Document:

EX-4.3

  Exhibit 4.3 

  DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT’S SECURITIES 

  REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE 

  SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED 

  The following description of the capital stock and provisions of Verve Therapeutics, Inc’s. (the “Company,” “we,” “us” and/or “our”) restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws are summaries and are qualified by reference to our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, each of which is filed as an exhibit to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For additional information, please read our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law. 

  Our authorized capital stock consists of 200,000,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of our preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, all of which preferred stock is undesignated. Our common stock is registered under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

  Common stock 

  Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and do not have cumulative voting rights. Each election of directors by our stockholders will be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote on the election. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive proportionately any dividends as may be declared by our board of directors, subject to any preferential dividend rights of outstanding preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future. 

  In the event of our liquidation or dissolution, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive proportionately all assets available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of all debts and other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any of our outstanding preferred stock. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our 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 that we may designate and issue in the future.  

  Preferred stock 

  Under the terms of our restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors is authorized to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series without stockholder approval. Our board of directors has the discretion to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock. 

  The purpose of authorizing our board of directors to issue preferred stock and determine its rights and preferences is to eliminate delays associated with a stockholder vote on specific issuances. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions, future financings and other corporate purposes, could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or could discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, a majority of our outstanding voting stock. There are no shares of preferred stock outstanding, and we have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock. 

  Delaware anti-takeover law and certain charter and bylaw provisions 

  Delaware law 

  We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). Subject to certain exceptions, Section 203 prevents a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with any “interested stockholder” for three years following the date that the person became an interested 

  

  stockholder, unless either the interested stockholder attained such status with the approval of our board of directors, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and stockholders in a prescribed manner or the interested stockholder acquired at least 85% of our outstanding voting stock in the transaction in which it became an interested stockholder. A “business combination” includes, among other things, a merger or consolidation involving us and the “interested stockholder” and the sale of more than 10% of our assets. In general, an “interested stockholder” is any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person. 

  Staggered board; removal of directors 

  Our restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws divide our board of directors into three classes with staggered three-year terms. In addition, our restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws provide that directors may be removed only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of our shares of capital stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote. Under our restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, any vacancy on our board of directors, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of our board of directors, may be filled only by vote of a majority of our directors then in office. Furthermore, our restated certificate of incorporation provides that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by the resolution of our board of directors. The classification of our board of directors and the limitations on the ability of our stockholders to remove directors, change the authorized number of directors and fill vacancies could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, control of our company. 

  Stockholder action; special meeting of stockholders; advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and director nominations 

  Our restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders at an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders may only be taken if it is properly brought before such meeting and may not be taken by written action in lieu of a meeting. Our restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws also provide that, except as otherwise required by law, special meetings of the stockholders can only be called by our board of directors. In addition, our amended and restated bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders, including proposed nominations of candidates for election to our board of directors. Stockholders at an annual meeting may only consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of our board of directors, or by a stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has delivered timely written notice in proper form to our secretary of the stockholder’s intention to bring such business before the meeting. These provisions could have the effect of delaying until the next stockholder meeting stockholder actions that are favored by the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities. These provisions also could discourage a third party from making a tender offer for our common stock because even if the third party acquired a majority of our outstanding voting stock, it would be able to take action as a stockholder, such as electing new directors or approving a merger, only at a duly called stockholders meeting and not by written consent. 

  Super-majority voting 

  The DGCL provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, as the case may be, requires a greater percentage. Our amended and restated bylaws may be amended or repealed by a majority vote of our board of directors or the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the votes that all our stockholders would be entitled to cast in any annual election of directors. In addition, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the votes that all our stockholders would be entitled to cast in any election of directors is required to amend or repeal or to adopt any provisions inconsistent with any of the provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation described above. 

   

   

  

  Exclusive forum selection 

  Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the following types of proceedings: (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of our company, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers, employees or stockholders to our company or our stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or as to which the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (4) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of our restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws (in each case, as they may be amended from time to time) or governed by the internal affairs doctrine. These choice of forum provisions will not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act. Furthermore, Section 22 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all such Securities Act actions. Accordingly, both state and federal courts have jurisdiction to entertain such claims. To prevent having to litigate claims in multiple jurisdictions and the threat of inconsistent or contrary rulings by different courts, among other considerations, our restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any claims arising under the Securities Act. While the Delaware courts have determined that such choice of forum provisions are facially valid, a stockholder may nevertheless seek to bring a claim in a venue other than those designated in the exclusive forum provisions. In such instance, we would expect to vigorously assert the validity and enforceability of the exclusive forum provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation. This may require significant additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions and there can be no assurance that the provisions will be enforced by a court in those other jurisdictions.EX-10.4

   

  Exhibit 10.4

   

  Verve Therapeutics, Inc.
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

  Verve Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants the following stock option pursuant to its 2021 Stock Incentive Plan.  The terms and conditions attached hereto are also a part hereof.

  Notice of Grant

  		
	Name of optionee (the “Participant”):
	 

	Grant Date:
	 

	Incentive Stock Option or Nonstatutory Stock Option:
	 

	Number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock subject to this option (“Shares”):
	 

	Option exercise price per Share:1
	 

	Number, if any, of Shares that vest immediately on the grant date:
	 

	Shares that are subject to vesting schedule:
	 

	Vesting Start Date:
	 

	Final Exercise Date: 2
	 

  Vesting Schedule:

  		
	Vesting Date:
	Number of Options that Vest:

	 
	 

	 
	 

	All vesting is dependent on the Participant remaining an Eligible Participant, as provided herein.

   

   

  1 This must be at least 100% of the Grant Date Fair Market Value (as defined in the Plan) of the Common Stock on the date of grant of the option. For the option to qualify as an incentive stock option (an “ISO”) under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, this must be 110% in the case of a Participant that owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or its parent or subsidiary (a “10% Shareholder”)).

  2 The Final Exercise Date must be no more than 10 years from the date of grant for the option.  For the option to qualify as an ISO, the Final Exercise Date must be no more than 5 years in the case of a 10% Shareholder. The correct approach to calculate the final exercise date is to use the day immediately prior to the date ten years out from the date of the stock option award grant (5 years in the case of a 10% Shareholder).  

    

  

   

  This option satisfies in full all commitments that the Company has to the Participant with respect to the issuance of stock, stock options or other equity securities.

  			
	 
 
	 
	Verve Therapeutics, Inc.

	Signature of Participant
	 
	 

	 
	By:
	 

	Street Address
	 
	Name of Officer
Title:

	City/State/Zip Code
	 
	 

   

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  Verve Therapeutics, Inc.

  Stock Option Agreement

  Incorporated Terms and Conditions

  1.Grant of Option.

  This agreement evidences the grant by the Company, on the grant date (the “Grant Date”) set forth in the Notice of Grant that forms part of this agreement (the “Notice of Grant”), to the Participant of an option to purchase, in whole or in part, on the terms provided herein and in the Company’s 2021 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), the number of Shares set forth in the Notice of Grant of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”), at the exercise price per Share set forth in the Notice of Grant.  Unless earlier terminated, this option shall expire at 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Final Exercise Date set forth in the Notice of Grant (the “Final Exercise Date”).

  The option evidenced by this agreement is intended to be an incentive stock option as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Code”) to the maximum extent permitted by law, solely to the extent designated as an incentive stock option in the Notice of Grant.  Except as otherwise indicated by the context, the term “Participant”, as used in this option, shall be deemed to include any person who acquires the right to exercise this option validly under its terms.

  2.Vesting Schedule.

  This option will become exercisable (“vest”) in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Notice of Grant[, provided, however, that upon the Participant’s death while the Participant is providing services to the Company as an employee or member of the Company’s board of directors, this option will vest and become immediately exercisable]3.

  The right of exercise shall be cumulative so that to the extent the option is not exercised in any period to the maximum extent permissible it shall continue to be exercisable, in whole or in part, with respect to all Shares for which it is vested until the earlier of the Final Exercise Date or the termination of this option under Section 3 hereof or the Plan.

  3.Exercise of Option.

  (a)Form of Exercise.  Each election to exercise this option shall be in writing, in the form of the Stock Option Exercise Notice attached as Annex A, signed by the Participant, and received by the Company at its principal office, accompanied by this agreement, or in such other form (which may be electronic) as is approved by the Company, together with payment in full in the manner provided in the Plan.  The Participant may purchase less than the number of shares covered hereby, provided that no partial exercise of this option may be for any fractional share.

   

  3 Include for employees/board members only. 

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  (b)Continuous Relationship with the Company Required.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3, this option may not be exercised unless the Participant, at the time he or she exercises this option, is, and has been at all times since the Grant Date, an employee, director or officer of, or consultant or advisor to, the Company or any other entity the employees, officers, directors, consultants, or advisors of which are eligible to receive option grants under the Plan (an “Eligible Participant”).

  (c)Termination of Relationship with the Company.  If the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Participant for any reason, then, except as provided in paragraphs (d) and (e) below, the right to exercise this option shall terminate three months after such cessation (but in no event after the Final Exercise Date), provided that this option shall be exercisable only to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise this option on the date of such cessation.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant, prior to the Final Exercise Date, violates the restrictive covenants (including, without limitation, the non-competition, non-solicitation, or confidentiality provisions) of any employment contract, any non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality or assignment agreement to which the Participant is a party, or any other agreement between the Participant and the Company, the right to exercise this option shall terminate immediately upon such violation.

  (d)Exercise Period Upon Death or Disability.  If the Participant dies or becomes disabled (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) prior to the Final Exercise Date while he or she is an Eligible Participant and the Company has not terminated such relationship for “cause” as specified in paragraph (e) below, this option shall be exercisable, within the period of one year following the date of death or disability of the Participant, by the Participant (or in the case of death by an authorized transferee), provided that this option shall be exercisable only to the extent that this option was exercisable by the Participant on the date of his or her death or disability, and further provided that this option shall not be exercisable after the Final Exercise Date.

  (e)Termination for Cause.  If, prior to the Final Exercise Date, the Participant’s employment or other service is terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined in below), the right to exercise this option shall terminate immediately upon the effective date of such termination of service.  If, prior to the Final Exercise Date, the Participant is given notice by the Company of the termination of his or her employment or other service by the Company for Cause, and the effective date of such termination is subsequent to the date of delivery of such notice, the right to exercise this option shall be suspended from the time of the delivery of such notice until the earlier of (i) such time as it is determined or otherwise agreed that the Participant’s service shall not be terminated for Cause as provided in such notice or (ii) the effective date of such termination of service (in which case the right to exercise this option shall, pursuant to the preceding sentence, terminate upon the effective date of such termination of employment).  If the Participant is subject to an individual employment, consulting or other service agreement with the Company or eligible to participate in a Company severance plan or arrangement, in any case which agreement, plan or arrangement contains a definition of “cause” for termination of service, “Cause” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in such agreement, plan or arrangement.  Otherwise, “Cause” shall mean willful misconduct by the Participant or willful failure by the Participant to perform his or her responsibilities to the Company (including, without limitation, breach by the Participant of any provision of any employment, consulting, advisory, nondisclosure, non-competition or other similar agreement 

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  between the Participant and the Company), as determined by the Company, which determination shall be conclusive.  The Participant’s employment or other service shall be considered to have been terminated for Cause if the Company determines, within 30 days after the Participant’s resignation, that termination for Cause was warranted.

  4.Tax Matters.

  (a)Withholding.  No Shares will be issued pursuant to the exercise of this option unless and until the Participant pays to the Company, or makes provision satisfactory to the Company for payment of, any federal, state or local withholding taxes required by law to be withheld in respect of this option.

  (b)Disqualifying Disposition.  If this option is an incentive stock option and the Participant disposes of Shares acquired upon exercise of this option within two years from the Grant Date or one year after such Shares were acquired pursuant to exercise of this option, the Participant shall notify the Company in writing of such disposition.

  5.Transfer Restrictions; Clawback.

  (a)This option may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, encumbered or otherwise disposed of by the Participant, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the lifetime of the Participant, this option shall be exercisable only by the Participant.

  (b)In accepting this option, the Participant agrees to be bound by any clawback policy that the Company has in place or may adopt in the future.

   

  6.Provisions of the Plan.

  This option is subject to the provisions of the Plan (including the provisions relating to amendments to the Plan), a copy of which is furnished to the Participant with this option.

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  ANNEX A

  Verve Therapeutics, Inc.

  Stock Option Exercise Notice

  Verve Therapeutics, Inc.

  500 Technology Square, Suite 901

  Cambridge, MA 02139

   

  Dear Sir or Madam:

  I,                             (the “Participant”), hereby irrevocably exercise the right to purchase              shares of the Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Shares”), of Verve Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) at $                    per share pursuant to the Company’s 2021 Stock Incentive Plan and a stock option agreement with the Company dated                   (the “Option Agreement”).  Enclosed herewith is a payment of $            , the aggregate purchase price for the Shares.  The certificate for the Shares should be registered in my name as it appears below or, if so indicated below, jointly in my name and the name of the person designated below, with right of survivorship.

   

  		
	Dated:
	  

	  
	  

	  

	Signature

	Print Name:

	  

	Address:

	  

	  

   

  Name and address of persons in whose name the Shares are to be jointly registered (if applicable):

  	
	 

   

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