AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO FORM S-1
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 30, 2013

Registration No. 333-188838

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 4

TO

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

EVOKE PHARMA, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   2834   20-8447886

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

12555 High Bluff Drive, Suite 385

San Diego, CA 92130

(760) 487-1255

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

David A. Gonyer, R.Ph.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

12555 High Bluff Drive, Suite 385

San Diego, CA 92130

(760) 487-1255

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Scott N. Wolfe, Esq.

Cheston J. Larson, Esq.

Matthew T. Bush, Esq.

Latham & Watkins LLP

12636 High Bluff Drive, Suite 400

San Diego, CA 92130

(858) 523-5400

 

Matthew J. D’Onofrio

Executive Vice President, Chief

Business Officer

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

12555 High Bluff Drive, Suite 385

San Diego, CA 92130

(760) 487-1255

 

Jeffrey J. Fessler, Esq

Marcelle Balcombe, Esq.

Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP

61 Broadway, 32nd Floor

New York, New York 10006

(212) 930-9700

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement is declared effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box.  ¨

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   x  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities To Be Registered

 

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate
Offering Price(1)

  Amount of
Registration  Fee(2)

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share(3)

  $33,810,000   $4,611.69

Representative’s Warrant to Purchase Common Stock(4)

  —     —  

Common Stock Underlying Representative’s Warrant(3)(5)

 

1,176,000

 

160.41

Total

  $34,986,000   $4,772.10(6)

 

 

(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Includes the offering price of shares that the underwriters have the option to purchase to cover over-allotments, if any.
(2) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) based on an estimate of the proposed maximum aggregate offering price.
(3) Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the shares of common stock registered hereby also include an indeterminate number of additional shares of common stock as may from time to time become issuable by reason of stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or other similar transactions.
(4) No registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act.
(5) Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act. The warrants are exercisable at a per share exercise price equal to 175% of the public offering price. As estimated solely for the purpose of recalculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act, the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of the representative’s warrant is $1,176,000 (which is equal to 4% of $29,400,000).
(6) $4,382.54 was previously paid.

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities or the solicitation of an offer to buy these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted.

 

 

 

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION

 

 

DATED AUGUST 30, 2013

 

2,100,000 Shares

Common Stock

 

LOGO

 

 

This is a firm commitment initial public offering of our common stock. No public market currently exists for our common stock. We are offering all of the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus. We expect the public offering price to be between $12.00 and $14.00 per share.

We have applied to list our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “EVOK.”

We effected a 1-for-5 reverse stock split of our common stock on August 30, 2013. We are an emerging growth company as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, and, as such, we have elected to take advantage of certain reduced public company reporting requirements for this prospectus and future filings

Before investing in our common stock, you should carefully read the discussion of “Risk Factors” beginning on page 9.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

       Per Share      

    Total    

 

Public offering price

   $        $                    

Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)

   $        $                    

Proceeds to us, before expenses

   $                       $                    

 

(1) The underwriters will receive compensation in addition to the underwriting discount. See “Underwriting” beginning on page 113.

We have granted a 30-day option to the representative of the underwriters to purchase up to 315,000 additional shares of common stock solely to cover over-allotments, if any.

The underwriters are offering the common stock as set forth under “Underwriting.” Delivery of the shares will be made on or about                     , 2013.

Sole Book-Running Manager

Aegis Capital Corp

Co-Managers

 

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.    Feltl and Company


Table of Contents

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

Prospectus Summary

     2   

Risk Factors

     9   

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     33   

Use of Proceeds

     34   

Dividend Policy

     35   

Capitalization

     36   

Dilution

     38   

Selected Financial Data

     40   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     42   

Business

     51   

Management

     71   

Executive and Director Compensation

     78   

Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions

     96   

Principal Stockholders

     99   

Description of Capital Stock

     101   

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

     106   

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders of Common Stock

     109   

Underwriting

     113   

Legal Matters

     121   

Experts

     121   

Where You Can Find More Information

     121   

Index to Financial Statements

     F-1   

 

 

Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from that contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. When you make a decision about whether to invest in our common stock, you should not rely upon any information other than the information in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be delivered or made available to you. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor the sale of our common stock means that the information contained in this prospectus or any free writing prospectus is correct after the date of this prospectus or such free writing prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the shares of common stock in any circumstances under which the offer or solicitation is unlawful.

 

 

Unless otherwise indicated, information contained in this prospectus concerning our industry and the markets in which we operate, including our general expectations and market position, market opportunity and market share, is based on information from our own management estimates and research, as well as from industry and general publications and research, surveys and studies conducted by third parties. Management estimates are derived from publicly available information, our knowledge of our industry and assumptions based on such information and knowledge, which we believe to be reasonable. Our management estimates have not been verified by any independent source, and we have not independently verified any third-party information. In addition, assumptions and estimates of our and our industry’s future performance are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in “Risk Factors.” These and other factors could cause our future performance to differ materially from our assumptions and estimates. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

 

We use our registered trademark, EVOKE PHARMA, in this prospectus. This prospectus also includes trademarks, tradenames and service marks that are the property of other organizations. Solely for convenience, trademarks and tradenames referred to in this prospectus appear without the® and ™ symbols, but those references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or that the applicable owner will not assert its rights, to these trademarks and tradenames.


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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in our common stock. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, especially the section in this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 9 and our financial statements and the related notes thereto appearing at the end of this prospectus, before making an investment decision. As used in this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “our company” and “Evoke” refer to Evoke Pharma, Inc.

Overview

We are a specialty pharmaceutical company focused primarily on the development of drugs to treat gastrointestinal, or GI, disorders and diseases. We are developing EVK-001, a metoclopramide nasal spray for the relief of symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis in women with diabetes mellitus. Diabetic gastroparesis is a GI disorder afflicting millions of sufferers worldwide, in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents resulting in serious digestive system symptoms. Metoclopramide is the only product currently approved in the United States to treat gastroparesis, and is currently available only in oral and intravenous forms. EVK-001 is a novel formulation of this drug, designed to provide systemic delivery of metoclopramide through intranasal administration.

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a condition of delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Gastroparesis results in food remaining in the stomach for a longer time than normal, yielding a variety of symptoms. Gastroparesis is a common problem in individuals with diabetes, but also is observed in patients with prior gastric surgery, a preceding infectious illness, pseudo-obstruction, collagen vascular disorders and anorexia nervosa. According to the American Motility Society Task Force on Gastroparesis, the prevalence of gastroparesis is estimated to be up to 4% of the United States population. Symptoms of gastroparesis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, early satiety, lack of appetite, and weight loss. The disorder can lead to considerable pain and discomfort, poor nutrition, impaired glycemic control and diminished quality of life. According to a 2008 study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, it is estimated that hospitalization costs associated with gastroparesis exceed $3.5 billion annually.

EVK-001: Metoclopramide Nasal Spray

We believe intranasal administration has the potential to offer our target gastroparesis patients a preferred treatment option because, unlike oral metoclopramide, EVK-001 is designed to effectively bypass the digestive system and allow for more predictable drug administration of our proprietary nasal spray formulation across the thin mucosa in the nasal cavity. Intranasal drug delivery effectively bypasses the gut, unlike oral formulations which might be delayed in absorption due to gastroparesis itself. For patients suffering from nausea and vomiting, EVK-001 is designed to allow for rapid and predictable drug administration.

We have evaluated EVK-001 in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group, dose-ranging Phase 2b clinical trial in 287 patients with diabetic gastroparesis where EVK-001 was observed to be effective in improving the most prevalent and clinically relevant symptoms associated with gastroparesis in women while exhibiting a favorable safety profile.

We plan to initiate a Phase 3 trial of EVK-001 in female patients with symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis in the first half of 2014. We anticipate receiving topline data from this trial in early 2015. We will need to successfully complete this trial, as well as a thorough QT study, which is an

 

 

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evaluation of cardiac safety, before we are able to submit a new drug application, or NDA, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, for EVK-001. Approval of an NDA is required in order for us to commercially market EVK-001 in the United States. In addition, based on our discussions with the FDA, and to assess safety of EVK-001 in men, we plan to conduct a similar companion study for safety and efficacy in diabetic men with gastroparesis. We anticipate this trial will be conducted concurrently with the Phase 3 trial in women. The completion of the male companion trial is not required for submission of the NDA for EVK-001; however, we expect to include safety data from this trial in our NDA submission for EVK-001.

At this time, due to the risks inherent in the drug development process, we are unable to estimate with any certainty the costs we will incur in the continued development of EVK-001 for potential commercialization. However, we currently estimate the costs to complete our Phase 3 clinical trial in women, our companion clinical trial in men and a thorough QT study of EVK-001 will be approximately $15.0 million.

Our Strategy

Our objective is to develop and bring to market products to treat acute and chronic GI motility disorders that are not satisfactorily treated with current therapies and that represent significant market opportunities. Our business strategy is to:

 

   

continue development and pursue regulatory approval for EVK-001;

 

   

seek partnerships to accelerate and maximize the potential for EVK-001;

 

   

explore building in-house capabilities to potentially commercialize EVK-001 in the United States;

 

   

explore regulatory approval of EVK-001 outside the United States; and

 

   

evaluate the development and/or commercialization of other therapies for GI motility disorders.

Risks Related to Our Business

Our ability to implement our business strategy is subject to numerous risks, as more fully described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” immediately following this prospectus summary. These risks include, among others:

 

   

Our business is entirely dependent on the success of a single product candidate, EVK-001, which has not yet entered a Phase 3 clinical trial; and we cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain regulatory approval for, or successfully commercialize, EVK-001.

 

   

The results observed in female patients with symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis in our Phase 2b clinical trial of EVK-001 may not be predictive of the safety and efficacy results in our planned Phase 3 clinical trial.

 

   

We believe, based on our current operating plan, that the net proceeds from this offering and our existing cash and cash equivalents, together with interest thereon, will only be sufficient to fund our operations for approximately 18 months after the date of this prospectus.

 

   

We will require substantial additional funding, including to complete our planned Phase 3 clinical trial of EVK-001 as well as finance additional development requirements, and may be unable to raise capital when needed, which would force us to suspend our planned Phase 3 clinical trial and otherwise delay, reduce or eliminate our development program for EVK-001.

 

   

We have no approved products and no product revenue to date, and we may never become profitable. Our recurring losses from operations have raised substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

 

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We face significant competition from other pharmaceutical companies, and we anticipate that EVK-001, if approved, would compete directly with metoclopramide, erythromycin and domperidone. Each of these products is available under various trade names sold by several major pharmaceutical companies, including generic manufacturers.

 

   

It is difficult and costly to protect our intellectual property rights, and we cannot ensure the protection of these rights; any impairment of our intellectual property rights would materially affect our business.

 

   

We currently have only two full-time employees, and therefore rely and will continue to rely on outsourcing arrangements for many of our activities, including clinical development and supply of EVK-001.

Corporate Information

Our principal executive offices are located at 12555 High Bluff Drive, Suite 385, San Diego, CA 92130, and our telephone number is (760) 487-1255. Our website address is www.evokepharma.com. The information contained in, or accessible through, our website does not constitute part of this prospectus.

Implications of being an Emerging Growth Company

As a company with less than $1.0 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or JOBS Act, enacted in April 2012. An “emerging growth company” may take advantage of reduced reporting requirements that are otherwise applicable to public companies. These provisions include, but are not limited to:

 

   

being permitted to present only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related Management’s Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this prospectus;

 

   

not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

 

   

reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports, proxy statements and registration statements; and

 

   

exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

We may take advantage of these provisions until the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of our common equity securities pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, which such fifth anniversary will occur in 2018. However, if certain events occur prior to the end of such five-year period, including if we become a “large accelerated filer,” our annual gross revenues exceed $1.0 billion or we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt in any three-year period, we will cease to be an emerging growth company prior to the end of such five-year period.

We have elected to take advantage of certain of the reduced disclosure obligations and may elect to take advantage of other reduced reporting requirements in future filings. As a result, the information that we provide to our stockholders may be different than you might receive from other public reporting companies in which you hold equity interests.

 

 

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The Offering

 

Common stock offered by us

2,100,000 shares

 

Common stock to be outstanding after this offering

5,781,752 shares

 

Over-allotment option

The underwriters have an option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to 315,000 additional shares of our common stock to cover over-allotments.

 

Use of proceeds

We intend to use the net proceeds of this offering for research and development activities for EVK-001, including our planned Phase 3 clinical trial of EVK-001, to make monthly principal and interest payments on our loan with Silicon Valley Bank, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” on page 34.

 

Risk factors

You should read the “Risk Factors” section starting on page 9 of this prospectus for a discussion of factors to consider carefully before deciding to invest in shares of our common stock.

 

Proposed NASDAQ Capital Market Symbol

EVOK

 

 

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 3,681,752 shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2013 and excludes:

 

   

123,250 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options outstanding as of June 30, 2013, at a weighted-average exercise price of $0.40 per share;

 

   

510,000 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan, which will become effective on the day prior to the public trading date of our common stock;

 

   

30,000 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which will become effective on the day prior to the public trading date of our common stock;

 

   

22,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding as of June 30, 2013, at a weighted-average exercise price of $7.50 per share; and

 

   

84,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of a warrant to be issued to the representative in connection with this offering, at an exercise price per share equal to 175% of the public offering price.

Unless otherwise indicated, this prospectus reflects and assumes the following:

 

   

the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the adoption of our amended and restated bylaws, which will occur immediately prior to the closing of this offering;

 

   

the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our Series A convertible preferred stock into 2,439,002 shares of our common stock immediately prior to the closing of the offering;

 

 

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the adjustment of outstanding warrants to purchase shares of our Series A convertible preferred stock into warrants to purchase 22,000 shares of common stock upon the closing of this offering;

 

   

a one-for-five reverse stock split of our common stock effected on August 30, 2013;

 

   

no exercise of the outstanding options or warrants described above; and

 

   

no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock to cover over-allotments, if any.

 

 

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Summary Financial Data

The following tables set forth a summary of our historical financial data as of, and for the period ended on, the dates indicated. We have derived the statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2012 from our audited financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the statements of operations data for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 and the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to June 30, 2013 and balance sheet data as of June 30, 2013 from our unaudited financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The unaudited financial statements have been prepared on a basis consistent with our audited financial statements included in this prospectus and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly state our financial position as of June 30, 2013 and results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013. You should read this data together with our financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and the sections in this prospectus entitled “Selected Financial Data” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Our historical results for any prior period are not necessarily indicative of our future results.

 

     Years Ended December 31,     Six Months Ended June 30,     Period From
January 29, 2007
(Inception) to
June 30,

2013
 
     2011     2012             2012                     2013            
                 (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Statement of Operations Data:

          

Operating expenses:

          

Research and development

   $ 1,844,044      $ 1,165,645      $ 510,295      $ 241,827      $ 16,233,356   

General and administrative

     570,524        836,781        352,465        293,627        3,598,160   

Purchase of in-process research and development

     —          —          —          —          650,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     2,414,568        2,002,426        862,760        535,454        20,481,516   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (2,414,568     (2,002,426     (862,760     (535,454     (20,481,516

Total other income (expense)

     13,324        (15,102     3,936        (198,409     (107,350
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss and comprehensive loss

   $ (2,401,244   $ (2,017,528   $ (858,824   $ (733,863   $ (20,588,866
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per common share, basic and diluted(1)

   $ (2.18   $ (1.79   $ (0.77   $ (0.65  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Weighted-average shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share(1)

     1,102,625        1,124,000        1,120,250        1,135,250     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Pro forma net loss per common share, basic and diluted (unaudited)(1)

     $ (0.57     $ (0.17  
    

 

 

     

 

 

   

Weighted-average shares used to compute pro forma net loss per common share, basic and diluted (unaudited)(1)

       3,563,002          3,574,252     
    

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

(1) See Note 2 to our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for an explanation of the method used to calculate the historical and pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted, and the number of shares used in the computation of the per share amounts.

 

 

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     As of June 30, 2013  
     Actual     Pro Forma(1)     Pro Forma  As
Adjusted(1)(2)
 

Balance Sheet Data:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,050,439      $ 1,050,439      $ 24,684,689   

Working capital (deficit)

     (663,462     (437,462     23,750,151   

Total assets

     1,793,052        1,793,052        24,684,689   

Current liabilities (including warrant liability)

     1,713,901        1,487,901        934,538   

Long-term debt, net of current portion

     2,240,950        2,240,950        2,240,950   

Convertible preferred stock

     18,225,166        —          —     

Deficit accumulated during the development stage

     (20,588,866     (20,588,866     (20,943,866

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     (20,386,965     (1,935,799     21,509,201   

 

(1) Gives effect to the automatic conversion of all of our outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock as of June 30, 2013 into an aggregate of 2,439,002 shares of common stock, and the adjustment of our outstanding warrants to purchase Series A convertible preferred stock into warrants to purchase 22,000 shares of our common stock immediately prior to the closing of this offering, and the resultant reclassification of our convertible preferred stock and convertible preferred stock warrant liability to additional paid-in capital, a component of stockholders’ deficit.
(2) Gives further effect to the issuance and sale of 2,100,000 shares of common stock in this offering at the assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and the payment of retention bonuses to our executive officers in an aggregate amount of $355,000 which will become payable upon the closing of this offering. Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share would increase (decrease) the pro forma as adjusted amount of each of cash and cash equivalents, working capital, total assets and total stockholders’ equity (deficit) by approximately $1.9 million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase (decrease) of 1.0 million shares in the number of shares offered by us at the assumed initial public offering price would increase (decrease) each of cash and cash equivalents, working capital, total assets and total stockholders’ equity (deficit) by approximately $12.0 million. The pro forma information discussed above is illustrative only and will be adjusted based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of our initial public offering determined at pricing.

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as the other information in this prospectus, including our financial statements and the related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition,” before deciding whether to invest in our common stock. The occurrence of any of the events or developments described below could harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. In such an event, the market price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business operations.

Risks Related to our Business, including the Development, Regulatory Approval and Potential Commercialization of our Product Candidate, EVK-001

Our business is entirely dependent on the success of a single product candidate, EVK-001, which has not yet entered a Phase 3 clinical trial. We cannot be certain that we will be able to obtain regulatory approval for, or successfully commercialize, EVK-001.

We have only one product candidate: EVK-001, a metoclopramide nasal spray to treat female patients with symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis. We are entirely dependent on successful continued development and regulatory approval of this product candidate for our future business success. We have invested, and will continue to invest, a significant portion of our time and financial resources in the development of EVK-001. We will need to raise sufficient funds for, and successfully enroll and complete, our planned Phase 3 clinical trial of EVK-001, which we intend to commence in the first half of 2014. The future regulatory and commercial success of this product candidate is subject to a number of risks, including the following:

 

   

we may not have sufficient financial and other resources to complete the Phase 3 clinical trial;

 

   

we may not be able to provide acceptable evidence of safety and efficacy for EVK-001;

 

   

the results of our planned clinical trials may not confirm the positive results of earlier clinical trials, particularly because we will utilize a modified patient report outcomes, or PRO, instrument for our planned Phase 3 clinical trial compared to our Phase 2b clinical trial;

 

   

variability in patients, adjustments to clinical trial procedures and inclusion of additional clinical trial sites;

 

   

the results of our clinical trial may not meet the level of statistical or clinical significance required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, for marketing approval;

 

   

we may be required to undertake additional clinical trials and other studies of EVK-001 before we can submit a new drug application, or NDA, to the FDA or receive approval of the NDA;

 

   

patients in our clinical trials may die or suffer other adverse effects for reasons that may or may not be related to EVK-001, such as dysgeusia, headache, diarrhea, nasal discomfort, tremor, myoclonus, somnolence, rhinorrhea, throat irritation, and fatigue;

 

   

if approved, EVK-001 will compete with well-established products already approved for marketing by the FDA, including oral and intravenous forms of metoclopramide, the same active ingredient in the nasal spray for EVK-001;

 

   

we may not be able to obtain, maintain and enforce our patents and other intellectual property rights; and

 

   

we may not be able to obtain and maintain commercial manufacturing arrangements with third-party manufacturers or establish commercial-scale manufacturing capabilities.

 

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Of the large number of drugs in development in this industry, only a small percentage result in the submission of an NDA to the FDA and even fewer are approved for commercialization. Furthermore, even if we do receive regulatory approval to market EVK-001, any such approval may be subject to limitations on the indicated uses for which we may market the product.

We will require substantial additional funding and may be unable to raise capital when needed, which would force us to suspend our Phase 3 clinical trial and otherwise delay, reduce or eliminate our development program for EVK-001.

Our operations have consumed substantial amounts of cash since inception. To date, our operations have been primarily financed through the proceeds from the sale of our common and preferred stock, and borrowings under our loan and financing agreements with Silicon Valley Bank and a prior lender. We believe, based on our current operating plan, that the net proceeds from this offering and our existing cash and cash equivalents, together with interest thereon, will be sufficient to fund our operations for approximately 18 months after the date of this prospectus, although there can be no assurance in that regard. Because we expect our planned Phase 3 clinical trial of EVK-001 to commence in the first half of 2014 with an approximately 12 month enrollment period, we will need to obtain additional funds to complete this trial as well as finance any additional development requirements requested by the FDA.

Our estimates of the amount of cash necessary to fund our activities may prove to be wrong, and we could spend our available financial resources much faster than we currently expect. Our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including, but not limited to:

 

   

the rate of progress and cost of our Phase 3 clinical trial and any other clinical requirements for EVK-001;

 

   

the timing of regulatory approval, if granted, of EVK-001 or any other product candidates;

 

   

the costs of filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing any patent claims and other intellectual property rights associated with EVK-001;

 

   

the costs and timing of completion of outsourced commercial manufacturing supply arrangements for EVK-001;

 

   

costs associated with any other product candidates that we may develop, in-license or acquire;

 

   

the effect of competing technological and market developments; and

 

   

the terms and timing of any collaborative, licensing, co-promotion or other arrangements that we may establish.

The results observed in female patients with symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis in our Phase 2b clinical trial of EVK-001 may not be predictive of the safety and efficacy results in our planned Phase 3 clinical trial.

A number of companies in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries have suffered significant setbacks in late-stage clinical trials even after achieving promising results in earlier-stage development. We currently plan to commence one Phase 3 clinical trial in female patients with symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis in the first half of 2014. Our Phase 2b clinical trial of EVK-001 for the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis showed statistically significant improvement in clinically meaningful endpoints in female patients. This was a pre-specified analyses of the primary efficacy endpoint performed on a gender subgroup of the intent to treat, or ITT population. Due to a large placebo response in male patients, EVK-001 did not achieve the primary endpoint in the ITT population for all subjects in this Phase 2b clinical trial.

This risk may be particularly significant for us because the primary endpoint in our planned Phase 3 clinical trial is not identical to the primary endpoint used in our Phase 2b trial. In our Phase 2b clinical trial, the primary

 

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endpoint was the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index Daily Diary, or GCSI-DD, a PRO instrument. The GCSI-DD is a composite of clinically relevant diabetic gastroparesis symptoms which patients rate according to severity. Based on our discussions with the FDA, the primary endpoint for our Phase 3 trial will be the Gastroparesis Symptom Assessment, or GSA, which is a PRO instrument derived from the GCSI-DD. We have analyzed our Phase 2b data utilizing the GSA’s methodology. Although we observed statistically significant and nearly identical statistical improvement in the GSA compared to the GCSI-DD in females in our Phase 2b trial, we cannot assure you that our Phase 3 trials will achieve positive results.

A number of factors could contribute to a lack of favorable safety and efficacy results in our planned Phase 3 trial. For example:

 

   

a multicenter trial could result in increased variability due to varying site characteristics, such as local standards of care;

 

   

a multicenter trial could result in increased variability due to varying patient characteristics including demographic factors, health status, underlying reason for disease state and concomitant medications; and

 

   

diagnosis of diabetic gastroparesis by physicians, including use of gastric emptying tests, could select for a patient population that differs from those patients included within previous clinical trials.

If we are not able to obtain regulatory approval for EVK-001, we will not be able to commercialize this product candidate and our ability to generate revenue will be limited.

We have not submitted an NDA or received regulatory approval to market any product candidates in any jurisdiction. We are not permitted to market EVK-001 in the United States until we receive approval of an NDA for the product candidate in a particular indication from the FDA. To date, we have completed one Phase 2 clinical trial for EVK-001 in diabetic subjects with gastroparesis and acquired the results from a separate Phase 2 clinical trial in diabetic patients with gastroparesis. In the Phase 2 clinical trial that we performed ourselves, which concluded in 2011, EVK-001 failed to meet the primary endpoint for the trial. Although an overall improvement in symptoms was observed in EVK-001-treated patients with diabetic gastroparesis compared to placebo in this second Phase 2 clinical trial, the difference was not statistically significant due to a high placebo response among male subjects. The earlier Phase 2 clinical trial performed by Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc., or Questcor, was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel design study. This head-to-head study compared the efficacy and safety of two doses of metoclopramide nasal spray, 10 mg and 20 mg, with the FDA-approved 10 mg metoclopramide tablet. Although data from the earlier Phase 2 clinical trial will be referenced in the EVK-001 NDA, the open-label study design limits the importance of the efficacy results in the NDA.

We currently plan to commence one Phase 3 clinical trial in female patients with symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis in the first half of 2014. There is no guarantee that this Phase 3 clinical trial or any other future trials will be successful or that regulators will agree with our assessment of the clinical trials for EVK-001 conducted to date. In addition, we have only limited experience in filing the applications necessary to gain regulatory approvals and expect to rely on consultants and third party contract research organizations to assist us in this process. The FDA and other regulators have substantial discretion in the approval process and may refuse to accept any application or may decide that our data is insufficient for approval and require additional clinical trials, or preclinical or other studies.

Varying interpretation of the data obtained from preclinical and clinical testing could delay, limit or prevent regulatory approval of a product candidate. Furthermore, we have acquired our rights to EVK-001 from Questcor who acquired its rights from a predecessor. Thus, much of the preclinical and a portion of the clinical data relating to EVK-001 that we would expect to submit in an NDA for EVK-001 was obtained from studies conducted before we owned the rights to the product candidate and, accordingly, was prepared and managed by others. These predecessors may not have applied the same resources and given the same attention to this development program as we would have if we had been in control from inception.

 

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EVK-001 and the activities associated with its development and potential commercialization, including its testing, manufacture, safety, efficacy, recordkeeping, labeling, storage, approval, advertising, promotion, sale and distribution, are subject to comprehensive regulation by the FDA and other regulatory agencies in the United States and by comparable authorities in other countries. Failure to obtain regulatory marketing approval for EVK-001 will prevent us from commercializing the product candidate, and our ability to generate revenue will be materially impaired.

The FDA may impose requirements on our clinical trials that are difficult to comply with, which could harm our business.

The requirements that the FDA may impose on clinical trials for EVK-001 are uncertain. We currently plan to conduct one Phase 3 trial in adult female subjects with diabetic gastroparesis, which we believe will be sufficient for NDA submission. We plan to initiate the four-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy, safety and population pharmacokinetics of EVK-001 in adult female subjects with diabetic gastroparesis in the first half of 2014. Although we believe successful results from this single Phase 3 clinical trial will be sufficient to allow us to submit an NDA for EVK-001, it is possible the FDA will require additional clinical testing before submission or approval of the NDA. In addition, based on discussions with the FDA, we also plan to conduct a similar study for safety and efficacy in adult male subjects with diabetic gastroparesis. If we are unable to comply with the FDA’s requirements, we will not be able to obtain approval for EVK-001 and our business will suffer.

Any termination or suspension of, or delays in the commencement or completion of, our planned Phase 3 clinical trial could result in increased costs to us, delay or limit our ability to generate revenue and adversely affect our commercial prospects.

Delays in the commencement or completion of our planned Phase 3 clinical trial for EVK-001 could significantly affect our product development costs. We do not know whether our planned trial will begin on time or be completed on schedule, if at all. The commencement and completion of clinical trials can be delayed for a number of reasons, including delays related to:

 

   

the FDA failing to grant permission to proceed and placing the clinical trial on hold;

 

   

subjects failing to enroll or remain in our trial at the rate we expect;

 

   

subjects choosing an alternative treatment for the indication for which we are developing EVK-001, or participating in competing clinical trials;

 

   

subjects experiencing severe or unexpected drug-related adverse effects;

 

   

a facility manufacturing EVK-001 or any of its components being ordered by the FDA or other government or regulatory authorities to temporarily or permanently shut down due to violations of current Good Manufacturing Practices, or cGMP, or other applicable requirements, or infections or cross-contaminations of product candidate in the manufacturing process;

 

   

any changes to our manufacturing process that may be necessary or desired;

 

   

third-party clinical investigators losing their license or permits necessary to perform our clinical trials, not performing our clinical trials on our anticipated schedule or consistent with the clinical trial protocol, Good Clinical Practice and regulatory requirements, or other third parties not performing data collection and analysis in a timely or accurate manner;

 

   

inspections of clinical trial sites by the FDA or the finding of regulatory violations by the FDA or an institutional review board, or IRB, that require us to undertake corrective action, result in suspension or termination of one or more sites or the imposition of a clinical hold on the entire trial, or that prohibit us from using some or all of the data in support of our marketing applications;

 

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third-party contractors becoming debarred or suspended or otherwise penalized by the FDA or other government or regulatory authorities for violations of regulatory requirements, in which case we may need to find a substitute contractor, and we may not be able to use some or any of the data produced by such contractors in support of our marketing applications; or

 

   

one or more IRBs refusing to approve, suspending or terminating the trial at an investigational site, precluding enrollment of additional subjects, or withdrawing its approval of the trial.

Product development costs will increase if we have delays in testing or approval of EVK-001 or if we need to perform more or larger clinical trials than planned. Additionally, changes in regulatory requirements and policies may occur and we may need to amend clinical trial protocols to reflect these changes. Amendments may require us to resubmit our clinical trial protocols to IRBs for reexamination, which may impact the costs, timing or successful completion of a clinical trial. If we experience delays in completion of or if we, the FDA or other regulatory authorities, the IRB, or other reviewing entities, or any of our clinical trial sites suspend or terminate any of our clinical trials, the commercial prospects for our product candidate may be harmed and our ability to generate product revenues will be delayed. In addition, many of the factors that cause, or lead to, termination or suspension of, or a delay in the commencement or completion of, clinical trials may also ultimately lead to the denial of regulatory approval of a product candidate. Also if one or more clinical trials are delayed, our competitors may be able to bring products to market before we do, and the commercial viability of EVK-001 could be significantly reduced.

Final marketing approval for EVK-001 by the FDA or other regulatory authorities for commercial use may be delayed, limited, or denied, any of which would adversely affect our ability to generate operating revenues.

After the completion of our Phase 3 clinical trial and, assuming the results of the trial are successful, the submission of an NDA, we cannot predict whether or when we will obtain regulatory approval to commercialize EVK-001 and we cannot, therefore, predict the timing of any future revenue. Because EVK-001 is our only product candidate this risk is particularly significant for us. We cannot commercialize EVK-001 until the appropriate regulatory authorities have reviewed and approved the applications for this product candidate. We cannot assure you that the regulatory agencies will complete their review processes in a timely manner or that we will obtain regulatory approval for EVK-001. In addition, we may experience delays or rejections based upon additional government regulation from future legislation or administrative action or changes in FDA policy during the period of product development, clinical trials and FDA regulatory review. For example, the FDA reviewed metoclopramide spontaneous safety reports and, in 2009, required a boxed warning be added to the metoclopramide product label concerning the chance of tardive dyskinesia, or TD, for patients taking these products. Recently, the European Medicines Agency’s Committee on Medicinal Products for Human Use, or CHMP, has reviewed and has proposed labeling changes for marketed metoclopramide products in the European Union based on age, dosing guidelines or indications. Based on their assessment of the limited efficacy and safety data currently available to the CHMP, the CHMP recommended to the European Medicines Agency that indications with limited or inconclusive efficacy data, including GERD, dyspepsia and gastroparesis, be removed from the approved product label in the European Union. There can be no assurance as to whether the FDA will re-review approved metoclopramide product labels as a result of any such regulatory actions in the European Union or otherwise. If marketing approval for EVK-001 is delayed, limited or denied, our ability to market the product candidate, and our ability to generate product sales, would be adversely affected.

Even if we obtain marketing approval for EVK-001, it could be subject to restrictions or withdrawal from the market and we may be subject to penalties if we fail to comply with regulatory requirements or if we experience unanticipated problems with our product candidate, when and if EVK-001 is approved.

Even if U.S. regulatory approval is obtained, the FDA may still impose significant restrictions on EVK-001’s indicated uses or marketing or impose ongoing requirements for potentially costly and time consuming post-approval studies, post-market surveillance or clinical trials. EVK-001 will also be subject to ongoing FDA requirements governing the labeling, packaging, storage, distribution, safety surveillance, advertising, promotion, recordkeeping and reporting of safety and other post-market information. In addition,

 

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manufacturers of drug products and their facilities are subject to continual review and periodic inspections by the FDA and other regulatory authorities for compliance with cGMP requirements relating to quality control, quality assurance and corresponding maintenance of records and documents. If we or a regulatory agency discovers previously unknown problems with a product, such as adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or problems with the facility where the product is manufactured, a regulatory agency may impose restrictions on that product, the manufacturing facility or us, including requesting recall or withdrawal of the product from the market or suspension of manufacturing.

If we or the manufacturing facilities for EVK-001 fail to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, a regulatory agency may:

 

   

issue warning letters or untitled letters;

 

   

seek an injunction or impose civil or criminal penalties or monetary fines;

 

   

suspend or withdraw regulatory approval;

 

   

suspend any ongoing clinical trials;

 

   

refuse to approve pending applications or supplements or applications filed by us;

 

   

suspend or impose restrictions on operations, including costly new manufacturing requirements; or

 

   

seize or detain products, refuse to permit the import or export of product, or request us to initiate a product recall.

The occurrence of any event or penalty described above may inhibit our ability to commercialize our products and generate revenue.

The FDA has the authority to require a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy plan as part of an NDA or after approval, which may impose further requirements or restrictions on the distribution or use of an approved drug, such as limiting prescribing to certain physicians or medical centers that have undergone specialized training, limiting treatment to patients who meet certain safe-use criteria and requiring treated patients to enroll in a registry. In March 2009, the FDA informed drug manufacturers that it will require a REMS for metoclopramide drug products. The FDA’s authority to take this action is based on risk management and post market safety provisions within the FDAAA. The REMS consists of a Medication Guide, elements to assure safe use (including an education program for prescribers and materials for prescribers to educate patients), and a timetable for submission of assessments of at least six months, 12 months, and annually after the REMS is approved. We intend to submit a REMS at the time of the NDA submission for EVK-001.

In addition, if EVK-001 is approved, our product labeling, advertising and promotion would be subject to regulatory requirements and continuing regulatory review. The FDA strictly regulates the promotional claims that may be made about prescription products. In particular, a product may not be promoted for uses that are not approved by the FDA as reflected in the product’s approved labeling. If we receive marketing approval for EVK-001, physicians may nevertheless prescribe it to their patients in a manner that is inconsistent with the approved label. If we are found to have promoted such off-label uses, we may become subject to significant liability. The FDA and other agencies actively enforce the laws and regulations prohibiting the promotion of off-label uses, and a company that is found to have improperly promoted off-label uses may be subject to significant sanctions. The federal government has levied large civil and criminal fines against companies for alleged improper promotion and has enjoined several companies from engaging in off-label promotion. The FDA has also requested that companies enter into consent decrees or permanent injunctions under which specified promotional conduct is changed or curtailed.

Even if we receive regulatory approval for EVK-001, we still may not be able to successfully commercialize it and the revenue that we generate from its sales, if any, will be limited.

EVK-001’s commercial success will depend upon the acceptance of the product candidate by the medical community, including physicians, patients and health care payors. The degree of market acceptance of our product candidate will depend on a number of factors, including:

 

   

demonstration of clinical efficacy and safety compared to other more-established products;

 

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the limitation of our targeted patient population to women-only;

 

   

limitations or warnings contained in any FDA-approved labeling, including the potential boxed warning on all metoclopramide product labels concerning the chance of TD for patients taking these products, or any limitations with respect to metoclopramide product labels in the European Union;

 

   

acceptance of a new formulation by health care providers and their patients;

 

   

the prevalence and severity of any adverse effects;

 

   

new procedures or methods of treatment that may be more effective in treating or may reduce the incidences of diabetic gastroparesis;

 

   

pricing and cost-effectiveness;

 

   

the effectiveness of our or any future collaborators’ sales and marketing strategies;

 

   

our ability to obtain and maintain sufficient third-party coverage or reimbursement from government health care programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, private health insurers and other third-party payors; and

 

   

the willingness of patients to pay out-of-pocket in the absence of third-party coverage.

If EVK-001 is approved, but does not achieve an adequate level of acceptance by physicians, health care payors and patients, we may not generate sufficient revenue, and we may not be able to achieve or sustain profitability. Our efforts to educate the medical community and third-party payors on the benefits of EVK-001 may require significant resources and may never be successful. In addition, our ability to successfully commercialize our product candidate will depend on our ability to manufacture our products, differentiate our products from competing products and defend the intellectual property of our products.

It will be difficult for us to profitably sell EVK-001 if reimbursement is limited.

Market acceptance and sales of our product candidate will depend on reimbursement policies and may be affected by healthcare reform measures. Government authorities and third-party payors, such as private health insurers and health maintenance organizations, decide which medications they will pay for and establish reimbursement levels. A primary trend in the U.S. healthcare industry and elsewhere is cost containment. Government authorities and these third-party payors have attempted to control costs by limiting coverage and the amount of reimbursement for particular medications. Increasingly, third-party payors have been challenging the prices charged for products. They may also refuse to provide any coverage of uses of approved products for medical indications other than those for which the FDA has granted marketing approval. This trend may impact the reimbursement for treatments for GI disorders especially, including EVK-001, as physicians typically focus on symptoms rather than underlying conditions when treating patients with these disorders and drugs are often prescribed for uses outside of their approved indications. In instances where alternative products are available, it may be required that those alternative treatment options are tried before reimbursement is available for EVK-001. Although EVK-001 is a novel nasal spray formulation of metoclopramide, this is the same active ingredient that is already available in other treatments for gastroparesis that are already widely available at generic prices. We cannot be sure that reimbursement will be available for our EVK-001 and, if reimbursement is available, the level of reimbursement. Reimbursement may impact the demand for, or the price of, this product candidate. In addition, in certain foreign countries, particularly the countries of the European Union, the pricing of prescription pharmaceuticals is subject to governmental control. If reimbursement is not available or is available only to limited levels, we may not be able to successfully commercialize our product candidate.

We rely and will continue to rely on outsourcing arrangements for many of our activities, including clinical development and supply of EVK-001.

We have only two full-time employees and, as a result, we rely on outsourcing arrangements for a significant portion of our activities, including clinical research, data collection and analysis and manufacturing as

 

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well as function as a public company. We may have limited control over these third parties and we cannot guarantee that they will perform their obligations in an effective and timely manner.

We expect to retain a contract research organization, or CRO, to conduct our planned Phase 3 clinical trial of EVK-001. We will be required to reach agreement on acceptable terms with prospective CROs as well as clinical trial sites, the terms of which can be subject to extensive negotiation and may vary significantly among different CROs and trial sites. We will need assistance from our CRO in obtaining IRB approval at each clinical trial site and will rely on our CRO to recruiting suitable patients to participate the proposed trial.

The manufacture of pharmaceutical products requires significant expertise and capital investment, including the development of advanced manufacturing techniques and process controls. We do not own or operate manufacturing facilities for the production of any component of EVK-001, including metoclopramide, the nasal spray device or associated bottle, nor do we have plans to develop our own manufacturing operations in the foreseeable future. We currently depend on third-party contract manufacturers for all of our required raw materials, drug substance and drug product for our clinical trials. For EVK-001, we are currently using, and relying on, single suppliers and single manufacturers for starting materials, the final drug substance and nasal spray delivery device. Although potential alternative suppliers and manufacturers for some components have been identified, we have not qualified these vendors to date. If we were required to change vendors, it could result in a failure to meet regulatory requirements or projected timelines and necessary quality standards for successful manufacturing of the various required lots of material for our development and commercialization efforts.

We do not have any current contractual relationships for the manufacture of commercial supplies of EVK-001. If EVK-001 is approved for sale by any regulatory agency, we intend to enter into agreements with third-party contract manufacturers for commercial production. The number of third-party manufacturers with the expertise, required regulatory approvals and facilities to manufacture bulk drug substance on a commercial scale is limited. We have identified one manufacturer for potentially providing commercial supplies of EVK-001; however no alternative providers have been identified to date. If we are unable to come to terms on commercial supplier with this manufacturer, we would have to find replacements, which could delay the commercialization of our product candidate.

In addition, our reliance on third party CROs and contract manufacturing organizations, or CMOs, entails further risks including:

 

   

non-compliance by third parties with regulatory and quality control standards;

 

   

breach by third parties of our agreements with them;

 

   

termination or non-renewal of an agreement with third parties; and

 

   

sanctions imposed by regulatory authorities if compounds supplied or manufactured by a third party supplier or manufacturer fail to comply with applicable regulatory standards.

We face substantial competition, which may result in others selling their products more effectively than we do, and in others discovering, developing or commercializing product candidates before, or more successfully, than we do.

Our future success depends on our ability to demonstrate and maintain a competitive advantage with respect to the design, development and commercialization of EVK-001. We anticipate that EVK-001, if approved, would compete directly with metoclopramide, erythromycin and domperidone, each of which is available under various trade names sold by several major pharmaceutical companies, including generic manufacturers. Metoclopramide is the only molecule currently approved in the United States to treat gastroparesis. Metoclopramide is generically-available and indicated for the relief of symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis, without the limitation of use in women only.

 

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Many of our potential competitors have substantially greater financial, technical and personnel resources than we have. In addition, many of these competitors have significantly greater commercial infrastructures than we have. We will not be able to compete successfully unless we successfully:

 

   

assure health care providers, patients and health care payors that EVK-001 is beneficial compared to other products in the market;

 

   

obtain patent and/or other proprietary protection for EVK-001;

 

   

obtain and maintain required regulatory approvals for the product candidate; and

 

   

collaborate with others to effectively market, sell and distribute EVK-001.

Established competitors may invest heavily to quickly discover and develop novel compounds that could make our product candidate obsolete. In addition to our EVK-001 product candidate, we are aware of other development candidates in clinical development. Any of these product candidates could advance through clinical development faster than EVK-001 and, if approved, could attain faster and greater market acceptance than our product candidate. If we are not able to compete effectively against our current and future competitors, our business will not grow and our financial condition and operations will suffer.

We have no sales, marketing or distribution capabilities currently and we will have to invest significant resources to develop these capabilities.

Currently, we have no internal sales, marketing or distribution capabilities. If EVK-001 ultimately receives regulatory approval, we may not be able to effectively market and distribute the product candidate. We will have to invest significant amounts of financial and management resources to develop internal sales, distribution and marketing capabilities, some of which will be committed prior to any confirmation that EVK-001 will be approved. We may not be able to hire consultants or external service providers to assist us in sales, marketing and distribution functions on acceptable financial terms or at all. Even if we determine to perform sales, marketing and distribution functions ourselves, we could face a number of additional related risks, including:

 

   

inability to attract and build an effective marketing department or sales force;

 

   

the cost of establishing a marketing department or sales force may exceed our available financial resources and the revenues generated by EVK-001 or any other product candidates that we may develop, in-license or acquire; and

 

   

our direct sales and marketing efforts may not be successful.

If we fail to attract and retain senior management and key commercial personnel, we may be unable to successfully complete the development of EVK-001 and commercialize this product candidate.

Our success depends in part on our continued ability to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified management, clinical and commercial personnel. We are highly dependent upon our senior management team composed of two individuals: David Gonyer, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Matt D’Onofrio, our Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer. The loss of services of either of these individuals could delay or prevent the successful development of EVK-001 or the commercialization of this product candidate, if approved.

We will need to hire and retain qualified personnel. We could experience problems in the future attracting and retaining qualified employees. For example, competition for qualified personnel in the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals field is intense, particularly in the San Diego, California area where we are headquartered. We may not be able to attract and retain quality personnel on acceptable terms who have the expertise we need to sustain and grow our business.

 

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We may encounter difficulties in managing our growth and expanding our operations successfully.

Because we currently have only two full-time employees, we will need to grow our organization substantially to continue the development and pursue the potential commercialization of EVK-001 as well as function as a public company. As we seek to advance EVK-001, we will need to expand our development, regulatory, manufacturing, marketing and sales capabilities or contract with third parties to provide these capabilities for us. As our operations expand, we expect that we will need to manage additional relationships with various strategic partners, suppliers and other third parties. Future growth will impose significant added responsibilities on members of management and require us to retain additional internal capabilities. Our future financial performance and our ability to commercialize EVK-001 and to compete effectively will depend, in part, on our ability to manage any future growth effectively. To that end, we must be able to manage our development efforts and clinical trials effectively and hire, train and integrate additional management, clinical and regulatory, financial, administrative and sales and marketing personnel. We may not be able to accomplish these tasks, and our failure to accomplish any of them could prevent us from successfully growing our company.

Recently enacted and future legislation may increase the difficulty and cost for us to obtain marketing approval of and commercialize EVK-001 and affect the prices we may obtain.

In the United States and some foreign jurisdictions, there have been a number of legislative and regulatory changes and proposed changes regarding the healthcare system that could prevent or delay marketing approval for EVK-001, restrict or regulate post-approval activities and affect our ability to profitably sell our product candidate, assuming we obtain marketing approval.

Legislative and regulatory proposals have been made to expand post-approval requirements and restrict sales and promotional activities for pharmaceutical products. We are not sure whether additional legislative changes will be enacted, or whether the FDA regulations, guidance or interpretations will be changed, or what the impact of such changes on the marketing approvals of EVK-001, if any, may be. In addition, increased scrutiny by the U.S. Congress of the FDA’s approval process may significantly delay or prevent marketing approval, as well as subject us to more stringent product labeling and post-marketing testing and other requirements.

In the United States, the Medicare Modernization Act, or MMA, changed the way Medicare covers and pays for pharmaceutical products. The legislation expanded Medicare coverage for drug purchases by the elderly and introduced a new reimbursement methodology based on average sales prices for drugs. In addition, this legislation authorized Medicare Part D prescription drug plans to use formularies where they can limit the number of drugs that will be covered in any therapeutic class. As a result of this legislation and the expansion of federal coverage of drug products, we expect that there will be additional pressure to contain and reduce costs. These cost reduction initiatives and other provisions of this legislation could decrease the coverage and price that we receive for any approved products and could seriously harm our business. While the MMA applies only to drug benefits for Medicare beneficiaries, private payors often follow Medicare coverage policy and payment limitations in setting their own reimbursement rates, and any reduction in reimbursement that results from the MMA may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payors.

In early 2010, President Obama signed into law the Health Care Reform Law, a sweeping law intended to broaden access to health insurance, reduce or constrain the growth of healthcare spending, enhance remedies against fraud and abuse, add new transparency requirements for healthcare and health insurance industries, impose new taxes and fees on the health industry and impose additional health policy reforms. Effective October 1, 2010, the Health Care Reform Law revised the definition of “average manufacturer price” for reporting purposes, which could increase the amount of Medicaid drug rebates to states. Further, beginning in 2011, the new law imposes a significant annual fee on companies that manufacture or import branded prescription drug products. Substantial new provisions affecting compliance have also been enacted, which may require us to modify our business practices with healthcare practitioners. We will not know the full effects of the

 

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Health Care Reform Law until applicable federal and state agencies issue regulations or guidance under the new law. Although it is too early to determine the effect of the Health Care Reform Law, the new law appears likely to continue the pressure on pharmaceutical pricing, especially under the Medicare program, and may also increase our regulatory burdens and operating costs.

If we market products in a manner that violates healthcare fraud and abuse laws, or if we violate government price reporting laws, we may be subject to civil or criminal penalties.

In addition to FDA restrictions on marketing of pharmaceutical products, several other types of state and federal healthcare fraud and abuse laws have been applied in recent years to restrict certain marketing practices in the pharmaceutical industry. These laws include false claims statutes and anti-kickback statutes. Because of the breadth of these laws and the narrowness of the safe harbors, it is possible that some of our business activities could be subject to challenge under one or more of these laws.

Federal false claims laws prohibit any person from knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, a false claim for payment to the federal government or knowingly making, or causing to be made, a false statement to get a false claim paid. The federal healthcare program anti-kickback statute prohibits, among other things, knowingly and willfully offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration to induce, or in return for, purchasing, leasing, ordering or arranging for the purchase, lease or order of any healthcare item or service reimbursable under Medicare, Medicaid or other federally financed healthcare programs. This statute has been interpreted to apply to arrangements between pharmaceutical manufacturers on the one hand and prescribers, purchasers and formulary managers on the other. Although there are several statutory exemptions and regulatory safe harbors protecting certain common activities from prosecution, the exemptions and safe harbors are drawn narrowly, and practices that involve remuneration intended to induce prescribing, purchasing or recommending may be subject to scrutiny if they do not qualify for an exemption or safe harbor. Our practices may not in all cases meet all of the criteria for safe harbor protection from anti-kickback liability.

Over the past few years, several pharmaceutical and other healthcare companies have been prosecuted under these laws for a variety of alleged promotional and marketing activities, such as: allegedly providing free trips, free goods, sham consulting fees and grants and other monetary benefits to prescribers; reporting to pricing services inflated average wholesale prices that were then used by federal programs to set reimbursement rates; engaging in off-label promotion that caused claims to be submitted to Medicaid for non-covered, off-label uses; and submitting inflated best price information to the Medicaid Rebate Program to reduce liability for Medicaid rebates. Most states also have statutes or regulations similar to the federal anti-kickback law and false claims laws, which apply to items and services reimbursed under Medicaid and other state programs, or, in several states, apply regardless of the payor. Sanctions under these federal and state laws may include civil monetary penalties, exclusion of a manufacturer’s products from reimbursement under government programs, criminal fines and imprisonment.

Federal legislation and actions by state and local governments may permit re-importation of drugs from foreign countries into the United States, including foreign countries where the drugs are sold at lower prices than in the United States, which could materially adversely affect our operating results and our overall financial condition.

We may face competition in the United States for EVK-001, if approved, from lower priced products from foreign countries that have placed price controls on pharmaceutical products. This risk may be particularly applicable to drugs such as EVK-001. The U.S. Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, or the MMA, contains provisions that may change U.S. importation laws and expand pharmacists’ and wholesalers’ ability to import lower priced versions of an approved drug and competing products from Canada, where there are government price controls. These changes to U.S. importation laws will not take effect unless and until the Secretary of Health and Human Services certifies that the changes will pose no additional risk to the public’s health and safety and will result in a significant reduction in the cost of products to consumers. The Secretary of Health and Human Services has not yet announced any plans to make this required certification.

 

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A number of federal legislative proposals have been made to implement the changes to the U.S. importation laws without any certification, and to broaden permissible imports in other ways. Even if the changes do not take effect, and other changes are not enacted, imports from Canada and elsewhere may continue to increase due to market and political forces, and the limited enforcement resources of the FDA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other government agencies. For example, Pub. L. No. 111-83, which was signed into law in October 2009 and provides appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the 2010 fiscal year, expressly prohibits U.S. Customs and Border Protection from using funds to prevent individuals from importing from Canada less than a 90-day supply of a prescription drug for personal use, when the drug otherwise complies with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or FDCA. Further, several states and local governments have implemented importation schemes for their citizens and, in the absence of federal action to curtail such activities, we expect other states and local governments to launch importation efforts.

The importation of foreign products that compete with EVK-001 could negatively impact our revenue and profitability, possibly materially.

If product liability lawsuits are brought against us, we may incur substantial liabilities and may be required to limit commercialization of EVK-001.

We face an inherent risk of product liability as a result of the clinical testing of EVK-001 and will face an even greater risk if we commercialize the product candidate. For example, we may be sued if EVK-001 allegedly causes injury or is found to be otherwise unsuitable during product testing, manufacturing, marketing or sale. Any such product liability claims may include allegations of defects in manufacturing, defects in design, a failure to warn of dangers inherent in the product candidate, negligence, strict liability and a breach of warranties. Claims could also be asserted under state consumer protection acts.

In particular, products containing metoclopramide have been reported to cause side effects, including TD. It is possible that a patient taking EVK-001 will be found to experience a variety of side effects. In 2009, the FDA required a boxed warning on all metoclopramide product labels concerning the chance of TD for patients taking these products. We expect that the label for EVK-001, if approved, will likely contain a similar warning regarding TD. Several manufactures of metoclopramide products have been sued by patients regarding TD.

If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product liability claims, we may incur substantial liabilities or be required to limit commercialization of our product candidate. Even successful defense would require significant financial and management resources. Regardless of the merits or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:

 

   

decreased demand for EVK-001;

 

   

injury to our reputation;

 

   

withdrawal of clinical trial participants;

 

   

costs to defend the related litigation;

 

   

a diversion of management’s time and our resources;

 

   

substantial monetary awards to trial participants or patients;

 

   

product recalls, withdrawals or labeling, marketing or promotional restrictions;

 

   

loss of revenue;

 

   

the inability to commercialize EVK-001; and

 

   

a decline in our stock price.

 

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We may form strategic alliances in the future, and we may not realize the benefits of such alliances.

We may form strategic alliances, create joint ventures or collaborations or enter into licensing arrangements with third parties that we believe will complement or augment our existing business, including for the continued development or commercialization of EVK-001. These relationships or those like them may require us to incur non-recurring and other charges, increase our near- and long-term expenditures, issue securities that dilute our existing stockholders or disrupt our management and business. In addition, we face significant competition in seeking appropriate strategic partners and the negotiation process is time-consuming and complex. Moreover, we may not be successful in our efforts to establish a strategic partnership or other alternative arrangements for EVK-001 because third parties may view the risk of success in our planned Phase 3 clinical trial as too significant or the commercial opportunity for our product candidate as too limited. We cannot be certain that, following a strategic transaction or license, we will achieve the revenues or specific net income that justifies such transaction.

Our business and operations would suffer in the event of system failures.

Despite the implementation of security measures, our internal computer systems and those of our current and any future CROs and other contractors and consultants and collaborators are vulnerable to damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, natural disasters, terrorism, war and telecommunication and electrical failures. While we have not experienced any such material system failure, accident or security breach to date, if such an event were to occur and cause interruptions in our operations, it could result in a material disruption of our development program for EVK-001 and our business operations. For example, the loss of clinical trial data from completed or future clinical trials could result in delays in our regulatory approval efforts and significantly increase our costs to recover or reproduce the data. Likewise, we rely on third parties to manufacture EVK-001 and conduct clinical trials, and similar events relating to their computer systems could also have a material adverse effect on our business. To the extent that any disruption or security breach were to result in a loss of, or damage to, our data or applications, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information, we could incur liability and the further development and commercialization of our product candidate could be delayed.

Business disruptions could seriously harm our future revenues and financial condition and increase our costs and expenses.

Our operations could be subject to earthquakes, power shortages, telecommunications failures, water shortages, floods, hurricanes, typhoons, fires, extreme weather conditions, medical epidemics and other natural or manmade disasters or business interruptions, for which we are predominantly self-insured. The occurrence of any of these business disruptions could seriously harm our operations and financial condition and increase our costs and expenses. We rely on third-party manufacturers to produce our EVK-001. Our ability to obtain clinical supplies of EVK-001 could be disrupted, if the operations of these suppliers are affected by a man-made or natural disaster or other business interruption. Our operations are located in San Diego, California near major earthquake faults and fire zones. The ultimate impact on us, our significant suppliers and our general infrastructure of being located near major earthquake faults and fire zones and being consolidated in certain geographical areas is unknown, but our operations and financial condition could suffer in the event of a major earthquake, fire or other natural disaster.

If we fail to develop and commercialize other product candidates, we may be unable to grow our business.

As part of our growth strategy, we plan to evaluate the development and/or commercialization of other therapies for GI motility disorders. Similar to our initial focus on gastroparesis, we will evaluate opportunities to in-license or acquire other product candidates as well as commercial products to treat patients suffering from predominantly GI disorders, seeking to identify areas of high unmet medical needs with limited treatment options. These other product candidates will require additional, time-consuming development efforts prior to commercial sale, including preclinical studies, extensive clinical trials and approval by the FDA and applicable

 

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foreign regulatory authorities. All product candidates are prone to the risks of failure that are inherent in pharmaceutical product development, including the possibility that the drug candidate will not be shown to be sufficiently safe and/or effective for approval by regulatory authorities. In addition, we cannot assure you that any such products that are approved will be manufactured or produced economically, successfully commercialized or widely accepted in the marketplace or be more effective than other commercially available alternatives.

If we engage in an acquisition, reorganization or business combination, we will incur a variety of risks that could adversely affect our business operations or our stockholders.

From time to time we have considered, and we will continue to consider in the future, strategic business initiatives intended to further the development of our business. These initiatives may include acquiring businesses, technologies or products or entering into a business combination with another company. If we do pursue such a strategy, we could, among other things:

 

   

issue equity securities that would dilute our current stockholders’ percentage ownership;

 

   

incur substantial debt that may place strains on our operations;

 

   

spend substantial operational, financial and management resources in integrating new businesses, technologies and products; and

 

   

assume substantial actual or contingent liabilities.

We may be unable to maintain sufficient product liability insurance.

Our inability to obtain and retain sufficient product liability insurance at an acceptable cost to protect against potential product liability claims could prevent or inhibit the commercialization of products we develop. We currently carry product liability insurance covering our clinical studies. Although we maintain such insurance, any claim that may be brought against us could result in a court judgment or settlement in an amount that is not covered, in whole or in part, by our insurance or that is in excess of the limits of our insurance coverage. If we determine that it is prudent to increase our product liability coverage due to the commercial launch of any product, we may be unable to obtain such increased coverage on acceptable terms or at all. Our insurance policies also have various exclusions, and we may be subject to a product liability claim for which we have no coverage. We will have to pay any amounts awarded by a court or negotiated in a settlement that exceed our coverage limitations or that are not covered by our insurance, and we may not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient capital to pay such amounts.

Risks Relating to Our Intellectual Property

It is difficult and costly to protect our intellectual property rights, and we cannot ensure the protection of these rights. Any impairment of our intellectual property rights would materially affect our business.

We place considerable importance on obtaining patent protection for new technologies, products and processes because our commercial success will depend, in large part, on obtaining patent protection for new technologies, products and processes, successfully defending these patents against third-party challenges and successfully enforcing our patents against third party competitors. To that end, we have acquired and will file applications for patents covering formulations containing or uses of EVK-001 or our proprietary processes as well as other intellectual property important to our business. One of our patents related to EVK-001 was acquired from Questcor. This method of use patent was not written by us or our attorneys, and we did not have control over the drafting and prosecution of these patents. Further, Questcor and other predecessors might not have given the same attention to the drafting and prosecution of these patents and applications as we would have if we had been the owners of the patent and application and had control over the drafting and prosecution.

 

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The patent position of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies generally is highly uncertain and involves complex legal and factual questions for which legal principles remain unresolved. In recent years patent rights have been the subject of significant litigation. As a result, the issuance, scope, validity, enforceability and commercial value of our patent rights are highly uncertain. Our pending and future patent applications may not result in patents being issued which protect our technology or products or which effectively prevent others from commercializing competitive technologies and products. Changes in either the patent laws or interpretation of the patent laws in the United States and other countries may diminish the value of our patents or narrow the scope of our patent protection. The laws of foreign countries may not protect our rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. Publications of discoveries in the scientific literature often lag behind the actual discoveries, and patent applications in the United States and other jurisdictions are typically not published until 18 months after filing, or in some cases not at all. Therefore, we cannot be certain that we or our predecessors were the first to make the inventions claimed in our owned and licensed patents or pending patent applications, or that we or our predecessors were the first to file for patent protection of such inventions One or more of these factors could possibly result in findings of invalidity or unenforceability of one or more of the patents we own.

The patent rights we own covering EVK-001 are limited to specific methods of use and formulations of metoclopramide. As a result, our ability to market EVK-001 may be limited by the lack of patent protection for the active ingredient itself and other metoclopramide formulations may be developed by competitors. The active ingredient in EVK-001 is metoclopramide. No patent protection is available for metoclopramide itself. As a result, competitors who develop and receive required regulatory approval for competing products using the same active ingredient as EVK-001 may market their competing products so long as they do not infringe any of the method or formulation patents owned by us.

Others have filed, and in the future are likely to file, patent applications covering products and technologies that are similar, identical or competitive to ours, or important to our business. We cannot be certain that any patent application owned by a third party will not have priority over patent applications filed or in-licensed by us, or that we will not be involved in interference, opposition or invalidity proceedings before U.S. or foreign patent offices.

We have focused our intellectual property efforts on the United States. To the extent that our patent portfolio differs from country to country outside the United States, this may make protecting EVK-001 as a product outside the United States even more difficult and unpredictable. Various countries maintain their own standards and interpretation of intellectual property law, potentially creating additional patent risk beyond even that experienced within the United States.

We also rely on trade secrets to protect technology in cases when we believe patent protection is not appropriate or obtainable. However, trade secrets are difficult to protect. While we require employees, consultants and other contractors to enter into confidentiality agreements, we may not be able to adequately protect our trade secrets or other proprietary information. Our research collaborators and scientific advisors may have rights to publish data and information in which we have rights. If we cannot maintain the confidentiality of our technology and other confidential information in connection with our collaborators and advisors, our ability to receive patent protection or protect our proprietary information may be imperiled.

Claims by third parties that we infringe their proprietary rights may result in liability for damages or prevent or delay our developmental and commercialization efforts.

The biotechnology industry has been characterized by frequent litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property rights. Because patent applications are maintained in secrecy until the application is published, we may be unaware of third party patents that may be infringed by commercialization of EVK-001. In addition, identification of third party patent rights that may be relevant to our technology is difficult because patent searching is imperfect due to differences in terminology among patents, incomplete databases and the difficulty in assessing the meaning of patent claims. Any claims of patent infringement asserted by third parties would be time consuming and could likely:

 

   

result in costly litigation;

 

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divert the time and attention of our technical personnel and management;

 

   

cause development delays;

 

   

prevent us from commercializing EVK-001 until the asserted patent expires or is held finally invalid or not infringed in a court of law;

 

   

require us to develop non-infringing technology; or

 

   

require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements.

Although no third party has asserted a claim of infringement against us, others may hold proprietary rights that could prevent EVK-001 from being marketed. Any patent-related legal action against us claiming damages or seeking to enjoin commercial activities relating to our product candidate or processes could subject us to potential liability for damages and could require us to obtain a license to continue to manufacture or market EVK-001, or, if no such license were available on commercially viable terms, could require us to cease manufacturing and marketing of EVK-001. We cannot predict whether we would prevail in any such actions or that any license required under any of these patents would be made available on commercially acceptable terms, if at all. In addition, we cannot be sure that we could redesign our product candidate or processes to avoid infringement, if necessary. Accordingly, an adverse determination in a judicial or administrative proceeding, or the failure to obtain necessary licenses, could prevent us from developing and commercializing EVK-001, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results. Whatever the outcome, any patent litigation would be costly and time consuming, could be distracting to our management, and could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We may be subject to claims that we have wrongfully hired an employee from a competitor or that we or our employees have wrongfully used or disclosed alleged confidential information or trade secrets of their former employers.

As is commonplace in our industry, we employ and consult with individuals who were previously employed at other biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, including our competitors or potential competitors. Although no claims against us are currently pending, we may be subject in the future to claims that our employees or consultants are subject to a continuing obligation to their former employers or clients (such as non-competition or non-solicitation obligations) or claims that our employees, our consultants or we have inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed trade secrets or other proprietary information of their former employers or clients. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management.

Risks Related to Our Financial Position and Need for Capital

Our recurring losses from operations have raised substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going concern.

Our recurring losses from operations raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, and as a result, our independent registered public accounting firm included an explanatory paragraph in its report on our financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2012 with respect to this uncertainty. This going concern opinion could materially limit our ability to raise additional funds through the issuance of new debt or equity securities or otherwise. Future reports on our financial statements may include an explanatory paragraph with respect to our ability to continue as a going concern. We have incurred significant losses since our inception and have never been profitable, and it is possible we will never achieve profitability. We have devoted our resources to developing our product candidate, but it cannot be marketed until regulatory approvals have been obtained. If we successfully complete this offering, based upon our currently expected level of operating expenditures, we expect to be able to fund our operations for approximately the next year. This period could be shortened if there are any significant increases in planned spending on our EVK-001 development

 

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program or more rapid progress of our planned Phase 3 clinical trial than anticipated. There is no assurance that other financing will be available when needed to allow us to continue as a going concern. The perception that we may not be able to continue as a going concern may cause others to choose not to deal with us due to concerns about our ability to meet our contractual obligations.

We have incurred significant operating losses since inception, and we expect to incur losses for the foreseeable future. We may never become profitable or, if achieved, be able to sustain profitability.

We have incurred significant operating losses since we were founded in 2007 and expect to incur significant losses for the next several years as we begin our Phase 3 clinical trial for EVK-001. Our net loss for the year ended December 31, 2012 and the six months ended June 30, 2013 was $2.0 million and $0.7 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013, we had an accumulated deficit of $19.9 million and $20.6 million, respectively. Losses have resulted principally from costs incurred in our clinical trials, research and development programs and from our general and administrative expenses. In the future, we intend to continue to conduct research and development, clinical testing, regulatory compliance activities and, if EVK-001 is approved, sales and marketing activities that, together with anticipated general and administrative expenses, will likely result in our incurring further significant losses for the next several years.

We currently generate no revenue from sales, and we may never be able to commercialize EVK-001 or other marketable drugs. As a result, there can be no assurance that we will ever generate revenues or achieve profitability, which could impair our ability to sustain operations or obtain any required additional funding. If we achieve profitability in the future, we may not be able to sustain profitability in subsequent periods.

If we fail to obtain the capital necessary to fund our operations, we will be unable to successfully develop and commercialize EVK-001.

We will require substantial future capital in order to complete the remaining clinical development for EVK-001 and to potentially commercialize this product candidate. The amount and timing of any expenditure needed to implement our development and commercialization programs will depend on numerous factors, including:

 

   

the initiation, progress, costs, results of and timing of our clinical development program for EVK-001, including our planned Phase 3 clinical trial;

 

   

the need for, and the progress, costs and results of, any additional clinical trials of EVK-001 we may initiate based on the results of our planned clinical trials or discussions with the FDA, including any additional trials the FDA or other regulatory agencies may require evaluating the safety of EVK-001;

 

   

the outcome, costs and timing of seeking and obtaining regulatory approvals from the FDA, and any similar regulatory agencies;

 

   

the timing and costs associated with manufacturing EVK-001 for clinical trials and other studies and, if approved, for commercial sale;

 

   

our need and ability to hire additional management, development and scientific personnel;

 

   

the cost to maintain, expand and defend the scope of our intellectual property portfolio, including the amount and timing of any payments we may be required to make, or that we may receive, in connection with licensing, filing, prosecution, defense and enforcement of any patents or other intellectual property rights;

 

   

the timing and costs associated with establishing sales and marketing capabilities;

 

   

market acceptance of EVK-001;

 

   

the extent to which we are required to pay milestone or other payments under our Questcor asset purchase agreement and the timing of such payments;

 

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the costs of acquiring, licensing or investing in additional businesses, products, product candidates and technologies; and

 

   

our need to implement additional internal systems and infrastructure, including financial and reporting systems.

Some of these factors are outside of our control. We do not expect our existing capital resources together with the net proceeds from this offering to be sufficient to enable us to fund the completion of our Phase 3 clinical trial and remaining development program through commercial introduction. We expect that we will need to raise additional funds in the near future.

We may seek additional funding through collaboration agreements and public or private financings. Additional funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. In addition, the terms of any financing may adversely affect the holdings or the rights of our stockholders. In addition, the issuance of additional shares by us, or the possibility of such issuance, may cause the market price of our shares to decline.

If we are unable to obtain funding on a timely basis, we will be unable to complete the planned Phase 3 clinical trial for EVK-001 and may be required to significantly curtail all of our activities. We also could be required to seek funds through arrangements with collaborative partners or otherwise that may require us to relinquish rights to our product candidate or some of our technologies or otherwise agree to terms unfavorable to us.

The terms of our secured debt facility require us to meet certain operating and financial covenants and place restrictions on our operating and financial flexibility. If we raise additional capital through debt financing, the terms of any new debt could further restrict our ability to operate our business.

We have a $3.0 million loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank that is secured by a lien covering substantially all of our assets, excluding intellectual property. As of June 30, 2013, the outstanding principal balance of the Silicon Valley Bank loan was $3.0 million. The loan agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. The affirmative covenants include, among others, covenants requiring us to maintain our legal existence and governmental approvals, deliver certain financial reports and maintain insurance coverage. The negative covenants include, among others, restrictions on transferring collateral, changing our business, incurring additional indebtedness, engaging in mergers or acquisitions, paying dividends or making other distributions, making investments and creating other liens on our assets, in each case subject to customary exceptions. If we default under the loan agreement, the lender may accelerate all of our repayment obligations and take control of our pledged assets, potentially requiring us to renegotiate our agreement on terms less favorable to us or to immediately cease operations. Further, if we are liquidated, the lender’s right to repayment would be senior to the rights of the holders of our common stock to receive any proceeds from the liquidation. The lenders could declare a default upon the occurrence of any event that they interpret as a material adverse change as defined under the loan agreement, thereby requiring us to repay the loan immediately or to attempt to reverse the declaration of default through negotiation or litigation. Any declaration by the lender of an event of default could significantly harm our business and prospects and could cause the price of our common stock to decline. If we raise any additional debt financing, the terms of such additional debt could further restrict our operating and financial flexibility.

Our ability to use net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and certain built-in losses to reduce future tax payments is limited by provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, and may be subject to further limitation as a result of the transactions contemplated by this offering.

Under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change” (generally defined as a greater than 50% change (by value) in its equity ownership over a three year period), the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change net operating loss carryforwards and other pre-change tax attributes to offset its post-change income may be limited. As a result of this offering, our most recent

 

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private placement and other transactions that have occurred over the past three years, we may have experienced, or may upon completion of this offering experience, an “ownership change.” We may also experience ownership changes in the future as a result of subsequent shifts in our stock ownership. As of December 31, 2012, we had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $18.6 million and $18.2 million, respectively, and federal research and development credits of $0.5 million which could be limited if we experience an “ownership change.”

Risks Related to Our Common Stock and this Offering

An active trading market for our common stock may not develop.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. Although we anticipate that our common stock will be approved for listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market, an active trading market for our shares may never develop or be sustained following this offering. If the market does not develop or is not sustained, it may be difficult for you to sell your shares of common stock at a price that is attractive to you or at all. In addition, an inactive market may impair our ability to raise capital by selling shares and may impair our ability to acquire other companies or technologies by using our shares as consideration, which, in turn, could materially adversely affect our business.

The trading price of the shares of our common stock could be highly volatile, and purchasers of our common stock could incur substantial losses.

Our stock price is likely to be volatile. The stock market in general and the market for biotechnology companies in particular have experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. As a result of this volatility, investors may not be able to sell their common stock at or above the initial public offering price. The market price for our common stock may be influenced by many factors, including:

 

   

our ability to enroll patients in our planned Phase 3 clinical trial;

 

   

results of the clinical trial, and the results of trials of our competitors or those of other companies in our market sector;

 

   

regulatory developments in the United States and foreign countries;

 

   

variations in our financial results or those of companies that are perceived to be similar to us;

 

   

changes in the structure of healthcare payment systems, especially in light of current reforms to the U.S. healthcare system;

 

   

announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

 

   

market conditions in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors and issuance of securities analysts’ reports or recommendations;

 

   

sales of our stock by insiders and 5% stockholders;

 

   

trading volume of our common stock;

 

   

general economic, industry and market conditions other events or factors, many of which are beyond our control;

 

   

additions or departures of key personnel; and

 

   

intellectual property, product liability or other litigation against us.

 

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In addition, in the past, stockholders have initiated class action lawsuits against biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies following periods of volatility in the market prices of these companies’ stock. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could cause us to incur substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly.

We expect our operating results to be subject to quarterly fluctuations. Our net loss and other operating results will be affected by numerous factors, including:

 

   

variations in the level of expenses related to our EVK-001 development program;

 

   

addition or termination of clinical trials;

 

   

any intellectual property infringement lawsuit in which we may become involved;

 

   

regulatory developments affecting EVK-001; and

 

   

our execution of any collaborative, licensing or similar arrangements, and the timing of payments we may make or receive under these arrangements.

If our quarterly operating results fall below the expectations of investors or securities analysts, the price of our common stock could decline substantially. Furthermore, any quarterly fluctuations in our operating results may, in turn, cause the price of our stock to fluctuate substantially.

We may allocate the net proceeds from this offering in ways that you and other stockholders may not approve.

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering, including for any of the purposes described in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds,” and you will not have the opportunity as part of your investment decision to assess whether the net proceeds are being used appropriately. Because of the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of the net proceeds from this offering, their ultimate use may vary substantially from their currently intended use. Our management might not apply our net proceeds in ways that ultimately increase the value of your investment. We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering for research and development activities for EVK-001, including our planned Phase 3 clinical trial of EVK-001, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could harm our business. Pending their use, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing securities. These investments may not yield a favorable return to our stockholders. If we do not invest or apply the net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement in ways that enhance stockholder value, we may fail to achieve expected financial results, which could cause our stock price to decline.

You will suffer immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the common stock you purchase.

The initial public offering price of our common stock is substantially higher than the net tangible book value per share of our outstanding common stock immediately after the completion of this offering. Purchasers of common stock in this offering will experience immediate dilution of approximately $9.28 per share in net tangible book value of the common stock. In the past, we issued options and warrants to acquire common stock at prices significantly below the initial public offering price. To the extent these outstanding options and warrants are ultimately exercised, investors purchasing common stock in this offering will sustain further dilution. For a further description of the dilution that you will experience immediately after this offering, see “Dilution.”

 

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Because a small number of our existing stockholders own a majority of our voting stock, your ability to influence corporate matters will be limited.

Following the completion of this offering, our executive officers, directors and greater than 5% stockholders, in the aggregate, will own approximately 59.3% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, such persons, acting together, will have the ability to control our management and affairs and substantially all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election and removal of directors and approval of any significant transaction. These persons will also have the ability to control our management and business affairs. This concentration of ownership may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control, impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving us, or discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our business, even if such a transaction would benefit other stockholders.

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and under Delaware law could make an acquisition of us, which may be beneficial to our stockholders, more difficult and may prevent attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management.

Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may delay or prevent an acquisition of us or a change in our management. These provisions include:

 

   

authorizing the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock, the terms of which may be established and shares of which may be issued without stockholder approval;

 

   

limiting the removal of directors by the stockholders;

 

   

creating a staggered board of directors;

 

   

prohibiting stockholder action by written consent, thereby requiring all stockholder actions to be taken at a meeting of our stockholders;

 

   

eliminating the ability of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders;

 

   

permitting our board of directors to accelerate the vesting of outstanding option grants upon certain transactions that result in a change of control; and

 

   

establishing advance notice requirements for nominations for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon at stockholder meetings.

In addition, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which limits the ability of stockholders owning in excess of 15% of our outstanding voting stock to merge or combine with us. Although we believe these provisions collectively provide for an opportunity to obtain greater value for stockholders by requiring potential acquirors to negotiate with our board of directors, they would apply even if an offer rejected by our board were considered beneficial by some stockholders. In addition, these provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of our board of directors, which is responsible for appointing the members of our management.

We do not intend to pay dividends on our common stock and, consequently, your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common stock.

We have never declared or paid any cash dividend on our common stock and do not currently intend to do so for the foreseeable future. We currently anticipate that we will retain future earnings for the development, operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends for the foreseeable future. In addition, our loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank currently prohibits us from paying dividends on our equity securities, and any future debt financing arrangement may contain terms prohibiting or limiting the amount of dividends that may be declared or paid on our common stock. Any return to

 

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stockholders will therefore be limited to the appreciation of their stock. Therefore, the success of an investment in shares of our common stock will depend upon any future appreciation in their value. There is no guarantee that shares of our common stock will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which our stockholders have purchased their shares.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock by our existing stockholders in the public market could cause our stock price to fall.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock in the public market or the perception that these sales might occur, could significantly reduce the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise adequate capital through the sale of additional equity securities.

Based on shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2013, upon the closing of this offering, we will have outstanding a total of 5,781,752 shares of common stock, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option and no exercise of outstanding options and warrants. Of these shares, only the shares of common stock sold in this offering by us, plus any shares sold upon exercise of the underwriters’ overallotment option, will be freely tradable without restriction in the public market immediately following this offering. Aegis Capital Corp. however, may, in its sole discretion, permit our officers, directors and other stockholders who are subject to these lock-up agreements to sell shares prior to the expiration of the lock-up agreements.

We expect that the lock-up agreements pertaining to this offering will expire 180 days from the date of this prospectus. After the lock-up agreements expire, up to an additional 3,681,752 shares of common stock will be eligible for sale in the public market, of which 3,427,622 shares are held by directors, executive officers and other affiliates and will be subject to volume limitations under Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. In addition, shares of common stock that are either subject to outstanding options or reserved for future issuance under our employee benefit plans will become eligible for sale in the public market to the extent permitted by the provisions of various vesting schedules, the lock-up agreements and Rule 144 and Rule 701 under the Securities Act. If these additional shares of common stock are sold, or if it is perceived that they will be sold, in the public market, the trading price of our common stock could decline.

After this offering, as of June 30, 2013, holders of 2,984,752 shares of our common stock, which includes 2,439,002 shares issuable upon the automatic conversion of our Series A convertible preferred stock immediately prior to the closing of this offering, will be entitled to rights with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act, subject to the 180-day lock-up agreements described above. In addition, holders of 10,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of a warrant will be entitled to rights with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act, subject to the 180-day lock-up agreements described above. See “Description of Capital Stock—Registration Rights.” Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in the shares becoming freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act, except for shares held by affiliates, as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Any sales of securities by these stockholders could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock.

We are an emerging growth company, and we cannot be certain if the reduced reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.

We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. For as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in this prospectus and our periodic reports and proxy statements and exemptions from the requirements of holding nonbinding advisory votes on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We could be an emerging growth company for up to five

 

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years, although circumstances could cause us to lose that status earlier, including if the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeds $700.0 million as of any June 30 before that time or if we have total annual gross revenue of $1.0 billion or more during any fiscal year before that time, in which cases we would no longer be an emerging growth company as of the following December 31 or, if we issue more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt during any three year period before that time, we would cease to be an emerging growth company immediately. Even after we no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, we may still qualify as a “smaller reporting company” which would allow us to take advantage of many of the same exemptions from disclosure requirements including not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in this prospectus and our periodic reports and proxy statements. We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies can also delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. As a result, changes in rules of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles or their interpretation, the adoption of new guidance or the application of existing guidance to changes in our business could significantly affect our financial position and results of operations.

We will incur significant increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will be required to devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives.

As a public company, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. We will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which will require, among other things, that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, annual, quarterly and current reports with respect to our business and financial condition. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as rules subsequently adopted by the SEC, and The NASDAQ Stock Market to implement provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, impose significant requirements on public companies, including requiring establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls and changes in corporate governance practices. Further, in 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, was enacted. There are significant corporate governance and executive compensation related provisions in the Dodd-Frank Act that require the SEC to adopt additional rules and regulations in these areas such as “say on pay” and proxy access. Recent legislation permits smaller “emerging growth companies” to implement many of these requirements over a longer period and up to five years from the pricing of this offering. We intend to take advantage of this new legislation but cannot guarantee that we will not be required to implement these requirements sooner than budgeted or planned and thereby incur unexpected expenses. Stockholder activism, the current political environment and the current high level of government intervention and regulatory reform may lead to substantial new regulations and disclosure obligations, which may lead to additional compliance costs and impact the manner in which we operate our business in ways we cannot currently anticipate.

We expect the rules and regulations applicable to public companies to substantially increase our legal and financial compliance costs and to make some activities more time-consuming and costly. If these requirements divert the attention of our management and personnel from other business concerns, they could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The increased costs will decrease our net income or increase our consolidated net loss, and may require us to reduce costs in other areas of our business or increase the prices of our products or services. For example, we expect these rules and regulations to make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance and we may be required to incur substantial costs to maintain the same or similar coverage. We cannot predict or estimate the

 

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amount or timing of additional costs we may incur to respond to these requirements. The impact of these requirements could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors, our board committees or as executive officers.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports or publish unfavorable research or reports about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us, our business, our market or our competitors. We do not currently have and may never obtain research coverage by securities and industry analysts. If no securities or industry analysts commence coverage of our company, the trading price for our stock would be negatively impacted. In the event we obtain securities or industry analyst coverage, if one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our stock, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases to cover us or fails to regularly publish reports on us, interest in our stock could decrease, which could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.

We could be subject to securities class action litigation.

In the past, securities class action litigation has often been brought against a company following a decline in the market price of its securities. This risk is especially relevant for us because pharmaceutical companies have experienced significant stock price volatility in recent years. If we face such litigation, it could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could harm our business.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus, including statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy, prospective products, product approvals, research and development costs, timing and likelihood of success, plans and objectives of management for future operations, and future results of current and anticipated products are forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “project,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this prospectus are only predictions. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions described under the sections in this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this prospectus. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified and some of which are beyond our control, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in our forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risk factors and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all risk factors and uncertainties. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

This prospectus also contains estimates and other statistical data made by independent parties and by us relating to market size and growth and other data about our industry. This data involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates. In addition, projections, assumptions and estimates of our future performance and the future performance of the markets in which we operate are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from the sale of the common stock that we are offering will be approximately $23.8 million (or $27.6 million if the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option in full), assuming an initial public offering price of $13.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $1.9 million, assuming the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We may also increase or decrease the number of shares we are offering. Each increase (decrease) of 1.0 million in the number of shares we are offering would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, by approximately $12.0 million, assuming the assumed initial public offering price stays the same.

We intend to use $15.0 million of the net proceeds of this offering for research and development activities for EVK-001, including our planned Phase 3 clinical trial of EVK-001. In addition, we intend to use $2.1 million of the net proceeds from this offering to make monthly principal and interest payments on our loan with Silicon Valley Bank. Advances under the loan and security agreement have an interest-only period through December 31, 2013, and a 24-month payback period commences in January 2014. We intend to use the remaining proceeds from this offering for working capital and other general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to in-license, acquire or invest in complementary businesses or products; however, we have no current commitments or obligations to do so. Pending use of the proceeds as described above, we intend to invest the net proceeds of this offering in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade securities or certificates of deposit.

We believe that the net proceeds from this offering and our existing cash and cash equivalents, together with interest thereon, will be sufficient to fund our operations through approximately 18 months after the date of this prospectus, although there can be no assurance in that regard. In particular, we believe that the net proceeds from this offering will allow us to commence our planned Phase 3 clinical trial of EVK-001. Because we expect this clinical trial to commence in the first half of 2014 with an approximately 12 month enrollment period, we will need to obtain additional funds to complete this trial as well as finance any additional development requirements requested by the FDA.

The amounts and timing of our actual expenditures will depend on numerous factors, including the progress of our clinical trials and other development efforts for EVK-001, as well as the amount of cash used in our operations. We therefore cannot estimate the amount of net proceeds to be used for the purposes described above. We may find it necessary or advisable to use the net proceeds for other purposes, and we will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds. Pending the uses described above, we plan to invest the net proceeds from this offering in short- and intermediate-term, interest-bearing obligations, investment-grade instruments, certificates of deposit or direct or guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the operation of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. In addition, unless waived, the terms of our loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank limit our ability to pay cash dividends. Any future determination related to dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors after considering our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors the board of directors deems relevant, and subject to the restrictions contained in our current or future financing instruments.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of June 30, 2013 as follows:

 

   

on an actual basis;

 

   

on a pro forma basis to reflect (1) the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our Series A convertible preferred stock into 2,439,002 shares of our common stock prior to the closing of this offering, (2) the adjustment of our outstanding warrants to purchase Series A convertible preferred stock into warrants to purchase 22,000 shares of our common stock immediately prior to the closing of this offering and the resultant reclassification of our convertible preferred stock warrant liability to additional paid-in capital, a component of stockholders’ equity (deficit), and (3) the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation immediately prior to the closing of this offering; and

 

   

on a pro forma as adjusted basis to give further effect to our issuance and sale of 2,100,000 shares of common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and the payment of retention bonuses to our executive officers in an aggregate amount of $355,000 which will become payable upon the closing of this offering.

The pro forma and pro forma as adjusted information below is illustrative only, and our capitalization following the closing of this offering will be adjusted based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. You should read this information in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes appearing at the end of this prospectus and the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section and other financial information contained in this prospectus.

 

     As of June 30, 2013  
     Actual     Pro Forma     Pro Forma  As
Adjusted(1)
 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 1,050,439      $ 1,050,439      $ 24,684,689   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capitalization:

      

Warrant liability

   $ 226,000      $ —          —     

Long-term debt (including current portion)

     2,942,422        2,942,422        2,942,422   

Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share; 12,305,068 shares authorized, 12,195,068 shares issued and outstanding, actual; no shares authorized, issued or outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted

     18,225,166        —          —     

Stockholders’ deficit:

      

Common stock, $0.0001 par value per share; 20,000,000 shares authorized, 1,242,750 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 50,000,000 shares authorized, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted; 3,681,752 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma; 5,781,752 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted

     124        368        578   

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value per share; no shares authorized, issued and outstanding, actual; 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted

     —          —          —     

Additional paid-in capital

     201,777        18,652,699        42,452,489   

Deficit accumulated during the development stage

     (20,588,866     (20,588,866     (20,943,866
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     (20,386,965     (1,935,799     21,509,201   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 1,006,623      $ 1,006,623      $ 24,451,623   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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(1) Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the pro forma as adjusted amount of each of cash and cash equivalents, total stockholders’ equity (deficit) and total capitalization by approximately $1.9 million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase (decrease) of 1.0 million shares in the number of shares offered by us at the assumed initial public offering price per share, the midpoint of the price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the pro forma as adjusted amount of each of cash and cash equivalents, total stockholders’ equity (deficit) and total capitalization by approximately $12.0 million.

The number of shares in the table above excludes, as of June 30, 2013:

 

   

123,250 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options outstanding as of June 30, 2013, at a weighted-average exercise price of $0.40 per share;

 

   

510,000 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan, which will become effective on the day prior to the public trading date of our common stock;

 

   

30,000 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which will become effective on the day prior to the public trading date of our common stock;

 

   

22,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding as of June 30, 2013, at a weighted-average exercise price of $7.50 per share; and

 

   

84,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of a warrant to be issued to the representative in connection with this offering, at an exercise price per share equal to 175% of the public offering price.

 

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DILUTION

If you invest in our common stock in this offering, your ownership interest will be immediately diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share and the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of our common stock after this offering.

As of June 30, 2013, we had a historical net tangible book value (deficit) of $(20,386,965), or $(16.40) per share of common stock, based on 1,242,750 shares of common stock outstanding at June 30, 2013. Our historical net tangible book value represents total tangible assets less total liabilities at June 30, 2013.

On a pro forma basis, after giving effect to the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our Series A convertible preferred stock into 2,439,002 shares of our common stock immediately prior to the closing of this offering and the reclassification of our convertible preferred stock warrant liability to additional paid-in capital, a component of stockholders’ equity (deficit), our pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) as of June 30, 2013 would have been approximately $(1,935,799), or approximately $(0.53) per share of our common stock.

After giving further effect to the sale of 2,100,000 shares of common stock that we are offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and the payment of retention bonuses to our executive officers in an aggregate amount of $355,000 which will become payable upon the closing of this offering, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2013 would have been approximately $21.5 million, or approximately $3.72 per share. This amount represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $4.25 per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in pro forma net tangible book value of approximately $9.28 per share to new investors purchasing shares of common stock in this offering.

Dilution per share to new investors is determined by subtracting pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering from the initial public offering price per share paid by new investors. The following table illustrates this dilution:

 

Assumed initial public offering price per share

     $ 13.00   

Historical net tangible book value (deficit) per share as of June 30, 2013

   $ (16.40  

Pro forma increase in historical net tangible book value (deficit) per share attributable to the pro forma transactions described in preceding paragraphs

     15.87     
  

 

 

   

Pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) per share as of June 30, 2013

     (0.53  

Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to this offering

     4.25     
  

 

 

   

Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering

     $ 3.72   
    

 

 

 

Dilution per share to new investors

     $ 9.28   
    

 

 

 

Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering by approximately $1.9 million, and dilution in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share to new investors by approximately $0.67, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. Each increase of 1.0 million shares in the number of shares offered by us would increase our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering by approximately $1.22 per share and decrease the dilution to investors participating in this offering by approximately $1.22 per share, assuming that the assumed initial public offering price remains the same, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. Each decrease of 1.0 million shares in the number of shares offered by us would decrease our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering by

 

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approximately $1.72 per share and increase the dilution to investors participating in this offering by approximately $1.72 per share, assuming that the assumed initial public offering price remains the same, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us.

If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase 315,000 additional shares of our common stock in full in this offering, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value after the offering would be $4.15 per share, the increase in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share to existing stockholders would be $4.68 per share and the dilution per share to new investors would be $8.85 per share, in each case assuming an initial public offering price of $13.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range listed on the cover page of this prospectus.

The following table summarizes on the pro forma as adjusted basis described above, as of June 30, 2013, the differences between the number of shares purchased from us, the total consideration paid to us in cash and the average price per share that existing stockholders and new investors paid. The calculation below is based on the assumed initial public offering price of $13.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range listed on the cover page of the prospectus, before deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

     Shares Purchased     Total Consideration     Average Price
Per Share
 
     Number      Percent     Amount      Percent    

Existing stockholders

     3,681,752         64   $ 18,398,478         40   $ 5.00   

New investors

     2,100,000         36        27,300,000         60        13.00   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

Total

     5,781,752         100   $ 45,698,478         100  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

The foregoing tables and calculations exclude:

 

   

123,250 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of stock options outstanding as of June 30, 2013, at a weighted-average exercise price of $0.40 per share;

 

   

510,000 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan, which will become effective on the day prior to the public trading date of our common stock;

 

   

30,000 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which will become effective on the day prior to the public trading date of our common stock;

 

   

22,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding as of June 30, 2013, at a weighted-average exercise price of $7.50 per share; and

 

   

84,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of a warrant to be issued to the representative in connection with this offering, at an exercise price per share equal to 175% of the public offering price.

To the extent any of these outstanding options or warrants is exercised, there will be further dilution to new investors. If all of such outstanding options and warrants had been exercised as of June 30, 2013, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering would be $3.66, and total dilution per share to new investors would be $9.34.

If the underwriters exercise their over-allotment option to purchase 315,000 additional shares of our common stock in full in this offering:

 

   

the percentage of shares of common stock held by existing stockholders will decrease to approximately 60% of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding after this offering; and

 

   

the number of shares held by new investors will increase to 2,415,000, or approximately 40% of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding after this offering.

 

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SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

You should read the following selected financial data in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this prospectus and in the section of this prospectus entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”. We have derived the statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2011 and 2012 from our audited financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. We have derived the statements of operations data for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 and the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to June 30, 2013 and balance sheet data as of June 30, 2013 from our unaudited financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The unaudited financial statements have been prepared on a basis consistent with our audited financial statements included in this prospectus and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly state our financial position as of June 30, 2013 and results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013. Our historical results for any prior period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in any future period.

 

    

 

Years Ended December 31,

    Six Months Ended June 30,     Period From
January 29, 2007
(Inception) to
June 30,

2013
 
     2011     2012             2012                     2013            
                

(unaudited)

    (unaudited)  

Statement of Operations Data:

          

Operating expenses:

          

Research and development

   $ 1,844,044      $ 1,165,645      $ 510,295      $ 241,827      $ 16,233,356   

General and administrative

     570,524        836,781        352,465        293,627        3,598,160   

Purchase of in-process research and development

     —          —          —          —          650,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     2,414,568        2,002,426        862,760        535,454        20,481,516   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (2,414,568     (2,002,426     (862,760     (535,454     (20,481,516

Total other income (expense)

     13,324        (15,102     3,936        (198,409     (107,350
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss and comprehensive loss

   $ (2,401,244   $ (2,017,528   $ (858,824   $ (733,863   $ (20,588,866
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per common share, basic and diluted(1)

   $ (2.18   $ (1.79   $ (0.77   $ (0.65  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Weighted-average shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share(1)

     1,102,625        1,124,000        1,120,250        1,135,250     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Pro forma net loss per common share, basic and diluted (unaudited)(1)

     $ (0.57     $ (0.17  
    

 

 

     

 

 

   

Weighted-average shares used to compute pro forma net loss per common share, basic and diluted (unaudited)(1)

       3,563,002          3,574,252     
    

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

(1) See Note 2 to our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for an explanation of the method used to calculate the historical and pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted, and the number of shares used in the computation of the per share amounts.

 

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     As of December 31,     As of June 30,
2013
 
     2011     2012    
                 (unaudited)  

Balance Sheet Data:

      

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 865,876      $ 116,013      $ 1,050,439   

Working capital (deficit)

     570,835        (454,396     (663,462

Total assets

     905,335        116,013        1,793,052   

Current liabilities (including warrant liability)

     334,500        570,409        1,713,901   

Long-term debt, net of current portion

     —          979,792        2,240,950   

Convertible preferred stock

     18,225,166        18,225,166        18,225,166   

Deficit accumulated during the development stage

     (17,837,475     (19,855,003     (20,588,866

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (17,654,331     (19,659,354     (20,386,965

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our financial statements and the related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this prospectus. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this prospectus, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You should review the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus for a discussion of important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis.

Overview

We are a specialty pharmaceutical company focused primarily on the development of drugs to treat gastrointestinal, or GI, disorders and diseases. We are developing EVK-001, a metoclopramide nasal spray for the relief of symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis in women with diabetes mellitus. Diabetic gastroparesis is a GI disorder afflicting millions of sufferers worldwide, in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents resulting in serious digestive system symptoms. Metoclopramide is the only product currently approved in the United States to treat gastroparesis, and is currently available only in oral and intravenous forms. EVK-001 is a novel formulation of this drug, designed to provide systemic delivery of metoclopramide through intranasal administration.

We have evaluated EVK-001 in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group, dose-ranging Phase 2b clinical trial in 287 patients with diabetic gastroparesis where EVK-001 was observed to be effective in improving the most prevalent and clinically relevant symptoms associated with gastroparesis in women while exhibiting a favorable safety profile. We plan to initiate a Phase 3 trial of EVK-001 in female patients with symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis in the first half of 2014.

We have no products approved for sale, and we have not generated any revenue from product sales or other arrangements. We have primarily funded our operations through the sale of our convertible preferred stock and borrowings under our loan and security agreements. We have incurred losses in each year since our inception. Our net losses were $2.4 million and $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively, and $0.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013. As of December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013, we had an accumulated deficit of $19.9 million and $20.6 million, respectively. Substantially all of our operating losses resulted from expenses incurred in connection with advancing EVK-001 through development activities and general and administrative costs associated with our operations. We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses for at least the next several years.

Our recurring losses from operations, negative cash flows and insufficient working capital raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. In its report on our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012, our independent registered public accounting firm included an explanatory paragraph. We may never become profitable, or if we do, we may not be able to sustain profitability on a recurring basis.

Questcor Asset Purchase Agreement

We acquired all worldwide rights, data, patents and other related assets associated with EVK-001 from Questcor Pharmaceuticals in June 2007. We paid to Questcor $650,000 in the form of an upfront payment, and will be required to make additional milestone payments totaling up to $52.0 million. These milestones include up to $5.0 million in payments if EVK-001 achieves the following development targets:

 

   

$0.5 million upon the initiation of the first patient dosing in our planned Phase 3 clinical trial for EVK-001;

 

   

$1.5 million upon the FDA’s acceptance for review of an NDA for EVK-001; and

 

   

$3.0 million upon the FDA’s approval of EVK-001.

 

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The remaining $47.0 million in milestone payments depend on EVK-001’s commercial success and will only apply if EVK-001 receives regulatory approval. In addition, we will be required to pay to Questcor a low single digit royalty on net sales of EVK-001. Our obligation to pay such royalties will terminate upon the expiration of the last patent right covering EVK-001, which is expected to occur in 2030.

Financial Operations Overview

Research and Development Expenses

We expense all research and development expenses as they are incurred. Research and development expenses primarily include:

 

   

clinical trial and regulatory-related costs;

 

   

expenses incurred under agreements with contract research organizations, or CROs, investigative sites and consultants that conduct our clinical trials;

 

   

manufacturing and stability testing costs and related supplies and materials;

 

   

employee-related expenses, including salaries, benefits, travel and stock-based compensation expense;

All of our research and development expenses to date have been incurred in connection with EVK-001. We expect our research and development expenses to increase for the foreseeable future as we advance EVK-001 through clinical development, including the conduct of our planned Phase 3 clinical trial. The process of conducting clinical trials necessary to obtain regulatory approval is costly and time consuming. We are unable to estimate with any certainty the costs we will incur in the continued development of EVK-001. However, we currently estimate the costs to complete our Phase 3 clinical trial in women, our companion clinical trial in men and a thorough QT study of EVK-001 will be approximately $15.0 million. Clinical development timelines, the probability of success and development costs can differ materially from expectations. We may never succeed in achieving marketing approval for our product candidate.

The costs of clinical trials may vary significantly over the life of a project owing to, but not limited to, the following:

 

   

per patient trial costs;

 

   

the number of sites included in the trials;

 

   

the countries in which the trials are conducted;

 

   

the length of time required to enroll eligible patients;

 

   

the number of patients that participate in the trials;

 

   

the number of doses that patients receive;

 

   

the cost of comparative agents used in trials;

 

   

the drop-out or discontinuation rates of patients;

 

   

potential additional safety monitoring or other studies requested by regulatory agencies;

 

   

the duration of patient follow-up; and

 

   

the efficacy and safety profile of the product candidate.

We do not expect EVK-001 to be commercially available, if at all, for the next few years.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related benefits, including stock-based compensation. Our general and administrative expenses consisted of payroll expenses for our two full-time employees during the two-year period ended December 31, 2012 and the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013. Other general and administrative expenses include professional fees for auditing, tax, patent costs and legal services.

 

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We expect that general and administrative expenses will increase in the future as we expand our operating activities and incur additional costs associated with being a publicly-traded company and maintaining compliance with exchange listing and Securities and Exchange Commission requirements. These increases will likely include higher consulting costs, legal fees, accounting fees, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance premiums and fees associated with investor relations.

Total Other Income (Expense)

Total other income (expense) consists primarily of interest income we earn on interest-bearing accounts and money market funds for cash and cash equivalents, interest expense incurred on our outstanding debt and changes in the fair value of our warrant liability and preferred stock purchase right liability.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which we have prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We evaluate these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Our actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

While our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 to our financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus, we believe that the following accounting policies are the most critical for fully understanding and evaluating our financial condition and results of operations.

Accrued Research and Development Expenses

As part of the process of preparing financial statements, we are required to estimate and accrue expenses, the largest of which are research and development expenses. This process involves the following:

 

   

communicating with our applicable personnel to identify services that have been performed on our behalf and estimating the level of service performed and the associated cost incurred for the service when we have not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of actual cost;

 

   

estimating and accruing expenses in our financial statements as of each balance sheet date based on facts and circumstances known to us at the time; and

 

   

periodically confirming the accuracy of our estimates with selected service providers and making adjustments, if necessary.

Examples of estimated research and development expenses that we accrue include:

 

   

fees paid to CROs in connection with toxicology studies and clinical studies;

 

   

fees paid to investigative sites in connection with clinical studies;

 

   

fees paid to contract manufacturing organizations in connection with the production of clinical study materials; and

 

   

professional service fees for consulting and related services.

 

 

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We base our expense accruals related to clinical studies on our estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to contracts with multiple research institutions and CROs that conduct and manage clinical studies on our behalf. The financial terms of these agreements vary from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows. Payments under some of these contracts depend on factors, such as the successful enrollment of patients, site initiation and the completion of clinical study milestones. Our service providers invoice us monthly in arrears for services performed. In accruing service fees, we estimate the time period over which services will be performed and the level of effort to be expended in each period. If we do not identify costs that we have begun to incur or if we underestimate or overestimate the level of services performed or the costs of these services, our actual expenses could differ from our estimates. To date, we have not experienced significant changes in our estimates of accrued research and development expenses after a reporting period. However, due to the nature of estimates, we cannot assure you that we will not make changes to our estimates in the future as we become aware of additional information about the status or conduct of our clinical studies and other research activities.

Estimated Fair value of Convertible Preferred Stock Warrants

Freestanding warrants for the purchase of convertible preferred stock that is either subject to a put right or redeemable are classified as liabilities on the balance sheet at their estimated fair value. At the end of each reporting period, changes in estimated fair value during the period are recorded as a component of other income (expense). We will continue to adjust the carrying value of these warrants until the earlier of the exercise of the warrants or the completion of a liquidity event, including the completion of an initial public offering, or IPO, at which time the liabilities will be reclassified to stockholders’ deficit. As of December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013, we had outstanding warrants exercisable to purchase 70,000 and 110,000 shares, respectively, of our Series A convertible preferred stock. We estimate the fair values of the convertible preferred stock warrants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on inputs as of the valuation measurement dates for the estimated fair value of the underlying convertible preferred stock, the remaining contractual terms of the warrants, risk-free interest rates, expected dividend rates and the estimated volatility of the price of the convertible preferred stock. The consummation of this offering will result in the conversion of our Series A convertible preferred stock into common stock. Upon such conversion, the preferred stock warrants will be reclassified to stockholders’ equity (deficit) and will no longer be subject to remeasurement.

Other Accounting Policies

Although our stock-based compensation expense may be significant in future periods, we have not issued any stock awards since February 2011 and have not recorded a significant amount of stock-based compensation expense during the periods presented. See Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Stock-Based Compensation Expense to our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Other Information

Net Operating Loss Carryforwards

As of December 31, 2012, we had federal and California tax net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $18.6 million and $18.2 million, respectively. The federal and California net loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2028 and 2018, respectively, unless previously utilized. As of December 31, 2012, we also had federal and California research and development tax credit carryforwards of $525,000 and $428,000, respectively. The federal research and development tax credit carryforwards will begin to expire in 2028. The California research and development tax credit carryforwards are available indefinitely.

Under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change” (generally defined as a greater than 50% change (by value) in its equity ownership over a three year period), the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change net operating loss carryforwards and other pre-change tax attributes to offset its post-change income may be limited. We have not completed our analysis to determine what, if any, impact any prior ownership change has had on our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards.

 

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JOBS Act

On April 5, 2012, the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, was enacted. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, for complying with new or revised accounting standards. In other words, an “emerging growth company” can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this extended transition period and, as a result, we will adopt new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for other public companies.

We are in the process of evaluating the benefits of relying on other exemptions and reduced reporting requirements provided by the JOBS Act. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the JOBS Act, as an “emerging growth company,” we intend to rely on certain of these exemptions, including without limitation, (i) providing an auditor’s attestation report on our system of internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and (ii) complying with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements, known as the auditor discussion and analysis. We will remain an “emerging growth company” until the earliest of (a) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of $1 billion or more, (b) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the completion of this offering, (c) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in nonconvertible debt during the previous three years or (d) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Results of Operations

Comparison of Six Months Ended June 30, 2012 and 2013

The following table summarizes the results of our operations for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013:

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,     Increase/
(Decrease)
 
             2012                      2013            

Research and development

   $  510,295       $  241,827      $  (268,468

General and administrative

     352,465        293,627       (58,838 )

Other income (expense):

       

Interest income

     936        2,221       1,285  

Interest expense

     —          (79,630     (79,630

Change in fair value of warrant liability

     3,000        (121,000     (124,000

Total other income (expense)

     3,936        (198,409     (202,345

Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses were $0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $0.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013. The decrease of $0.3 million is primarily related to the decrease of $0.3 million in compensation costs related to the election of our board of directors to not pay 2012 bonuses and from finalizing clinical development-related costs as we completed the Phase 2 clinical trial for EVK-001.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses were $0.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2012, compared to $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013. The decrease of $0.1 million is primarily related to the administrative portion of compensation costs related to the election of our board of directors to not pay 2012 bonuses.

Other Income (Expense). Other income (expense) was approximately $4,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and primarily consisted of interest income and a minor decline in the fair value of our warrant

 

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liability. Other income (expense) was approximately $(198,000) for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and primarily consisted of $80,000 of interest expense related to advances under our loan and security agreement and $121,000 of expense related to the increase in fair value of our outstanding warrant liability.

Comparison of Fiscal Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2012

The following table summarizes the results of our operations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012:

 

     Years Ended December 31,     Increase/
(Decrease)
 
     2011     2012    

Research and development

   $ 1,844,044      $ 1,165,645      $ (678,399

General and administrative

     570,524        836,781        266,257   

Other income (expense):

      

Interest income

     10,696        1,690        (9,006

Interest expense

     (2,872     (24,042     (21,170

Change in fair value of warrant liability

     5,500        7,250        1,750   

Total other income (expense)

     13,324        (15,102     (28,426

Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses were $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decrease of $0.7 million is primarily related to the decrease in development-related costs as we finalized the Phase 2 clinical trial for EVK-001 and engaged with the FDA for Phase 3 planning.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses were $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to $0.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. The increase of $0.3 million is primarily related to an increase in accruals for bonus payments to our officers in 2012.

Other Income (Expense). Other income (expense) was $13,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011 and primarily consisted of interest income. Other income (expense) was $(15,000) for the year ended December 31, 2012 and primarily consisted of $24,000 of interest expense related to advances under our loan and security agreement, offset by $2,000 of interest income and $7,000 of other income related to the decrease in fair value of our outstanding warrant liability.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have funded our operations primarily from the sale of convertible equity securities and borrowings under our loan and security agreements. Through June 30, 2013, we have received $17.7 million in net proceeds from the sale of our Series A convertible preferred stock and net proceeds of $3.0 million under our current loan and security agreement. We have incurred losses since inception and negative cash flows from operating activities. As of June 30, 2013, we had approximately $1.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, a working capital (deficit) of $(0.7) million and an accumulated deficit of $20.6 million.

In June 2012, we entered into a $3.0 million loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank which is collateralized by our personal property. Interest on advances under the agreement is at a fixed interest rate equal to 4.50%. The loan and security agreement contains only non-financial covenants. Advances under the loan and security agreement have an interest-only period through December 31, 2013 and a 24-month payback period commences in January 2014. As of June 30, 2013, we had drawn down the entire $3.0 million available under the agreement to fund working capital and have no credit available for future borrowings. In connection with the loan and security agreement, we issued a warrant to Silicon Valley Bank which is immediately exercisable for an aggregate of 60,000 shares of our Series A convertible preferred stock, at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. The warrant will be adjusted to provide for the purchase of an aggregate of 12,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $7.50 per share immediately prior to the closing of this offering.

 

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We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and increasing operating losses for at least the next several years. In the near-term, we anticipate that our expenses will increase substantially as we:

 

   

initiate significant clinical trials associated with EVK-001, including our planned Phase 3 clinical trial that we plan to initiate in the first half of 2014;

 

   

hire additional staff, including clinical, scientific, operational, financial and management personnel; and

 

   

to maintain, expand and protect our intellectual property portfolio.

To fund further operations we will need to raise additional capital. The expected net proceeds from this offering will not be sufficient for us to complete our planned Phase 3 clinical trial of EVK-001 or any additional development requirements requested by the FDA, or, if applicable, to prepare for commercialization of EVK-01 should we receive product approval. At this time, due to the risks inherent in the drug development process, we are unable to estimate with any certainty the costs we will incur in the continued development of EVK-001 for potential commercialization. However, we currently estimate the costs to complete our Phase 3 clinical trial in women, our companion clinical trial in men and a thorough QT study of EVK-001 will be approximately $15.0 million. Accordingly, we will continue to require substantial additional capital beyond the expected proceeds from this offering to continue our clinical development and potential commercialization activities. The amount and timing of our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including the pace and results of our clinical development efforts. We anticipate that we will seek to fund our operations through public or private equity or debt financings or other sources, such as potential collaboration arrangements. Our failure to raise capital as and when needed would have a negative impact on our financial condition and our ability to pursue our business strategies.

The following table summarizes of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 and the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013:

 

     Years Ended December 31,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2011     2012             2012                     2013          

Net cash used in operating activities

   $ (2,893,108   $ (1,749,863   $ (795,562   $ (876,324

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (277,779     1,000,000        —          1,810,750   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

   $ (3,170,887   $ (749,863   $ (795,562   $ 934,426   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Activities. Net cash used in operating activities was $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, compared to net cash used in operating activities of $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. Net cash used in operating activities was $0.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013. In all periods the primary use of cash was to fund our net loss.

Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. In 2011 we paid down our outstanding balances under our original loan and security agreement while we took advances on our current loan and security agreement in 2012. During the six months ended June 30, 2013 our financing activity consisted of a $2.0 million draw under our loan and security agreement to fund working capital requirements and the payment of $0.2 million of costs incurred in connection with our proposed initial public offering. We had no financing activity during the six months ended June 30, 2012.

The report of our independent registered public accounting firm on our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 includes an explanatory paragraph stating that our recurring losses from operations and working capital deficit raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. If we are unable to obtain additional financing on commercially reasonable terms, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially adversely affected and we may be unable to continue as a going concern. If we are unable to continue as a going concern, we may have to liquidate our assets and may receive less than the value at which those assets are carried on our financial statements.

 

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We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2013, together with interest thereon, and the estimated net proceeds from this offering, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for approximately 18 months after the date of this prospectus. However, our forecast of the period of time through which our financial resources will be adequate to support our operations is a forward-looking statement that involves risks and uncertainties, and actual results could vary materially.

The amount and timing of our future funding requirements will depend on many factors, including but not limited to:

 

   

the initiation, progress, costs, results of and timing of our clinical development program for EVK-001, including our planned Phase 3 clinical trial;

 

   

the need for, and the progress, costs and results of, any additional clinical trials of EVK-001 we may initiate based on the results of our planned clinical trials or discussions with the FDA, including any additional trials the FDA or other regulatory agencies may require evaluating the safety of EVK-001;

 

   

the outcome, costs and timing of seeking and obtaining regulatory approvals from the FDA, and any similar regulatory agencies;

 

   

the timing and costs associated with manufacturing EVK-001 for clinical trials and other studies and, if approved, for commercial sale;

 

   

our need and ability to hire additional management, development and scientific personnel;

 

   

the cost to maintain, expand and defend the scope of our intellectual property portfolio, including the amount and timing of any payments we may be required to make, or that we may receive, in connection with licensing, filing, prosecution, defense and enforcement of any patents or other intellectual property rights;

 

   

the timing and costs associated with establishing sales and marketing capabilities;

 

   

market acceptance of EVK-001;

 

   

the extent to which we are required to pay milestone or other payments under our Questcor asset purchase agreement and the timing of such payments;

 

   

the costs of acquiring, licensing or investing in additional businesses, products, product candidates and technologies; and

 

   

our need to implement additional internal systems and infrastructure, including financial and reporting systems.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Through June 30, 2013, we have not entered into and did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial collaborations, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purpose.

Contractual Obligations

Our most significant clinical trial expenditures are to CROs. The contracts with CROs generally are cancellable, with notice, at our option and do not have any cancellation penalties.

Our long-term debt obligation consists of amounts we are obligated to repay under our loan and security agreement with Silicon Valley Bank, of which we have drawn the full amount of $3.0 million as of January 31, 2013. Unless principal is paid in advance, we are required to make an aggregate of $135,000 of interest-only

 

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payments in 2013. In January 2014 we are required to begin making the first of 24 monthly principal and interest payments of $131,024, such that the loan balance will be fully repaid in December 2015. We will incur a total of $144,570 of interest charges in 2014 and 2015.

As of December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013, we had no operating lease commitments.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

Interest Rate Fluctuation Risk

Our primary exposure to market risk is interest income sensitivity, which is affected by changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates. However, because of the short-term nature of our cash and cash equivalents, a sudden change in market interest rates would not be expected to have a material impact on our financial condition and/or results of operations.

Our long-term debt bears interest at a fixed rate and therefore has minimal exposure to changes in interest rates.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

To date, all of our contractual obligations have been denominated in U.S. dollars. In the future, we may contract with organizations to manufacture drug product, active pharmaceutical ingredient, container closure system materials as well as CROs and investigational sites in foreign countries. We may therefore become subject to fluctuations in foreign currency rates in connection with these agreements.

Inflation Risk

Inflation generally affects us by increasing our cost of labor and clinical trial costs. We do not believe that inflation has had a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 and the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013.

 

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BUSINESS

Overview

We are a specialty pharmaceutical company focused primarily on the development of drugs to treat gastrointestinal, or GI, disorders and diseases. We are developing EVK-001, a metoclopramide nasal spray for the relief of symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis in women with diabetes mellitus. Diabetic gastroparesis is a GI disorder afflicting millions of sufferers worldwide, in which the stomach takes too long to empty its contents resulting in serious digestive system symptoms. Metoclopramide is the only product currently approved in the United States to treat gastroparesis, and is currently available only in oral and intravenous forms. EVK-001 is a novel formulation of this drug, designed to provide systemic delivery of metoclopramide through intranasal administration.

Gastroparesis is a condition of delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Gastroparesis results in food remaining in the stomach for a longer time than normal, yielding a variety of symptoms. Gastroparesis is a common problem in individuals with diabetes, but also is observed in patients with prior gastric surgery, a preceding infectious illness, pseudo-obstruction, collagen vascular disorders and anorexia nervosa. According to the American Motility Society Task Force on Gastroparesis, the prevalence of gastroparesis is estimated to be up to 4% of the United States population. Symptoms of gastroparesis include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, early satiety, lack of appetite, and weight loss. The disorder can lead to considerable pain and discomfort, poor nutrition, impaired glycemic control and diminished quality of life. According to a 2008 study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, it is estimated that hospitalization costs associated with gastroparesis exceed $3.5 billion annually.

We believe intranasal administration has the potential to offer our target gastroparesis patients a preferred treatment option because, unlike oral metoclopramide, EVK-001 is designed to effectively bypass the digestive system and allow for more predictable drug administration of our proprietary nasal spray formulation across the thin mucosa in the nasal cavity. Intranasal drug delivery effectively bypasses the gut, unlike oral formulations which might be delayed in absorption due to gastroparesis itself. For patients suffering from nausea and vomiting, EVK-001 is designed to allow for rapid and predictable drug administration.

We have evaluated EVK-001 in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group, dose-ranging Phase 2b clinical trial in 287 patients with diabetic gastroparesis where EVK-001 was observed to be effective in improving the most prevalent and clinically relevant symptoms associated with gastroparesis in women while exhibiting a favorable safety profile. We plan to initiate a Phase 3 trial of EVK-001 in female patients with symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis in the first half of 2014. We anticipate receiving topline data from this trial in early 2015. We will need to successfully complete this trial, as well as a thorough QT, or TQT, study, which is an evaluation of cardiac safety, before we are able to submit a new drug application, or NDA, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, for EVK-001. FDA approval of the NDA is required in order for us to commercially market EVK-001 in the United States. In addition, based on our discussions with the FDA, we plan to conduct a similar study for safety and efficacy in male patients with symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis to assess the safety and efficacy of EVK-001 in men. We anticipate this trial will be conducted concurrently with the Phase 3 trial in women. The completion of the male companion trial is not required for submission of the NDA for EVK-001; however, we expect to include safety data from this trial in our NDA submission for EVK-001.

At this time, due to the risks inherent in the drug development process, we are unable to estimate with any certainty the costs we will incur in the continued development of EVK-001 for potential commercialization. However, we currently estimate the costs to complete our Phase 3 clinical trial in women, our companion clinical trial in men and a TQT study of EVK-001 will be approximately $15.0 million.

 

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Business Strategy

Our objective is to develop and bring to market products to treat acute and chronic GI motility disorders that are not satisfactorily treated with current therapies and that represent significant market opportunities. Our business strategy is to:

 

   

Continue development and pursue regulatory approval for EVK-001. We are currently preparing to initiate a Phase 3 trial of EVK-001 in female patients suffering from diabetic gastroparesis in the first half of 2014.

 

   

Seek partnerships to accelerate and maximize the potential for EVK-001. As we continue to generate data on EVK-001, we will seek partnering opportunities with pharmaceutical companies that have established development and sales and marketing capabilities to potentially enhance and accelerate the development and commercialization of EVK-001.

 

   

Explore building in-house capabilities to potentially commercialize EVK-001 in the United States. As EVK-001 progresses through its Phase 3 clinical program, in addition to partnering opportunities, we intend to evaluate the development of our own specialty sales force and marketing capabilities to allow us to directly market EVK-001 in the United States, if approved by the FDA.

 

   

Explore regulatory approval of EVK-001 outside the United States. We will initially seek approval of EVK-001 in the United States and evaluate the market opportunity in other countries.

 

   

Evaluate the development and/or commercialization of other therapies for GI motility disorders. Similar to our initial focus on gastroparesis, we will evaluate opportunities to in-license or acquire other product candidates as well as commercial products to treat patients suffering from predominantly GI disorders, seeking to identify areas of high unmet medical needs with limited treatment options.

The Gastrointestinal Market

The health of the GI system has a major effect on an individual’s daily activities and quality of life. A retrospective review published by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimated that in 2004 there were more than 72 million ambulatory care visits with a diagnosis of a GI disorder in the United States alone. The annual cost of these GI disorders in 2004, not including digestive cancers and viral diseases, was estimated to be greater than $114 billion in direct and indirect expenditures, including hospital, physician and nursing services as well as over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

In 2004, the total cost of prescription drugs in the United States was $12.3 billion, and over half of this cost ($7.7 billion) was associated with drugs prescribed for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD. Peptic Ulcer disease, hepatitis C, IBS and IBD were major contributors to the remaining drug cost. Historically GI product development efforts have focused on indications with the largest patient populations such as GERD, constipation, peptic ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. As a result, limited innovation has occurred in other segments of the GI market, such as upper GI motility disorders, even though these disorders affect several million patients worldwide. Consequently, due to the limited treatment options available for upper GI motility disorders, we believe there is a substantial market opportunity for us to address significant unmet medical needs, initially for diabetic gastroparesis.

GI Motility Disorders

Motility disorders are one of the most common GI disorders. Motility disorders affect the orderly contractions or relaxation of the GI tract which move contents forward and prevent backwards egress. This is important in the normal movement of food through the GI tract. Motility disorders are sometimes referred to as functional GI disorders to highlight that many abnormalities in gut function can occur even when anatomic structures appear normal. Functional GI disorders affect the upper and lower GI tract and include gastroparesis, GERD, functional dyspepsia, constipation and IBS. It has been estimated by the International Foundation for

 

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Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders that one in four people in the United States suffer from functional GI disorders, having symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, decreased appetite, early satiety, swallowing difficulties, heartburn and/or incontinence.

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis is a debilitating, chronic condition that has a significant impact on patients’ lives. It is characterized by slow or delayed gastric emptying and evidence of gastric retention in the absence of mechanical obstruction. Muscular contractions in the stomach, which move food into the intestine, may be too slow, out of rhythm or cease altogether. The following graph depicts the timing associated the emptying of solids in patients with diabetic gastroparesis compared to normal individuals:

 

LOGO

The stomach is a muscular sac between the esophagus and the small intestine where the digestion of food begins. The stomach makes acids and enzymes referred to as gastric juices which are mixed with food by the churning action of the stomach muscles. Peristalsis is the contraction and relaxation of the stomach muscles to physically breakdown food and propel it forward. The crushed and mixed food is liquefied to form chyme and is pushed through the pyloric canal into the small intestine in a controlled and regulated manner.

In gastroparesis, the stomach does not perform these functions normally causing characteristic symptoms that include nausea, vomiting, early satiety, bloating, and abdominal pain. As a result of these symptoms, patients may limit their food and liquid intake leading to poor nutrition and dehydration with the patient ultimately requiring hospitalization. If left untreated or not adequately treated, gastroparesis causes significant acute and chronic medical problems, including additional diabetic complications resulting from poor glucose control.

Gastroparesis in the Hospital Setting

When patients experience a flare of their gastroparesis symptoms that cannot be adequately managed by oral medications, they may be hospitalized for hydration, parenteral nutrition, and correction of abnormal blood glucose electrolyte levels. In this setting, intravenous metoclopramide is the first line of treatment. Typically, these diabetic patients with severe gastroparesis symptoms remain in the hospital until they are stabilized and able to be effectively treated with oral metoclopramide. These hospitalizations are costly and expose patients to increased risks, including hospital-acquired infections.

 

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The number of patients with gastroparesis that require hospitalization due to their disease is growing, according to a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology in 2008. Additionally, the study reported, from 1995 to 2004, total hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of gastroparesis increased 158%. Hospital admissions for patients with gastroparesis as the secondary diagnosis increased 136%. The average length of stay for a patient is between seven to eight days at an estimated cost of approximately $22,000. Compared to the other four most common upper GI admission diagnoses (GERD, gastric ulcer, gastritis or nonspecific nausea/vomiting), gastroparesis had the longest length of stay and one of the highest total charges per stay. Additionally, the study estimates that costs associated with gastroparesis as the primary or secondary diagnosis for admission exceeded $3.5 billion in 2004.

A study of patients in clinics at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center between January 2004 and December 2008 published in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, showed that patients with diabetic or post-surgical gastroparesis had significantly more emergency room visits than other gastroparesis groups. The study reinforced the view that gastroparesis constitutes a significant burden for patients and the healthcare system, with more than one-third of patients requiring hospitalization. The number of emergency room visits and annual days of inpatient treatment were comparable to patients with Crohn’s disease. The study indicated that patients received an average of 6.7 prescriptions on admission. Eighty percent of the patients identified in the University of Pittsburgh study were women.

Etiology

Gastroparesis can be a manifestation of many systemic illnesses, arise as a complication of select surgical procedures, or develop due to unknown causes. Any disease inducing neuromuscular dysfunction of the GI tract can result in gastroparesis, with diabetes being one of the leading known causes. In a 2007 study published in Current Gastroenterology Reports, 29% of gastroparesis cases were found in association with diabetes, 13% developed as a complication of surgery and 36% were due to unknown causes. According to the American Motility Society Task Force on Gastroparesis, up to 4% of the U.S. population experiences symptomatic manifestations of gastroparesis. As the incidence of diabetes rises worldwide, the prevalence of gastroparesis is expected to rise correspondingly.

The most common identified cause of gastroparesis is diabetes mellitus typically have long-standing and often poorly controlled diabetes. The underlying mechanism of diabetic gastroparesis is unknown; although, it is thought to be related in part to neuropathic changes in the vagus nerve and/or the myenteric plexus. Prolonged elevated serum glucose levels are also associated with vagus nerve damage. The vagus nerve controls the movement of food through the digestive tract and when it is damaged, forward movement of food through the GI tract is delayed. The prevalence of diabetes in the United States is rapidly rising with the Centers for Disease Control estimating that one in ten adults currently suffer from the disease. Sedentary lifestyles, poor dietary habits and a consequent rising prevalence of obesity are expected to cause this number to grow substantially.

According to a study published in the Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases in July 2010, between 25% and 55% of Type 1 and 15% and 30% of Type 2 diabetics suffer from symptoms associated with the condition and diabetics are 29% of the total gastroparesis population. A 2007 study published in Current Gastroenterology Reports states that approximately 36% of gastroparesis patients suffer from idiopathic gastroparesis. The development of idiopathic gastroparesis is thought to be related to loss of myenteric ganglion cells in the distal large bowel (myenteric hypoganglionosis) and reduction in the interstitial cells of Cajal, which help control contraction of the smooth muscle in the GI tract. Post-surgical gastroparesis is a smaller subset of the total patient pool and accounts for approximately 13% of all cases of the disease, according to a 2007 study published in Current Gastroenterology Reports. Post-surgical gastroparesis is often associated with peptic ulcer surgery, bariatric procedures or esophageal procedures and is thought to result from damage/desensitization of the vagus nerve.

 

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Prevalence

In 2011, the American Diabetes Association estimated that diabetes affects approximately 26 million people of all ages in the United States, equating to about 8.3% of the U.S. population. Based on prevalence data, the potential gastroparesis patient pool in the United States is approximately 12 to 16 million adults with women making up 82% of this population, according to a 2007 study published in Current Gastroenterology Reports. There are 2.3 million diabetic patients with moderate or severe gastroparesis symptoms who are seeking treatment in the United States by a health care professional, according to a recent study presented at the Digestive Disease Week 2013 conference in Orlando, Florida. When patients do receive treatment for gastroparesis, multiple medications are frequently used to address the individual symptoms of gastroparesis. For example, patients may receive anti-emetics for nausea and vomiting and opioids for abdominal pain, which can exacerbate delayed gastric emptying in patients with gastroparesis.

Unmet Needs in Gastroparesis Treatment

Market research and physician interviews demonstrate that existing treatment options for diabetic gastroparesis are inadequate and there is a high level of interest in effective outpatient options for managing patients with gastroparesis symptoms. The market is currently served by oral and intravenous metoclopramide, and the oral disintegrating tablet, or ODT, formulation of metoclopramide (Metozolv® ODT), with approximately 5 million prescriptions in the United States per year, according to IMS Health. Due to the limited availability of FDA-approved treatments for gastroparesis, physicians resort to using medications “off-label” in an attempt to address individual symptoms experienced by patients. Off-label therapies are pharmaceuticals prescribed by physicians for an unapproved indication or in an unapproved age group, unapproved dose or unapproved form of administration. Examples of drugs used without FDA approval in gastroparesis include; erythromycin, domperidone, and Botox® injected via endoscopic procedure directly into the lower gastric sphincter. Previously-approved drugs, such as cisapride and tegaserod, are no longer commercially available in the United States because of safety concerns.

EVK-001 is a non-oral, promotility and anti-emetic treatment that we believe has the potential to significantly improve the standard of care for female gastroparesis patients. If metoclopramide nasal spray is approved for diabetic gastroparesis in women, patients and physicians will have access to an outpatient therapy that could be administered and absorbed even when patients are experiencing nausea and vomiting.

Our Solution: EVK-001 (Metoclopramide Nasal Spray)

We are developing EVK-001, a dopamine antagonist / mixed 5-HT3 antagonist / 5-HT4 agonist with promotility and anti-emetic effects, for the relief of symptoms associated with acute and recurrent diabetic gastroparesis in women with diabetes mellitus. Since its approval in 1980, oral and intravenous metoclopramide have been the only products approved in the United States to treat gastroparesis. EVK-001 is a novel formulation of metoclopramide offering systemic delivery by intranasal administration.

We are developing the intranasal formulation of metoclopramide to provide our targeted patients with acute or recurrent symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis with a product that can be systemically delivered as an alternative to the oral or intravenous routes of administration. Intranasal delivery is possible because the mucosa of the nasal cavity is single epithelial cell layer which is well vascularized and allows metoclopramide molecules to be transferred directly to the systemic circulation. There is no first pass liver metabolism required prior to onset of action. Since gastroparesis is a disease that blocks or slows the movement of the contents of the stomach to the small intestine, oral drug administration is often compromised. Unlike the oral tablet formulation of metoclopramide, we believe that EVK-001 may be tolerated even when patients are experiencing nausea and vomiting. The intranasal formulation may also provide a predictable and consistent means of delivering metoclopramide in patients with delayed gastric emptying and/or frequent vomiting.

We believe that if approved EVK-001 could also offer an alternative route of administration for female patients with severe symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis, who typically receive the intravenous formulation of metoclopramide. A nasal spray formulation of metoclopramide could offer an alternative route of administration

 

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for female patients with severe symptoms of diabetic gastroparesis receiving the parenteral formulation of metoclopramide. Following hospitalization for intravenous metoclopramide, a nasal spray formulation would also provide a non-oral option for the transition to an outpatient treatment.

Phase 2b Clinical Trial

We have evaluated EVK-001 in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group, dose-ranging Phase 2b clinical trial in 287 subjects (79% female) with diabetic gastroparesis. Subjects in the trial were between the ages of 18 and 75, with a history of diabetes (type I and type II) and diabetic gastroparesis, who had a baseline modified Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index Daily Diary, or mGCSI-DD, of ³ 2 and £ 4 for the seven days prior to randomization on the drug or placebo.

In this trial, EVK-001 demonstrated effectiveness in reducing the most common and clinically relevant symptoms associated with gastroparesis in women, while exhibiting a favorable safety profile. EVK-001 was shown to provide a statistically significant clinical benefit as defined by a reduction in the symptoms of gastroparesis as measured by the mGCSI-DD in women (p<0.025). Male subjects treated with EVK-001 showed some improvement in gastroparesis symptoms, but did not show a statistically significant difference compared to placebo. Due to these results in men, the primary objective of statistical significance in the overall population was not achieved (p=0.15).

We believe this Phase 2b trial is the largest ever conducted in a diabetic gastroparesis population for any approved metoclopramide dosage forms (oral tablet, orally disintegrating tablet and intravenous). Previous metoclopramide studies enrolled small numbers of subjects and did not evaluate gender. Fewer than 150 subjects were enrolled across all studies included in the NDA for Reglan. The results of the Phase 2b trial are consistent with what is known about gender effects in other GI motility disorders. GI motility and functional GI disorders, including gastroparesis, are more common in females than in males. Also, healthy females generally have slower gastric emptying rates. In a study conducted at Temple University, Parkman et al have shown that gastric emptying of solid food in normal young women is slower than in age-matched men, even in the first 10 days of the menstrual cycle when estrogen and progesterone levels are low, and that the delay in gastric emptying of solids in women appears to be primarily due to altered distal gastric motor function. One explanation may be that less vigorous antral contractions may contribute to slower breakdown of food particles and thus delay the rate of emptying.

Gastrointestinal disorders present differently in males and females and responses to therapy vary by gender. There is general consensus among thought leaders in GI motility that women have a higher prevalence of symptoms, their neural and sensory pathways differ, and hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, play a role. While the EVK-001 Phase 2b trial is the first report of a gender-based difference in response to metoclopramide among subjects with diabetic gastroparesis, gender effects have been reported in drug studies for other GI disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. For example, products such as Lotronex® (alosetron), Zelnorm® (tegaserod) and Amitiza® (lubiprostone) were approved by FDA based on effectiveness in women, but not in men.

Phase 2b Trial Design

The Phase 2b clinical trial consisted of up to a 23-day screening period and a seven-day washout period, followed by 28 days of treatment with study drug. We evaluated two dosage strengths of EVK-001: 10 mg and 14 mg; as well as placebo. The study drug was administered for the 28-day treatment period as a single intranasal spray four times daily, 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime. Subjects recorded the severity of their gastroparesis symptoms in a telephonic diary using an interactive voice response system once each day. The symptoms were analyzed using a patient reported outcomes instrument, the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index Daily Diary, or GCSI-DD, developed for collecting and analyzing data to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments for gastroparesis.

The GCSI-DD contains nine symptoms (nausea, retching, vomiting, stomach fullness, not able to finish a normal sized meal, feeling excessively full after meal, loss of appetite, bloating, and stomach or belly visibly

 

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larger) grouped in three subscales. The daily score is calculated as a mean of three subscale means. Additional symptoms collected in the daily diary included; abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, number of hours of nausea, number of episodes of vomiting, and overall severity of gastroparesis symptoms. In close collaboration with FDA and its Study Endpoint and Labeling Division, these additional symptom data were used to further refine the patient reported outcome instrument. The result is a mGCSI-DD comprised of four symptoms (nausea, early satiety, bloating, and upper abdominal pain) rated from zero (none) to five (very severe). The instrument has been optimized to detect symptom variability on a severity continuum from nausea to vomiting.

Phase 2b Efficacy Results

Two patient reported outcome endpoints (mGCSI-DD and GCSI-DD) were examined in the intention-to-treat population based the protocol design and FDA communications:

 

   

The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from seven-day baseline to Week 4 of the treatment period in the mGCSI-DD total score (mean of four symptoms).

 

   

The second efficacy endpoint analyzed was the change from seven-day baseline to Week 4 of the treatment period in the GCSI-DD total score (mean of three subset means with a total of nine symptoms).

Although an overall improvement in symptoms was observed in EVK-001-treated patients with diabetic gastroparesis compared to placebo, the difference was not statistically significant due to a high placebo response among male subjects. However, statistically significant improvement in gastroparesis symptoms was observed in female subjects with diabetic gastroparesis as measured by the mGCSI-DD and GCSI-DD total scores for both doses of EVK-001 compared to the placebo. The beneficial effect of treatment in females appears to be uniform. The results are consistent across the overall endpoints, the individual components, and the two dose groups.

The observed differences in efficacy were based on gender and were not due to severity of baseline disease, or other demographic characteristics. No statistically significant differences were observed in efficacy between the 10 mg and 14 mg EVK-001 doses; thus the 10 mg dose was considered the lowest effective dose in this study. The table below summarizes the p-values observed for both doses of EVK-001 compared to placebo in the Phase 2b clinical trial across all subjects and for male and female patients separately.

EVK-001 Phase 2b Clinical Trial

Gastroparesis Study Endpoint Points P-Value Summary

(EVK-001 vs. Placebo: Change from Baseline to Week 4)

 

     EVK-001 10  mg
p-values
     EVK-001 14  mg
p-values
 

mGCSI-DD Total Score (per FDA guidance)(1)

  

All Subjects

     0.1504         0.3005   

Females

     0.0247         0.0215   

Males

     0.4497         0.2174   

GCSI-DD Total Score (per trial protocol)(2)

  

All Subjects

     0.2277         0.5266   

Females

     0.0485         0.0437   

Males

     0.4054         0.0972   

P-values for pairwise comparisons are obtained from an ANCOVA model with effects for treatment group and Baseline value as a covariate.

 

(1) The mGCSI-DD was comprised of 4 symptoms collected on a severity rating scale of 0 to 5. Baseline was 7 days prior to treatment or qualifying days during washout and Week 4 was days 21 to 27 of treatment.
(2) The GCSI-DD was comprised of 9 symptoms collected on a severity rating scale of 0 to 5. Baseline was 7 days prior to treatment or qualifying days during washout and Week 4 was days 21 to 27 of treatment.

 

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The table below summarizes the key data from the trial across all subjects and for female and male payments separately:

EVK-001 Phase 2b Clinical Trial

Primary Endpoint: Mean mGCSI-DD Total Score Change

from Baseline to Week 4 by All Subjects and Gender

(intent-to-treat, last observation carried forward on treatment)

 

Time Point

   Placebo
(N=95)
   Metoclopramide
10 mg IN
(N=96)
   Metoclopramide
14 mg IN
(N=96)

ALL SUBJECTS

        

Baseline(1)

        

N

   95    96    96

Mean (SD)

   2.8 (0.57)    2.9 (0.60)    2.8 (0.62)

Week 4

        

N

   95    96    96

Mean (SD)

   1.8 (1.00)    1.6 (1.06)    1.7 (0.90)

Change from Baseline to Week 4

        

N

   95    96    96

Mean (SD)

   -1.0 (0.89)    -1.2 (1.18)    -1.2 (0.94)

Difference of Least Square Means (95% CI)

      -0.20 (-0.47, 0.07)    -0.14 (-0.42, 0.13)

Pairwise p-value vs. Placebo(2)

      0.1504    0.3005

Difference of Least Square Means (95% CI)

         0.06 (-0.22, 0.33)

Pairwise p-value vs. Metoclopramide 10 mg(2)

         0.6830
        

FEMALES

        

Baseline(1)

        

N

   68    65    70

Mean (SD)

   2.7 (0.54)    2.9 (0.62)    2.9 (0.62)

Week 4

        

N

   68    65    70

Mean (SD)

   1.9 (1.02)    1.6 (1.08)    1.7 (0.94)

Change from Baseline to Week 4

        

N

   68    65    70

Mean (SD)

   -0.8 (0.79)    -1.2 (1.18)    -1.3 (0.98)

Difference of Least Square Means (95% CI)

      -0.38 (-0.71, -0.05)    -0.38 (-0.71, -0.06)

Pairwise p-value vs. Placebo(2)

      0.0247    0.0215

Difference of Least Square Means (95% CI)

         -0.00 (-0.33, 0.32)

Pairwise p-value vs. Metoclopramide 10 mg(2)

         0.9864

MALES

        

Baseline(1)

        

N

   27    31    26

Mean (SD)

   2.9 (0.63)    2.8 (0.54)    2.5 (0.56)

Week 4

        

N

   27    31    26

Mean (SD)

   1.4 (0.84)    1.6 (1.05)    1.7 (0.79)

Change from Baseline to Week 4

        

N

   27    31    26

Mean (SD)

   -1.4 (0.98)    -1.2 (1.21)    -0.9 (0.78)

Difference of Least Square Means (95% CI)

      0.18 (-0.30, 0.66)    0.32 (-0.19, 0.83)

Pairwise p-value vs. Placebo(2)

      0.4497    0.2174

Difference of Least Square Means (95% CI)

         0.14 (-0.35, 0.63)

Pairwise p-value vs. Metoclopramide 10 mg(2)

         0.5805

 

(1) Baseline is defined as the mean mGCSI-DD total score during the washout period
(2) p-values for pairwise comparisons are obtained from an analysis of covariance, or ANCOVA, model with effects for treatment group and baseline value as a covariate

 

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Phase 2b Safety Observations

In the Phase 2b clinical trial, EVK-001 10 mg and 14 mg doses were well-tolerated and no differences in the safety profiles were observed between the two doses administered. No serious adverse events occurred related to study treatment. In addition, there were no clinically-meaningful differences observed in clinical laboratory parameters, physical examination findings, or electrocardiogram recordings. Adverse events that occurred more commonly in both EVK-001 10 mg and 14 mg doses compared to placebo (³2% difference between treated compared to placebo groups) were dysgeusia, headache, nasal discomfort, rhinorrhea, throat irritation, fatigue, hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia. The majority of adverse events were mild to moderate and transient in nature.

Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events Reported by More than 2 Subjects in Any Treatment Group

 

System Organ Class Preferred Term

   All Subjects  
   Placebo
(N = 95)
     EVK-001 10 mg
(N = 95)
     EVK-001 14mg
(N = 95)
 

Nervous System Disorders

        

Dysgeusia

     4 (4.2%)         12 (12.6%)         13 (13.7%)   

Headache

     4 (4.2%)         7 (7.4%)         8 (8.4%)   

Dizziness

     2 (2.1%)         3 (3.2%)         3 (3.2%)   

Gastrointestinal Disorders

        

Diarrhea

     9 (9.5%)         3 (3.2%)         2 (2.1%)   

Nausea

     4 (4.2%)         1 (1.1%)         4 (4.2%)   

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

     1 (1.1%)         4 (4.2%)         0 (0.0%)   

Respiratory, Thoracic, and Mediastinal Disorders

        

Epistaxis

        2 (2.1%)         3 (3.2%)   

Cough

     2 (2.1%)         0 (0.0%)         3 (3.2%)   

Nasal discomfort

     0 (0.0%)         3 (3.2%)         2 (2.1%)   

Rhinorrhea

     1 (1.1%)         1 (1.1%)         3 (3.2%)   

Throat irritation

     1 (1.1%)         0 (0.0%)         3 (3.2%)   

Infections and Infestations

        

Upper respiratory tract infection

     4 (4.2%)         0 (0.0%)         2 (2.1%)   

Nasopharyngitis

     1 (1.1%)         3 (3.2%)         1 (1.1%)   

General Disorders and Admin Site Conditions

        

Fatigue

     1 (1.1%)         5 (5.3%)         6 (6.3%)   

Metabolism & Nutrition Disorders

        

Hyperglycemia

     1 (1.1%)         1 (1.1%)         3 (3.2%)   

Hypoglycemia

     1 (1.1%)         1 (1.1%)         3 (3.2%)   

Psychiatric Disorders

        

Depression

     3 (3.2%)         0 (0.0%)         0 (0.0%)   

Phase 1 Comparative Bioavailability Bridging Study

Our Phase 1 clinical trial of EVK-001 was an open-label, four-treatment, four-period, four-sequence crossover study conducted at a single study center. Forty healthy volunteers were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of four treatment sequences. After an overnight fast, subjects received a single dose of each of the metoclopramide treatments (10 mg EVK-001, 20 mg EVK-001, 10 mg oral tablet, and 5 mg/mL injection) in random sequence with a seven-day washout period between doses. Thirty nine subjects received at least one dose of metoclopramide. The pharmacokinetic analysis population consisted of 37 subjects who received all four treatments and two subjects who received three of the four treatments.

After intranasal administration of the 10 mg and 20 mg doses of EVK-001, mean plasma metoclopramide concentrations increased in a dose-related manner, as did mean values for Cmax and AUC(inf ). The absolute bioavailability of EVK-001 after intranasal administration was comparable for the 10 mg (47.4%) and 20 mg

 

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(52.5%) doses as were the bioavailabilities relative to the oral tablet (60.1% and 66.5%, respectively). The graphs below illustrate the mean plasma concentrations of the active ingredient in the two doses of EVK-001 as well as the oral and injection forms.

EVK-001 Phase 1 Clinical Trial

Mean Plasma Concentrations of Metoclopramide

(15 minute intervals 0-2h)

 

LOGO

Prior Development

From 1985 to present, we or our predecessors have conducted 24 clinical studies to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetic profile of nasal spray formulations of metoclopramide in healthy volunteers and the safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of metoclopramide nasal spray in patients. A total of 1,045 patients have been dosed in these studies with intranasal formulations of metoclopramide at doses ranging from 10 mg to 80 mg. In one study, a Phase 2, multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel design study, Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc., or Questcor, compared the efficacy and safety of two doses of metoclopramide nasal spray, 10 mg and 20 mg, with the FDA-approved 10 mg metoclopramide tablet. For the primary efficacy endpoint in the per protocol population analysis, a statistically significant difference in the total symptom score between baseline and week 6 for both the nasal 10 mg (p = 0.026) and nasal 20 mg (p = 0.008) cohorts compared to the oral 10 mg group was observed. Metoclopramide nasal spray was initially developed by Nastech Pharmaceutical Company, Inc. in precursor formulations to EVK-001 and subsequently acquired and developed by Questcor.

We acquired rights to this product candidate from Questcor in 2007. We then optimized the acquired formulation of metoclopramide nasal spray to improve stability and remove inactive ingredients to improve the palatability and tolerability of EVK-001 for patients. We also developed the current formulation with excipients that are at or below the levels listed in the FDA’s Inactive Ingredient Database for intranasal products. We evaluated the current formulation of EVK-001 in 229 patients in our completed Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials and intend to evaluate the same formulation in our proposed Phase 3 clinical trial. Similarly, the nasal spray pump used in our completed Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials was identical and will also be used in our proposed Phase 3 clinical trial.

The primary container closure system for EVK-001 is comprised of an amber glass vial directly attached to a pre-assembled spray pump unit with a protection cap. Each multi dose sprayer system comes preassembled and capable of delivering a 30 day supply (120 doses at 4 doses per day.) The sprayer is a standardized metered sprayer technology utilized in other nasal spray products as well as the amber vial.

 

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Our Planned Four-Week Phase 3 Clinical Trial in Female Subjects with Diabetic Gastroparesis

Based on discussions with the FDA, we plan to conduct one Phase 3 trial in women, which we believe will be sufficient for NDA submission. We plan to initiate the four-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy, safety and population pharmacokinetics of EVK-001 in adult female subjects with diabetic gastroparesis in the first half of 2014. We plan to enroll approximately 200 patients at approximately 60 sites across the United States. The trial population will consist of female diabetic patients with gastroparesis, identified by the presence of relevant symptoms and delayed gastric emptying. Female subjects with diabetic gastroparesis meeting the protocol-specified entry criteria will be studied in a parallel-group design with randomization in a 1:1 ratio to EVK-001 10 mg or placebo administered as a single intranasal spray four times daily; 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime.

Based on our discussions with the FDA, we plan to use specific symptoms from a composite score, the Gastroparesis Symptom Assessment, or GSA, as a patient-reported outcomes instrument to assess efficacy in this patient population. The primary efficacy endpoint for this Phase 3 clinical trial will be based upon a change from baseline in total composite score of the specific symptoms included in the GSA. We anticipate receiving topline data from this trial in early 2015. Also based on discussions with FDA, and to assess safety in men, we plan to conduct a similar and concurrent companion study for safety and efficacy in diabetic men with gastroparesis. The trial design will include an early stop for futility. The FDA has agreed that completion of the male companion study is not required for submission of the NDA seeking approval of EVK-001 for use in women. Whether the male study stops early for futility or continues to enroll, safety data from the male companion study will be included in the NDA for an approval in women. We also plan to conduct the required TQT study of EVK-001 prior to NDA submission.

Intellectual Property and Proprietary Rights

Overview

We are building an intellectual property portfolio for EVK-001 in the United States and abroad. We seek patent protection in the United States and internationally for our product candidate, its methods of use, and processes for its manufacture, and for other technologies, where appropriate. Our policy is to actively seek to protect our proprietary position by, among other things, filing patent applications in the United States and abroad relating to proprietary technologies that are important to the development of our business. We also rely on trade secrets, know-how, continuing technological innovation and in-licensing opportunities to develop and maintain our proprietary position. We cannot be sure that patents will be granted with respect to any of our pending patent applications or with respect to any patent applications filed by us in the future, nor can we be sure that any of our existing patents or any patents that may be granted to us in the future will be commercially useful in protecting our technology.

Our success will depend significantly on our ability to obtain and maintain patent and other proprietary protection for the technologies we consider important to our business, defend our patents, preserve the confidentiality of our trade secrets and operate our business without infringing the patents and proprietary rights of third parties.

Patent Portfolio

Our patent portfolio currently includes the following patents and applications:

 

   

U.S. Patent 6,770,262—Nasal Administration of Agents for the Treatment of Gastroparesis. This patent expires in 2021.

 

   

U.S. Patent 5,760,086—Nasal Administration for the Treatment of Delayed Onset Emesis. This patent expires in 2016.

 

   

U.S. Patent 8,334,281—Nasal Formulations of Metoclopramide. This patent expires in 2030.

 

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Non-Provisional Patent Application No. PCT/US2012/052096—Treatment of Symptoms of Associated with Female Gastroparesis. If granted, this patent would expire in 2032.

We have also been granted patents in the European Union for the method of use of metoclopramide via nasal delivery for gastroparesis. These patents provide protection through 2021. We have also received patents in the European Union covering the intranasal use of metoclopramide for delayed onset emesis. These patents offer protection through 2016.

The United States patent system permits the filing of provisional and non-provisional patent applications. A non-provisional patent application is examined by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, and can mature into a patent once the USPTO determines that the claimed invention meets the standards for patentability. A provisional patent application is not examined for patentability, and automatically expires 12 months after its filing date. As a result, a provisional patent application cannot mature into a patent. The requirements for filing a provisional patent application are not as strict as those for filing a non-provisional patent application. Provisional applications are often used, among other things, to establish an earlier filing date for a subsequent non-provisional patent application. The term of individual patents depends upon the legal term of the patents in the countries in which they are obtained. In most countries in which we file, the patent term is 20 years from the earliest date of filing a non-provisional patent application. In the United States, a patent’s term may be lengthened by patent term adjustment or PTA, which compensates a patentee for administrative delays by the USPTO in granting a patent. In view of a recent court decision, the USPTO is under greater scrutiny regarding its calculations where the USPTO erred in calculating the patent term adjustment for the patents in question denying the patentee a portion of the patent term to which it was entitled. Alternatively, a patent’s term may be shortened if a patent is terminally disclaimed over another patent.

The effective filing date of a non-provisional patent application is used by the USPTO to determine what information is prior art when it considers the patentability of a claimed invention. If certain requirements are satisfied, a non-provisional patent application can claim the benefit of the filing date of an earlier filed provisional patent application. As a result, the filing date accorded by the provisional patent application may supersede information that otherwise could preclude the patentability of an invention.

Other Intellectual Property Rights

We currently have a registered trademark for EVOKE PHARMA in the United States.

Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreements

We require our employees and consultants to execute confidentiality agreements upon the commencement of employment, consulting or collaborative relationships with us. These agreements provide that all confidential information developed or made known during the course of the relationship with us be kept confidential and not disclosed to third parties except in specific circumstances.

In the case of employees, the agreements provide that all inventions resulting from work performed for us, utilizing our property or relating to our business and conceived or completed by the individual during employment shall be our exclusive property to the extent permitted by applicable law. Our consulting agreements also provide for assignment to us of any intellectual property resulting from services performed for us.

Sales and Marketing

We are initially seeking to commercialize EVK-001 in the United States alone, or in partnership with pharmaceutical companies that have established development and sales and marketing capabilities. Our strategy for EVK-001, if approved, will be to establish EVK-001 as the prescription product of choice for diabetic gastroparesis in women. If the product candidate is approved, our expectation is that EVK-001 would initially be

 

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sold to gastrointestinal and internal medicine specialists, primary care physicians, and select health care providers. We may also utilize contract sales forces to assist in the marketing of EVK-001 to approved patient population.

Manufacturing

We do not own or operate manufacturing facilities for the production of EVK-001, nor do we have plans to develop our own manufacturing operations in the foreseeable future. We currently depend on third-party contract manufacturers for all of our required raw materials, drug substance and finished product for our preclinical research and clinical trials. We do not have any current contractual relationships for the manufacture of commercial supplies of EVK-001. If EVK-001 is approved by any regulatory agency, we intend to enter into agreements with third-party contract manufacturers for the commercial production at that time. We currently utilize a third-party consultant, which we engage on an as-needed, hourly basis, to manage our manufacturing contractors.

Competition

The pharmaceutical industry is characterized by intense competition and rapid innovation. Our potential competitors include large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, specialty pharmaceutical and generic drug companies, academic institutions, government agencies and research institutions. We believe the key competitive factors that will affect the development and commercial success of our product candidates are efficacy, safety and tolerability profile, reliability, convenience of dosing, price and reimbursement.

Many of our potential competitors have substantially greater financial, technical and human resources than we do and significantly greater experience in the discovery and development of product candidates, obtaining FDA and other regulatory approvals of products and the commercialization of those products. Accordingly, our competitors may be more successful than we may be in obtaining FDA approval for drugs and achieving widespread market acceptance. Our competitors’ drugs may be more effective, or more effectively marketed and sold, than any drug we may commercialize and may render our product candidates obsolete or non-competitive before we can recover the expenses of developing and commercializing any of our product candidates. We anticipate that we will face intense and increasing competition as new drugs enter the market and advanced technologies become available. Finally, the development of new treatment methods for the diseases we are targeting could render our drugs non-competitive or obsolete.

We expect that, if approved, EVK-001 will compete directly with metoclopramide oral, erythromycin and domperidone as a treatment for gastroparesis. Metoclopramide is the only product currently approved in the United States to treat gastroparesis. Metoclopramide is available from a number of generic pharmaceutical manufacturers as well in branded form in the United States under the tradename Reglan® from Ani Pharmaceuticals.

Previously, Propulsid® (cisapride) and Zelnorm® (tegaserod) were prescribed off-label by physicians to treat gastroparesis. Propulsid® (cisapride) was approved for use in the treatment of dyspepsia and GERD. Zelnorm® (tegaserod) was approved for use in IBS and idiopathic chronic constipation. Both of these products have been withdrawn from the market because of cardiac safety issues.

 

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Salix Pharmaceuticals launched an orally dissolving tablet formulation of metoclopramide in 2009. Other programs in the gastroparesis pipeline include new chemical entities in earlier-stage clinical trials. In addition to our EVK-001 product candidate, we are aware of three other development candidates. All are in Phase 2 clinical development.

 

Gastroparesis Treatment Development Pipeline

 

Product

   Class    Route    Company    Status

EVK-001

   dopamine antagonist /mixed

5-HT3 antagonist 5-HT4 agonist

   intranasal
   Evoke Pharma
   Phase 3

Ready

RM-131

   ghrelin agonist
   sub-cutaneous
   Rhythm
Pharmaceuticals
   Phase 2a

GSK962040

   motilin agonist
   oral
   GlaxoSmithKline
   Phase 2a

TD-5108

   5-HT4 receptor agonist
   oral
   Theravance
   Phase 2a

RM-131 is a small-peptide analog of ghrelin, a hormone produced in the stomach that stimulates gastrointestinal activity. The compound is being developed for GI motility disorders and has shown efficacy in surgical and opiate-induced ileus in animal models due to a direct prokinetic effect. RM-131 reverses body weight loss in cachexia models.

Two other ghrelin analogs that were previously being developed by Tranzyme Pharma, an intravenous ghrelin agonist, ulimorelin, in post-operative ileus and a different oral ghrelin agent, TZP-102, in diabetic gastroparesis. Development of both product candidates has been discontinued after ulimorelin was unsuccessful in two Phase 3 studies and TZP-102 was unsuccessful in two Phase 2b trials.

GSK962040 is a selective non-peptide motilin receptor agonist under development for the treatment of conditions associated with slow rates of gastric emptying. Motilin is an endogenous peptide, produced mainly in the duodenum, whose physiological action is mediated by motilin receptors located on enteric neurons, peripheral terminals of the vagus, and on the smooth muscle of the gut. Motilin and non-peptide agonists of motilin receptors increase gastric emptying and may offer a new approach to the treatment of delayed gastric emptying conditions.

Erythromycin, is a motilin receptor agonist and is frequently used off-label in the treatment of gastroparesis. Erythromycin is well known to induce nausea and vomiting across all indications and is particularly associated with exacerbated nausea when used in gastroparesis. Repeated administration of macrolides is also linked to desensitization of the motilin receptor and tachyphylaxis. Extended dosing with antibiotics can lead to the development of resistant organisms as well as pathologic changes in intestinal flora.

TD-5108, also called Velusetrag, is a 5-HT4 receptor agonist compound under development for the treatment of gastroparesis by Theravance in collaboration with Alfa Wassermann S.p.A. Previously, TD-5108 was under development for chronic constipation.

Tegaserod, another 5-HT4 agonist, was approved in the United States and other countries for treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation and IBS-C. In 2007, Tegaserod was removed from the market in the United States by the FDA for cardiac safety concerns.

One additional medication, Motilium (domperidone), a dopamine receptor modulator, is not FDA-approved, but is available in the United States through various compounding pharmacies under a specific FDA restricted-access program. The safety and efficacy of Motilium as a promotility agent is not fully established.

 

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Questcor Acquisition Agreement

We acquired all worldwide rights, data, patents and other related assets associated with EVK-001 from Questcor in June 2007. We paid to Questcor $650,000 in the form of an upfront payment, and will be required to make additional milestone payments totaling up to $52.0 million. These milestones include up to $5.0 million in payments if EVK-001 achieves the following development targets:

 

   

$0.5 million upon the initiation of the first patient dosing in our planned Phase 3 clinical trial for EVK-001;

 

   

$1.5 million upon the FDA’s acceptance for review of an NDA for EVK-001; and

 

   

$3.0 million upon the FDA’s approval of EVK-001.

The remaining $47.0 million in milestone payments depend on EVK-001’s commercial success and will only apply if EVK-001 receives regulatory approval. In addition, we will be required to pay to Questcor a low single digit royalty on net sales of EVK-001. Our obligation to pay such royalties will terminate upon the expiration of the last patent right covering EVK-001, which is expected to occur in 2030.

Government Regulation

FDA Approval Process

In the United States, pharmaceutical products are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA. The FFDCA and other federal and state statutes and regulations, govern, among other things, the research, development, testing, manufacture, storage, recordkeeping, approval, labeling, promotion and marketing, distribution, post-approval monitoring and reporting, sampling, and import and export of pharmaceutical products. Failure to comply with applicable FDA or other requirements may subject a company to a variety of administrative or judicial sanctions, such as the FDA’s refusal to approve pending applications, a clinical hold, warning letters, recall or seizure of products, partial or total suspension of production, withdrawal of the product from the market, injunctions, fines, civil penalties or criminal prosecution.

FDA approval is required before any new unapproved drug or dosage form, including a new use of a previously approved drug, can be marketed in the United States. The process required by the FDA before a drug may be marketed in the United States generally involves:

 

   

completion of pre-clinical laboratory and animal testing and formulation studies in compliance with the FDA’s good laboratory practice, or GLP, regulations;

 

   

submission to the FDA of an IND for human clinical testing which must become effective before human clinical trials may begin in the United States;

 

   

approval by an independent institutional review board, or IRB, at each clinical trial site before each trial may be initiated;

 

   

performance of adequate and well-controlled human clinical trials in accordance with good clinical practices, or GCP, to establish the safety and efficacy of the proposed drug product for each intended use;

 

   

satisfactory completion of an FDA pre-approval inspection of the facility or facilities at which the product is manufactured to assess compliance with the FDA’s cGMP regulations, and for devices and device components, the QSR, and to assure that the facilities, methods and controls are adequate to preserve the drug’s identity, strength, quality and purity;

 

   

submission to the FDA of an NDA;

 

   

satisfactory completion of an FDA advisory committee review, if applicable; and

 

   

FDA review and approval of the NDA.

 

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The pre-clinical and clinical testing and approval process requires substantial time, effort and financial resources, and we cannot be certain that any approvals for our product candidates will be granted on a timely basis, if at all. Pre-clinical tests include laboratory evaluation of product chemistry, formulation, stability and toxicity, as well as animal studies to assess the characteristics and potential safety and efficacy of the product. The results of pre-clinical tests, together with manufacturing information, analytical data and a proposed clinical trial protocol and other information, are submitted as part of an IND to the FDA. Some pre-clinical testing may continue even after the IND is submitted. The IND automatically becomes effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA, unless the FDA, within the 30-day time period, raises concerns or questions relating to one or more proposed clinical trials and places the clinical trial on a clinical hold, including concerns that human research subjects will be exposed to unreasonable health risks. In such a case, the IND sponsor and the FDA must resolve any outstanding concerns before the clinical trial can begin. As a result, our submission of an IND may not result in FDA authorization to commence a clinical trial. A separate submission to an existing IND must also be made for each successive clinical trial conducted during product development.

Further, an independent IRB, covering each site proposing to conduct the clinical trial must review and approve the plan for any clinical trial and informed consent information for subjects before the trial commences at that site and it must monitor the study until completed. The FDA, the IRB, or the sponsor may suspend a clinical trial at any time on various grounds, including a finding that the subjects or patients are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk or for failure to comply with the IRB’s requirements, or may impose other conditions.

Clinical trials involve the administration of the investigational new drug to human subjects under the supervision of qualified investigators in accordance with GCP requirements, which include the requirement that all research subjects provide their informed consent in writing for their participation in any clinical trial. Sponsors of clinical trials generally must register and report, at the NIH-maintained website ClinicalTrials.gov, key parameters of certain clinical trials. For purposes of an NDA submission and approval, human clinical trials are typically conducted in the following sequential phases, which may overlap or be combined:

 

   

Phase 1: The drug is initially introduced into healthy human subjects or patients and tested for safety, dose tolerance, absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion and, if possible, to gain an early indication of its effectiveness.

 

   

Phase 2: The drug is administered to a limited patient population to identify possible adverse effects and safety risks, to preliminarily evaluate the efficacy of the product for specific targeted indications and to determine dose tolerance and optimal dosage. Multiple Phase 2 clinical trials may be conducted by the sponsor to obtain information prior to beginning larger and more extensive Phase 3 clinical trials.

 

   

Phase 3: These are commonly referred to as pivotal studies. When Phase 2 evaluations demonstrate that a dose range of the product appears to be effective and has an acceptable safety profile, Phase 3 trials are undertaken in large patient populations to further evaluate dosage, to obtain additional evidence of clinical efficacy and safety in an expanded patient population at multiple, geographically-dispersed clinical trial sites, to establish the overall risk-benefit relationship of the drug and to provide adequate information for the labeling of the drug.

 

   

Phase 4: In some cases, the FDA may condition approval of an NDA for a product candidate on the sponsor’s agreement to conduct additional clinical trials to further assess the drug’s safety and effectiveness after NDA approval. Such post-approval trials are typically referred to as Phase 4 studies.

The results of product development, pre-clinical studies and clinical trials are submitted to the FDA as part of an NDA. NDAs must also contain extensive information relating to the product’s pharmacology, CMC and proposed labeling, among other things.

Under federal law, the submission of most NDAs is additionally subject to a substantial application user fee, and the manufacturer and/or sponsor under an approved NDA are also subject to annual product and establishment user fees. The FDA has 60 days from its receipt of an NDA to determine whether the application will be accepted for filing based on the agency’s threshold determination that it is sufficiently complete to permit

 

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substantive review. The FDA may request additional information rather than accept an NDA for filing. In this event, the NDA must be resubmitted with the additional information and is subject to payment of additional user fees. The resubmitted application is also subject to review before the FDA accepts it for filing.

Once the submission has been accepted for filing, the FDA begins an in-depth substantive review. Under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, or PDUFA, the FDA agrees to specific performance goals for NDA review time through a two-tiered classification system, Standard Review and Priority Review. Standard Review NDAs have a goal of being completed within a ten-month timeframe. A Priority Review designation is given to drugs that offer major advances in treatment, or provide a treatment where no adequate therapy exists. The goal for completing a Priority Review is six months. However, the FDA does not always complete its review within these timelines and the Agency’s review can take substantially longer.

It is likely that our product candidates will be granted a Standard Review. The review process may be extended by the FDA for three additional months to consider certain information or obtain clarification regarding information already provided in the submission. The FDA may refer applications for novel drug products or drug products which present difficult questions of safety or efficacy to an advisory committee for review, evaluation and recommendation as to whether the application should be approved and under what conditions. The FDA is not bound by the recommendation of an advisory committee, but it considers such recommendations carefully when making decisions. In addition, for combination products, the FDA’s review may include the participation of both the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research and the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, which may complicate or prolong the review.

Before approving an NDA, the FDA may inspect the facility or facilities where the product is manufactured. The FDA will not approve an application unless it determines that the manufacturing processes and facilities are in compliance with cGMP, and if applicable, QSR, requirements and are adequate to assure consistent production of the product within required specifications. Additionally, the FDA will typically inspect one or more clinical sites to assure compliance with GCP before approving an NDA.

After the FDA evaluates the NDA and, in some cases, the related manufacturing facilities, it may issue an approval letter or a Complete Response Letter, or CRL, to indicate that the review cycle for an application is complete and that the application is not ready for approval. CRLs generally outline the deficiencies in the submission and may require substantial additional testing or information in order for the FDA to reconsider the application. Even with submission of this additional information, the FDA ultimately may decide that the application does not satisfy the regulatory criteria for approval. If and when the deficiencies have been addressed to the FDA’s satisfaction, the FDA will typically issue an approval letter. An approval letter authorizes commercial marketing of the drug with specific prescribing information for specific indications.

Once issued, the FDA may withdraw product approval if ongoing regulatory requirements are not met or if safety problems are identified after the product reaches the market. In addition, the FDA may require post-approval testing, including Phase 4 studies, and surveillance programs to monitor the effect of approved products which have been commercialized, and the FDA has the power to prevent or limit further marketing of a product based on the results of these post-marketing programs. Drugs may be marketed only for the approved indications and in accordance with the provisions of the approved label, and, even if the FDA approves a product, it may limit the approved indications for use for the product or impose other conditions, including labeling or distribution restrictions or other risk-management mechanisms. Further, if there are any modifications to the drug, including changes in indications, labeling, or manufacturing processes or facilities, we may be required to submit and obtain FDA approval of a new or supplemental NDA, which may require us to develop additional data or conduct additional pre-clinical studies and clinical trials.

Post-Approval Requirements

Once an NDA is approved, a product will be subject to pervasive and continuing regulation by the FDA, including, among other things, requirements relating to drug/device listing, recordkeeping, periodic reporting, product sampling and distribution, advertising and promotion and reporting of adverse experiences with the product.

 

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In addition, drug manufacturers and other entities involved in the manufacture and distribution of approved drugs are required to register their establishments with the FDA and state agencies, and are subject to periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA and these state agencies for compliance with cGMP requirements. Changes to the manufacturing process are strictly regulated and generally require prior FDA approval before being implemented. FDA regulations also require investigation and correction of any deviations from cGMP and impose reporting and documentation requirements upon us and any third-party manufacturers that we may decide to use. Accordingly, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money, and effort in the area of production and quality control to maintain cGMP compliance.

Once an approval is granted, the FDA may suspend, restrict or withdraw the approval, require a product recall, or impose additional restrictions or limitations if compliance with regulatory requirements and standards is not maintained or if problems occur after the product reaches the market. Later discovery of previously unknown problems with a product, including adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or with manufacturing processes, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may result in, among other things:

 

   

restrictions on the marketing or manufacturing of the product, complete withdrawal of the product from the market or product recalls;

 

   

fines, warning letters or holds on post-approval clinical trials;

 

   

refusal of the FDA to approve pending applications or supplements to approved applications, or suspension or revocation of product license approvals;

 

   

product seizure or detention, or refusal to permit the import or export of products; or

 

   

injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties.

The FDA may require post-approval studies and clinical trials if the FDA finds that scientific data, including information regarding related drugs, deem it appropriate. The purpose of such studies would be to assess a known serious risk or signals of serious risk related to the drug or to identify an unexpected serious risk when available data indicate the potential for a serious risk. The FDA may also require a labeling change if it becomes aware of new safety information that it believes should be included in the labeling of a drug.

The Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 gave the FDA the authority to require a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, or REMS, from manufacturers to ensure that the benefits of a drug or biological product outweigh its risks. In determining whether a REMS is necessary, FDA must consider the size of the population likely to use the drug, the seriousness of the disease or condition to be treated, the expected benefit of the drug, the duration of treatment, the seriousness of known or potential adverse events, and whether the drug is a new molecular entity. If the FDA determines a REMS is necessary, the drug sponsor must agree to the REMS plan at the time of approval. A REMS may be required to include various elements, such as a medication guide or patient package insert, a communication plan to educate health care providers of the drug’s risks, limitations on who may prescribe or dispense the drug, or other measures that the FDA deems necessary to assure the safe use of the drug. In addition, the REMS must include a timetable to assess the strategy at 18 months, three years, and seven years after the strategy’s approval. The FDA may also impose a REMS requirement on a drug already on the market if the FDA determines, based on new safety information, that a REMS is necessary to ensure that the drug’s benefits outweigh its risks.

In March 2009, the FDA informed drug manufacturers that it will require a REMS for metoclopramide drug products. The FDA’s authority to take this action is based on risk management and post market safety provisions within the FDAAA. The REMS consists of a Medication Guide, elements to assure safe use (including an education program for prescribers and materials for prescribers to educate patients), and a timetable for submission of assessments of at least six months, 12 months, and annually after the REMS is approved. We intend to submit a REMS at the time of the NDA submission for EVK-001.

 

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The FDA strictly regulates marketing, labeling, advertising and promotion of products that are placed on the market, and the FDA imposes a number of complex regulations on entities that advertise and promote pharmaceuticals, which include, among others, standards for direct-to-consumer advertising, off-label promotion, industry-sponsored scientific and educational activities, and promotional activities involving the internet. While physicians may prescribe for off-label uses, manufacturers may only promote for the approved indications and in accordance with the provisions of the approved label. The FDA and other agencies actively enforce the laws and regulations prohibiting the promotion of off-label uses, and a company that is found to have improperly promoted off-label uses may be subject to significant liability. Indeed, the FDA has very broad enforcement authority under the FFDCA, and failure to abide by these regulations can result in penalties, including the issuance of a warning letter directing entities to correct deviations from FDA standards, a requirement that future advertising and promotional materials are pre-cleared by the FDA, and state and federal civil and criminal investigations and prosecutions.

The distribution of prescription pharmaceutical products is also subject to the Prescription Drug Marketing Act, or PDMA, which regulates the distribution of drugs and drug samples at the federal level, and sets minimum standards for the registration and regulation of drug distributors by the states. Both the PDMA and state laws limit the distribution of prescription pharmaceutical product samples and impose requirements to ensure accountability in distribution, including a drug pedigree which tracks the distribution of prescription drugs.

Section 505(b)(2) New Drug Applications

As an alternate path to FDA approval for modifications to formulations or uses of products previously approved by the FDA, an applicant may submit an NDA under Section 505(b)(2) of the FFDCA. Section 505(b)(2) was enacted as part of the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, also known as the Hatch-Waxman Amendments, and permits the filing of an NDA where at least some of the information required for approval comes from studies not conducted by or for the applicant and for which the applicant has not obtained a right of reference. The applicant may rely upon published literature and the FDA’s findings of safety and effectiveness based on certain pre-clinical or clinical studies conducted for an approved product. The FDA may also require companies to perform additional studies or measurements to support the change from the approved product. The FDA may then approve the new product candidate for all or some of the label indications for which the referenced product has been approved, as well as for any new indication sought by the Section 505(b)(2) applicant.

To the extent that a Section 505(b)(2) NDA relies on studies conducted for a previously approved drug product, the applicant is required to certify to the FDA concerning any patents listed for the approved product in the Orange Book. Specifically, the applicant must certify for each listed patent that (1) the required patent information has not been filed; (2) the listed patent has expired; (3) the listed patent has not expired, but will expire on a particular date and approval is sought after patent expiration; or (4) the listed patent is invalid, unenforceable or will not be infringed by the new product. A certification that the new product will not infringe the already approved product’s listed patent or that such patent is invalid is known as a Paragraph IV certification. If the applicant does not challenge the listed patents through a Paragraph IV certification, the Section 505(b)(2) NDA application will not be approved until all the listed patents claiming the referenced product have expired. The Section 505(b)(2) NDA application also will not be accepted or approved until any non-patent exclusivity, such as exclusivity for obtaining approval of a New Chemical Entity, listed in the Orange Book for the referenced product, has expired.

If the 505(b)(2) NDA applicant has provided a Paragraph IV certification to the FDA, the applicant must also send notice of the Paragraph IV certification to the referenced NDA and patent holders once the 505(b)(2) NDA has been accepted for filing by the FDA. The NDA and patent holders may then initiate a legal challenge to the Paragraph IV certification. Under the FFDCA, the filing of a patent infringement lawsuit within 45 days of their receipt of a Paragraph IV certification in most cases automatically prevents the FDA from approving the Section 505(b)(2) NDA for 30 months, or until a court decision or settlement finding that the patent is invalid, unenforceable or not infringed, whichever is earlier. The court also has the ability to shorten or lengthen the

 

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30 month stay if either party is found not to be reasonably cooperating in expediting the litigation. Thus, the Section 505(b)(2) applicant may invest a significant amount of time and expense in the development of its product only to be subject to significant delay and patent litigation before its product may be commercialized.

The 505(b)(2) NDA applicant also may be eligible for its own regulatory exclusivity period, such as three-year exclusivity. The first approved 505(b)(2) applicant for a particular condition of approval, or change to a marketed product, such as a new extended release formulation for a previously approved product, may be granted three-year Hatch-Waxman exclusivity if one or more clinical studies, other than bioavailability or bioequivalence studies, was essential to the approval of the application and was conducted/sponsored by the applicant. Should this occur, the FDA would be precluded from making effective any other application for the same condition of use or for a change to the drug product that was granted exclusivity until after that three-year exclusivity period has run. Additional exclusivities may also apply.

Additionally, the 505(b)(2) NDA applicant may have relevant patents in the Orange Book, and if it does, can initiate patent infringement litigation against those applicants that challenge such patents, which could result in a thirty-month stay delaying those applicants.

Manufacturing Requirements

We and our third-party manufacturers must comply with applicable FDA regulations relating to FDA’s cGMP regulations and, if applicable, QSR requirements. The cGMP regulations include requirements relating to, among other things, organization of personnel, buildings and facilities, equipment, control of components and drug product containers and closures, production and process controls, packaging and labeling controls, holding and distribution, laboratory controls, records and reports, and returned or salvaged products. The manufacturing facilities for our products must meet cGMP requirements to the satisfaction of the FDA pursuant to a pre-approval inspection before we can use them to manufacture our products. We and our third-party manufacturers are also subject to periodic unannounced inspections of facilities by the FDA and other authorities, including procedures and operations used in the testing and manufacture of our products to assess our compliance with applicable regulations. Failure to comply with statutory and regulatory requirements subjects a manufacturer to possible legal or regulatory action, including, among other things, warning letters, the seizure or recall of products, injunctions, consent decrees placing significant restrictions on or suspending manufacturing operations and civil and criminal penalties.

Other Regulatory Requirements

We are also subject to various laws and regulations regarding laboratory practices, the experimental use of animals, and the use and disposal of hazardous or potentially hazardous substances in connection with our research. In each of these areas, as above, the FDA has broad regulatory and enforcement powers, including, among other things, the ability to levy fines and civil penalties, suspend or delay issuance of approvals, seize or recall products, and withdraw approvals, any one or more of which could have a material adverse effect on us.

Employees

We currently have two full time employees and several consultants in the regulatory, clinical, manufacturing and finance areas, which we engage on an as-needed, hourly basis. We intend to increase our employee base upon the closing of this offering and the commencement of our Phase 3 clinical trial for EVK-001. We expect that a number of consultants previously engaged in development of EVK-001 will participate in the ongoing clinical and manufacturing development for the product candidate.

Facilities

We currently have no facilities.

Legal Proceedings

We are not currently a party to any legal proceedings.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Executive Officers and Directors

The following table sets forth the name, age and position of each of our executive officers and directors as of August 30, 2013.

 

Name

  

Age

    

Position

Executive Officers

     

David A. Gonyer, R.Ph.

     49       President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Matthew J. D’Onofrio

     43       Executive Vice President, Chief Business Officer

Directors

     

Cam L. Garner(1)

     65       Chairman of the Board of Directors

Todd C. Brady, M.D., Ph.D.(1)(2)

     42       Director

Scott L. Glenn(3)

     63       Director

Malcolm R. Hill, Pharm.D.(2)

     56       Director

Ann D. Rhoads(1)(3)

     48       Director

Kenneth J. Widder, M.D.(2)(3)

     60       Director

 

(1) Member of the compensation committee.
(2) Member of the nominating and corporate governance committee.
(3) Member of the audit committee.

Executive Officers

David A. Gonyer, R.Ph. is one of our co-founders and has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of our board of directors since March 2007. From January 2004 to June 2007, Mr. Gonyer served as Vice President, Strategic and Product Development of Medgenex, Inc., a subsidiary of Victory Pharma, Inc. a biopharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing and marketing products to treat pain and related conditions. From April 2000 to December 2004, Mr. Gonyer was a founder and Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Xcel Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical focused on neurological disorders. From December 1996 to April 2000, Mr. Gonyer served as Director of Marketing at Elan/Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. From 1987 to 1996, Mr. Gonyer held a broad range of management positions in commercial operations, alliance/partnership management, and regional sales at Eli Lilly & Company. Mr. Gonyer serves as a member of the board of directors of Neurelis, Inc., a privately held neurological specialty pharmaceutical company. Mr. Gonyer is a Registered Pharmacist and holds a B.Sc. in Pharmacy from Ferris State University School of Pharmacy. As one of our co-founders and having served as our Chief Executive Officer since March 2007, Mr. Gonyer’s extensive knowledge of our business, as well as over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including executive leadership in several pharmaceutical companies, contributed to our board of directors’ conclusion that he should serve as a director of our company.

Matthew J. D’Onofrio is one of our co-founders and has served as our Executive Vice President, Chief Business Officer since 2010 and as our Executive Vice President, Corporate Development, Treasurer and Secretary since March 2007. Mr. D’Onofrio has over 20 years of experience in both large and small pharmaceutical firms. Prior to founding Evoke, Mr. D’Onofrio was Vice President, Business Development for Victory Pharma, a growing specialty pharma company based in San Diego. From 2002 to 2005, Mr. D’Onofrio led efforts to acquire marketed brands for the growing sales force. Earlier, Mr. D’Onofrio was previously Director and Head of West Coast Business Development at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a biotechnology company, directing partnership efforts associated with the La Jolla research facility as well as other corporate assets. Mr. D’Onofrio also held various commercial roles of increasing responsibility over a decade at Eli Lilly & Company, including significant experience in worldwide corporate business development. During his licensing career, Mr. D’Onofrio has developed and executed license and investment relationships across a wide collection of disease states and technologies. Mr. D’Onofrio earned a B.S. in Chemistry from San Diego State University and an M.B.A. (Finance) from the Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California.

 

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Non-Employee Directors

Cam L. Garner is one of our co-founders and has served as chairman of our board of directors since June 2007. Mr. Garner co-founded specialty pharmaceutical companies Zogenix Pharmaceuticals, Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Elevation Pharmaceuticals, Inc., DJ Pharma, Verus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Xcel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Meritage Pharma, Inc. He has served as chairman of Zogenix, Cadence, Verus, Elevation and Meritage since August 2006, May 2004, November 2002, December 2007 and February 2008, respectively. Xcel was acquired in March 2005 by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, DJ Pharma was sold to Biovail in 2000 and Elevation was acquired by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. in September 2012. He was Chief Executive Officer of Dura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 1989 to 1995 and its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 1995 to 2000 until it was sold to Elan in November 2000. Mr. Garner also serves on the board of directors of Aegis Therapeutics, Inc., Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Meritage Pharma, Inc., Neurelis, Inc., and Zogenix, Inc. Mr. Garner earned his B.A. in Biology from Virginia Wesleyan College and an M.B.A. from Baldwin-Wallace College. As one of our co-founders and having served as our chairman since June 2007, Mr. Garner’s extensive knowledge of our business and history, experience as a board member of multiple publicly-traded and privately-held companies, and expertise in developing, financing and providing strong executive leadership to numerous biopharmaceutical companies contributed to our board of directors’ conclusion that he should serve as a director of our company.

Todd C. Brady, M.D., Ph.D. has served as a member of our board of directors since June 2007. Dr. Brady is an Entrepreneur in Residence at Domain Associates, a leading healthcare venture capital firm, a position he has held since 2013. From 2004 to 2013, he was a Principal at Domain Associates. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of Aldexa Therapeutics and is a member of the Board of Directors of Novadigm Therapeutics, ParinGenix, Sebacia, Aldexa Therapeutics and Asmacure. Prior to joining Domain, Dr. Brady was co-founder and CEO of Phenome Sciences, a biotechnology firm he merged with Xanthus Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Antisoma), where he was later Executive Vice President of Strategic Development and Planning. Dr. Brady also worked as head of business development and medical director at Aderis Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Schwarz Pharma, now part of UCB). While at Xanthus and Aderis, Dr. Brady was a medical consultant on numerous pre-clinical programs and clinical programs in Phases I through IV. Earlier in his career, Dr. Brady was a senior associate at CB Health Ventures (now Excel Medical Ventures), a healthcare venture capital fund. Dr. Brady holds an M.D. from Duke University Medical School, a Ph.D. from Duke University Graduate School, and an A.B. from Dartmouth College. Dr. Brady’s extensive knowledge of our business and history, experience as a board member of multiple companies and expertise in strategic development contributed to our board of directors’ conclusion that he should serve as a director of our company.

Scott L. Glenn is one of our co-founders and has served as a member of our board of directors since June 2007. Mr. Glenn is the founder of and has been the Managing Partner of Windamere Venture Partners since its inception in 1999. Mr. Glenn is the past Chairman or founder of Prometheus Laboratories, Inc., Santarus Inc., DexCom, Cadence Pharmaceuticals, NovaCardia Inc., Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Zogenix Pharmaceuticals, SpineWave, Verus Pharmaceuticals Conception Technologies, and currently serves on the board of directors of Planet Biopharmaceuticals. Prior to Mr. Glenn’s involvement in venture capital, he was the President and CEO of Quidel Corporation and simultaneously was a founder of La Jolla Pharmaceuticals. Prior to Quidel, Mr. Glenn held various management positions including Division General Manager with Allergan. Mr. Glenn holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Accounting from California State University at Fullerton. As one of our co-founders and having served on our board since June 2007, Mr. Glenn’s extensive knowledge of our business and history, experience as a board member of multiple publicly-traded and privately-held companies and expertise in developing, financing and providing strong executive leadership to numerous biopharmaceutical companies contributed to our board of directors’ conclusion that he should serve as a director of our company.

Malcolm R. Hill, Pharm.D. has served as a member of our board of directors since June 2007. Dr. Hill has more than 20 years of academic and pharmaceutical industry experience in new product assessment and clinical trial design and execution, with a special emphasis in pediatrics and drug delivery systems. Dr. Hill has been a Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Meritage Pharma since 2008 and was a member of the

 

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senior management team at Dura Pharmaceuticals, where he served as a vice president and corporate officer. At Dura, Dr. Hill was responsible for all clinical development activities related to the Spiros® dry powder inhaler, including numerous asthma programs. Dr. Hill’s academic career includes his position at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center, and he has also served as an assistant professor in the Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of Colorado. Dr. Hill has published more than 80 articles on the topics of clinical pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, and the treatment of pediatric asthma and related conditions. Dr. Hill earned his Pharm.D. from the University of Southern California and completed a post-doctoral program at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, San Diego, as well as a research fellowship in the Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of Florida Health Sciences Center. Dr. Hill’s experience as a founder of a private pharmaceutical firm, strong background in clinical and product development and substantial knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry contributed to our board of directors’ conclusion that he should serve as a director of our company.

Ann D. Rhoads has served as a member of our board of directors since June 2013. Currently, Ms. Rhoads is the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Zogenix, Inc., a publicly-traded pharmaceutical company, and has served in that capacity since March 2010. From 2000 through the end of 2009, Ms. Rhoads served as the Chief Financial Officer of Premier, Inc., a healthcare supply management company. From 1998 to 2000, she was Vice President, Strategic Initiatives at Premier, Inc., and from 1993 to 1998, she was a Vice President of The Sprout Group, an institutional venture capital firm. Ms. Rhoads holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of Arkansas and a M.B.A. from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. Ms. Rhoads currently serves on the board of directors of Globus Medical Inc. and previously served on the board of directors of Novellus Systems, Inc. from 2003 until 2012. Ms. Rhoads’ experience as the chief financial officer of a publicly-traded pharmaceutical company and as a member of the board of directors of a publicly-traded company brings to our board of directors and the committees of our board of directors valuable financial skills and expertise, which qualify her to serve as an “audit committee financial expert” on our audit committee, and significant executive management experience and leadership skills, as well as a strong understanding of corporate governance principles, all of which contributed to our board of directors’ conclusion that she should serve as a director of our company.

Kenneth J. Widder, M.D. has served as a member of our board of directors since June 2007. Dr. Widder has 32 years of experience working with biomedical companies. Dr. Widder has been a General Partner with Latterell Venture Partners since 2007 and serves on the boards of Meritage Pharma Inc., Naurex Inc., Vision of Children and the San Diego Museum of Art. Dr. Widder has founded seven companies and was Chairman/CEO of five of these companies. His last company, Sytera Inc. merged with Sirion Therapeutics, an ophthalmology specialty pharmaceutical company. Prior to Sytera, Dr. Widder co-founded and was the initial CEO of NovaCardia, a company acquired by Merck. Prior to NovaCardia, Dr. Widder founded and was Chairman/CEO of Santarus Inc., which developed and currently markets Zegerid, a rapid onset proton pump inhibitor for esophageal reflux disease. Additionally, Dr. Widder was Chairman and CEO of Converge Medical, a medical device company developing a suture less anastamosis system for vein grafts in coronary bypass surgery. Dr. Widder started his career as a founder, Chairman and CEO of Molecular Biosystems, where he was responsible for the development and approval of Albunex and Optison, the first two ultrasound contrast agents to be approved in the U.S. Dr. Widder is an inventor on over 30 patents and patent applications and has authored or co-authored over 25 publications. Dr. Widder holds an M.D. from Northwestern University and trained in pathology at Duke University. Dr. Widder’s extensive knowledge of our business and history, experience as a board member of multiple publicly-traded and privately-held companies and expertise in developing and financing contributed to our board of directors’ conclusion that he should serve as a director of our company.

Board Composition and Election of Directors

Director Independence

Our board of directors currently consists of seven members. Our board of directors has determined that all of our directors, other than Mr. Gonyer, are independent directors in accordance with the listing requirements of

 

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The NASDAQ Capital Market. The NASDAQ independence definition includes a series of objective tests, including that the director is not, and has not been for at least three years, one of our employees and that neither the director nor any of his family members has engaged in various types of business dealings with us. In addition, as required by NASDAQ rules, our board of directors has made a subjective determination as to each independent director that no relationships exist, which, in the opinion of our board of directors, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In making these determinations, our board of directors reviewed and discussed information provided by the directors and us with regard to each director’s business and personal activities and relationships as they may relate to us and our management. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.

Classified Board of Directors

In accordance with the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will go into effect immediately prior to the closing of this offering, our board of directors will be divided into three classes with staggered, three-year terms. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the successors to directors whose terms then expire will be elected to serve from the time of election and qualification until the third annual meeting following election. Effective upon the closing of this offering, our directors will be divided among the three classes as follows:

 

   

the Class I directors will be Mr. Gonyer and Drs. Brady and Widder, and their terms will expire at our first annual meeting of stockholders following this offering;

 

   

the Class II directors will be Messrs. Garner and Glenn, and their terms will expire at our second annual meeting of stockholders following this offering; and

 

   

the Class III directors will be Dr. Hill and Ms. Rhoads, and their terms will expire at our third annual meeting of stockholders following this offering.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will go into effect immediately prior to the closing of this offering will provide that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors. Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of the directors. The division of our board of directors into three classes with staggered three-year terms may delay or prevent a change of our management or a change in control of our company. Our directors may be removed only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of our outstanding voting stock then entitled to vote in the election of directors.

Board Leadership Structure

Our board of directors is currently led by its chairman, Cam L. Garner. Our board of directors recognizes that it is important to determine an optimal board leadership structure to ensure the independent oversight of management as the company continues to grow. We separate the roles of chief executive officer and chairman of the board in recognition of the differences between the two roles. The chief executive officer is responsible for setting the strategic direction for the company and the day-to-day leadership and performance of the company, while the chairman of the board of directors provides guidance to the chief executive officer and presides over meetings of the full board of directors. We believe that this separation of responsibilities provides a balanced approach to managing the board of directors and overseeing the company.

Our board of directors has concluded that our current leadership structure is appropriate at this time. However, our board of directors will continue to periodically review our leadership structure and may make such changes in the future as it deems appropriate.

 

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Role of Board in Risk Oversight Process

Our board of directors has responsibility for the oversight of the company’s risk management processes and, either as a whole or through its committees, regularly discusses with management our major risk exposures, their potential impact on our business and the steps we take to manage them. The risk oversight process includes receiving regular reports from board committees and members of senior management to enable our board to understand the company’s risk identification, risk management and risk mitigation strategies with respect to areas of potential material risk, including operations, finance, legal, regulatory, strategic and reputational risk.

The audit committee reviews information regarding liquidity and operations, and oversees our management of financial risks. Periodically, the audit committee reviews our policies with respect to risk assessment, risk management, loss prevention and regulatory compliance. Oversight by the audit committee includes direct communication with our external auditors, and discussions with management regarding significant risk exposures and the actions management has taken to limit, monitor or control such exposures. The compensation committee is responsible for assessing whether any of our compensation policies or programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking. The nominating/corporate governance committee manages risks associated with the independence of the board, corporate disclosure practices, and potential conflicts of interest. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire board is regularly informed through committee reports about such risks. Matters of significant strategic risk are considered by our board as a whole.

Board Committees and Independence

Our board has established three standing committees—audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance—each of which operates under a charter that has been approved by our board.

Our board has determined that all of the members of each of the board’s three standing committees are independent as defined under the rules of The NASDAQ Capital Market. In addition, all members of the audit committee meet the independence requirements contemplated by Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act.

Audit Committee

The audit committee’s main function is to oversee our accounting and financial reporting processes, internal systems of control, independent registered public accounting firm relationships and the audits of our financial statements. This committee’s responsibilities include, among other things:

 

   

selecting and engaging our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

   

evaluating the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

   

approving the audit and non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

   

reviewing the design, implementation, adequacy and effectiveness of our internal controls and our critical accounting policies;

 

   

discussing with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the results of our annual audit and the review of our quarterly unaudited financial statements;

 

   

reviewing, overseeing and monitoring the integrity of our financial statements and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements as they relate to financial statements or accounting matters;

 

   

reviewing with management and our auditors any earnings announcements and other public announcements regarding our results of operations;

 

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preparing the report that the SEC requires in our annual proxy statement;

 

   

reviewing and approving any related party transactions and reviewing and monitoring compliance with our code of conduct and ethics; and

 

   

reviewing and evaluating, at least annually, the performance of the audit committee and its members including compliance of the audit committee with its charter.

The members of our audit committee are Mr. Glenn, Ms. Rhoads and Dr. Widder. Ms. Rhoads serves as the chairperson of the committee. All members of our audit committee meet the requirements for financial literacy under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and The NASDAQ Capital Market. Our board of directors has determined that Ms. Rhoads is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined by applicable SEC rules and has the requisite financial sophistication as defined under the applicable NASDAQ rules and regulations. Our board of directors has determined each of Mr. Glenn, Ms. Rhoads and Dr. Widder is independent under the applicable rules of the SEC and The NASDAQ Capital Market. Upon the listing of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market, the audit committee will operate under a written charter that satisfies the applicable standards of the SEC and The NASDAQ Capital Market.

Compensation Committee

Our compensation committee reviews and recommends policies relating to compensation and benefits of our officers and employees. The compensation committee reviews and recommends corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers, evaluates the performance of these officers in light of those goals and objectives and recommends to our board of directors the compensation of these officers based on such evaluations. The compensation committee also recommends to our board of directors the issuance of stock options and other awards under our equity plan. The compensation committee will review and evaluate, at least annually, the performance of the compensation committee and its members, including compliance by the compensation committee with its charter.

The members of our compensation committee are Mr. Garner, Dr. Brady and Ms. Rhoads. Mr. Garner serves as the chairperson of the committee. Our Board has determined that each of Mr. Garner, Dr. Brady and Ms. Rhoads is independent under the applicable rules and regulations of The NASDAQ Capital Market, is a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and is an “outside director” as that term is defined in Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or Section 162(m). Upon the listing of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market, the compensation committee will operate under a written charter, which the compensation committee will review and evaluate at least annually.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for making recommendations to our board of directors regarding candidates for directorships and the size and composition of our board of directors. In addition, the nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for overseeing our corporate governance policies and reporting and making recommendations to our board of directors concerning governance matters. The members of our nominating and corporate governance committee are Drs. Brady, Hill and Widder. Dr. Brady serves as the chairman of the committee. Our board has determined that each of Drs. Brady, Hill and Widder is independent under the applicable rules and regulations of The NASDAQ Capital Market relating to nominating and corporate governance committee independence. Upon the listing of our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market, the nominating and corporate governance committee will operate under a written charter, which the nominating and corporate governance committee will review and evaluate at least annually.

 

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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the members of our compensation committee has ever been one of our officers or employees. None of our executive officers currently serves, or has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our board of directors or compensation committee.

Board Diversity

Upon consummation of this offering, our nominating and corporate governance committee will be responsible for reviewing with the board of directors, on an annual basis, the appropriate characteristics, skills and experience required for the board of directors as a whole and its individual members. In evaluating the suitability of individual candidates (both new candidates and current members), the nominating and corporate governance committee, in recommending candidates for election, and the board of directors, in approving (and, in the case of vacancies, appointing) such candidates, will take into account many factors, including the following:

 

   

personal and professional integrity, ethics and values;

 

   

experience in corporate management, such as serving as an officer or former officer of a publicly-held company;

 

   

development or commercialization experience in large pharmaceutical companies;

 

   

experience as a board member or executive officer of another publicly-held company;

 

   

strong finance experience;

 

   

diversity of expertise and experience in substantive matters pertaining to our business relative to other board members;

 

   

diversity of background and perspective, including with respect to age, gender, race, place of residence and specialized experience;

 

   

conflicts of interest; and

 

   

practical and mature business judgment.

Currently, our board of directors evaluates, and following the consummation of this offering will evaluate, each individual in the context of the board of directors as a whole, with the objective of assembling a group that can best maximize the success of the business and represent stockholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment using its diversity of experience in these various areas.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

We have adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. Upon completion of this offering, our code of business conduct and ethics will be available under the Investor Relations—Corporate Governance section of our website at www.evokepharma.com. In addition, we intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by law or the listing standards of The NASDAQ Capital Market concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of the code. The reference to our website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained at or available through our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this prospectus.

 

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EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

This section discusses the material components of the executive compensation program for our executive officers who are named in the “2012 Summary Compensation Table” below. In 2012, our named executive officers and their positions were as follows:

 

   

David A. Gonyer, R.Ph., President and Chief Executive Officer

 

   

Matthew J. D’Onofrio, Executive Vice President, Chief Business Officer

This discussion may contain forward-looking statements that are based on our current plans, considerations, expectations and determinations regarding future compensation programs. Actual compensation programs that we adopt following the completion of this offering may differ materially from the currently planned programs summarized in this discussion.

2012 Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our named executive officers during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012:

 

Name and Principal Position

  Year     Salary
($)
    Bonus
($)
    Stock
Awards
($)
    Option
Awards ($)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)
    All Other
Compensation
($)
    Total
($)
 

David A. Gonyer, R.Ph.

    2012        309,000        —          —          —          —          —          309,000   

President and Chief Executive Officer

               

Matthew J. D’Onofrio

    2012        268,000        —          —          —          —          —          268,000   

Executive Vice President, Chief Business Officer

               

Narrative Disclosure to Compensation Tables

Employment Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Gonyer and D’Onofrio, our named executive officers, which agreements were most recently amended and restated in June 2013.

Pursuant to each of the employment agreements, if we terminate such officer’s employment without cause (as defined below), such officer resigns for good reason (as defined below) or such officer’s employment is terminated as a result of his death or following his permanent disability, the executive officer or his estate, as applicable, is entitled to the following payments and benefits: (1) his fully earned but unpaid base salary through the date of termination at the rate then in effect, plus all other amounts under any compensation plan or practice to which he is entitled; (2) a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to 12 months of his base salary as in effect immediately prior to the date of termination; (3) a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to his bonus (as defined below) for the year in which the termination of his employment occurs, prorated for the period of his service during such year, provided that the officer shall not be entitled to receive such amount in the event that his termination results from his discharge by us without cause prior to a change in control (as defined below); (4) a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to the cost of the continuation of health benefits for a period of 12 months following the date of termination; (5) a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to the cost of his life insurance premiums for a period of 12 months following the date of termination; (6) solely in the event of the officer’s termination by us without cause or by the officer for good reason, a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to $15,000 for outplacement services; and (7) the automatic acceleration of the vesting and exercisability of outstanding unvested stock awards as to the number of stock awards that would have vested over the 12-month period following termination had such executive officer remained continuously employed by us during such period. In the event an officer’s termination without cause or resignation for good reason occurs

 

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within three months prior to the occurrence of a change in control or within 12 months following a change in control, all of his outstanding unvested stock awards will accelerate and become fully vested on the later of (1) the date of termination or (2) the date of such change in control.

For purposes of the employment agreements, “cause” generally means an executive officer’s (1) commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty that has a material adverse impact on us or any successor or affiliate of ours; (2) conviction of, or entry into a plea of “guilty” or “no contest” to, a felony; (3) unauthorized use or disclosure of our confidential information or trade secrets or any successor or affiliate of ours that has a material adverse impact on any such entity; (4) gross negligence, insubordination or material violation of any duty of loyalty, or any other material misconduct on the part of the executive officer; (5) ongoing and repeated failure or refusal to perform or neglect of his duties as required by his employment agreement, which failure, refusal or neglect continues for 15 days following his receipt of written notice from our board of directors stating with specificity the nature of such failure, refusal or neglect; or (6) breach of any material provision of his employment agreement.

For purposes of the employment agreements, “good reason” generally means (1) a change in the executive officer’s status, position or responsibilities that, in the executive officer’s reasonable judgment, represents a substantial and material reduction in the status, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately prior thereto; the assignment to the executive officer of any duties or responsibilities that, in the executive officer’s reasonable judgment, are materially inconsistent with such status, position or responsibilities; or any removal of the executive officer from or failure to reappoint or reelect the executive officer to any of such positions, except in connection with the termination of the executive officer’s employment for cause (as defined above), as a result of his permanent disability or death, or by the executive officer other than for good reason; (2) a material reduction in the executive officer’s annual base salary, except in connection with a general reduction in the compensation of our or any successor’s or affiliate’s personnel with similar status and responsibilities; (3) our or any successor’s or affiliate’s requirement the executive officer (without the executive officer’s consent) be based at any place outside a 50-mile radius of his placement of employment as of the effective date of the employment agreement, except for reasonably required travel for our or any successor’s or affiliate’s business that is not materially greater than such travel requirements prior to the effective date of the employment agreement; (4) any material breach by us or any successor or affiliate of obligations to the executive officer under the employment agreement; (5) any purported termination of the executive officer’s employment or service relationship for cause (as defined above) by us or any successor or affiliate that is not in accordance with the definition of cause; or (6) a change in control (as defined below).

For purposes of the employment agreements, “bonus” generally means an amount equal to the greater of (1) the executive officer’s target bonus for the fiscal year in which the date of termination occurs; or (2) the bonus awarded to the executive officer for the fiscal year prior to the date of termination (which bonus shall be annualized to the extent the executive officer was not employed for the entire fiscal year prior to the date of termination). If any portion of the bonus awarded to the executive officer consisted of securities or other property, the fair market value thereof shall be determined in good faith by our board of directors.

For purposes of the employment agreements, “change in control” has the same meaning as such term is given under the terms of our 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as described below, except that for purposes of the employment agreements a change in control will not be triggered pursuant to a change in the composition of our board of directors, as more fully described below.

Annual Cash Performance Bonus

In addition to base salaries, the employment agreements described above provide that each of Messrs. Gonyer and D’Onofrio are eligible to earn an annual cash performance bonus determined on the basis of the executive officers’ and/or our attainment of financial or other performance criteria. For 2012, the target bonus level for Mr. Gonyer was 50% of his base salary and the target bonus level for Mr. D’Onofrio was 40% of his base salary.

 

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The ultimate determination as to whether annual cash performance bonuses are paid is within the sole discretion of our compensation committee. For 2012, the corporate performance objectives related to progress towards business and clinical development goals. In May 2013, in order to conserve cash and without regard to the progress made towards the achievement of such objectives, our compensation committee elected not to pay a cash performance bonus to either Mr. Gonyer or Mr. D’Onofrio for fiscal year 2012.

Retention Letters

In March 2012 we entered into retention agreements with each of Messrs. Gonyer and D’Onofrio, which agreements were amended in May 2013. Pursuant to such agreements, and notwithstanding anything contained in the employment agreements, provided that each of Messrs. Gonyer and D’Onofrio continues employment with us through the applicable payment dates, they will be entitled to receive $225,000 and $130,000, respectively, in connection with certain retention events. For purposes of the retention agreements, “retention event” generally means (1) a change in control (as defined in the employment agreements described above) or (2) the consummation of a public or private equity financing in which investors purchase shares of our common or preferred stock, including the consummation of this offering. If we terminate the executive officer’s employment without cause or the executive officer resigns for good reason (each as defined in the employment agreements described above, provided, however, that good reason shall not include clauses six and seven described above) prior to the date on which the executive officer receives the full retention amount, and without regard to whether a retention event has occurred prior to the date of termination, the executive officer will be entitled to receive any unpaid portion of the retention amount on the date that is 60 days following the date of termination.

Equity Compensation

We offer stock options to our named executive officers as the long-term incentive component of our compensation program. Our stock options allow employees to purchase shares of our common stock at a price per share equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant and may or may not be intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the past, our board of directors has determined the fair market value of our common stock based upon inputs including valuation reports prepared by third-party valuation firms from time to time. Generally, the stock options we grant vest in equal monthly installments over 48 months, subject to the employee’s continued employment with us on the vesting date. We also generally offer our employees the opportunity to “early exercise” their unvested stock options by purchasing shares underlying the unvested portion of an option subject to our right to repurchase any unvested shares for the lesser of the exercise price paid for the shares and the fair market value of the shares on the date of the holder’s termination of service if the employee’s service with us terminates prior to the date on which the options are fully vested.

Stock options granted to our named executive officers may be subject to accelerated vesting in certain circumstance. For additional discussion, please see “—Employment Agreements” above and “—Change in Control Benefits” below.

Neither of our named executive officers received stock option awards in 2012.

We have adopted a 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan, to be effective on the day prior to the public trading date of our common stock, referred to below as the 2013 Plan, in order to facilitate the grant of cash and equity incentives to directors, employees (including our named executive officers) and consultants of our company and certain of its affiliates and to enable our company and certain of its affiliates to obtain and retain services of these individuals, which is essential to our long-term success. For additional information about the 2013 Plan, please see the section titled “Incentive Award Plans” below.

Other Elements of Compensation

Retirement Plans

We currently maintain a 401(k) retirement savings plan that allows eligible employees to defer a portion of their compensation, within limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code, on a pre-tax basis through

 

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contributions to the plan. Our named executive officers are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan. Currently, we match contributions made by participants in the 401(k) plan up to a specified percentage, and these matching contributions are fully vested as of the date on which the contribution is made. We believe that providing a vehicle for tax-deferred retirement savings through our 401(k) plan, and making fully vested matching contributions, adds to the overall desirability of our executive compensation package and further incentivizes our named executive officers in accordance with our compensation policies.

Employee Benefits and Perquisites

Our named executive officers are eligible to participate in our health and welfare plans. We do not provide our named executive officers with perquisites or other personal benefits.

No Tax Gross-Ups

We do not make gross-up payments to cover our named executive officers’ personal income taxes that may pertain to any of the compensation paid or provided by our company.

Change in Control Benefits

Our named executive officers may become entitled to certain benefits or enhanced benefits in connection with a change in control of our company. Each of our named executive officers’ employment agreements entitles them to accelerated vesting of all outstanding equity awards, as well as certain other benefits, upon their termination without cause or their resignation for good reason within three months prior to the occurrence of a change in control or within 12 months following a change in control of our company. In addition, the occurrence of a change in control constitutes “good reason” for our named executive officers’ resignation. For additional discussion, please see “—Employment Agreements” above.

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2012 Fiscal Year-End

The following table summarizes the number of shares of common stock underlying outstanding equity incentive plan awards for each named executive officer as of December 31, 2012.

 

          Option Awards   Stock Awards  

Name

  Grant
Date
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable(1)
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
    Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
    Option
Exercise
Price
($)
    Option
Expiration
Date
  Number
of
Shares
or Units
of Stock
That
Have
Not
Vested
(#)
    Market
Value
of
Shares
or
Units
of
Stock
That
Have
Not
Vested
($)(2)
    Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
    Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market
or Payout
Value of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have Not
Vested
($)(2)
 

David A. Gonyer, R.Ph.

    2/9/11        72,000        —          —          0.40      2/8/21     —          —          —          —     
    11/18/10        —          —          —          —            14,375 (3)      186,875        —          —     
    9/14/07        —          —          —          —            —          —          41,250 (4)      536,250   
    8/3/07        40,000        —          —          0.29      8/2/17     —          —          —          —     

Matthew J. D’Onofrio

    2/9/11        46,000        —          —          0.40      2/8/21     —          —          —       
    11/18/10        —          —          —          —            14,375 (3)      186,875        —          —     
    9/14/07        —          —          —          —            —          —          13,750 (5)      178,750   
    8/3/07        20,000        —          —          0.29      8/2/17     —          —          —          —     

 

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(1) The options vest on a monthly basis over a four-year period of continuous service following the grant date. All options are immediately exercisable. Restricted stock issued upon exercise of unvested options that have been “early exercised” are subject to a right of repurchase within 90 days of termination of employment.
(2) Since we have not yet completed our initial public offering, the market values shown were computed using $13.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus.
(3) The restricted stock vests and shall be released from our repurchase option on a monthly basis over a four-year period of continuous service following November 10, 2010. Unvested restricted stock is subject to a right of repurchase within 90 days of termination of employment.
(4) Such shares shall be released from our repurchase option upon the achievement, if ever, of certain milestones related to our nasal metoclopramide product candidate as follows: 18,750 shares upon pivotal trial initiation and 22,500 shares upon the New Drug Application submission, all subject to Mr. Gonyer’s continued service with us on the date of such events.
(5) Such shares shall be released from our repurchase option upon the achievement, if ever, of certain milestones related to our nasal metoclopramide product candidate as follows: 6,250 shares upon pivotal trial initiation and 7,500 shares upon the New Drug Application submission, all subject to Mr. D’Onofrio’s continued service with us on the date of such events.

Director Compensation

2012 Director Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information for the year ended December 31, 2012 regarding the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our non-employee directors who served on our board of directors during 2012. Employees of our company who also serve as directors do not receive additional compensation for their performance of services as directors.

 

Name

  Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash ($)
    Stock
Awards ($)
  Option
Awards ($)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation ($)
    All Other
Compensation ($)
    Total
($)
 

Cam Garner

    100,000          —          —          —          100,000   

Todd C. Brady, M.D., Ph.D.

    —            —          —          —          —     

Scott Glenn

    —            —          —          —          —     

Malcolm R. Hill, PharmD.

    —            —          —          —          —     

Ken Widder, M.D.

    —            —          —          —          —     

The table below shows the aggregate numbers of option awards (exercisable and unexercisable) held as of December 31, 2012 by each non-employee director who was serving as of December 31, 2012.

 

Name

   Options Outstanding at
Fiscal Year End
     Unvested Restricted Shares
Outstanding at Fiscal  Year
End
 

Cam Garner

     —           27,500   

Todd C. Brady, M.D., Ph.D.

     —           5,250   

Scott Glenn

     —           5,250   

Malcolm R. Hill, PharmD.

     5,250         —     

Ken Widder, M.D.

     —           5,250   

Our board of directors has approved a compensation program for our non-employee directors, to be effective on the day prior to the public trading date of our common stock, that consists of annual retainer fees and/or long-term equity awards. Each non-employee director will receive an annual cash retainer of $17,500 for his or her services. In addition, the chair of our board of directors will receive an additional annual cash retainer of $17,500, the chair of the audit committee will receive an additional annual cash retainer of $7,500, the chair of the compensation committee will receive an additional annual cash retainer of $5,000 and the chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee will receive an additional annual cash retainer of $3,500. Audit committee members will receive an additional cash retainer of $3,750, compensation committee members will receive an additional annual cash retainer of $2,500 and nominating and corporate governance committee members will receive an additional annual cash retainer of $1,750. The non-employee directors will receive initial grants of options to purchase 18,000 shares of our common stock, vesting in three equal annual installments over the three-year period following the date of grant, upon election or appointment to the board of directors or, for our current directors, on the day prior to the public trading date of our common stock, and thereafter annual grants of options to purchase 9,000 shares of our common stock, vesting on the first anniversary of the date of grant.

 

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Incentive Award Plans

2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan

We have adopted the Evoke Pharma, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan, or the 2013 Plan. The 2013 Plan will become effective on the day prior to the public trading date of our common stock. The material terms of the 2013 Plan are summarized below.

Authorized Shares. A total of 510,000 shares of our common stock are initially reserved for issuance under the 2013 Plan. In addition, the number of shares available for issuance under the 2013 Plan will be annually increased on the first day of each of our fiscal years during the term of the 2013 Plan, beginning with the 2014 fiscal year, by an amount equal to the least of:

 

   

300,000 shares;

 

   

4% of the outstanding shares of our common stock as of the last day of our immediately preceding fiscal year; or

 

   

such other amount as our board of directors may determine.

The 2013 Plan provides for an aggregate limit of 3,510,000 shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2013 Plan over the course of its ten-year term.

Shares issued pursuant to awards under the 2013 Plan that we repurchase or that are forfeited, as well as shares used to pay the exercise price of an award or to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to an award, will become available for future grant under the 2013 Plan. In addition, to the extent that an award is paid out in cash rather than shares, such cash payment will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the 2013 Plan.

Plan Administration. The compensation committee of our board of directors will administer the 2013 Plan (except with respect to any award granted to “independent directors” (as defined in the 2013 Plan), which must be administered by our full board of directors). Following the completion of this offering, to administer the 2013 Plan, our compensation committee must consist solely of at least two members of our board of directors, each of whom is a “non-employee director” for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, an “independent director” under the rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market and, with respect to awards that are intended to constitute performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, an “outside director” for purposes of Section 162(m). Subject to the terms and conditions of the 2013 Plan, our compensation committee has the authority to select the persons to whom awards are to be made, to determine the type or types of awards to be granted to each person, the number of awards to grant, the number of shares to be subject to such awards, and the terms and conditions of such awards, and to make all other determinations and decisions and to take all other actions necessary or advisable for the administration of the 2013 Plan. Our compensation committee is also authorized to establish, adopt, amend or revise rules relating to administration of the 2013 Plan. Our board of directors may at any time revest in itself the authority to administer the 2013 Plan.

Eligibility. Options, stock appreciation rights, or SARs, restricted stock and other awards under the 2013 Plan may be granted to individuals who are then our officers or employees or are the officers or employees of any of our subsidiaries. Such awards may also be granted to our non-employee directors and consultants but only employees may be granted incentive stock options, or ISOs. As of June 30, 2013, there were six non-employee directors and two employees who would have been eligible for awards under the 2013 Plan had it been in effect on such date. At such time after the completion of this offering when we are subject to the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, the maximum number of shares that may be subject to awards granted under the 2013 Plan to any individual in any calendar year cannot exceed 510,000 and the maximum amount that may be

 

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paid to a participant in cash during any calendar year with respect to one or more cash based awards under the 2013 Plan is $5,000,000. In addition, the maximum number of shares that may be subject to awards granted under the 2013 Plan to any non-employee director during any calendar year shall be 150,000.

Awards. The 2013 Plan provides that our compensation committee (or the board of directors, in the case of awards to non-employee directors) may grant or issue stock options, SARs, restricted stock, restricted stock units, dividend equivalents, stock payments and performance awards, or any combination thereof. Our compensation committee (or the board of directors, in the case of awards to non-employee directors) will consider each award grant subjectively, considering factors such as the individual performance of the recipient and the anticipated contribution of the recipient to the attainment of our long-term goals. Each award will be set forth in a separate agreement with the person receiving the award and will indicate the type, terms and conditions of the award.

 

   

Nonqualified stock options, or NQSOs, will provide for the right to purchase shares of our common stock at a specified price which may not be less than the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant, and usually will become exercisable (at the discretion of our compensation committee or our board of directors, in the case of awards to non-employee directors) in one or more installments after the grant date, subject to the participant’s continued employment or service with us and/or subject to the satisfaction of performance targets established by our compensation committee (or our board of directors, in the case of awards to non-employee directors). NQSOs may be granted for any term specified by our compensation committee (or our board of directors, in the case of awards to non-employee directors).

 

   

ISOs will be designed to comply with the provisions of the Code and will be subject to specified restrictions contained in the Code. Among such restrictions, ISOs must have an exercise price of not less than the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant, may only be granted to employees, must expire within a specified period of time following the optionee’s termination of employment, and must be exercised within ten years after the date of grant. In the case of an ISO granted to an individual who owns (or is deemed to own) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our capital stock, the 2013 Plan provides that the exercise price must be at least 110% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant and the ISO must expire upon the fifth anniversary of the date of grant.

 

   

Restricted stock may be granted to participants and made subject to such restrictions as may be determined by our compensation committee (or our board of directors, in the case of awards to non-employee directors). Typically, restricted stock may be forfeited for no consideration if the conditions or restrictions are not met, and it may not be sold or otherwise transferred to third parties until the restrictions are removed or expire. Recipients of restricted stock, unlike recipients of options, may have voting rights and may receive dividends, if any, prior to the time when the restrictions lapse.

 

   

Restricted stock units may be awarded to participants, typically without payment of consideration or for a nominal purchase price, but subject to vesting conditions including continued employment or performance criteria established by our compensation committee (or our board of directors, in the case of awards to non-employee directors). Like restricted stock, restricted stock units may not be sold or otherwise transferred or hypothecated until vesting conditions are removed or expire. Unlike restricted stock, stock underlying restricted stock units will not be issued until the restricted stock units have vested, and recipients of restricted stock units generally will have no voting or dividend rights prior to the time when vesting conditions are satisfied.

 

   

SARs granted under the 2013 Plan typically will provide for payments to the holder based upon increases in the price of our common stock over the exercise price of the SAR. Except as required by Section 162(m) of the Code with respect to SARs intended to qualify as performance-based compensation as described in Section 162(m) of the Code, there are no restrictions specified in the

 

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2013 Plan on the exercise of SARs or the amount of gain realizable therefrom. Our compensation committee (or the board of directors, in the case of awards to non-employee directors) may elect to pay SARs in cash or in common stock or in a combination of both.

 

   

Dividend equivalents represent the value of the dividends, if any, per share paid by us, calculated with reference to the number of shares covered by the stock options, SARs or other awards held by the participant.

 

   

Performance awards may be granted by our compensation committee on an individual or group basis. Generally, these awards will be based upon the attainment of specific performance goals that are established by our compensation committee and relate to one or more performance criteria on a specified date or dates determined by our compensation committee. Any such cash bonus paid to a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code may be, but need not be, qualified performance-based compensation as described below and will be paid in cash.

 

   

Stock payments may be authorized by our compensation committee (or our board of directors, in the case of awards to non-employee directors) in the form of common stock or an option or other right to purchase common stock as part of a deferred compensation arrangement, made in lieu of all or any part of compensation, including bonuses, that would otherwise be payable to employees, consultants or members of our board of directors.

Transferability of Awards. Unless the administrator provides otherwise, our 2013 Plan generally does not allow for the transfer of awards and only the recipient of an option or SAR may exercise such an award during his or her lifetime.

Qualified Performance-Based Compensation. The compensation committee may designate employees as “covered employees” whose compensation for a given fiscal year may be subject to the limit on deductible compensation imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code. The compensation committee may grant to such covered employees restricted stock, dividend equivalents, stock payments, restricted stock units, cash bonuses and other stock-based awards that are paid, vest or become exercisable upon the attainment of company performance criteria which are related to one or more of the following performance criteria as applicable to our performance or the performance of a division, business unit or an individual: operating or other costs and expenses, improvements in expense levels, cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow), return on assets, return on capital, stockholders’ equity, return on stockholders’ equity, total stockholder return, return on sales, gross or net profit or operating margin, working capital, net earnings (either before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), gross or net sales or revenue, net income (either before or after taxes), adjusted net income, operating earnings, earnings per share of stock, adjusted earnings per share of stock, price per share of stock, regulatory body approval for commercialization of a product, capital raised in financing transactions or other financing milestones, market recognition (including but not limited to awards and analyst ratings), financial ratios, implementation or completion of critical projects, market share, economic value, comparisons with various stock market indices, and implementation, completion or attainment of objectively determinable objectives relating to research, development, regulatory, commercial or strategic milestones or development. These performance criteria may be measured in absolute terms or as compared to performance in an earlier period or as compared to any incremental increase or decrease or as compared to results of a peer group or to market performance indicators or indices.

The compensation committee may provide that one or more objectively determinable adjustments will be made to one or more of the performance goals established for any performance period. Such adjustments may include one or more of the following: items related to a change in accounting principle, items relating to financing activities, expenses for restructuring or productivity initiatives, other non-operating items, items related to acquisitions, items attributable to the business operations of any entity acquired by us during the performance period, items related to the disposal of a business or segment of a business, items related to discontinued operations that do not qualify as a segment of a business under applicable accounting standards, items attributable to any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares occurring during the

 

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performance period, any other items of significant income or expense which are determined to be appropriate adjustments, items relating to unusual or extraordinary corporate transactions, events or developments, items related to amortization of acquired intangible assets, items that are outside the scope of our core, on-going business activities, items related to acquired in-process research and development, items relating to changes in tax laws, items relating to major licensing or partnership arrangements, items relating to asset impairment charges, items relating to gains and losses for litigation, arbitration or contractual settlements, or items relating to any other unusual or nonrecurring events or changes in applicable laws, accounting principles or business conditions.

Forfeiture, Recoupment and Clawback Provisions. Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to awards under the 2013 Plan, the compensation committee has the right to provide, in an award agreement or otherwise, that an award shall be subject to the provisions of any recoupment or clawback policies implemented by us, including, without limitation, any recoupment or clawback policies adopted to comply with the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

Adjustments. If there is any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of our assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the shares of our common stock or the share price of our common stock other than an equity restructuring (as defined in the 2013 Plan), the plan administrator may make such equitable adjustments, if any, as the plan administrator in its discretion may deem appropriate to reflect such change with respect to (1) the aggregate number and type of shares that may be issued under the 2013 Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the number of shares available under the 2013 Plan and the maximum number of shares which may be subject to one or more awards to a participant pursuant to the 2013 Plan during any calendar year), (2) the number and kind of shares, or other securities or property, subject to outstanding awards, (3) the number and kind of shares, or other securities or property, for which automatic grants are to be subsequently made to new and continuing non-employee directors, (4) the terms and conditions of any outstanding awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto), and (5) the grant or exercise price per share for any outstanding awards under the 2013 Plan. If there is any equity restructuring, (1) the number and type of securities subject to each outstanding award and the grant or exercise price per share for each outstanding award, if applicable, will be proportionately adjusted, and (2) the plan administrator will make proportionate adjustments to reflect such equity restructuring with respect to the aggregate number and type of shares that may be issued under the 2013 Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the number of shares available under the 2013 Plan and the maximum number of shares which may be subject to one or more awards to a participant pursuant to the 2013 Plan during any calendar year). Adjustments in the event of an equity restructuring will not be discretionary. Any adjustment affecting an award intended as “qualified performance-based compensation” will be made consistent with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code. The plan administrator also has the authority under the 2013 Plan to take certain other actions with respect to outstanding awards in the event of a corporate transaction, including provision for the cash-out, termination, assumption or substitution of such awards.

Corporate Transactions. In the event of a change in control where the acquirer does not assume awards granted under the 2013 Plan, awards issued under the 2013 Plan will be subject to accelerated vesting such that 100% of the awards will become vested and exercisable or payable, as applicable. Under the 2013 Plan, a change in control is generally defined as:

 

   

a transaction or series of related transactions (other than an offering of our stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC) whereby any person or entity or related group of persons or entities (other than us, our subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by us or any of our subsidiaries or a person or entity that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, us) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the

 

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Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the total combined voting power of our securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition;

 

   

during any two-year period, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute our board of directors together with any new director(s) whose election by our board of directors or nomination for election by our stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority of our board of directors;

 

   

our consummation (whether we are directly or indirectly involved through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets in any single transaction or series of transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:

 

   

which results in our voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into our voting securities or the voting securities of the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls us, directly or indirectly, or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of our assets or otherwise succeeds to our business (we or such person being referred to as a successor entity)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the successor entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction; and

 

   

after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the successor entity; provided, however, that no person or group is treated as beneficially owning 50% or more of combined voting power of the successor entity solely as a result of the voting power held in us prior to the consummation of the transaction; or

 

   

our stockholders approve a liquidation or dissolution of the company.

Amendment, Termination. Our board of directors has the authority to amend, suspend or terminate the 2013 Plan at any time. However, stockholder approval of any amendment to the 2013 Plan will be obtained to the extent necessary to comply with any applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule. Additionally, stockholder approval is required within 12 months of an increase in the maximum number of shares issuable under the 2013 Plan or that may be issued to an individual in any calendar year. Except as necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, no amendment, suspension or termination of the 2013 Plan will impair the rights or obligations of a holder under an award theretofore granted, unless such award expressly so provides or such holder consents. If not terminated earlier by our board of directors, the 2013 Plan will terminate on the tenth anniversary of the date it was approved by our board of directors.

Repricing Permitted. Our compensation committee (or the board of directors, in the case of awards to non-employee directors) shall have the authority, without the approval of our stockholders, to authorize the amendment of any outstanding award to reduce its price per share and to provide that an award will be canceled and replaced with the grant of an award having a lesser price per share.

Securities Laws and Federal Income Taxes. The 2013 Plan is designed to comply with various securities and federal tax laws as follows:

Securities Laws. The 2013 Plan is intended to conform to all provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the SEC thereunder, including, without limitation, Rule 16b-3. The 2013 Plan will be administered, and awards will be granted and may be exercised, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.

Federal Income Tax Consequences. The material federal income tax consequences of the 2013 Plan under current federal income tax law are summarized in the following discussion, which deals with the general tax

 

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principles applicable to the 2013 Plan. The following discussion is based upon laws, regulations, rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change. Foreign, state and local tax laws, and employment, estate and gift tax considerations are not discussed due to the fact that they may vary depending on individual circumstances and from locality to locality.

 

   

Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. A 2013 Plan participant generally will not recognize taxable income and we generally will not be entitled to a tax deduction upon the grant of a stock option or stock appreciation right. The tax consequences of exercising a stock option and the subsequent disposition of the shares received upon exercise will depend upon whether the option qualifies as an ISO as defined in Section 422 of the Code. The 2013 Plan permits the grant of options that are intended to qualify as ISOs as well as options that are not intended to so qualify; however, ISOs generally may be granted only to our employees and employees of our parent or subsidiary corporations, if any. Upon exercising an option that does not qualify as an ISO when the fair market value of our stock is higher than the exercise price of the option, a 2013 Plan participant generally will recognize taxable income at ordinary income tax rates equal to the excess of the fair market value of the stock on the date of exercise over the purchase price, and we (or our subsidiaries, if any) generally will be entitled to a corresponding tax deduction for compensation expense, in the amount equal to the amount by which the fair market value of the shares purchased exceeds the purchase price for the shares. Upon a subsequent sale or other disposition of the option shares, the participant will recognize a short-term or long-term capital gain or loss in the amount of the difference between the sales price of the shares and the participant’s tax basis in the shares.

Upon exercising an ISO, a 2013 Plan participant generally will not recognize taxable income, and we will not be entitled to a tax deduction for compensation expense. However, upon exercise, the amount by which the fair market value of the shares purchased exceeds the purchase price will be an item of adjustment for alternative minimum tax purposes. The participant will recognize taxable income upon a sale or other taxable disposition of the option shares. For federal income tax purposes, dispositions are divided into two categories: qualifying and disqualifying. A qualifying disposition generally occurs if the sale or other disposition is made more than two years after the date the option was granted and more than one year after the date the shares are transferred upon exercise. If the sale or disposition occurs before these two periods are satisfied, then a disqualifying disposition generally will result.

Upon a qualifying disposition of ISO shares, the participant will recognize long-term capital gain in an amount equal to the excess of the amount realized upon the sale or other disposition of the shares over their purchase price. If there is a disqualifying disposition of the shares, then the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date (or, if less, the price at which the shares are sold) over their purchase price will be taxable as ordinary income to the participant. If there is a disqualifying disposition in the same year of exercise, it eliminates the item of adjustment for alternative minimum tax purposes. Any additional gain or loss recognized upon the disposition will be recognized as a capital gain or loss by the participant.

We will not be entitled to any tax deduction if the participant makes a qualifying disposition of ISO shares. If the participant makes a disqualifying disposition of the shares, we should be entitled to a tax deduction for compensation expense in the amount of the ordinary income recognized by the participant.

Upon exercising or settling a SAR, a 2013 Plan participant will recognize taxable income at ordinary income tax rates, and we should be entitled to a corresponding tax deduction for compensation expense, in the amount paid or value of the shares issued upon exercise or settlement. Payments in shares will be valued at the fair market value of the shares at the time of the payment, and upon the subsequent disposition of the shares the participant will recognize a short-term or long-term capital gain or loss in the amount of the difference between the sales price of the shares and the participant’s tax basis in the shares.

 

   

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. A 2013 Plan participant generally will not recognize taxable income at ordinary income tax rates and we generally will not be entitled to a tax deduction

 

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upon the grant of restricted stock or restricted stock units. Upon the termination of restrictions on restricted stock or the payment of restricted stock units, the participant will recognize taxable income at ordinary income tax rates, and we should be entitled to a corresponding tax deduction for compensation expense, in the amount paid to the participant or the amount by which the then fair market value of the shares received by the participant exceeds the amount, if any, paid for them. Upon the subsequent disposition of any shares, the participant will recognize a short-term or long-term capital gain or loss in the amount of the difference between the sales price of the shares and the participant’s tax basis in the shares. However, a 2013 Plan participant granted restricted stock that is subject to forfeiture or repurchase through a vesting schedule such that it is subject to a “risk of forfeiture” (as defined in Section 83 of the Code) may make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to recognize taxable income at ordinary income tax rates, at the time of the grant, in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the date of grant, less the amount paid, if any, for such shares. We will be entitled to a corresponding tax deduction for compensation, in the amount recognized as taxable income by the participant. If a timely Section 83(b) election is made, the participant will not recognize any additional ordinary income on the termination of restrictions on restricted stock, and we will not be entitled to any additional tax deduction.

 

   

Dividend Equivalents, Stock Payment Awards and Cash-Based Awards. A 2013 Plan participant will not recognize taxable income and we will not be entitled to a tax deduction upon the grant of dividend equivalents, stock payment awards or cash-based awards until cash or shares are paid or distributed to the participant. At that time, any cash payments or the fair market value of shares that the participant receives will be taxable to the participant at ordinary income tax rates and we should be entitled to a corresponding tax deduction for compensation expense. Payments in shares will be valued at the fair market value of the shares at the time of the payment, and upon the subsequent disposition of the shares, the participant will recognize a short-term or long-term capital gain or loss in the amount of the difference between the sales price of the shares and the participant’s tax basis in the shares.

 

   

Section 409A of the Code. Certain types of awards under the 2013 Plan may constitute, or provide for, a deferral of compensation under Section 409A. Unless certain requirements set forth in Section 409A are complied with, holders of such awards may be taxed earlier than would otherwise be the case (e.g., at the time of vesting instead of the time of payment) and may be subject to an additional 20% federal income tax (and, potentially, certain interest penalties). To the extent applicable, the 2013 Plan and awards granted under the 2013 Plan will be structured and interpreted to comply with Section 409A and the Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance that may be issued pursuant to Section 409A.

 

   

Section 162(m) Limitation. In general, under Section 162(m) of the Code, income tax deductions of publicly held corporations may be limited to the extent total compensation (including base salary, annual bonus, stock option exercises and non-qualified benefits paid) for certain executive officers exceeds $1 million (less the amount of any “excess parachute payments” as defined in Section 280G of the Code) in any one year. However, under Section 162(m), the deduction limit does not apply to certain “performance-based compensation” if an independent compensation committee determines performance goals and if the material terms of the performance-based compensation are disclosed to and approved by our stockholders. In particular, stock options and SARs will satisfy the “performance-based compensation” exception if the awards are made by a qualifying compensation committee, the plan sets the maximum number of shares that can be granted to any person within a specified period and the compensation is based solely on an increase in the stock price after the grant date. Specifically, the option exercise price must be equal to or greater than the fair market value of the stock subject to the award on the grant date. Under a Section 162(m) transition rule for compensation plans of corporations which are privately held and which become publicly held in an initial public offering, certain awards under the 2013 Plan will not be subject to Section 162(m) until a specified transition date, which is the earlier of (1) the material modification of the 2013 Plan, (2) the issuance of all employer stock and other compensation that has been allocated under the 2013 Plan, or (3) the first

 

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annual meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected that occurs after the close of the third calendar year following the calendar year in which the initial public offering occurs. After the transition date, rights or awards granted under the 2013 Plan, other than options and SARs, will not qualify as “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Section 162(m) unless such rights or awards are granted or vest upon pre-established objective performance goals, the material terms of which are disclosed to and approved by our stockholders.

We have attempted to structure the 2013 Plan in such a manner that, after the transition date, the compensation attributable to stock options and SARs which meet the other requirements of Section 162(m) will not be subject to the $1 million limitation. We have not, however, requested a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel regarding this issue.

2007 Equity Incentive Plan

On May 30, 2007, our board of directors approved the Evoke Pharma, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2007 Plan.

A total of 450,000 shares of our common stock are reserved for issuance under the 2007 Plan. As of December 31, 2012, 450,000 shares of our common stock were subject to outstanding option awards and zero shares of our common stock remained available for future issuance. After the effective date of the 2013 Plan, no additional awards will be granted under the 2007 Plan.

Administration. The compensation committee of our board of directors administers the 2007 Plan, except with respect to any award granted to non-employee directors (as defined in the 2007 Plan), which must be administered by our full board of directors. Subject to the terms and conditions of the 2007 Plan, the administrator has the authority to select the persons to whom awards are to be made, to determine the type or types of awards to be granted to each person, determine the number of awards to grant, determine the number of shares to be subject to such awards, and the terms and conditions of such awards, and make all other determinations and decisions and to take all other actions necessary or advisable for the administration of the 2007 Plan. The plan administrator is also authorized to establish, adopt, amend or revise rules relating to administration of the 2007 Plan, subject to certain restrictions.

Eligibility. Options, SARs, restricted stock and other awards under the 2007 Plan may be granted to individuals who are then our employees, consultants and members of our board of directors and our subsidiaries. Only employees may be granted ISOs.

Awards. The 2007 Plan provides that our administrator may grant or issue stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, SARs, dividend equivalents, stock payments, or any combination thereof. The administrator considers each award grant subjectively, considering factors such as the individual performance of the recipient and the anticipated contribution of the recipient to the attainment of our long-term goals. Each award is set forth in a separate agreement with the person receiving the award and indicates the type, terms and conditions of the award.

 

   

NQSOs provide for the right to purchase shares of our common stock at a specified price which may not be less than the fair market value of a share of stock on the date of grant, and usually will become exercisable (at the discretion of our compensation committee or the board of directors, in the case of awards to non-employee directors) in one or more installments after the grant date, subject to the participant’s continued employment or service with us and/or subject to the satisfaction of performance targets established by our compensation committee (or the board of directors, in the case of awards to non-employee directors). NQSOs may be granted for any term specified by our compensation committee (or the board of directors, in the case of awards to non-employee directors), but the term may not exceed ten years.

 

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ISOs are designed to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and are subject to specified restrictions contained in the Internal Revenue Code applicable to ISOs. Among such restrictions, ISOs must have an exercise price of not less than the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant, may only be granted to employees, must expire within a specified period of time following the optionee’s termination of employment, and must be exercised within the ten years after the date of grant. In the case of an ISO granted to an individual who owns (or is deemed to own) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our capital stock on the date of grant, the 2007 Plan provides that the exercise price must be at least 110% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant and the ISO must expire on the fifth anniversary of the date of its grant.

 

   

Restricted stock may be granted to participants and made subject to such restrictions as may be determined by the administrator. Typically, restricted stock may be repurchased by us at the original purchase price or, if no cash consideration was paid for such stock, forfeited for no consideration if the conditions or restrictions are not met, and the restricted stock may not be sold or otherwise transferred to third parties until restrictions are removed or expire. Recipients of restricted stock, unlike recipients of options, may have voting rights and may receive dividends, if any, prior to when the restrictions lapse.

 

   

Restricted stock units may be awarded to participants, typically without payment of consideration or for a nominal purchase price, but subject to vesting conditions including continued employment or performance criteria established by the administrator. Like restricted stock, restricted stock units may not be sold or otherwise transferred or hypothecated until vesting conditions are removed or expire. Unlike restricted stock, stock underlying restricted stock units will not be issued until some time after the restricted stock units have vested, and recipients of restricted stock units generally will have no voting or dividend rights prior to the time when vesting conditions are satisfied and the shares have been issued.

 

   

SARs typically will provide for payments to the holder based upon increases in the price of our common stock over the exercise price of the SAR. There are no restrictions specified in the 2007 Plan on the exercise of SARs or the amount of gain realizable therefrom. The administrator may elect to pay SARs in cash or in common stock or in a combination of both.

 

   

Dividend equivalents may be awarded to participants and represent the value of the dividends, if any, per share paid by us, calculated with reference to the number of shares covered by the stock options, SARs or other awards held by the participant.

 

   

Stock payments may be authorized by the administrator in the form of common stock or an option or other right to purchase common stock as part of a deferred compensation arrangement, made in lieu of all or any part of compensation, including bonuses, that would otherwise be payable to employees, consultants or members of our board of directors.

Corporate Transactions. In the event of a change of control where the acquiror does not assume awards granted under the 2007 Plan, awards issued under the 2007 Plan will be subject to accelerated vesting such that 100% of the awards will become vested and exercisable or payable, as applicable, immediately prior to the change in control. Under the 2007 Plan, a change of control is generally defined as:

 

   

a transaction or series of related transactions whereby any person or entity or related group of persons or entities (other than us, our subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by us or any of our subsidiaries or a person or entity that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, us) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the total combined voting power of our securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition;

 

   

during any two-year period, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute our board of directors together with any new director(s) whose election by our board of directors or nomination for

 

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election by our stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority of our board of directors;

 

   

our consummation (whether we are directly or indirectly involved through one or more intermediaries) of (1) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination, (2) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets or (3) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction that results in our voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the successor entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and after which no person or entity beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the acquiring company that is not attributable to voting power held in the company prior to such transaction; or

 

   

the approval by our stockholders of a liquidation or dissolution of our company.

Amendment and Termination of the 2007 Plan. Our board of directors may terminate, amend or modify the 2007 Plan. However, stockholder approval of any amendment to the 2007 Plan must be obtained to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with any applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule, or for any amendment to the 2007 Plan that increases the number of shares available under the 2007 Plan. The administrator may, with the consent of the affected option holders, cancel any or all outstanding awards under the 2007 Plan and grant new awards in substitution. If not terminated earlier by the compensation committee or the board of directors, the 2007 Plan will terminate on May 30, 2017.

Securities Laws and Federal Income Taxes. The 2007 Plan is designed to comply with applicable securities laws in the same manner as described above in the description of the 2013 Plan under the heading “—2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan—Securities Laws and Federal Income Taxes—Securities Laws.” The general federal tax consequences of awards under the 2007 Plan are the same as those described above in the description of the 2013 Plan under the heading “—2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan—Securities Laws and Federal Income Taxes—Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

We have adopted the Evoke Pharma, Inc. 2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the ESPP. The ESPP will become effective on the day prior to the public trading date of our common stock. Our executive officers and all of our other employees will be allowed to participate in our ESPP, subject to the eligibility requirements described below. The material terms of the ESPP are summarized below.

A total of 30,000 shares of our common stock are initially reserved for issuance under our ESPP. In addition, the number of shares available for issuance under the ESPP will be annually increased on the first day of each fiscal year during the term of the ESPP, beginning with the 2014 fiscal year, by an amount equal to the least of:

 

   

30,000 shares;

 

   

1% of the outstanding shares of our common stock as of the last day of our immediately preceding fiscal year; or

 

   

such other amount as may be determined by our board of directors.

The ESPP provides for an aggregate limit of 330,000 shares of common stock that may be issued under the ESPP during the term of the ESPP.

 

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Our board of directors or its committee has full and exclusive authority to interpret the terms of the ESPP and determine eligibility. Our compensation committee will be the initial administrator of the ESPP.

Our employees are eligible to participate in the ESPP if they are customarily employed by us or any participating subsidiary for at least 20 hours per week and more than five months in any calendar year. However, an employee may not be granted rights to purchase stock under our ESPP if such employee, immediately after the grant, would own (directly or through attribution) stock possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of our common or other class of stock.

Our ESPP is intended to qualify under Code Section 423 and stock will be offered under the ESPP during offering periods. The length of the offering periods under the ESPP will be determined by our compensation committee and may be up to 27 months long. Employee payroll deductions will be used to purchase shares on each purchase date during an offering period. The purchase dates will be determined by the compensation committee for each offering period, but will generally be the last day in each offering period. Offering periods under the ESPP will commence when determined by our compensation committee. The compensation committee may, in its discretion, modify the terms of future offering periods.

Our ESPP permits participants to purchase common stock through payroll deductions of up to 20% of their eligible compensation, which includes a participant’s gross base compensation for services to the company, excluding overtime payments, sales commissions, incentive compensation, bonuses, expense reimbursements, fringe benefits and other special payments. A participant may purchase a maximum of 12,000 shares of common stock during each offering period. In addition, no employee will be permitted to accrue the right to purchase stock under the ESPP at a rate in excess of $25,000 worth of shares during any calendar year during which such a purchase right is outstanding (based on the fair market value per share of our common stock as of the first day of the offering period).

On the first trading day of each offering period, each participant automatically is granted an option to purchase shares of our common stock. The option expires at the end of the offering period or upon termination of employment, whichever is earlier, but is exercised at the end of each purchase period to the extent of the payroll deductions accumulated during such purchase period. The purchase price of the shares will be 85% of the lower of the fair market value of our common stock on the first trading day of the offering period or on the applicable purchase date. Participants may end their participation at any time during an offering period, and will be paid their accrued payroll deductions that have not yet been used to purchase shares of common stock. Participation ends automatically upon termination of employment with us.

A participant may not transfer rights granted under the ESPP other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution or as otherwise provided under the ESPP.

In the event of certain significant transactions or a change in control (as defined in the ESPP), the compensation committee may provide for (1) either the replacement or termination of outstanding rights in exchange for cash, (2) the assumption or substitution of outstanding rights by the successor or survivor corporation or parent or subsidiary thereof, if any, (3) the adjustment in the number and type of shares of stock subject to outstanding rights, (4) the use of participants’ accumulated payroll deductions to purchase stock on a new purchase date prior to the next purchase date and termination of any rights under ongoing offering periods or (5) the termination of all outstanding rights. Under the ESPP, a change in control has the same definition as given to such term in the 2013 Plan.

The compensation committee may amend, suspend or terminate the ESPP. However, stockholder approval of any amendment to the ESPP will be obtained for any amendment which changes the aggregate number or type of shares that may be sold pursuant to rights under the ESPP, changes the corporations or classes of corporations whose employees are eligible to participate in the ESPP or changes the ESPP in any manner that would cause the ESPP to no longer be an employee stock purchase plan within the meaning of Section 423(b) of the Code. The ESPP will terminate no later than the tenth anniversary of the ESPP’s initial adoption by our board of directors.

 

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Securities Laws. The ESPP has been designed to comply with various securities laws in the same manner as described above in the description of the 2013 Plan.

Federal Income Taxes. The material federal income tax consequences of the ESPP under current federal income tax law are summarized in the following discussion, which deals with the general tax principles applicable to the ESPP. The following discussion is based upon laws, regulations, rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which are subject to change. Foreign, state and local tax laws, and employment, estate and gift tax considerations are not discussed due to the fact that they may vary depending on individual circumstances and from locality to locality.

The ESPP, and the right of participants to make purchases thereunder, is intended to qualify under the provisions of Section 423 of the Code. Under the applicable Code provisions, no income will be taxable to a participant until the sale or other disposition of the shares purchased under the ESPP. This means that an eligible employee will not recognize taxable income on the date the employee is granted an option under the ESPP (i.e., the first day of the offering period). In addition, the employee will not recognize taxable income upon the purchase of shares. Upon such sale or disposition, the participant will generally be subject to tax in an amount that depends upon the length of time such shares are held by the participant prior to disposing of them. If the shares are sold or disposed of more than two years from the first day of the offering period during which the shares were purchased and more than one year from the date of purchase, or if the participant dies while holding the shares, the participant (or his or her estate) will recognize ordinary income measured as the lesser of (1) the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of such sale or disposition over the purchase price or (2) an amount equal to 15% of the fair market value of the shares as of the first day of the offering period. Any additional gain will be treated as long-term capital gain. If the shares are held for the holding periods described above but are sold for a price that is less than the purchase price, there is no ordinary income and the participating employee has a long-term capital loss for the difference between the sale price and the purchase price.

If the shares are sold or otherwise disposed of before the expiration of the holding periods described above, the participant will recognize ordinary income generally measured as the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date the shares are purchased over the purchase price and we will be entitled to a tax deduction for compensation expense in the amount of ordinary income recognized by the employee. Any additional gain or loss on such sale or disposition will be long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on how long the shares were held following the date they were purchased by the participant prior to disposing of them. If the shares are sold or otherwise disposed of before the expiration of the holding periods described above but are sold for a price that is less than the purchase price, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of purchase over the purchase price (and we will be entitled to a corresponding deduction), but the participant generally will be able to report a capital loss equal to the difference between the sales price of the shares and the fair market value of the shares on the date of purchase.

Limitations of Liability and Indemnification Matters

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits our amended and restated certificate of incorporation from limiting the liability of our directors for the following:

 

   

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

 

   

acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

   

unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions; or

 

   

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

 

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Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws also provide that if Delaware law is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director, then the liability of our directors will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, as so amended. This limitation of liability does not apply to liabilities arising under the federal securities laws and does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws also provide that we shall have the power to indemnify our employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by law. Our amended and restated bylaws also permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in this capacity, regardless of whether our amended and restated bylaws would permit indemnification. We have obtained directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

We have entered into separate indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers, in addition to indemnification provided for in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws. These agreements, among other things, provide for indemnification of our directors and executive officers for expenses, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by this person in any action or proceeding arising out of this person’s services as a director or executive officer or at our request. We believe that these provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and executive officers.

The above description of the indemnification provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws and our indemnification agreements is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to these documents, each of which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to this registration statement.

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their fiduciary duties. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and our stockholders. A stockholder’s investment may be harmed to the extent we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers pursuant to these indemnification provisions. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable. There is no pending litigation or proceeding naming any of our directors or officers as to which indemnification is being sought, nor are we aware of any pending or threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification by any director or officer.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

The following includes a summary of transactions since January 1, 2010 to which we have been a party in which the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000, and in which any of our directors, executive officers or, to our knowledge, beneficial owners of more than 5% of our capital stock or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than equity and other compensation, termination, change in control and other arrangements, which are described under “Executive and Director Compensation.” We also describe below certain other transactions with our directors, executive officers and stockholders.

Preferred Stock Financings

From June 2007 through June 2010, we issued and sold to investors an aggregate of 12,195,068 shares of our Series A convertible preferred stock at a purchase price of $1.50 per share, for aggregate consideration of approximately $18.3 million.

The participants in this Series A convertible preferred stock financing included the following directors and holders of more than 5% of our capital stock or entities affiliated with them. The following table presents the number of shares issued to these related parties in these financings. Each share of Series A convertible preferred stock identified in the following table will be automatically converted into of a share of our common stock immediately prior to the closing of this offering.

 

Participants

   Series A
Convertible
Preferred Stock
 

Investor (1)

  

Funds affiliated with Domain Associates, L.L.C.(2)

     5,666,667   

Funds affiliated with LVP GP III, LLC(3)

     5,666,667   

Cam L. Garner(4)

     78,027   

Scott L. Glenn(5)

     78,027   

 

(1) Additional details regarding these stockholders and their equity holdings are provided in “Principal Stockholders.”
(2) Represents shares purchased by Domain Partners VII, L.P. and DP VII Associates, L.P.
(3) Represents shares purchased by LVP Life Science Ventures III, L.P., LVP III Associates, L.P., and LVP III Partners, L.P.
(4) Represents shares purchased by Garner Investments, L.L.C., of which Mr. Garner is the managing member.
(5) Represents shares purchased by Windamere III, LLC, of which Mr. Glenn is the managing member.

Some of our directors are associated with our principal stockholders as indicated in the table below:

 

Director

  

Principal Stockholder

Todd C. Brady, M.D., Ph.D.

   Funds affiliated with Domain Associates, L.L.C.

Kenneth J. Widder, M.D.

   Funds affiliated with LVP GP III, LLC

Investor Rights Agreement

We entered into an investor rights agreement in June 2007 with the holders of our convertible preferred stock, including entities with which certain of our directors are affiliated. This agreement provides for certain rights relating to the registration of their shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of their convertible preferred stock, a right of first refusal to purchase future securities sold by us and certain additional covenants made by us. Except for the registration rights (including the related provisions pursuant to which we have agreed to indemnify the parties to the investor rights agreement), all rights under this agreement will terminate upon

 

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completion of this offering. The registration rights will continue following this offering and will terminate seven years following the completion of this offering, or for any particular holder with registration rights, at such time following this offering when all securities held by that stockholder subject to registration rights may be sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act. See “Description of Capital Stock—Registration Rights” for additional information.

Voting Agreement

We entered into a voting agreement in June 2007 by and among us and certain of our stockholders, pursuant to which the following directors were each elected to serve as members on our board of directors and, as of the date of this prospectus, continue to so serve: Drs. Brady, Widder and Hill and Messrs. Garner, Gonyer, and Glenn. Pursuant to the voting agreement, Mr. Gonyer, as our Chief Executive Officer, was initially selected to serve on our board of directors as a representative of holders of our common stock, as designated by a majority of our common stockholders. Drs. Brady and Widder were initially selected to serve on our board of directors as representatives of holders of our previously outstanding preferred stock, as designated by Domain Partners VII, L.P., and Latterell Venture Partners, L.P., respectively.

The voting agreement will terminate upon the closing of this offering, and members previously elected to our board of directors pursuant to this agreement will continue to serve as directors until they resign, are removed or their successors are duly elected by holders of our common stock. The composition of our board of directors after this offering is described in more detail under “Management—Board Composition and Election of Directors.”

Employment Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with the following executive officers: David A. Gonyer, R.Ph. our President and Chief Executive Officer; Matthew J. D’Onofrio, MBA, our Executive Vice President, Chief Business Officer. For more information regarding these agreements, see the section of this prospectus entitled “Executive and Director Compensation—Narrative to Compensation Table.”

Indemnification Agreements

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers prior to the closing of this offering. These agreements, among other things, require us or will require us to indemnify each director (and in certain cases their related venture capital funds) and executive officer to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, including indemnification of expenses such as attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by the director or executive officer in any action or proceeding, including any action or proceeding by or in right of us, arising out of the person’s services as a director or executive officer.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws provide that we will indemnify each of our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. Further, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers, and we have purchased a policy of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that insures our directors and officers against the cost of defense, settlement or payment of a judgment under certain circumstances. For further information, see “Executive and Director Compensation—Limitations of Liability and Indemnification Matters.”

Stock Option Grants to Executive Officers and Directors

We have granted stock options to our executive officers and certain of our directors as more fully described in the section entitled “Executive and Director Compensation.”

 

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Policies and Procedures for Related Person Transactions

Our board of directors has adopted a written related person transaction policy, to be effective upon the consummation of this offering, setting forth the policies and procedures for the review and approval or ratification of related-person transactions. This policy will cover, with certain exceptions set forth in Item 404 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, any transaction, arrangement or relationship, or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships in which we were or are to be a participant, where the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and a related person had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, including, without limitation, purchases of goods or services by or from the related person or entities in which the related person has a material interest, indebtedness, guarantees of indebtedness and employment by us of a related person. In reviewing and approving any such transactions, our audit committee is tasked to consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including, but not limited to, whether the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in an arm’s length transaction and the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction. All of the transactions described in this section occurred prior to the adoption of this policy.

 

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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of August 30, 2013, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of shares of common stock in this offering, by:

 

   

each of our named executive officers;

 

   

each of our directors;

 

   

all of our executive officers and directors as a group; and

 

   

each person or group of affiliated persons known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock.

The number of shares beneficially owned by each stockholder is determined under rules issued by the SEC. Under these rules, beneficial ownership includes any shares as to which a person has sole or shared voting power or investment power. Applicable percentage ownership is based on 3,681,752 shares of common stock outstanding on August 30, 2013, which gives effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock into shares of common stock. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock subject to options, warrants or other rights held by such person that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of August 30, 2013 are considered outstanding, although these shares are not considered outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed below is c/o Evoke Pharma, Inc., 12555 High Bluff Drive, Suite 385, San Diego, CA 92130. We believe, based on information provided to us, that each of the stockholders listed below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned by the stockholder unless noted otherwise, subject to community property laws where applicable.

 

     Shares  Beneficially
Owned

Prior to Offering
     Percentage of Shares
Beneficially Owned
 

Name of Beneficial Owner

          Prior to
Offering
    After
Offering
 

5% or Greater Stockholders

       

Funds affiliated with Domain Associates, L.L.C.(1)

     1,138,583         30.9     19.7

One Palmer Square

       

Princeton, NJ 08542

       

Funds affiliated with LVP GP III, LLC(2)

     1,138,579         30.9     19.7

1 Embarcadero Center, Suite 4050

       

San Francisco, CA 94111

       

Executive Officers and Directors

       

David A. Gonyer, R.Ph.(3)

     517,000         13.8     8.8

Matthew J. D’Onofrio(4)

     241,000         6.5     4.1

Cam L. Garner(5)

     375,605         10.2     6.5

Todd C. Brady, M.D., Ph.D.

     —           —          —     

Scott L. Glenn(6)

     120,855         3.3     2.1

Malcolm R. Hill, Pharm.D.(7)

     19,250                      

Ann D. Rhoads

     —           —          —     

Kenneth J. Widder, M.D.(2)

     1,138,579         30.9     19.7

All executive officers and directors as a group (8 persons)(8)

     2,412,289         63.4     40.9

 

* Less than 1%.
(1)

Includes 5,250 shares held by Domain Associates, L.L.C., 1,114,327 shares held by Domain Partners VII, L.P. and 19,006 shares held by DP VII Associates, L.P. The voting and disposition of the shares held by Domain Associates, L.L.C. is determined by the managing members of Domain Associates, L.L.C. James C.

 

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  Blair, Brian H. Dovey, Brian K. Halak, Kim P. Kamdar, Kathleen K. Schoemaker, Jesse I. Treu and Nicole Vitullo are the managing members of Domain Associates, L.L.C. and share voting and investment power with respect to these shares. The voting and disposition of the shares held by Domain Partners VII, L.P. and DP VII Associates, L.P. is determined by the managing members of One Palmer Square Associates VII, L.L.C., the general partner of Domain Partners VII, L.P. and DP VII Associates, L.P. James C. Blair, Brian H. Dovey, Brian K. Halak, Kathleen K. Schoemaker, Jesse I. Treu and Nicole Vitullo and are the managing members of One Palmer Square Associates VII, L.L.C. and share voting and investment power with respect to these shares. Each member disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of his or her pecuniary interest therein.
(2) Includes 1,054,262 shares held by LVP Life Science Ventures III, L.P., 52,711 shares held by LVP III Associates, L.P., 26,356 shares held by LVP III Partners, L.P., and 5,250 shares held by LVPMC, LLC. LVP GP III, LLC is the general partner of LVP Life Science Ventures III, L.P., LVP III Associates, L.P. and LVP III Partners, L.P. Patrick F. Latterell, Stephen M. Salmon, James N. Woody and Kenneth J. Widder, the members of LVPMC, LLC and LVP GP III, LLC, share voting and investment power with respect to these shares. Each member disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
(3) Includes (a) 30,000 shares Mr. Gonyer acquired upon the early exercise of options, 9,375 of which are subject to our right of repurchase within 60 days of August 30, 2013 and (b) 72,000 shares Mr. Gonyer has the right to acquire pursuant to outstanding options which are immediately exercisable, 25,500 of which would be subject to our right of repurchase within 60 days of August 30, 2013.
(4) Includes (a) 30,000 shares Mr. D’Onofrio acquired upon the early exercise of options, 9,375 of which are subject to our right of repurchase within 60 days of August 30, 2013 and (b) 46,000 shares Mr. D’Onofrio has the right to acquire pursuant to outstanding options which are immediately exercisable, 16,291 of which would be subject to our right of repurchase within 60 days of August 30, 2013.
(5) Includes (a) 335,605 shares held by Garner Investments, L.L.C., of which Mr. Garner is the managing member, (b) 20,000 shares held by the Anna Berenice Garner Irrevocable Trust dated 8/13/2007, of which Mr. Garner is a trustee and (c) 20,000 shares held by the Lee Adair Garner Irrevocable Trust dtd 8/13/2007, of which Mr. Garner is a trustee.
(6) Includes (a) 105,250 shares held by Glenn Holdings, L.P., of which Mr. Glenn is the General Partner, and (b) 15,605 shares held by Windamere III, LLC, of which Mr. Glenn is the Managing Member.
(7) Includes 5,250 shares that Dr. Hill has the right to acquire pursuant to outstanding options which are immediately exercisable.
(8) Includes 123,250 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options which are immediately exercisable, 41,791 of which would be subject to our right of repurchase within 60 days of August 30, 2013.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

Following the closing of this offering, our authorized capital stock will consist of 50,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. The following description summarizes some of the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, our outstanding warrants, the investors’ rights agreement and of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. For a complete description you should refer to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws, warrants and investors’ rights agreement, copies of which have been filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which the prospectus is a part, as well as the relevant provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Common Stock

As of June 30, 2013, there were 3,681,752 shares of our common stock outstanding and held of record by 15 stockholders, assuming the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock into 2,439,002 shares of common stock, which we expect to automatically occur immediately prior to the closing of this offering. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors, and do not have cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they so choose, other than any directors that holders of any preferred stock we may issue may be entitled to elect. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any then outstanding preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably those dividends, if any, as may be declared by the board of directors out of legally available funds. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in the assets legally available for distribution to stockholders after the payment of or provision for all of our debts and other liabilities, subject to the prior rights of any preferred stock then outstanding. Holders of common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights and there are no redemption or sinking funds provisions applicable to the common stock. All outstanding shares of common stock are, and the common stock to be outstanding upon completion of this offering will be, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of common stock are subject to and may be adversely affected by the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

Preferred Stock

Under the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which will become effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering, our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our stockholders, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of 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 dividend, voting and other 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 and may adversely affect the market price of the common stock and the voting and other rights of the holders of common stock. We have no current plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

 

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Options

As of June 30, 2013, options to purchase 123,250 shares of our common stock were outstanding under our 2007 equity incentive plan, of which 76,542 were vested and all of which were exercisable as of that date.

Warrants

In February 2008, in connection with the closing of a debt facility, we issued a warrant to Square 1 Bank, which warrant is immediately exercisable for an aggregate of 50,000 shares of our Series A convertible preferred stock, at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. Immediately prior to the closing of this offering, this warrant will become exercisable for 10,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $7.50 per share. This warrant will expire three years from the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, which is                     , 2016.

In June 2012, in connection with the closing of a debt facility, we issued a warrant to Silicon Valley Bank, which warrant is immediately exercisable for an aggregate of 60,000 shares of our Series A convertible preferred stock, at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. Immediately prior to the closing of this offering, this warrant will become exercisable for 12,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $7.50 per share. This warrant will expire 10 years from the date of grant, which is June 1, 2022.

Each of the above warrants has a net exercise provision under which their holders may, in lieu of payment of the exercise price in cash, surrender the warrant and receive, a net amount of shares of our common stock based on the fair market value of our common stock at the time of the net exercise of the warrant after deduction of the aggregate exercise price. These warrants also contain provisions for the adjustment of the exercise price and the aggregate number of shares issuable upon the exercise of the warrants in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, reorganizations and reclassifications and consolidations.

We have agreed to issue to the representative of the underwriters in this offering warrants to purchase up to 84,000 shares of our common stock, with a per share exercise price equal to 175% of the public offering price. In addition, the warrants provide for registration rights upon request, in certain cases. The demand registration right provided will not be greater than five years from the effective date of the offering in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(H)(iv). The piggyback registration right provided will not be greater than seven years from the effective date of the offering in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(H)(v). See “Underwriting—Representative’s Warrants” section of this prospectus for a description of these warrants.

Registration Rights

In addition to the registration rights granted with respect to the representative’s warrant described above, as of June 30, 2013, holders of 2,984,752 shares of our common stock, which includes 2,439,002 shares issuable upon the automatic conversion of our Series A convertible preferred stock immediately prior to the closing of this offering, will be entitled to the following rights with respect to the registration of such shares for public resale under the Securities Act, pursuant to an investor rights agreement by and among us and certain of our stockholders, subject to the 180-day lock-up agreements described in the “Shares Eligible for Future Sale—Lock-Up Agreements” section of this prospectus. In addition, holders of 10,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of a warrant will be entitled to the following rights with respect to the registration of such shares for public resale under the Securities Act, subject to the 180-day lock-up agreements described in the “Shares Eligible for Future Sale—Lock-Up Agreements” section of this prospectus. The registration of shares of common stock as a result of the following rights being exercised would enable holders to trade these shares without restriction under the Securities Act when the applicable registration statement is declared effective.

Demand Registration Rights

If at any time beginning six months after this offering the holders of at least a majority of the registrable securities request in writing that we effect a registration with respect to their shares in an offering with an

 

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anticipated aggregate offering price of at least $5.0 million, we may be required to register their shares. We are obligated to effect at most two registrations for the holders of registrable securities in response to these demand registration rights. If the holders requesting registration intend to distribute their shares by means of an underwriting, the managing underwriter of such offering will have the right to limit the numbers of shares to be underwritten for reasons related to the marketing of the shares.

Piggyback Registration Rights

If at any time after this offering we propose to register any shares of our common stock under the Securities Act, subject to certain exceptions, the holders of registrable securities will be entitled to notice of the registration and to include their shares of registrable securities in the registration. If our proposed registration involves an underwriting, the managing underwriter of such offering will have the right to limit the number of shares to be underwritten for reasons related to the marketing of the shares.

Form S-3 Registration Rights

If at any time after we become entitled under the Securities Act to register our shares on Form S-3 a holder of registrable securities requests in writing that we register their shares for public resale on Form S-3 and the reasonably anticipated price to the public of the offering is $1.0 million or more, we will be required to use our best efforts to effect such registration; provided, however, that we will not be required to effect such a registration if, within the preceding 12 months, we have already effected two registrations on Form S-3 for the holders of registrable securities.

Expenses

Ordinarily, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, we will be required to pay all expenses incurred by us related to any registration effected pursuant to the exercise of these registration rights. These expenses may include all registration and filing fees, printing expenses, fees and disbursements of our counsel, reasonable fees and disbursements of a counsel for the selling securityholders, blue sky fees and expenses and the expenses of any special audits incident to the registration.

Termination of Registration Rights

The registration rights terminate upon the earlier of seven years after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or, with respect to the registration rights of an individual holder, when the holder can sell all of such holder’s registrable securities in compliance with Rule 144 of the Securities Act.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Some provisions of Delaware law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that could make the following transactions more difficult: an acquisition of us by means of a tender offer; an acquisition of us by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or the removal of our incumbent officers and directors. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in our best interests, including transactions which provide for payment of a premium over the market price for our shares.

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

 

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Undesignated Preferred Stock

The ability of our board of directors, without action by the stockholders, to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences as designated by our board of directors could impede the success of any attempt to change control of us. These and other provisions may have the effect of deferring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of our company.

Stockholder Meetings

Our amended and restated bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by our chairman of the board, chief executive officer or president, or by a resolution adopted by a majority of our board of directors.

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals

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

Elimination of Stockholder Action by Written Consent

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws eliminate the right of stockholders to act by written consent without a meeting.

Staggered Board

Our board of directors is divided into three classes. The directors in each class will serve for a three-year term, one class being elected each year by our stockholders. For more information on the classified board, see “Management—Board Composition and Election of Directors.” This system of electing and removing directors may tend to discourage a third-party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, because it generally makes it more difficult for stockholders to replace a majority of the directors.

Removal of Directors

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that no member of our board of directors may be removed from office by our stockholders except for cause and, in addition to any other vote required by law, upon the approval of not less than 66 2/3% of the total voting power of all of our outstanding voting stock then entitled to vote in the election of directors.

Stockholders Not Entitled to Cumulative Voting

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not permit stockholders to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they choose, other than any directors that holders of our preferred stock may be entitled to elect.

Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which prohibits persons deemed to be “interested stockholders” from engaging in a “business combination” with a publicly held Delaware corporation for three years following the date these persons become interested stockholders unless the business combination is, or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder was, approved in a prescribed manner or another prescribed exception applies. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person

 

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who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of a corporation’s voting stock. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. The existence of this provision may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by the board of directors.

Amendment of Charter Provisions

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

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

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock will be American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

NASDAQ Capital Market

We have applied to have our common stock listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “EVOK.”

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Immediately prior to this offering, there was no public market for our common stock. Future sales of substantial amounts of common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Although we have applied to have our common stock listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market, we cannot assure you that there will be an active public market for our common stock.

Based on the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2013 and assuming (1) the issuance of 2,100,000 shares in this offering, and (2) the conversion of all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock into 2,439,002 shares of our common stock, which we expect to automatically occur immediately prior to the closing of the offering, (3) no exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option to purchase additional shares of common stock, and (5) no exercise of outstanding options or warrants, we will have outstanding an aggregate of 5,781,752 shares of common stock.

Of these shares, all shares sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Shares purchased by our affiliates would be subject to the Rule 144 resale restrictions described below, other than the holding period requirement.

The remaining 3,681,752 shares of common stock will be “restricted securities,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. These restricted securities are eligible for public sale only if they are registered under the Securities Act or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under Rule 144 or 701 under the Securities Act, each of which is summarized below. We expect that substantially all of these shares will be subject to the 180-day lock-up period under the lock-up agreements described below.

In addition, of the 123,250 shares of our common stock that were subject to stock options outstanding as of June 30, 2013, options to purchase 76,542 of such shares of common stock were vested as of such date and, upon exercise, these shares will be eligible for sale subject to the lock-up agreements described below and Rules 144 and 701 under the Securities Act.

Lock-Up Agreements

We, each of our directors and executive officers and holders of substantially all of our outstanding shares of common stock have agreed that, without the prior written consent of Aegis Capital Corp. on behalf of the underwriters, we and they will not, subject to limited exceptions, during the period ending 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to extension in specified circumstances:

 

   

offer, pledge, sell or contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common stock;

 

   

enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of our common stock, whether such transaction is to be settled by delivery of shares of our common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise;

 

   

make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any shares of our common stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of our common stock; or

 

   

publicly announce an intention to do any of the foregoing.

The lock-up restrictions, specified exceptions and the circumstances under which the 180-day lock-up period may be extended are described in more detail under “Underwriting.”

 

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Upon the expiration of the lock-up period, substantially all of the shares subject to such lock-up restrictions will become eligible for sale, subject to the limitations discussed above.

Rule 144

Affiliate Resales of Restricted Securities

In general, beginning 90 days after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, a person who is an affiliate of ours, or who was an affiliate at any time during the 90 days before a sale, who has beneficially owned shares of our common stock for at least six months would be entitled to sell in “broker’s transactions” or certain “riskless principal transactions” or to market makers, a number of shares within any three-month period that does not exceed the greater of:

 

   

1% of the number of shares of our common stock then outstanding, which will equal approximately shares immediately after this offering; or

 

   

the average weekly trading volume in our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to such sale.

Affiliate resales under Rule 144 are also subject to the availability of current public information about us. In addition, if the number of shares being sold under Rule 144 by an affiliate during any three-month period exceeds 5,000 shares or has an aggregate sale price in excess of $50,000, the seller must file a notice on Form 144 with the Securities and Exchange Commission and The NASDAQ Capital Market concurrently with either the placing of a sale order with the broker or the execution of a sale directly with a market maker.

Non-Affiliate Resales of Restricted Securities

In general, beginning 90 days after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, a person who is not an affiliate of ours at the time of sale, and has not been an affiliate at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned shares of our common stock for at least six months but less than a year, is entitled to sell such shares subject only to the availability of current public information about us. If such person has held our shares for at least one year, such person can resell under Rule 144(b)(1) without regard to any Rule 144 restrictions, including the 90-day public company requirement and the current public information requirement.

Non-affiliate resales are not subject to the manner of sale, volume limitation or notice filing provisions of Rule 144.

Rule 701

In general, under Rule 701, any of an issuer’s employees, directors, officers, consultants or advisors who purchases shares from the issuer in connection with a compensatory stock or option plan or other written agreement before the effective date of a registration statement under the Securities Act is entitled to sell such shares 90 days after such effective date in reliance on Rule 144. An affiliate of the issuer can resell shares in reliance on Rule 144 without having to comply with the holding period requirement, and non-affiliates of the issuer can resell shares in reliance on Rule 144 without having to comply with the current public information and holding period requirements.

Equity Plan

We intend to file one or more registration statements on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register all shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options and common stock issued or issuable under our stock plan. We expect to file the registration statement covering shares offered pursuant to our stock plan shortly after the date of this prospectus, permitting the resale of such shares by non-affiliates in the public market without restriction under the Securities Act and the sale by affiliates in the public market subject to compliance with the resale provisions of Rule 144.

 

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Registration Rights

Based on the number of shares of our convertible preferred stock outstanding as of June 30, 2013 and assuming the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock into 2,439,002 shares of our common stock immediately prior to the closing of the offering, the holders of 2,984,752 shares of common stock or their transferees will be entitled to various rights with respect to the registration of these shares under the Securities Act upon the closing of this offering. In addition, holders of 10,000 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of a warrant will be entitled to various rights with respect to the registration of these shares under the Securities Act and upon the closing of this offering. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in these shares becoming fully tradable without restriction under the Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration, except for shares purchased by affiliates. See “Description of Capital Stock—Registration Rights” for additional information. Shares covered by a registration statement will be eligible for sale in the public market upon the expiration or release from the terms of the lock-up agreement.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK

The following is a summary of the material United States federal income tax consequences to non-U.S. holders (as defined below) of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our common stock issued pursuant to this offering. This discussion is not a complete analysis of all of the potential United States federal income tax consequences relating thereto, nor does it address any estate and gift tax consequences or any tax consequences arising under any state, local or foreign tax laws, or any other United States federal tax laws. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), United States Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“Treasury Regulations”), judicial decisions, and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), all as in effect as of the date of this offering. These authorities may change, possibly retroactively, resulting in United States federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS with respect to the matters discussed below, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not take a contrary position regarding the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership or disposition of our common stock, or that any such contrary position would not be sustained by a court.

This discussion is limited to non-U.S. holders who purchase our common stock issued pursuant to this offering and who hold our common stock as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all of the United States federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to a particular holder in light of such holder’s particular circumstances. This discussion also does not consider any specific facts or circumstances that may be relevant to holders subject to special rules under the United States federal income tax laws, including, without limitation:

 

   

banks, thrifts, insurance companies and other financial institutions;

 

   

tax-exempt organizations;

 

   

partnerships, S corporations or other pass-through entities;

 

   

real estate investment trusts and regulated investment companies;

 

   

brokers, dealers or traders in securities, commodities or currencies;

 

   

United States expatriates and certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;

 

   

“controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies” or corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;

 

   

persons that own, or are deemed to own, more than 5% of our outstanding common stock (except to the extent specifically set forth below);

 

   

persons deemed to sell our common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;

 

   

persons subject to the alternative minimum tax;

 

   

persons that hold our common stock as part of a hedge, straddle or other risk reduction strategy or as part of a conversion transaction or other integrated investment;

 

   

persons that hold or receive our common stock pursuant to the exercise of any employee stock option or otherwise as compensation; or

 

   

tax-qualified retirement plans.

If a partnership (or other entity taxed as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. Accordingly, partnerships that hold our common stock and partners in such partnerships are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the specific United States federal income tax consequences to them of acquiring, owning or disposing of our common stock.

 

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PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE PARTICULAR UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF ACQUIRING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK, AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS, ANY OTHER UNITED STATES FEDERAL TAX LAWS AND ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.

Definition of Non-U.S. Holder

For purposes of this discussion, a non-U.S. holder is any beneficial owner of our common stock that is not a “U.S. person” or a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes. A U.S. person is any of the following:

 

   

an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes) created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust (1) whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a United States court and which has one or more United States persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (2) that has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person for United States federal income tax purposes.

Distributions on Our Common Stock

As described in the section entitled “Dividend Policy,” we do not anticipate declaring or paying dividends to holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. However, if we do make cash or other property distributions on our common stock, such distributions generally will constitute dividends for United States federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under United States federal income tax principles. Amounts not treated as dividends for United States federal income tax purposes will constitute a return of capital and will first be applied against and reduce a non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock, but not below zero. Any excess will be treated as capital gain and will be treated as described under “—Dispositions of Our Common Stock” below.

Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder of our common stock that are not effectively connected with a United States trade or business conducted by such non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to United States federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividends, or such lower rate specified by an applicable tax treaty. To receive the benefit of a reduced treaty rate, a non-U.S. holder must furnish to us or our paying agent a valid IRS Form W-8BEN (or applicable successor form) certifying such non-U.S. holder’s qualification for the reduced rate. This certification must be provided to us or our paying agent prior to the payment of dividends and must be updated periodically. If the non-U.S. holder holds the stock through a financial institution or other agent acting on the non-U.S. holder’s behalf, the non-U.S. holder will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the agent, who then will be required to provide certification to us or our paying agent, either directly or through other intermediaries. Non-U.S. holders that do not timely provide us or our paying agent with the required certification, but that qualify for a reduced treaty rate, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding possible entitlement to benefits under a tax treaty.

If a non-U.S. holder holds our common stock in connection with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and dividends paid on the shares of our common stock are effectively connected with such non-U.S. holder’s United States trade or business (and, if required by an applicable tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States), the non-U.S. holder will be exempt from United States federal withholding tax. To claim the exemption, the non-U.S. holder must generally

 

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furnish to us or our paying agent a valid IRS Form W-8ECI (or applicable successor form), certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Any dividends paid on our common stock that are effectively connected with a non-U.S. holder’s United States trade or business (and if required by an applicable tax treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States) generally will be subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as if such non-U.S. holder were a U.S. person and, for a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation, also may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable tax treaty) of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Dispositions of Our Common Stock

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding, a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of our common stock, unless:

 

   

the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and if required by an applicable tax treaty, attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States;

 

   

the non-U.S. holder is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the sale or disposition, and certain other requirements are met; or

 

   

our common stock constitutes a United States real property interest by reason of our status as a United States real property holding corporation (“USRPHC”) for United States federal income tax purposes at any time within the shorter of (i) the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or disposition of our common stock or (ii) the non-U.S. holder’s holding period for our common stock.

Unless an applicable treaty provides otherwise, the gain described in the first bullet point above generally will be subject to United States federal income tax on a net income basis in the same manner as if such non-U.S. holder were a U.S. person. A non-U.S. holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable tax treaty) of its effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Gain described in the second bullet point above generally will be subject to United States federal income tax at a flat 30% rate (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), but may be offset by United States source capital losses of the non-U.S. holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided that the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses.

With respect to the third bullet point above, we believe that we are not currently, and we do not anticipate becoming, a USRPHC. However, because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends on the fair market value of our United States real property interests relative to the fair market value of our other business assets, there can be no assurance that we will not become a USRPHC in the future. In the event we do become a USRPHC, as long as our common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market, our common stock will be treated as a U.S. real property interest only with respect to a non-U.S. holder that actually or constructively held more than 5% of our common stock at any time during the shorter of (i) the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or disposition of our common stock or (ii) the non-U.S. holder’s holding period for our common stock. If gain on the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock were subject to taxation under the third bullet point above, the non-U.S. holder would be subject to regular United States federal income tax with respect to such gain in generally the same manner as a U.S. person.

 

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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Generally, we must report annually to the IRS and to each non-U.S. holder the amount of dividends paid to such non-U.S. holder and the amount, if any, of tax withheld with respect to those dividends. This information also may be made available under a specific treaty or agreement with the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is established. Under certain circumstances, the Code imposes backup withholding on certain reportable payments. Backup withholding, however, generally will not apply to payments of dividends to a non-U.S. holder of our common stock provided the non-U.S. holder furnishes to us or our paying agent the required certification as to its non-U.S. status, such as by providing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8ECI, or otherwise establishes an exemption. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that the holder is a U.S. person that is not an exempt recipient.

Unless a non-U.S. holder complies with certification procedures to establish that it is not a U.S. person, information returns may be filed with the IRS in connection with, and the non-U.S. holder may be subject to backup withholding on the proceeds from, a sale or other disposition of our common stock. The certification procedures described in the above paragraph will satisfy these certification requirements as well.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. holder’s United States federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Accounts

Withholding taxes may apply to certain types of payments made to “foreign financial institutions” (as specially defined under those rules) and certain other non-U.S. entities. The failure to comply with additional certification, information reporting and other specified requirements could result in a withholding tax being imposed on payments of dividends and sales proceeds to foreign intermediaries and certain non-U.S. holders. A 30% withholding tax is imposed on dividends on, or gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our common stock paid to a foreign financial institution or to a foreign non-financial entity, unless (i) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (ii) the foreign non-financial entity either certifies it does not have any substantial United States owners or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (iii) the foreign financial institution or foreign non-financial entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. If the payee is a foreign financial institution and is subject to the diligence and reporting requirements in clause (i) above, it must enter into an agreement with the United States Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertake to identify accounts held by certain United States persons or United States-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders.

These withholding provisions will generally apply to payments of dividends made on or after July 1, 2014 and to payments of gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of common stock on or after January 1, 2017. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding these withholding provisions.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Aegis Capital Corp. is acting as the sole book-running manager of the offering and as representative of the underwriters, or the “Representative.” We have entered into an underwriting agreement, dated                 , 2013 with the Representative. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to each underwriter named below and each underwriter named below has severally and not jointly agreed to purchase from us, at the public offering price per share less the underwriting discounts set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the number of shares of common stock listed next to its name in the following table:

 

Name of Underwriter

   Number of Shares  

Aegis Capital Corp.

  

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.

  

Feltl and Company

  
  

 

 

 

Total

     2,100,000   
  

 

 

 

The underwriters are committed to purchase all the shares of common stock offered by us other than those covered by the option to purchase additional shares described below, if they purchase any shares. The obligations of the underwriters may be terminated upon the occurrence of certain events specified in the underwriting agreement. Furthermore, pursuant to the underwriting agreement, the underwriters’ obligations are subject to customary conditions, representations and warranties contained in the underwriting agreement, such as receipt by the underwriters of officers’ certificates and legal opinions.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against specified liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.

The underwriters are offering the shares, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel and other conditions specified in the underwriting agreement. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

We have granted the underwriters an over-allotment option. This option, which is exercisable for up to 30 days after the date of this prospectus, permits the underwriters to purchase a maximum of 315,000 additional shares (15% of the shares sold in this offering) from us to cover over-allotments, if any. If the underwriters exercise all or part of this option, they will purchase shares covered by the option at the public offering price per share that appears on the cover page of this prospectus, less the underwriting discount. If this option is exercised in full, the total price to the public will be $         and the total net proceeds, before expenses, to us will be $        .

Discount. The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds, before expenses, to us. The information assumes either no exercise or full exercise by the underwriters of their over-allotment option.

 

     Per
Share
     Total Without Over-
Allotment Option
     Total With Over-
Allotment Option
 

Public offering price

   $                $                $            

Underwriting discounts and commissions (7%)

   $         $         $     

Non-accountable expense allowance(1)

   $         $         $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

   $         $         $     

 

(1) The expense allowance of 1% is not payable with respect to the shares sold upon exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option.

The underwriters propose to offer the shares offered by us to the public at the public offering price per share set forth on the cover of this prospectus. In addition, the underwriters may offer some of the shares to other

 

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securities dealers at such price less a concession of $         per share. If all of the shares offered by us are not sold at the public offering price per share, the underwriters may change the offering price per share and other selling terms by means of a supplement to this prospectus.

We have paid an expense deposit of $25,000 to the Representative, which will be applied against the accountable expenses that will be paid by us to the Representative in connection with this offering. The underwriting agreement provides that in the event the offering is terminated, the $25,000 expense deposit paid to the Representative will be returned to us to the extent that offering expenses are not actually incurred by the Representative.

We have also agreed to pay the Representative’s expenses relating to the offering, including (a) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to background checks of our officers and directors in an amount not to exceed an aggregate of $15,000; (b) all filing fees incurred in clearing this offering with FINRA; (c) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to the registration, qualification or exemption of securities offered under state securities laws, or “blue sky” laws, or under the securities laws of foreign jurisdictions designated by the underwriters (including reasonable fees and disbursements of blue sky counsel not to exceed $10,000); (d) $21,775 for the underwriters’ use of Ipreo’s book-building, prospectus tracking and compliance software for this offering; and (e) up to $20,000 of the Representative’s actual accountable road show expenses for the offering.

We estimate that the total expenses of the offering payable by us, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $1,316,000.

Discretionary Accounts. The underwriters do not intend to confirm sales of the securities offered hereby to any accounts over which they have discretionary authority.

Lock-Up Agreements. Pursuant to certain “lock-up” agreements, we, our executive officers and directors, and holders of our outstanding shares of common stock have agreed, subject to certain exceptions, not to offer, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of or announce the intention to otherwise dispose of, or enter into any swap, hedge or similar agreement or arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, the economic risk of ownership of, directly or indirectly, engage in any short selling of any common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any common stock, whether currently owned or subsequently acquired, without the prior written consent of the underwriter, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus.

The lock-up period described in the preceding paragraph will be automatically extended if: (1) during the last 17 days of the restricted period, we issue an earnings release or announce material news or a material event; or (2) prior to the expiration of the lock-up period, we announce that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the lock-up period, in which case the restrictions described in the preceding paragraph will continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the date of the earnings release, unless the Representative waives this extension in writing; provided, however, that this lock-up period extension shall not apply to the extent that FINRA has amended or repealed NASD Rule 2711(f)(4), or has otherwise provided written interpretive guidance regarding such rule, in each case, so as to eliminate the prohibition of any broker, dealer, or member of a national securities association from publishing or distributing any research report, with respect to the securities of an emerging growth company (as defined in the JOBS Act) prior to or after the expiration of any agreement between the broker, dealer, or member of a national securities association and the emerging growth company or its shareholders that restricts or prohibits the sale of securities held by the emerging growth company or its shareholders after the initial public offering date.

Representative’s Warrants. We have also agreed to issue to the Representative, at the closing of this offering, warrants (the “Representative Warrants”) to purchase 4% of the aggregate number of shares of common stock sold in this offering. The Representative Warrants are exercisable at a per share price equal to 175% of the public offering price per share of common stock sold in this offering, commencing on a date which is one year

 

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from the effective date of the offering under this prospectus and expiring five years from the effective date of the offering. The warrants have been deemed compensation by FINRA and are therefore subject to a 180-day lock-up pursuant to Rule 5110(g)(1) of FINRA. The Representative (or permitted assignees under Rule 5110(g)(1)) will not sell, transfer, assign, pledge, or hypothecate these warrants or the securities underlying these warrants, nor will it engage in any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the Representative Warrants or the underlying securities for a period of 180 days from the effective date of the offering in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(g)(1). In addition, the Representative Warrants provide for registration rights upon request, in certain cases. The demand registration right provided will not be greater than five years from the effective date of the offering in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(H)(iv). The piggyback registration right provided will not be greater than seven years from the effective date of the offering in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(H)(v). We will bear all fees and expenses attendant to registering the securities issuable on exercise of the Representative Warrants other than underwriting commissions incurred and payable by the holders.

Right of First Refusal. We granted the Representative, for a period of eight months after the effectiveness of this offering, a right of first refusal to act as sole book-running manager for each and every future public equity offering by our company or any of our successors or subsidiaries.

NASDAQ Listing. We have applied to list our common stock on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “EVOK.”

Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Shares. A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the websites maintained by one or more of the underwriters or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering and one or more of the underwriters participating in this offering may distribute prospectuses electronically. The Representative may agree to allocate a number of shares to underwriters and selling group members for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the underwriters and selling group members that will make internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on these websites is not part of, nor incorporated by reference into, this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved or endorsed by us or any underwriter in its capacity as underwriter, and should not be relied upon by investors.

Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids. In order to facilitate the offering of our common stock, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our common stock. In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell our common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases on the open market to cover positions created by short sales and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares of common stock than they are required to purchase in the offering. “Covered” short sales are sales made in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock in the offering. The underwriters may close out any covered short position by either exercising their over-allotment option or purchasing shares of common stock in the open market. In determining the source of shares of common stock to close out the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. “Naked” short sales are sales in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares of common stock in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of our common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of shares of common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering.

Similar to other purchase transactions, the underwriters’ purchases to cover the syndicate short sales may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a

 

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decline in the market price of our common stock. As result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market.

The underwriters have advised us that, pursuant to Regulation M of the Securities Act, they may also engage in other activities that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of our common stock, including the imposition of penalty bids. This means that if the representative of the underwriters purchases common stock in the open market in stabilizing transactions or to cover short sales, the representative can require the underwriters that sold those shares as part of this offering to repay the underwriting discount received by them.

The underwriters make no representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of our common stock. In addition, neither we nor the underwriters make any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Other Relationships. Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, various investment banking, commercial banking and other financial services for us and our affiliates for which they have received, and may in the future receive, customary fees. However, except as disclosed in this prospectus, we have no present arrangements with any of the underwriters for any further services.

Offer restrictions outside the United States

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

Australia

This prospectus is not a disclosure document under Chapter 6D of the Australian Corporations Act, has not been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and does not purport to include the information required of a disclosure document under Chapter 6D of the Australian Corporations Act. Accordingly, (i) the offer of the securities under this prospectus is only made to persons to whom it is lawful to offer the securities without disclosure under Chapter 6D of the Australian Corporations Act under one or more exemptions set out in section 708 of the Australian Corporations Act, (ii) this prospectus is made available in Australia only to those persons as set forth in clause (i) above, and (iii) the offeree must be sent a notice stating in substance that by accepting this offer, the offeree represents that the offeree is such a person as set forth in clause (i) above, and, unless permitted under the Australian Corporations Act, agrees not to sell or offer for sale within Australia any of the securities sold to the offeree within 12 months after its transfer for the offeree under this prospectus.

China

The information in this document does not constitute a public offer of the securities, whether by way of sale or subscription, in the People’s Republic of China (excluding, for purposes of this paragraph, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan). The securities may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly in the PRC to legal or natural persons other than directly to “qualified domestic institutional investors.”

 

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European Economic Area—Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and Netherlands

The information in this document has been prepared on the basis that all offers of securities will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Directive 2003/71/EC (“Prospectus Directive”), as implemented in Member States of the European Economic Area (each, a “Relevant Member State”), from the requirement to produce a prospectus for offers of securities.

An offer to the public of securities has not been made, and may not be made, in a Relevant Member State except pursuant to one of the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive as implemented in that Relevant Member State:

(a) to legal entities that are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;

(b) to any legal entity that has two or more of (i) an average of at least 250 employees during its last fiscal year; (ii) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 (as shown on its last annual unconsolidated or consolidated financial statements) and (iii) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000 (as shown on its last annual unconsolidated or consolidated financial statements);

(c) to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors within the meaning of Article 2(1)(e) of the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the Company or any underwriter for any such offer; or

(d) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, provided that no such offer of securities shall result in a requirement for the publication by the Company of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

France

This document is not being distributed in the context of a public offering of financial securities (offre au public de titres financiers) in France within the meaning of Article L.411-1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code (Code monétaire et financier) and Articles 211-1 et seq. of the General Regulation of the French Autorité des marchés financiers (“AMF”). The securities have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in France.

This document and any other offering material relating to the securities have not been, and will not be, submitted to the AMF for approval in France and, accordingly, may not be distributed or caused to distributed, directly or indirectly, to the public in France.

Such offers, sales and distributions have been and shall only be made in France to (i) qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) acting for their own account, as defined in and in accordance with Articles L.411-2-II-2° and D.411-1 to D.411-3, D.744-1, D.754-1 and D.764-1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code and any implementing regulation and/or (ii) a restricted number of non-qualified investors (cercle restreint d’investisseurs) acting for their own account, as defined in and in accordance with Articles L.411-2-II-2° and D.411-4, D.744-1, D.754-1 and D.764-1 of the French Monetary and Financial Code and any implementing regulation.

Pursuant to Article 211-3 of the General Regulation of the AMF, investors in France are informed that the securities cannot be distributed (directly or indirectly) to the public by the investors otherwise than in accordance with Articles L.411-1, L.411-2, L.412-1 and L.621-8 to L.621-8-3 of the French Monetary and Financial Code.

Ireland

The information in this document does not constitute a prospectus under any Irish laws or regulations and this document has not been filed with or approved by any Irish regulatory authority as the information has not been prepared in the context of a public offering of securities in Ireland within the meaning of the Irish

 

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Prospectus (Directive 2003/71/EC) Regulations 2005 (the “Prospectus Regulations”). The securities have not been offered or sold, and will not be offered, sold or delivered directly or indirectly in Ireland by way of a public offering, except to (i) qualified investors as defined in Regulation 2(l) of the Prospectus Regulations and (ii) fewer than 100 natural or legal persons who are not qualified investors.

Israel

The securities offered by this prospectus have not been approved or disapproved by the Israeli Securities Authority, or the ISA, nor have such securities been registered for sale in Israel. The shares may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in Israel, absent the publication of a prospectus. The ISA has not issued permits, approvals or licenses in connection with the offering or publishing the prospectus; nor has it authenticated the details included herein, confirmed their reliability or completeness, or rendered an opinion as to the quality of the securities being offered. Any resale in Israel, directly or indirectly, to the public of the securities offered by this prospectus is subject to restrictions on transferability and must be effected only in compliance with the Israeli securities laws and regulations.

Italy

The offering of the securities in the Republic of Italy has not been authorized by the Italian Securities and Exchange Commission (Commissione Nazionale per le Societ—$$—Aga e la Borsa, “CONSOB” pursuant to the Italian securities legislation and, accordingly, no offering material relating to the securities may be distributed in Italy and such securities may not be offered or sold in Italy in a public offer within the meaning of Article 1.1(t) of Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998 (“Decree No. 58”), other than:

 

   

to Italian qualified investors, as defined in Article 100 of Decree no. 58 by reference to Article 34-ter of CONSOB Regulation no. 11971 of 14 May 1999 (“Regulation no. 1197l”) as amended (“Qualified Investors”); and

 

   

in other circumstances that are exempt from the rules on public offer pursuant to Article 100 of Decree No. 58 and Article 34-ter of Regulation No. 11971 as amended.

Any offer, sale or delivery of the securities or distribution of any offer document relating to the securities in Italy (excluding placements where a Qualified Investor solicits an offer from the issuer) under the paragraphs above must be:

 

   

made by investment firms, banks or financial intermediaries permitted to conduct such activities in Italy in accordance with Legislative Decree No. 385 of 1 September 1993 (as amended), Decree No. 58, CONSOB Regulation No. 16190 of 29 October 2007 and any other applicable laws; and

 

   

in compliance with all relevant Italian securities, tax and exchange controls and any other applicable laws.

Any subsequent distribution of the securities in Italy must be made in compliance with the public offer and prospectus requirement rules provided under Decree No. 58 and the Regulation No. 11971 as amended, unless an exception from those rules applies. Failure to comply with such rules may result in the sale of such securities being declared null and void and in the liability of the entity transferring the securities for any damages suffered by the investors.

Japan

The securities have not been and will not be registered under Article 4, paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948), as amended (the “FIEL”) pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements applicable to a private placement of securities to Qualified Institutional Investors (as defined in and in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 3 of the FIEL and the regulations promulgated thereunder). Accordingly, the securities may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan other than Qualified Institutional Investors.

 

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Any Qualified Institutional Investor who acquires securities may not resell them to any person in Japan that is not a Qualified Institutional Investor, and acquisition by any such person of securities is conditional upon the execution of an agreement to that effect.

Portugal

This document is not being distributed in the context of a public offer of financial securities (oferta pública de valores mobiliários) in Portugal, within the meaning of Article 109 of the Portuguese Securities Code (Código dos Valores Mobiliários). The securities have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, to the public in Portugal. This document and any other offering material relating to the securities have not been, and will not be, submitted to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários) for approval in Portugal and, accordingly, may not be distributed or caused to distributed, directly or indirectly, to the public in Portugal, other than under circumstances that are deemed not to qualify as a public offer under the Portuguese Securities Code. Such offers, sales and distributions of securities in Portugal are limited to persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Portuguese Securities Code). Only such investors may receive this document and they may not distribute it or the information contained in it to any other person.

Sweden

This document has not been, and will not be, registered with or approved by Finansinspektionen (the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority). Accordingly, this document may not be made available, nor may the securities be offered for sale in Sweden, other than under circumstances that are deemed not to require a prospectus under the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading Act (1991:980) (Sw. lag (1991:980) om handel med finansiella instrument). Any offering of securities in Sweden is limited to persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the Financial Instruments Trading Act). Only such investors may receive this document and they may not distribute it or the information contained in it to any other person.

Switzerland

The securities may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering material relating to the securities may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering material relating to the securities have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of securities will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority.

This document is personal to the recipient only and not for general circulation in Switzerland.

United Arab Emirates

Neither this document nor the securities have been approved, disapproved or passed on in any way by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates or any other governmental authority in the United Arab Emirates, nor has the Company received authorization or licensing from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates or any other governmental authority in the United Arab Emirates to market or sell the securities within the United Arab Emirates. This document does not constitute and may not be used for the purpose of an offer or invitation. No services relating to the securities, including the receipt of applications and/or the allotment or redemption of such shares, may be rendered within the United Arab Emirates by the Company.

 

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No offer or invitation to subscribe for securities is valid or permitted in the Dubai International Financial Centre.

United Kingdom

Neither the information in this document nor any other document relating to the offer has been delivered for approval to the Financial Services Authority in the United Kingdom and no prospectus (within the meaning of section 85 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (“FSMA”)) has been published or is intended to be published in respect of the securities. This document is issued on a confidential basis to “qualified investors” (within the meaning of section 86(7) of FSMA) in the United Kingdom, and the securities may not be offered or sold in the United Kingdom by means of this document, any accompanying letter or any other document, except in circumstances which do not require the publication of a prospectus pursuant to section 86(1) FSMA.

This document should not be distributed, published or reproduced, in whole or in part, nor may its contents be disclosed by recipients to any other person in the United Kingdom.

Any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of FSMA) received in connection with the issue or sale of the securities has only been communicated or caused to be communicated and will only be communicated or caused to be communicated in the United Kingdom in circumstances in which section 21(1) of FSMA does not apply to us.

In the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed at, persons (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) (investment professionals) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotions) Order 2005 (“FPO”), (ii) who fall within the categories of persons referred to in Article 49(2)(a) to (d) (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.) of the FPO or (iii) to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated (together “relevant persons”). The investments to which this document relates are available only to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to purchase will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Latham & Watkins LLP, San Diego, California. Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP, New York, New York has acted as counsel for the underwriters in connection with certain legal matters related to this offering.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our financial statements at December 31, 2011 and 2012, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2012, and for the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2012, as set forth in their report (which contains an explanatory paragraph describing conditions that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern as described in Note 1 to the financial statements). We have included our financial statements in the prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement in reliance on Ernst & Young LLP’s report, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of common stock offered hereby. This prospectus, which constitutes a part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits and schedules filed therewith. For further information about us and the common stock offered hereby, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules filed thereto. Statements contained in this prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document that is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement are not necessarily complete, and each such statement is qualified in all respects by reference to the full text of such contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Upon completion of this offering, we will be required to file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You may read and copy this information at the Public Reference Room of the Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference rooms by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about registrants, like us, that file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The address of that site is www.sec.gov.

 

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Evoke Pharma, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Index to Financial Statements

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2   

Balance Sheets

     F-3   

Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

     F-4   

Statements of Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

     F-5   

Statements of Cash Flows

     F-6   

Notes to Financial Statements

     F-7   

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Evoke Pharma, Inc. (a development stage company), as of December 31, 2011 and 2012, and the related statements of operations and comprehensive loss, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit and cash flows for the years then ended and for the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purposes of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Evoke Pharma, Inc. at December 31, 2011 and 2012, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the two years then ended and for the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company’s recurring losses from operations and insufficient working capital raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Ernst & Young LLP

San Diego, California

April 19, 2013, except for the last paragraph of Note 1, as to which the date is August 30, 2013.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

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Evoke Pharma, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Balance Sheets

 

    December 31,     June 30,
2013
    Pro Forma
June 30,

2013
 
    2011     2012      
                (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Assets

       

Current assets:

       

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 865,876      $ 116,013      $ 1,050,439     

Prepaids and other assets

    39,459        —          —       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total current assets

    905,335        116,013        1,050,439     

Other assets

    —          —          742,613     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total assets

  $ 905,335      $ 116,013      $ 1,793,052     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Liabilities, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit

       

Current liabilities:

       

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

  $ 88,712      $ 96,798      $ 600,865     

Accrued compensation

    206,788        417,611        185,564     

Warrant liability

    39,000        56,000        226,000      $ —     

Current portion of long-term debt

    —          —          701,472     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total current liabilities

    334,500        570,409        1,713,901     

Long-term debt, net of current portion

    —          979,792        2,240,950     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total liabilities

    334,500        1,550,201        3,954,851     

Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value:

       

Authorized shares—12,245,068 at December 31, 2011 and 12,305,068 at December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013 (unaudited); issued and outstanding shares - 12,195,068 at December 31, 2011 and 2012 and June 30, 2013 (unaudited); liquidation preference - $12,292,600 at December 31, 2011 and 2012 and June 30, 2013 (unaudited); no shares issued and outstanding, pro forma (unaudited)

    18,225,166        18,225,166        18,225,166        —     

Stockholders’ deficit:

       

Common stock, $0.0001 par value; authorized shares—20,000,000 at December 31, 2011 and 2012 and June 30, 2013 (unaudited); issued and outstanding shares - 1,242,750 at December 31, 2011 and 2012 and June 30, 2013 (unaudited); 3,681,752 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma (unaudited)

    124        124        124        368   

Additional paid-in capital

    183,020        195,525        201,777        18,652,699   

Deficit accumulated during the development stage

    (17,837,475     (19,855,003     (20,588,866     (20,588,866
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

    (17,654,331     (19,659,354     (20,386,965   $ (1,935,799
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit

  $ 905,335      $ 116,013      $ 1,793,052     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

See accompanying notes.

 

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Evoke Pharma, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

 

    Years Ended December 31,     Period From
January 29,
2007
(Inception) to
December 31,

2012
    Six Months Ended June 30,     Period From
January 29,
2007
(Inception) to
June 30,

2013
 
    2011     2012               2012                     2013            
                      (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Operating expenses:

           

Research and development

  $ 1,844,044      $ 1,165,645      $ 15,991,529      $ 510,295      $ 241,827      $ 16,233,356   

General and administrative

    570,524        836,781        3,304,533        352,465        293,627        3,598,160   

Purchase of in-process research and development

    —          —          650,000        —          —          650,000   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

    2,414,568        2,002,426        19,946,062        862,760        535,454        20,481,516   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

    (2,414,568     (2,002,426     (19,946,062     (862,760     (535,454     (20,481,516

Other income (expense):

           

Interest income

    10,696        1,690        213,852        936        2,221        216,073   

Interest expense

    (2,872     (24,042     (205,942     —          (79,630     (285,572

Change in fair value of preferred stock purchase right

    —          —          (188,587     —          —          (188,587

Change in fair value of warrant liability

    5,500        7,250        27,736        3,000        (121,000     (93,264

Grant income

    —          —          244,000        —          —          244,000   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

    13,324        (15,102     91,059        3,936        (198,409     (107,350
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss and comprehensive loss

  $ (2,401,244   $ (2,017,528   $ (19,855,003   $ (858,824   $ (733,863   $ (20,588,866
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per common share, basic and diluted

  $ (2.18   $ (1.79     $ (0.77   $ (0.65  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Weighted-average shares used to compute basic and diluted net loss per share

    1,102,625        1,124,000          1,120,250        1,135,250     
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Pro forma net loss per common share, basic and diluted (unaudited)

    $ (0.57       $ (0.17  
   

 

 

       

 

 

   

Weighted-average shares used to compute pro forma net loss per common share, basic and diluted (unaudited)

      3,563,002            3,574,252     
   

 

 

       

 

 

   

See accompanying notes.

 

F-4


Table of Contents

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Statements of Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

 

    Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock
         Common Stock     Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Deficit
Accumulated
During the
Development
Stage
    Total
Stockholders’
Deficit
 
    Shares     Amount          Shares     Amount        

Balance at January 29, 2007 (inception)

    —        $ —              —        $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

Issuance of restricted common stock for cash to founders at $0.005 per share

    —          —              916,000        92        4,488        —          4,580   

Issuance of Series A convertible preferred stock at $1.50 per share for cash and the conversion of $250,000 of bridge notes and $42,538 of accrued interest, net of issuance costs of $218,037

    4,195,067        6,074,501            —          —          —          —          —     

Initial fair value of preferred stock purchase rights issued in connection with Series A financing

    —          (848,257         —          —          —          —          —     

Estimated fair value of exercised purchase right of $0.04 per share

    —          80,819            —          —          —          —          —     

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options

    —          —              266,750        26        77,332        —          77,358   

Stock-based compensation expense

    —          —              —          —          5,458        —          5,458   

Net loss

    —          —              —          —          —          (2,009,591     (2,009,591
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2007

    4,195,067        5,307,063            1,182,750        118        87,278        (2,009,591     (1,922,195

Issuance of Series A convertible preferred stock at $1.50 per share for cash, net of issuance costs of $1,855

    4,000,000        5,998,145            —          —          —          —          —     

Estimated fair value of purchase rights upon completion of final preferred stock investment

    —          956,025            —          —          —          —          —     

Stock-based compensation expense

    —          —              —          —          16,184        —          16,184   

Net loss

    —          —              —          —          —          (3,227,664     (3,227,664
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2008

    8,195,067        12,261,233            1,182,750        118        103,462        (5,237,255     (5,133,675

Stock-based compensation expense

    —          —              —          —          17,803        —          17,803   

Net loss

    —          —              —          —          —          (5,159,638     (5,159,638
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2009

    8,195,067        12,261,233            1,182,750        118        121,265        (10,396,893     (10,275,510

Issuance of Series A convertible preferred stock at $1.50 per share for cash, net of issuance costs of $36,069

    4,000,001        5,963,933            —          —          —          —          —     

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options

    —          —              60,000        6        23,994        —          24,000   

Stock-based compensation expense

    —          —              —          —          15,056        —          15,056   

Net loss

    —          —              —          —          —          (5,039,338     (5,039,338
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2010

    12,195,068        18,225,166            1,242,750        124        160,315        (15,436,231     (15,275,792

Stock-based compensation expense

    —          —              —          —          22,705        —          22,705   

Net loss

    —          —              —          —          —          (2,401,244     (2,401,244
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2011

    12,195,068        18,225,166            1,242,750        124        183,020        (17,837,475     (17,654,331

Stock-based compensation expense

    —          —              —          —          12,505        —          12,505   

Net loss

    —          —              —          —          —          (2,017,528     (2,017,528
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2012

    12,195,068        18,225,166            1,242,750        124        195,525        (19,855,003     (19,659,354

Stock-based compensation expense (unaudited)

    —          —              —          —          6,252        —          6,252   

Net loss (unaudited)

    —          —              —          —          —          (733,863     (733,863
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2013 (unaudited)

    12,195,068      $ 18,225,166            1,242,750      $ 124      $ 201,777      $ (20,588,866   $ (20,386,965
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

F-5


Table of Contents

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Statements of Cash Flows

 

    Years Ended
December 31,
    Period From
January 29,
2007
(Inception) to
December 31,
2012
    Six Months Ended June 30,     Period  From
January 29,
2007
(Inception)  to
June 30,
2013
 
    2011     2012               2012                   2013          
                      (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Operating activities

         

Net loss

  $ (2,401,244   $ (2,017,528   $ (19,855,003   $ (858,824   $ (733,863   $ (20,588,866

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

           

Stock-based compensation expense

    22,705        12,505        89,711        6,252        6,252        95,963   

Non-cash interest

    2,426        4,042        106,066        —          11,630        117,696   

Change in fair value of purchase right liability

    —          —          188,587        —          —          188,587   

Change in fair value of warrant liability

    (5,500     (7,250     (27,736     (3,000     121,000        93,264   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

           

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    76,353        39,459        —          39,459        (742,613     (742,613

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    (587,848     218,909        514,409        20,551        461,270        975,679   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

    (2,893,108     (1,749,863     (18,983,966     (795,562     (876,324     (19,860,290
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing activities

           

Proceeds from convertible promissory note

    —          —          250,000        —          —          250,000   

Proceeds from bank line of credit and loan advances

    —          1,000,000        3,500,000        —          2,000,000        5,500,000   

Payment on bank line of credit

    (277,779       (2,500,000     —          —          (2,500,000

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

    —          —          4,580        —          —          4,580   

Proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock and purchase rights, net

    —          —          17,744,041        —          —          17,744,041   

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

    —          —          101,358        —          —          101,358   

Costs paid in connection with initial public offering

    —          —          —          —          (189,250     (189,250
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

    (277,779     1,000,000        19,099,979        —          1,810,750        20,910,729   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

    (3,170,887     (749,863     116,013        (795,562     934,426        1,050,439   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    4,036,763        865,876        —          865,876        116,013        —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 865,876      $ 116,013      $ 116,013      $ 70,314      $ 1,050,439      $ 1,050,439   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

           

Interest paid

  $ 1,346      $ 20,000      $ 99,876      $ —        $ 60,250      $ 160,126   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noncash financing activities

           

Conversion of convertible promissory note and accrued interest to Series A Convertible Preferred Stock

  $ —        $ —        $ 292,538      $ —        $ —        $ 292,538   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issuance of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock warrants

  $ —        $ 24,250      $ 59,486      $ —        $ 49,000      $ 108,486   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

F-6


Table of Contents

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Notes to Financial Statements

(Information as of June 30, 2013 and thereafter and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 and the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to June 30, 2013 is unaudited)

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

Evoke Pharma, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in the state of Delaware on January 29, 2007 (inception). The Company is a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company focused primarily on the development of drugs to treat gastroenterological disorders and disease.

As of December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013, the Company has devoted substantially all of its efforts to product development, raising capital and building infrastructure, and has not realized revenues from its planned principal operations. Accordingly, the Company is considered to be in the development stage.

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the going concern basis, which assumes that the Company will continue to operate as a going concern and which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Management’s plans in regard to these matters are focused on raising additional capital or other financing.

As reflected in the accompanying financial statements, the Company has a limited operating history and the sales and income potential of the Company’s business are unproven. The Company has experienced net losses since its inception and, as of December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013, had an accumulated deficit of $19,855,003 and $20,588,866, respectively. The Company had working capital (deficit) of $(454,396) and $(663,462), respectively, as of December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013.

Based on the Company’s current plan of expenditures on its development program, preparation for commercialization, and other operating costs, the Company believes that its current capital will not be sufficient to fund its planned operations for at least 12 months from the date of the financial statements. These issues raise substantial doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. The Company expects to continue to incur net losses for at least the next several years. Over that period, the Company will need to raise additional debt or equity financing to fund its development.

If the Company is not able to secure adequate additional funding, the Company may be forced to make reductions in spending, extend payment terms with suppliers, and/or suspend or curtail planned programs. Any of these actions could materially harm the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and future prospects.

On June 13, 2013, the Company’s board of directors approved an amendment to the restated certificate of incorporation to effect a one-for-five reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”). The amendment effecting the Reverse Stock Split was approved by the stockholders on August 29, 2013. The par value and the authorized shares of the common and convertible preferred stock were not adjusted as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. All issued and outstanding common stock and the conversion ratio of the convertible preferred stock have been retroactively adjusted to reflect this Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented. The Reverse Stock Split was effected on August 30, 2013.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP

 

F-7


Table of Contents

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Notes to Financial Statements

(Information as of June 30, 2013 and thereafter and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 and the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to June 30, 2013 is unaudited)

 

requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

The accompanying interim balance sheet as of June 30, 2013 and the statements of operations and comprehensive loss and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 and the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to June 30, 2013 and the statements of convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and the related footnote disclosures are unaudited. These unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. In management’s opinion, the unaudited interim financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements and include all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position as of June 30, 2013 and its results of operations and comprehensive loss and its cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 and the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to June 30, 2013. The results for the six months ended June 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year or any other interim period.

Unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheet Information

The unaudited pro forma balance sheet information as of June 30, 2013 assumes the automatic conversion of all outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock into 2,439,002 shares of common stock upon the completion of a qualifying IPO of the Company’s common stock. In addition, the pro forma information assumes reclassification of the preferred stock warrant liability to additional paid-in capital upon completion of the IPO, as the warrants become common stock warrants that are not subject to remeasurement. Shares of common stock issued in such IPO and any related net proceeds are excluded from the pro forma information.

Segment Reporting

Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision-maker in making decisions regarding resource allocation and assessing performance. The Company views its operations and manages its business in one operating segment operating in the United States.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of accounts payable and accrued liabilities are considered to be representative of their respective fair values because of the short-term nature of those instruments. Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for loans with similar terms, the Company believes that the fair value of long-term debt approximates its carrying value. The carrying amount of the warrant liability represents fair value.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include cash in readily available checking and savings accounts.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Notes to Financial Statements

(Information as of June 30, 2013 and thereafter and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 and

the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to June 30, 2013 is unaudited)

 

Research and Development Expenses

All research and development costs are expensed as incurred and primarily include costs paid to third-party contractors to perform research, conduct clinical trials and develop drug materials and delivery devices.

Concentrations of Risk

The Company relies on third-party manufacturers for the production of its drug candidate. If the third-party manufacturers are unable to continue manufacturing the Company’s drug candidate, or if the Company loses one of its sole source suppliers used in its manufacturing processes, the Company may not be able to meet clinical trial supply demand for its product candidate and the development of the product candidate could be materially and adversely affected.

Preferred Stock Warrant Liability

Warrants for shares that are puttable and warrants for shares that are contingently redeemable are classified as liabilities on the accompanying balance sheets and carried at their estimated fair value. At the end of each reporting period, any changes in fair value are recorded as a component of interest and other income, net. We will continue to adjust the carrying value of the warrants until the earlier of the exercise of the warrants or the completion of a liquidation event, including the completion of an IPO, at which time the liabilities will be reclassified to stockholders’ deficit.

Stock-Based Compensation

Share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options and restricted stock, are recognized in the financial statements based on their grant date fair values in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 and the period ended January 29, 2007 (inception) to June 30, 2013, the Company recognized $19,200, $12,505, $6,252, $6,252 and $74,304, respectively, in stock-based compensation expense associated with equity awards granted to employees and members of the board of directors of the Company.

For nonemployees, the Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 505-50, Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees. Equity instruments awarded to nonemployees are periodically remeasured as the underlying awards vest unless the instruments are fully vested, immediately exercisable and nonforfeitable on the date of grant. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012, the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 and the period of January 29, 2007 (inception) to June 30, 2013, the Company recognized $3,505, $0, $0, $0 and $21,659, respectively, in stock-based compensation expense related to equity awards granted to nonemployees.

At December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013 there was $25,049 and $18,797, respectively, of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested employee equity awards to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately two years.

The Company grants stock options to purchase common stock to employees with exercise prices equal to the value of the underlying stock, as determined by the board of directors on the date the equity award was granted. The board of directors determined the fair value of the underlying common stock by considering a number of

 

F-9


Table of Contents

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Notes to Financial Statements

(Information as of June 30, 2013 and thereafter and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 and the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to June 30, 2013 is unaudited)

 

factors, including historical and projected financial results, the risks the Company faced at the time, the preferences of the Company’s preferred stockholders and the lack of liquidity of the Company’s common stock.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes Merton valuation model using the appropriate forfeiture rate, risk-free interest rate, expected term and volatility assumptions. The expected life of options was calculated using the simplified method. The simplified method calculates the life as the average of the contractual term and the vesting period of the option. The Company did not have a readily available market and therefore estimates the volatility rate based on comparable companies. The risk-free interest rate is based upon U.S. Treasury securities with remaining terms similar to the expected term of the share-based awards. The Company granted 118,000 options in 2011 and no options in 2012 and the six months ended June 30, 2013.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. Under ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the future tax consequences of the differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities using current enacted tax rates. The Company provides a valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets unless, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized.

The Company’s policy related to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attributed criteria for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.

Net Loss Per Share

Basic net loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period, without consideration for common stock equivalents and adjusted for the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding that are subject to repurchase. The Company has excluded 140,125, 118,750, 122,500 and 107,500 weighted-average shares subject to repurchase from the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012 and the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Diluted net loss per share is calculated by dividing the net loss by the weighted-average number of common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method. Dilutive common stock equivalents are comprised of convertible preferred stock, warrants for the purchase of convertible preferred stock and options outstanding under the Company’s equity incentive plan. For all periods presented, there is no difference in the number of shares used to calculate basic and diluted shares outstanding due to the Company’s net loss position.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Notes to Financial Statements

(Information as of June 30, 2013 and thereafter and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 and

the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to June 30, 2013 is unaudited)

 

Unaudited Pro Forma Net Loss Per Share

The following table summarizes our unaudited pro forma net loss per share:

 

     Year Ended
December 31, 2012
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2013
 

Numerator

    

Net loss

   $ (2,017,528   $ (733,863

Change in fair value of warrant liability

     (7,250     121,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pro forma net loss

   $ (2,024,778   $ (612,863
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Denominator

    

Shares used to compute net loss per common share, basic and diluted

     1,124,000        1,135,250   

Add: Pro forma adjustments to reflect assumed weighted-average effect of conversion of convertible preferred stock

     2,439,002        2,439,002   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares used to compute pro forma net loss per common share, basic and diluted

     3,563,002        3,574,252   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pro forma net loss per common share, basic and diluted (unaudited)

   $ (0.57   $ (0.17
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

ASC 220, Comprehensive Income, defines comprehensive income (loss) as a change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Net loss and comprehensive loss were the same for all periods presented.

3. Fair Value Measurements

The following tables present information about the Company’s financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2011 and 2012 and June 30, 2013, and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value. As a basis for categorizing inputs, the Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value from market based assumptions to entity specific assumptions:

Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;

Level 2: Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and

Level 3: Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

The Company’s Level 3 financial liabilities consist of warrant liabilities related to warrants to purchase preferred stock. All warrants are being measured at fair value utilizing the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

 

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Table of Contents

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Notes to Financial Statements

(Information as of June 30, 2013 and thereafter and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 and the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to June 30, 2013 is unaudited)

 

The fair value of the outstanding preferred stock warrants at December 31, 2011 and 2012 and June 30, 2013 was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

     December 31,
2011
    December 31,
2012
    June 30,
2013
 

Assumed risk-free interest rate

     0.36     0.25% - 1.78     0.26% - 2.52

Assumed volatility

     80     80     80

Expected warrant life

     3.08 years        2.08 - 9.50 years        1.50 - 9.07 years   

Expected dividend yield

     —       —       —  

Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2013 are as follows:

 

            Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
 
     Balance as of
June 30,
2013
     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 

Liabilities

           

Preferred stock warrant liability

   $ 226,000       $ —         $ —         $ 226,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 226,000       $ —         $ —         $ 226,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012 are as follows:

 

            Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
 
     Balance as of
December 31,
2012
     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 

Liabilities

           

Preferred stock warrant liability

   $ 56,000       $ —         $ —         $ 56,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 56,000       $ —         $ —         $ 56,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

            Fair Value Measurements
at Reporting Date Using
 
     Balance as of
December 31,
2011
     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 

Liabilities

           

Preferred stock warrant liability

   $ 39,000       $ —         $ —         $ 39,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 39,000       $ —         $ —         $ 39,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Notes to Financial Statements

(Information as of June 30, 2013 and thereafter and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 and the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to June 30, 2013 is unaudited)

 

The following table is a reconciliation of all the Company’s liabilities measured using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the year ended December 31, 2012 and the six months ended June 30, 2013:

 

     Warrant Liability  

Fair value measurement at December 31, 2011

   $ 39,000   

Warrants issued in connection with loan and security agreement

     24,250   

Change in fair value of warrant liability

     (7,250
  

 

 

 

Fair value measurement at December 31, 2012

     56,000   

Warrants issued in connection with loan and security agreement

     49,000   

Change in fair value of warrant liability

     121,000   
  

 

 

 

Fair value measurement at June 30, 2013

   $ 226,000   
  

 

 

 

4. Debt

In 2008, the Company entered into a $2.5 million loan and security agreement collateralized by the Company’s personal property. The Company drew the full amount of the loan and issued a warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock (“Series A Convertible Preferred Stock”) at an exercise price of $1.50 per share, which warrant expires three years from the effective date of the registration statement for the IPO. The loan and security agreement was repaid in full as of December 31, 2011.

In June 2012, the Company entered into a $3.0 million loan and security agreement collateralized by the Company’s personal property. Interest on advances under the agreement is at a fixed interest rate equal to 4.50%. The loan and security agreement contains only non-financial covenants. Advances under the loan and security agreement have an interest-only period through December 31, 2013 and a 24-month payback period commences in January 2014.

As of December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013, the Company had $2.0 million and $0, respectively, in available credit under the loan and security agreement. Total interest incurred under the loan and security agreement for the year ended December 31, 2012 and the six months ended June 30, 2013 (excluding amortization of debt discount) was $20,000 and $68,000, respectively.

In connection with the loan and security agreement, a warrant was issued for shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock that is exercisable in whole, or in part, at any time until the expiration date of June 1, 2022. During July 2012, the Company drew down $1.0 million under the loan and security agreement and the warrant became exercisable for 20,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per share. During January 2013, the Company drew down the remaining $2.0 million under the loan and security agreement and the warrant became exercisable for an additional 40,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $1.50 per share.

The initial $24,250 fair value of the 20,000 warrant shares earned in July 2012 and the initial $49,000 fair value of the warrant shares earned in January 2013 were recorded as a debt discount and are amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan on the effective interest method. As of December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013, the Company had unamortized debt discount of $20,208 and $57,578, respectively, related to the initial fair value of the warrant.

 

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Table of Contents

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Notes to Financial Statements

(Information as of June 30, 2013 and thereafter and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 and the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to June 30, 2013 is unaudited)

 

The initial fair value of warrants earned in 2012 and 2013 was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

    

July 2012

    January 2013  

Assumed risk-free interest rate

     1.43     1.86

Assumed volatility

     80     80

Expected warrant life

     10 years        9.5 years   

Expected dividend yield

     —       —  

The aggregate advances under the loan and security agreement and unamortized discount as of December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013 are as follows:

 

     December 31,
2012
    June 30,
2013
 

Aggregate advances under loan and security agreement

   $ 1,000,000      $ 3,000,000   

Less unamortized discount

     (20,208     (57,578
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net of debt discount

     979,792        2,942,422   

Current portion of unamortized discount

     —          23,260   

Current portion of long-term debt

     —          (724,732
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net of current portion

   $ 979,792      $ 2,240,950   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

5. Acquisition of Technology

In June 2007, the Company purchased from Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Questcor”) all rights and patents to a development program for the Company’s EVK-001 product candidate, for an upfront payment of $650,000 which was expensed as in-process research and development. In addition to the upfront payment, the Company will be required to make additional milestone payments totaling up to $52,000,000. These milestones include up to $5,000,000 in payments if EVK-001 achieves the following development targets:

 

   

$500,000 upon the initiation of the first patient dosing in the Company’s planned Phase 3 clinical trial for EVK-001;

 

   

$1,500,000 upon the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (the “FDA”) acceptance for review of a new drug application for EVK-001; and

 

   

$3,000,000 upon the FDA’s approval of EVK-001.

The remaining $47,000,000 in milestone payments depend on EVK-001’s commercial success and will only apply if EVK-001 receives regulatory approval. In addition, the Company will be required to pay to Questcor a low single digit royalty on net sales of EVK-001. The Company’s obligation to pay such royalties will terminate upon the expiration of the last patent right covering EVK-001, which is expected to occur in 2030.

6. Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

Convertible Preferred Stock

The Company’s convertible preferred stock has been classified as temporary equity in the accompanying balance sheets instead of in stockholders’ deficit in accordance with authoritative guidance for the classification and

 

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Table of Contents

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Notes to Financial Statements

(Information as of June 30, 2013 and thereafter and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 and the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to June 30, 2013 is unaudited)

 

measurement of potentially redeemable securities. Upon certain change in control events that are outside of the Company’s control, including liquidation, sale or transfer of control of the Company, holders of the convertible preferred stock can cause its redemption.

During June and October 2007, the Company sold an aggregate of 4,000,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock at $1.50 per share for gross proceeds of $6,000,000 in cash. In addition, $250,000 in convertible promissory notes issued in an earlier bridge financing and $42,538 in accrued interest thereon converted into 195,067 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. In connection with the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock issuance, $848,257 of the proceeds were allocated to the preferred stock purchase right liability, and the Company incurred $218,037 of offering costs.

As part of the October 2007 Series A Convertible Preferred Stock transaction, the preferred stock purchase right liability for the second closing was revalued with the $4,132 increase in fair value recorded as other expense on the statement of operations and the then fair value of $80,819 was reclassified to Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. At December 31, 2007, the preferred stock purchase right liability for the third closing was revalued with the $68,955 increase in fair value recorded as other expense on the statement of operations.

During November 2008, the Company sold an additional 4,000,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock for gross proceeds of $6,000,000 in cash. In connection with this financing, the Company incurred $1,855 of offering costs. As part of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock transaction, the preferred stock purchase right liability for the third closing was revalued with the $115,500 increase in fair value recorded as other expense on the statement of operations and the then fair value of $956,025 was reclassified to Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.

During June 2010, the Company sold an additional 4,000,001 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock for gross proceeds of $6,000,002 in cash. In connection with this financing, the Company incurred $36,069 of offering costs.

The holders of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to receive noncumulative dividends at a rate of $0.12 per share per annum. The preferred stock dividends are payable when and if declared by the board of directors. As of December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013, the board of directors has not declared any dividends. The Series A Convertible Preferred Stock dividends are payable in preference and in priority to any dividends on common stock.

The holders of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to receive liquidation preferences at the rate of $1.50 per share, plus all declared and unpaid dividends. Liquidation payments to the holders of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock have priority and are made in preference to any payments to the holders of common stock.

The shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock are convertible into one share of common stock for each five shares of preferred stock, at the option of the holder, subject to certain anti-dilutive adjustments. Each share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock is automatically converted into common stock immediately upon the earlier of (i) the Company’s sale of its common stock in a firm commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in which the per share price is at least $22.50 (as adjusted), and the gross cash proceeds are at least $25,000,000 or (ii) the date specified by written consent or agreement of the holders of not less than 66.66% of the then outstanding shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.

The holders of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock into which such Series A Convertible Preferred Stock could then be converted; and with respect to such vote, such holder shall have full voting rights and powers equal to the voting rights and powers of the holders of common stock.

 

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Table of Contents

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Notes to Financial Statements

(Information as of June 30, 2013 and thereafter and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 and

the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to June 30, 2013 is unaudited)

 

The holders of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock with greater than 250,000 shares are entitled to elect one member each to the Company’s board of directors.

Common Stock

During March 2007, in conjunction with the founding of the Company, 916,000 shares of its common stock were issued to the founders at a price of $0.005 per share.

Stock Options

The Company adopted the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) in May 2007 under which 450,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance to employees, nonemployee directors and consultants of the Company. The Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, phantom stock and rights to purchase restricted stock to eligible recipients. Recipients of incentive stock options shall be eligible to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price equal to no less than the estimated fair market value of such stock on the date of grant. The maximum term of options granted under the Plan is ten years. The options generally vest over four years or upon achieving predetermined corporate milestones. As of December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013, no options remain available for future grant under the Plan.

The following table summarizes stock option transactions under the Plan:

 

     Options
Outstanding
     Weighted-
Average Exercise
Price
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2011

     123,250       $ 0.40   

Granted

     —           —     

Exercised

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

Outstanding at December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013

     123,250       $ 0.40   
  

 

 

    

Exercisable at December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013

     123,250       $ 0.40   
  

 

 

    

The shares of common stock issued from the exercise of stock options are restricted and vest over time or on the achievement of certain milestones. The Plan permits the early exercise of options but the Company has the option to repurchase any unvested shares at the original purchase price (the exercise price paid by the Purchaser) upon any voluntary or involuntary termination (“Repurchase Option”). Any unvested shares immediately vest in the event of termination for reasons other than cause, and vesting accelerates in the event of a merger, sale, or other change in control of the Company. Of the total 326,750 stock options exercised, 200,500, 215,500 and 223,000 were vested as of December 31, 2011 and 2012 and June 30, 2013, respectively.

Since the inception of the Company, 272,000 stock options were issued with an exercise price of $0.29 and 178,000 stock options were issued with an exercise price of $0.40, resulting in a weighted-average exercise price of $0.33 per share.

As of December 31, 2012 and June 30, 2013, the Company had 123,250 options outstanding, with a weighted-average remaining contractual term of 7.84 years and 7.34 years, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Notes to Financial Statements

(Information as of June 30, 2013 and thereafter and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 and the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to June 30, 2013 is unaudited)

 

Approval of 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan

On June 13, 2013, the Company’s board of directors adopted the 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “2013 Plan”), and the Company’s stockholders approved the 2013 Plan on August 29, 2013. The 2013 Plan will become effective on the day prior to the effectiveness of the IPO. Under the 2013 Plan, the Company may grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other awards to individuals who are then employees, officers, non-employee directors or consultants of the Company or its subsidiaries. A total of 510,000 shares of common stock will initially be reserved for issuance under the 2013 Plan. In addition, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2013 Plan will be annually increased on the first day of each fiscal year during the term of the 2013 Plan, beginning with the 2014 fiscal year, by an amount equal to the least of: (i) 300,000 shares; (ii) four percent of the outstanding shares of common stock as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year; or (iii) such other amount as the Company’s board of directors may determine.

Approval of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan

On June 13, 2013, the Company’s board of directors adopted the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), and the Company’s stockholders approved the ESPP on August 29, 2013. The ESPP will become effective on the day prior to the effectiveness of the IPO. The ESPP permits participants to purchase common stock through payroll deductions of up to 20% of their eligible compensation. A total of 30,000 shares of common stock will initially be reserved for issuance under the ESPP. In addition, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the ESPP will be annually increased on the first day of each fiscal year during the term of the ESPP, beginning with the 2014 fiscal year, by an amount equal to the least of: (i) 30,000 shares; (ii) one percent of the outstanding shares of common stock as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year; or (iii) such other amount as the Company’s board of directors may determine.

Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuance

Common stock reserved for future issuance consists of the following at December 31, 2011 and 2012 and June 30, 2013:

 

     December 31,      June 30,
2013
 
     2011      2012     

Conversion of preferred stock

     2,439,002         2,439,002         2,439,002   

Stock options issued and outstanding

     123,250         123,250         123,250   

Authorized for future option grants

     —           —           —     

Warrants for convertible preferred stock

     10,000         14,000         22,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2,572,252         2,576,252         2,584,252   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

7. Income Taxes

On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted authoritative guidance relating to the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. The guidance clarified the recognition threshold and measurement attributes for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, on a tax return. The impact of an uncertain income tax

 

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Table of Contents

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

(A Development Stage Company)

Notes to Financial Statements

(Information as of June 30, 2013 and thereafter and for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2013 and the period from January 29, 2007 (inception) to June 30, 2013 is unaudited)

 

position on the income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain tax position will not be recognized if it has a less than 50% likelihood of being sustained. On the date of adoption, there were no unrecognized tax benefits.

As of December 31, 2011 and 2012, there were no unrecognized tax benefits included in the balance sheets that would, if recognized, affect the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company has not recognized any interest and penalties related to income taxes in the balance sheets or statements of operations. The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and state jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2012, the Company’s tax years beginning 2007 to date are subject to examination by taxing authorities.

Pursuant to Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“IRC”), annual use of the Company’s net operating loss and research and development credit carryforwards may be limited in the event a cumulative change in ownership of more than 50% occurs within a three-year period. The Company has not completed an IRC Section 382/383 analysis regarding the limitation of net operating loss and research and development credit carryforwards. Until this analysis has been completed, the Company has removed the deferred tax assets for net operating losses of approximately $6.7 million and a research and development credit of approximately $773,000 generated through 2012 from its deferred tax asset schedule, and has recorded a corresponding decrease to its valuation allowance. When this analysis is finalized, the Company plans to update its unrecognized tax benefits accordingly. The Company does not expect this analysis to be completed within the next 12 months and, as a result, the Company does not expect that the unrecognized tax benefits will change within 12 months of this reporting date. Due to the existence of the valuation allowance, future changes in the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits will not impact the Company’s effective tax rate. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets at December 31, 2011 and 2012 are as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2011     2012  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Acquired technology

   $ 181,000      $ 164,000   

Other, net

     86,000        203,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

     267,000        367,000   

Less valuation allowance

     (267,000     (367,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

   $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At December 31, 2012, the Company has federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $18.6 million and $18.2 million, respectively. The federal and state loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2028 and 2018, respectively, unless previously utilized. The Company also has federal and state research tax credit carryforwards of approximately $525,000 and $428,000, respectively. The federal research credit carryforwards will begin expiring in 2028 unless previously utilized. The state research credit will carry forward indefinitely.

 

F-18


Table of Contents

 

 

 

2,100,000 Shares

Common Stock

 

 

LOGO

 

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

                    , 2013

Sole Book-Running Manager

Aegis Capital Corp

Co-Managers

 

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.   Feltl and Company

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give information that is not contained in this prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell nor is it seeking an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. The information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of these securities.

Until                     , 2013 (25 days after the commencement of this offering) all dealers that effect transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Part II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table indicates the expenses to be incurred in connection with the offering described in this registration statement, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, all of which will be paid by us. All amounts are estimated except the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, filing fee and The NASDAQ Capital Market listing fee.

 

     Amount  

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee

   $ 4,772   

FINRA filing fee

     5,319   

NASDAQ Capital Stock Market listing fee

     50,000   

Accountants’ fees and expenses

     400,000   

Legal fees and expenses

     600,000   

Blue Sky fees and expenses

     15,000   

Transfer Agent’s fees and expenses

     5,000   

Printing and engraving expenses

     150,000   

Miscellaneous

     85,909   
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

   $ 1,316,000   
  

 

 

 

 

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 102 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware permits a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit. Our certificate of incorporation provides that no director of the Registrant shall be personally liable to it or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, notwithstanding any provision of law imposing such liability, except to the extent that the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware prohibits the elimination or limitation of liability of directors for breaches of fiduciary duty.

Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides that a corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or a person serving at the request of the corporation for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise in related capacities against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with an action, suit or proceeding to which he was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, ending or completed action, suit or proceeding by reason of such position, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, except that, in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or other adjudicating court determines that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

 

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Table of Contents

Our certificate of incorporation provides that we will indemnify each person who was or is a party or threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of us) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at our request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (all such persons being referred to as an “Indemnitee”), or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if such Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or she had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Our certificate of incorporation provides that we will indemnify any Indemnitee who was or is a party to an action or suit by or in the right of us to procure a judgment in our favor by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at our request as a director, officer, partner, employee or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) and, to the extent permitted by law, amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, and any appeal therefrom, if the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, except that no indemnification shall be made with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to us, unless a court determines that, despite such adjudication but in view of all of the circumstances, he or she is entitled to indemnification of such expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any Indemnitee has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, he or she will be indemnified by us against all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Expenses must be advanced to an Indemnitee under certain circumstances.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers. These indemnification agreements may require us, among other things, to indemnify our directors and officers for some expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by a director or officer in any action or proceeding arising out of his or her service as one of our directors or officers, or any of our subsidiaries or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at our request.

We maintain a general liability insurance policy that covers certain liabilities of directors and officers of our corporation arising out of claims based on acts or omissions in their capacities as directors or officers.

In any underwriting agreement we enter into in connection with the sale of common stock being registered hereby, the underwriters will agree to indemnify, under certain conditions, us, our directors, our officers and persons who control us within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Securities Act, against certain liabilities.

 

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

Set forth below is information regarding shares of capital stock issued by us since our inception in January 2010. Also included is the consideration received by us for such shares and information relating to the section of the Securities Act, or rule of the Securities and Exchange Commission, under which exemption from registration was claimed.

 

(a) Issuances of Capital Stock and Warrants to Purchase Capital Stock

 

  1. In June 2010, we issued an aggregate of 4,000,001 shares of our Series A convertible preferred stock to certain of our existing investors at a price per share of $1.50 for aggregate gross consideration of approximately $6.0 million. These shares of Series A-1 convertible preferred stock will convert into 800,000 shares of our common stock immediately prior to the closing of this offering.

 

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Table of Contents
  2. In June 2012, as consideration for entering into a debt facility, we issued a warrant to a lender exercisable for an aggregate of 20,000 shares of our Series A convertible preferred stock at an initial exercise price of $1.50 per share. This warrant will become exercisable for an aggregate of 4,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $7.50 immediately prior to the closing of this offering. This warrant terminates ten years after the date issued.

No underwriters were involved in the foregoing sales of securities. The securities described in this section (a) of Item 15 were issued to investors in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, as set forth in Section 4(2) under the Securities Act and Regulation D promulgated thereunder relative to transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering, to the extent an exemption from such registration was required. All purchasers of shares of convertible preferred stock described above represented to us in connection with their purchase that they were accredited investors and were acquiring the shares for their own account for investment purposes only and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution thereof and that they could bear the risks of the investment and could hold the securities for an indefinite period of time. The purchasers received written disclosures that the securities had not been registered under the Securities Act and that any resale must be made pursuant to a registration statement or an available exemption from such registration.

 

(b) Grants and Exercise of Stock Options

 

  1. From January 2010 through June 30, 2013, we granted stock options to purchase an aggregate of 178,000 shares of our common stock with an exercise price of $0.40 per share, to certain of our employees in connection with services provided to us by such employees. Of these, options to purchase 60,000 shares of common stock have been exercised through December 31, 2012 for aggregate consideration of $24,000, each at an exercise price of $0.40 per share.

The stock options and the common stock issuable upon the exercise of such options as described in this section (b) of Item 15 were issued pursuant to written compensatory plans or arrangements with our employees and directors, in reliance on the exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act provided by Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act or the exemption set forth in Section 4(2) under the Securities Act and Regulation D promulgated thereunder relative to transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering. All recipients either received adequate information about us or had access, through employment or other relationships, to such information.

All of the foregoing securities are deemed restricted securities for purposes of the Securities Act. All certificates representing the issued shares of capital stock described in this Item 15 included appropriate legends setting forth that the securities had not been registered and the applicable restrictions on transfer.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

 

(a) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description of Exhibit

  1.1(5)   Underwriting Agreement
  3.1(5)   Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (currently in effect)
  3.2(1)   Bylaws (currently in effect)
  3.3(5)   Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (to be effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering)
  3.4(1)   Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws (to be effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering)
  4.1(4)   Specimen stock certificate evidencing the shares of common stock
  4.2(1)   Investor Rights Agreement dated as of June 1, 2007
  4.3(1)   Warrant dated February 7, 2007 issued by the Registrant to Square 1 Bank
  4.4(1)   Warrant dated June 1, 2012 issued by the Registrant to Silicon Valley Bank
  4.5(4)   Form of Warrant Agreement to be issued by the Registrant to the Representative upon closing of this offering.
  5.1   Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP
10.1(1)   Form of Indemnity Agreement for Directors and Officers
10.2(2)   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of June 7, 2013, between the Registrant and David A. Gonyer
10.3(2)   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of June 7, 2013, between the Registrant and Matthew D’Onofrio
10.4(1)   2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, and form of option agreement thereunder
10.5(5)   2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan and form of option agreement thereunder
10.6(2)   2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
10.7(2)   Amended and Restated Retention Letter between the Registrant and David A. Gonyer
10.8(2)   Amended and Restated Retention Letter between the Registrant and Matthew D’Onofrio
10.9(5)   Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy
10.10†(3)   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2007, by and among the Registrant and Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
10.11(1)   Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2012, between Silicon Valley Bank and the Registrant
23.1   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2(2)   Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1(1)   Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
24.2(2)   Power of Attorney of Ann D. Rhoads

 

(1) Filed with the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 on May 24, 2013.
(2) Filed with the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 on June 14, 2013.
(3) Filed with the Registrant’s Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 on July 3, 2013.
(4) Filed with the Registrant’s Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 on August 16, 2013.
(5) Previously filed, but amended version filed herewith.
Portions of this exhibit (indicated by asterisks) have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 406 under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

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(b) Financial Statement Schedules. Schedules not listed above have been omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

 

Item 17. Undertakings.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter, at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement, certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned hereby undertakes that:

 

  (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and

 

  (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Diego, State of California, on this 30th day of August, 2013.

 

EVOKE PHARMA, INC.
By:  

/s/ David A. Gonyer

  David A. Gonyer
  President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment No. 4 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities held on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ David A. Gonyer

David A. Gonyer, R.Ph.

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director (principal executive officer)

  August 30, 2013

/s/ Matthew J. D’Onofrio

Matthew J. D’Onofrio

  

Executive Vice President, Chief Business Officer, Treasurer and Secretary (principal financial and accounting officer)

  August 30, 2013

*

  

Chairman of the Board of Directors

  August 30, 2013
Cam L. Garner     

*

  

Director

  August 30, 2013
Todd C. Brady, M.D., Ph.D.     

*

  

Director

  August 30, 2013
Scott L. Glenn     

*

  

Director

  August 30, 2013
Malcolm R. Hill, Pharm.D.     

*

  

Director

  August 30, 2013
Ann D. Rhoads     

*

  

Director

  August 30, 2013
Kenneth J. Widder, M.D.     

 

*By:   /s/ David A. Gonyer
 

David A. Gonyer, R.Ph.

Attorney-in-Fact


Table of Contents

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description of Exhibit

  1.1(5)   Underwriting Agreement
  3.1(5)   Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (currently in effect)
  3.2(1)   Bylaws (currently in effect)
  3.3(5)   Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (to be effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering)
  3.4(1)   Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws (to be effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering)
  4.1(4)   Specimen stock certificate evidencing the shares of common stock
  4.2(1)   Investor Rights Agreement dated as of June 1, 2007
  4.3(1)   Warrant dated February 7, 2007 issued by the Registrant to Square 1 Bank
  4.4(1)   Warrant dated June 1, 2012 issued by the Registrant to Silicon Valley Bank
  4.5(4)   Form of Warrant Agreement to be issued by the Registrant to the Representative upon closing of this offering.
  5.1   Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP
10.1(1)   Form of Indemnity Agreement for Directors and Officers
10.2(2)   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of June 7, 2013, between the Registrant and David A. Gonyer
10.3(2)   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, effective as of June 7, 2013, between the Registrant and Matthew D’Onofrio
10.4(1)   2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, and form of option agreement thereunder
10.5(5)   2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan and form of option agreement thereunder
10.6(2)   2013 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
10.7(2)   Amended and Restated Retention Letter between the Registrant and David A. Gonyer
10.8(2)   Amended and Restated Retention Letter between the Registrant and Matthew D’Onofrio
10.9(5)   Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy
10.10†(3)   Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2007, by and among the Registrant and Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
10.11(1)   Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2012, between Silicon Valley Bank and the Registrant
23.1   Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
23.2(2)   Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1(1)   Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
24.2(2)   Power of Attorney of Ann D. Rhoads

 

(1) Filed with the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 on May 24, 2013.
(2) Filed with the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 on June 14, 2013.
(3) Filed with the Registrant’s Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 on July 3, 2013.
(4) Filed with the Registrant’s Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 on August 16, 2013.
(5) Previously filed, but amended version filed herewith.
Portions of this exhibit (indicated by asterisks) have been omitted pursuant to a request for confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 406 under the Securities Act of 1933.
EX-1.1

Exhibit 1.1

 

 

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

between

EVOKE PHARMA, INC.

and

AEGIS CAPITAL CORP.,

as Representative of the Several Underwriters

 

 

 

 

 


EVOKE PHARMA, INC.

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

New York, New York

[], 2013

Aegis Capital Corp.

As Representative of the several Underwriters named on Schedule 1 attached hereto

810 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor

New York, New York 10019

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned, Evoke Pharma, Inc. a corporation formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (collectively with its subsidiaries and affiliates, including, without limitation, all entities disclosed or described in the Registration Statement (as hereinafter defined) as being subsidiaries or affiliates of Evoke Pharma, Inc., the “Company”), hereby confirms its agreement (this “Agreement”) with Aegis Capital Corp. (hereinafter referred to as “you” (including its correlatives) or the “Representative”) and with the other underwriters named on Schedule 1 hereto for which the Representative is acting as representative (the Representative and such other underwriters being collectively called the “Underwriters” or, individually, an “Underwriter”) as follows:

1. Purchase and Sale of Shares.

1.1 Firm Shares.

1.1.1. Nature and Purchase of Firm Shares.

(i) On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell to the several Underwriters, an aggregate of [] shares (“Firm Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”).

(ii) The Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agree to purchase from the Company the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite their respective names on Schedule 1 attached hereto and made a part hereof at a purchase price of $[] per share (93% of the per Firm Share offering price). The Firm Shares are to be offered initially to the public at the offering price set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus (as defined in Section 2.1.1 hereof).

1.1.2. Shares Payment and Delivery.

(i) Delivery and payment for the Firm Shares shall be made at 10:00 a.m., Eastern time, on the third (3rd) Business Day following the effective date (the “Effective Date”) of the Registration Statement (as defined in Section 2.1.1 below) (or the fourth (4th) Business Day following the Effective Date if the Registration Statement is declared effective after 4:01 p.m., Eastern time) or at such earlier time as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company, at the offices of Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP, 61 Broadway, 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10006 (“Representative Counsel”), or at such other place (or remotely by facsimile or other electronic transmission) as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company. The hour and date of delivery and payment for the Firm Shares is called the “Closing Date.”


(ii) Payment for the Firm Shares shall be made on the Closing Date by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds, payable to the order of the Company upon delivery of the certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters) representing the Firm Shares (or through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”)) for the account of the Underwriters. The Firm Shares shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denominations as the Representative may request in writing at least two (2) full Business Days prior to the Closing Date. The Company shall not be obligated to sell or deliver the Firm Shares except upon tender of payment by the Representative for all of the Firm Shares. The term “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated by law to close in New York, New York.

1.2 Over-allotment Option.

1.2.1. Option Shares. For the purposes of covering any over-allotments in connection with the distribution and sale of the Firm Shares, the Company hereby grants to the Underwriters an option to purchase up to [] additional shares of Common Stock, representing fifteen percent (15%) of the Firm Shares sold in the offering, from the Company (the “Over-allotment Option”). Such [] additional shares of Common Stock, the net proceeds of which will be deposited with the Company’s account, are hereinafter referred to as “Option Shares.” The purchase price to be paid per Option Share shall be equal to the price per Firm Share set forth in Section 1.1.1 hereof. The Firm Shares and the Option Shares are hereinafter referred to together as the “Public Securities.” The offering and sale of the Public Securities is hereinafter referred to as the “Offering.”

1.2.2. Exercise of Option. The Over-allotment Option granted pursuant to Section 1.2.1 hereof may be exercised by the Representative as to all (at any time) or any part (from time to time) of the Option Shares within 30 days after the Effective Date. The Underwriters shall not be under any obligation to purchase any Option Shares prior to the exercise of the Over-allotment Option. The Over-allotment Option granted hereby may be exercised by the giving of oral notice to the Company from the Representative, which must be confirmed in writing by overnight mail or facsimile or other electronic transmission setting forth the number of Option Shares to be purchased and the date and time for delivery of and payment for the Option Shares (the “Option Closing Date”), which shall not be later than five (5) full Business Days after the date of the notice or such other time as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative, at the offices of Representative Counsel or at such other place (including remotely by facsimile or other electronic transmission) as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative. If such delivery and payment for the Option Shares does not occur on the Closing Date, the Option Closing Date will be as set forth in the notice. Upon exercise of the Over-allotment Option with respect to all or any portion of the Option Shares, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (i) the Company shall become obligated to sell to the Underwriters the number of Option Shares specified in such notice and (ii) each of the Underwriters, acting severally and not jointly, shall purchase that portion of the total number of Option Shares then being purchased as set forth in Schedule 1 opposite the name of such Underwriter.

1.2.3. Payment and Delivery. Payment for the Option Shares shall be made on the Option Closing Date by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds, payable to the order of the Company upon delivery to you of certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters) representing the Option Shares (or through the facilities of DTC) for the account of the Underwriters. The Option Shares shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denominations as the Representative may request in writing at least

 

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two (2) full Business Days prior to the Option Closing Date. The Company shall not be obligated to sell or deliver the Option Shares except upon tender of payment by the Representative for applicable Option Shares.

1.3 Representative’s Warrants.

1.3.1. Purchase Warrants. The Company hereby agrees to issue and sell to the Representative (and/or its designees) on the Closing Date a warrant (“Representative’s Warrant”) for the purchase of an aggregate of [] shares of Common Stock, representing 4% of the Firm Shares (excluding the Option Shares), for an aggregate purchase price of $100.00. The Representative’s Warrant agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Representative’s Warrant Agreement”), shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, commencing on a date which is one (1) year after the Effective Date and expiring on the five-year anniversary of the Effective Date at an initial exercise price per shares of Common Stock of $[], which is equal to 175% of the initial public offering price per share of the Firm Shares. The Representative’s Warrant Agreement and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise thereof are hereinafter referred to together as the “Representative’s Securities.” The Representative understands and agrees that there are significant restrictions pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110 against transferring the Representative’s Warrant Agreement and the underlying shares of Common Stock during the one hundred eighty (180) days after the Effective Date and by its acceptance thereof shall agree that it will not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or hypothecate the Representative’s Warrant Agreement, or any portion thereof, or be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of such securities for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the Effective Date to anyone other than (i) an Underwriter or a selected dealer in connection with the Offering, or (ii) a bona fide officer or partner of the Representative or of any such Underwriter or selected dealer; and only if any such transferee agrees to the foregoing lock-up restrictions.

1.3.2. Delivery. Delivery of the Representative’s Warrant Agreement shall be made on the Closing Date and shall be issued in the name or names and in such authorized denominations as the Representative may request.

2. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to the Underwriters as of the Applicable Time (as defined below), as of the Closing Date and as of the Option Closing Date, if any, as follows:

2.1 Filing of Registration Statement.

2.1.1. Pursuant to the Securities Act. The Company has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement, and an amendment or amendments thereto, on Form S-1 (File No. 333-188838), including any related prospectus or prospectuses, for the registration of the Public Securities and the Representative’s Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), which registration statement and amendment or amendments have been prepared by the Company in all material respects in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Securities Act (the “Securities Act Regulations”) and will contain all material statements that are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations. Except as the context may otherwise require, such registration statement, as amended, on file with the Commission at the time the registration statement became effective (including the

 

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Preliminary Prospectus included in the registration statement, financial statements, schedules, exhibits and all other documents filed as a part thereof or incorporated therein and all information deemed to be a part thereof as of the Effective Date pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 430A of the Securities Act Regulations (the “Rule 430A Information”)), is referred to herein as the “Registration Statement.” If the Company files any registration statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act Regulations, then after such filing, the term “Registration Statement” shall include such registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b). The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission on the date hereof.

Each prospectus used prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and each prospectus that omitted the Rule 430A Information that was used after such effectiveness and prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, is herein called a “Preliminary Prospectus.” The Preliminary Prospectus, subject to completion, dated [], 2013, that was included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the Applicable Time is hereinafter called the “Pricing Prospectus.” The final prospectus in the form first furnished to the Underwriters for use in the Offering is hereinafter called the “Prospectus.” Any reference to the “most recent Preliminary Prospectus” shall be deemed to refer to the latest Preliminary Prospectus included in the Registration Statement.

Applicable Time” means [TIME] [a.m./p.m.], Eastern time, on the date of this Agreement.

Issuer Free Writing Prospectus” means any “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433 of the Securities Act Regulations (“Rule 433”), including without limitation any “free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act Regulations) relating to the Public Securities that is (i) required to be filed with the Commission by the Company, (ii) a “road show that is a written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i), whether or not required to be filed with the Commission, or (iii) exempt from filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d)(5)(i) because it contains a description of the Public Securities or of the Offering that does not reflect the final terms, in each case in the form filed or required to be filed with the Commission or, if not required to be filed, in the form retained in the Company’s records pursuant to Rule 433(g).

Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is intended for general distribution to prospective investors (other than a “bona fide electronic road show,” as defined in Rule 433 (the “Bona Fide Electronic Road Show”), as evidenced by its being specified in Schedule 2-B hereto.

Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus” means any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not an Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus.

Pricing Disclosure Package” means any Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus issued at or prior to the Applicable Time, the Pricing Prospectus and the information included on Schedule 2-A hereto, all considered together.

2.1.2. Pursuant to the Exchange Act. The Company has filed with the Commission a Form 8-A (File Number 000-[]) providing for the registration pursuant to Section 12(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), of the shares of Common Stock. The registration of the shares of Common Stock under the Exchange Act has been declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the date hereof.

 

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The Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the shares of Common Stock under the Exchange Act, nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission is contemplating terminating such registration.

2.2 Stock Exchange Listing. The shares of Common Stock have been approved for listing on The NASDAQ Capital Market (the “Exchange”), and the Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, delisting the shares of Common Stock from the Exchange, nor has the Company received any notification that the Exchange is contemplating terminating such listing except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

2.3 No Stop Orders, etc. Neither the Commission nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any state regulatory authority has issued any order preventing or suspending the use of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or has instituted or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened to institute, any proceedings with respect to such an order. The Company has complied with each request (if any) from the Commission for additional information.

2.4 Disclosures in Registration Statement.

2.4.1. Compliance with Securities Act and 10b-5 Representation.

(i) Each of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time it became effective, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations. Each Preliminary Prospectus, including the prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment or supplement thereto, and the Prospectus, at the time each was filed with the Commission, complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations. Each Preliminary Prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with this Offering and the Prospectus was or will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

(ii) Neither the Registration Statement nor any amendment thereto, at its effective time, as of the Applicable Time, at the Closing Date or at any Option Closing Date (if any), contained, contains or will contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

(iii) The Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, at the Closing Date or at any Option Closing Date (if any), did not, does not and will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and each Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus hereto does not conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, and each such Issuer Limited Use Free Writing Prospectus, as supplemented by and taken together with the Pricing Prospectus as of the Applicable Time, did not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements made or statements omitted in reliance

 

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upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect to the Underwriters by the Representative expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto. The parties acknowledge and agree that such information provided by or on behalf of any Underwriter consists solely of the following disclosure contained in the “Underwriting” section of the Prospectus: [the second paragraph under the subcaption “Discount” and the first, second and third paragraphs under the subcaption “Price Stabilization, Short Positions and Penalty Bids”] (the “Underwriters’ Information”); and

(iv) Neither the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto (including any prospectus wrapper), as of its issue date, at the time of any filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b), at the Closing Date or at any Option Closing Date, included, includes or will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted, omits or will omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to the Underwriters’ Information.

2.4.2. Disclosure of Agreements. The agreements and documents described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained therein and there are no agreements or other documents required by the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations to be described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or to be filed with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration Statement, that have not been so described or filed. Each agreement or other instrument (however characterized or described) to which the Company is a party or by which it is or may be bound or affected and (i) that is referred to in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, or (ii) is material to the Company’s business, has been duly authorized and validly executed by the Company, is in full force and effect in all material respects and is enforceable against the Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms, except (x) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, (y) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws, and (z) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought. None of such agreements or instruments has been assigned by the Company, and neither the Company nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any other party is in default thereunder and, to the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default thereunder, except for any such default that would not have or reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in the financial position or results of operations of the Company, nor any change or development that, singularly or in the aggregate, would involve a material adverse change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, business or assets of the Company (a “Material Adverse Change”). To the best of the Company’s knowledge, performance by the Company of the material provisions of such agreements or instruments will not result in a violation of any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets or businesses (each, a “Governmental Entity”), including, without limitation, those relating to environmental laws and regulations, except for any such violation that would not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

 

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2.4.3. Prior Securities Transactions. During the six-month period preceding the Closing Date, no securities of the Company have been sold by the Company or by or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, any person or persons controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Preliminary Prospectus.

2.4.4. Regulations. The disclosures in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus concerning the effects of federal, state, local and all foreign regulation on the Offering and the Company’s business as currently contemplated are correct in all material respects and no other such regulations are required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus which are not so disclosed.

2.5 Changes After Dates in Registration Statement.

2.5.1. No Material Adverse Change. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except as otherwise specifically stated therein: (i) there has been no Material Adverse Change; (ii) there have been no material transactions entered into by the Company, other than as contemplated pursuant to this Agreement; and (iii) no officer or director of the Company has resigned from any position with the Company.

2.5.2. Recent Securities Transactions, etc. Subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and except as may otherwise be indicated or contemplated herein or disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has not: (i) issued any securities or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, for borrowed money; or (ii) declared or paid any dividend or made any other distribution on or in respect to its capital stock.

2.6 Independent Accountants. To the knowledge of the Company, Ernst &Young LLP (the “Auditor”), whose report is filed with the Commission as part of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, is an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The Auditor has not, during the periods covered by the financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit services, as such term is used in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act.

2.7 Financial Statements, etc. The financial statements, including the notes thereto and supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, fairly present in all material respects the financial position and the results of operations of the Company at the dates and for the periods to which they apply; and such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), consistently applied throughout the periods involved (provided that unaudited interim financial statements are subject to year-end audit adjustments that are not expected to be material in the aggregate and do not contain all footnotes required by GAAP); and the supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly in

 

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all material respects the information required to be stated therein. Except as included therein, no historical or pro forma financial statements are required to be included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus under the Securities Act or the Securities Act Regulations. The pro forma and pro forma as adjusted financial information and the related notes, if any, included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus have been properly compiled and prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations and present fairly, in all material respects, the information shown therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein. All disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission), if any, comply with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act, to the extent applicable. Each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus discloses all material off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations), and other relationships of the Company with unconsolidated entities or other persons that may have a material current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources, or significant components of revenues or expenses. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (a) neither the Company nor any of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including each entity disclosed or described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as being a subsidiary of the Company (each, a “Subsidiary” and, collectively, the “Subsidiaries”) (provided, that in the event that the Company does not have any Subsidiaries, then all references herein to “Subsidiaries,” “subsidiaries,” “Subsidiary” or “a subsidiary” of the Company (other than the references appearing in Section 2.26) shall be disregarded), has incurred any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, or entered into any material transactions other than in the ordinary course of business, (b) the Company has not declared or paid any dividends or made any distribution of any kind with respect to its capital stock, (c) there has not been any change in the capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or, other than in the course of business, any grants under any stock compensation plan, and (d) there has not been any material adverse change in the Company’s long-term or short-term debt.

2.8 Authorized Capital; Options, etc. The Company had, at the date or dates indicated in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the duly authorized, issued and outstanding capitalization as set forth therein. Based on the assumptions stated in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company will have on the Closing Date the adjusted stock capitalization set forth therein. Except as set forth in, or contemplated by, the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, on the Effective Date, as of the Applicable Time and on the Closing Date and any Option Closing Date, there will be no stock options, warrants, or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire any authorized, but unissued shares of Common Stock of the Company or any security convertible or exercisable into shares of Common Stock of the Company, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell shares of Common Stock or any such options, warrants, rights or convertible securities.

 

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2.9 Valid Issuance of Securities, etc.

2.9.1. Outstanding Securities. All issued and outstanding securities of the Company issued prior to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof have no rights of rescission with respect thereto, and are not subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; and none of such securities were issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company. The authorized shares of Common Stock conform in all material respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. The offers and sales of the outstanding shares of Common Stock were at all relevant times either registered under the Securities Act and the applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws or, based in part on the representations and warranties of the purchasers of such Shares, exempt from such registration requirements.

2.9.2. Securities Sold Pursuant to this Agreement. The Public Securities and Representative’s Securities have been duly authorized for issuance and sale and, when issued and paid for, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; the Public Securities and Representative’s Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company; and all corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of the Public Securities and Representative’s Securities has been duly and validly taken. The Public Securities and Representative’s Securities conform in all material respects to all statements with respect thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. All corporate action required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of the Representative’s Warrant Agreement has been duly and validly taken; the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Representative’s Warrant have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and when paid for and issued in accordance with the Representative’s Warrant and the Representative’s Warrant Agreement, such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; and such shares of Common Stock are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company.

2.10 Registration Rights of Third Parties. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no holders of any securities of the Company or any rights exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into securities of the Company have the right to require the Company to register any such securities of the Company under the Securities Act or to include any such securities in a registration statement to be filed by the Company.

2.11 Validity and Binding Effect of Agreements. This Agreement and the Representative’s Warrant Agreement have been duly and validly authorized by the Company, and, when executed and delivered, will constitute, the valid and binding agreements of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except: (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or

 

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contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws; and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

2.12 No Conflicts, etc. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the Representative’s Warrant Agreement and all ancillary documents, the consummation by the Company of the transactions herein and therein contemplated and the compliance by the Company with the terms hereof and thereof do not and will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both: (i) result in a material breach of, or conflict with any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a material default under, or result in the creation, modification, termination or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to the terms of any agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party; (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation (as the same may be amended or restated from time to time, the “Charter”) or the by-laws of the Company; or (iii) violate any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any Governmental Entity as of the date hereof (including, without limitation, those promulgated by the Food and Drug Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (the “FDA”) or by any foreign, federal, state or local regulatory authority performing functions similar to those performed by the FDA), except, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii) above, for any such conflict, breach, violation, default, lien, charge or encumbrance that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

2.13 No Defaults; Violations. No material default exists in the due performance and observance of any term, covenant or condition of any material license, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, note, loan or credit agreement, or any other agreement or instrument evidencing an obligation for borrowed money, or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company may be bound or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company is subject. The Company is not (i) in violation of any term or provision of its Charter or by-laws, or (ii) except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, in violation of any franchise, license, permit, applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment or decree of any Governmental Entity.

2.14 Corporate Power; Licenses; Consents.

2.14.1. Conduct of Business. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has all requisite corporate power and authority, and has all necessary authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses, certificates and permits of and from all governmental regulatory officials and bodies that it needs as of the date hereof to conduct its business purpose as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except where the failure to have any such authorization, approval, order, license, certificate or permit would not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

2.14.2. Transactions Contemplated Herein. The Company has all corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions and conditions hereof, and all consents, authorizations, approvals and orders required in connection therewith have been obtained. No consent, authorization or order of, and no filing with, any court, government agency or other body is required for the valid issuance, sale and delivery of the Public Securities and the consummation of the transactions and

 

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agreements contemplated by this Agreement and the Representative’s Warrant Agreement and as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except with respect to applicable federal and state securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).

2.15 D&O Questionnaires. To the Company’s knowledge, all information contained in the questionnaires (the “Questionnaires”) completed by each of the Company’s directors and officers immediately prior to the Offering (the “Insiders”) as supplemented by all information concerning the Company’s directors, officers and principal shareholders as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, as well as in the Lock-Up Agreement (as defined in Section 2.26 below), provided to the Underwriters, is true and correct in all material respects and the Company has not become aware of any information which would cause the information disclosed in the Questionnaires to become materially inaccurate and incorrect.

2.16 Litigation; Governmental Proceedings. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, arbitration, investigation, litigation or governmental proceeding pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against, or involving the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any executive officer or director which has not been disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or in connection with the Company’s listing application for the listing of the Public Securities on the Exchange, except in each case for any such action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, arbitration, investigation, litigation or governmental proceeding that would not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

2.17 Good Standing. The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation and is in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware as of the date hereof, and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of business requires such qualification, except where the failure to qualify, singularly or in the aggregate, would not have or reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

2.18 Insurance. The Company carries or is entitled to the benefits of insurance, with reputable insurers, in such amounts and covering such risks which the Company believes are reasonably adequate, and all such insurance is in full force and effect. The Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able (i) to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such policies expire or (ii) to obtain comparable coverage from similar institutions as may be necessary or appropriate to conduct its business as now conducted and at a cost that would not result in a Material Adverse Change.

2.19 Transactions Affecting Disclosure to FINRA.

2.19.1. Finder’s Fees. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no claims, payments, arrangements, agreements or understandings relating to the payment of a finder’s, consulting or origination fee by the Company or any Insider with respect to the sale of the Public Securities hereunder or any other arrangements, agreements or understandings of the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its shareholders that may affect the Underwriters’ compensation, as determined by FINRA.

 

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2.19.2. Payments Within Twelve (12) Months. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has not made any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or otherwise) to: (i) any person, as a finder’s fee, consulting fee or otherwise, in consideration of such person raising capital for the Company or introducing to the Company persons who raised or provided capital to the Company; (ii) any FINRA member; or (iii) any person or entity that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member, within the twelve (12) months prior to the Effective Date, other than the payment to the Underwriters as provided hereunder in connection with the Offering.

2.19.3. Use of Proceeds. None of the net proceeds of the Offering will be paid by the Company to any participating FINRA member or its affiliates, except as specifically authorized herein.

2.19.4. FINRA Affiliation. There is no (i) officer or director of the Company, (ii) beneficial owner of 5% or more of any class of the Company's securities or (iii) beneficial owner of the Company's unregistered equity securities which were acquired during the 180-day period immediately preceding the filing of the Registration Statement that is an affiliate or associated person of a FINRA member participating in the Offering (as determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA).

2.19.5. Information. All information provided by the Company in its FINRA questionnaire to Representative Counsel specifically for use by Representative Counsel in connection with its Public Offering System filings (and related disclosure) with FINRA is true, correct and complete in all material respects.

2.20 Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. None of the Company and its Subsidiaries or, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company and its Subsidiaries or any other person acting on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries, has, directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any money, gift or similar benefit (other than legal price concessions to customers in the ordinary course of business) to any customer, supplier, employee or agent of a customer or supplier, or official or employee of any governmental agency or instrumentality of any government (domestic or foreign) or any political party or candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or other person who was, is, or may be in a position to help or hinder the business of the Company (or assist it in connection with any actual or proposed transaction) that (i) might subject the Company to any damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental litigation or proceeding, (ii) if not given in the past, might have had a Material Adverse Change or (iii) if not continued in the future, might adversely affect the assets, business, operations or prospects of the Company. The Company has taken reasonable steps to ensure that its accounting controls and procedures are sufficient to cause the Company to comply in all material respects with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

2.21 Compliance with OFAC. None of the Company and its Subsidiaries or, to the Company’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company and its Subsidiaries or any other person acting on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries, is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”), and the Company will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the Offering hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

 

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2.22 Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any Governmental Entity (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”); and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any Governmental Entity involving the Company with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened.

2.23 Regulatory. The clinical and preclinical studies conducted by or on behalf of the Company and its Subsidiaries that are described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or the results of which are referred to in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus were and, if still ongoing, are being conducted in material compliance with all applicable local, state, federal and foreign laws, rules and regulations including, but not limited to, the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and its applicable implementing regulations at 21 C.F.R. Parts 50, 54, 56, 58 and 312. The descriptions in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus of the results of such studies are accurate and complete in all material respects and fairly present the data derived from such studies. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has not received any written notices from the FDA, the European Medicines Agency (“EMA”) or any other governmental agency or authority (“Regulatory Authority”) imposing or requiring, termination or suspension of any clinical or preclinical studies that are described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or the results of which are referred to in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and neither the FDA nor any applicable foreign regulatory agency has commenced, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened to initiate, any action to place a clinical hold order on, or otherwise terminate, delay or suspend, any proposed or ongoing clinical investigation conducted or proposed to be conducted by or on behalf of the Company. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company has not received any written notices from the FDA, the EMA or any other governmental agency, and otherwise has no knowledge of, or reason to believe that any investigational new drug application for potential product of the Company is or has been terminated or suspended by the FDA.

2.24 Officers’ Certificate. Any certificate signed by any duly authorized officer of the Company and delivered to you or to Representative Counsel shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.

2.25 Lock-Up Agreements. Schedule 3 hereto contains a complete and accurate list of the Company’s officers, directors and each owner of at least 5% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible or exercisable into shares of Common Stock), as well as other holders of shares of Common Stock heretofore agreed upon between you and the Company (collectively, the “Lock-Up Parties”). The Company has caused each of the Lock-Up Parties to deliver to the Representative an executed Lock-Up Agreement, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Lock-Up Agreement”), prior to the execution of this Agreement.

 

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2.26 Subsidiaries. The Company has no Subsidiaries.

2.27 Related Party Transactions. There are no business relationships or related party transactions involving the Company or any other person required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus that have not been described as required.

2.28 Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of the Company is comprised of the persons set forth under the heading of the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus captioned “Management.” The qualifications of the persons serving as board members and the overall composition of the board comply with the Exchange Act, the Exchange Act Regulations, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules promulgated thereunder (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”) applicable to the Company and the listing rules of the Exchange. At least one member of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined under Regulation S-K and the listing rules of the Exchange. In addition, at least a majority of the persons serving on the Board of Directors qualify as “independent,” as defined under the listing rules of the Exchange.

2.29 Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance.

2.29.1. Disclosure Controls. The Company has established disclosure controls and procedures that will comply with Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 under the Exchange Act Regulations, and such controls and procedures are effective to ensure that all material information concerning the Company will be made known on a timely basis to the individuals responsible for the preparation of the Company’s Exchange Act filings and other public disclosure documents.

2.29.2. Compliance. The Company is, or at the Applicable Time and on the Closing Date will be, in material compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act applicable to it, and has implemented or will implement such programs and taken reasonable steps to ensure the Company’s future compliance (not later than the relevant statutory and regulatory deadlines therefor) with all of the material provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

2.30 Accounting Controls. The Company and its Subsidiaries maintain systems of “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined under Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Exchange Act Regulations) that have been designed by, or under the supervision of, their respective principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and are sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP, including, but not limited to, internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company is not aware of any material weaknesses in its internal controls. The Company’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company have been advised of: (i) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses, if

 

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any, in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are known to the Company’s management and that have adversely affected or are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’ ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (ii) any fraud, if any, known to the Company’s management, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

2.31 No Investment Company Status. The Company is not and, after giving effect to the Offering and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, will not be, required to register as an “investment company,” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

2.32 No Labor Disputes. No labor dispute with the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is imminent.

2.33 Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries owns or possesses or has valid rights to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, copyrights, licenses, inventions, trade secrets and similar rights (“Intellectual Property Rights”) reasonably necessary for the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently carried on and as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. To the knowledge of the Company, no action or use by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries necessary for the conduct of its business as currently carried on and as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus will involve or give rise to any infringement of, or license or similar fees for, any Intellectual Property Rights of others. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice alleging any such infringement, fee or conflict with asserted Intellectual Property Rights of others. Except as would not reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Change (A) to the knowledge of the Company, there is no infringement, misappropriation or violation by third parties of any of the Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company; (B) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the rights of the Company in or to any such Intellectual Property Rights, and the Company is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim, that would, individually or in the aggregate, together with any other claims in this Section 2.34, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; (C) the Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company and, to the knowledge of the Company, the Intellectual Property Rights licensed to the Company have not been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity or scope of any such Intellectual Property Rights, and the Company is unaware of any facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim that would, individually or in the aggregate, together with any other claims in this Section 2.34, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; (D) there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others that the Company infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates any Intellectual Property Rights or other proprietary rights of others, the Company has not received any written notice of such claim and the Company is unaware of any other facts which would form a reasonable basis for any such claim that would, individually or in the aggregate, together with any other claims in this Section 2.34, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; and (E) to the Company’s knowledge, no employee of the Company is in or has ever been in violation in any material respect of any term of any employment contract, patent disclosure agreement,

 

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invention assignment agreement, non-competition agreement, non-solicitation agreement, nondisclosure agreement or any restrictive covenant to or with a former employer where the basis of such violation relates to such employee’s employment with the Company, or actions undertaken by the employee while employed with the Company and could reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Change. To the Company’s knowledge, all material technical information developed by and belonging to the Company which has not been patented has been kept confidential. The Company is not a party to or bound by any options, licenses or agreements with respect to the Intellectual Property Rights of any other person or entity that are required to be set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and are not described therein. The Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus contain in all material respects the same description of the matters set forth in the preceding sentence. None of the technology employed by the Company has been obtained or is being used by the Company in violation of any contractual obligation binding on the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any of its officers, directors or employees, or otherwise in violation of the rights of any persons.

2.34 Taxes. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has filed all U.S. federal income tax returns required by law to have been filed with taxing authorities prior to the date hereof and has paid all taxes shown by such returns or otherwise assessed with respect to such returns which are due and payable, except those taxes which have been or will be contested by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been provided. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has filed all other tax returns that are required by law to have been filed by it, except for cases in which such failure, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect, and has paid all taxes due pursuant to such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by the Company or its Subsidiaries, except for cases in which such failure, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect or such taxes are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been provided. The provisions for taxes payable, if any, shown on the financial statements filed with or as part of the Registration Statement are sufficient for all accrued and unpaid taxes, whether or not disputed, and for all periods to and including the dates of such consolidated financial statements.

2.35 ERISA Compliance. The Company and any “employee benefit plan” (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (collectively, “ERISA”)) established or maintained by the Company or its “ERISA Affiliates” (as defined below) are in compliance in all material respects with ERISA. “ERISA Affiliate” means, with respect to the Company, any member of any group of organizations described in Sections 414(b),(c),(m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (the “Code”) of which the Company is a member. No “reportable event” (as defined under ERISA) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates. No “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates, if such “employee benefit plan” were terminated, would have any “amount of unfunded benefit liabilities” (as defined under ERISA). Neither the Company nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any material liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any “employee benefit plan” or (ii) Sections 412, 4971, 4975 or 4980B of the Code. Each “employee benefit plan” established or maintained by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and, to the knowledge of the Company, nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification.

 

 

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2.36 Compliance with Laws. The Company: (A) is and since January 1, 2010 has been in compliance with all statutes, rules, or regulations applicable to the ownership, testing, development, manufacture, packaging, processing, use, distribution, marketing, labeling, promotion, sale, offer for sale, storage, import, export or disposal of any product manufactured or distributed by the Company (“Applicable Laws”), except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change; (B) has not received any FDA Form 483, notice of adverse finding, warning letter, untitled letter or other similar correspondence or notice from the FDA or any other governmental authority alleging or asserting material noncompliance with any Applicable Laws or any licenses, certificates, approvals, clearances, authorizations, permits and supplements or amendments thereto required by any such Applicable Laws (“Authorizations”); (C) possesses all material Authorizations and such Authorizations are valid and in full force and effect and the Company is not in material violation of any term of any such Authorizations, in each case except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change; (D) has not received written notice of any claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration or other action from any governmental authority or third party alleging that any product operation or activity is in material violation of any Applicable Laws or Authorizations and has no knowledge that any such governmental authority or third party is considering any such claim, litigation, arbitration, action, suit, investigation or proceeding; (E) has not received written notice that any governmental authority has taken, is taking or intends to take action to limit, suspend, modify or revoke any Authorizations, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change, and has no knowledge that any such governmental authority is considering such action; and (F) has filed, obtained, maintained or submitted all material reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments as required by any Applicable Laws or Authorizations and that all such reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments were complete and correct on the date filed (or were corrected or supplemented by a subsequent submission), except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change.

2.37 Ineligible Issuer. At the time of filing the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the time of effectiveness of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or another offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) of the Securities Act Regulations) of the Public Securities and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405, without taking account of any determination by the Commission pursuant to Rule 405 that it is not necessary that the Company be considered an ineligible issuer.

2.38 Industry Data. The statistical and market-related data included in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company reasonably and in good faith believes are reliable and accurate or represent the Company’s good faith estimates that are made on the basis of data derived from such sources.

2.39 Emerging Growth Company. From the time of the initial confidential submission of the Registration Statement to the Commission (or, if earlier, the first date on which the

 

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Company engaged directly in or through any Person authorized to act on its behalf in any Testing-the-Waters Communication) through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an “emerging growth company,” as defined in Section 2(a) of the Securities Act (an “Emerging Growth Company”). “Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of the Securities Act.

2.40 Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company has not (i) alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communications, other than Testing-the-Waters Communications with the written consent of the Representative and with entities that are qualified institutional buyers within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act or institutions that are accredited investors within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act and (ii) authorized anyone other than the Representative to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company confirms that the Representative has been authorized to act on its behalf in undertaking Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company has not distributed any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications other than those listed on Schedule 2-C hereto. “Written Testing-the-Waters Communication” means any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

2.41 Electronic Road Show. The Company has made available a Bona Fide Electronic Road Show in compliance with Rule 433(d)(8)(ii) of the Securities Act Regulations such that no filing of any “road show” (as defined in Rule 433(h) of the Securities Act Regulations) is required in connection with the Offering.

2.42 Margin Securities. The Company owns no “margin securities” as that term is defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”), and none of the proceeds of Offering will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin security, for the purpose of reducing or retiring any indebtedness which was originally incurred to purchase or carry any margin security or for any other purpose which might cause any of the shares of Common Stock to be considered a “purpose credit” within the meanings of Regulation T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.

3. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees as follows:

3.1 Amendments to Registration Statement. The Company shall deliver to the Representative, prior to filing, any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus proposed to be filed after the Effective Date and not file any such amendment or supplement to which the Representative shall reasonably object in writing.

3.2 Federal Securities Laws.

3.2.1. Compliance. The Company, subject to Section 3.2.2, shall comply with the requirements of Rule 430A of the Securities Act Regulations, and will notify the Representative promptly, and confirm the notice in writing, (i) when any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement shall become effective or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus shall have been filed; (ii) of the receipt of any comments from the Commission; (iii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information; (iv) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment or of any order

 

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preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Public Securities and Representative’s Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes or of any examination pursuant to Section 8(d) or 8(e) of the Securities Act concerning the Registration Statement and (v) if the Company becomes the subject of a proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act in connection with the Offering of the Public Securities and Representative’s Securities. The Company shall effect all filings required under Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act Regulations, in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 424(b) (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8)), and shall take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the form of prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424(b) was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file such prospectus. The Company shall use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order, prevention or suspension and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.

3.2.2. Continued Compliance. The Company shall comply with the Securities Act, the Securities Act Regulations, the Exchange Act and the Exchange Act Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Public Securities as contemplated in this Agreement and in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. If at any time when a prospectus relating to the Public Securities is (or, but for the exception afforded by Rule 172 of the Securities Act Regulations (“Rule 172”), would be) required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Public Securities, any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters or for the Company, to (i) amend the Registration Statement in order that the Registration Statement will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; (ii) amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order that the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser or (iii) amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, as the case may be, in order to comply with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Securities Act Regulations, the Company will promptly (A) give the Representative notice of such event; (B) prepare any amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus comply with such requirements and, a reasonable amount of time prior to any proposed filing or use, furnish the Representative with copies of any such amendment or supplement and (C) file with the Commission any such amendment or supplement; provided that the Company shall not file or use any such amendment or supplement to which the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters shall reasonably object. The Company will furnish to the Underwriters such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request. The Company has given the Representative notice of any filings made pursuant to the Exchange Act or the Exchange Act Regulations within 48 hours prior to the Applicable Time. The Company shall give the Representative notice of its intention to make any such filing from the Applicable Time until the later of the Closing Date and the exercise in full or expiration of the Over-allotment Option specified in Section 1.2 hereof and will furnish the Representative with copies of the related document(s) a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such document to which the Representative or counsel for the Underwriters shall reasonably object.

 

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3.2.3. Exchange Act Registration. For a period of three (3) years after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall use its best efforts to maintain the registration of the shares of Common Stock under the Exchange Act. The Company shall not deregister the shares of Common Stock under the Exchange Act without the prior written consent of the Representative.

3.2.4. Free Writing Prospectuses. The Company agrees that, unless it obtains the prior written consent of the Representative, it shall not make any offer relating to the Public Securities that would constitute an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or that would otherwise constitute a “free writing prospectus,” or a portion thereof, required to be filed by the Company with the Commission or retained by the Company under Rule 433; provided that the Representative shall be deemed to have consented to each Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectus hereto and any “road show that is a written communication” within the meaning of Rule 433(d)(8)(i) that has been reviewed by the Representative. The Company represents that it has treated or agrees that it will treat each such free writing prospectus consented to, or deemed consented to, by the Underwriters as an “issuer free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 433, and that it has complied and will comply with the applicable requirements of Rule 433 with respect thereto, including timely filing with the Commission where required, legending and record keeping. If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company will promptly notify the Underwriters and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to eliminate or correct such conflict, untrue statement or omission.

3.2.5. Testing-the-Waters Communications. If at any time following the distribution of any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication there occurred or occurs an event or development as a result of which such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication included or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or would omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing at that subsequent time, not misleading, the Company shall promptly notify the Representative and shall promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication to eliminate or correct such untrue statement or omission.

3.3 Delivery to the Underwriters of Registration Statements. The Company has delivered or made available or shall deliver or make available to the Representative and counsel for the Representative, without charge, signed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith) and signed copies of all consents and certificates of experts, and will also deliver to the Underwriters, without charge, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for each of the Underwriters. The copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

3.4 Delivery to the Underwriters of Prospectuses. The Company has delivered or made available or will deliver or make available to each Underwriter, without charge, as many

 

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copies of each Preliminary Prospectus as such Underwriter reasonably requested, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the Securities Act. The Company will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, during the period when a prospectus relating to the Public Securities is (or, but for the exception afforded by Rule 172, would be) required to be delivered under the Securities Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as such Underwriter may reasonably request. The Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to the electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

3.5 Effectiveness and Events Requiring Notice to the Representative. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain effective with a current prospectus for at least nine (9) months after the Applicable Time, and shall notify the Representative immediately and confirm the notice in writing (which notice may be delivered via electronic mail): (i) of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto; (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of the initiation, or to the Company’s knowledge, the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iii) of the issuance by any state securities commission of any proceedings for the suspension of the qualification of the Public Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the initiation, or to the Company’s knowledge, the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iv) of the mailing and delivery to the Commission for filing of any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus; (v) of the receipt of any comments or request for any additional information from the Commission; and (vi) of the happening of any event during the period described in this Section 3.5 that, in the judgment of the Company, makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus untrue or that requires the making of any changes in (a) the Registration Statement in order to make the statements therein not misleading, or (b) in the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If the Commission or any state securities commission shall enter a stop order or suspend such qualification at any time, the Company shall make every reasonable effort to obtain promptly the lifting of such order.

3.6 Review of Financial Statements. For a period of five (5) years after the date of this Agreement, the Company, at its expense, shall cause its regularly engaged independent registered public accounting firm to review (but not audit) the Company’s financial statements for each of the three fiscal quarters immediately preceding the announcement of any quarterly financial information.

3.7 Listing. The Company shall use its best efforts to maintain the listing of the shares of Common Stock (including the Public Securities) on the Exchange for at least three years from the date of this Agreement.

3.8 Financial Public Relations Firm. As of the Effective Date, the Company shall have retained a financial public relations firm reasonably acceptable to the Representative and the Company, which shall initially be The Ruth Group, which firm shall be experienced in assisting issuers in initial public offerings of securities and in their relations with their security holders, and shall retain such firm or another firm reasonably acceptable to the Representative for a period of not less than two (2) years after the Effective Date.

3.9 Reports to the Representative.

3.9.1. Periodic Reports, etc. For a period of three (3) years after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall furnish to the Representative copies of such financial statements and other periodic and special reports as the Company from

 

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time to time furnishes generally to holders of any class of its securities and also promptly furnish to the Representative: (i) a copy of each periodic report the Company shall be required to file with the Commission under the Exchange Act and the Exchange Act Regulations; (ii) a copy of every press release and every news item and article with respect to the Company or its affairs which was released by the Company and filed or furnished on a Form 8-K; (iii) a copy of each Form 8-K prepared and filed by the Company; (iv) five copies of each registration statement filed by the Company under the Securities Act; and (v) such additional documents and information with respect to the Company and the affairs of any future subsidiaries of the Company as the Representative may from time to time reasonably request; provided the Representative shall sign, if requested by the Company, a Regulation FD compliant confidentiality agreement which is reasonably acceptable to the Representative and Representative Counsel in connection with the Representative’s receipt of such information. Documents filed with the Commission pursuant to its EDGAR system shall be deemed to have been delivered to the Representative pursuant to this Section 3.9.1.

3.9.2. Transfer Agent; Transfer Sheets. For a period of three (3) years after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall retain a transfer agent and registrar acceptable to the Representative (the “Transfer Agent”) and shall furnish to the Representative at the Company’s sole cost and expense such transfer sheets of the Company’s securities as the Representative may reasonably request, including the daily and monthly consolidated transfer sheets of the Transfer Agent and DTC. American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC is acceptable to the Representative to act as Transfer Agent for the shares of Common Stock.

3.9.3. Trading Reports. During such time as the Public Securities are listed on the Exchange, the Company shall provide to the Representative, at the Company’s expense, such reports published by Exchange relating to price trading of the Public Securities, as the Representative shall reasonably request.

3.10 Payment of Expenses

3.10.1. General Expenses Related to the Offering. The Company hereby agrees to pay on each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, to the extent not paid at the Closing Date, all expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement, including, but not limited to: (a) all filing fees and communication expenses relating to the registration of the shares of Common Stock to be sold in the Offering (including the Over-allotment Shares) with the Commission; (b) all Public Filing System filing fees associated with the review of the Offering by FINRA; (c) all fees and expenses relating to the listing of such Public Securities on the Exchange and such other stock exchanges as the Company and the Representative together determine; (d) all fees, expenses and disbursements relating to background checks of the Company’s officers and directors in an amount not to exceed $5,000 per individual; (e) all fees, reasonable expenses and disbursements relating to the registration or qualification of the Public Securities under the “blue sky” securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably designate (including, without limitation, all filing and registration fees, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of “blue sky” counsel in an amount not to exceed $10,000); (f) all fees, reasonable expenses and disbursements relating to the registration, qualification or exemption of the Public Securities under the securities

 

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laws of such foreign jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably designate; (g) the costs of all mailing and printing of the underwriting documents (including, without limitation, the Underwriting Agreement, any Blue Sky Surveys and, if appropriate, any Agreement Among Underwriters, Selected Dealers’ Agreement, Underwriters’ Questionnaire and Power of Attorney), Registration Statements, Prospectuses and all amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto and as many preliminary and final Prospectuses as the Representative may reasonably deem necessary; (h) the costs and expenses of a public relations firm; (i) the costs of preparing, printing and delivering certificates representing the Public Securities; (j) fees and expenses of the transfer agent for the shares of Common Stock; (k) stock transfer and/or stamp taxes, if any, payable upon the transfer of securities from the Company to the Underwriters; (l) the fees and expenses of the Company’s accountants; (m) the fees and expenses of the Company’s legal counsel and other agents and representatives; (n) the $21,775 cost associated with the Underwriter’s use of Ipreo’s book-building, prospectus tracking and compliance software for the Offering; and (o) up to $20,000 of the Underwriter’s actual accountable “road show” expenses for the Offering. Except as provided for in this Agreement, the Underwriters shall bear the costs and expenses incurred by them in connection with the sale of the Firm Shares and Option Shares and the transactions contemplated thereby.

3.10.2. Non-accountable Expenses. The Company further agrees that, in addition to the expenses payable pursuant to Section 3.10.1, on the Closing Date it shall pay to the Representative, by deduction from the net proceeds of the Offering contemplated herein, a non-accountable expense allowance equal to one percent (1%) of the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Firm Shares (excluding the Option Shares), less the Advance (as such term is defined in Section 8.3 hereof), provided, however, that in the event that the Offering is terminated, the Company agrees to reimburse the Underwriters pursuant to Section 8.3 hereof.

3.11 Application of Net Proceeds. The Company shall apply the net proceeds from the Offering received by it in a manner consistent with the application thereof described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

3.12 Delivery of Earnings Statements to Security Holders. The Company shall make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but not later than the first day of the fifteenth (15th) full calendar month following the date of this Agreement, an earnings statement (which need not be certified by independent registered public accounting firm unless required by the Securities Act or the Securities Act Regulations, but which shall satisfy the provisions of Rule 158(a) under Section 11(a) of the Securities Act) covering a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months beginning after the date of this Agreement.

3.13 Stabilization. Neither the Company nor, to its knowledge, any of its employees, directors or shareholders (without the consent of the Representative) has taken or shall take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under Regulation M of the Exchange Act, or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Public Securities.

3.14 Internal Controls. The Company shall maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are

 

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recorded as necessary in order to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

3.15 Accountants. As of the date of this Agreement, the Company shall retain an independent registered public accounting firm reasonably acceptable to the Representative, and the Company shall continue to retain a nationally recognized independent registered public accounting firm for a period of at least three (3) years after the date of this Agreement. The Representative acknowledges that the Auditor is acceptable to the Representative.

3.16 FINRA. The Company shall advise the Representative (who shall make an appropriate filing with FINRA) if it is or becomes aware that (i) any officer or director of the Company, (ii) any beneficial owner of 5% or more of any class of the Company's securities or (iii) any beneficial owner of the Company's unregistered equity securities which were acquired during the 180 days immediately preceding the filing of the Registration Statement is or becomes an affiliate or associated person of a FINRA member participating in the Offering (as determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA).

3.17 No Fiduciary Duties. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters’ responsibility to the Company is solely contractual in nature and that none of the Underwriters or their affiliates or any selling agent shall be deemed to be acting in a fiduciary capacity, or otherwise owes any fiduciary duty to the Company or any of its affiliates in connection with the Offering and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

3.18 Company Lock-Up Agreements.

3.18.1. Restriction on Sales of Capital Stock. The Company, on behalf of itself and any successor entity, agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Representative, it will not, for a period of 180 days after the date of this Agreement (the “Lock-Up Period”), (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company; (ii) file or cause to be filed any registration statement with the Commission relating to the offering of any shares of capital stock of the Company or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company; or (iii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of capital stock of the Company, whether any such transaction described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above is to be settled by delivery of shares of capital stock of the Company or such other securities, in cash or otherwise.

The restrictions contained in this Section 3.18.1 shall not apply to (i) the shares of Common Stock to be sold hereunder, (ii) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of a stock option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof, of which the Representative has been advised in writing, (iii) the issuance by the Company of stock options or shares of capital stock of the Company under any equity compensation plan or employee stock purchase plan of the Company, or (iv) the filing by the Company of any registration statement on Form S-8 relating to shares of Common Stock granted under any equity compensation plan or employee stock purchase plan.

 

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3.19 Release of D&O Lock-up Period. If the Representative, in its sole discretion, agrees to release or waive the restrictions set forth in the Lock-Up Agreements described in Section 2.26 hereof for an officer or director of the Company and provide the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three (3) Business Days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto through a major news service at least two (2) Business Days before the effective date of the release or waiver.

3.20 Blue Sky Qualifications. The Company shall use its best efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, if necessary, to qualify the Public Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as the Representative may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect so long as required to complete the distribution of the Public Securities; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.

3.21 Reporting Requirements. The Company, during the period when a prospectus relating to the Public Securities is (or, but for the exception afforded by Rule 172, would be) required to be delivered under the Securities Act, will file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act within the time periods required by the Exchange Act and Exchange Act Regulations. Additionally, the Company shall report the use of proceeds from the issuance of the Public Securities as may be required under Rule 463 under the Securities Act Regulations.

3.22 Emerging Growth Company Status. The Company shall promptly notify the Representative if the Company ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company at any time prior to the later of (i) completion of the distribution of the Public Securities within the meaning of the Securities Act and (ii) fifteen (15) days following the completion of the Lock-Up Period.

4. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Public Securities, as provided herein, shall be subject to (i) the continuing accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company as of the date hereof and as of each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any; (ii) the accuracy of the statements of officers of the Company made pursuant to the provisions hereof; (iii) the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder; and (iv) the following conditions:

4.1 Regulatory Matters.

4.1.1. Effectiveness of Registration Statement; Rule 430A Information. The Registration Statement has become effective not later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the date of this Agreement or such later date and time as shall be consented to in writing by you, and, at each of the Closing Date and any Option Closing Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has been issued under the Securities Act, no order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus has been issued and no proceedings for any of those purposes have been instituted or are pending or, to the Company’s knowledge,

 

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contemplated by the Commission. The Company has complied with each request (if any) from the Commission for additional information. The Prospectus containing the Rule 430A Information shall have been filed with the Commission in the manner and within the time frame required by Rule 424(b) (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8)) or a post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been filed with, and declared effective by, the Commission in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A.

4.1.2. FINRA Clearance. On or before the date of this Agreement, the Representative shall have received clearance from FINRA as to the amount of compensation allowable or payable to the Underwriters as described in the Registration Statement.

4.1.3. Exchange Stock Market Clearance. On the Closing Date, the Company’s shares of Common Stock, including the Firm Shares, shall have been approved for listing on the Exchange, subject only to official notice of issuance. On the first Option Closing Date (if any), the Company’s shares of Common Stock, including the Option Shares, shall have been approved for listing on the Exchange, subject only to official notice of issuance.

4.2 Company Counsel Matters.

4.2.1. Closing Date Opinion of Counsel. On the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion of Latham &Watkins LLP, counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Representative, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative.

4.2.2. Opinion of Special Intellectual Property Counsel for the Company. On the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received the opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, special intellectual property counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Representative in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative.

4.2.3. Option Closing Date Opinions of Counsel. On the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinions of each counsel listed in Sections 4.2.1 and 4.2.2, dated the Option Closing Date, addressed to the Representative and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative, confirming as of the Option Closing Date, the statements made by such counsels in their respective opinions delivered on the Closing Date.

4.2.4. Reliance. In rendering such opinions, such counsel may rely: (i) as to matters involving the application of laws other than the laws of the United States and jurisdictions in which they are admitted, to the extent such counsel deems proper and to the extent specified in such opinion, if at all, upon an opinion or opinions (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative) of other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Representative, familiar with the applicable laws; and (ii) as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates or other written statements of officers of the Company and officers of departments of various jurisdictions having custody of documents respecting the corporate existence or good standing of the Company, provided that copies of any such statements or certificates shall be delivered to Representative Counsel if requested. The opinion of Latham &Watkins LLP and any opinion relied upon by Latham &Watkins LLP shall include a statement to the effect that it may be relied upon by Representative Counsel in its opinion delivered to the Underwriters.

 

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4.3 Comfort Letters.

4.3.1. Cold Comfort Letter. At the time this Agreement is executed you shall have received a cold comfort letter containing statements and information of the type customarily included in accountants’ comfort letters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, addressed to the Representative and in form and substance satisfactory in all respects to you and to the Auditor, dated as of the date of this Agreement.

4.3.2. Bring-down Comfort Letter. At each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received from the Auditor a letter, dated as of the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable, to the effect that the Auditor reaffirms the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to Section 4.3.1, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three (3) business days prior to the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as applicable.

4.4 Officers’ Certificates.

4.4.1. Officers’ Certificate. The Company shall have furnished to the Representative a certificate, dated the Closing Date and any Option Closing Date (if such date is other than the Closing Date), of its Executive Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President and its Chief Business Officer stating that (i) such officers have carefully examined the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and, in their opinion, the Registration Statement and each amendment thereto, as of the Applicable Time and as of the Closing Date (or any Option Closing Date if such date is other than the Closing Date) did not include any untrue statement of a material fact and did not omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time and as of the Closing Date (or any Option Closing Date if such date is other than the Closing Date), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as of its date and as of the Closing Date (or any Option Closing Date if such date is other than the Closing Date), the Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto, as of the respective date thereof and as of the Closing Date, did not include any untrue statement of a material fact and did not omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, (ii) since the effective date of the Registration Statement, no event has occurred which should have been set forth in a supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, (iii) to the best of their knowledge after reasonable investigation, as of the Closing Date (or any Option Closing Date if such date is other than the Closing Date), the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct and the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date (or any Option Closing Date if such date is other than the Closing Date), and (iv) there has not been, subsequent to the date of the most recent audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Pricing Disclosure Package, any material adverse change in the financial position or results of operations of the Company, or any change or development that, singularly or in the aggregate, would involve a material adverse change or a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, business, assets or prospects of the Company, except as set forth in the Prospectus.

 

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4.4.2. Secretary’s Certificate. At each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Secretary of the Company, dated the Closing Date or the Option Date, as the case may be, respectively, certifying: (i) that each of the Charter and Bylaws is true and complete, has not been modified and is in full force and effect; (ii) that the resolutions of the Company’s Board of Directors relating to the Offering are in full force and effect and have not been modified; (iii) as to the accuracy and completeness of all correspondence between the Company or its counsel and the Commission; and (iv) as to the incumbency of the officers of the Company. The documents referred to in such certificate shall be attached to such certificate.

4.5 No Material Changes. Prior to and on each of the Closing Date and each Option Closing Date, if any: (i) there shall have been no material adverse change or development involving a prospective material adverse change in the condition or prospects or the business activities, financial or otherwise, of the Company from the latest dates as of which such condition is set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; (ii) no action, suit or proceeding, at law or in equity, shall have been pending or threatened against the Company or any Insider before or by any court or federal or state commission, board or other administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding may materially adversely affect the business, operations, prospects or financial condition or income of the Company, except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; (iii) no stop order shall have been issued under the Securities Act and no proceedings therefor shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and (iv) the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto shall contain all material statements which are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations and shall conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations, and neither the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package nor the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

4.6 Delivery of Agreements.

4.6.1. Lock-Up Agreements. On or before the date of this Agreement, the Company shall have delivered to the Representative executed copies of the Lock-Up Agreements from each of the persons listed in Schedule 3 hereto.

4.6.2. Representative’s Warrant Agreement. On the Closing Date, the Company shall have delivered to the Representative executed copies of the Representative’s Warrant Agreement.

4.7 Additional Documents. At the Closing Date and at each Option Closing Date (if any) Representative Counsel shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling Representative Counsel to deliver an opinion to the Underwriters, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Public Securities and the Representative’s Securities as herein contemplated shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representative and Representative Counsel.

 

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5. Indemnification.

5.1 Indemnification of the Underwriters.

5.1.1. General. Subject to the conditions set forth below, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates and each of its and their respective directors, officers, members, employees, representatives and agents and each person, if any, who controls any such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively the “Underwriter Indemnified Parties,” and each an “Underwriter Indemnified Party”), against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including but not limited to any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, whether arising out of any action between any of the Underwriter Indemnified Parties and the Company or between any of the Underwriter Indemnified Parties and any third party, or otherwise) to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other statute or at common law or otherwise or under the laws of foreign countries, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in (i) the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus, in any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or in any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication (as from time to time each may be amended and supplemented); (ii) any materials or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, the Company in connection with the marketing of the Offering, including any “road show” or investor presentations made to investors by the Company (whether in person or electronically); or (iii) any application or other document or written communication (in this Section 5, collectively called “application”) executed by the Company or based upon written information furnished by the Company in any jurisdiction in order to qualify the Public Securities and Representative’s Securities under the securities laws thereof or filed with the Commission, any state securities commission or agency, the Exchange or any other national securities exchange; or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, the Underwriters’ Information. With respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the Pricing Disclosure Package, the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 5.1.1 shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter Indemnified Party to the extent that any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense of such Underwriter Indemnified Party results from the fact that a copy of the Prospectus was not given or sent to the person asserting any such loss, liability, claim or damage at or prior to the written confirmation of sale of the Public Securities to such person as required by the Securities Act and the Securities Act Regulations, and if the untrue statement or omission has been corrected in the Prospectus, unless such failure to deliver the Prospectus was a result of non-compliance by the Company with its obligations under Section 3.3 hereof.

5.1.2. Procedure. If any action is brought against an Underwriter Indemnified Party in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to Section 5.1.1, such Underwriter Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the institution of such action and the Company shall assume the defense of such action, including the employment and fees of counsel (subject to the reasonable approval of such Underwriter Indemnified Party) and payment of actual expenses. Such Underwriter Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ its or their

 

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own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter Indemnified Party unless (i) the employment of such counsel at the expense of the Company shall have been authorized in writing by the Company in connection with the defense of such action, or (ii) the Company shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action, or (iii) such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to the Company (in which case the Company shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one additional firm of attorneys selected by the Underwriter Indemnified Party (in addition to local counsel) shall be borne by the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if any Underwriter Indemnified Party shall assume the defense of such action as provided above, the Company shall have the right to approve the terms of any settlement of such action, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

5.2 Indemnification of the Company. Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, its officers who signed the Registration Statement and persons who control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the foregoing indemnity from the Company to the several Underwriters, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions made in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any application, in reliance upon, and in strict conformity with, the Underwriters’ Information. In case any action shall be brought against the Company or any other person so indemnified based on any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or any application, and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter, such Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the Company and each other person so indemnified shall have the rights and duties given to the several Underwriters by the provisions of Section 5.1.2. The Company agrees promptly to notify the Representative of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Company or any of its officers, directors or any person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, in connection with the issuance and sale of the Public Securities or in connection with the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication.

5.3 Contribution.

5.3.1. Contribution Rights. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 shall for any reason be unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under Section 5.1 or 5.2 in respect of any loss, claim, damage or liability, or any action in respect thereof, referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, (i) in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, from the Offering of the Public Securities, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand,

 

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and the Underwriters, on the other, with respect to the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other, with respect to such Offering shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the Offering of the Public Securities purchased under this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus, on the one hand, and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters with respect to the shares of the Common Stock purchased under this Agreement, as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus, on the other hand. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Underwriters, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 5.3.1 were to be determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to herein. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, referred to above in this Section 5.3.1 shall be deemed to include, for purposes of this Section 5.3.1, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5.3.1 in no event shall an Underwriter be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by such Underwriter with respect to the Offering of the Public Securities exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

5.3.2. Contribution Procedure. Within fifteen (15) days after receipt by any party to this Agreement (or its representative) of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, such party will, if a claim for contribution in respect thereof is to be made against another party (“contributing party”), notify the contributing party of the commencement thereof, but the failure to so notify the contributing party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any other party other than for contribution hereunder. In case any such action, suit or proceeding is brought against any party, and such party notifies a contributing party or its representative of the commencement thereof within the aforesaid 15 days, the contributing party will be entitled to participate therein with the notifying party and any other contributing party similarly notified. Any such contributing party shall not be liable to any party seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding affected by such party seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding affected by such party seeking contribution without the written consent of such contributing party. The contribution provisions contained in this Section 5.3.2 are intended to supersede, to the extent permitted by law, any right to contribution under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise available. Each Underwriter’s obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5.3 are several and not joint.

 

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6. Default by an Underwriter.

6.1 Default Not Exceeding 10% of Firm Shares or Option Shares. If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall default in its or their obligations to purchase the Firm Shares or the Option Shares, if the Over-allotment Option is exercised hereunder, and if the number of the Firm Shares or Option Shares with respect to which such default relates does not exceed in the aggregate 10% of the number of Firm Shares or Option Shares that all Underwriters have agreed to purchase hereunder, then such Firm Shares or Option Shares to which the default relates shall be purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters in proportion to their respective commitments hereunder.

6.2 Default Exceeding 10% of Firm Shares or Option Shares. In the event that the default addressed in Section 6.1 relates to more than 10% of the Firm Shares or Option Shares, you may in your discretion arrange for yourself or for another party or parties to purchase such Firm Shares or Option Shares to which such default relates on the terms contained herein. If, within one (1) Business Day after such default relating to more than 10% of the Firm Shares or Option Shares, you do not arrange for the purchase of such Firm Shares or Option Shares, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of one (1) Business Day within which to procure another party or parties satisfactory to you to purchase said Firm Shares or Option Shares on such terms. In the event that neither you nor the Company arrange for the purchase of the Firm Shares or Option Shares to which a default relates as provided in this Section 6, this Agreement will automatically be terminated by you or the Company without liability on the part of the Company (except as provided in Sections 3.9 and 5 hereof) or the several Underwriters (except as provided in Section 5 hereof); provided, however, that if such default occurs with respect to the Option Shares, this Agreement will not terminate as to the Firm Shares; and provided, further, that nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the other Underwriters and to the Company for damages occasioned by its default hereunder.

6.3 Postponement of Closing Date. In the event that the Firm Shares or Option Shares to which the default relates are to be purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters, or are to be purchased by another party or parties as aforesaid, you or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date or Option Closing Date for a reasonable period, but not in any event exceeding five (5) Business Days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or in any other documents and arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendment to the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus that in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriter may thereby be made necessary. The term “Underwriter” as used in this Agreement shall include any party substituted under this Section 6 with like effect as if it had originally been a party to this Agreement with respect to such shares of Common Stock.

7. Additional Covenants.

7.1 Board Composition and Board Designations. The Company shall ensure that: (i) the qualifications of the persons serving as members of the Board of Directors and the overall composition of the Board comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, with the Exchange Act and with the listing rules of the Exchange or any other national securities exchange, as the case may be, in the event the Company seeks to have its Public Securities listed on another exchange or quoted on an automated quotation system, and (ii) if applicable, at least one member of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined under Regulation S-K and the listing rules of the Exchange.

 

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7.2 Prohibition on Press Releases and Public Announcements. The Company shall not issue press releases or engage in any other publicity, without the Representative’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), for a period ending at 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the first (1st) Business Day following the forty-fifth (45th) day after the Closing Date, other than normal and customary releases issued in the ordinary course of the Company’s business.

7.3 Right of First Refusal. Provided that the Firm Shares are sold in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Representative shall have an irrevocable right of first refusal (the “Right of First Refusal”), for a period of eight (8) months after the date of effectiveness, to act as lead or managing underwriter on the Representative’s customary terms and conditions, in the event the Company or any Subsidiary retains or otherwise uses (or seeks to retain or use) the services of an investment bank or similar financial advisor to pursue a registered, underwritten public offering of equity securities (in addition to the Offering), (a “Subject Transaction”). The Company shall notify the Representative of its intention to pursue a Subject Transaction, including the material terms thereof, by providing written notice thereof by registered mail or overnight courier service addressed to the Representative. If the Representative fails to exercise its Right of First Refusal with respect to any Subject Transaction within ten (10) Business Days after the mailing of such written notice, then the Representative shall have no further claim or right with respect to the Subject Transaction. The Representative may elect, in its sole and absolute discretion, not to exercise its Right of First Refusal with respect to any Subject Transaction; provided that any such election by the Representative shall not adversely affect the Representative’s Right of First Refusal with respect to any other Subject Transaction. The terms and conditions of any such engagements shall be set forth in separate agreements and may be subject to, among other things, satisfactory completion of due diligence by the Representative, market conditions, the absence of a material adverse change to the Company’s business, financial condition and prospects, approval of the Representative’s internal committee and any other conditions that the Representative may deem appropriate for transactions of such nature. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Representative shall be entitled to receive as its compensation at least 50% of the compensation payable to the underwriting group when serving as co-manager and at least 33% of the compensation payable to the underwriting group when serving as co-manager with respect to a proposed financing in which there are three co-managing or lead underwriters.

8. Effective Date of this Agreement and Termination Thereof.

8.1 Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective when both the Company and the Representative have executed the same and delivered counterparts of such signatures to the other party.

8.2 Termination. The Representative shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time prior to any Closing Date, (i) if any domestic or international event or act or occurrence has materially disrupted, or in your opinion will in the immediate future materially disrupt, general securities markets in the United States; or (ii) if trading on the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC shall have been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required by FINRA or by order of the Commission or any other government authority having jurisdiction; or (iii) if the United States shall have

 

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become involved in a new war or an increase in major hostilities; or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by a New York State or federal authority; or (v) if a moratorium on foreign exchange trading has been declared which materially adversely impacts the United States securities markets; or (vi) if the Company shall have sustained a material loss by fire, flood, accident, hurricane, earthquake, theft, sabotage or other calamity or malicious act which, whether or not such loss shall have been insured, will, in your opinion, make it inadvisable to proceed with the delivery of the Firm Shares or Option Shares; or (vii) if the Company is in material breach of any of its representations, warranties or covenants hereunder; or (viii) if the Representative shall have become aware after the date hereof of such a material adverse change in the conditions or prospects of the Company, or such adverse material change in general market conditions as in the Representative’s judgment would make it impracticable to proceed with the offering, sale and/or delivery of the Public Securities or to enforce contracts made by the Underwriters for the sale of the Public Securities.

8.3 Expenses. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, except in the case of a default by the Underwriters, pursuant to Section 6.2 above, in the event that this Agreement shall not be carried out for any reason whatsoever, within the time specified herein or any extensions thereof pursuant to the terms herein, the Company shall be obligated to pay to the Underwriters their actual and accountable out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred and related to the transactions contemplated herein then due and payable up to $100,000, inclusive of the $25,000 advance for accountable expenses previously paid by the Company to the Representative (the “Advance”) and reasonably promptly following such demand the Company shall pay the full amount thereof to the Representative on behalf of the Underwriters; provided, however, that such expense cap in no way limits or impairs the indemnification and contribution provisions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any advance received by the Representative will be reimbursed to the Company to the extent not actually incurred in compliance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(C).

8.4 Indemnification. Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this Agreement, any election hereunder or any termination of this Agreement, and whether or not this Agreement is otherwise carried out, the provisions of Section 5 shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be in any way affected by, such election or termination or failure to carry out the terms of this Agreement or any part hereof.

8.5 Representations, Warranties, Agreements to Survive. All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company submitted pursuant hereto, shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or its Affiliates or selling agents, any person controlling any Underwriter, its officers or directors or any person controlling the Company or (ii) delivery of and payment for the Public Securities.

9. Miscellaneous.

9.1 Notices. All communications hereunder, except as herein otherwise specifically provided, shall be in writing and shall be mailed (registered or certified mail, return receipt requested), personally delivered or sent by facsimile transmission and confirmed and shall be deemed given when so delivered or faxed and confirmed or if mailed, two (2) days after such mailing.

 

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If to the Representative:

Aegis Capital Corp.

810 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor

New York, New York 10019

Attn: Mr. David Bocchi, Managing Director of Investment Banking

Fax No.: (212) 813-1047

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

Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP

61 Broadway, 32nd Floor

New York, NY 10006

Attn: Jeffrey Fessler, Esq.

Fax No.: 212-930-9725

If to the Company:

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

12555 High Bluff Drive, Suite 385

San Diego, CA 92130

Attention: David A Gonyer, President and Chief Executive Officer

Fax No: []

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

Latham & Watkins LLP

12636 High Bluff Drive, Suite 400

San Diego, CA 92130

Attention: Cheston J. Larson, Esq.

Fax No: (858) 523-5450

9.2 Headings. The headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of convenience of reference, and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement.

9.3 Amendment. This Agreement may only be amended by a written instrument executed by each of the parties hereto.

9.4 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the other agreements and documents being delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the parties, oral and written, with respect to the subject matter hereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, it is understood and agreed by the parties hereto that all other terms and conditions of that certain engagement letter between the Company and Aegis Capital Corp., dated March 26, 2013, shall remain in full force and effect; provided, however, the terms of this Agreement shall supersede any conflicting terms in such engagement letter.

9.5 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Representative, the Underwriters, the Company and the controlling persons, directors and officers referred to in Section 5 hereof, and their respective successors, legal

 

- 35 -


representatives, heirs and assigns, and no other person shall have or be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of or by virtue of this Agreement or any provisions herein contained. The term “successors and assigns” shall not include a purchaser, in its capacity as such, of securities from any of the Underwriters.

9.6 Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Trial by Jury. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflict of laws principles thereof. The Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of, or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. Any such process or summons to be served upon the Company may be served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the address set forth in Section 9.1 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service and shall be legal and binding upon the Company in any action, proceeding or claim. The Company agrees that the prevailing party(ies) in any such action shall be entitled to recover from the other party(ies) all of its reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to such action or proceeding and/or incurred in connection with the preparation therefor. The Company (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) and each of the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

9.7 Execution in Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts has been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of a signed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile or email/pdf transmission shall constitute valid and sufficient delivery thereof.

9.8 Waiver, etc. The failure of any of the parties hereto to at any time enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of any such provision, nor to in any way effect the validity of this Agreement or any provision hereof or the right of any of the parties hereto to thereafter enforce each and every provision of this Agreement. No waiver of any breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed by the party or parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought; and no waiver of any such breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

- 36 -


If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Underwriters and the Company, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between us.

 

Very truly yours,
EVOKE PHARMA, INC.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

Confirmed as of the date first written

above mentioned, on behalf of itself and as

Representative of the several Underwriters

named on Schedule 1 hereto:

 

AEGIS CAPITAL CORP.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

[SIGNATURE PAGE]

EVOKE PHARMA – UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT


SCHEDULE 1

 

Underwriter   

Total Number of

Firm Shares to
be Purchased

   Number of Additional
Shares to be Purchased if
the Over-Allotment  Option
is Fully Exercised

Aegis Capital Corp.

     

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.

     

Feltl and Company

     
     
     
     
     
     
  

 

  

 

TOTAL

     
  

 

  

 

 

 

Sch. 1-1


SCHEDULE 2-A

Pricing Information

Number of Firm Shares: []

Number of Option Shares: []

Public Offering Price per Share: $[]

Underwriting Discount per Share: $[]

Underwriting Non-accountable expense allowance per Share: $[]

Proceeds to Company per Share (before expenses): $[]

SCHEDULE 2-B

Issuer General Use Free Writing Prospectuses

[None.]

SCHEDULE 2-C

Written Testing-the-Waters Communications

[None.]

 

Sch. 2-1


SCHEDULE 3

List of Lock-Up Parties

David A. Gonyer, R.Ph.

Matthew J. D'Onofrio

Kenneth J. Widder, M.D.

Todd C. Brady, M.D., Ph.D.

Cam L. Garner

Malcolm R. Hill, Pharm.D.

Scott L. Glenn

Ann D. Rhoads

David F. Hale

Adam K. Simpson

Carol A. Marsh

Michael Trinkle

Raymond and Lynn Fentress

John and Leslie Harrison

LVP GP III, LLC

Domain Associates, L.L.C.

Stephen F. Gallagher

Michael J. Pollock

Adam Cohen

Larry Tiffany

Ken Wormser

David Parks

Roey Eyal

Cam Gallagher

Nerveda, Inc.

VP Company Investments 2008, LLC

Scott N. Wolfe

Faye Hunter Trust U/T/D 7/11/88

Cheston J. Larson

Matthew T. Bush

WS Investment Company, LLC (2010A)

 

Sch. 3-1


EXHIBIT A

Form of Representative’s Warrant Agreement

THE REGISTERED HOLDER OF THIS PURCHASE WARRANT BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT SELL, TRANSFER OR ASSIGN THIS PURCHASE WARRANT EXCEPT AS HEREIN PROVIDED AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER OF THIS PURCHASE WARRANT AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT SELL, TRANSFER, ASSIGN, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATE THIS PURCHASE WARRANT FOR A PERIOD OF ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DAYS FOLLOWING THE EFFECTIVE DATE (DEFINED BELOW) TO ANYONE OTHER THAN (I) AEGIS CAPITAL CORP. OR AN UNDERWRITER OR A SELECTED DEALER IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING, OR (II) A BONA FIDE OFFICER OR PARTNER OF AEGIS CAPITAL CORP. OR OF ANY SUCH UNDERWRITER OR SELECTED DEALER.

THIS PURCHASE WARRANT IS NOT EXERCISABLE PRIOR TO [                    ] [DATE THAT IS ONE YEAR FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE OFFERING]. VOID AFTER 5:00 P.M., EASTERN TIME, [                    ] [DATE THAT IS FIVE YEARS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE OFFERING].

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT

For the Purchase of [                ] Shares of Common Stock

of

[COMPANY]

1. Purchase Warrant. THIS CERTIFIES THAT, in consideration of funds duly paid by or on behalf of Aegis Capital Corp. (“Holder”), as registered owner of this Purchase Warrant, to [COMPANY], a [STATE OF INCORPORATION] corporation (the “Company”), Holder is entitled, at any time or from time to time from [                    ] [DATE THAT IS ONE YEAR FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE OFFERING] (the “Commencement Date”), and at or before 5:00      p.m.,      Eastern time, [                    ] [DATE THAT IS FIVE YEARS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE OFFERING] (the “Expiration Date”), but not thereafter, to subscribe for, purchase and receive, in whole or in part, up to [                ] shares of common stock of the Company, par value $[] per share (the “Shares”), subject to adjustment as provided in Section 6 hereof. If the Expiration Date is a day on which banking institutions are authorized by law to close, then this Purchase Warrant may be exercised on the next succeeding day which is not such a day in accordance with the terms herein. During the period ending on the Expiration Date, the Company agrees not to take any action that would terminate this Purchase Warrant. This Purchase Warrant is initially exercisable at $[        ] per Share [175% of the price of the Shares sold in the Offering]; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 6 hereof, the rights granted by this Purchase Warrant, including the exercise price per Share and the number of Shares to be received upon such exercise, shall be adjusted as therein specified. The term “Exercise Price” shall mean the initial exercise price or the adjusted exercise price, depending on the context.

 

Ex. A-1


2. Exercise.

2.1 Exercise Form. In order to exercise this Purchase Warrant, the exercise form attached hereto must be duly executed and completed and delivered to the Company, together with this Purchase Warrant and payment of the Exercise Price for the Shares being purchased payable in cash by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Company or by certified check or official bank check. If the subscription rights represented hereby shall not be exercised at or before 5:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the Expiration Date, this Purchase Warrant shall become and be void without further force or effect, and all rights represented hereby shall cease and expire.

2.2 Cashless Exercise. If at any time after the Commencement Date there is no effective registration statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the Shares by the Holder, then in lieu of exercising this Purchase Warrant by payment of cash or check payable to the order of the Company pursuant to Section 2.1 above, Holder may elect to receive the number of Shares equal to the value of this Purchase Warrant (or the portion thereof being exercised), by surrender of this Purchase Warrant to the Company, together with the exercise form attached hereto, in which event the issue to Holder, Shares in accordance with the following formula:

 

   

Y(A-B)

X

  =   A

Where,

 

X

  =   The number of Shares to be issued to Holder;

Y

  =   The number of Shares for which the Purchase Warrant is being exercised;

A

  =   The fair market value of one Share; and

B

  =   The Exercise Price.

For purposes of this Section 2.2, the fair market value of a Share is defined as follows:

 

  (i) if the Company’s common stock is traded on a securities exchange, the value shall be deemed to be the closing price on such exchange prior to the exercise form being submitted in connection with the exercise of the Purchase Warrant; or

 

  (ii) if the Company’s common stock is actively traded over-the-counter, the value shall be deemed to be the closing bid prior to the exercise form being submitted in connection with the exercise of the Purchase Warrant; if there is no active public market, the value shall be the fair market value thereof, as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors.

2.3 Legend. Each certificate for the securities purchased under this Purchase Warrant shall bear a legend as follows unless such securities have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”):

“The securities represented by this certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), or applicable state law. Neither the securities nor any interest therein may be offered for sale, sold or otherwise transferred except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state law which, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, is available.”

 

Ex. A-2


3. Transfer.

3.1 General Restrictions. The registered Holder of this Purchase Warrant agrees by his, her or its acceptance hereof, that such Holder will not: (a) sell, transfer, assign, pledge or hypothecate this Purchase Warrant for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the Effective Date to anyone other than: (i) Aegis Capital Corp. (“Aegis”) or an underwriter or a selected dealer participating in the Offering, or (ii) a bona fide officer or partner of AEGIS or of any such underwriter or selected dealer, in each case in accordance with FINRA Conduct Rule 5110(g)(1), or (b) cause this Purchase Warrant or the securities issuable hereunder to be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of this Purchase Warrant or the securities hereunder, except as provided for in FINRA Rule 5110(g)(2). On and after 180 days after the Effective Date, transfers to others may be made subject to compliance with or exemptions from applicable securities laws. In order to make any permitted assignment, the Holder must deliver to the Company the assignment form attached hereto duly executed and completed, together with the Purchase Warrant and payment of all transfer taxes, if any, payable in connection therewith. The Company shall within five (5) Business Days transfer this Purchase Warrant on the books of the Company and shall execute and deliver a new Purchase Warrant or Purchase Warrants of like tenor to the appropriate assignee(s) expressly evidencing the right to purchase the aggregate number of Shares purchasable hereunder or such portion of such number as shall be contemplated by any such assignment.

3.2 Restrictions Imposed by the Securities Act. The securities evidenced by this Purchase Warrant shall not be transferred unless and until: (i) the Company has received the opinion of counsel for the Holder that the securities may be transferred pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, the availability of which is established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company (the Company hereby agreeing that the opinion of Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP shall be deemed satisfactory evidence of the availability of an exemption), or (ii) a registration statement or a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement relating to the offer and sale of such securities has been filed by the Company and declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) and compliance with applicable state securities law has been established.

4. Registration Rights.

4.1 Demand Registration.

4.1.1 Grant of Right. The Company, upon written demand (a “Demand Notice”) of the Holder(s) of at least 51% of the Purchase Warrants and/or the underlying Shares (“Majority Holders”), agrees to register, on one occasion, all or any portion of the Shares underlying the Purchase Warrants (collectively, the “Registrable Securities”). On such occasion, the Company will file a registration statement with the Commission covering the Registrable Securities within sixty (60) days after receipt of a Demand Notice and use its reasonable best efforts to have the registration statement declared effective promptly thereafter, subject to compliance with review by the Commission; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to comply with a Demand Notice if the Company has filed a registration statement with respect to which the Holder is entitled to piggyback registration rights pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof and either: (i) the Holder has elected to participate in the offering covered by such registration statement or (ii) if such registration statement relates to an underwritten primary offering of securities of the Company, until the offering covered by such registration statement has been withdrawn or until thirty (30) days after such offering is consummated. The demand for registration may be made at any time during a period of four (4) years beginning on the Commencement Date. The Company covenants and agrees to give written notice of its receipt of any Demand Notice by any Holder(s) to all other registered Holders of the Purchase Warrants and/or the Registrable Securities within ten (10) days after the date of the receipt of any such Demand Notice.

 

 

Ex. A-3


4.1.2 Terms. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses attendant to the registration of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 4.1.1, but the Holders shall pay any and all underwriting commissions and the expenses of any legal counsel selected by the Holders to represent them in connection with the sale of the Registrable Securities. The Company agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to cause the filing required herein to become effective promptly and to qualify or register the Registrable Securities in such States as are reasonably requested by the Holder(s); provided, however, that in no event shall the Company be required to register the Registrable Securities in a State in which such registration would cause: (i) the Company to be obligated to register or license to do business in such State or submit to general service of process in such State, or (ii) the principal shareholders of the Company to be obligated to escrow their shares of capital stock of the Company. The Company shall cause any registration statement filed pursuant to the demand right granted under Section 4.1.1 to remain effective for a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months after the date that the Holders of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement are first given the opportunity to sell all of such securities. The Holders shall only use the prospectuses provided by the Company to sell the shares covered by such registration statement, and will immediately cease to use any prospectus furnished by the Company if the Company advises the Holder that such prospectus may no longer be used due to a material misstatement or omission. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 4.1.2, the Holder shall be entitled to a demand registration under this Section 4.1.2 on only one (1) occasion and such demand registration right shall terminate on the fifth anniversary of the effectiveness of the registration statement in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(H)(iv).

4.2 “Piggy-Back” Registration.

4.2.1 Grant of Right. In addition to the demand right of registration described in Section 4.1 hereof, the Holder shall have the right, for a period of no more than seven (7) years from the date of effectiveness of the registration statement in accordance with FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(H)(v), to include the Registrable Securities as part of any other registration of securities filed by the Company (other than in connection with a transaction contemplated by Rule 145(a) promulgated under the Securities Act or pursuant to Form S-8 or any equivalent form); provided, however, that if, solely in connection with any primary underwritten public offering for the account of the Company, the managing underwriter(s) thereof shall, in its reasonable discretion, impose a limitation on the number of shares of Common Stock which may be included in the Registration Statement because, in such underwriter(s)’ judgment, marketing or other factors dictate such limitation is necessary to facilitate public distribution, then the Company shall be obligated to include in such Registration Statement only such limited portion of the Registrable Securities with respect to which the Holder requested inclusion hereunder as the underwriter shall reasonably permit. Any exclusion of Registrable Securities shall be made pro rata among the Holders seeking to include Registrable Securities in proportion to the number of Registrable Securities sought to be included by such Holders; provided, however, that the Company shall not exclude any Registrable Securities unless the Company has first excluded all outstanding securities, the holders of which are not entitled to inclusion of such securities in such Registration Statement or are not entitled to pro rata inclusion with the Registrable Securities.

4.2.2 Terms. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses attendant to registering the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 4.2.1 hereof, but the Holders shall pay any and all underwriting commissions and the expenses of any legal counsel selected by the Holders to represent them in connection with the sale of the Registrable Securities. In the event of such a proposed registration, the

 

Ex. A-4


Company shall furnish the then Holders of outstanding Registrable Securities with not less than thirty (30) days written notice prior to the proposed date of filing of such registration statement. Such notice to the Holders shall continue to be given for each registration statement filed by the Company until such time as all of the Registrable Securities have been sold by the Holder. The holders of the Registrable Securities shall exercise the “piggy-back” rights provided for herein by giving written notice within ten (10) days of the receipt of the Company’s notice of its intention to file a registration statement. Except as otherwise provided in this Purchase Warrant, there shall be no limit on the number of times the Holder may request registration under this Section 4.2.2; provided, however, that such registration rights shall terminate on the sixth anniversary of the Commencement Date.

4.3 General Terms.

4.3.1 Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify the Holder(s) of the Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant to any registration statement hereunder and each person, if any, who controls such Holders within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 (a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), against all loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (including all reasonable attorneys’ fees and other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any claim whatsoever) to which any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, arising from such registration statement but only to the same extent and with the same effect as the provisions pursuant to which the Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters contained in Section 5.1 of the Underwriting Agreement between the Underwriters and the Company, dated as of [                    ], 2013. The Holder(s) of the Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant to such registration statement, and their successors and assigns, shall severally, and not jointly, indemnify the Company, its directors and its officers who signed the registration statement against all loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (including all reasonable attorneys’ fees and other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any claim whatsoever) to which they may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, arising from information furnished by or on behalf of such Holders, or their successors or assigns, in writing, for specific inclusion in such registration statement to the same extent and with the same effect as the provisions contained in Section 5.2 of the Underwriting Agreement pursuant to which the Underwriters have agreed to indemnify the Company and such persons.

4.3.2 Exercise of Purchase Warrants. Nothing contained in this Purchase Warrant shall be construed as requiring the Holder(s) to exercise their Purchase Warrants prior to or after the initial filing of any registration statement or the effectiveness thereof.

4.3.3 Documents Delivered to Holders. The Company shall furnish to each Holder participating in any of the foregoing offerings and to each underwriter of any such offering, if any, a signed counterpart, addressed to such Holder or underwriter, of: (i) an opinion of counsel to the Company, dated the effective date of such registration statement (and, if such registration includes an underwritten public offering, an opinion dated the date of the closing under any underwriting agreement related thereto), and (ii) a “cold comfort” letter dated the effective date of such registration statement (and, if such registration includes an underwritten public offering, a letter dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement) signed by the independent registered public accounting firm which has issued a report on the Company’s financial statements included in such registration statement, in each case covering substantially the same matters with respect to such registration statement (and the prospectus included therein) and, in the case of such accountants’ letter, with respect to events subsequent to the date of such financial statements, as are customarily covered in opinions of issuer’s counsel and in accountants’ letters delivered to underwriters in underwritten public offerings of securities. The Company shall also deliver promptly to each Holder participating in the offering requesting the correspondence and

 

Ex. A-5


memoranda described below and to the managing underwriter, if any, copies of all correspondence between the Commission and the Company, its counsel or auditors and all memoranda relating to discussions with the Commission or its staff with respect to the registration statement and permit each Holder and underwriter to do such investigation, upon reasonable advance notice, with respect to information contained in or omitted from the registration statement as it deems reasonably necessary to comply with applicable securities laws or rules of FINRA. Such investigation shall include access to books, records and properties and opportunities to discuss the business of the Company with its officers and independent auditors, all to such reasonable extent and at such reasonable times as any such Holder shall reasonably request.

4.3.4 Underwriting Agreement. The Company shall enter into an underwriting agreement with the managing underwriter(s), if any, selected by any Holders whose Registrable Securities are being registered pursuant to this Section 4, which managing underwriter shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company. Such agreement shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Company, each Holder and such managing underwriters, and shall contain such representations, warranties and covenants by the Company and such other terms as are customarily contained in agreements of that type used by the managing underwriter. The Holders shall be parties to any underwriting agreement relating to an underwritten sale of their Registrable Securities and may, at their option, require that any or all the representations, warranties and covenants of the Company to or for the benefit of such underwriters shall also be made to and for the benefit of such Holders. Such Holders shall not be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the underwriters except as they may relate to such Holders, their Shares and their intended methods of distribution.

4.3.5 Documents to be Delivered by Holder(s). Each of the Holder(s) participating in any of the foregoing offerings shall furnish to the Company a completed and executed questionnaire provided by the Company requesting information customarily sought of selling security holders.

4.3.6 Damages. Should the registration or the effectiveness thereof required by Sections 4.1 and 4.2 hereof be delayed by the Company or the Company otherwise fails to comply with such provisions, the Holder(s) shall, in addition to any other legal or other relief available to the Holder(s), be entitled to obtain specific performance or other equitable (including injunctive) relief against the threatened breach of such provisions or the continuation of any such breach, without the necessity of proving actual damages and without the necessity of posting bond or other security.

5. New Purchase Warrants to be Issued.

5.1 Partial Exercise or Transfer. Subject to the restrictions in Section 3 hereof, this Purchase Warrant may be exercised or assigned in whole or in part. In the event of the exercise or assignment hereof in part only, upon surrender of this Purchase Warrant for cancellation, together with the duly executed exercise or assignment form and funds sufficient to pay any Exercise Price and/or transfer tax if exercised pursuant to Section 2.1 hereto, the Company shall cause to be delivered to the Holder without charge a new Purchase Warrant of like tenor to this Purchase Warrant in the name of the Holder evidencing the right of the Holder to purchase the number of Shares purchasable hereunder as to which this Purchase Warrant has not been exercised or assigned.

5.2 Lost Certificate. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Purchase Warrant and of reasonably satisfactory indemnification or the posting of a bond, the Company shall execute and deliver a new Purchase Warrant of like tenor and date. Any such new Purchase Warrant executed and delivered as a result of such loss, theft, mutilation or destruction shall constitute a substitute contractual obligation on the part of the Company.

 

Ex. A-6


6. Adjustments.

6.1 Adjustments to Exercise Price and Number of Securities. The Exercise Price and the number of Shares underlying the Purchase Warrant shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as hereinafter set forth:

6.1.1 Share Dividends; Split Ups. If, after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of Section 6.3 below, the number of outstanding Shares is increased by a stock dividend payable in Shares or by a split up of Shares or other similar event, then, on the effective day thereof, the number of Shares purchasable hereunder shall be increased in proportion to such increase in outstanding Shares, and the Exercise Price shall be proportionately decreased.

6.1.2 Aggregation of Shares. If, after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of Section 6.3 below, the number of outstanding Shares is decreased by a consolidation, combination or reclassification of Shares or other similar event, then, on the effective date thereof, the number of Shares purchasable hereunder shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding Shares, and the Exercise Price shall be proportionately increased.

6.1.3 Replacement of Securities upon Reorganization, etc. In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding Shares other than a change covered by Section 6.1.1 or 6.1.2 hereof or that solely affects the par value of such Shares, or in the case of any share reconstruction or amalgamation or consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or share reconstruction or amalgamation in which the Company is the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding Shares), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which the Company is dissolved, the Holder of this Purchase Warrant shall have the right thereafter (until the expiration of the right of exercise of this Purchase Warrant) to receive upon the exercise hereof, for the same aggregate Exercise Price payable hereunder immediately prior to such event, the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, share reconstruction or amalgamation, or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, by a Holder of the number of Shares of the Company obtainable upon exercise of this Purchase Warrant immediately prior to such event; and if any reclassification also results in a change in Shares covered by Section 6.1.1 or 6.1.2, then such adjustment shall be made pursuant to Sections 6.1.1, 6.1.2 and this Section 6.1.3. The provisions of this Section 6.1.3 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, reorganizations, share reconstructions or amalgamations, or consolidations, sales or other transfers.

6.1.4 Changes in Form of Purchase Warrant. This form of Purchase Warrant need not be changed because of any change pursuant to this Section 6.1, and Purchase Warrants issued after such change may state the same Exercise Price and the same number of Shares as are stated in the Purchase Warrants initially issued pursuant to this Agreement. The acceptance by any Holder of the issuance of new Purchase Warrants reflecting a required or permissive change shall not be deemed to waive any rights to an adjustment occurring after the Commencement Date or the computation thereof.

6.2 Substitute Purchase Warrant. In case of any consolidation of the Company with, or share reconstruction or amalgamation of the Company with or into, another corporation (other than a consolidation or share reconstruction or amalgamation which does not result in any reclassification or

 

Ex. A-7


change of the outstanding Shares), the corporation formed by such consolidation or share reconstruction or amalgamation shall execute and deliver to the Holder a supplemental Purchase Warrant providing that the holder of each Purchase Warrant then outstanding or to be outstanding shall have the right thereafter (until the stated expiration of such Purchase Warrant) to receive, upon exercise of such Purchase Warrant, the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property receivable upon such consolidation or share reconstruction or amalgamation, by a holder of the number of Shares of the Company for which such Purchase Warrant might have been exercised immediately prior to such consolidation, share reconstruction or amalgamation, sale or transfer. Such supplemental Purchase Warrant shall provide for adjustments which shall be identical to the adjustments provided for in this Section 6. The above provision of this Section shall similarly apply to successive consolidations or share reconstructions or amalgamations.

6.3 Elimination of Fractional Interests. The Company shall not be required to issue certificates representing fractions of Shares upon the exercise of the Purchase Warrant, nor shall it be required to issue scrip or pay cash in lieu of any fractional interests, it being the intent of the parties that all fractional interests shall be eliminated by rounding any fraction up or down, as the case may be, to the nearest whole number of Shares or other securities, properties or rights.

7. Reservation and Listing. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized Shares, solely for the purpose of issuance upon exercise of the Purchase Warrants, such number of Shares or other securities, properties or rights as shall be issuable upon the exercise thereof. The Company covenants and agrees that, upon exercise of the Purchase Warrants and payment of the Exercise Price therefor, in accordance with the terms hereby, all Shares and other securities issuable upon such exercise shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to preemptive rights of any shareholder. The Company further covenants and agrees that upon exercise of the Purchase Warrants and payment of the exercise price therefor, all Shares and other securities issuable upon such exercise shall be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to preemptive rights of any shareholder. As long as the Purchase Warrants shall be outstanding, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all Shares issuable upon exercise of the Purchase Warrants to be listed (subject to official notice of issuance) on all national securities exchanges (or, if applicable, on the OTC Bulletin Board or any successor trading market) on which the Shares issued to the public in the Offering may then be listed and/or quoted.

8. Certain Notice Requirements.

8.1 Holder’s Right to Receive Notice. Nothing herein shall be construed as conferring upon the Holders the right to vote or consent or to receive notice as a shareholder for the election of directors or any other matter, or as having any rights whatsoever as a shareholder of the Company. If, however, at any time prior to the expiration of the Purchase Warrants and their exercise, any of the events described in Section 8.2 shall occur, then, in one or more of said events, the Company shall give written notice of such event at least fifteen days prior to the date fixed as a record date or the date of closing the transfer books for the determination of the shareholders entitled to such dividend, distribution, conversion or exchange of securities or subscription rights, or entitled to vote on such proposed dissolution, liquidation, winding up or sale. Such notice shall specify such record date or the date of the closing of the transfer books, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall deliver to each Holder a copy of each notice given to the other shareholders of the Company at the same time and in the same manner that such notice is given to the shareholders.

8.2 Events Requiring Notice. The Company shall be required to give the notice described in this Section 8 upon one or more of the following events: (i) if the Company shall take a record of the

 

Ex. A-8


holders of its Shares for the purpose of entitling them to receive a dividend or distribution payable otherwise than in cash, or a cash dividend or distribution payable otherwise than out of retained earnings, as indicated by the accounting treatment of such dividend or distribution on the books of the Company, (ii) the Company shall offer to all the holders of its Shares any additional shares of capital stock of the Company or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Company, or any option, right or warrant to subscribe therefor, or (iii) a dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company (other than in connection with a consolidation or share reconstruction or amalgamation) or a sale of all or substantially all of its property, assets and business shall be proposed.

8.3 Notice of Change in Exercise Price. The Company shall, promptly after an event requiring a change in the Exercise Price pursuant to Section 6 hereof, send notice to the Holders of such event and change (“Price Notice”). The Price Notice shall describe the event causing the change and the method of calculating same and shall be certified as being true and accurate by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.

8.4 Transmittal of Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other communications under this Purchase Warrant shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly made when hand delivered, or mailed by express mail or private courier service: (i) if to the registered Holder of the Purchase Warrant, to the address of such Holder as shown on the books of the Company, or (ii) if to the Company, to following address or to such other address as the Company may designate by notice to the Holders:

If to the Holder:

Aegis Capital Corp.

810 Seventh Avenue, 11th Floor

New York, New York 10019

Attn: Mr. David Bocchi, Managing Director of Investment Banking

Fax No.: (212) 813-1047

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

Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP

61 Broadway, 32nd Floor

New York, NY 10006

Attn: Jeffrey Fessler, Esq.

Fax No.: 212-930-9725

If to the Company:

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

12555 High Bluff Drive, Suite 385

San Diego, CA 92130

Attention: David A. Gonyer, President and Chief Executive Officer

Fax No: []

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

Latham & Watkins LLP

12636 High Bluff Drive, Suite 400

San Diego, CA 92130

Attention: Cheston J. Larson, Esq.

Fax No: (858) 523-5450

 

Ex. A-9


9. Miscellaneous.

9.1 Amendments. The Company and Aegis may from time to time supplement or amend this Purchase Warrant without the approval of any of the Holders in order to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision contained herein that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, or to make any other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising hereunder that the Company and Aegis may deem necessary or desirable and that the Company and Aegis deem shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders. All other modifications or amendments shall require the written consent of and be signed by the party against whom enforcement of the modification or amendment is sought.

9.2 Headings. The headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of convenience of reference, and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms or provisions of this Purchase Warrant.

9.3. Entire Agreement. This Purchase Warrant (together with the other agreements and documents being delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Purchase Warrant) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the parties, oral and written, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

9.4 Binding Effect. This Purchase Warrant shall inure solely to the benefit of and shall be binding upon, the Holder and the Company and their permitted assignees, respective successors, legal representative and assigns, and no other person shall have or be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of or by virtue of this Purchase Warrant or any provisions herein contained.

9.5 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Trial by Jury. This Purchase Warrant shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflict of laws principles thereof. The Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of, or relating in any way to this Purchase Warrant shall be brought and enforced in the New York Supreme Court, County of New York, or in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum. Any process or summons to be served upon the Company may be served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the address set forth in Section 8 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service and shall be legal and binding upon the Company in any action, proceeding or claim. The Company and the Holder agree that the prevailing party(ies) in any such action shall be entitled to recover from the other party(ies) all of its reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to such action or proceeding and/or incurred in connection with the preparation therefor. The Company (on its behalf and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, on behalf of its stockholders and affiliates) and the Holder hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Ex. A-10


9.6 Waiver, etc. The failure of the Company or the Holder to at any time enforce any of the provisions of this Purchase Warrant shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of any such provision, nor to in any way affect the validity of this Purchase Warrant or any provision hereof or the right of the Company or any Holder to thereafter enforce each and every provision of this Purchase Warrant. No waiver of any breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment of any of the provisions of this Purchase Warrant shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed by the party or parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought; and no waiver of any such breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment.

9.7 Execution in Counterparts. This Purchase Warrant may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts has been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to each of the other parties hereto. Such counterparts may be delivered by facsimile transmission or other electronic transmission.

9.8 Exchange Agreement. As a condition of the Holder’s receipt and acceptance of this Purchase Warrant, Holder agrees that, at any time prior to the complete exercise of this Purchase Warrant by Holder, if the Company and Aegis enter into an agreement (“Exchange Agreement”) pursuant to which they agree that all outstanding Purchase Warrants will be exchanged for securities or cash or a combination of both, then Holder shall agree to such exchange and become a party to the Exchange Agreement.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

Ex. A-11


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Purchase Warrant to be signed by its duly authorized officer as of the     day of                 , 2013.

 

Evoke Pharma, Inc.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

Ex. A-12


[Form to be used to exercise Purchase Warrant]

Date:                     , 20        

The undersigned hereby elects irrevocably to exercise the Purchase Warrant for             shares of common stock, par value $[] per share (the “Shares”), of [COMPANY], a [STATE OF INCORPORATION] corporation (the “Company”), and hereby makes payment of $            (at the rate of $            per Share) in payment of the Exercise Price pursuant thereto. Please issue the Shares as to which this Purchase Warrant is exercised in accordance with the instructions given below and, if applicable, a new Purchase Warrant representing the number of Shares for which this Purchase Warrant has not been exercised.

or

The undersigned hereby elects irrevocably to convert its right to purchase             Shares of the Company under the Purchase Warrant for             Shares, as determined in accordance with the following formula:

 

    Y (A-B)

X

    =     A

Where,

 

X

  =    The number of Shares to be issued to Holder;

Y

  =    The number of Shares for which the Purchase Warrant is being exercised;

A

  =    The fair market value of one Share which is equal to $        ; and

B

  =    The Exercise Price which is equal to $         per share

The undersigned agrees and acknowledges that the calculation set forth above is subject to confirmation by the Company and any disagreement with respect to the calculation shall be resolved by the Company in its sole discretion.

Please issue the Shares as to which this Purchase Warrant is exercised in accordance with the instructions given below and, if applicable, a new Purchase Warrant representing the number of Shares for which this Purchase Warrant has not been converted.

Signature                                                            

Signature Guaranteed                                       

 

Ex. A-13


INSTRUCTIONS FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES

Name:     
  (Print in Block Letters)

Address: 

   
   
   

NOTICE: The signature to this form must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Purchase Warrant without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever, and must be guaranteed by a bank, other than a savings bank, or by a trust company or by a firm having membership on a registered national securities exchange.

 

Ex. A-14


[Form to be used to assign Purchase Warrant]

ASSIGNMENT

(To be executed by the registered Holder to effect a transfer of the within Purchase Warrant):

FOR VALUE RECEIVED,                             does hereby sell, assign and transfer unto the right to purchase shares of common stock, par value $[] per share, of [COMPANY], a [STATE OF INCORPORATION] corporation (the “Company”), evidenced by the Purchase Warrant and does hereby authorize the Company to transfer such right on the books of the Company.

Dated:                         , 20        

Signature                                                                     

Signature Guaranteed                                                

NOTICE: The signature to this form must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within Purchase Warrant without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever, and must be guaranteed by a bank, other than a savings bank, or by a trust company or by a firm having membership on a registered national securities exchange.

 

Ex. A-15


EXHIBIT B

Form of Lock-Up Agreement

[], 2013

Aegis Capital Corp.

810 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor

New York, New York 10019

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This Lock-Up Agreement (this “Agreement”) is being delivered to you in connection with the proposed Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) between Evoke Pharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Aegis Capital Corp. (“Aegis”), as representative of a group of underwriters (collectively, the “Underwriters”), to be named therein, and the other parties thereto (if any), relating to the proposed public offering (the “Offering”) of shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company.

In order to induce you and the other Underwriters to enter into the Underwriting Agreement, and in light of the benefits that the offering of the Common Stock will confer upon the undersigned in its capacity as a securityholder and/or an officer, director or employee of the Company, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned agrees with each Underwriter that, during the period beginning on and including the date of this Agreement through and including the date that is the 180th day after the date of the Underwriting Agreement (the “Lock-Up Period”), the undersigned will not, without the prior written consent of Aegis, directly or indirectly, (i) offer, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of, or announce the intention to otherwise dispose of, any shares of Common Stock now owed or hereafter acquired by the undersigned or with respect to which the undersigned has or hereafter acquires the power of disposition (including, without limitation, Common Stock which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and as the same may be amended or supplemented on or after the date hereof from time to time (the “Securities Act”) (such shares, the “Beneficially Owned Shares”)) or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, (ii) enter into any swap, hedge or similar agreement or arrangement that transfers in whole or in part, the economic risk of ownership of the Beneficially Owned Shares or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the undersigned or with respect to which the undersigned has or hereafter acquires the power of disposition, or (iii) engage in any short selling of the Common Stock.

If (i) during the last 17 days of the Lock-Up Period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs, or (ii) prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results or becomes aware that material news or a material event will occur during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the Lock-Up Period, the restrictions imposed by this lock-up agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of such material news or material event, as applicable, unless the Representative waives, in writing, such extension; provided, however, that this extension of the Lock-Up Period shall not apply to the extent that FINRA has amended or repealed NASD Rule 2711(f)(4), or has otherwise provided written interpretive guidance regarding such rule, in each case, so as to eliminate the prohibition of any broker, dealer, or member of a national securities association from publishing or distributing any research report, with

 

Ex. B-1


respect to the securities of an Emerging Growth Company prior to or after the expiration of any agreement between the broker, dealer, or member of a national securities association and the Emerging Growth Company or its shareholders that restricts or prohibits the sale of securities held by the Emerging Growth Company or its shareholders after the initial public offering date.

If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, (i) Aegis agrees that, at least three business days before the effective date of any release or waiver of the foregoing restrictions in connection with a transfer of shares of Common Stock, Aegis will notify the Company of the impending release or waiver, and (ii) the Company has agreed in the Underwriting Agreement to announce the impending release or waiver by press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. Any release or waiver granted by Aegis hereunder to any such officer or director shall only be effective two business days after the publication date of such press release. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (a) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration and (b) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this letter to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.

The restrictions set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph shall not apply to:

(1) if the undersigned is a natural person, any transfers made by the undersigned (a) as a bona fide gift to any member of the immediate family (as defined below) of the undersigned or to a trust the beneficiaries of which are exclusively the undersigned or members of the undersigned’s immediate family, (b) by will or intestate succession upon the death of the undersigned, (c) as a bona fide gift to a charity or educational institution, or (d) if the undersigned is or was an officer, director or employee of the Company, to the Company pursuant to the Company’s right of repurchase upon termination of the undersigned’s service with the Company;

(2) if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, any transfers to any shareholder, partner or member of, or owner of a similar equity interest in, the undersigned, as the case may be, if, in any such case, such transfer is not for value;

(3) if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, any transfer made by the undersigned (a) in connection with the sale or other bona fide transfer in a single transaction of all or substantially all of the undersigned’s capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other similar equity interests, as the case may be, or all or substantially all of the undersigned’s assets, in any such case not undertaken for the purpose of avoiding the restrictions imposed by this Agreement or (b) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity so long as the transferee is an affiliate (as defined below) of the undersigned and such transfer is not for value;

(4) the exercise by the undersigned of any stock option(s) issued pursuant to the Company’s existing stock option plans, including any exercise effected by the delivery of shares of Common Stock of the Company held by the undersigned; provided, that, the Common Stock received upon such exercise shall remain subject to the restrictions provided for in this Agreement;

(5) the exercise by the undersigned of any warrant(s) issued by the Company prior to the date of this Agreement, including any exercise effected by the delivery of shares of Common Stock of the Company held by the undersigned; provided, that, the Common Stock received upon such exercise shall remain subject to the restrictions provided for in this Agreement;

(6) the occurrence after the date hereof of any of (a) an acquisition by an individual or legal entity or “group” (as described in Rule 13d-5(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) of effective control (whether through legal or beneficial ownership of capital stock of the Company, by contract or otherwise) of 100% of the voting securities of

 

Ex. B-2


the Company, (b) the Company merges into or consolidates with any other entity, or any entity merges into or consolidates with the Company, (c) the Company sells or transfers all or substantially all of its assets to another person, or (d) provided, that, the Common Stock received upon any of the events set forth in clauses (a) through (c) above shall remain subject to the restrictions provided for in this Agreement; and

(7) transfers consented to, in writing by Aegis;

provided, however, that in the case of any transfer described in clause (1), (2) or (3) above, it shall be a condition to the transfer that (A) the transferee executes and delivers to Aegis, acting on behalf of the Underwriters, not later than one business day prior to such transfer, a written agreement, in substantially the form of this Agreement (it being understood that any references to “immediate family” in the agreement executed by such transferee shall expressly refer only to the immediate family of the undersigned and not to the immediate family of the transferee) and otherwise satisfactory in form and substance to Aegis, and (B) if the undersigned is required to file a report under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock or Beneficially Owned Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or Beneficially Owned Shares during the Lock-Up Period, the undersigned shall include a statement in such report to the effect that, in the case of any transfer pursuant to clause (1) above, such transfer is being made as a gift or by will or intestate succession or, in the case of any transfer pursuant to clause (2) above, such transfer is being made to a shareholder, partner or member of, or owner of a similar equity interest in, the undersigned and is not a transfer for value or, in the case of any transfer pursuant to clause (3) above, such transfer is being made either (a) in connection with the sale or other bona fide transfer in a single transaction of all or substantially all of the undersigned’s capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other similar equity interests, as the case may be, or all or substantially all of the undersigned’s assets or (b) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity that is an affiliate of the undersigned and such transfer is not for value. In addition, the restrictions sets forth herein shall not prevent the undersigned from entering into a sales plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act after the date hereof, provided that (i) a copy of such plan is provided to Aegis promptly upon entering into the same and (ii) no sales or transfers may be made under such plan until the Lock-Up Period ends or this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms. For purposes of this paragraph, “immediate family” shall mean a spouse, child, grandchild or other lineal descendant (including by adoption), father, mother, brother or sister of the undersigned; and “affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

The undersigned further agrees that (i) it will not, during the Lock-Up Period, make any demand or request for or exercise any right with respect to the registration under the Securities Act of any shares of Common Stock or other Beneficially Owned Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or other Beneficially Owned Shares, and (ii) the Company may, with respect to any Common Stock or other Beneficially Owned Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock or other Beneficially Owned Shares owned or held (of record or beneficially) by the undersigned, cause the transfer agent or other registrar to enter stop transfer instructions and implement stop transfer procedures with respect to such securities during the Lock-Up Period. In addition, the undersigned hereby waives, from the date hereof until the expiration of the 90 day period following the date of the Underwriting Agreement and any extension of such period pursuant to the terms hereof, any and all rights, if any, to request or demand registration pursuant to the Securities Act of any shares of Common Stock that are registered in the name of the undersigned or that are Beneficially Owned Shares.

This Agreement, and the obligations of the undersigned hereunder, shall take effect as of the date that all executive officers, directors and 5% or greater security holders of the Company have executed similar agreements, with the understanding that the Company will use its best efforts to obtain executed similar agreements from all officers, directors, and holders of 1% or greater of the securities of the Company prior to the date of the Underwriting Agreement.

 

Ex. B-3


Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that Aegis releases any shares held by executive officers, directors and/or 1% or greater stockholders of the Company from the lock-up restrictions described above, the same percentage of shares of the Company’s securities held by such persons that are so released from the lock-up restrictions shall be released with respect to the shares held by the undersigned concurrently therewith; provided, however, that Aegis, on behalf of the Underwriters, will not be obligated to release the undersigned from such lock-up restrictions unless Aegis, on behalf of the Underwriters, has first released more than an aggregate of $500,000 of shares (the value of such released shares to be determined based on the closing price on the date that the applicable shares are approved for release) from such lock-up restrictions. In the event that the undersigned is released from any of its obligations under this Agreement prior to the expiration of the Lock-Up Period (“Early Release”), Aegis shall provide written notice promptly, and in no event later than five (5) business days prior to the effective date of such Early Release, to the Company, and the Company will, in turn, notify the undersigned.

Furthermore, in the event that the Lock-Up Period is extended beyond the date that is 180 days after the date of the Underwriting Agreement (the “Extension of the Lock-Up Period”), Aegis shall provide written notice promptly, and in no event later than five (5) business days prior to the effective date of such Extension of the Lock-Up Period, to the Company, and the Company will, in turn, notify the undersigned.

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and that this Agreement has been duly authorized (if the undersigned is not a natural person), executed and delivered by the undersigned and is a valid and binding agreement of the undersigned. This Agreement and all authority herein conferred are irrevocable and shall survive the death or incapacity of the undersigned (if a natural person) and shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned.

The undersigned understands that, if (i) the Company notifies Aegis in writing that it does not intend to proceed with the Offering, (ii) the Underwriting Agreement is not executed by September 30, 2013, or (iii) the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Common Stock to be sold thereunder, then this Agreement shall be void and of no further force or effect.

 

Very truly yours,
  
(Name - Please Print)
  
(Signature)
  
(Name of Signatory, in the case of entities - Please Print)

 

Ex. B-4


  
(Title of Signatory, in the case of entities - Please Print)

 

Address:      
   
   

 

Ex. B-5


EXHIBIT C

Form of Press Release

[COMPANY]

[Date]

[COMPANY] (the “Company”) announced today that Aegis Capital Corp., acting as representative for the underwriters in the Company’s recent public offering of             shares of the Company’s common stock, is [waiving] [releasing] a lock-up restriction with respect to             shares of the Company’s common stock held by [certain officers or directors] [an officer or director] of the Company. The [waiver] [release] will take effect on             , 20    , and the shares may be sold on or after such date.

This press release is not an offer or sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction where such offer or sale is prohibited, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Ex. C-1

EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

EVOKE PHARMA, INC.

(as amended as of June 1, 2012)

Evoke Pharma, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

The name of this Corporation is Evoke Pharma, Inc. The Corporation originally filed its Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of the State of Delaware on January 29, 2007.

I

The name of this Corporation is Evoke Pharma, Inc.

II

The address of this Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.

III

The purpose of this Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

IV

The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock designated “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The Preferred Stock shall consist of one series designated “Series A Preferred Stock.”

The number of shares of Common Stock which this Corporation is authorized to issue is Twenty Million (20,000,000). The number of shares of Preferred Stock which this Corporation is authorized to issue is Twelve Million Three Hundred Five Thousand Sixty-Eight (12,305,068), all of which shares shall be designated Series A Preferred Stock.

All shares of Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock shall have a par value of $0.0001 per share.

The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed upon the respective classes and series of shares of capital or the holders thereof are set forth below in this Article IV.

1. Dividends.

(a) Rights to Receive Dividends. The holder of each then outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive dividends at a rate of $0.12 per share per annum (as adjusted for all stock splits, stock dividends, consolidations, recapitalizations and reorganizations), payable out of funds legally available therefor. Such dividends shall be payable in preference and priority to any payment of any dividend on any shares of Common Stock of the Corporation, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors. The right to such dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock shall not be cumulative, and no right shall accrue to holders of Series A Preferred Stock by reason of the fact that


dividends on such shares are not declared or paid in any prior year, whether or not the earnings of the Corporation were sufficient to pay such dividends in whole or in part. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend declared thereon, which record date shall be not more than thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof (the “Preferred Stock Date of Accrual”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends, if paid, or if declared and set apart for payment, must be paid, or declared and set apart for payment, on all outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock contemporaneously.

(b) Payment of Dividends. The Corporation shall pay to each holder of Series A Preferred Stock on the Preferred Stock Date of Accrual with respect to shares held by each of such holders any and all dividends which have been declared through such date.

(c) Other Dividends. Subject to the provisions of Sections 1(a) and (b) hereof, no dividend or other distribution shall be paid, or declared and set apart for payment, other than dividends of Common Stock on the Common Stock of the Corporation, on the shares of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, unless and until there shall first be declared and paid on each share of the Series A Preferred Stock a cash dividend in an amount equal to such dividend or other distribution with each share of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive the amount specified in Section 1(a) plus the product of (i) the amount of the dividend declared on each share of Common Stock and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock into which the share of Series A Preferred Stock is then convertible under Section 5 hereof determined by reference to the Conversion Price in effect at the record date for such dividend.

Neither the Corporation nor any of its Subsidiaries shall purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for value any shares of any class or series of the Corporation’s capital stock (other than the shares of Common Stock issued by the Corporation to its employees, directors or outside consultants or contractors pursuant to plans or arrangements duly approved by the Board of Directors), and no money shall be paid into or set aside or made available for a sinking fund for the purchase, redemption or acquisition thereof.

2. Liquidation.

(a) Preference. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation (a “Liquidation Event”), after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive on a pro rata basis out of the assets of the Corporation, whether such assets are capital, surplus or earnings, an amount equal to the Liquidation Value as set forth in Section 2(d) of such share, which amount shall be paid prior to and in preference of any payment made or assets distributed on the Common Stock or any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation.

(b) Partial Payment. If upon any Liquidation Event the assets of the Corporation distributable as aforesaid among the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be insufficient to permit the payment to them of the full preferential amounts to which they are entitled, then the entire assets of the Corporation so to be distributed shall be distributed ratably among the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, in proportion to the sum of their respective per share Liquidation Value, until payment in full of such amount per share.

(c) Remaining Assets. After payment to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock of the amounts set forth in Section 2(a) above, the entire remaining assets and funds of the Corporation legally available for distribution, if any, shall be distributed ratably among the holders of the Common Stock and the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock on an as-converted to Common Stock basis at the then applicable conversion rate, until such time as each share of Series A Preferred Stock has received an

 

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aggregate distribution of $4.50 (including both the distributions made pursuant to Section 2(a) above and this Section 2(c)), at which point no further payments shall be made to holders of the Series A Preferred Stock by reason thereof and any remaining assets of the Corporation shall be distributed ratably among the holders of the Common Stock.

(d) Liquidation Value. The Liquidation Value per share of Series A Preferred Stock as of any particular date shall be the sum of (A) $1.50 (as adjusted for all stock splits, stock dividends, consolidations, recapitalizations and reorganizations) plus (B) all declared but unpaid dividends as of the date the Liquidation Value of such share is determined.

(e) Deemed Liquidation Events.

(i) Definition. For purposes of this Section 2, a Liquidation Event shall be deemed to be occasioned by, or to include, the following (each, a “Deemed Liquidation Event”) unless the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock elect otherwise:

(a) a merger or consolidation in which

(i) the Corporation is a constituent party or

(ii) a subsidiary of the Corporation is a constituent party and the Corporation issues shares of its capital stock pursuant to such merger or consolidation,

except any such merger or consolidation involving the Corporation or a subsidiary in which the shares of capital stock of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continue to represent, or are converted into or exchanged for shares of capital stock that represent, immediately following such merger or consolidation, at least a majority, by voting power, of the capital stock of (1) the surviving or resulting corporation or (2) if the surviving or resulting corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of another corporation immediately following such merger or consolidation, the parent corporation of such surviving or resulting corporation (provided that, for the purpose of this Section 2(e)(i)(a), all shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of stock options of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation or upon conversion of convertible securities of the Corporation outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation shall be deemed to be outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation and, if applicable, converted or exchanged in such merger or consolidation on the same terms as the actual outstanding shares of Common Stock are converted or exchanged); or

(b) the sale, lease, transfer, exclusive license or other disposition, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, by the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation of all or substantially all the assets of the Corporation and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, or the sale or disposition (whether by merger or otherwise) of one or more subsidiaries of the Corporation if substantially all of the assets of the Corporation and its subsidiaries taken as a whole are held by such subsidiary or subsidiaries, except where such sale, lease, transfer, exclusive license or other disposition is to a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation.

(ii) Effecting a Deemed Liquidation Event.

(a) The Corporation shall not have the power to effect a Deemed Liquidation Event referred to in Section 2(e)(i)(a) unless the agreement or plan of merger or consolidation for such transaction (the “Merger Agreement”) provides that the consideration payable to the stockholders of the Corporation shall be allocated among the holders of capital stock of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 2(a), (b) and (c).

 

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(b) In the event of a Deemed Liquidation Event referred to in Section 2(e)(i)(a)(ii) or 2(e)(i)(b), if the Corporation does not effect a dissolution of the Corporation under the General Corporation Law within 90 days after such Deemed Liquidation Event, then (i) the Corporation shall send a written notice to each holder of Series A Preferred Stock no later than the 90th day after the Deemed Liquidation Event advising such holders of their right (and the requirements to be met to secure such right) pursuant to the terms of the following clause (ii) to require the redemption of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and (iii) if the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock so request in a written instrument delivered to the Corporation not later than 120 days after such Deemed Liquidation Event, the Corporation shall use the consideration received by the Corporation for such Deemed Liquidation Event (net of any retained liabilities associated with the assets sold or technology licensed, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Corporation), together with any other assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders (the “Available Proceeds”), to the extent legally available therefor, on the 150th day after such Deemed Liquidation Event, to redeem all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock at a price per share equal to the Liquidation Value. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a redemption pursuant to the preceding sentence, if the Available Proceeds are not sufficient to redeem all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall redeem a pro rata portion of each holder’s shares of Series A Preferred Stock to the fullest extent of such Available Proceeds, based on the respective amounts which would otherwise be payable in respect of the shares to be redeemed if the Available Proceeds were sufficient to redeem all such shares, and shall redeem the remaining shares to have been redeemed as soon as practicable after the Corporation has funds legally available therefor. Prior to the distribution or redemption provided for in this Section 2(e)(ii)(b), the Corporation shall not expend or dissipate the consideration received for such Deemed Liquidation Event, except to discharge expenses incurred in connection with such Deemed Liquidation Event or in the ordinary course of business.

(iii) Notice. The Corporation shall give each holder of record of Series A Preferred Stock written notice of such impending event described in Section 2(e)(i) not later than twenty (20) calendar days prior to the stockholders meeting called to approve such transaction, or twenty (20) calendar days prior to the closing of such transaction, whichever is earlier, and shall also notify such holders in writing of the final approval of such transaction. The first of such notices shall describe the material terms and conditions of the impending transaction and the provisions of Section 2, and the Corporation shall thereafter give such holders prompt notice of any material changes. The transaction shall in no event take place sooner than twenty (20) calendar days after the Corporation has given the first notice provided for herein or sooner than ten (10) calendar days after the Corporation has given notice of any material changes provided for herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the periods set forth in this subsection 2(e)(iii) may be shortened and/or notice may be waived upon the Corporation’s receipt of written consent of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock.

3. Redemption. The Corporation shall not be obligated to, and shall not have the right to call or redeem any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock except in accordance with Section 2(e)(ii)(b) above.

4. Voting Rights; Directors.

(a) Generally. On all matters to come before the stockholders, the Series A Preferred Stock shall have that number of votes per share (rounded up to the nearest whole share) equivalent to the number of shares of Common Stock into which such share of Series A Preferred Stock is then convertible

 

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determined by reference to the Conversion Price in effect at the record date of the determination of the holders of the shares entitled to vote or, if no such record date is established, at the date such vote is taken or any written consent of stockholders is first solicited. Each holder of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share thereof held. Except as otherwise provided by law or this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall vote together with the holders of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, and not as a separate class or series.

(b) Directors.

(i) The authorized number of directors shall be six (6) until this provision is amended in accordance with the terms of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The holders of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class and to the exclusion of all other classes of capital stock of the Corporation, shall be entitled to elect two (2) members of the Board of Directors (the “Preferred Directors”). The holders of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, voting as a separate class and to the exclusion of all other classes of capital stock of the Corporation, shall be entitled to elect two (2) members of the Board of Directors (the “Common Directors”). The holders of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, shall be entitled to elect the remaining members of the Board of Directors (the “General Directors”).

(ii) In the case of any vacancy in the office of a director occurring among the Preferred Directors or the Common Directors, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the class or classes entitled to vote on the election of the Preferred Director or Common Director, as the case may be, such holders shall elect a successor or successors to hold the office for the unexpired term of the director or directors whose place or places shall be vacant. In the case of any vacancy in the office of a General Director, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the holders of the Preferred Stock and the Common Stock, voting together as a single class, such holders shall elect a successor or successors to hold the office for the unexpired term of the director or directors whose place or places shall be vacant. Any director may be removed during the aforesaid term of office, whether with or without cause, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares eligible to vote in an election for the seat occupied by that director (e.g., in order to remove a Preferred Director, the holders of a majority of the Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class and to the exclusion of all other classes of capital stock of the Corporation, must so vote).

(c) Protective Provisions. In addition to voting rights provided by law, so long as at least Two Million (2,000,000) shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be outstanding (as adjusted for all stock splits, stock dividends, consolidations, recapitalizations and reorganizations), the Corporation shall not, without the consent of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or by vote at a meeting called for that purpose at which the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall vote as a separate class and to the exclusion of all other classes of capital stock of the Corporation:

(i) amend or repeal any provision of, or add any provision to, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Corporation’s By-laws if such action would materially and adversely alter or change the preferences, rights, privileges or powers of, or the restrictions provided for the benefit of, or otherwise uniquely and adversely affect (including, without limitation, Section 4(b) of this Article IV), the Series A Preferred Stock (whether by merger, consolidation, reclassification, amendment of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, sale or otherwise);

(ii) increase or decrease the total number of authorized shares of the Corporation’s Series A Preferred Stock or in the total number of authorized directors;

 

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(iii) authorize, create or issue (whether by merger, consolidation, reclassification, amendment of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, sale or otherwise) shares of any class or series of stock not authorized herein having preferences as to dividends or assets superior to or on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock;

(iv) do any act or thing which would result in a Liquidation Event;

(v) declare or pay any dividends on any capital stock of the Corporation; provided, however, that the restriction shall not apply to dividends payable solely in Common Stock;

(vi) redeem or repurchase capital stock of the Corporation except in connection with the repurchase of shares of Common Stock issued to or held by employees, consultants, officers and directors upon termination of their employment or services pursuant to agreements providing for the right of said repurchase, which agreements were authorized by the Board of Directors; or

(vii) take any action which would result in taxation of the holders of shares of the Preferred Stock under Section 305 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any comparable provision of the Internal Revenue Code as hereafter from time to time amended).

5. Conversion. The rights of the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to convert such shares into shares of Common Stock (as defined in Section 5(h) below) of the Corporation (the “Conversion Rights”), and the terms and conditions of such conversion, shall be as follows:

(a) Right to Convert; Automatic Conversion.

(i) Each share of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time after the date of the issuance of such share, at the office of the Corporation or any transfer agent for the Series A Preferred Stock or the Common Stock, into that number of the fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 5(b) below.

(ii) Before any holder of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to convert the same into shares of Common Stock, the holder shall surrender the certificate(s) therefor, duly endorsed, at the office of the Corporation or of any transfer agent for the Series A Preferred Stock and shall give written notice to the Corporation at such office that the holder elects to convert the same (except that no such written notice of election to convert shall be necessary in the event of an automatic conversion pursuant to Section 5(b)(iv) hereof). This corporation shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, issue and deliver at such office to such holder of Series A Preferred Stock certificate(s) for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled as aforesaid. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such surrender of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted; except that in the case of an automatic conversion pursuant to Section 5(b)(iv)(A) hereof such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the closing of the offering referred to in Section 5(b)(iv)(A) or in the case of an automatic conversion pursuant to Section 5(b)(iv)(B) hereof, immediately prior to the close of business on the date of the election referred to in Section 5(b)(iv)(B) and the person or persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock on such date. If the conversion is in connection with an underwritten public offering of securities registered pursuant to the Securities Act, the conversion may, at the option of any holder tendering Preferred Stock for conversion, be conditioned upon the closing with the underwriters of the sale of securities pursuant to such offering, in which event any persons entitled to receive Common Stock upon conversion of Preferred Stock shall not be deemed to have converted such Preferred Stock until immediately prior to the closing of such sale of securities.

 

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(iii) The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable after the surrender of the certificate or certificates evidencing shares of Series A Preferred Stock for conversion at the office of the Corporation or the transfer agent for the Series A Preferred Stock or the Common Stock, issue to each holder of such shares, or its nominee or nominees, a certificate or certificates evidencing the number of shares of Common Stock (and any other securities and property) to which it shall be entitled and, in the event that only a part of the shares evidenced by such certificate or certificates are converted, a certificate evidencing the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock which are not converted. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on the date of such surrender of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted, and the Person or Persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such shares of Common Stock at such date and shall, with respect to such shares, have only those rights of a holder of Common Stock of the Corporation.

(iv) Each share of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be automatically converted into that number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 5(b) below upon the earlier of (A) the close of business of the day immediately preceding the effective date of the Corporation’s registration statement filed in connection with a Qualified Public Offering (as defined in Section 7 below) or (B) the consent of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock voting or consenting together as a separate class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or by vote at a meeting called for that purpose at which the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall vote together as a separate class.

(b) Conversion of Preferred Stock. The Series A Preferred Stock shall be convertible into the number of shares of Common Stock which results from dividing the Conversion Price (as defined herein) per share in effect at the time into $1.50 per share of Series A Preferred Stock being converted.

(c) Conversion Price. The conversion price per share for the Series A Preferred Stock shall initially be $1.50 (the “Conversion Price”) and shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided herein.

(d) Adjustment for Stock Splits and Combinations. If outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the Corporation shall be subdivided into a greater number of shares, or a dividend in Common Stock or other securities of the Corporation convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, shall be paid in respect to the Common Stock of the Corporation, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision or at the record date of such dividend shall be proportionately reduced, and conversely, if outstanding shares of the Common Stock of the Corporation shall be combined into a smaller number of shares, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such combination shall be proportionately increased.

Any adjustment to the Conversion Price under this Section 5(d) shall become effective at the close of business on the date the subdivision or combination referred to herein becomes effective.

(e) Reorganizations, Mergers, Consolidations or Reclassifications. In the event of any capital reorganization, any reclassification of the Common Stock (other than a change in par value or as a result of a stock dividend, subdivision, split-up or combination of shares), the consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into another Person (excluding a consolidation or merger described in Section 2(e)(i)(a) of this Article IV) (collectively referred to hereinafter as “Reorganizations”), the holders of the

 

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Series A Preferred Stock shall thereafter be entitled to receive, and provision shall be made therefor in any agreement relating to a Reorganization, upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock the kind and number of shares of Common Stock or other securities or property (including cash) of the Corporation, or other corporation resulting from such consolidation or surviving such merger to which a holder of the number of shares of the Common Stock of the Corporation which the Series A Preferred Stock entitled the holder thereof to convert to immediately prior to such Reorganization would have been entitled to receive with respect to such Reorganization; and in any such case appropriate adjustment shall be made in the application of the provisions herein set forth with respect to the rights and interests thereafter of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock to the end that the provisions set forth herein (including the specified changes and other adjustments to the Conversion Price) shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to any shares, other securities or property thereafter receivable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock. The provisions of this Section 5(e) shall similarly apply to successive Reorganizations.

(f) Sale of Additional Shares.

(i) If at any time or from time to time following the date of the initial issuance of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall issue or sell (or is deemed to have issued or sold) Additional Shares of Common Stock other than as a dividend or other distribution on any class of stock and other than as a subdivision or combination of shares of Common Stock as provided in Section 5(d) above, for a consideration per share less than the then existing Conversion Price, then, and in each such case, the then existing Conversion Price shall be reduced, as of the opening of business on the date of such issuance or sale, to a price determined by multiplying the applicable Conversion Price by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such issuance (including shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock and the number of shares of Common Stock which could be obtained through the exercise or conversion of all other rights, options and convertible securities outstanding on the date immediately prior to such issuance) plus the number of shares of Common Stock that the aggregate consideration received by the Corporation for such issuance would purchase at the applicable Conversion Price; and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such issuance (including shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock and the number of shares of Common Stock which could be obtained through the exercise or conversion of all other rights, options and convertible securities outstanding on the date immediately prior to such issuance) plus the number of shares of Additional Shares of Common Stock actually issued in such issuance.

(ii) For the purpose of making any adjustment in the Conversion Price, or number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, as provided above, the consideration received by the Corporation for any issue or sale of securities shall:

(a) To the extent it consists of cash, be computed at the net amount of cash received by the Corporation after deduction of any expenses payable directly or indirectly by the Corporation and any underwriting or similar commissions, compensations, discounts or concessions paid or allowed by the Corporation in connection with such issue or sale;

(b) To the extent it consists of property other than cash, the consideration other than cash shall be computed at the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors, at or about, but as of, the date of the adoption of the resolution specifically authorizing such issuance or sale, irrespective of any accounting treatment thereof; provided, however, that such fair market value as determined by the Board of Directors, when added to any cash consideration received in connection with such issuance or sale, shall not exceed the aggregate market price of the Additional Shares of Common Stock being issued, as of the date of the adoption of such resolution; and

 

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(c) If Additional Shares of Common Stock, Convertible Securities (as defined below) or Rights (as defined below) are issued or sold together with other stock or securities or other assets of the Corporation for consideration which covers both, the consideration received for the Additional Shares of Common Stock, Convertible Securities or Rights shall be computed as that portion of the consideration so received which is reasonably determined in good faith by the Board of Directors to be allocable to such Additional Shares of Common Stock, Convertible Securities or Rights.

(iii) For the purpose of making any adjustment in the Conversion Price provided in Section 5(f) hereof, if at any time, or from time to time, the Corporation issues any stock or other securities convertible into Additional Shares of Common Stock (such stock or other securities being hereinafter referred to as “Convertible Securities”) or issues any rights or options to purchase Additional Shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities (such rights or options being hereinafter referred to as “Rights”), then, and in each such case, if the Effective Conversion Price (as hereinafter defined) of such Rights or Convertible Securities shall be less than the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the issuance of such Rights or Convertible Securities, the Corporation shall be deemed to have issued at the time of the issuance of such Rights or Convertible Securities the maximum number of Additional Shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise or conversion thereof and to have received in consideration for the issuance of such shares an amount equal to the aggregate Effective Conversion Price of such Rights or Convertible Securities. For the purposes of this Section 5(f)(iii), “Effective Conversion Price” shall mean an amount equal to the sum of the lowest amount of consideration, if any, received or receivable by the Corporation with respect to any one (1) Additional Share of Common Stock upon issuance of the Rights or Convertible Securities and upon their exercise or conversion, respectively. No further adjustment of the Conversion Price adjusted upon the issuance of such Rights or Convertible Securities shall be made as a result of the actual issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock on the exercise of any such Rights or the conversion of any such Convertible Securities. If any such Rights or the conversion privilege represented by any such Convertible Securities shall expire without having been exercised, such Conversion Price, as applicable, as adjusted upon the issuance of such Rights or Convertible Securities shall be readjusted to the Conversion Price, as applicable, which would have been in effect had such adjustment been made on the basis that the only Additional Shares of Common Stock so issued were the Additional Shares of Common Stock, if any, actually issued or sold on the exercise of such Rights or on the conversion of such Convertible Securities, and such Additional Shares of Common Stock, if any, were issued or sold for the consideration actually received by the Corporation upon such exercise, plus the consideration, if any, actually received by the Corporation for the granting of all such Rights, whether or not exercised, plus the consideration received for issuing or selling the Convertible Securities actually converted plus the consideration, if any, actually received by the Corporation (other than by cancellation of liabilities or obligations evidenced by such Convertible Securities) on the conversion of such Convertible Securities. No readjustment pursuant to this subsection (f)(iii) shall have the effect of increasing the Conversion Price to an amount which exceeds the lower of (a) the Conversion Price on the original adjustment date and (b) the Conversion Price that would have resulted from any issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock between the original adjustment date and such readjustment date.

(g) Additional Shares of Common Stock. “Additional Shares of Common Stock” as used in this Section 5 shall mean all shares of Common Stock issued or deemed to be issued by the Corporation, whether or not subsequently reacquired or retired by the Corporation, other than:

(i) shares of Common Stock issued upon the conversion of any shares of the Corporation’s Preferred Stock;

 

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(ii) shares of Common Stock issued or issuable to employees or officers or directors or outside consultants or contractors of the Corporation or any Subsidiary pursuant to a plan, agreement or arrangement duly approved by the Board of Directors;

(iii) shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Qualified Public Offering;

(iv) shares of Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to the exercise or conversion of options, warrants or convertible securities (including, without limitation, the Convertible Promissory Notes (as defined in Section 7 below)) outstanding as of the date hereof;

(v) shares of Common Stock issued to effect any stock split, stock dividend or recapitalization of the Corporation;

(vi) shares of Common Stock and/or options, warrants or other Common Stock purchase rights issued in connection with the Corporation obtaining lease financing, whether issued to a lessor, guarantor or other Person, provided that such issuance is pursuant to an agreement or arrangement duly approved by the Board of Directors;

(vii) shares of Common Stock and/or options, warrants or other Common Stock purchase rights issued in connection with any borrowings, direct or indirect from financial institutions or other Persons by the Corporation, provided that such issuance is pursuant to an agreement or arrangement duly approved by the Board of Directors;

(viii) shares of Common Stock and/or options, warrants or other Common Stock purchase rights issued in connection with the acquisition of all or a substantial portion of the assets or the business of another entity by the Corporation, provided that such issuance is pursuant to an agreement or arrangement duly approved by the Board of Directors; and

(ix) shares of Common Stock and/or options, warrants or other Common Stock purchase rights issued in connection with any corporate partnering transaction, strategic alliance, technology transfer or similar transaction between the Corporation and any other Person, provided that such issuance is pursuant to an agreement or arrangement duly approved by the Board of Directors.

(h) Common Stock. “Common Stock” as used in this Section 5 shall mean any shares of any class of the Corporation’s capital stock other than the Series A Preferred Stock. The Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock, however, shall be the Common Stock of the Corporation as constituted on the date hereof, except as otherwise provided in this Section 5.

(i) Certificate of Adjustment. In each case of an adjustment or readjustment of the Conversion Price or the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, the Corporation, at its expense, shall cause the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation to compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with this Restated Certificate of Incorporation and prepare a certificate showing such adjustment or readjustment, and shall mail such certificate, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to each registered holder of the Series A Preferred Stock at the holder’s address as shown on the Corporation’s stock transfer books. The certificate shall set forth such adjustment or readjustment, showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based, including a statement of (i) the consideration received or to be received by the Corporation for any Additional Shares of Common Stock issued or sold or deemed to have been issued or sold; (ii) Conversion Price at the time in effect for the Series A Preferred Stock; and (iii) the number of Additional Shares of Common Stock and the type and amount, if any, of other property which at the time would be received upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock. Such notice may be given in advance of such adjustment or readjustment and may be included as part of a notice required to be given pursuant to Section 5(j) below.

 

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(j) Notices of Record Date. In the event the Corporation shall propose to take any action of the type or types requiring an adjustment to the Conversion Price of the Series A Preferred Stock, or the number or character of the Series A Preferred Stock as set forth herein, the Corporation shall give notice to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock as applicable in the manner set forth in Section 5(i) above, which notice shall specify the record date, if any, with respect to any such action and the date on which such action is to take place. Such notice shall also set forth such facts with respect thereto as shall be reasonably necessary to indicate the effect of such action (to the extent such effect may be known at the date of such notice) on the Conversion Price and the number, kind or class of shares or other securities or property which shall be deliverable upon the occurrence of such action or deliverable upon the conversion of Series A Preferred Stock. In the case of any action which would require the fixing of a record date, such notice shall be given at least ten (10) days prior to the date so fixed, and in case of all other action, such notice shall be given at least twenty (20) days prior to the taking of such proposed action. Notwithstanding the requirements of this Section 5(j), this Section 5(j) shall not be applicable and no such notice shall be required with respect to any action that is, or has been, approved by the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock voting or consenting together as a single class and to the exclusion of all other classes of capital stock of the Corporation.

(k) Reservation of Stock Issuable Upon Conversion. The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, such number of its shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect a conversion of all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and if at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall promptly seek such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purpose. In the event of the consolidation or merger of the Corporation with another corporation where the Corporation is not the surviving corporation, effective provisions shall be made in the certificate or articles of incorporation, merger or consolidation, or otherwise of the surviving corporation so that such corporation will at all times reserve and keep available a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock or other securities or property to provide for the conversion of Series A Preferred Stock in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.

(l) Payment of Taxes. The Corporation shall pay all taxes and other governmental charges (other than any income or other taxes imposed upon the profits realized by the recipient) that may be imposed in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock or other securities or property upon conversion of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, excluding any tax or other charge imposed in connection with any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of shares of Common Stock or other securities in a name other than that in which the shares of Series A Preferred Stock so converted were registered.

(m) Status of Converted Stock. In the event any shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be converted pursuant to Section 5 hereof, the shares so converted shall be cancelled and shall not be issuable by the Corporation, and this Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be appropriately amended to effect the corresponding reduction in the Corporation’s authorized capital stock.

(n) No Impairment. Subject to the right of this Corporation to amend its Certificate of Incorporation or take any other corporate action upon obtaining the necessary approvals required by its

 

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Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law, the Corporation shall not amend this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or participate in any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, for the purpose of avoiding or seeking to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed hereunder by the Corporation, but shall at all times in good faith use its best efforts, and assist in carrying out all such action as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate in order to protect the Conversion Rights of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock against dilution or other impairment.

6. Common Stock.

(a) Dividend Rights. Subject to the prior rights of holders of all classes of stock at the time outstanding having prior rights as to dividends, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out of any assets of the Corporation legally available therefor, such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors.

(b) Liquidation Rights. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the assets of the Corporation shall be distributed as provided in Section 2 of this Article IV.

(c) Redemption. The Common Stock is not redeemable.

(d) Voting Rights. The holder of each share of Common Stock shall have the right to one (1) vote, and shall be entitled to notice of any stockholders’ meeting in accordance with the By-laws of the Corporation, and shall be entitled to vote upon such matters and in such manner as may be provided by this Restated Certificate of Incorporation and law. The number of authorized shares of Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this corporation entitled to vote, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

7. Miscellaneous.

(a) Definitions.

(i) “Additional Shares of Common Stock” shall have that meaning set forth in Section 5(g) hereof.

(ii) “Common Stock” shall have that meaning set forth in Section 5(h) hereof.

(iii) “Conversion Price” shall have that meaning set forth in Section 5(c) hereof.

(iv) “Conversion Rights” shall have that meaning set forth in Section 5 hereof.

(v) “Convertible Promissory Notes” shall mean those certain convertible promissory notes dated as of March 12, 2007 issued by the Corporation in the aggregate principal amount of $250,000.

(vi) “Convertible Securities” shall have that meaning set forth in Section 5(f)(iii) hereof.

 

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(vii) “Effective Conversion Price” shall have that meaning set forth in Section 5(f)(iii) hereof.

(viii) “Liquidation Value” shall have that meaning set forth in Section 2(d) hereof.

(ix) “Person” shall mean an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a trust or unincorporated organization or any other entity or organization.

(x) “Preferred Stock” shall have that meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this Article IV.

(xi) “Preferred Stock Date of Accrual” shall have that meaning set forth in Section 1(a) hereof.

(xii) “Qualified Public Offering” means a firmly underwritten public offering of the Corporation’s Common Stock on a Form S-1 Registration Statement, or any similar form of registration statement, adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) from and after the date hereof, filed with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to which the Corporation receives gross proceeds of at least $25,000,000 (prior to deduction for underwriters’ discounts and expenses relating to such public offering, including without limitation, fees of the Corporation’s counsel) and the price to the public is at least $4.50 per share (equitably adjusted for all stock splits, sub-divisions, stock dividends, combinations and the like with respect to such shares).

(xiii) “Series A Preferred Stock” shall have that meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this Article IV.

(xiv) “Subsidiary” means any corporation of which equity securities possessing a majority of the ordinary voting power in electing the board of directors are, at the time as of which such determination is being made, owned by the Corporation either directly or indirectly through one or more Subsidiaries.

(b) Notices. All notices referred to herein, except as otherwise expressly provided, shall be made by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid and shall be deemed to have been given when so mailed.

(c) Conflicts. So long as any of the Series A Preferred Stock is outstanding, in the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Article IV and the remainder of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws of the Corporation (both as presently existing or hereafter amended and supplemented), the provisions of this Article IV shall be and remain controlling.

V

EXCULPATION AND INDEMNIFICATION

1. Exculpation. A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal benefit. If the Delaware General Corporation Law is hereafter

 

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amended to further reduce or to authorize, with the approval of the Corporation’s stockholders, further reductions in the liability of the Corporation’s directors for breach of fiduciary duty, then a director of the Corporation shall not be liable for any such breach to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law as so amended.

2. Indemnification. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation shall provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) any director, officer, employee or other Persons to which Delaware law permits the Corporation to provide indemnification through bylaw provisions, agreements with any such director, officer, employee or other Persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, subject only to limits created by applicable Delaware law (statutory or non-statutory), with respect to actions for breach of duty to the Corporation, its stockholders and others.

3. Effect of Repeal or Modification. Any repeal or modification of any of the foregoing provisions of this Article V shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director, officer, agent or other Person existing at the time of, or increase the liability of any director of the Corporation with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to, such repeal or modification.

VI

BOARD POWER REGARDING BY-LAWS

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, repeal, alter, amend and rescind the By-laws of the Corporation without the vote or assent of the stockholders.

VII

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the By-laws of the Corporation shall so provide.

VIII

CORPORATE POWER

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred on stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Restated Certificate of Incorporation which restates and amends the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, and which has been duly adopted in accordance with Sections 228, 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and has been executed by its President this 31st day of May, 2007.

 

EVOKE PHARMA, INC.

/s/ David A. Gonyer

David A. Gonyer
President

 

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CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF

RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

EVOKE PHARMA, INC.

Evoke Pharma, Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), hereby certifies as follows:

First. The Corporation originally filed its Certificate of Incorporation on January 29, 2007.

Second. That the Board of Directors of said Corporation, by unanimous written consent, duly adopted resolutions proposing and declaring advisable the following amendment of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of said Corporation (the “Certificate”) and seeking the consent of the stockholders of said Corporation to said amendment. The resolutions setting forth the proposed amendment are as follows:

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Certificate is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph of Article IV thereof and by substituting in lieu of said paragraph the following:

“The number of shares of Common Stock which this Corporation is authorized to issue is Twenty Million (20,000,000). The number of shares of Preferred Stock which this Corporation is authorized to issue is Twelve Million Three Hundred Five Thousand Sixty-Eight (12,305,068), all of which shares shall be designated Series A Preferred Stock.

Effective upon the filing of this Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, a 1-for-5 reverse stock split for each share of Common Stock outstanding or held in treasury immediately prior to such time shall automatically and without any action on the part of the holders thereof occur (the “Reverse Stock Split”). The par value of the Common Stock shall remain $0.0001 per share. This conversion shall apply to all shares of Common Stock. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon the Reverse Stock Split or otherwise. In lieu of any fractional shares of Common Stock to which the stockholder would otherwise be entitled upon the Reverse Stock Split, the Corporation shall pay cash equal to such fraction multiplied by the then fair market value of the Common Stock as determined by the Board of Directors.

All certificates representing shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the filing of this Certificate of Amendment shall immediately after the filing of this Certificate of Amendment represent instead the number of shares of Common Stock as provided above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any holder of Common Stock may (but shall not be required to) surrender his, her or its stock certificate or certificates to the Corporation, and upon such surrender the holder may request that the Corporation issue a certificate for the correct number of shares of Common Stock to which the holder is entitled under the provisions of this Certificate of Amendment. Shares of Common Stock that were outstanding prior to the filing of this Certificate of Amendment, and that are not outstanding after and as a result of the filing of this Certificate of Amendment, shall resume the status of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock.”

 

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RESOLVED FURTHER, that the Certificate is hereby amended by amending Section 4(b)(i) of Article IV thereof so that, as amended, said Section shall be and read in its entirety as follows:

“The authorized number of directors shall be seven (7) until this provision is amended in accordance with the terms of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The holders of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class and to the exclusion of all other classes of capital stock of the Corporation, shall be entitled to elect two (2) members of the Board of Directors (the “Preferred Directors”). The holders of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, voting as a separate class and to the exclusion of all other classes of capital stock of the Corporation, shall be entitled to elect two (2) members of the Board of Directors (the “Common Directors”). The holders of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, shall be entitled to elect the remaining members of the Board of Directors (the “General Directors”).”

Third. That the aforesaid amendment has been consented to and authorized by the holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding stock entitled to vote in accordance with the provisions of Section 228 of the DGCL.

Fourth. That the aforesaid amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 242 and 228 of the DGCL.

Fifth. That the aforesaid amendment shall be executed, filed and recorded in accordance with Section 103 of the DGCL.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Evoke Pharma, Inc. has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be signed by an authorized officer thereof, this 30th day of August, 2013.

 

Evoke Pharma, Inc.
/s/ David A. Gonyer

By:

  David A. Gonyer

Title:

  President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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EX-3.3

Exhibit 3.3

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

EVOKE PHARMA, INC.

Evoke Pharma, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies as follows:

A.        The name of the Corporation is Evoke Pharma, Inc. The original Certificate of Incorporation of Evoke Pharma, Inc. was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on January 29, 2007.

B.        This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”) was duly adopted in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, and restates, integrates and further amends the provisions of the Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended by that certain Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated as of February 8, 2008, that certain Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated as of June 16, 2010, that certain Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated as of June 1, 2012 and that certain Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation dated as of August 30, 2013.

C.        This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was approved by the holders of the requisite number of shares of said corporation in accordance with Section 228 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

D.        The text of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended to date, is amended and restated to read as follows:

FIRST:             The name of the Corporation is Evoke Pharma, Inc.

SECOND:        The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19801, and the name of the registered agent of the Corporation in the State of Delaware at such address is Corporation Service Company.

THIRD:           The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).

FOURTH:        The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”) and Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Stock”). The total number of shares the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is Fifty Five Million (55,000,000) shares, Fifty Million (50,000,000) shares of which shall be Common Stock and Five Million (5,000,000) shares of which shall be Preferred Stock.

               (1)         Common Stock. The voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of the Common Stock are subject to and qualified by the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock of any series as may be designated by the Board of Directors upon any issuance of the Preferred Stock. The holders of the Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held at all meetings of stockholders. There shall be no cumulative voting. Dividends may be declared and paid on the Common

 

1


Stock from funds lawfully available therefor as and when determined by the Board of Directors and subject to any preferential dividend rights of any then outstanding Preferred Stock. Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of the Corporation will be entitled to receive ratably all assets of the Corporation available for distribution to stockholders, subject to any preferential rights of any then outstanding Preferred Stock.

               (2)         Preferred Stock. Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, each of such series to have such terms as stated in the resolution or resolutions providing for the establishment of such series adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation as hereinafter provided. Authority is hereby expressly granted to the Board of Directors of the Corporation to issue, from time to time, shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, and, in connection with the establishment of any such series, by adopting a resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of the shares thereof and by filing a certificate of designations relating thereto in accordance with the DGCL, to determine and fix the number of shares of such series and such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such other powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, if any, including, without limitation, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, as shall be stated in such resolution or resolutions, all to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the resolution or resolutions providing for the establishment of any series of Preferred Stock may, to the extent permitted by law, provide that such series shall be superior to, rank equally with or be junior to the Preferred Stock of any other series. The powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, if any, may be different from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the resolution or resolutions providing for the establishment of any series of Preferred Stock, no vote of the holders of shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock shall be a prerequisite to the issuance of any shares of any series of the Preferred Stock authorized by and complying with the conditions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

FIFTH:            (1)         The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors having that number of directors set out in the Bylaws of the Corporation as adopted or as set forth from time to time by a duly adopted amendment thereto by the Board of Directors or stockholders of the Corporation.

               (2)        No director (other than directors elected by one or more series of Preferred Stock) may be removed from office by the stockholders except for cause and, in addition to any other vote required by law, upon the affirmative vote of not less than 66 2/3% of the total voting power of all outstanding securities of the Corporation then entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

               (3)         The directors of the Corporation, other than directors elected by one or more series of Preferred Stock, shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the total number of directors (other than directors elected by one or more series of Preferred Stock) constituting the entire Board of Directors. Each director (other than directors elected by one or more series of Preferred Stock) shall serve for a term ending on the date of the third annual meeting of stockholders following the annual meeting at which such director was elected, provided that directors initially designated as Class I directors shall serve for a term ending on the first annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Qualifying Record Date”), directors initially designated as Class II directors shall serve for a term ending on the second annual meeting of stockholders following the Qualifying Record Date and directors initially designated as Class III directors shall serve for a term

 

2


ending on the third annual meeting of stockholders following the Qualifying Record Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each director shall hold office until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. If the number of directors (other than directors elected by one or more series of Preferred Stock) is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, but in no event will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director. Vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, removal or otherwise and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors (other than directors elected by one or more series of Preferred Stock) may be filled solely by a vote of a majority of the directors then in office (although less than a quorum) or by a sole remaining director, and each director so elected shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of the class to which such director shall have been elected. Whenever the holders of one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately as a class or series, to elect directors, the nomination, election, term of office, filling of vacancies, removal and other features of such directorships shall not be governed by this Article FIFTH unless otherwise provided for in the certificate of designation for such classes or series.

SIXTH:            The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.

SEVENTH:      The following provisions are inserted for the management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation and for the further definition of the powers of the Corporation and its directors and stockholders:

               (1)         The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, adopt, amend, alter, rescind or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the stockholders may adopt, amend, alter, rescind or repeal the Bylaws with, in addition to any other vote required by law, the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the total voting power of all outstanding securities of the Corporation then entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

               (2)         Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation so provide.

               (3)        Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken only upon the vote of stockholders at an annual or special meeting duly noticed and called in accordance with the DGCL and may not be taken by written consent of stockholders without a meeting.

               (4)         Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called, for any purpose or purposes, by the Board of Directors, the chairperson of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer or the president (in the absence of a chief executive officer), but such special meetings may not be called by any other person or persons.

               (5)        Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

EIGHTH:          (1)         To the maximum extent permitted by the DGCL, as the same exists or as may hereafter be amended, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. If the DGCL is amended after approval by the stockholders of this Article EIGHTH to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as so amended.

 

3


               (2)         The Corporation may indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she, or his or her testator or intestate is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or any predecessor of the Corporation, or serves or served at any other enterprise as a director, officer, employee or agent at the request of the Corporation or any predecessor to the Corporation.

               (3)         Neither any amendment nor repeal of this Article EIGHTH, nor the adoption of any provision of the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation inconsistent with this Article EIGHTH, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article EIGHTH in respect of any matter occurring, or any action or proceeding accruing or arising or that, but for this Article EIGHTH, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.

NINTH:            Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by, or other wrongdoing by, any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, creditors or other constituents, (c) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware or this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation, (d) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation or (e) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each case subject to said Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein; provided that, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware dismisses any such action for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, such action may be brought in another state or federal court sitting in the State of Delaware. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article NINTH. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Corporation, and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser percentage may be specified by law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds in voting power of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon shall be required to amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, this Article NINTH. If any provision or provisions of this Article NINTH shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article NINTH (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article NINTH containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

TENTH:           Each reference in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to any provision of the DGCL refers to the specified provision of the DGCL, as the same now exists or as it may hereafter be amended or superseded.

ELEVENTH:   The Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware; and all rights conferred

 

4


on stockholders, directors or any other persons herein are granted subject to this reservation; provided, however, that no amendment, alteration, change or repeal may be made to Article FIFTH, SEVENTH, EIGHTH, NINTH or ELEVENTH without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation, voting together as a single class.

 

5


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Evoke Pharma, Inc. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by an authorized officer thereof, this [ l ] day of [ l ], 2013.

 

Evoke Pharma, Inc.,  
a Delaware corporation  
By:      
Name:   David A. Gonyer, R.Ph.  
Title:  

President and Chief

Executive Officer

 

 

6

EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

 

        

12636 High Bluff Drive, Suite 400

San Diego, California 92130-2071

Tel: +1.858.523.5400 Fax: +1.858.523.5450

www.lw.com

LOGO        FIRM / AFFILIATE OFFICES
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         File No. 043398-0008   

Evoke Pharma, Inc.

12555 High Bluff Drive, Suite 385

San Diego, CA 92130

 

  Re: Registration Statement No. 333-188838; 2,415,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to Evoke Pharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the proposed issuance of up to 2,415,000 shares (including up to 315,000 shares subject to the underwriters’ over-allotment option) of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Shares”). The Shares are included in a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on May 24, 2013 (File No. 333-188838) (as amended, the “Registration Statement”). The term “Shares” shall include any additional shares of common stock registered by the Company pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Act in connection with the offering contemplated by the Registration Statement. This opinion is being furnished in connection with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement or related Prospectus, other than as expressly stated herein with respect to the issue of the Shares.

As such counsel, we have examined such matters of fact and questions of law as we have considered appropriate for purposes of this letter. With your consent, we have relied upon certificates and other assurances of officers of the Company and others as to factual matters without having independently verified such factual matters. We are opining herein as to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and we express no opinion with respect to any other laws.

Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, when the Shares shall have been duly registered on the books of the transfer agent and registrar therefor in the name or on behalf of the purchasers, and have been issued by the Company against payment therefor in the circumstances contemplated by the form of underwriting agreement most recently filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, the issue and sale of the Shares will have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, and the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. In rendering the foregoing opinion, we have assumed that the Company will comply with all applicable notice requirements regarding uncertificated shares provided in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.


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August 30, 2013

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This opinion is for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement and may be relied upon by you and by persons entitled to rely upon it pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Act. We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm in the Prospectus under the heading “Legal Matters.” We further consent to the incorporation by reference of this letter and consent into any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) with respect to the Shares. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Latham & Watkins LLP

EX-10.5

Exhibit 10.5

EVOKE PHARMA, INC.

2013 EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

ARTICLE 1.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Evoke Pharma, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan (as it may be amended or restated from time to time, the “Plan”) is to promote the success and enhance the value of Evoke Pharma, Inc. (the “Company”) by linking the individual interests of the members of the Board, Employees, and Consultants to those of Company stockholders and by providing such individuals with an incentive for outstanding performance to generate superior returns to Company stockholders. The Plan is further intended to provide flexibility to the Company in its ability to motivate, attract, and retain the services of members of the Board, Employees, and Consultants upon whose judgment, interest, and special effort the successful conduct of the Company’s operation is largely dependent. The Plan provides a mechanism through which the Company may grant equity and equity-based awards as well as cash bonus and other cash awards to Eligible Individuals.

ARTICLE 2.

DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates. Masculine, feminine and neuter pronouns are used interchangeably and each comprehends the others.

2.1         “Administrator” shall mean the entity that conducts the general administration of the Plan as provided in Article 12. With reference to the duties of the Committee under the Plan that have been delegated to one or more persons pursuant to Section 12.6, or that the Board has assumed, the term “Administrator” shall refer to such person(s) unless the Committee or the Board has revoked such delegation or the Board has terminated the assumption of such duties.

2.2         “Affiliate” shall mean (a) any Subsidiary; and (b) any domestic eligible entity that is disregarded, under Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3, as an entity separate from either (i) the Company or (ii) any Subsidiary.

2.3         “Applicable Accounting Standards” shall mean Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States, International Financial Reporting Standards or such other accounting principles or standards as may apply to the Company’s financial statements under United States federal securities laws from time to time.

2.4         “Applicable Law” shall mean any applicable law, including without limitation; (i) provisions of the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any rules or regulations thereunder; (ii) corporate, securities, tax or other laws, statutes, rules, requirements or regulations, whether federal, state, local or foreign; and (iii) rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded.


2.5         “Award” shall mean an Option, a Restricted Stock award, a Restricted Stock Unit award, a Performance Award, a Dividend Equivalents award, a Stock Payment award or a Stock Appreciation Right, that may be awarded or granted under the Plan (collectively, “Awards”).

2.6         “Award Agreement” shall mean any written notice, agreement, terms and conditions, contract or other instrument or document evidencing an Award, including through electronic medium, which shall contain such terms and conditions with respect to an Award as the Administrator shall determine consistent with the Plan.

2.7         “Award Limit” shall mean with respect to Awards that shall be payable in Shares or in cash, as the case may be, the respective limit set forth in Section 3.3.

2.8         “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.9         “Cause” shall mean the occurrence of any of, but not limited to, the following: (a) conviction of a Holder of any felony or any crime involving fraud or dishonesty; (b) a Holder’s participation (whether by affirmative act or omission) in a fraud, act or dishonesty or other act of misconduct against the Company and/or any Affiliate; (c) conduct by a Holder that, based upon a good faith and reasonable factual investigation by the Company (or, if a Holder is an executive officer, by the Board), demonstrates such Holder’s unfitness to serve; (d) a Holder’s violation of any statutory or fiduciary duty, or duty of loyalty owed to the Company and/or any Affiliate; (e) a Holder’s violation of state or federal law in connection with the Holder’s performance of his or her job that has an adverse effect on the Company and/or any Affiliate; and (f) a Holder’s violation of Company policy that has a material adverse effect on the Company and/or any Affiliate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Holder’s Disability shall not constitute Cause as set forth herein. The determination that a termination is for Cause shall be by the Administrator in its sole and exclusive judgment and discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Holder is a party to an employment or severance agreement with the Company or any Affiliate in effect as of the date of grant of an Award that defines “Misconduct” or “Cause” or a similar term, “Cause” for purposes of the Plan and such Award shall have the meaning given to such term in such employment or severance agreement.

2.10         “Change in Control” shall mean and includes each of the following:

(a)         A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of Common Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission) whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or a “person” that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

 

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(b)        During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new Director(s) (other than a Director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 2.10(a) or 2.10(c)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors then still in office who either were Directors at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or

(c)        The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:

(i)        that results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the “Successor Entity”)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and

(ii)        after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this Section 2.10(c)(ii) as beneficially owning 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction; or

(d)        The Company’s stockholders approve a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any portion of an Award that provides for the deferral of compensation and is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the transaction or event described in subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) with respect to such Award (or portion thereof) must also constitute a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) to the extent required by Section 409A.

The Committee shall have full and final authority to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control of the Company has occurred pursuant to the above definition, and the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto; provided that any exercise of authority in conjunction with a determination of whether a Change in Control is a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) shall be consistent with such regulation.

 

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2.11         “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, together with the regulations and official guidance promulgated thereunder.

2.12         “Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board, or another committee or subcommittee of the Board, appointed as provided in Section 12.1.

2.13         “Common Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share.

2.14         “Company” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 1.

2.15         “Consultant” shall mean any consultant or adviser engaged to provide services to the Company or any Affiliate that qualifies as a consultant under the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for registration of shares on a Form S-8 Registration Statement.

2.16         “Covered Employee” shall mean any Employee who is, or could be, a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

2.17         “Director” shall mean a member of the Board, as constituted from time to time.

2.18         “Disability” shall mean that the Holder is either (a) unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months, or (b) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under a long-term disability income plan, if any, covering employees of the Company. For purposes of the Plan, a Holder shall be deemed to have incurred a Disability if the Holder is determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration or in accordance with the applicable disability insurance program of the Company; provided that the definition of “disability” applied under such disability insurance program complies with the requirements of this definition.

2.19         “Dividend Equivalent” shall mean a right to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on Shares, awarded under Section 9.2.

2.20         “DRO” shall mean a domestic relations order as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, or the rules thereunder.

2.21         “Effective Date” shall mean the day prior to the Public Trading Date.

 

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2.22         “Eligible Individual” shall mean any person who is an Employee, a Consultant or a Non-Employee Director, as determined by the Administrator.

2.23         “Employee” shall mean any officer or other employee (as determined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder) of the Company or of any Affiliate.

2.24         “Equity Restructuring” shall mean a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off, rights offering or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the number or kind of Shares (or other securities of the Company) or the share price of Common Stock (or other securities) and causes a change in the per-share value of the Common Stock underlying outstanding Awards.

2.25         “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

2.26         “Expiration Date” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 13.1.

2.27         “Fair Market Value” shall mean, as of any given date, the value of a Share determined as follows (unless an alternative definition is approved by the Administrator and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, in which case such definition shall apply to such Award):

(a)         If the Common Stock is listed on any (i) established securities exchange (such as the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Global Market and the NASDAQ Global Select Market), (ii) national market system or (iii) automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for a Share as quoted on such exchange or system for such date or, if there is no closing sales price for a Share on the date in question, the closing sales price for a Share on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

(b)         If the Common Stock is not listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system, but the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean of the high bid and low asked prices for such date or, if there are no high bid and low asked prices for a Share on such date, the high bid and low asked prices for a Share on the last preceding date for which such information exists, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or

(c)         If the Common Stock is neither listed on an established securities exchange, national market system or automated quotation system nor regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer, its Fair Market Value shall be established by the Administrator in good faith.

 

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2.28         “Good Reason” shall mean (a) a change in the Holder’s position with the Company (or its Affiliate employing the Holder) that materially reduces the Holder’s duties and responsibilities or the level of management to which he or she reports, (b) a reduction in the Holder’s level of compensation (including base salary, fringe benefits and target bonuses under any corporate performance-based incentive programs) by more than 15% or (c) a relocation of the Holder’s place of employment by more than 50 miles, provided that such change, reduction or relocation is effected by the Company (or its Affiliate employing the Holder) without the Holder’s consent.

2.29         “Greater Than 10% Stockholder” shall mean an individual then owning (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any subsidiary corporation (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) or parent corporation thereof (as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code).

2.30         “Holder” shall mean a person who has been granted an Award.

2.31         “Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option and conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.

2.32         “Non-Employee Director” shall mean a Director of the Company who is not an Employee.

2.33         “Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.6.

2.34         “Non-Qualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

2.35         “Option” shall mean a right to purchase Shares at a specified exercise price, granted under Article 6. An Option shall be either a Non-Qualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option; provided, however, that Options granted to Non-Employee Directors and Consultants shall only be Non-Qualified Stock Options.

2.36         “Option Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.

2.37         “Performance Award” shall mean a cash bonus award, stock bonus award, performance award or incentive award that is paid in cash, Shares or a combination of both, awarded under Section 9.1.

2.38         “Performance-Based Compensation” shall mean any compensation that is intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” as described in Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

2.39         “Performance Criteria” shall mean the criteria (and adjustments) that the Committee selects for an Award for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal or Performance Goals for a Performance Period, determined as follows:

(a) The Performance Criteria that shall be used to establish Performance Goals are limited to the following: (i) net earnings (either before or after one or more of the following: (A) interest, (B) taxes, (C) depreciation and (D) amortization); (ii) gross or net sales

 

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or revenue; (iii) net income (either before or after taxes); (iv) adjusted net income; (v) operating earnings; (vi) cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash flow and free cash flow); (vii) return on assets; (viii) return on capital; (ix) return on stockholders’ equity; (x) total stockholder return; (xi) return on sales; (xii) gross or net profit or operating margin; (xiii) operating or other costs and expenses; (xiv) improvements in expense levels; (xv) working capital; (xvi) earnings per share; (xvii) adjusted earnings per share; (xviii) price per share of Common Stock; (xix) regulatory body approval for commercialization of a product; (xx) implementation or completion of critical projects; (xxi) market share; (xxii) economic value; (xxiii) comparisons with various stock market indices; (xxiv) capital raised in financing transactions or other financing milestones; (xxv) stockholders’ equity; (xxvi) market recognition (including but not limited to awards and analyst ratings); (xxvii) financial ratios; and (xxviii) implementation, completion or attainment of objectively determinable objectives relating to research, development, regulatory, commercial, or strategic milestones or developments; in each case as determined in accordance with Applicable Accounting Standards, if applicable, any of which may be measured either in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or decrease or as compared to results of a peer group or to market performance indicators or indices.

(b)         The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide that one or more objectively determinable adjustments shall be made to one or more of the Performance Goals. Such adjustments may include one or more of the following: (i) items related to a change in accounting principle; (ii) items relating to financing activities; (iii) expenses for restructuring or productivity initiatives; (iv) other non-operating items; (v) items related to acquisitions; (vi) items attributable to the business operations of any entity acquired by the Company during the Performance Period; (vii) items related to the disposal of a business or segment of a business; (viii) items related to discontinued operations that do not qualify as a segment of a business under Applicable Accounting Standards; (ix) items attributable to any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of stock occurring during the Performance Period; (x) any other items of significant income or expense that are determined to be appropriate adjustments; (xi) items relating to unusual or extraordinary corporate transactions, events or developments; (xii) items related to amortization of acquired intangible assets; (xiii) items that are outside the scope of the Company’s core, on-going business activities; (xiv) items related to acquired in-process research and development; (xv) items relating to changes in tax laws; (xvi) items relating to major licensing or partnership arrangements; (xvii) items relating to asset impairment charges; (xviii) items relating to gains or losses for litigation, arbitration and contractual settlements; or (xix) items relating to any other unusual or nonrecurring events or changes in Applicable Law, accounting principles or business conditions. For all Awards intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, such determinations shall be made within the time prescribed by, and otherwise in compliance with, Section 162(m) of the Code.

2.40         “Performance Goals” shall mean, for a Performance Period, one or more goals established in writing by the Administrator for the Performance Period based upon one or more Performance Criteria. Depending on the Performance Criteria used to establish such Performance Goals, the Performance Goals may be expressed in terms of overall Company performance or the performance of an Affiliate, division, business unit, or an individual. The achievement of each Performance Goal shall be determined, to the extent applicable, with reference to Applicable Accounting Standards.

 

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2.41         “Performance Period” shall mean one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, as the Administrator may select, over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Holder’s right to, and the payment of, an Award.

2.42         “Performance Stock Unit” shall mean a Performance Award awarded under Section 9.1 that is denominated in units of value including dollar value of Shares.

2.43         “Permitted Transferee” shall mean, with respect to a Holder, any “family member” of the Holder, as defined in the instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act, or any other transferee specifically approved by the Administrator after taking into account Applicable Law.

2.44         “Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in Article 1.

2.45         “Program” shall mean any program adopted by the Administrator pursuant to the Plan containing the terms and conditions intended to govern a specified type of Award granted under the Plan and pursuant to which such type of Award may be granted under the Plan.

2.46         “Public Trading Date” shall mean the first date upon which Common Stock is listed (or approved for listing) upon notice of issuance on any securities exchange or designated (or approved for designation) upon notice of issuance as a national market security on an interdealer quotation system.

2.47         “Restricted Stock” shall mean Common Stock awarded under Article 7 that is subject to certain restrictions and may be subject to risk of forfeiture or repurchase.

2.48         “Restricted Stock Units” shall mean the right to receive Shares or cash awarded under Article 8.

2.49         “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

2.50         “Shares” shall mean shares of Common Stock.

2.51         “Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean a stock appreciation right granted under Article 10.

2.52         “Stock Appreciation Right Term” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.4.

2.53         “Stock Payment” shall mean (a) a payment in the form of Shares, or (b) an option or other right to purchase Shares, as part of a bonus, deferred compensation or other arrangement, awarded under Section 9.3.

2.54         “Subsidiary” shall mean any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities beginning with the Company if each of the entities other than the last entity in the unbroken chain beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing at least 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.

 

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2.55         “Substitute Award” shall mean an Award granted under the Plan upon the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding equity awards previously granted by a company or other entity in connection with a corporate transaction, such as a merger, combination, consolidation or acquisition of property or stock; provided, however, that in no event shall the term “Substitute Award” be construed to refer to an award made in connection with the cancellation and repricing of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right.

2.56         “Termination of Service” shall mean:

(a)        As to a Consultant, the time when the engagement of a Holder as a Consultant to the Company or any Affiliate is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, including, without limitation, by resignation, discharge, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Consultant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate.

(b)        As to a Non-Employee Director, the time when a Holder who is a Non-Employee Director ceases to be a Director for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, failure to be elected, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Holder simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate.

(c)        As to an Employee, the time when the employee-employer relationship between a Holder and the Company or any Affiliate is terminated for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, disability or retirement, but excluding terminations where the Holder simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Affiliate.

The Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to any Termination of Service, including, without limitation, the question of whether a Termination of Service resulted from a discharge for cause and all questions of whether particular leaves of absence constitute a Termination of Service; provided, however, that, with respect to Incentive Stock Options, unless the Administrator otherwise provides in the terms of the Program, the Award Agreement or otherwise, or as otherwise required by Applicable Law, a leave of absence, change in status from an employee to an independent contractor or other change in the employee-employer relationship shall constitute a Termination of Service only if, and to the extent that, such leave of absence, change in status or other change interrupts employment for the purposes of Section 422(a)(2) of the Code and the then-applicable regulations and revenue rulings under said Section. For purposes of the Plan, a Holder’s employee-employer relationship or consultancy relationship shall be deemed to be terminated in the event that the Affiliate employing or contracting with such Holder ceases to remain an Affiliate following any merger, sale of stock or other corporate transaction or event (including, without limitation, a spin-off).

 

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ARTICLE 3.

SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

3.1         Number of Shares.

(a)         Subject to Sections 3.1(b) and 13.2, the aggregate number of Shares that may be issued or transferred pursuant to Awards under the Plan is the sum of (i) 510,000 and (ii) an annual increase on the first day of each year beginning with the first January 1 following the Effective Date and ending with the last January 1 during the initial ten-year term of the Plan, equal to the least of (A) 300,000 Shares, (B) 4% percent of the Shares outstanding (on an as-converted basis) on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year, and (C) such smaller number of Shares as determined by the Board. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3.1 to the contrary, the number of shares of Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall not exceed an aggregate of 3,510,000 Shares, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 13.2.

(b)         To the extent all or a portion of an Award is forfeited, expires or lapses for any reason, or is settled for cash without the delivery of Shares to the Holder, any Shares subject to such Award or portion thereof, to the extent of such forfeiture, termination, expiration, lapse or cash settlement, shall again be or shall become, as applicable, available for the grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan. Any Shares tendered by a Holder or withheld by the Company or any Affiliate to satisfy the grant or exercise price or tax withholding obligation in connection with all or a portion of an Award shall again be or shall become, as applicable, available for the grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan. Any Shares subject to a Stock Appreciation Right that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the Stock Appreciation Right on exercise thereof shall again be available for the grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan. Any Shares repurchased by or surrendered to the Company pursuant to Section 7.4 so that such Shares are returned to the Company shall again be or shall become, as applicable, available for the grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan. The payment of Dividend Equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not be counted against the Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3.1(b), no Shares may again be or, as applicable, may become eligible to be, optioned, granted or awarded if such action would cause an Incentive Stock Option to fail to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.

(c)         To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, Substitute Awards shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Affiliate or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan; provided that Awards using such available Shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not employed by or providing services to the Company or its Affiliates immediately prior to such acquisition or combination.

 

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3.2        Stock Distributed. Any Shares distributed pursuant to an Award may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Common Stock, treasury Common Stock or Common Stock purchased on the open market.

3.3        Limitation on Number of Shares Subject to Awards. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, and subject to Section 13.2, the maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to one or more Awards that may be granted to any one person during any calendar year shall be 510,000 and the maximum aggregate amount of cash that may be paid in cash to any one person during any calendar year with respect to one or more Awards payable in cash shall be $5,000,000; provided, however, that the foregoing limitations shall not apply prior to the Public Trading Date and, following the Public Trading Date, the foregoing limitations shall not apply until the earliest of: (a) the first material modification of the Plan (including any increase in the number of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan in accordance with Section 3.1); (b) the issuance of all of the Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan; (c) the expiration of the Plan; (d) the first meeting of stockholders at which members of the Board are to be elected that occurs after the close of the third calendar year following the calendar year in which occurred the first registration of an equity security of the Company under Section 12 of the Exchange Act; or (e) such other date required by Section 162(m) of the Code and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. To the extent required by Section 162(m) of the Code, Shares subject to Awards that are canceled shall continue to be counted against the Award Limit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and subject to Section 13.2, the maximum aggregate number of Shares with respect to one or more Awards that may be granted to a Non-Employee Director during any calendar year shall be 150,000.

ARTICLE 4.

GRANTING OF AWARDS

4.1        Participation. The Administrator may, from time to time, select from among all Eligible Individuals, those to whom an Award shall be granted and shall determine the nature and amount of each Award, which shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the Plan. Except as provided in Section 4.6 regarding the grant of Awards pursuant to the Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, no Eligible Individual shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to the Plan.

4.2        Award Agreement. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations for such Award, which may include the term of the Award, the provisions applicable in the event of the Holder’s Termination of Service, and the Company’s authority to unilaterally or bilaterally amend, modify, suspend, cancel or rescind an Award. Award Agreements evidencing Awards intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section 162(m) of the Code. Award Agreements evidencing Incentive Stock Options shall contain such terms and conditions as may be necessary to meet the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.

 

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4.3         Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan, and any Award granted or awarded to any individual who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and any amendments thereto) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

4.4         At-Will Employment; Voluntary Participation. Nothing in the Plan or in any Program or Award Agreement hereunder shall confer upon any Holder any right to continue in the employ of, or as a Director or Consultant for, the Company or any Affiliate, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and any Affiliate, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge any Holder at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, and with or without notice, or to terminate or change all other terms and conditions of employment or engagement, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Holder and the Company or any Affiliate. Participation by each Holder in the Plan shall be voluntary and nothing in the Plan shall be construed as mandating that any Eligible Individual shall participate in the Plan.

4.5         Foreign Holders. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in countries other than the United States in which the Company and its Affiliates operate or have Employees, Non-Employee Directors or Consultants, or in order to comply with the requirements of any foreign securities exchange, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (a) determine which Affiliates shall be covered by the Plan; (b) determine which Eligible Individuals outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (c) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Eligible Individuals outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange; (d) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable (any such subplans and/or modifications shall be attached to the Plan as appendices); provided, however, that no such subplans and/or modifications shall increase the share limitations contained in Sections 3.1 and 3.3; and (e) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that it deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate Applicable Law. For purposes of the Plan, all references to foreign laws, rules, regulations or taxes shall be references to the laws, rules, regulations and taxes of any applicable jurisdiction other than the United States or a political subdivision thereof.

4.6         Non-Employee Director Awards. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may provide that Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors shall be granted pursuant to a written nondiscretionary formula established by the Administrator (the “Non-Employee Director

 

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Compensation Policy”), subject to the limitations of the Plan. The Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy shall set forth the type of Award(s) to be granted to Non-Employee Directors, the number of Shares to be subject to Non-Employee Director Awards, the conditions on which such Awards shall be granted, become exercisable and/or payable and expire, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion. The Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy may be modified by the Administrator from time to time in its sole discretion.

4.7         Stand-Alone and Tandem Awards. Awards granted pursuant to the Plan may, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with, any other Award granted pursuant to the Plan. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards.

ARTICLE 5.

PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS INTENDED TO QUALIFY AS

PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION

5.1         Purpose. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine at the time an Award is granted or at any time thereafter whether such Award is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation. If the Committee, in its sole discretion, decides to grant such an Award to an Eligible Individual that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, then the provisions of this Article 5 shall control over any contrary provision contained in the Plan. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may grant Awards to other Eligible Individuals that are based on Performance Criteria or Performance Goals but that do not satisfy the requirements of this Article 5 and that are not intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation. Unless otherwise specified by the Administrator at the time of grant, the Performance Criteria with respect to an Award intended to be Performance-Based Compensation payable to a Covered Employee shall be determined on the basis of Applicable Accounting Standards.

5.2         Applicability. The grant of an Award to an Eligible Individual for a particular Performance Period shall not require the grant of an Award to such Eligible Individual in any subsequent Performance Period and the grant of an Award to any one Eligible Individual shall not require the grant of an Award to any other Eligible Individual in such period or in any other period.

5.3         Types of Awards. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Committee may grant any Award to an Eligible Individual intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, including, without limitation, Restricted Stock the restrictions with respect to which lapse upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals, Restricted Stock Units that vest and become payable upon the attainment of specified Performance Goals and any Performance Awards described in Article 9 that vest or become exercisable or payable upon the attainment of one or more specified Performance Goals.

 

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5.4         Procedures with Respect to Performance-Based Awards. To the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, with respect to any Award granted to one or more Eligible Individuals that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, no later than 90 days following the commencement of any Performance Period or any designated fiscal period or period of service (or such earlier time as may be required under Section 162(m) of the Code), the Committee shall, in writing, (a) designate one or more Eligible Individuals, (b) select the Performance Criteria applicable to the Performance Period, (c) establish the Performance Goals, and amounts of such Awards, as applicable, that may be earned for such Performance Period based on the Performance Criteria, and (d) specify the relationship between Performance Criteria and the Performance Goals and the amounts of such Awards, as applicable, to be earned by each Covered Employee for such Performance Period. Following the completion of each Performance Period, the Committee shall certify in writing whether and the extent to which the applicable Performance Goals have been achieved for such Performance Period. In determining the amount earned under such Awards, the Committee shall have the right to reduce or eliminate (but not to increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Committee may deem relevant, including the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the Performance Period.

5.5         Payment of Performance-Based Awards. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Program or Award Agreement and only to the extent otherwise permitted by Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, as to an Award that is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, the Holder must be employed by the Company or an Affiliate throughout the Performance Period. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Performance Goals, Program or Award Agreement, a Holder shall be eligible to receive payment pursuant to such Awards for a Performance Period only if and to the extent the Performance Goals for such period are achieved.

5.6         Additional Limitations. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan and except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, any Award that is granted to an Eligible Individual and is intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in Section 162(m) of the Code or any regulations or rulings issued thereunder that are requirements for qualification as Performance-Based Compensation, and the Plan and the applicable Program and Award Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

ARTICLE 6.

OPTIONS

6.1         Granting of Options to Eligible Individuals. The Administrator is authorized to grant Options to Eligible Individuals from time to time, in its sole discretion, on such terms and conditions as it may determine, which shall not be inconsistent with the Plan.

6.2         Option Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share subject to each Option shall be set by the Administrator, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option is granted (or, as to Incentive Stock Options, on the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code). In addition, in the

 

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case of Incentive Stock Options granted to a Greater Than 10% Stockholder, such price shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the Option is granted (or the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code).

6.3         Option Vesting.

(a)         The period during which the right to exercise, in whole or in part, an Option vests in the Holder shall be set by the Administrator and the Administrator may determine that an Option may not be exercised in whole or in part for a specified period after it is granted; provided, however, that unless otherwise approved by the Administrator and set forth in an Award Agreement, no Option shall vest prior to the date that is six months from the date of grant. Such vesting may be based on service with the Company or any Affiliate, any of the Performance Criteria, or any other criteria selected by the Administrator.

(b)         No portion of an Option that is unexercisable at a Holder’s Termination of Service shall thereafter become exercisable, except as provided in Section 11.6 or as may be otherwise provided by the Administrator either in the applicable Program, the Award Agreement evidencing the grant of an Option, or by action of the Administrator following the grant of the Option. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator in the Award Agreement or by action of the Administrator following the grant of the Option, the portion of an Option that is unvested and unexercisable at a Holder’s Termination of Service shall automatically expire 30 days following such Termination of Service.

6.4         Manner of Exercise. All or a portion of an exercisable Option shall be deemed exercised upon delivery of all of the following to the Secretary of the Company, the stock administrator of the Company or such other person or entity designated by the Administrator, or his, her or its office, as applicable:

(a)         A written or electronic notice complying with the applicable rules established by the Administrator stating that the Option, or a portion thereof, is exercised. The notice shall be signed by the Holder or other person then entitled to exercise the Option or such portion of the Option;

(b)         Such representations and documents as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable to effect compliance with Applicable Law. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may also take whatever additional actions it deems appropriate to effect such compliance including, without limitation, placing legends on share certificates and issuing stop-transfer notices to agents and registrars;

(c)         In the event that the Option shall be exercised pursuant to Section 11.3 by any person or persons other than the Holder, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option, as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator; and

(d)         Full payment of the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes to the stock administrator of the Company for the Shares with respect to which the Option, or portion thereof, is exercised, in a manner permitted by Section 11.1 and 11.2.

 

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6.5         Partial Exercise. An exercisable Option may be exercised in whole or in part. However, an Option shall not be exercisable with respect to fractional Shares and the Administrator may require that, by the terms of the Option, a partial exercise must be with respect to a minimum number of Shares.

6.6         Option Term. The term of each Option (the “Option Term”) shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the Option Term shall not be more than ten years from the date the Option is granted, or five years from the date an Incentive Stock Option is granted to a Greater Than 10% Stockholder. The Administrator shall determine the time period, including the time period following a Termination of Service, during which the Holder has the right to exercise the vested Options, which time period may not extend beyond the last day of the Option Term. Except as limited by the requirements of Section 409A or Section 422 of the Code and regulations and rulings thereunder or the first sentence of this Section 6.6, the Administrator may extend the Option Term of any outstanding Option, and may extend the time period during which vested Options may be exercised, in connection with any Termination of Service of the Holder, and may amend, subject to Section 13.1, any other term or condition of such Option relating to such a Termination of Service.

6.7         Qualification of Incentive Stock Options. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any person who is not an Employee of the Company or any subsidiary corporation (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) of the Company. No person who qualifies as a Greater Than 10% Stockholder may be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless such Incentive Stock Option conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code. Any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan may be modified by the Administrator, with the consent of the Holder, to disqualify such Option from treatment as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of stock with respect to which “incentive stock options” (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, but without regard to Section 422(d) of the Code) are exercisable for the first time by a Holder during any calendar year under the Plan, and all other plans of the Company and any parent or subsidiary corporation thereof (each as defined in Section 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code, respectively), exceeds $100,000, the Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options to the extent required by Section 422 of the Code. The rule set forth in the immediately preceding sentence shall be applied by taking Options and other “incentive stock options” into account in the order in which they were granted and the Fair Market Value of stock shall be determined as of the time the respective options were granted.

6.8         Notification Regarding Disposition. The Holder shall give the Company prompt written or electronic notice of any disposition of Shares acquired by exercise of an Incentive Stock Option that occurs within (a) two years from the date of granting (including the date the Option is modified, extended or renewed for purposes of Section 424(h) of the Code) such Option to such Holder, or (b) one year after the transfer of such Shares to such Holder.

6.9         Substitute Awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article 6 to the contrary, in the case of an Option that is a Substitute Award, the price per share of the Shares subject to such Option may be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant; provided that the excess of: (a) the aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date such Substitute Award is granted) of the Shares subject to the Substitute Award, over (b) the aggregate exercise

 

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price thereof does not exceed the excess of: (x) the aggregate fair market value (as of the time immediately preceding the transaction giving rise to the Substitute Award, such fair market value to be determined by the Administrator) of the shares of the predecessor entity that were subject to the grant assumed or substituted for by the Company, over (y) the aggregate exercise price of such shares.

6.10         Substitution of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Administrator may provide in the applicable Program or the Award Agreement evidencing the grant of an Option that the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to substitute a Stock Appreciation Right for such Option at any time prior to or upon exercise of such Option; provided that such Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable with respect to the same number of Shares for which such substituted Option would have been exercisable, and shall also have the same exercise price, vesting schedule and remaining Option Term as the substituted Option.

ARTICLE 7.

RESTRICTED STOCK

7.1         Award of Restricted Stock.

(a)         The Administrator is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Eligible Individuals, and shall determine the terms and conditions, including the restrictions applicable to each award of Restricted Stock, which terms and conditions shall not be inconsistent with the Plan, and may impose such conditions on the issuance of such Restricted Stock as it deems appropriate.

(b)         The Administrator shall establish the purchase price, if any, and form of payment for Restricted Stock; provided, however, that if a purchase price is charged, such purchase price shall be no less than the par value, if any, of the Shares to be purchased, unless otherwise permitted by Applicable Law. In all cases, legal consideration shall be required for each issuance of Restricted Stock.

7.2         Rights as Stockholders. Subject to Section 7.4, upon issuance of Restricted Stock, the Holder shall have, unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, all the rights of a stockholder with respect to said Shares, subject to the restrictions in the applicable Program or in each individual Award Agreement, including the right to vote and the right to receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect to the Shares; provided, however, that, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, any extraordinary distributions with respect to the Shares shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 7.3.

7.3         Restrictions. All shares of Restricted Stock (including any shares received by Holders thereof with respect to shares of Restricted Stock as a result of stock dividends, stock splits or any other form of recapitalization) shall, in the terms of the applicable Program or in each individual Award Agreement, be subject to such restrictions and vesting requirements as the Administrator shall provide; provided, however, that unless otherwise approved by the Administrator and set forth in the applicable Program or an Award Agreement, no Award of Restricted Stock shall vest or be released from such restrictions and vesting requirements prior to

 

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the date that is six months from the date of grant. Such restrictions may include, without limitation, restrictions concerning voting rights and transferability and such restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times and pursuant to such circumstances or based on such criteria as selected by the Administrator, including, without limitation, criteria based on the Holder’s duration of employment, directorship or consultancy with the Company, the Performance Criteria, Company performance, individual performance or other criteria selected by the Administrator. By action taken after the Restricted Stock is issued, the Administrator may, on such terms and conditions as it may determine to be appropriate, accelerate the vesting of such Restricted Stock by removing any or all of the restrictions imposed by the terms of the applicable Program or Award Agreement. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, Restricted Stock may not be sold or encumbered until all restrictions are terminated or expire.

7.4         Repurchase or Forfeiture of Restricted Stock. Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator at the time of the grant of the Award or thereafter, if no price was paid by the Holder for the Restricted Stock, upon a Termination of Service during the applicable restriction period, the Holder’s rights in unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions shall lapse, and such Restricted Stock shall be surrendered to the Company and cancelled without consideration. If a price was paid by the Holder for the Restricted Stock, upon a Termination of Service during the applicable restriction period, the Company shall have the right to repurchase from the Holder the unvested Restricted Stock then subject to restrictions at a cash price per share equal to the price paid by the Holder for such Restricted Stock or such other amount as may be specified in the applicable Program or Award Agreement.

7.5         Certificates for Restricted Stock. Restricted Stock granted pursuant to the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Administrator shall determine. Certificates or book entries evidencing shares of Restricted Stock shall include an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock. The Company, in its sole discretion, may (a) retain physical possession of any stock certificate evidencing shares of Restricted Stock until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed and/or (b) require that the stock certificates evidencing shares of Restricted Stock be held in custody by a designated escrow agent (which may but need not be the Company) until the restrictions thereon shall have lapsed, and that the Holder deliver a stock power, endorsed in blank, relating to such Restricted Stock.

7.6         Section 83(b) Election. If a Holder makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed with respect to the Restricted Stock as of the date of transfer of the Restricted Stock rather than as of the date or dates upon which the Holder would otherwise be taxable under Section 83(a) of the Code, the Holder shall be required to deliver a copy of such election to the Company promptly after filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service along with proof of the timely filing thereof with the Internal Revenue Service.

ARTICLE 8.

RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

8.1         Grant of Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator is authorized to grant Awards of Restricted Stock Units to any Eligible Individual selected by the Administrator in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Administrator.

 

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8.2         Term. Except as otherwise provided herein, the term of a Restricted Stock Unit award shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

8.3         Purchase Price. The Administrator shall specify the purchase price, if any, to be paid by the Holder to the Company with respect to any Restricted Stock Unit award; provided, however, that value of the consideration shall not be less than the par value of a Share, unless otherwise permitted by Applicable Law.

8.4         Vesting of Restricted Stock Units. At the time of grant, the Administrator shall specify the date or dates on which the Restricted Stock Units shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable, and may specify such conditions to vesting as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, vesting based upon the Holder’s duration of service to the Company or any Affiliate, one or more Performance Criteria, Company performance, individual performance or other specific criteria, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods, as determined by the Administrator; provided, however, that unless otherwise approved by the Administrator and set forth in the applicable Program or an Award Agreement, no Award of Restricted Stock Units shall vest or be released from such restrictions and vesting requirements prior to the date that is six months from the date of grant.

8.5         Maturity and Payment. At the time of grant, the Administrator shall specify the maturity date applicable to each grant of Restricted Stock Units which shall be no earlier than the vesting date or dates of the Award and may be determined at the election of the Holder (if permitted by the applicable Award Agreement); provided that, except as otherwise determined by the Administrator and set forth in any applicable Award Agreement, in no event shall the maturity date relating to each Restricted Stock Unit occur following the later of (a) the 15th day of the third month following the end of calendar year in which the applicable portion of the Restricted Stock Unit vests; or (b) the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the applicable portion of the Restricted Stock Unit vests. On the maturity date, the Company shall, subject to Section 11.4(e), transfer to the Holder one unrestricted, fully transferable Share for each Restricted Stock Unit scheduled to be paid out on such date and not previously forfeited, or in the sole discretion of the Administrator, an amount in cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such Shares on the maturity date or a combination of cash and Common Stock as determined by the Administrator.

8.6         No Rights as a Stockholder. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, a Holder of Restricted Stock Units shall possess no incidents of ownership with respect to the Shares represented by such Restricted Stock Units, unless and until such Shares are transferred to the Holder pursuant to the terms of this Plan and the Award Agreement.

ARTICLE 9.

PERFORMANCE AWARDS, DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS, STOCK PAYMENTS

9.1         Performance Awards.

(a)         The Administrator is authorized to grant Performance Awards, including Awards of Performance Stock Units and Awards of cash bonuses or other cash awards determined in the Administrator’s discretion from time to time, to any Eligible Individual and to

 

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determine whether such Performance Awards shall be Performance-Based Compensation. The value of Performance Awards, including Performance Stock Units and any cash awards, may be linked to any one or more of the Performance Criteria or other specific criteria determined by the Administrator, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods and in such amounts as may be determined by the Administrator. Performance Awards, including Performance Stock Unit awards may be paid in cash, Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares, as determined by the Administrator.

(b)         Without limiting Section 9.1(a), the Administrator may grant Performance Awards to any Eligible Individual in the form of a cash bonus payable upon the attainment of objective Performance Goals, or such other criteria, whether or not objective, that are established by the Administrator, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator. Any such bonuses paid to a Holder that are intended to be Performance-Based Compensation shall be based upon objectively determinable bonus formulas established in accordance with the provisions of Article 5.

9.2         Dividend Equivalents.

(a)         Dividend Equivalents may be granted by the Administrator based on dividends declared on the Common Stock, to be credited as of dividend payment dates during the period between the date an Award is granted to a Holder and the date such Award vests, is exercised, is distributed or expires, as determined by the Administrator. Such Dividend Equivalents shall be converted to cash or additional Shares by such formula and at such time and subject to such restrictions and limitations as may be determined by the Administrator. In addition, Dividend Equivalents with respect to an Award with performance-based vesting that are based on dividends paid prior to the vesting of such Award shall only be paid out to the Holder to the extent that the performance-based vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the Award vests.

(b)         Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Dividend Equivalents shall be payable with respect to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.

9.3         Stock Payments. The Administrator is authorized to make Stock Payments to any Eligible Individual. Stock Payments may, but are not required to, be made in lieu of base salary, bonus, fees or other cash compensation otherwise payable to such Eligible Individual. The number or value of Shares of any Stock Payment shall be determined by the Administrator and may be based upon one or more Performance Criteria or any other specific criteria, including service to the Company or any Affiliate, determined by the Administrator. Shares underlying a Stock Payment that is subject to a vesting schedule or other conditions or criteria set by the Administrator shall not be issued until those conditions have been satisfied. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, a Holder of a Stock Payment shall have no rights as a Company stockholder with respect to such Stock Payment until such time as the Stock Payment has vested and the Shares underlying the Award have been issued to the Holder.

9.4         Term. The term of a Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent award and/or Stock Payment award shall be established by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

 

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9.5         Purchase Price. The Administrator may establish the purchase price of a Performance Award or Shares distributed as a Stock Payment award; provided, however, that value of the consideration shall not be less than the par value of a Share, unless otherwise permitted by Applicable Law.

 

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ARTICLE 10.

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

10.1         Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights.

(a)         The Administrator is authorized to grant Stock Appreciation Rights to Eligible Individuals from time to time, in its sole discretion, on such terms and conditions as it may determine, which shall not be inconsistent with the Plan.

(b)         A Stock Appreciation Right shall entitle the Holder (or other person entitled to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right pursuant to the Plan) to exercise all or a specified portion of the Stock Appreciation Right (to the extent then exercisable pursuant to its terms) and to receive from the Company an amount determined by multiplying the difference obtained by subtracting the exercise price per share of the Stock Appreciation Right from the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right by the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised, subject to any limitations the Administrator may impose. Except as described in (c) below, the exercise price per Share subject to each Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Administrator, but shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted.

(c)         Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Section 10.1(b) to the contrary, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right that is a Substitute Award, the price per share of the Shares subject to such Stock Appreciation Right may be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant; provided that the excess of: (i) the aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the date such Substitute Award is granted) of the Shares subject to the Substitute Award, over (ii) the aggregate exercise price thereof does not exceed the excess of: (x) the aggregate fair market value (as of the time immediately preceding the transaction giving rise to the Substitute Award, such fair market value to be determined by the Administrator) of the shares of the predecessor entity that were subject to the grant assumed or substituted for by the Company, over (y) the aggregate exercise price of such shares.

10.2         Stock Appreciation Right Vesting.

(a)         The period during which the right to exercise, in whole or in part, a Stock Appreciation Right shall be set by the Administrator and the Administrator may determine that a Stock Appreciation Right may not be exercised in whole or in part for a specified period after it is granted; provided, however, that unless otherwise approved by the Administrator and set forth in an Award Agreement, no Stock Appreciation Right shall vest prior to the date that is six months from the date of grant. Such vesting may be based on service with the Company or any Affiliate, or any other criteria selected by the Administrator, such as Performance Criteria. Except as limited by the Plan, at any time after grant of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Administrator, in its sole discretion and subject to whatever terms and conditions it selects, may accelerate the period during which a Stock Appreciation Right vests.

 

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(b)         No portion of a Stock Appreciation Right that is unexercisable at a Holder’s Termination of Service shall thereafter become exercisable, except as provided in Section 11.6 or as may be otherwise provided by the Administrator in the applicable Program, the Award Agreement evidencing the grant of a Stock Appreciation Right, or by action of the Administrator following the grant of the Stock Appreciation Right.

10.3         Manner of Exercise. All or a portion of an exercisable Stock Appreciation Right shall be deemed exercised upon delivery of all of the following to the Secretary of the Company, the stock administrator of the Company or such other person or entity designated by the Administrator, or his, her or its office, as applicable:

(a)         A written or electronic notice complying with the applicable rules established by the Administrator stating that the Stock Appreciation Right, or a portion thereof, is exercised. The notice shall be signed by the Holder or other person then entitled to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right or such portion of the Stock Appreciation Right;

(b)         Such representations and documents as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or advisable to effect compliance with Applicable Law. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may also take whatever additional actions it deems appropriate to effect such compliance, including, without limitation, placing legends on share certificates and issuing stop-transfer notices to agents and registrars;

(c)         In the event that the Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercised pursuant to this Section 10.3 by any person or persons other than the Holder, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right, as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator; and

(d)         Full payment of the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes to the stock administrator of the Company for the Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right, or portion thereof, is exercised, in a manner permitted by Sections 11.1 and 11.2.

10.4         Stock Appreciation Right Term. The term of each Stock Appreciation Right (the “Stock Appreciation Right Term”) shall be set by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the Stock Appreciation Right Term shall not be more than ten years from the date the Stock Appreciation Right is granted. The Administrator shall determine the time period, including the time period following a Termination of Service, during which the Holder has the right to exercise the vested Stock Appreciation Rights, which time period may not extend beyond the last day of the Stock Appreciation Right Term applicable to such Stock Appreciation Right. Except as limited by the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and regulations and rulings thereunder or the first sentence of this Section 10.4, the Administrator may extend the Stock Appreciation Right Term of any outstanding Stock Appreciation Right, and may extend the time period during which vested Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised, in connection with any Termination of Service of the Holder, and may amend, subject to Section 13.1, any other term or condition of such Stock Appreciation Right relating to such a Termination of Service.

10.5         Payment. Payment of the amounts payable with respect to Stock Appreciation Rights pursuant to this Article 10 shall be in cash, Shares (based on its Fair Market Value as of the date the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised), or a combination of both, as determined by the Administrator.

 

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ARTICLE 11.

ADDITIONAL TERMS OF AWARDS

11.1         Payment. The Administrator shall determine the methods by which payments by any Holder with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan shall be made, including, without limitation: (a) cash or check, (b) Shares (including, in the case of payment of the exercise price of an Award, Shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of the Award) or Shares held for such period of time as may be required by the Administrator in order to avoid adverse accounting consequences, in each case, having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate payments required, (c) delivery of a written or electronic notice that the Holder has placed a market sell order with a broker acceptable to the Company with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise or vesting of an Award, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate payments required; provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale, or (d) other form of legal consideration acceptable to the Administrator in its sole discretion. The Administrator shall also determine the methods by which Shares shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Holders. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Holder who is a Director or an “executive officer” of the Company within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act shall be permitted to make payment with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan, or continue any extension of credit with respect to such payment, with a loan from the Company or a loan arranged by the Company in violation of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.

11.2         Tax Withholding. The Company or any Affiliate shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Holder to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including the Holder’s FICA, employment tax or other social security contribution obligation) required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event concerning a Holder arising as a result of the Plan. The Administrator shall determine the methods by which payments by any Holder with respect to the tax withholding obligations with respect to any Awards granted under the Plan shall be made, which methods may include any of the methods permitted under Section 11.1 above. Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator, in its sole discretion and in satisfaction of the foregoing requirement, may withhold, or allow a Holder to elect to have the Company withhold, Shares otherwise issuable under an Award (or allow the surrender of Shares). The number of Shares that may be so withheld or surrendered shall be limited to the number of Shares that have a fair market value on the date of withholding or repurchase equal to the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income. The Administrator shall determine the fair market value of the Shares, consistent with applicable provisions of the Code, for tax withholding obligations due in connection with a broker-assisted cashless Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise involving the sale of Shares to pay the Option or Stock Appreciation Right exercise price or any tax withholding obligation.

 

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11.3         Transferability of Awards.

(a)         Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.3(b) and 11.3(c):

  (i)         No Award under the Plan may be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a DRO, unless and until such Award has been exercised, or the Shares underlying such Award have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed;

  (ii)         No Award or interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Holder or his successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by Section 11.3(a)(i); and

  (iii)         During the lifetime of the Holder, only the Holder may exercise an Award (or any portion thereof) granted to such Holder under the Plan, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO; after the death of the Holder, any exercisable portion of an Award may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Program or Award Agreement, be exercised by the Holder’s personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Holder’s will or under the then-applicable laws of descent and distribution.

(b)         Notwithstanding Section 11.3(a), the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Holder to transfer an Award other than an Incentive Stock Option to any one or more Permitted Transferees, subject to the following terms and conditions: (i) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall not be assignable or transferable by the Permitted Transferee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a DRO; (ii) an Award transferred to a Permitted Transferee shall continue to be subject to all the terms and conditions of the Award as applicable to the original Holder (other than the ability to further transfer the Award); (iii) any transfer of an Award to a Permitted Transferee shall be without consideration, except as required by Applicable Law; and (iv) the Holder and the Permitted Transferee shall execute any and all documents requested by the Administrator, including, without limitation documents to (A) confirm the status of the transferee as a Permitted Transferee, (B) satisfy any requirements for an exemption for the transfer under Applicable Law and (C) evidence the transfer.

(c)         Notwithstanding Section 11.3(a), a Holder may, in the manner determined by the Administrator, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Holder and to receive any distribution with respect to any Award upon the Holder’s death. A beneficiary, legal guardian, legal representative, or other person claiming any rights pursuant to the Plan is subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Program or Award Agreement applicable to the Holder, except to the extent the Plan, the Program and the Award Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator. If the

 

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Holder is married or a domestic partner in a domestic partnership qualified under Applicable Law and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than the Holder’s spouse or domestic partner, as applicable, as the Holder’s beneficiary with respect to more than 50% of the Holder’s interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written or electronic consent of the Holder’s spouse or domestic partner. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Holder, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Holder’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Holder at any time; provided that the change or revocation is filed with the Administrator prior to the Holder’s death.

11.4         Conditions to Issuance of Shares.

(a)         Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Shares pursuant to the exercise of any Award, unless and until the Board or the Committee has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance of such Shares is in compliance with Applicable Law and the Shares are covered by an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Board or the Committee may require that a Holder make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Board or the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with Applicable Law.

(b)         All share certificates delivered pursuant to the Plan and all Shares issued pursuant to book entry procedures are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with Applicable Law. The Administrator may place legends on any share certificate or book entry to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares.

(c)         The Administrator shall have the right to require any Holder to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement, distribution or exercise of any Award, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the sole discretion of the Administrator.

(d)         No fractional Shares shall be issued and the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine whether cash shall be given in lieu of fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares shall be eliminated by rounding down.

(e)         Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or required by Applicable Law, the Company shall not deliver to any Holder certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Award and instead such Shares shall be recorded in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).

11.5        Forfeiture and Claw-Back Provisions. Pursuant to its general authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to Awards under the Plan, the Administrator shall have the right to provide, in an Award Agreement or otherwise, or to require a Holder to agree by separate written or electronic instrument, that:

 

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(a)        (i)     Any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Holder upon any receipt or exercise of the Award, or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award, shall be paid to the Company, and (ii) the Award shall terminate and any unexercised portion of the Award (whether or not vested) shall be forfeited, if (x) a Termination of Service occurs prior to a specified date, or within a specified time period following receipt or exercise of the Award, or (y) the Holder at any time, or during a specified time period, engages in any activity in competition with the Company, or that is inimical, contrary or harmful to the interests of the Company, as further defined by the Administrator or (z) the Holder incurs a Termination of Service for Cause; and

(b)        All Awards (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the Holder upon any receipt or exercise of any Award or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award) shall be subject to the provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by the Company, including, without limitation, any claw-back policy adopted to comply with the requirements of Applicable Law, including without limitation the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy and/or in the applicable Award Agreement.

ARTICLE 12.

ADMINISTRATION

12.1        Administrator. The Committee (or another committee or a subcommittee of the Board assuming the functions of the Committee under the Plan) shall administer the Plan (except as otherwise permitted herein) and, unless otherwise determined by the Board, shall consist solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors appointed by and holding office at the pleasure of the Board, each of whom is intended to qualify as both a “non-employee director” as defined by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor rule, an “outside director” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code and an “independent director” under the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded; provided that any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective, whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section 12.l or otherwise provided in any charter of the Committee. Except as may otherwise be provided in any charter of the Committee, appointment of Committee members shall be effective upon acceptance of appointment. Committee members may resign at any time by delivering written or electronic notice to the Board. Vacancies in the Committee may only be filled by the Board. Notwithstanding the

 

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foregoing, (a) the full Board, acting by a majority of its members in office, shall conduct the general administration of the Plan with respect to Awards granted to Non-Employee Directors and, with respect to such Awards, the terms “Administrator” and “Committee” as used in the Plan shall be deemed to refer to the Board and (b) the Board or Committee may delegate its authority hereunder to the extent permitted by Section 12.6.

12.2         Duties and Powers of Committee. It shall be the duty of the Committee to conduct the general administration of the Plan in accordance with its provisions. The Committee shall have the power to interpret the Plan, the Program and the Award Agreement, and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are not inconsistent therewith, to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules and to amend any Program or Award Agreement; provided that the rights or obligations of the Holder of the Award that is the subject of any such Program or Award Agreement are not affected adversely by such amendment, unless the consent of the Holder is obtained or such amendment is otherwise permitted under Section 11.5, Section 13.2 or Section 13.10. Any such grant or award under the Plan need not be the same with respect to each Holder. Any such interpretations and rules with respect to Incentive Stock Options shall be consistent with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code. In its sole discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee under the Plan except with respect to matters that under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or any successor rule, or Section 162(m) of the Code, or any regulations or rules issued thereunder, or the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.

12.3         Action by the Committee. Unless otherwise established by the Board or in any charter of the Committee, a majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum and the acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, and acts approved in writing by all members of the Committee in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Committee. Each member of the Committee is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Affiliate, the Company’s independent certified public accountants, or any executive compensation consultant or other professional retained by the Company to assist in the administration of the Plan.

12.4         Authority of Administrator. Subject to the Company’s Bylaws, the Committee’s Charter and any specific designation in the Plan, the Administrator has the exclusive power, authority and sole discretion to:

  (a)         Designate Eligible Individuals to receive Awards;

  (b)         Determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Eligible Individual;

  (c)         Determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Shares to which an Award will relate;

 

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  (d)         Determine the terms and conditions of any Award granted pursuant to the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise price, grant price, purchase price, any performance criteria, any restrictions or limitations on the Award, any schedule for vesting, lapse of forfeiture restrictions or restrictions on the exercisability of an Award, and accelerations or waivers thereof, and any provisions related to non-competition and recapture of gain on an Award, based in each case on such considerations as the Administrator in its sole discretion determines;

  (e)         Determine whether, to what extent, and pursuant to what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in cash, Shares, other Awards, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered;

  (f)         Prescribe the form of each Award Agreement, which need not be identical for each Holder;

  (g)         Decide all other matters that must be determined in connection with an Award;

  (h)         Establish, adopt, or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan;

  (i)         Interpret the terms of, and any matter arising pursuant to, the Plan, any Program or any Award Agreement;

  (j)         Make all other decisions and determinations that may be required pursuant to the Plan or as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to administer the Plan; and

  (k)         Accelerate wholly or partially the vesting or lapse of restrictions of any Award or portion thereof at any time after the grant of an Award, subject to whatever terms and conditions it selects and Article 5 and Section 13.2(g).

12.5         Decisions Binding. The Administrator’s interpretation of the Plan, any Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, any Program, any Award Agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Administrator with respect to the Plan are final, binding and conclusive on all parties.

12.6         Delegation of Authority. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Board or Committee may from time to time delegate to a committee of one or more members of the Board or one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant or amend Awards or to take other administrative actions pursuant to this Article 12; provided, however, that in no event shall an officer of the Company be delegated the authority to grant awards to, amend awards held by, or take administrative actions with respect to Awards held by, the following individuals: (a) individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, (b) Covered Employees, or (c) officers of the Company (or Directors) to whom authority to grant, amend or administer Awards has been delegated hereunder; provided, further, that any delegation of administrative authority shall only be permitted to the extent it is permissible under Section 162(m) of the Code and other Applicable Law. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the

 

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Board or Committee specifies at the time of such delegation, and the Board may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee. At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 12.6 shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Board and the Committee.

ARTICLE 13.

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

13.1        Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan.

  (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 13.1, the Plan may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Board or the Committee. However, without approval of the Company’s stockholders given within twelve months before or after the action by the Administrator, no action of the Administrator may, except as provided in Section 13.2, (i) increase the limits imposed in Section 3.1 on the maximum number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan, or (ii) increase the limits imposed in Section 3.3 on the Awards that may be issued under the Plan to any individual in any calendar year. Except as provided in Section 13.10, no amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of the Holder, impair any rights or obligations under any Award theretofore granted or awarded, unless the Award itself otherwise expressly so provides. No Awards may be granted or awarded during any period of suspension or after termination of the Plan, and in no event may any Award be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the date on which the Plan was approved by the Board (the “Expiration Date”). Any Awards that are outstanding on the Expiration Date shall remain in force according to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement.

  (b)         The Board or the Committee may, without stockholder approval, (i) amend any Award to reduce the per-share exercise price of such an Award below the per-share exercise price as of the date the Award is granted and (ii) grant an Award in exchange for, or in connection with, the cancellation or surrender of an Award having a higher per-share exercise price.

13.2        Changes in Common Stock or Assets of the Company, Acquisition or Liquidation of the Company and Other Corporate Events.

  (a)         In the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the Shares of the Company’s stock or the share price of the Company’s stock other than an Equity Restructuring, the Administrator may make equitable adjustments, if any, to reflect such change with respect to (i) the aggregate number and kind of Shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Sections 3.1 and 3.3 on the maximum number and kind of Shares that may be issued under the Plan, and adjustments of the Award Limit); (ii) the number and kind of Shares (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards; (iii) the number and kind of Shares (or other securities or property) for which automatic grants are subsequently to be made to new and continuing Non-Employee Directors pursuant to

 

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Section 4.6; (iv) the terms and conditions of any outstanding Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable performance targets or criteria with respect thereto); and (v) the grant or exercise price per share for any outstanding Awards under the Plan. Any adjustment affecting an Award intended as Performance-Based Compensation shall be made consistent with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.

  (b)         In the event of any transaction or event described in Section 13.2(a) or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any Affiliate of the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or of changes in Applicable Law or accounting principles, including, without limitation, a Change in Control, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the occurrence of such transaction or event and either automatically or upon the Holder’s request, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award under the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in laws, regulations or principles:

  (i)         To provide for either (A) termination of any such Award in exchange for an amount of cash, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Holder’s rights (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction or event described in this Section 13.2 the Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Holder’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment) or (B) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion having an aggregate value not exceeding the amount that could have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Holder’s rights had such Award been currently exercisable or payable or fully vested;

  (ii)         To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar options, rights or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices;

  (iii)         To make adjustments in the number and type of Shares of the Company’s stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and in the number and kind of outstanding Restricted Stock and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in, outstanding Awards and Awards that may be granted in the future;

  (iv)         To provide that such Award shall be exercisable or payable or fully vested with respect to all Shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the applicable Program or Award Agreement; and

 

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  (v)         To provide that the Award cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after such event.

  (c)         In connection with the occurrence of any Equity Restructuring, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Sections 13.2(a) and 13.2(b):

  (i)         The number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award and the exercise price or grant price thereof, if applicable, shall be equitably adjusted; and/or

  (ii)         The Administrator shall make such equitable adjustments, if any, as the Administrator, in its sole discretion may deem appropriate to reflect such Equity Restructuring with respect to the aggregate number and kind of Shares that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Sections 3.1 and 3.3 on the maximum number and kind of Shares that may be issued under the Plan, and adjustments of the Award Limit). The adjustments provided under this Section 13.2(c) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected Holder and the Company.

  (d)         Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in the event of a Change in Control, each outstanding Award shall continue in effect or be assumed or an equivalent Award substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation in a Change in Control refuses to assume or substitute for an Award upon the Change in Control, such Award shall become fully vested and, if applicable, exercisable and all forfeiture restrictions on such Award shall lapse as of immediately prior to the consummation of such Change in Control. If an Award is exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a Change in Control, the Administrator shall notify the Holder that the Award shall be fully exercisable for a period of fifteen days from the date of such notice, contingent upon the occurrence of the Change in Control, and the Award shall terminate upon the expiration of such period.

  (e)         For the purposes of this Section 13.2, an Award shall be considered assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change in Control was not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Award, for each Share subject to an Award, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its parent equal in fair market value to the per-share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control.

  (f)         The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may include such further provisions and limitations in any Award, agreement or certificate, as it may deem equitable and in the best interests of the Company that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.

 

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  (g)         With respect to Awards that are granted to Covered Employees and are intended to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, no adjustment or action described in this Section 13.2 or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent that such adjustment or action would cause such Award to fail to so qualify as Performance-Based Compensation, unless the Administrator determines that the Award should not so qualify. No adjustment or action described in this Section 13.2 or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent that such adjustment or action would cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of the Code. Furthermore, no such adjustment or action shall be authorized to the extent such adjustment or action would result in short-swing profits liability under Section 16 or violate the exemptive conditions of Rule 16b-3 unless the Administrator determines that the Award is not to comply with such exemptive conditions.

  (h)         The existence of the Plan, the Program, the Award Agreement and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of stock or of options, warrants or rights to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Common Stock or the rights thereof or that are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

  (i)         Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, no action shall be taken under this Section 13.2 that shall cause an Award to fail to be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code or the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

  (j)         In the event of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the Shares or the share price of the Common Stock including any Equity Restructuring, for reasons of administrative convenience, the Administrator in its sole discretion, may refuse to permit the exercise of any Award during a period of up to thirty days prior to the consummation of any such transaction.

13.3         Approval of Plan by Stockholders. The Plan shall be submitted for the approval of the Company’s stockholders within twelve months after the date of the Board’s initial adoption of the Plan.

13.4         No Stockholders Rights. Except as otherwise provided herein, a Holder shall have none of the rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares covered by any Award until the Holder becomes the record owner of such Shares.

13.5         Paperless Administration. In the event that the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the documentation, granting or exercise of Awards, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless documentation, granting or exercise of Awards by a Holder may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.

 

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13.6         Effect of Plan upon Other Compensation Plans. The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect for the Company or any Affiliate. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company or any Affiliate: (a) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for Employees, Directors or Consultants of the Company or any Affiliate, or (b) to grant or assume options or other rights or awards otherwise than under the Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose including without limitation, the grant or assumption of options in connection with the acquisition by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the business, stock or assets of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm or association.

13.7         Compliance with Laws. The Plan, the granting and vesting of Awards under the Plan and the issuance and delivery of Shares and the payment of money under the Plan or under Awards granted or awarded hereunder are subject to compliance with all Applicable Law (including but not limited to state, federal and foreign securities law and margin requirements), and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. Any securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions, and the person acquiring such securities shall, if requested by the Company, provide such assurances and representations to the Company as the Company may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and Awards granted or awarded hereunder shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to Applicable Law.

13.8         Titles and Headings, References to Sections of the Code or Exchange Act. The titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control. References to sections of the Code or the Exchange Act shall include any amendment or successor thereto.

13.9         Governing Law. The Plan and any agreements hereunder shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflicts of laws thereof or of any other jurisdiction.

13.10        Section 409A. To the extent that the Administrator determines that any Award granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Program pursuant to which such Award is granted and the Award Agreement evidencing such Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions required by Section 409A of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan, the Program and any Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event that following the Effective Date the Administrator determines that any Award may be subject to Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance (including such Department of Treasury guidance as may be issued after the Effective Date), the

 

34


Administrator may adopt such amendments to the Plan and the applicable Program and Award Agreement or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, that the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to (a) exempt the Award from Section 409A of the Code and/or preserve the intended tax treatment of the benefits provided with respect to the Award, or (b) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and related Department of Treasury guidance and thereby avoid the application of any penalty taxes under such Section.

13.11        No Rights to Awards. No Eligible Individual or other person shall have any claim to be granted any Award pursuant to the Plan, and neither the Company nor the Administrator is obligated to treat Eligible Individuals, Holders or any other persons uniformly.

13.12        Unfunded Status of Awards. The Plan is intended to be an “unfunded” plan for incentive compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Holder pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Program or Award Agreement shall give the Holder any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.

13.13        Indemnification. To the extent allowable pursuant to Applicable Law, each member of the Committee or of the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by such member in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action or failure to act pursuant to the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid by him or her in satisfaction of judgment in such action, suit, or proceeding against him or her; provided he or she gives the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

13.14        Relationship to other Benefits. No payment pursuant to the Plan shall be taken into account in determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, savings, profit sharing, group insurance, welfare or other benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.

13.15        Expenses. The expenses of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and its Affiliates.

 

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EVOKE PHARMA, INC.

2013 EQUITY INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE AND

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Evoke Pharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the holder listed below (“Holder”), an option to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below (the “Option”). This Option is subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Stock Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Stock Option Agreement”) and the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Grant Notice and the Stock Option Agreement.

 

Holder:    
Grant Date:    
Vesting Commencement Date:    
Exercise Price per Share of Common Stock:   $
Total Exercise Price:   $
Total Number of Shares of Common Stock Subject to the Option:                                                                                                         shares
Expiration Date:    

Type of Option:             ¨  Incentive Stock Option             ¨  Non-Qualified Stock Option

Vesting Schedule:         [To be specified in individual agreements]

By his or her signature, Holder agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Stock Option Agreement and this Grant Notice. Holder has reviewed the Stock Option Agreement, the Plan and this Grant Notice in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Grant Notice and fully understands all provisions of this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan. Holder hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan, this Grant Notice or the Stock Option Agreement.

Holder understands and agrees that this Option does not alter the at-will nature of his or her employment relationship with the Company and is not a promise of continued employment or service for the vesting period of the Option or any portion of it.

The Plan, this Grant Notice and the Stock Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all oral, implied or written promises, statements, understandings, undertakings and agreements between the Company and Holder with respect to the subject matter hereof, including without limitation, the provisions of any employment agreement or offer letter regarding equity awards to be awarded to Holder by the Company, or any other oral, implied or written promises, statements, understandings, undertakings or agreements by the Company or any of its representatives regarding equity awards to be awarded to Holder by the Company.

 

EVOKE PHARMA, INC.    HOLDER
By:                By:                   

Print Name:

           Print Name:                 
Title:                          
Address:    

12555 High Bluff Drive, Suite 385

   Address:                   
    San Diego, CA 92130                      


EXHIBIT A

TO STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Pursuant to the Stock Option Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) to which this Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”) is attached, Evoke Pharma, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has granted to Holder an Option under the Company’s 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of Common Stock indicated in the Grant Notice.

ARTICLE I.

GENERAL

1.1     Defined Terms. Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan and the Grant Notice.

1.2     Incorporation of Terms of Plan. The Option is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control.

ARTICLE II.

GRANT OF OPTION

2.1     Grant of Option. In consideration of Holder’s past and/or continued employment with or service to the Company or a Parent or Affiliate and for other good and valuable consideration, effective as of the Grant Date set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Grant Date”), the Company irrevocably grants to Holder the Option to purchase any part or all of an aggregate of the number of shares of Common Stock set forth in the Grant Notice, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement. Unless designated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option in the Grant Notice, the Option shall be an Incentive Stock Option to the maximum extent permitted by law.

2.2     Exercise Price. The exercise price of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option shall be as set forth in the Grant Notice, without commission or other charge; provided, however, that the price per share of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and the Holder is a Greater Than 10% Stockholder, the price per share of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Grant Date.

2.3     No Right to Continued Employment. Nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice, or this Agreement shall confer upon the Holder any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Parent or Affiliate or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and any Parent or Affiliate, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of the Holder at any time for any reason whatsoever, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company or an Affiliate and the Holder.

 

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ARTICLE III.

PERIOD OF EXERCISABILITY

3.1     Commencement of Exercisability.

(a)        Subject to Sections 3.2, 3.3 and 5.6, the Option shall become vested and exercisable in such amounts and at such times as are set forth in the Grant Notice.

(b)        No portion of the Option that has not become vested and exercisable at the date of Holder’s Termination of Service shall thereafter become vested and exercisable, except as may be otherwise provided in the Grant Notice or provided by the Administrator or as set forth in a written agreement between the Company and Holder.

3.2     Duration of Exercisability. The installments provided for in the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice are cumulative. Each such installment that becomes vested and exercisable pursuant to the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice shall remain vested and exercisable until it becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3.

3.3     Expiration of Option. The Option may not be exercised to any extent by anyone after the first to occur of the following events:

(a)        The expiration of ten years from the Grant Date;

(b)        If this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and Holder owned (within the meaning of Section 424(d) of the Code), at the time the Option was granted, more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any “subsidiary corporation” of the Company or any “parent corporation” of the Company (each within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code), the expiration of five years from the Grant Date;

(c)        The expiration of three months following the date of Holder’s Termination of Service, unless such termination occurs by reason of Holder’s death, Disability or for Cause;

(d)        The expiration of one year from the date of Holder’s death if Holder dies (i) prior to his or her Termination of Service or (ii) within three months after his or her Termination of Service;

(e)        The expiration of one year from the date of Holder’s Termination of Service by reason of Holder’s Disability; or

(f)        The date of Holder’s Termination of Service by the Company for Cause.

 

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With respect to any unvested portion of the Option, the Option will expire on the date that is thirty days following Holder’s Termination of Service for any reason other than as a result of Holder’s discharge by the Company for Cause, or such shorter period as may be determined by the Administrator.

If the Option is an Incentive Stock Option, note that, to obtain the federal income tax advantages associated with an “incentive stock option,” the Code requires that at all times beginning on the date of grant of the Option and ending on the day three months before the date of Option’s exercise, Holder must be an Employee of the Company or any subsidiary corporation (as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code) of the Company, except in the event of Holder’s death or Disability. The Company has provided for extended exercisability of Holder’s Option under certain circumstances for Holder’s benefit but cannot guarantee that Holder’s Option will necessarily be treated as an “incentive stock option” if Holder continues to be employed by or provide services to the Company or an affiliate as a Consultant or Director after Holder’s employment terminates or if Holder otherwise exercises its options more than three months after the date Holder’s employment terminates.

3.4     Special Tax Consequences. Holder acknowledges that, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the Option is granted) of all shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options, including the Option, are exercisable for the first time by Holder in any calendar year exceeds $100,000, the Option and such other options shall be Non-Qualified Stock Options to the extent necessary to comply with the limitations imposed by Section 422(d) of the Code. Holder further acknowledges that the rule set forth in the preceding sentence shall be applied by taking the Option and other “incentive stock options” into account in the order in which they were granted, as determined under Section 422(d) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.

ARTICLE IV.

EXERCISE OF OPTION

4.1     Person Eligible to Exercise. Except as provided in Section 5.1, during the lifetime of the Holder, only Holder may exercise the Option or any portion thereof, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO. After the death of Holder, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time when the Option becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3, be exercised by Holder’s personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Holder’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.

4.2     Partial Exercise. Any exercisable portion of the Option or the entire Option, if then wholly exercisable, may be exercised in whole or in part at any time prior to the time when the Option or portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3.

 

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4.3     Manner of Exercise. The Option, or any exercisable portion thereof, may be exercised solely by delivery to the Secretary of the Company (or any third party administrator or other person or entity designated by the Company) of all of the following prior to the time when the Option or such portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3:

(a)        An Exercise Notice in writing signed by Holder or any other person then entitled to exercise the Option or portion thereof, stating that the Option or portion thereof is thereby exercised, such notice complying with all applicable rules established by the Administrator. Such notice shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B to the Grant Notice (or such other form as is prescribed by the Administrator);

(b)        The receipt by the Company of full payment for the shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is exercised, including payment of any applicable withholding tax, as provided under Section 4.4;

(c)        Any other written representations as may be required in the Administrator’s reasonable discretion to evidence compliance with the Securities Act or any other applicable law, rule, or regulation; and

(d)        In the event the Option or portion thereof shall be exercised pursuant to Section 4.1 by any person or persons other than Holder, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Company shall have the right to specify all conditions of the manner of exercise, which conditions may vary by country and which may be subject to change from time to time.

4.4     Method of Payment. Payment of the exercise price and any applicable withholding tax shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of Holder, subject to Sections 11.1 and 11.2 of the Plan:

(a)        Cash;

(b)        Check;

(c)        Delivery of a notice that the Holder has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to shares of Common Stock then issuable upon exercise of the Option, and that the broker has been directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction of the aggregate exercise price of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is being exercised and any applicable withholding tax; provided, that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company upon settlement of such sale;

(d)        With the consent of the Administrator, by delivery of a full recourse promissory note on such terms and conditions as may be approved by the Administrator;

(e)        With the consent of the Administrator, surrender of vested shares of Common Stock owned by Holder that have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is being exercised and any applicable withholding tax;

 

A-4


(f)        With the consent of the Administrator, surrendered shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Option having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the aggregate exercise price of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is being exercised and any applicable withholding tax; or

(g)        With the consent of the Administrator, property of any kind that constitutes good and valuable consideration.

(h)        Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if Holder is a Director or “executive officer” of the Company within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act, he or she shall not be permitted to make payment pursuant to this Section 4.4, or continue any extension of credit with respect to such payment with a loan from the Company or a loan arranged by the Company, in violation of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act.

4.5     Conditions to Issuance of Stock Certificates. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any shares of Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of the Option or portion thereof prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions:

(a)        The admission of such shares of Common Stock to listing on all stock exchanges on which such Common Stock is then listed;

(b)        The completion of any registration or other qualification of such shares of Common Stock under any state or federal law or under rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or of any other governmental regulatory body, which the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall deem necessary or advisable;

(c)        The obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency that the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine to be necessary or advisable;

(d)        The lapse of such reasonable period of time following the exercise of the Option as the Administrator may from time to time establish for reasons of administrative convenience; and

(e)        The receipt by the Company of full payment for such shares of Common Stock, including payment of any applicable withholding tax, as provided under Section 4.4.

4.6     Rights as Stockholder. The Holder shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a stockholder of the Company in respect of any shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of any part of the Option unless and until such shares of Common Stock shall have been issued by the Company to such Holder (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company) and, once issued, such shares of Common Stock shall be freely tradeable and non-forfeitable. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the shares of Common Stock are issued, except as provided in Article 13 of the Plan.

 

A-5


ARTICLE V.

OTHER PROVISIONS

5.1     Option Generally Not Transferable.

(a)        Subject to Section 5.1(c), the Option may not be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a DRO, unless and until the shares of Common Stock underlying the Option have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such shares of Common Stock have lapsed. Neither the Option nor any interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of Holder or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by the preceding sentence.

(b)        Unless transferred to a Permitted Transferee in accordance with Section 5.1(c), during the lifetime of Holder, only Holder may exercise the Option or any portion thereof, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO. After the death of Holder, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time when the Option becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3, be exercised by Holder’s personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Holder’s will or under the then applicable laws of descent and distribution.

(c)        Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, with the consent of the Administrator and to the extent the Option is designated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option, the Option may be transferred to, exercised by and paid to one or more Permitted Transferees, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 11.3 of the Plan. Subject to such conditions and procedures as the Administrator may require, a Permitted Transferee may exercise the Option or any portion thereof during the Holder’s lifetime.

5.2     Adjustments. The Holder acknowledges that the Option, including the vesting of the Option and the number of Shares subject to the Option, is subject to adjustment in the discretion of the Administrator upon the occurrence of certain events as provided in this Agreement and Article 13 of the Plan.

5.3     Notices. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of the Secretary of the Company at the address given beneath the signature of the Company’s authorized officer on the Grant Notice, and any notice to be given to Holder shall be addressed to Holder at the address given beneath Holder’s signature on the Grant Notice. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 5.3, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice that is required to be given to Holder shall, if Holder is then deceased, be given to the person entitled to exercise his or her Option pursuant to Section 4.1 by written notice under this Section 5.3. Any notice shall be deemed duly given when sent via email or when sent by certified mail (return receipt requested) and deposited (with postage prepaid) in a post office or branch post office regularly maintained by the United States Postal Service.

 

A-6


5.4     Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

5.5     Governing Law; Severability. The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the interpretation, validity, administration, enforcement and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws. Should any provision of this Agreement be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, the other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.

5.6     Conformity to Securities Laws. Holder acknowledges that the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Option is granted and may be exercised, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.

5.7     Tax Representations. Holder has reviewed with Holder’s own tax advisors the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of this investment and the transactions contemplated by the Grant Notice and this Agreement. Holder is relying solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents. Holder understands that Holder (and not the Company) shall be responsible for Holder’s own tax liability that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

5.8     Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth in Section 5.1, this Agreement shall be binding upon Holder and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

5.9     Notification of Disposition. If this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option, Holder shall give prompt notice to the Company of any disposition or other transfer of any shares of Common Stock acquired under this Agreement if such disposition or transfer is made (a) within two years from the Grant Date with respect to such shares of Common Stock or (b) within one year after the transfer of such shares of Common Stock to the Holder. Such notice shall specify the date of such disposition or other transfer and the amount realized, in cash, other property, assumption of indebtedness or other consideration, by Holder in such disposition or other transfer.

 

A-7


5.10     Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if Holder is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Plan, the Option and this Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

5.11     Amendment, Suspension and Termination. To the extent permitted by the Plan, this Agreement may be wholly or partially amended or otherwise modified, suspended or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board; provided, that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this Agreement shall impair any rights or obligations under this Agreement in any material way without the prior written consent of Holder.

 

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EXHIBIT B

TO STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE

FORM OF EXERCISE NOTICE

Effective as of today,                 , 20         the undersigned (Holder”) hereby elects to exercise Holder’s option to purchase                 shares of the Common Stock (the “Shares”) of Evoke Pharma, Inc. (the “Company”) under and pursuant to the Evoke Pharma, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”) and the Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement dated                 , 20        , (the “Option Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings given in the Option Agreement.

 

Grant Date:   

 

 
Number of Shares of Common Stock as to   

 

which Option is Exercised:   
Exercise Price per Share of Common Stock:    $                      
Total Exercise Price:    $                      
Certificate to be issued in name of:   

 

Cash Payment delivered herewith:    $                         (Representing the full Exercise Price for the Shares, as well as any applicable withholding tax)  

Type of Option:         ¨  Incentive Stock Option   ¨  Non-Qualified Stock Option

1.         Representations of Holder. Holder acknowledges that Holder has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement. Holder agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

2.         Rights as Stockholder. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to Shares subject to the Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Article 13 of the Plan. The Shares shall be freely tradeable and non-forfeitable.

3.         Tax Consultation. Holder understands that Holder may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Holder’s purchase or disposition of the Shares. Holder represents that Holder has consulted with any tax consultants Holder deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Holder is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

 

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4.         Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Agreement shall be binding upon Holder and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

5.         Interpretation. Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Agreement shall be submitted by Holder or by the Company forthwith to the Administrator, which shall review such dispute at its next regular meeting. The resolution of such a dispute by the Administrator shall be final and binding on the Company and on Holder.

6.         Governing Law; Severability. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding that body of law pertaining to conflicts of law. Should any provision of this Agreement be determined by a court of law to be illegal or unenforceable, the other provisions shall nevertheless remain effective and shall remain enforceable.

7.         Notices. Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 5.3 of the Option Agreement.

8.         Further Instruments. The parties agree to execute such further instruments and to take such further action as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this Agreement.

 

ACCEPTED BY:

 

EVOKE PHARMA, INC.

 

   

SUBMITTED BY:

 

HOLDER

 

By:                                                                                  

   

By:                                                                                  

Print Name:                                                                   

   

Print Name:                                                                   

Title:                                                                               

   

12555 High Bluff Drive, Suite 385

   

Address:                                                                            

San Diego, CA 92130

     

 

B-2

EX-10.9

Exhibit 10.9

EVOKE PHARMA, INC.

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION POLICY

Non-employee members of the board of directors (the “Board”) of Evoke Pharma, Inc. (the “Company”) shall be eligible to receive cash and equity compensation commencing on the date immediately preceding the first date upon which the Company’s common stock is listed upon notice of issuance as a national market security on an interdealer quotation system (the “Public Trading Date”), as set forth in this Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (this “Policy”). The cash and equity compensation described in this Policy shall be paid or be made, as applicable, automatically and without further action of the Board, to each member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company (each, a “Non-Employee Director”) who may be eligible to receive such cash or equity compensation, unless such Non-Employee Director declines the receipt of such cash or equity compensation by written notice to the Company. This Policy shall remain in effect until it is revised or rescinded by further action of the Board. The terms and conditions of this Policy shall supersede any prior cash or equity compensation arrangements between the Company and its Non-Employee Directors.

1. Cash Compensation.

(a) Annual Retainers. Each Non-Employee Director shall be eligible to receive an annual retainer of $17,500 for service on the Board. In addition, a Non-Employee Director shall receive the following additional annual retainers, as applicable:

(i) Chairperson of the Board. A Non-Employee Director serving as Chairperson of the Board shall receive an additional annual retainer of $17,500 for such service.

(ii) Chairperson of the Audit Committee. A Non-Employee Director serving as Chairperson of the Audit Committee shall receive an additional annual retainer of $7,500 for such service.

(iii) Member of the Audit Committee. A Non-Employee Director serving as a member of the Audit Committee (other than the Chairperson) shall receive an additional annual retainer of $3,750 for such service.

(iv) Chairperson of the Compensation Committee. A Non-Employee Director serving as Chairperson of the Compensation Committee shall receive an additional annual retainer of $5,000 for such service.

(v) Member of the Compensation Committee. A Non-Employee Director serving as a member of the Compensation Committee (other than the Chairperson) shall receive an additional annual retainer of $2,500 for such service.

(vi) Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. A Non-Employee Director serving as Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall receive an additional annual retainer of $3,500 for such service.

(vii) Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. A Non-Employee Director serving as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (other than the Chairperson) shall receive an additional annual retainer of $1,750 for such service.


(b) Payment of Retainers. The annual retainers described in Section 1(a) shall be earned on a quarterly basis based on a calendar quarter and shall be paid by the Company in arrears not later than the fifth business day following the end of each calendar quarter. In the event a Non-Employee Director does not serve as a Non-Employee Director, or in the applicable positions described in Section 1(a), for an entire calendar quarter, the retainer paid to such Non-Employee Director shall be prorated for the portion of such calendar quarter actually served as a Non-Employee Director, or in such positions, as applicable.

2. Equity Compensation. Non-Employee Directors shall be granted the equity awards described below. The awards described below shall be granted under and shall be subject to the terms and provisions of the 2013 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the “Equity Plan”) and shall be granted subject to the execution and delivery of award agreements, including attached exhibits, in substantially the same forms previously approved by the Board, setting forth the vesting schedule applicable to such awards and such other terms as may be required by the Equity Plan.

(a) Initial Awards. A person who is serving as a Non-Employee Director on the date immediately preceding the Public Trading Date shall be eligible to receive a stock option to purchase 18,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on such date. In addition, a person who is initially elected or appointed to the Board following the Public Trading Date, and who is a Non-Employee Director at the time of such initial election or appointment, shall be eligible to receive a stock option to purchase 18,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on the date of such initial election or appointment. The awards described in this Section 2(a) shall be referred to as “Initial Awards.” No Non-Employee Director shall be granted more than one Initial Award.

(b) Subsequent Awards. A person who is a Non-Employee Director immediately following each annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders after the Public Trading Date and who will continue to serve as a Non-Employee Director immediately following such annual meeting shall be automatically granted an option to purchase 9,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on the date of each such annual meeting. The awards described in this Section 2(b) shall be referred to as “Subsequent Awards.” For the avoidance of doubt, a Non-Employee Director elected for the first time to the Board at an annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders shall only receive an Initial Award in connection with such election, and shall not receive any Subsequent Award on the date of such meeting as well.

(c) Termination of Employment of Employee Directors. Members of the Board who are employees of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company who subsequently terminate their employment with the Company and any parent or subsidiary of the Company and remain on the Board will not receive an Initial Award pursuant to Section 2(a) above, but to the extent that they are otherwise eligible, will be eligible to receive, after termination from employment with the Company and any parent or subsidiary of the Company, Subsequent Awards as described in Section 2(b) above.

(d) Terms of Awards Granted to Non-Employee Directors.

(i) Purchase Price. The per share exercise price of each option granted to a Non-Employee Director shall equal 100% of the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Equity Plan) of a share of common stock on the date the option is granted; provided, however, that the per share exercise price of each Initial Award granted to a Non-Employee Director on the date immediately preceding the Public Trading Date shall equal the initial public offering price per share of the Company’s common stock.


(ii) Vesting. Each Initial Award shall vest and become exercisable in three equal annual installments over the three year period following the date of grant, subject to the Non-Employee Director continuing in service on the Board through each such vesting date. Each Subsequent Award shall vest and/or become exercisable on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the Non-Employee Director continuing in service on the Board through each such vesting date. All of a Non-Employee Director’s Initial Awards and Subsequent Awards shall vest in full upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in the Equity Plan).

(iii) Term. The term of each stock option granted to a Non-Employee Director shall be ten years from the date the option is granted. Upon a Non-Employee Director’s termination of membership on the Board for any reason, his or her stock options granted under this Policy shall remain exercisable for twelve months following his or her termination of membership on the Board (or such longer period as the Board may determine in its discretion on or after the date of grant of such stock options).

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” and to the use of our report dated April 19, 2013 (except for the last paragraph of Note 1, as to which the date is August 30, 2013) in Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement (Form S-1) and related Prospectus of Evoke Pharma, Inc. for the registration of shares of its common stock.

Ernst & Young LLP

San Diego, California             

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

San Diego, California

August 30, 2013