Document:

mtcr-ex44_396.htm

 

Exhibit 4.4

 

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation states that our authorized capital stock consists of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. 

Common Stock

Voting

Our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors, and does not have cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election.

Dividends

Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then-outstanding preferred stock, the 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.

Liquidation

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, holders of our 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, subject to the satisfaction of any liquidation preference granted to the holders of any outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Rights and Preferences

Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, conversion or subscription rights, and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. The rights, preferences and privileges of the 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.

Fully Paid and Nonassessable

All of our outstanding shares of common stock are, and the shares of common stock to be issued in this offering will be, fully paid and nonassessable.

Convertible Preferred Stock

Under the amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by the stockholders, to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of convertible preferred stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the rights, preferences and privileges of the shares of each wholly unissued series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereon and to increase or decrease the number of shares of any such series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding.

Our board of directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of the common stock. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could, among other things, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in our control that may otherwise benefit holders of our common stock and may adversely affect the market price of the common stock and the voting and other rights of the holders of common stock.

 

 

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Our Amended and Restated Bylaws and Delaware Law

Delaware Anti-Takeover Law

We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Section 203 generally prohibits a public Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

	
 
	
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prior to such time the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

	
 
	
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upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (1) by persons who are directors and also officers and (2) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

	
 
	
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at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 203 defines a business combination to include:

	
 
	
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any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

	
 
	
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any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition involving the interested stockholder of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation;

	
 
	
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subject to exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

	
 
	
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subject to exceptions, any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; and

	
 
	
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the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by the entity or person.

A Delaware corporation may “opt out” of these provisions with an express provision in its original certificate of incorporation or an express provision in its amended and restated certificate of incorporation or amended and restated bylaws resulting from a stockholders’ amendment approved by at least a majority of the outstanding voting shares. We have not opted out of these provisions. As a result, mergers or other takeover or change in control attempts of us may be discouraged or prevented.

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws

Provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may delay or discourage transactions involving an actual or potential change in our control or change in our management, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares or transactions that our stockholders might otherwise deem to be in their best interests. Therefore, these provisions could adversely affect the price of our common stock. Among other things, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws:

 

 

	
 
	
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permit our board of directors to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, with any rights, preferences and privileges as they may designate (including the right to approve an acquisition or other change in our control);

	
 
	
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provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors;

	
 
	
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provide that the board of directors or any individual director may only be removed with cause and the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of our then outstanding common stock;

	
 
	
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provide that all vacancies, including newly created directorships, may, except as otherwise required by law, be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum;

	
 
	
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divide our board of directors into three classes;

	
 
	
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require that any action to be taken by our stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and not be taken by written consent;

	
 
	
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provide that stockholders seeking to present proposals before a meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at a meeting of stockholders must provide notice in writing in a timely manner and also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice;

	
 
	
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do not provide for cumulative voting rights (therefore allowing the holders of a majority of the shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors to elect all of the directors standing for election, if they should so choose);

	
 
	
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provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by the chairman of the board, our Chief Executive Officer or by the board of directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors; and

	
 
	
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provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks subject matter jurisdiction, any state court located within the State of Delaware or, if and only if all such state courts lack subject matter jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) and any appellate course therefrom will be the sole and exclusive forum for the following claims or causes of action under the Delaware statutory or common law: (i) any derivative claim or cause of action brought on our behalf; (ii) any claim or cause of action for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our current or former directors, officers or other employees to us or our stockholders; (iii) any claim or cause of action against us or any of our current or former directors, officers or other employees, arising out of or pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws (as each may be amended from time to time); (iv) any claim or cause of action seeking to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws (as each may be amended from time to time, including any right, obligation or remedy thereunder); (v) any claim or cause of action as to which the Delaware General Corporation Law confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; and (vi) any claim or cause of action against us or any of our directors, officers or other employees governed by the internal-affairs doctrine, in all cases to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to the court’s having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants; provided, that, this Delaware forum provision set forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will not apply to claims or causes of action brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

Further, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States will be the exclusive forum for resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act.

The amendment of any of these provisions, with the exception of the ability of our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock and designate any rights, preferences and privileges thereto, would require approval by the holders of at least 66 2/3% of our then-outstanding common stock.mtcr-ex1012_264.htm

 

Exhibit 10.12

 

July 27, 2020

 

Catherine Lee

VIA email 

 

Cathy,

 

I am delighted to make you an offer of employment for the position of Senior Vice President & General Counsel, at Metacrine Inc. (the Company), reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. Your employment is effective as of August 21, 2020, your start date. The terms of the offer are as follows:

 

Duties and Extent of Service

 

As full-time SVP & General Counsel for the Company, you will have responsibility for performing those duties as are customary for, and are consistent with, such position, as well as those duties as may be assigned to you from time to time. If you join the Company, you agree to abide by the rules, regulations, instructions, personnel practices and policies of the Company and any changes therein which may be adopted from time to time by the Company.  Except for limited consulting services provided by you to Omniome, Inc. during the six months following your start date and at times mutually-agreed between you and the Company, and for vacations and absences due to temporary illness, you will be expected to devote all of your business time and effort to the business and affairs of the Company.

 

Base Salary

 

The Company will pay you a base salary of $307,000 per year, paid semi­ monthly, less payroll deductions, required taxes, withholdings and payable in accordance with the Company's standard payroll practices.

 

Benefits

 

As a Company employee, your eligibility to participate in the Company employee benefit plans and fringe benefits will depend on whether you meet the eligibility terms of the applicable plans. You will be eligible to receive up to 25% of your annual salary in the form of a discretionary performance bonus each year, in accordance with the terms of the Company's bonus plan, and any future amendments or changes to such plan, as approved by the Company's board of directors. In addition, you will be eligible to receive any severance benefits, set forth in a severance plan approved by the board of directors, if any, and in accordance with the terms of such approved plan.

 

Stock Options

 

In addition, if you decide to join the Company, it will be recommended to the Company's Board of Directors following your start date that the Company grant you an option to purchase 700,000 shares of the Company's common stock at a price per share 

Metacrine, Inc.

3985 Sorrento Valley Blvd, Suite C

San Diego, CA 92121

 

equal to the fair market value per share of the Common Stock on the date of grant, as determined by the Company's Board of Directors. 25% of the shares subject to the option shall vest 12 months after the date your vesting begins subject to your continuing employment with the Company, and no shares shall vest before such date. The remaining shares shall vest monthly over the next 36 months in equal monthly amounts subject to your continuing employment with the Company. This option grant will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's equity incentive plan and stock option agreement, including vesting requirements. No right to any stock is earned or accrued until such time that vesting occurs, nor does the grant confer any right to continue vesting or employment.

 

Nondisclosure and Developments

 

The Company has extended this offer to you based upon your general knowledge, background, experience and skills and abilities and not because of your knowledge of your current employer's or any previous employer's trade secrets or other confidential information. As a condition of employment at the Company, you will be required to sign the Company's standard At-Will Employment, Confidential Information, Invention Assignment and Arbitration Agreement in which you agree to, among other things, not disclose to the Company or use in your employment with the Company any confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets of any current or prior employer. In this regard, you should be extremely careful not to bring to the Company any documents or other materials in tangible form belonging to or acquired from any current or prior employer.

 

At-Will Employment

 

This Agreement is not a contract of employment for any specific or minimum term and that the employment the Company offers you is terminable at will. This means that our employment relationship is voluntary and based on mutual consent. You may resign your employment, and the Company likewise may terminate your employment, at any time, for any reason, with or without cause or notice. Any prior oral or written representations to the contrary are void, and any future representations to the contrary are also void and should not be relied upon unless they are contained in a formal written employment contract signed by an officer of the Company and expressly stating the company's intent to modify the at-will nature of your employment.

 

Governing Law

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal substantive laws of the State of California.

 

Background Checks; Eligibility to Work in the United States

 

            The Company reserves the right to conduct background investigations and/or reference checks on all of its potential employees. Your job offer, therefore, is contingent upon a clearance of such a background investigation and/or reference check, if any.

 

For purposes of federal immigration law, you will be required to provide to the Company documentary evidence of your identity and eligibility for employment in the United States. Such documentation must be provided to the Company within three (3) 

Metacrine Inc.

3985 Sorrento Valley Blvd, Suite C

San Diego, CA 92121

 

business days of your commencement date, or our employment relationship with you may be terminated.

 

Entire Agreement; Amendment

 

            This Agreement will constitute the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and you with respect to the specific matters contemplated and addressed hereby. No prior agreement between you and the Company, whether written or oral, shall be construed to change or affect the operation of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, and any provision of any such prior agreement which conflicts with or contradicts any provision of this Agreement is hereby revoked and superseded.

 

This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a written instrument executed both by you and the Company. If any portion of this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held invalid or unenforceable, or contrary to public policy or any law, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected by such invalidity or unenforceability, but shall remain in full force and effect as if the invalid or unenforceable term or portion thereof had not existed within this Agreement.

 

This Agreement will expire if not accepted by August 5, 2020.

 

We are excited to have you on the team!  

 

Sincerely,

 

	
/s/ Preston Klassen

	
Preston Klassen, M.D.

	
Chief Executive Officer

 

	
Accepted By:
	
/s/ Catherine Lee

	
Print Name 
	
Catherine Lee

	
Date
	
July 28, 2020

 

Metacrine Inc.

3985 Sorrento Valley Blvd, Suite C

San Diego, CA 92121

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