constituent company to the Merger.

 

3.                                      THE RIGHTS AGENT

 

3.1.                            Certain Duties and Responsibilities.  The Rights Agent will not have any liability for any actions taken or not taken in connection with this Agreement, except to the extent of its willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence.

 

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3.2.                            Certain Rights of Rights Agent.  The Rights Agent undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no implied covenants or obligations will be read into this Agreement against the Rights Agent.  In addition:

 

(a)                                 the Rights Agent may rely and will be protected and held harmless by Parent in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

 

(b)                                 whenever the Rights Agent will deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Rights Agent may rely upon an Officer’s Certificate, which certificate shall be full authorization and protection to the Rights Agent, and the Rights Agent shall, in the absence of bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct on its part, incur no liability and be held harmless by Parent for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate;

 

(c)                                  the Rights Agent may engage and consult with counsel of its selection and the written advice of such counsel or any opinion of counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection and shall be held harmless by Parent in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

 

(d)                                 the permissive rights of the Rights Agent to do things enumerated in this Agreement will not be construed as a duty;

 

(e)                                  the Rights Agent will not be required to give any note or surety in respect of the execution of such powers or otherwise in respect of the premises;

 

(f)                                   the Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of, and shall be held harmless by Parent with respect to any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Parent only;

 

(g)                                  the Rights Agent will have no liability and shall be held harmless by Parent in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution and delivery hereof by the Rights Agent and the enforceability of this Agreement against the Rights Agent assuming the due execution and delivery hereof by Parent); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Parent of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement;

 

(h)                                 Parent agrees to indemnify Rights Agent for, and hold Rights Agent harmless against, any loss, liability, claim, demands, suits or expense arising out of or in connection with Rights Agent’s duties under this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending Rights Agent against any claims, charges, demands, suits or loss, unless such loss has been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be a result of Rights Agent’s gross negligence, bad faith or willful or intentional misconduct;

 

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(i)                                     Rights Agent shall not be liable for consequential damages under any provision of this Agreement or for any consequential damages arising out of any act or failure to act hereunder in the absence of bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct on its part;

 

(j)                                    Parent agrees (i) to pay the fees and expenses of the Rights Agent in connection with this Agreement as agreed upon in writing by the Rights Agent and Parent on or prior to the date hereof, and (ii) to reimburse the Rights Agent for all taxes and governmental charges, reasonable expenses and other charges of any kind and nature incurred by the Rights Agent in the execution of this Agreement (other than taxes imposed on or measured by the Rights Agent’s net income and franchise or similar taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes)).  The Rights Agent will also be entitled to reimbursement from Parent for all reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket expenses paid or incurred by it in connection with the administration by the Rights Agent of its duties hereunder; and

 

(k)                                 No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of its rights if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

3.3.                            Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

 

(a)                                 The Rights Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to Parent specifying a date when such resignation will take effect, which notice will be sent at least 60 days prior to the date so specified but in no event will such resignation become effective until a successor Rights Agent has been appointed.  Parent has the right to remove Rights Agent at any time by a Board Resolution specifying a date when such removal will take effect but no such removal will become effective until a successor Rights Agent has been appointed.  Notice of such removal will be given by Parent to Rights Agent, which notice will be sent at least 60 days prior to the date so specified.

 

(b)                                 If the Rights Agent provides notice of its intent to resign, is removed or becomes incapable of acting, Parent, by a Board Resolution, will as soon as is reasonably possible appoint a qualified successor Rights Agent who, unless otherwise consented to in writing by the Holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding CVRs, shall be a stock transfer agent of national reputation or the corporate trust department of a commercial bank.  The successor Rights Agent so appointed will, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with Section 3.4, become the successor Rights Agent.

 

(c)                                  Parent will give notice of each resignation and each removal of a Rights Agent and each appointment of a successor Rights Agent by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail to the Holders as their names and addresses appear in the CVR Register.  Each notice will include the name and address of the successor Rights Agent.  If Parent fails to send such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by a successor Rights Agent, the successor Rights Agent will cause the notice to be mailed at the expense of Parent.

 

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3.4.                            Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.  Every successor Rights Agent appointed hereunder will execute, acknowledge and deliver to Parent and to the retiring Rights Agent an instrument accepting such appointment and a counterpart of this Agreement, and thereupon such successor Rights Agent, without any further act, deed or conveyance, will become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Rights Agent.  On request of Parent or the successor Rights Agent, the retiring Rights Agent will execute and deliver an instrument transferring to the successor Rights Agent all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Rights Agent.

 

4.                                      COVENANTS

 

4.1.                            List of Holders.  Parent will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Rights Agent in such form as Parent receives from the Company’s transfer agent (or other agent performing similar services for the Company), the names and addresses of the Holders within ten Business Days of the Effective Time.

 

4.2.                            Payment of Payment Amount.  If the Sales Milestone has been achieved in accordance with this Agreement, Parent will, promptly following the delivery of the Milestone Notice, deposit with the Rights Agent, for payment to the Holders in accordance with Section 2.4, the aggregate amount necessary to pay the Payment Amount to all Holders.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Payment Amount shall only be paid, if at all, one time under this Agreement.

 

4.3.                            Books and Records.  Parent shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, keep true, complete and accurate records in sufficient detail to enable the Holders and their consultants or professional advisors to determine the amounts payable hereunder.

 

4.4.                            Audits.

 

(a)                                 Upon the written request of the Acting Holders provided to Parent within 120 days of the date on which the Holders are delivered the final Net Sales Statement pursuant to Section 2.4(b) of this Agreement (the “Review Request Period”), Parent shall permit, and shall cause its controlled Affiliates to permit, the Independent Accountant to have access during normal business hours to such of the records of the Company or other applicable Selling Entity as may be reasonably necessary to verify the accuracy of the Net Sales Statement and the figures underlying the calculations set forth therein, including, without limitation, all written materials related to any sale transaction reasonably requested by such Independent Accountant.  The Independent Accountant shall be charged to come to a final determination with respect to those specific items in the Net Sales Statement that the parties disagree on and submit to it for resolution.  All other items in the Net Sales Statement that the parties do not submit, prior to the end of the Review Request Period, to the Independent Accountant for resolution shall be deemed to be agreed by the parties and the Independent Accountant shall not be charged with calculating or validating those agreed upon items.  If issues are submitted to the Independent Accountant for resolution, Parent shall, and shall cause to its controlled Affiliates to, furnish to the Independent Accountant such access, work papers and other documents and information related to those disputed issues as the Independent Accountant may request and as are available to Parent.  The Independent Accountant

 

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shall disclose to Parent and the Acting Holders any matters directly related to their findings to the extent necessary to verify the accuracy or completeness of the Net Sales Statements.  The fees charged by such accounting firm shall be paid by Parent.

 

(b)                                 If the Independent Accountant concludes that a Payment Amount that was properly due was not paid to the Holders, Parent shall pay to the Rights Agent (for further distribution to the Holders) or to each Holder the applicable Payment Amount, plus interest on such Payment Amount at the “prime rate” as published in the Wall Street Journal or similar reputable data source from time to time calculated from when the Payment Amount should have been paid (if Parent had given notice of achievement of the Sales Milestone following its actual achievement, as determined by the Independent Accountant, at the time required pursuant to the terms of this Agreement), as applicable, to the date of actual payment (such amount including interest being the “CVR Shortfall”).  The CVR Shortfall shall be paid within ten (10) days of the date the Independent Accountant delivers to Parent and the Acting Holders the Independent Accountant’s written report.  The decision of the Independent Accountant shall be final, conclusive and binding on Parent and the Holders, shall be non-appealable and shall not be subject to further review.

 

(c)                                  If, upon the expiration of the Review Request Period, the Acting Holders have not requested a review of the Net Sales Statement in accordance with this Section 4.8, the calculations set forth in the Net Sales Statement shall be binding and conclusive upon the Holders.

 

(d)                                 Each person seeking to receive information from Parent in connection with a review pursuant to this Section 4.8 shall enter into, and shall cause its accounting firm to enter into, a reasonable and mutually satisfactory confidentiality agreement with Parent or any controlled Affiliate obligating such party to retain all such information disclosed to such party in confidence pursuant to such confidentiality agreement.

 

(e)                                  Parent shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates not to, enter into any license or distribution agreement with any third party (other than Parent or its Affiliates) with respect to a Product unless such agreement contains provisions that would allow any Independent Accountant appointed pursuant to this Section 4.4 such access to the records of the other party to such license or distribution agreement as may be reasonably necessary to perform its duties pursuant to this Section 4.4; provided that Parent and its Affiliates shall not be required to amend any of its existing licenses.  The parties hereto agree that, if Parent or its Affiliates have exercised audit rights under any license or distribution agreement prior to the Acting Holders’ request for an audit under this Section 4.4 and under such license or distribution agreement Parent and its Affiliates cannot request another audit, the results of Parent’s prior audit of such licensee or distributor shall be used for purposes of the audit requested by the Acting Holders under this Section 4.4 and that Parent shall not have any further obligation to provide access to an Independent Accountant with respect to such licensee until such time as Parent may again exercise its rights of audit under the license agreement with such licensee.

 

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4.5.                            Milestones.  Parent shall, and shall cause its controlled Affiliates to, use Diligent Efforts to achieve the Sales Milestone.

 

5.                                      AMENDMENTS

 

5.1.                            Amendments without Consent of Holders.

 

(a)                                 Without the consent of any Holders or the Rights Agent, Parent, when authorized by a Board Resolution, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more amendments hereto, to evidence the succession of another Person to Parent and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of Parent herein as provided in Section 6.3.

 

(b)                                 Without the consent of any Holders, Parent, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Rights Agent, in the Rights Agent’s sole and absolute discretion, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more amendments hereto, for any of the following purposes:

 

(i)                                     to evidence the succession of another Person as a successor Rights Agent and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants and obligations of the Rights Agent herein;

 

(ii)                                  to add to the covenants of Parent such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as Parent and the Rights Agent will consider to be for the protection of the Holders; provided that, in each case, such provisions do not adversely affect the interests of the Holders;

 

(iii)                               to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement; provided that, in each case, such provisions do not adversely affect the interests of the Holders;

 

(iv)                              as may be necessary or appropriate to ensure that the CVRs are not subject to registration under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act;

 

(v)                                 to reduce the number of CVRs, in the event any Holder agrees to renounce such Holder’s rights under this Agreement in accordance with Section 6.4; or

 

(vi)                              any other amendments hereto for the purpose of adding, eliminating or changing any provisions of this Agreement, unless such addition, elimination or change is adverse to the interests of the Holders.

 

(c)                                  Promptly after the execution by Parent and the Rights Agent of any amendment pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.1, Parent will mail (or cause the Rights Agent to mail) a notice thereof by first class mail to the Holders at their addresses as they appear on the CVR Register, setting forth such amendment.

 

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5.2.                            Amendments with Consent of Holders.

 

(a)                                 Subject to Section 5.1 (which amendments pursuant to Section 5.1 may be made without the consent of the Holders), with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority of the outstanding CVRs, whether evidenced in writing or taken at a meeting of the Holders, Parent, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Rights Agent may enter into one or more amendments hereto for the purpose of adding, eliminating or changing any provisions of this Agreement, even if such addition, elimination or change is materially adverse to the interest of the Holders; provided, however, that no such amendment shall, without the consent of the Holders of sixty six (66%) percent of the outstanding CVRs:

 

(i)                                     modify in a manner adverse to the Holders (A) any provision contained herein with respect to the termination of this Agreement or the CVRs, (B) the time for, and amount of, any payment to be made to the Holders pursuant to this Agreement, or (C) the definition of the Sales Milestone,

 

(ii)                                  reduce the number of CVRs, or

 

(iii)                               modify any provisions of this Section 5.2, except to increase the percentage of Holders from whom consent is required or to provide that certain provisions of this Agreement cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding CVR affected thereby.

 

(b)                                 Promptly after the execution by Parent and the Rights Agent of any amendment pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.2, Parent will mail (or cause the Rights Agent to mail) a notice thereof by first class mail to the Holders at their addresses as they appear on the CVR Register, setting forth such amendment.

 

5.3.                            Execution of Amendments.  In executing any amendment permitted by this Section 5, the Rights Agent will be entitled to receive, and will be fully protected in relying upon, an opinion of counsel selected by Parent stating that the execution of such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Agreement.  The Rights Agent may, but is not obligated to, enter into any such amendment that affects the Rights Agent’s own rights, privileges, covenants or duties under this Agreement or otherwise.

 

5.4.                            Effect of Amendments.  Upon the execution of any amendment under this Section 5, this Agreement will be modified in accordance therewith, such amendment will form a part of this Agreement for all purposes and every Holder will be bound thereby.

 

6.                                      OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

 

6.1.                            Notices to Rights Agent and Parent.  Any notice or other communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered in person, by overnight courier, by facsimile transmission (with receipt confirmed by telephone or by automatic transmission report) or by electronic mail, or two (2) business days after being sent by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), as follows:

 

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If to the Rights Agent, to it at:

 

Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc.

1717 Arch St

Suite 1300

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

Attn: Corporate Actions Manager

 

With a copy to:

 

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.
 2 Journal Square Plaza

Jersey City, New Jersey 07306
 Attention:  General Counsel

 

If to Parent, to it at:

 

Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

65 Hayden Avenue

Lexington, MA 02421

Attention:  Thomas DesRosier, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer,
 General Counsel and Secretary

Telephone: 781-860-8660

 

with a copy to:

 

Ropes & Gray LLP

Prudential Tower

800 Boylston Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02199

Telephone:                                   617-951-7000

Facsimile:                                         617-951-7050

Email:                                                            christopher.comeau@ropesgray.com

paul.kinsella@ropesgray.com

Attention:                                         Christopher Comeau

Paul Kinsella

 

The Rights Agent or Parent may specify a different address or facsimile number by giving notice in accordance with this Section 6.1.

 

6.2.                            Notice to Holders.  Where this Agreement provides for notice to Holders, such notice will be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at the Holder’s address as it appears in the CVR Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, if any, prescribed for the giving of such notice.  In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail,

 

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neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder will affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders.

 

6.3.                            Parent Successors and Assigns.  Parent may assign, in its sole discretion and without the consent of any other party, any or all of its rights, interests and obligations hereunder to one or more direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Parent or to any purchaser or licensee of substantial rights to the Product (each, an “Assignee”) provided that the Assignee agrees to assume and be bound by all of the terms of this Agreement.  Any such Assignee may thereafter assign, in its sole discretion and without the consent of any other party, any or all of its rights, interests and obligations hereunder to one or more additional Assignees who agree to assume and be bound by all of the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that in connection with any assignment to an Assignee, Parent and Sub (or the other assignor) shall agree to remain liable for the performance by each Assignee(and such other assignor, if applicable) of all obligations of Parent and Sub hereunder, with such Assignee substituted for Parent and Sub under this Agreement.  This Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Parent’s successors and each Assignee, and this Agreement shall not restrict Parent’s, any Assignee’s or any of their respective successor’s ability to merge or consolidate.  Each of Parent’s successors and assigns shall expressly assume by an instrument supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Rights Agent, the due and punctual payment of the CVRs and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and obligations of this Agreement to be performed or observed by Parent.

 

6.4.                            Benefits of Agreement.  Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, will give to any Person (other than the Rights Agent, Parent, Parent’s successors and assignees, and the Holders) any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement or under any covenant or provision herein contained, all such covenants and provisions being for the sole benefit of the, Rights Agent, Parent, Parent’s successors and assignees, and the Holders.  The rights of Holders are limited to those expressly provided in this Agreement and the Merger Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Holder may agree to renounce, in whole or in part, such Holder’s rights under this Agreement by written notice to the Rights Agent and Parent, which notice, if given, shall be irrevocable.

 

6.5.                            Governing Law.  This Agreement, the CVRs and all actions arising under or in connection therewith shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of law thereof.

 

6.6.                            Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.  Any provision of this Agreement held invalid or unenforceable only in part or degree shall remain in full force and effect to the extent not held invalid or unenforceable.  The parties further agree to replace such invalid or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of such invalid or unenforceable provision.

 

6.7.                            Counterparts and Signature.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts (including by facsimile or by an electronic scan delivered by electronic mail), each 

 

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of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to the other party, it being understood that the parties need not sign the same counterpart.

 

6.8.                            Termination.  This Agreement will be terminated and of no force or effect, the parties hereto will have no liability hereunder (other than with respect to monies due and owing by Parent to Rights Agent), and no payments will be required to be made, upon the earlier to occur of (a) the mailing by the Rights Agent to the address of each Holder as reflected in the CVR Register the full amount of all potential Payment Amounts required to be paid under the terms of this Agreement and (b) in the event the Milestone Notice indicates that the Net Sales Milestone has not been achieved, the expiration of the Review Request Period, unless there has been a request for an audit pursuant to Section 4.4 prior to the end of the Review Request Period, in which case until such audit has been completed and any CVR Shortfall determined to be payable as a result of such audit, if applicable, has been paid.  In no event will any Payment Amount become payable on account of sales of the Product consummated prior to January 1, 2016 or after December 31, 2016.

 

6.9.                            Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the Merger Agreement (including the schedules, annexes and exhibits thereto and the documents and instruments referred to therein) contain the entire understanding of the parties hereto and thereto with reference to the transactions and matters contemplated hereby and thereby and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, among the parties with respect hereto and thereto.  If and to the extent that any provision of this Agreement is inconsistent or conflicts with the Merger Agreement, this Agreement will govern and be controlling.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

	
 
    	
CUBIST   PHARMCEUTICALS, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    

 

 

	
 
    	
BROADRIDGE   CORPORATE ISSUER SOLUTIONS, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
Title:

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