S-1/A
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 1, 2021.

Registration No. 333-252180

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   2834   98-1448275

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

1065 East Hillsdale Blvd., Suite 100

Foster City, California 94404

(650) 525-5535

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

 

 

Senthil Sundaram

Chief Executive Officer

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

1065 East Hillsdale Blvd., Suite 100

Foster City, California 94404

(650) 525-5535

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

 

 

Copies to:

 

Brian J. Cuneo, Esq.

Nathan Ajiashvili, Esq.

Michael Podolny, Esq.

Latham & Watkins LLP

140 Scott Drive

Menlo Park, California 94025

(650) 328-4600

 

Bryan Yoon, Esq.

Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

1065 East Hillsdale Blvd., Suite 100

Foster City, California 94404

(650) 525-5535

 

Yasin Keshvargar, Esq.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

450 Lexington Avenue

New York, New York 10017

(212) 450-4000

 

Alan F. Denenberg, Esq.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

1600 El Camino Real Menlo Park, California 94025

(650) 752-2000

 

 

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

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, please 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, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer     ☐    Accelerated filer     ☐
Non-accelerated filer     ☒    Smaller reporting company     ☐
     Emerging growth company     ☒

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act.  ☐

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each class of

securities to be registered

 

Amount to be
registered(1)

 

Proposed

maximum offering
price per share

 

Proposed

maximum

aggregate

offering price(2)

 

Amount of

registration fee(3)

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share

  7,187,500  

$17.00

  $122,187,500   $13,330.66

 

 

(1)

Includes 937,500 shares of common stock that the underwriters have the option to purchase.

(2)

Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Includes the aggregate offering price of additional shares of common stock that the underwriters have the option to purchase.

(3)

The Registrant previously paid a total of $10,910 in connection with the previous filing of the Registration Statement. In accordance with Rule 457(a), an additional registration fee of $2,420.66 is being paid with this amendment to the Registration Statement.

 

 

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, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this preliminary 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 preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 1, 2021

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

6,250,000 Shares

 

 

LOGO

Common Stock

 

 

This is an initial public offering of shares of common stock of Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. We are offering 6,250,000 shares of our common stock. We currently expect the initial public offering price to be between $15.00 and $17.00 per share of common stock.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. We have applied to list our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “TERN.”

We are an “emerging growth company” as that term is used in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements.

 

 

 

     Per Share      Total  

Initial public offering price

   $                    $                

Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)

   $                    $                

Proceeds to Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., before expenses

   $                    $                

 

(1)

See the section entitled “Underwriting” for a description of the compensation payable to the underwriters.

 

 

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12 to read about factors you should consider before buying shares of our common stock.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities nor passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

We have granted the underwriters the option for a period of 30 days to purchase up to an additional 937,500 shares from us at the initial price to the public less the underwriting discounts and commissions.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares against payment in New York, New York on                     , 2021.

 

 

 

J.P. Morgan    Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC    Cowen

Prospectus dated                     , 2021.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     PAGE  

Prospectus Summary

     1  

Risk Factors

     12  

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     76  

Market and Industry Data

     78  

Use of Proceeds

     79  

Dividend Policy

     81  

Capitalization

     82  

Dilution

     84  

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

     87  

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

     89  

Business

     109  

Management

     153  

Executive and Director Compensation

     161  

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

     175  

Principal Stockholders

     180  

Description of Capital Stock

     183  

Shares Eligible for Future Sale

     189  

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations to Non-U.S. Holders

     192  

Underwriting

     196  

Legal Matters

     206  

Experts

     206  

Where You Can Find Additional Information

     206  

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-1  

 

 

“Terns,” “Terns Pharmaceuticals,” the Terns logo and other trademarks, trade names or service marks of Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. appearing in this prospectus are the property of Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All other trademarks, trade names and service marks appearing in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, the trademarks and trade names in this prospectus may be referred to without the ® and symbols, but such references should not be construed as any indicator that their respective owners will not assert their rights thereto.

Neither we nor the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the shares offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus or in any applicable free writing prospectus is current only as of its date, regardless of its time of delivery or any sale of shares of our common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

For investors outside the United States: Neither we nor the underwriters have done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus or any free writing prospectus we may provide to you in connection with this offering in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. You are required to inform yourselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus and any such free writing prospectus outside the United States.


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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information contained in greater detail elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information you should consider in making your investment decision. Before investing in our common stock, you should carefully read this entire prospectus. You should carefully consider, among other things, the sections titled “Risk Factors,” “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “Terns,” the “company,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar references in this prospectus refer to Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Overview

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of small-molecule single-agent and combination therapy candidates for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH, and other chronic liver diseases. Our programs are based on clinically-validated and complementary mechanisms of action to address the multiple hepatic disease processes of NASH in order to drive meaningful clinical benefits for patients. The mechanisms of action targeted by our current drug candidates are the same mechanisms of action targeted by other drug candidates that have achieved clinical proof-of-concept in NASH clinical trials and have demonstrated significant improvements on histological and non-invasive markers of the disease, though no drug has been approved for the treatment of NASH in the United States or Europe. Our most advanced program is TERN-101, a liver-distributed, non-bile acid Farnesoid X Receptor agonist that has demonstrated sustained liver FXR activation, as well as a favorable tolerability profile across multiple Phase 1 clinical trials. In our Phase 1 clinical trials, no pruritus, or itching, or increases in LDL cholesterol levels as compared to the control group were observed—unlike in Phase 1 clinical trials of certain other FXR agonists conducted by third parties. Our Phase 2a clinical trial of TERN-101 in NASH patients (the LIFT Study) was fully enrolled in January 2021 and we expect top-line data in the third quarter of 2021. Our second clinical stage program, TERN-201, is a highly selective inhibitor of Vascular Adhesion Protein-1. We intend to start our Phase 1b clinical trial of TERN-201 in NASH patients in the first half of 2021 and expect top-line data in the first half of 2022. Our third program entering the clinic is TERN-501, a Thyroid Hormone Receptor beta agonist with high metabolic stability, enhanced liver distribution and greater selectivity for THR-b compared to other THR-b agonists in development. In January 2021, the FDA cleared our investigational new drug application for TERN-501. We intend to start our Phase 1 first-in-human clinical trial of TERN-501 in the first half of 2021 and expect top-line data in the second half of 2021. We are also pursuing two combination therapy programs to address the multiple disease processes of NASH and expect to initiate a Phase 2a clinical proof-of-concept trial evaluating a combination of TERN-101 and TERN-501 in the first half of 2022.

NASH is a severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD, that affects up to 15 million people in the United States, and up to 6% of the global population, for which there is currently no approved therapy in the United States or Europe. NASH is a multifaceted disease that involves three distinct pathogenic hepatic disease processes: steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. Our pipeline of programs is intended to address each of these distinct pathogenic disease processes. We believe that with our pipeline targeting steatosis (TERN-101 and TERN-501), inflammation (TERN-101 and TERN-201) and fibrosis (TERN-101 and TERN-201) in tandem, our programs have the potential to provide greater resolution of NASH and improvement in related clinical outcomes. Furthermore, by developing combination therapies to treat NASH, we are aiming to expand the reach of NASH therapeutics through improved response rates, better tolerability and improved compliance, as compared to monotherapy regimens.



 

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Our NASH Pipeline Programs

Our wholly owned NASH pipeline includes multiple single-agent and combination therapy candidates that provide several opportunities to address the multifaceted nature of NASH and drive meaningful clinical benefits for patients. We intend to advance single-agent and combination therapies to increase the potential for improved response rates in NASH patients, for whom there are no approved treatment options.

 

 

LOGO

Single agents:

 

   

TERN-101 is a liver-distributed, non-bile acid Farnesoid X Receptor, or FXR, agonist that has demonstrated a differentiated tolerability profile and improved target engagement due to its sustained FXR activation in the liver but only transient FXR activation in the intestine. FXR is a nuclear receptor primarily expressed in the liver, intestine and kidneys. FXR regulates hepatic expression of various genes involved in lipid metabolism, inflammation and fibrosis. Clinical trials of other FXR agonists have demonstrated significant histological NASH improvements but have also resulted in pruritus and adverse lipid changes. These safety and tolerability issues have been observed in Phase 1 clinical trials for other FXR agonists and have generally been regarded as dose-limiting toxicities, which are suboptimal for patients and can lead to treatment discontinuation. However, in all four Phase 1 clinical trials of TERN-101, none of the 119 subjects who received TERN-101 reported pruritus, and the serum lipid profiles among TERN-101 recipients were similar to placebo recipients at all doses. We are currently evaluating TERN-101 in a 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2a clinical trial in approximately 100 NASH patients (the LIFT Study). In January 2021, we completed the enrollment of patients into the LIFT Study and top-line data is expected in the third quarter of 2021. We received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, for TERN-101 for the treatment of NASH in October 2019. Fast Track designation does not guarantee an accelerated review by the FDA.

 

   

TERN-201 is a highly-selective inhibitor of Vascular Adhesion Protein-1, or VAP-1, that has demonstrated sustained target engagement in clinical trials without the off-target liabilities associated with other VAP-1 inhibitors in development. VAP-1 facilitates the deceleration, binding, and transmigration of leukocytes from the bloodstream into the liver and produces reactive oxygen species that promote liver inflammation and fibrosis. VAP-1 has been shown to be over-expressed in the livers of NASH patients in response to local lipotoxicity and liver injury. In a Phase 2a clinical trial of another VAP-1 inhibitor in NASH patients, 12 weeks of administration demonstrated significant, dose-



 

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dependent improvements in NASH biomarkers, providing clinical proof-of-concept for VAP-1 inhibition in NASH. In our Phase 1a first-in-human (SAD/MAD) clinical trial in 61 healthy subjects, TERN-201 was shown to fully suppress plasma VAP-1 activity at all of the doses that we evaluated. TERN-201 was selected for development over other discovery candidates because it is highly specific for VAP-1 inhibition and has minimal potential for off-target effects. We intend to start our Phase 1b clinical trial of TERN-201 in NASH patients in the first half of 2021 and expect top-line data in the first half of 2022. We received Fast Track designation from the FDA for TERN-201 for the treatment of NASH in August 2020. Fast Track designation does not guarantee an accelerated review by the FDA.

 

   

TERN-501 is a Thyroid Hormone Receptor beta, or THR-b, agonist with high metabolic stability, enhanced liver distribution and greater selectivity for THR-b compared to other THR-b agonists in development. Agonism of THR-b increases fatty acid metabolism via mitochondrial oxidation and affects cholesterol synthesis and metabolism. As a result, THR-b stimulation has the ability to reduce hepatic steatosis and improve serum lipid parameters including LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. In vivo NASH studies in a rodent model have demonstrated that low-doses of TERN-501 achieved complete resolution of steatosis and reductions in serum lipids, hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. TERN-501 has high liver distribution and is 23-fold more selective for THR-b than for THR-α activation, thereby minimizing the risk of cardiotoxicity and other off-target effects associated with non-selective THR stimulation. Finally, TERN-501 has been designed to be metabolically stable and is therefore expected to have little pharmacokinetic variability and a low clinical dose, making it an attractive candidate for use in fixed-dose combinations for NASH treatment. In January 2021, the FDA cleared our investigational new drug application, or IND, for TERN-501. We intend to start our Phase 1 first-in-human trial of TERN-501 in the first half of 2021 and expect top-line data in the second half of 2021.

 

   

GLP-1R is our small-molecule Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor agonist program that is intended to address metabolic processes involved in the pathogenesis of NASH. Our GLP-1R program has identified several potentially suitable small-molecule scaffolds. We plan to further optimize these series of compounds and identify structures that are suitable for orally administered combination with other NASH drug candidates within our pipeline. We are currently advancing this program through lead optimization and anticipate announcing a development candidate in the second half of 2021.

Combinations:

Several prior clinical trials evaluating single-agent therapies for NASH have shown only moderate histological improvements and exhibited tolerability issues with some of these agents at high doses. We believe that developing combination therapy candidates targeting multiple mechanistic pathways will drive improved response rates for NASH patients while mitigating potential tolerability concerns and improving compliance as compared to monotherapy regimens. We are well-positioned to develop multiple combination therapies for NASH with our extensive experience in combination drug development and the ability to leverage our pipeline of wholly owned single-agent drug candidates that we believe are suitable for orally administered combination development.

We believe that with our pipeline targeting steatosis (TERN-101 and TERN-501), inflammation (TERN-101 and TERN-201) and fibrosis (TERN-101 and TERN-201) in tandem, our programs have the potential to provide greater resolution of NASH and improvement in related clinical outcomes. We expect to initiate a Phase 2a clinical proof-of-concept trial evaluating a combination of TERN-101 and TERN-501 in the first half of 2022. We are also assessing the potential utility of combinations of TERN-201 with assets inside and outside of our pipeline. Given the strength of our internal resources and capabilities, we have the flexibility to independently advance our combination therapy candidates without the need for a co-development partner at this time.



 

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Our Strategy

Our goal is to develop and commercialize differentiated monotherapies and combination therapies to improve the lives of patients affected by NASH and other chronic liver diseases. Key elements of our strategy to achieve this goal include:

 

   

Develop improved drug candidates targeting clinically-validated mechanisms of action.

 

   

Leverage non-invasive biomarkers to rapidly advance our single-agent drug candidates through clinical proof-of-concept.

 

   

Advance our portfolio of combination therapy candidates for the treatment of NASH.

 

   

Advance our earlier stage programs and expand the applications for our existing drug candidates.

 

   

Independently develop and commercialize our drug candidates in indications and geographies where we believe we can maximize the value and benefit to patients.

Our Team

We have assembled a team of industry veterans with extensive experience in drug discovery and development, especially in liver diseases. Collectively, our team has been directly involved in more than 20 FDA approved products, including 11 fixed-dose-combination drugs. Our executive team has a strong track record in leading successful biotechnology companies and research and development organizations. Senthil Sundaram, our Chief Executive Officer, has over 20 years of strategy, financial and leadership experience in the life sciences industry. Dr. Erin Quirk, our President and Chief Medical Officer, brings more than 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, and has personally contributed to the development of 14 approved drug products to date, including initial marketing applications for five novel fixed-dose combinations. Dr. Weidong Zhong, our founder and Chief Scientific Officer, is an accomplished industry veteran who brings 25 years of experience in drug discovery and development and has developed over 20 small-molecule and biologic drug candidates. Since our founding in 2016, we have raised approximately $126.9 million in capital from leading venture capital funds, healthcare-dedicated investors, and institutional investors, including Lilly Asia Ventures, OrbiMed Advisors, Vivo Capital and Decheng Capital.

Risks Associated with Our Business

Our business is subject to a number of risks of which you should be aware before making a decision to invest in our common stock. These risks are more fully described in the section titled “Risk Factors” immediately following this prospectus summary. These risks include, among others, the following:

 

   

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a limited operating history and no products approved for commercial sale. We have incurred significant losses since our inception, and we anticipate that we will continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future, which, together with our limited operating history, makes it difficult to assess our future viability.

 

   

Unfavorable global economic or political conditions (including a recession or depression resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic) could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

   

Clinical drug development involves a lengthy and expensive process with uncertain timelines and outcomes, and results of earlier studies and trials may not be predictive of future trial results. Furthermore, NASH is an indication for which there is no approved therapy in the United States or Europe and for which other development challenges exist such as the lack of widely-accepted noninvasive diagnostic methods. If the development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates is unsuccessful or delayed, we may be unable to obtain required regulatory approvals and we may be unable to commercialize our single-agent and combination therapy candidates on a timely basis, if at all.



 

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We are early in our development efforts. Our business is heavily dependent on the successful development, regulatory approval and commercialization of our current and future single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

 

   

We face significant competition for our drug discovery and development efforts in an environment of rapid technological and scientific change, and our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved, will face significant competition, which may prevent us from achieving significant market penetration. Many of our competitors have significantly greater resources than we do, and we may not be able to successfully compete with them.

 

   

We rely on third parties to conduct, supervise and monitor our preclinical and clinical trials. If these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties, meet rigorously enforced regulatory standards or meet expected deadlines, we may be unable to obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize any of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates on a timely basis or at all.

 

   

We rely completely on third parties to manufacture our clinical drug supplies and we intend to rely on third parties to produce commercial supplies of any approved single-agent or combination therapy candidate, and our commercialization of any of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates could be stopped, delayed or made less profitable if those third parties fail to obtain approval of the FDA or comparable regulatory authorities, fail to provide us with sufficient quantities of drug product or fail to do so at acceptable quality levels or prices.

 

   

Our current and any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates could be alleged to infringe patent rights and other intellectual property rights of third parties, which may require costly litigation and, if we are not successful, could cause us to pay substantial damages and/or limit our ability to commercialize our single-agent and combination therapies.

 

   

Our financial condition raises substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. We will require substantial additional financing to achieve our goals, and a failure to obtain this necessary capital when needed on acceptable terms, or at all, could force us to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development programs, commercialization efforts or other operations.

 

   

Our stock price may be volatile and you may not be able to resell shares of our common stock at or above the price you paid.

Our Corporate Information and Organizational Chart

We were incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands on December 9, 2016. On December 29, 2020, we effected a de-registration under the Cayman Islands Companies Law (2020 Revision) and a domestication under Section 388 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (by means of filing a certificate of domestication with the Secretary of State of Delaware), pursuant to which our jurisdiction of incorporation was changed from the Cayman Islands to the State of Delaware, or the Domestication. Upon completion of the Domestication, (i) each of our issued and outstanding ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, was converted, on a one-for-one basis, into a share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, (ii) each of our issued and outstanding Series A Preferred Shares, par value $0.0001 per share, was converted, on a one-for-one basis, into a share of Series A convertible preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and (iii) each of our issued and outstanding Series B Preferred Shares, par value $0.0001 per share, was converted, on a one-for-one basis, into a share of Series B convertible preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. In addition, following the Domestication, the LAV PRC Entities have exercised the LAV Option which has caused all of the equity interests held by the LAV PRC Entities to be converted into shares of our capital stock, or the China Conversion. See Note 8, Convertible Preferred Stock, to each of our audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and Note 14, Subsequent Events, to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for additional information regarding the LAV PRC Entities and the LAV Option. We refer to this series of transactions as the Domestication transactions.



 

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The following is an organizational chart setting forth our corporate structure following the Domestication transactions.

 

LOGO

Our principal executive offices are located at 1065 East Hillsdale Boulevard, Suite 100, Foster City, California 94404, and our telephone number is (650) 525-5535. Our corporate website address is www.ternspharma.com. Information contained on, or accessible through, our website shall not be deemed incorporated into and is not a part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part. We have included our website in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference.

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

We are an emerging growth company as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the consummation of this offering, (ii) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, (iii) the last day of the fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700.0 million as of the last business day of the second fiscal quarter of such year or



 

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(iv) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting requirements and is relieved of certain other significant requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to public companies. As an emerging growth company:

 

   

We will present in this prospectus only two years of audited consolidated financial statements, plus unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for any interim period, and related management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations;

 

   

We will avail ourselves of the exemption from the requirement to obtain an attestation and report from our auditors on the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;

 

   

We will provide less extensive disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements; and

 

   

We will not require stockholder non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements.

Accordingly, the information contained herein may be different than the information you receive from our competitors that are public companies or other public companies in which you hold stock.

In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This provision allows an emerging growth company to delay the adoption of some accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to avail ourselves of this exemption from new or revised accounting standards, and therefore we will not be subject to the same requirements to adopt new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies.



 

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THE OFFERING

 

Common stock offered by us

6,250,000 shares.

 

Option to purchase additional shares

The underwriters have been granted an option to purchase up to 937,500 additional shares of common stock from us at any time within 30 days from the date of this prospectus.

 

Common stock to be outstanding after this offering

22,721,720 shares (or 23,659,220 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full).

 

Use of proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $89.5 million (or approximately $103.5 million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase up to 937,500 additional shares of common stock), based on an assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

 

We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents, to advance TERN-101 through our Phase 2a clinical trial (the LIFT Study), advance TERN-501 monotherapy through our Phase 1 clinical trial, initiate and advance Phase 2 clinical development for our combination therapy program, and advance TERN-201 through our Phase 1b clinical trial, as well as advance our research and development activities, including our GLP-1R and combination programs, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. See the section titled “Use of Proceeds” for additional information.

 

Risk factors

You should read the section titled “Risk Factors” for a discussion of factors to consider carefully, together with all the other information included in this prospectus, before deciding to invest in our common stock.

 

Proposed Nasdaq Global Market symbol

“TERN”

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding after this offering is based on 16,471,720 shares of our common stock (after giving effect to the conversion of all of our shares of convertible preferred stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020, as well as giving effect to the issuance and subsequent conversion of all of our shares of convertible preferred stock issued and sold in December 2020 into an aggregate of 16,079,230 shares of our common stock immediately prior to the completion of this offering), and excludes:

 

   

940,034 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options as of September 30, 2020, with a weighted-average exercise price of $6.08 per share;

 

   

1,578,400 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options granted subsequent to September 30, 2020, with a weighted-average exercise price of $9.24 per share;



 

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2,275,007 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2021 Incentive Award Plan, or the 2021 Plan, which will become effective on the date immediately prior to the date our registration statement relating to this offering becomes effective, of which options to purchase 46,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus will be granted concurrently with this offering, as well as any future increases in the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2021 Plan; and

 

   

227,500 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the ESPP, which will become effective on the date immediately prior to the date our registration statement relating to this offering becomes effective, as well as any future increases in the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the ESPP.

Except as otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus assumes or gives effect to:

 

   

the completion of the Domestication transactions as of September 30, 2020;

 

   

the filing and effectiveness of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation immediately prior to the completion of this offering and the adoption of our amended and restated bylaws immediately prior to the completion of this offering;

 

   

the conversion of all of our shares of convertible preferred stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020 and all of our shares of convertible preferred stock issued and sold in December 2020 into an aggregate of 16,079,230 shares of our common stock, immediately prior to the completion of this offering;

 

   

a 1-for-14 reverse stock split of our common stock and convertible preferred stock effected on January 29, 2021;

 

   

no exercise of the outstanding options; and

 

   

no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase up to 937,500 additional shares of our common stock.



 

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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following tables set forth our summary consolidated statements of operations and consolidated balance sheet data. The summary consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 and the consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2019 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary consolidated statements of operations data for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020 and the summary consolidated balance sheet data as of September 30, 2020 are derived from our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any period in the future and our interim results are not necessarily indicative of our expected results for the year ending December 31, 2019. You should read the following summary consolidated financial data together with the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2018     2019             2019                     2020          
                 (unaudited)  
     (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)  

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:

        

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development

   $ 14,554     $ 61,534     $ 53,978     $ 20,259  

General and administrative

     3,901       8,663       6,275       7,998  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     18,455       70,197       60,253       28,257  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (18,455     (70,197     (60,253     (28,257
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

        

Interest income

     332       1,204       1,097       53  

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

     —         —         346       (295

Change in fair value of loans payable

     —         —         —         (2,366

Other income, net

     38       154       15       325  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

     370       1,358       1,458       (2,283
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before benefit (provision) for income taxes

     (18,085     (68,839     (58,795     (30,540

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

     67       20       22       (102
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (18,018     (68,819     (58,773     (30,642

Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (307     (208     63       (518
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (17,711   $ (68,611   $ (58,836   $ (30,124
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

        

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax

   $ —       $ 2     $ —       $ —    

Foreign exchange translation adjustment, net of tax

     (65     (166     (491     196  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

     (18,083     (68,983     (59,264     (30,446

Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (320     (231     (8     (490
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (17,763   $ (68,752   $ (59,256   $ (29,956
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

   $ (237.56   $ (374.39   $ (341.54   $ (111.38
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common stock outstanding, basic and diluted

     74,553       183,262       172,266       270,463  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


 

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     As of September 30, 2020  
     (in thousands)  
     Actual      Pro
Forma(1) 
     Pro Forma
as Adjusted(2)(3)
 
            (unaudited)              

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 13,756      $ 83,256      $ 172,756  

Working capital (deficiency)(4)

     (12,602      76,235        165,735  

Total assets

     17,413        86,913        176,413  

Noncontrolling interest

     13,599        —          —    

Convertible preferred stock

     94,967        —          —    

Accumulated deficit

     (121,986      (122,502      (122,502

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (119,815      77,588        167,088  

 

(1)

The pro forma column reflects: (i) the conversion of all of our shares of convertible preferred stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020 into 7,334,518 shares of our common stock, which will occur immediately prior to the completion of this offering, (ii) the issuance and sale of shares of our convertible preferred stock in December 2020 for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $87.4 million (including conversion of the $15.0 million of convertible notes and effective conversion of $1.8 million in a bridge loan, plus accrued interest) and the subsequent conversion into 8,744,712 shares of our common stock, which will occur immediately prior to the completion of the offering, and (iii) the filing and effectiveness of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation in Delaware, which will be in effect immediately prior to the completion of this offering.

(2)

The pro forma as adjusted column reflects: (i) the pro forma adjustments set forth above, and (ii) the sale of 6,250,000 shares of our common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

(3)

The pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only and will depend on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease, as applicable, each of our pro forma as adjusted cash and cash equivalents, working capital, total assets and total stockholders’ equity by approximately $5.8 million, assuming the number of shares of common stock 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 estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase or decrease of 1,000,000 shares of common stock offered by us would increase or decrease, as applicable, each of our pro forma as adjusted cash and cash equivalents, working capital, total assets and total stockholders’ equity by approximately $14.9 million, assuming the assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range 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.

(4)

We define working capital as current assets less current liabilities. See our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus for further details regarding our current assets and current liabilities.



 

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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 consolidated financial statements and the related notes and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” before deciding whether to invest in our common stock. Many of the following risks and uncertainties are, and will be, exacerbated by the coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, pandemic and any worsening of the global business and economic environment as a result. The occurrence of any of the events or developments described below could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and 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 may also impair our business operations.

Risks Related to Our Limited Operating History, Financial Condition and Capital Requirements

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a limited operating history and no products approved for commercial sale. We have incurred significant losses since our inception, and we anticipate that we will continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future, which, together with our limited operating history, makes it difficult to assess our future viability.

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, and we have only a limited operating history upon which you can evaluate our business and prospects. Biopharmaceutical product development is a highly speculative undertaking and involves a substantial degree of risk. We have no products approved for commercial sale and have not generated any revenue from sales of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates and have incurred losses in each year since our inception in December 2016. We have only a limited operating history upon which you can evaluate our business and prospects. In addition, we have not yet demonstrated an ability to successfully overcome many of the risks and uncertainties frequently encountered by companies in new and rapidly evolving fields, particularly in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industry.

We have had significant operating losses since our inception. Our net loss attributable to common stockholders for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 was approximately $17.7 million and $68.6 million, respectively, and $58.8 million and $30.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively. As of September 30, 2020, we had an accumulated deficit of $122.0 million excluding $1.1 million of net losses that have been allocated to the noncontrolling interest. Substantially all of our losses have resulted from expenses incurred in connection with our research and development programs and from general and administrative costs associated with our operations. We expect to continue to incur losses for the foreseeable future, and we anticipate these losses will increase as we continue to develop our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, conduct clinical trials and pursue research and development activities. Even if we achieve profitability in the future, we may not be able to sustain profitability in subsequent periods. Our prior losses, combined with expected future losses, have had and will continue to have an adverse effect on our stockholders’ equity and working capital.

We will require substantial additional financing to achieve our goals, and a failure to obtain this necessary capital when needed on acceptable terms, or at all, could force us to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development programs, commercialization efforts or other operations.

Since our inception, we have invested a significant portion of our efforts and financial resources in research and development activities. Our single-agent and combination therapy candidates will require additional clinical development, and we intend to conduct additional research and development activities to discover and develop new single-agent and combination therapy candidates, including conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials, all of which will require substantial additional funds. We will continue to expend significant resources for the foreseeable future in connection with these activities. These expenditures will include costs associated with conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials, obtaining regulatory approvals and manufacturing and supply, as well as marketing and selling any drugs approved for sale. In addition, other unanticipated costs may arise. Because the outcome of any preclinical study or clinical trial is highly uncertain, we cannot reasonably estimate

 

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the actual amounts necessary to successfully complete the development and commercialization of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

As of September 30, 2020, we had capital resources consisting of cash and cash equivalents of approximately $13.8 million. In December 2020, we issued and sold shares of our convertible preferred stock for gross proceeds of approximately $87.4 million (including conversion of the $15.0 million of convertible notes and effective conversion of $1.8 million in a bridge loan, plus accrued interest). We expect our existing capital resources, which includes the gross proceeds from the issuance and sale of our convertible preferred stock and the net proceeds from this offering, will fund our planned operating expenses into 2024. However, our operating plans may change as a result of many factors currently unknown to us, and we may need to seek additional funds sooner than planned through public or private equity offerings or debt financings or other sources, such as strategic collaborations. Such financing may result in dilution to our stockholders, imposition of burdensome debt covenants and repayment obligations, or other restrictions that may affect our business. In addition, we may seek additional capital due to favorable market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans.

Our future capital requirements depend on many factors, including:

 

   

the scope, progress, results and costs of researching and developing our current single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any other future single-agent and combination therapy candidates we choose to pursue, and conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials, including our planned clinical trials of TERN-101, TERN-201, TERN-501 and the coadministration of TERN-101 and TERN-501 and any delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

   

the timing of, and the costs involved in, obtaining regulatory approvals for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

the number and characteristics of any additional single-agent or combination therapy candidates we develop or acquire;

 

   

the timing and amount of any milestone, royalty and/or other payments we are required to make pursuant to our current or any future license or collaboration agreements;

 

   

the cost of manufacturing our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates and any single-agent or combination therapies we successfully commercialize;

 

   

the cost of pre-commercial activities and, if approved, commercialization activities related to our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, including marketing, sales and distribution costs;

 

   

the cost of building or contracting a sales force in anticipation of commercialization;

 

   

our ability to establish strategic collaborations, licensing or other arrangements and the financial terms of any such agreements, including the timing and amount of any future milestone, royalty or other payments due under any such agreement;

 

   

any product liability or other lawsuits related to our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved;

 

   

the expenses needed to attract, hire and retain skilled personnel;

 

   

the costs associated with being a public company;

 

   

the costs involved in preparing, filing, prosecuting, maintaining, defending and enforcing our intellectual property portfolio;

 

   

the timing, receipt and amount of sales of any future approved drugs; and

 

   

the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may exacerbate the magnitude of the factors discussed above.

 

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Additional funds may not be available when we need them, on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. Our ability to raise additional capital may be adversely impacted by potential worsening global economic conditions and the recent disruptions to and volatility in the credit and financial markets in the United States and worldwide resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. If adequate funds are not available to us on a timely basis, we may be required to:

 

   

delay, limit, reduce or terminate preclinical studies, clinical trials or other development activities for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any future single-agent or combination therapy candidate;

 

   

delay, limit, reduce or terminate our research and development activities; or

 

   

delay, limit, reduce or terminate our efforts to establish manufacturing and sales and marketing capabilities or other activities that may be necessary to commercialize our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any future single-agent or combination therapy candidate, or reduce our flexibility in developing or maintaining our sales and marketing strategy.

We also could be required to seek funds through arrangements with collaborators or others that may require us to relinquish rights to some of our technologies or single-agent and combination therapy candidates that we would otherwise pursue on our own. We do not expect to realize revenue from sales of products or royalties from licensed products in the foreseeable future, if at all, and unless and until our single-agent and combination therapy candidates are clinically tested, approved for commercialization and successfully marketed. To date, we have primarily financed our operations through the sale of equity and debt securities. We will be required to seek additional funding in the future and currently intend to do so through public or private equity offerings or debt financings, credit or loan facilities, collaborations or a combination of one or more of these funding sources. Our ability to raise additional funds will depend on financial, economic and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Additional funds may not be available to us on acceptable terms or at all. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity securities, our stockholders will suffer dilution and the terms of any financing may adversely affect the rights of our stockholders. In addition, as a condition to providing additional funds to us, future investors may demand, and may be granted, rights superior to those of existing stockholders. Debt financing, if available, is likely to involve restrictive covenants limiting our flexibility in conducting future business activities, and, in the event of insolvency, debt holders would be repaid before holders of our equity securities received any distribution of our corporate assets.

Due to the significant resources required for the development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, we must prioritize development of certain single-agent and combination therapy candidates and/or certain disease indications, which initially will be NASH. We may expend our limited resources on candidates or indications that do not yield a successful product and fail to capitalize on single-agent and combination therapy candidates or indications that may be more profitable or for which there is a greater likelihood of success.

We are currently focused on developing a portfolio of small-molecule single-agent and combination therapy candidates for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH, and other chronic liver diseases. We seek to maintain a process of prioritization and resource allocation among our programs to maintain a balance between advancing our two clinical-stage programs, TERN-101 and TERN-201, and our third program entering the clinic, TERN-501, in identified indications and exploring additional indications or mechanisms as well as developing future single-agent and combination therapy candidates. We also aim to conduct combination trials of our single-agent drug candidates. However, due to the significant resources required for the development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, we must focus on specific diseases and disease pathways and decide which single-agent and combination therapy candidates to pursue and the amount of resources to allocate to each such single-agent or combination therapy candidate.

Our decisions concerning the allocation of research, development, collaboration, management and financial resources toward particular single-agent and combination therapy candidates or therapeutic areas may not lead to

 

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the development of any viable commercial drug and may divert resources away from better opportunities. Similarly, any decision to delay, terminate or collaborate with third parties in respect of certain programs may subsequently also prove to be suboptimal and could cause us to miss valuable opportunities. If we make incorrect determinations regarding the viability or market potential of any of our programs or single-agent and combination therapy candidates or misread trends in NASH or in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. As a result, we may fail to capitalize on viable commercial products or profitable market opportunities, be required to forego or delay pursuit of opportunities with other single-agent and combination therapy candidates or other diseases and disease pathways that may later prove to have greater commercial potential than those we choose to pursue, or relinquish valuable rights to such single-agent and combination therapy candidates through collaboration, licensing or other royalty arrangements in cases in which it would have been advantageous for us to invest additional resources to retain development and commercialization rights.

Our operating results may fluctuate significantly, which makes our future operating results difficult to predict and could cause our operating results to fall below expectations.

Our quarterly and annual operating results may fluctuate significantly, which makes it difficult for us to predict our future operating results. These fluctuations may occur due to a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control and may be difficult to predict, including:

 

   

the timing and cost of, and level of investment in, research, development, pre-commercial and, if approved, commercialization activities relating to our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, which may change from time to time;

 

   

the timing and status of enrollment for our clinical trials;

 

   

the cost of manufacturing our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, as well as building out our supply chain, which may vary depending on the quantity of production and the terms of our agreements with manufacturers;

 

   

expenditures that we may incur to acquire, develop or commercialize additional single-agent and combination therapy candidates and technologies;

 

   

timing and amount of any milestone, royalty or other payments due under any collaboration or license agreement;

 

   

future accounting pronouncements or changes in our accounting policies;

 

   

the timing and success or failure of preclinical studies and clinical trials for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or competing single-agent and combination therapy candidates, or any other change in the competitive landscape of our industry, including consolidation among our competitors or partners;

 

   

the timing of receipt of approvals for, and the scope of or limitation on the marketing authorizations received on, our single-agent and combination therapy candidates from regulatory authorities in the United States and internationally;

 

   

coverage and reimbursement policies with respect to our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved, and potential future drugs that compete with our single agent and combination therapies;

 

   

the level of demand for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved, which may vary significantly over time; and

 

   

the impact from COVID-19, which may have the effect of magnifying many of the factors described above.

 

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The cumulative effects of these factors could result in large fluctuations and unpredictability in our quarterly and annual operating results. As a result, comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful. Investors should not rely on our past results as an indication of our future performance.

This variability and unpredictability could also result in our failing to meet the expectations of industry or financial analysts or investors for any period. If our revenue or operating results fall below the expectations of analysts or investors or below any forecasts we may provide to the market, or if any forecasts we provide to the market are below the expectations of analysts or investors, the price of our common stock could decline substantially. Such a stock price decline could occur even when we have met any previously publicly stated revenue or earnings guidance we may provide.

Our financial condition raises substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern.

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue to operate as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. Based on our current forecast, and without accounting for the proceeds from this offering or any other offering, we do not have sufficient resources for at least the next year following the date that the consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus were issued. To date, we have not generated revenues from our activities and have incurred substantial operating losses. We expect that we will continue to generate substantial operating losses for the foreseeable future until we complete development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates and seek regulatory approvals to market such single-agent and combination therapy candidates. We will continue to fund our operations primarily through utilization of our current financial resources and additional raises of capital.

These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Additionally, our independent registered public accounting firm has included in its audit opinion for the year ended December 31, 2019 an explanatory paragraph that there is substantial doubt as to our ability to continue as a going concern. We plan to address these conditions by raising funds from our current investors as well as potential outside investors. However, there is no assurance that such funding will be available to us, will be obtained on terms favorable to us or will provide us with sufficient funds to meet our objectives. The reaction of investors to the inclusion of a going concern statement by our auditors and our potential inability to continue as a going concern may materially adversely affect our share price and our ability to raise new capital or enter into partnerships. If we become unable to continue as a going concern, we may have to liquidate our assets and the values we receive for our assets in liquidation or dissolution could be significantly lower than the values reflected in our consolidated financial statements.

Unfavorable global economic or political conditions could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our business is susceptible to general conditions in the global economy and in the global financial markets. A global financial crisis or a global or regional political disruption could cause extreme volatility in the capital and credit markets. A severe or prolonged economic downturn, including a recession or depression resulting from the current COVID-19 pandemic, or political disruption could result in a variety of risks to our business, including weakened demand for our current or future single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved, and our ability to raise additional capital when needed on acceptable terms, if at all. A weak or declining economy or political disruption could also strain our manufacturers or suppliers, possibly resulting in supply disruption, or cause our customers to delay making payments for our potential drugs, if approved. Any of the foregoing could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, and we cannot anticipate all of the ways in which the political or economic climate and financial market conditions could adversely impact our business.

 

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Risks related to the discovery and development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

We are early in our development efforts. Our business is heavily dependent on the successful development, regulatory approval and commercialization of our current and future single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

We have no drugs or combination therapies approved for sale, and our two clinical-stage programs are in early stages of clinical development. The success of our business, including our ability to finance our company and generate revenue in the future, will primarily depend on the successful development, regulatory approval and commercialization of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates and, in particular, the advancement of our current clinical-stage programs, which are in early stages of clinical development. Given our stage of development, it may be many years, if we succeed at all, before we have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of a single-agent or combination therapy candidate sufficient to warrant approval for commercialization. We cannot be certain that our single-agent and combination therapy candidates will receive regulatory approval or be successfully commercialized even if we receive regulatory approval.

We have not previously submitted a new drug application, or NDA, to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, or similar approval filings to a comparable foreign regulatory authority, for any single-agent or combination therapy candidate. An NDA or other relevant regulatory filing must include extensive preclinical and clinical data and supporting information to establish that the single-agent or combination therapy candidate is safe and effective for each desired indication. The NDA or other relevant regulatory filing must also include significant information regarding the chemistry, manufacturing and controls for the product. We cannot be certain that our current or future single-agent and combination therapy candidates will be successful in clinical trials or receive regulatory approval. Further, even if they are successful in clinical trials, our current or future single-agent and combination therapy candidates may not receive regulatory approval. If we do not receive regulatory approvals for current or future single-agent and combination therapy candidates, we may not be able to continue our operations. Even if we successfully obtain regulatory approval to market a single-agent or combination therapy candidate, our revenue will depend, in part, upon the size of the markets in the territories for which we gain regulatory approval and have commercial rights, as well as the availability of competitive products, whether there is sufficient third-party reimbursement and adoption by physicians.

We plan to seek regulatory approval to commercialize our single-agent and combination therapy candidates both in the United States and in select foreign countries. While the scope of regulatory approval generally is similar in other countries, in order to obtain separate regulatory approval in other countries, we must comply with numerous and varying regulatory requirements of such countries regarding safety and efficacy. Other countries also have their own regulations governing, among other things, clinical trials and commercial sales, as well as pricing and distribution of drugs, and we may be required to expend significant resources to obtain regulatory approval and to comply with ongoing regulations in these jurisdictions.

In the future, we may also become dependent on other single-agent and combination therapy candidates that we may develop or acquire. The clinical and commercial success of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates and future single-agent and combination therapy candidates will depend on a number of factors, including the following:

 

   

timely completion of our preclinical studies and clinical trials, which may be significantly slower or cost more than we currently anticipate and will depend substantially upon the performance of third-party contractors;

 

   

sufficiency of our financial and other resources to complete the necessary preclinical studies and clinical trials;

 

   

the COVID-19 pandemic, which may result in clinical site closures, delays to patient enrollment, patients discontinuing their treatment or follow-up visits or changes to trial protocols;

 

   

our ability to raise any additional required capital on acceptable terms, or at all;

 

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our ability to complete investigational new drug applications, or INDs, IND-enabling studies and successfully submit INDs or comparable applications for our preclinical or future single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

whether we are required by the FDA or similar foreign regulatory authorities to conduct additional clinical trials or other studies beyond those planned to support the approval and commercialization of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

acceptance of our proposed indications and primary endpoint assessments relating to the proposed indications of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates by the FDA and similar foreign regulatory authorities, including the use of non-invasive or other novel endpoint to initially obtain market authorization for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

our ability to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the FDA and similar foreign regulatory authorities the safety, efficacy and acceptable risk to benefit profile of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

the prevalence, duration and severity of potential side effects or other safety issues experienced with our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or future approved drugs, if any;

 

   

the timely receipt of necessary marketing approvals from the FDA and similar foreign regulatory authorities;

 

   

achieving and maintaining and, where applicable, ensuring that our third-party contractors achieve and maintain compliance with our contractual obligations and with all regulatory requirements applicable to our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates or approved drugs, if any;

 

   

the ability of third parties with whom we contract to manufacture adequate clinical trial and commercial supplies of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates to remain in good standing with regulatory agencies and develop, validate and maintain commercially viable manufacturing processes that are compliant with current good manufacturing practices, or cGMPs;

 

   

our ability to successfully develop a commercial strategy and thereafter commercialize our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates in the United States and internationally, if approved for marketing, reimbursement, sale and distribution in such countries and territories, whether alone or in collaboration with others;

 

   

our ability to achieve sufficient market acceptance, coverage and adequate reimbursement from third-party payors and adequate market share and revenue for any approved drugs;

 

   

the convenience of our treatment or dosing regimen and the degree to which patients are able to comply with the recommended treatment program;

 

   

acceptance by physicians, payors and patients of the benefits, safety and efficacy of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved, including relative to alternative and competing treatments;

 

   

the willingness of physicians, operators of clinics and patients to utilize or adopt any of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates or any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved;

 

   

patients’ willingness to enroll or continue to participate in a clinical trial during the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

   

patient demand for our current or future single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved, including patients’ willingness to pay out-of-pocket for any approved drugs in the absence of coverage and/or adequate reimbursement from third-party payors;

 

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effectively competing with other therapies;

 

   

the ease, speed and cost at which we are able to execute on our strategy to develop fixed-dose combination therapy candidates that have desirable profiles;

 

   

our ability to establish and enforce intellectual property rights in and to our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates; and

 

   

our ability to avoid third-party patent interference, intellectual property challenges or intellectual property infringement claims.

These factors, many of which are beyond our control, could cause us to experience significant delays or an inability to obtain regulatory approvals or commercialize our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. Even if regulatory approvals are obtained, we may never be able to successfully commercialize any of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates. Accordingly, we cannot provide assurances that we will be able to generate sufficient revenue through the sale of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates to continue our business or achieve profitability.

Clinical drug development involves a lengthy and expensive process with uncertain timelines and outcomes, and results of earlier studies and trials may not be predictive of future trial results. If development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates is unsuccessful or delayed, we may be unable to obtain required regulatory approvals and we may be unable to commercialize our single-agent and combination therapy candidates on a timely basis, if at all.

Clinical testing is expensive and can take many years to complete, and its outcome is inherently uncertain. Failure or delay can occur at any time during the clinical trial process. Success in nonclinical testing and early clinical trials does not ensure that later clinical trials will be successful. A number of companies in the pharmaceutical industry, including biotechnology companies, have suffered significant setbacks in clinical trials, even after promising results in earlier nonclinical or clinical studies. These setbacks have been caused by, among other things, nonclinical findings made while clinical studies were underway and safety or efficacy observations made in clinical studies, including previously unreported adverse events. The results of preclinical, nonclinical and early clinical studies of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates may not be predictive of the results of later-stage clinical trials. Single-agent and combination therapy candidates in later stages of clinical trials may fail to show the desired safety and efficacy traits despite having progressed through preclinical and initial clinical trials. Notwithstanding any potential promising results in earlier studies, we cannot be certain that we will not face similar setbacks. Even if our clinical trials are completed, the results may not be sufficient to obtain regulatory approval for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

We may experience delays in initiating our clinical trials and we cannot be certain that the trials or any other future clinical trials for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates will begin on time, need to be redesigned, enroll an adequate number of patients on time or be completed on schedule, if at all. Clinical trials can be delayed or terminated for a variety of reasons, including delay or failure related to:

 

   

the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities disagreeing as to the design or implementation of our clinical trials;

 

   

the size of the study population for further analysis of the study’s primary endpoints;

 

   

the acceptance by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities on the use of any of the non-invasive or other novel diagnostics or endpoints we incorporate into our clinical development to obtain initial market authorization;

 

   

obtaining regulatory approval to commence a trial;

 

   

reaching agreement on acceptable terms with prospective contract research organizations, or CROs, and clinical trial sites, the terms of which can be subject to extensive negotiation and may vary significantly among different CROs and trial sites;

 

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obtaining institutional review board, or IRB, approval at each site;

 

   

recruiting suitable patients to participate in a trial;

 

   

having patients complete a trial or return for post-treatment follow-up;

 

   

clinical sites deviating from trial protocol or dropping out of a trial;

 

   

addressing patient safety concerns that arise during the course of a trial;

 

   

addressing any conflicts with new or existing laws or regulations;

 

   

adding a sufficient number of clinical trial sites; or

 

   

manufacturing sufficient quantities of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates for use in clinical trials.

In addition, disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may increase the likelihood that we encounter such difficulties or delays in initiating, enrolling, conducting, or completing our planned and ongoing clinical trials. We could also encounter delays if a clinical trial is suspended or terminated by us, by the IRBs of the institutions at which such trials are being conducted, by a data monitoring committee, or DMC, for such trial or by the FDA or other regulatory authorities. Such authorities may suspend or terminate a clinical trial due to a number of factors, including failure to conduct the clinical trial in accordance with regulatory requirements or our clinical protocols, inspection of the clinical trial operations or trial site by the FDA or other regulatory authorities resulting in the imposition of a clinical hold, unforeseen safety issues or adverse side effects, failure to demonstrate a benefit from using a drug, changes in governmental regulations or administrative actions or lack of adequate funding to continue the clinical trial.

Moreover, principal investigators for our clinical trials may serve as scientific advisors or consultants to us from time to time and receive compensation in connection with such services. Under certain circumstances, we may be required to report some of these relationships to the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities. The FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authority may conclude that a financial relationship between us and a principal investigator has created a conflict of interest or otherwise affected the interpretation of the trial. The FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authority may therefore question the integrity of the data generated at the applicable clinical trial site and the utility of the clinical trial itself may be jeopardized. This could result in a delay in approval, refusal to accept or rejection, of our marketing applications by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authority, as the case may be, and may ultimately lead to the denial of marketing approval of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

If we experience delays in the completion of any clinical trial of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or the termination of any such clinical trial, the commercial prospects of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates may be harmed, and our ability to generate drug revenues from any of these single-agent and combination therapy candidates will be delayed or not realized at all. In addition, any delays in completing our clinical trials will increase our costs, slow down our single-agent and combination therapy candidate development and approval process and jeopardize our ability to commence drug sales and generate revenues. Any of these occurrences may significantly harm our business, financial condition and prospects. In addition, many of the factors that cause, or lead to, a delay in the commencement or completion of clinical trials may also ultimately lead to the denial of regulatory approval of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

If we encounter difficulties or delays enrolling patients in our clinical trials, our clinical development activities could be delayed or otherwise adversely affected.

We may not be able to initiate or continue our planned clinical trials for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates if we are unable to identify and enroll a sufficient number of eligible patients to participate in

 

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these trials as required by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authority. Patient enrollment, a significant factor in the timing of clinical trials, is affected by many factors including the size and nature of the patient population, the proximity of patients to clinical sites, the eligibility criteria for the clinical trial, the design of the clinical trial, competing clinical trials and clinicians’ and patients’ perceptions as to the potential advantages of the single-agent or combination therapy candidate being studied in relation to other available therapies, including any new drugs that may be approved for the indications we are investigating.

The timely completion of clinical trials in accordance with their protocols depends, among other things, on our ability to enroll a sufficient number of patients who remain in the study until its conclusion. We may experience difficulties in patient enrollment in our clinical trials for a variety of reasons. The enrollment of patients depends on many factors, including:

 

   

the patient eligibility criteria defined in the protocol;

 

   

the size of the patient population required for analysis of the clinical trial’s primary endpoints;

 

   

the proximity of patients to clinical sites;

 

   

the design of the clinical trial;

 

   

our ability to recruit clinical trial investigators with the appropriate competencies and experience;

 

   

clinicians’ and patients’ perceptions as to the potential advantages of the single-agent or combination therapy candidate being studied in relation to other available therapies, including any new drugs that may be approved for the indications we are investigating;

 

   

our ability to obtain and maintain patient informed consents; and

 

   

the risk that patients enrolled in clinical trials will drop out of the trials before completion.

In addition, our clinical trials will compete with other clinical trials for single-agent and combination therapy candidates that are in the same therapeutic areas as our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, and this competition will reduce the number and types of patients available to us, because some patients who might have opted to enroll in our trials may instead opt to enroll in a trial being conducted by one of our competitors.

Delays in patient enrollment may result in increased costs or may affect the timing or outcome of the planned clinical trials, which could prevent completion of these trials and adversely affect our ability to advance the development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

We face significant competition for our drug discovery and development efforts in an environment of rapid technological and scientific change, and our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved, will face significant competition, which may prevent us from achieving significant market penetration. Many of our competitors have significantly greater resources than we do, and we may not be able to successfully compete.

The pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in particular are characterized by rapidly advancing technologies, intense competition and a strong emphasis on developing proprietary therapeutics. Numerous companies are engaged in the development, patenting, manufacturing and marketing of healthcare products competitive with those that we are developing. We face competition from a number of sources, such as pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, generic drug companies and academic and research institutions.

We are aware of both pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with development programs in NASH. Large pharmaceutical companies participating in the development of NASH treatments include, but are not limited to, AbbVie, Inc., Amgen Inc., AstraZeneca PLC/MedImmune LLC, Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim,

 

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Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Eisai, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Gilead Sciences, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., Novo Nordisk A/S, Pfizer Inc., Roche Holding AG, Sanofi, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

In relation to TERN-101, companies conducting NASH clinical trials with FXR agonists include AbbVie, Inc., Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc., ENYO Pharma SA, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Metacrine, Inc. and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.

TERN-201, our VAP-1 inhibitor, is a relatively novel mechanism for the treatment of NASH, and thus has little competition we are aware of. The companies who are currently developing a SSAO/VAP-1 inhibitor with NASH as a lead indication are LG Chem Ltd. and Novo Nordisk A/S.

With regards to TERN-501, companies conducting NASH clinical trials with THR-b agonists include Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

Furthermore, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies who are developing clinical-stage drugs to treat NASH using mechanisms not mentioned above include 89Bio, Inc., Akero Therapeutics, Inc., Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Axcella Health, Inc., Carmot Therapeutics, Inc., Cirius Therapeutics, Inc., CohBar, Inc., Coherus Biosciences Inc., Corcept Therapeutics, Inc., CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc., Esperion Therapeutics, Inc., Galectin Therapeutics Inc., Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Inventiva Pharma SA, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., MediciNova, Inc., NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., NorthSea Therapeutics, Inc., Pliant Therapeutics, Inc., Poxel SA, Sagimet Biosciences, Inc., T3D Therapeutics, Inc. and Zydus Cadila Healthcare.

It is also probable that the number of companies seeking to develop drugs and therapies for the treatment of serious metabolic diseases, such as NASH, will increase.

Many of our competitors have greater financial resources, marketing capabilities, sales forces, manufacturing capabilities, research and development capabilities, clinical trial expertise, intellectual property portfolios, experience in obtaining patents and regulatory approvals for drug candidates and other resources than we do. Some of the companies also have a broad range of other product offerings, large direct sales forces and long-term customer relationships with our target physicians, which could inhibit our market penetration efforts. Mergers and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industries may result in even more resources being concentrated among a smaller number of our competitors. Smaller or early-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large and established companies. These competitors also compete with us in recruiting and retaining qualified scientific and management personnel and establishing clinical trial sites and patient registration for clinical trials, as well as in acquiring technologies complementary to, or necessary for, our programs.

Certain alternative treatments that may be approved and offered by competitors in the future may be available at lower prices and may offer greater efficacy or better safety profiles. Furthermore, currently approved products could be discovered to have application for the intended indication of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, which could give such products significant regulatory and market timing advantages over any of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. Our competitors also may obtain FDA, European Medicines Agency, or EMA, or other regulatory approval for their products more rapidly than we may obtain approval for ours and may obtain orphan product exclusivity from the FDA for indications our single-agent and combination therapy candidates are targeting, which could result in our competitors establishing a strong market position before we are able to enter the market. For additional information regarding our competition, see the section of this prospectus captioned “Business—Competition.”

 

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We are initially developing single-agent and combination therapy candidates for the treatment of NASH, an indication for which there is currently no approved therapy in the United States or Europe. There is a heightened risk that we will not be able to gain agreement with regulatory authorities regarding an acceptable development plan, that the outcome of our clinical trials will not be favorable or that, even if favorable, regulatory authorities may not find the results of our clinical trials to be sufficient for marketing approval. This makes it difficult to predict the timing and costs of the clinical development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates for the treatment of NASH.

Our current research and development efforts are focused on developing our single-agent and combination therapy candidates for the treatment of NASH, an indication for which there is currently no approved therapy in the United States or Europe. The regulatory approval process for novel drug candidates can be more expensive and take longer than for other, better known or extensively studied drug candidates. As other companies are in later stages of clinical trials for their potential NASH therapies, we expect that the path for regulatory approval for NASH therapies may continue to evolve as these other companies refine their regulatory approval strategies and interact with regulatory authorities. Such evolution may impact our future clinical trial designs, including trial size and approval endpoints, in ways that we cannot predict today.

In the United States, the FDA generally requires two adequate and well-controlled pivotal clinical trials to approve an NDA. Furthermore, for full approval of an NDA, the FDA requires a demonstration of efficacy based on a clinical benefit endpoint. The FDA may grant accelerated approval based on a surrogate endpoint reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit. Even though our pivotal clinical trials for a specific indication may achieve their primary endpoints and are reasonably believed by us to be likely to predict clinical benefit, the FDA may not accept the results of such trials or approve our single-agent and combination therapy candidates on an accelerated basis, or at all. It is also possible that the FDA may refuse to accept for filing and review any regulatory application we submit for regulatory approval in the United States. Even if our regulatory application is accepted for review, there may be delays in the FDA’s review process and the FDA may determine that such regulatory application does not contain adequate clinical or other data or support the approval of the single-agent and combination therapy candidate. In such a case, the FDA may issue a complete response letter that may require that we conduct and/or complete additional clinical trials and preclinical studies or provide additional information or data before it will reconsider an application for approval. Any such requirements may be substantial, expensive and time-consuming, and there is no guarantee that we will continue to pursue such application or that the FDA will ultimately decide that any such application supports the approval of the single-agent or combination therapy candidate. As an example, the FDA recently returned a complete response to an NDA submitted by Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the drug candidate obeticholic acid, or OCA, for the treatment of NASH. The efficacy of OCA for the treatment of NASH was based on the surrogate histologic endpoint of improvement of fibrosis as shown by liver biopsy with no worsening of NASH in lieu of clinical outcomes in the NASH patients enrolled in the trial, such as overall survival and time to liver transplant. Such decisions may impact our future clinical trial designs, including trial size and approval endpoints, in ways that we cannot predict today. Furthermore, the FDA may also refer any regulatory application to an advisory committee for review and recommendation as to whether, and under what conditions, the application should be approved. While the FDA is not bound by the recommendation of an advisory committee, it considers such recommendations carefully when making decisions. Delay or failure to obtain, or unexpected costs in obtaining, the regulatory approval necessary to bring a potential product to market could decrease our ability to generate sufficient revenue to maintain our business.

Even if we receive accelerated approval for any of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates, we anticipate we will be required to conduct or complete a post-approval clinical outcomes trial to confirm the clinical benefit of such single-agent and combination therapy candidates by demonstrating the correlation of the surrogate endpoint therapeutic response in patients with a significant reduction in adverse clinical outcomes over time. There can be no assurance that the clinical outcomes trial will confirm that the surrogate endpoint used as the basis of the regulatory submissions we make will eventually show an adequate correlation with clinical outcomes.

Our anticipated development costs would likely increase if development of any current or future single-agent or combination therapy candidate is delayed because we are required by the FDA to perform studies or

 

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trials in addition to, or different from, those that we currently conduct or anticipate. Because of the numerous risks and uncertainties associated with pharmaceutical product development, we are unable to predict the timing or amount of any increase in our anticipated development costs.

We also may evaluate our single-agent and combination therapy candidates in combination with one or more therapies that have not yet been approved for marketing by the FDA, EMA or similar foreign regulatory authorities. We may not be able to market and sell any single-agent or combination therapy candidate we develop in combination with an unapproved therapy if that unapproved therapy does not ultimately obtain marketing approval. In addition, unapproved therapies face the same risks described with respect to our single-agent and combination therapy candidates currently in development, including the potential for serious adverse effects, delay in their clinical trials and lack of FDA or EMA approval. If the FDA, EMA or similar foreign regulatory authorities do not approve these other therapies or revoke their approval of, or if safety, efficacy, manufacturing, or supply issues arise with, the therapies we choose to evaluate in combination with our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, we may be unable to obtain approval of or market any such single-agent or combination therapy candidate.

The lack of widely-accepted non-invasive methods for the diagnosis of NASH is likely to present a major challenge to the market penetration of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates for the treatment of NASH.

Liver biopsy is the standard approach for the diagnosis of inflammation and fibrosis associated with NASH. However, the procedure-related morbidity and, in rare cases, mortality, sample errors, costs, patient discomfort and thus lack of patient interest in undergoing the procedure limit its use. As such, only patients with a high risk of NASH, which includes patients with metabolic syndrome and an indication of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD, are generally referred for liver biopsy. Because NASH tends to be asymptomatic until the disease progresses, many individuals with NASH remain undiagnosed until the disease has reached its late stages. The lack of widely-accepted non-invasive methods for the diagnosis of NASH is likely to present a major challenge to the market penetration of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates for the treatment of NASH, if ever commercialized, as many practitioners and patients may not be aware that a patient suffers from NASH and requires treatment. As such, use of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates for the treatment of NASH might not be as wide-spread as our actual target market and this may limit the commercial potential of such single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

A further challenge to the market penetration for our NASH single-agent and combination therapy candidates is that currently a liver biopsy is the standard approach for measuring improvement in NASH patients. Because it would be impractical to subject all patients that take our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved, to regular and repeated liver biopsies, it will be difficult to demonstrate effectiveness to practitioners and patients unless and until widely-accepted non-invasive methods for the diagnosis and monitoring of NASH become available in clinical practice and clinical trials, as to which there can be no assurance.

While non-invasive diagnostic approaches are being advanced, their use in the diagnosis of NASH and monitoring of response to treatment has not been broadly recommended in professional treatment guidelines. Moreover, some diagnostics in development have not yet been clinically validated, have uncertain timetables for clinical validation, and may also be subject to regulation by FDA or other regulatory authorities as medical devices and may require premarket clearance or approval.

Our single-agent and combination therapy candidates may cause undesirable side effects or have other properties that could delay or prevent their regulatory approval, cause us to suspend or discontinue clinical trials, limit the commercial profile of an approved label, or result in significant negative consequences following marketing approval, if any.

Undesirable side effects caused by our single-agent and combination therapy candidates could cause us or regulatory authorities to interrupt, delay or halt clinical trials and could result in a more restrictive label or the

 

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delay or denial of regulatory approval by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities. Results of our clinical trials could reveal a high and unacceptable severity and prevalence of side effects or unexpected characteristics. To date, both TERN-101 and TERN-201 have been well-tolerated though we did observe transient elevations in transaminases in one of our Phase 1 clinical trials of TERN-101. Drugs with similar mechanism of actions to those we are developing have shown tolerability issues, including pruritus and adverse lipid changes in other FXR agonists, non-selective MAO inhibition in other VAP-1 inhibitors and potential cardiac toxicity in other THR-b agonists. As a result, it is possible that our drug candidates will display similar safety and tolerability issues and adverse events when evaluated in longer clinical trials in larger patient populations despite the results we have observed in our clinical trials to date.

If unacceptable side effects arise in the development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, we, the IRBs at the institutions in which our studies are conducted or the DMC could recommend suspension or termination of our clinical trials or the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities could order us to cease clinical trials or deny approval of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates for any or all targeted indications. Treatment-related side effects could also affect patient recruitment or the ability of enrolled patients to complete the trial or result in potential product liability claims. In addition, these side effects may not be appropriately recognized or managed by the treating medical staff. Furthermore, we may be required to expend time and incur costs to train medical personnel using our single-agent and combination therapy candidates to understand the side effect profiles for our clinical trials and upon any commercialization of any of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates. Inadequate training in recognizing or managing the potential side effects of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates could result in patient injury or death. Any of these occurrences may harm our business, financial condition and prospects significantly.

In addition, if any of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates receives marketing approval, and we or others later identify undesirable side effects caused by such drugs, a number of potentially significant negative consequences could result, including:

 

   

we may be forced to suspend marketing of that single-agent or combination therapy, or decide to remove the single-agent or combination therapy from the marketplace;

 

   

regulatory authorities may withdraw or change their approvals of that single-agent or combination therapy;

 

   

regulatory authorities may require additional warnings on the label or limit access of that single-agent or combination therapy to selective specialized centers with additional safety reporting and with requirements that patients be geographically close to these centers for all or part of their treatment;

 

   

we may be required to send “dear doctor” letters to treatment providers or create a medication guide outlining the risks of the single-agent or combination therapy for patients, or to conduct post-marketing studies;

 

   

we may be required to change the way the single-agent or combination therapy is administered;

 

   

we could be subject to fines, injunctions, or the imposition of criminal or civil penalties, or be sued and held liable for harm caused to subjects or patients; and

 

   

the single-agent or combination therapy may become less competitive, and our reputation may suffer.

Any of the foregoing events could prevent us from achieving or maintaining market acceptance of the particular single-agent or combination therapy candidate, if approved, and result in the loss of significant revenues to us, which would materially and adversely affect our results of operations and business.

 

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Interim, top-line and preliminary data from our clinical trials that we announce or publish from time to time may change as more patient data become available and are subject to audit and verification procedures that could result in material changes in the final data.

From time to time, we may publicly disclose interim, top-line or preliminary data from our clinical trials, which is based on a preliminary analysis of then-available data, and the results and related findings and conclusions are subject to change following a more comprehensive review of the data related to the particular study or trial. We also make assumptions, estimations, calculations and conclusions as part of our analyses of data, and we may not have received or had the opportunity to fully and carefully evaluate all data. As a result, the interim, top-line or preliminary results that we report may differ from future results of the same studies, or different conclusions or considerations may qualify such results, once additional data have been received and fully evaluated. Interim, top-line and preliminary data also remain subject to audit and verification procedures that may result in the final data being materially different from the preliminary data we previously published. As a result, such data should be viewed with caution until the final data are available. From time to time, we may also disclose interim data from our clinical trials. Interim, top-line or preliminary data from clinical trials that we may complete are subject to the risk that one or more of the clinical outcomes may materially change as patient enrollment continues and more patient data become available. Adverse differences between interim, top-line or preliminary data and final data could significantly harm our business prospects.

Further, others, including regulatory agencies, may not accept or agree with our assumptions, estimates, calculations, conclusions or analyses or may interpret or weigh the importance of data differently, which could impact the value of the particular program, the approvability or commercialization of the particular single-agent or combination therapy candidate and our company in general. In addition, the information we choose to publicly disclose regarding a particular study or clinical trial is based on what is typically extensive information, and you or others may not agree with what we determine is the material or otherwise appropriate information to include in our disclosure, and any information we determine not to disclose may ultimately be deemed significant with respect to future decisions, conclusions, views, activities or otherwise regarding a particular single-agent or combination therapy candidate or our business. If the interim, top-line or preliminary data that we report differ from actual results, or if others, including regulatory authorities, disagree with the conclusions reached, our ability to obtain approval for, and commercialize, our single-agent and combination therapy candidates may be harmed, which could harm our business, operating results, prospects or financial condition.

The regulatory approval process is lengthy, expensive and uncertain, and we may be unable to obtain regulatory approval for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates under applicable regulatory requirements. The denial or delay of any such approval would delay commercialization of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates and adversely impact our ability to generate revenue, our business and our results of operations.

The development, research, testing, manufacturing, labeling, approval, selling, import, export, marketing, promotion and distribution of drug products are subject to extensive and evolving regulation by federal, state and local governmental authorities in the United States, principally the FDA, and by foreign regulatory authorities, which regulations differ from country to country. Neither we nor any future collaborator is permitted to market any of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates in the United States until we receive regulatory approval of an NDA from the FDA.

Obtaining regulatory approval of an NDA can be a lengthy, expensive and uncertain process. Prior to obtaining approval to commercialize a single-agent or combination therapy candidate in the United States or abroad, we or our collaborators must demonstrate with substantial evidence from well-controlled clinical trials, and to the satisfaction of the FDA or other foreign regulatory authorities, that such single-agent and combination therapy candidates are safe and effective for their intended uses. The number of nonclinical studies and clinical trials that will be required for regulatory approval varies depending on the single-agent or combination therapy candidate, the disease or condition that the single-agent or combination therapy candidate is designed to address, and the regulations applicable to any particular single-agent or combination therapy candidate.

 

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Results from nonclinical studies and clinical trials can be interpreted in different ways. Even if we believe the nonclinical or clinical data for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates are promising, such data may not be sufficient to support approval by the FDA and other regulatory authorities. Administering single-agent and combination therapy candidates to humans may produce undesirable side effects, which could interrupt, delay or halt clinical trials and result in the FDA or other regulatory authorities denying approval of a single-agent or combination therapy candidate for any or all indications. The FDA may also require us to conduct additional studies or trials for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates either prior to or post-approval, such as additional clinical pharmacology studies or safety or efficacy studies or trials, or it may object to elements of our clinical development program such as the primary endpoints or the number of subjects in our clinical trials.

The FDA or any foreign regulatory bodies can delay, limit or deny approval of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or require us to conduct additional nonclinical or clinical testing or abandon a program for many reasons, including:

 

   

the FDA or the applicable foreign regulatory authority’s disagreement with the design or implementation of our clinical trials;

 

   

negative or ambiguous results from our clinical trials or results that may not meet the level of statistical significance required by the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authorities for approval;

 

   

serious and unexpected drug-related side effects experienced by participants in our clinical trials or by individuals using drugs or combination therapies similar to our single-agent or combination therapy candidates;

 

   

our inability to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the FDA or the applicable foreign regulatory authority that our single-agent and combination therapy candidates are safe and effective for the proposed indication;

 

   

the FDA’s or the applicable foreign regulatory authority’s disagreement with the interpretation of data from nonclinical studies or clinical trials;

 

   

our inability to demonstrate the clinical and other benefits of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates outweigh any safety or other perceived risks;

 

   

the FDA’s or the applicable foreign regulatory authority’s requirement for additional nonclinical studies or clinical trials;

 

   

the FDA’s or the applicable foreign regulatory authority’s disagreement regarding the formulation, labeling and/or the specifications of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

the FDA’s or the applicable foreign regulatory authority’s failure to approve the manufacturing processes or facilities of third-party manufacturers with which we contract;

 

   

the potential for approval policies or regulations of the FDA or the applicable foreign regulatory authorities to significantly change in a manner rendering our clinical data insufficient for approval; or

 

   

the FDA or the applicable foreign regulatory authority’s disagreement with the sufficiency of the clinical, non-clinical and/or quality data in the NDA or comparable marketing authorization application.

Of the large number of drugs in development, only a small percentage successfully complete the FDA or other regulatory approval processes and are commercialized. The lengthy development and approval process as well as the unpredictability of future clinical trial results may result in our failing to obtain regulatory approval to market our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, which would significantly harm our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Even if we eventually complete clinical testing and receive approval of an NDA or foreign marketing application for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, the FDA or the applicable foreign

 

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regulatory authority may grant approval contingent on the performance of costly additional clinical trials, including Phase 4 clinical trials, and/or in the case of the FDA, the implementation of a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, or REMS, which may be required to ensure safe use of the drug after approval. The FDA or the applicable foreign regulatory authority also may approve a single-agent or combination therapy candidate for a more limited indication or a narrower patient population than we originally requested, and the FDA or applicable foreign regulatory authority may not approve the labeling that we believe is necessary or desirable for the successful commercialization of a single-agent or combination therapy candidate. Any delay in obtaining, or inability to obtain, applicable regulatory approval, or the failure to receive marketing authorization with a label that allows us to market the single-agent or combination therapy candidate as we desire, would delay, prevent or otherwise limit commercialization of that single-agent or combination therapy candidate and would materially adversely impact our business and prospects.

Our business has been and could continue to be adversely affected by the evolving and ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic in regions where we or third parties on which we rely have significant manufacturing facilities, concentrations of clinical trial sites or other business operations. The COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect our operations, as well as the business or operations of our manufacturers or other third parties with whom we conduct business.

Our business has been and could continue to be adversely affected by the effects of the recent and evolving COVID-19 pandemic, which was declared by the World Health Organization as a global pandemic. As COVID-19 continues to spread, we may experience ongoing disruptions that could severely impact our business and clinical trials, including:

 

   

delays or difficulties in enrolling patients in our clinical trials;

 

   

delays or difficulties in clinical site initiation, including difficulties in recruiting clinical site investigators and clinical site staff;

 

   

delays in clinical sites receiving the supplies and materials needed to conduct our clinical trials, including interruption in global shipping that may affect the transport of clinical trial materials;

 

   

changes in local regulations as part of a response to the COVID-19 outbreak which may require us to change the ways in which our clinical trials are conducted, which may result in unexpected costs, or to discontinue the clinical trials altogether;

 

   

the diversion of healthcare resources away from the conduct of clinical trials, including the diversion of hospitals serving as our clinical trial sites and hospital staff supporting the conduct of our clinical trials;

 

   

the interruption of key clinical trial activities, such as clinical trial site monitoring, due to limitations on travel imposed or recommended by federal or state governments, employers and others, or interruption of clinical trial subject visits and study procedures, the occurrence of which could affect the integrity of clinical trial data;

 

   

the interruption or delays in the operations of the FDA or other regulatory authorities, which may impact review and approval timelines;

 

   

the risk that participants enrolled in our clinical trials or study staff conducting the clinical trial visits will acquire COVID-19 while the clinical trial is ongoing, which could impact the results of the clinical trial, including by increasing the number of observed adverse events, or the ability to complete study visits and collect data; and

 

   

the refusal of the FDA to accept data from clinical trials in affected geographies.

These and other disruptions in our operations and the global economy could negatively impact our business, operating results and financial condition.

Our clinical trials have been, and may in the future be, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic may impact patient enrollment in our ongoing Phase 2a clinical trial of TERN-101

 

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(LIFT Study). In particular, some sites have in the past or may in the future pause enrollment to focus on, and direct resources to, COVID-19, while at other sites, patients may choose not to enroll or continue participating in the clinical trial as a result of the pandemic. In addition, patient visits to medical providers in the United States have slowed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who have serious chronic medical conditions are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19. As a result, potential patients in our ongoing LIFT Study or any other clinical trial may choose to not enroll, not participate in follow-up clinical visits or drop out of the trial as a precaution against contracting COVID-19. Further, some patients may not be able or willing to comply with clinical trial protocols if quarantines impede patient movement or interrupts healthcare services.

We are unable to predict with confidence the duration of such patient enrollment delays and difficulties. If patient enrollment is delayed for an extended period of time, our LIFT Study or any of our other clinical trials could be delayed or otherwise adversely affected. Similarly, our ability to recruit and retain principal investigators and site staff who, as healthcare providers, may have heightened exposure to COVID-19, may be adversely impacted.

In addition, ongoing or planned clinical trials may also be impacted by interruptions or delays in the operations of the FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities. For example, we have also made certain adjustments to the operation of our trials in an effort to ensure the monitoring and safety of patients and minimize risks to trial integrity during the pandemic in accordance with the guidance issued by the FDA, and may need to make further adjustments in the future. For example, we have initiated our clinical trial protocols to enable remote visits to mitigate any potential impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these adjustments are new and untested, may not be effective, may affect the integrity of data collected, and may have unforeseen effects on the progress and completion of our clinical trials and the findings from such clinical trials.

In addition, we may encounter a shortage in supplies of, or in delays in shipping, our study drug or other components of the clinical trial vital for successful conduct of the trial. Further, the successful conduct of our LIFT Study and our other clinical trials depend on retrieving laboratory, imaging and other data from patients. Any failure by the vendors with which we work with to send us such data could impair the progress of such clinical trials. These events could delay our clinical trials, increase the cost of completing our clinical trials and negatively impact the integrity, reliability or robustness of the data from our clinical trials.

In addition, quarantines, shelter-in-place and similar government orders, or the perception that such orders, shutdowns or other restrictions on the conduct of business operations could occur, related to COVID-19 or other infectious diseases could impact personnel at our study sites or third-party manufacturing facilities upon which we rely, or the availability or cost of materials, which could disrupt the supply chain for our drug and combination therapy candidates. To the extent our suppliers and service providers are unable to comply with their obligations under our agreements with them or they are otherwise unable to deliver or are delayed in delivering goods and services to us due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our ability to continue meeting clinical supply demand for our drug and combination therapy candidates or otherwise advancing development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates may become impaired.

The spread of COVID-19 and actions taken to reduce its spread may also materially affect us economically. While the potential economic impact brought by, and the duration of, the COVID-19 pandemic may be difficult to assess or predict, there could be a significant disruption of global financial markets, reducing our ability to access capital, which could in the future negatively affect our liquidity and financial position. In addition, the trading prices for other biopharmaceutical companies have been highly volatile as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we may face difficulties raising capital through sales of our common stock or such sales may be on unfavorable terms.

COVID-19 and actions taken to reduce its spread continue to rapidly evolve. The extent to which COVID-19 may impede the development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, reduce the

 

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productivity of our employees, disrupt our supply chains, delay our clinical trials, reduce our access to capital or limit our business development activities, will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence.

In addition, to the extent the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects our business and results of operations, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks and uncertainties described in this “Risk Factors” section.

We have received Fast Track designation for TERN-101 and TERN-201 for the treatment of NASH, and we may seek Fast Track designation for some or all of our other single-agent and combination therapy candidates. We may not receive such designation, and even for those single-agent and combination therapy candidates for which we do, it may not lead to a faster development or regulatory review or approval process, and will not increase the likelihood that single-agent and combination therapy candidates will receive marketing approval.

We have received Fast Track designation from the FDA for TERN-101 and TERN-201 for the treatment of NASH, and we may seek Fast Track designation and priority review for some of our other single-agent and combination therapy candidates. If a drug is intended for the treatment of a serious or life-threatening condition or disease, and nonclinical or clinical data demonstrate the potential to address an unmet medical need, the drug may qualify for FDA Fast Track designation, for which sponsors must apply. The FDA has broad discretion whether or not to grant this designation. Thus, even if we believe a particular single-agent or combination therapy candidate is eligible for this designation, the FDA may decide not to grant it. Moreover, even if we do receive Fast Track designation, we or our collaborators may not experience a faster development process, review or approval compared to conventional FDA procedures. In addition, the FDA may withdraw Fast Track designation if it believes that the designation is no longer supported by data from our clinical development program.

A Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA, even if granted for any of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, may not lead to a faster development or regulatory review or approval process, and it does not increase the likelihood that our single-agent and combination therapy candidates will receive marketing approval.

We may seek a Breakthrough Therapy designation for one or more of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates if the clinical data support such a designation for one or more single-agent and combination therapy candidates. A Breakthrough Therapy is defined as a drug that is intended, alone or in combination with one or more other drugs, to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints, such as substantial treatment effects observed early in clinical development. For drug candidates that have been designated as breakthrough therapies, interaction and communication between the FDA and the sponsor of the trial can help to identify the most efficient path for clinical development.

Designation as a Breakthrough Therapy is within the discretion of the FDA. Accordingly, even if we believe one of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates meets the criteria for designation as a Breakthrough Therapy, the FDA may disagree and instead determine not to make such designation. In any event, the receipt of a Breakthrough Therapy designation for a single-agent or combination therapy candidate may not result in a faster development process, review or approval compared to drug candidates considered for approval under non-expedited FDA review procedures and does not assure ultimate approval by the FDA. In addition, even if one or more of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates qualify as Breakthrough Therapies, the FDA may later decide that the single-agent or combination therapy no longer meets the conditions for qualification or decide that the time period for FDA review or approval will not be shortened.

 

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Obtaining and maintaining regulatory approval of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates in one jurisdiction does not mean that we will be successful in obtaining regulatory approval of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates in other jurisdictions.

Obtaining and maintaining regulatory approval of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates in one jurisdiction does not guarantee that we will be able to obtain or maintain regulatory approval in any other jurisdiction, while a failure or delay in obtaining regulatory approval in one jurisdiction may have a negative effect on the regulatory approval process in others. For example, even if the FDA grants marketing approval of a single-agent or combination therapy candidate, comparable regulatory authorities in foreign jurisdictions must also approve the manufacturing, marketing and promotion of the single-agent or combination therapy candidate in those countries. Approval procedures vary among jurisdictions and can involve requirements and administrative review periods different from, and greater than, those in the United States, including additional preclinical studies or clinical trials as clinical studies conducted in one jurisdiction may not be accepted by regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions. In many jurisdictions outside the United States, a single-agent or combination therapy candidate must be approved for reimbursement before it can be approved for sale in that jurisdiction. In some cases, the price that we intend to charge for our drugs is also subject to approval.

Obtaining foreign regulatory approvals and compliance with foreign regulatory requirements could result in significant delays, difficulties and costs for us and could delay or prevent the introduction of our drugs in certain countries. If we fail to comply with the regulatory requirements in international markets and/or receive applicable marketing approvals, our target market will be reduced and our ability to realize the full market potential of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates will be harmed.

Even if we receive regulatory approval of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, we will be subject to ongoing regulatory obligations and continued regulatory review, which may result in significant additional expense. Additionally, our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved, could be subject to labeling and other restrictions on marketing 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 single-agent and combination therapy candidates, when and if any of them are approved.

Any regulatory approvals that we receive for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates may be subject to limitations on the approved indicated uses for which the drug may be marketed or the conditions of approval, or contain requirements for potentially costly post-market testing and surveillance to monitor the safety and efficacy of the single-agent or combination therapy candidate. The FDA may also require us to adopt a REMS to ensure that the benefits of treatment with such single-agent or combination therapy candidate outweigh the risks for each potential patient, which may include, among other things, a communication plan to health care practitioners, patient education, extensive patient monitoring or distribution systems and processes that are highly controlled, restrictive and more costly than what is typical for the industry. We or our collaborators may also be required to adopt a REMS or engage in similar actions, such as patient education, certification of health care professionals or specific monitoring, if we or others later identify undesirable side effects caused by any drug that we develop alone or with collaborators.

In addition, if the FDA or a comparable foreign regulatory authority approves a single-agent or combination therapy candidate, the manufacturing, quality control, labeling, packaging, distribution, adverse event reporting, storage, advertising, promotion, import, export and recordkeeping for the approved drug will be subject to extensive and ongoing regulatory requirements. The FDA also requires submissions of safety and other post-marketing information and reports, registration, as well as continued compliance with cGMP requirements and good clinical practice, or GCPs, for any clinical trials that we conduct post-approval. Later discovery of previously unknown problems with a single-agent or combination therapy candidate, including adverse events of unanticipated severity or frequency, or with our third-party manufacturers or manufacturing processes, or failure to comply with regulatory requirements, may result in, among other things:

 

   

issue warning letters or untitled letters;

 

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mandate modifications to promotional materials or require us to provide corrective information to healthcare practitioners, or require other restrictions on the labeling or marketing of such drugs;

 

   

require us to enter into a consent decree, which can include imposition of various fines, reimbursements for inspection costs, required due dates for specific actions and penalties for noncompliance;

 

   

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

 

   

suspend, withdraw or modify regulatory approval;

 

   

suspend or modify any ongoing clinical trials;

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

Any government investigation of alleged violations of law could require us to expend significant time and resources in response, and could generate negative publicity. Any failure to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements may significantly and adversely affect our ability to commercialize and generate revenue from our drugs. If regulatory sanctions are applied or if regulatory approval is withdrawn, the value of our company and our operating results will be adversely affected.

Advertising and promotion of any single-agent or combination therapy candidate that obtains approval in the United States will be heavily scrutinized by the FDA, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, state attorneys general, members of the U.S. Congress and the public. Additionally, advertising and promotion of any single-agent or combination therapy candidate that obtains approval outside of the United States will be heavily scrutinized by comparable foreign entities and stakeholders. Violations, including actual or alleged promotion of our drugs for unapproved or off-label uses, are subject to enforcement letters, inquiries and investigations, and civil and criminal sanctions by the FDA or comparable foreign bodies. Any actual or alleged failure to comply with labeling and promotion requirements may result in fines, warning letters, mandates to corrective information to healthcare practitioners, injunctions or civil or criminal penalties.

The FDA’s and other regulatory authorities’ policies may change and additional government regulations may be enacted that could prevent, limit or delay regulatory approval of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative action, either in the United States or abroad. For example, the results of the 2020 Presidential election may impact our business and industry. Namely, the Trump administration has taken several executive actions, including the issuance of a number of Executive Orders, that could impose significant burdens on, or otherwise materially delay, FDA’s ability to engage in routine oversight activities such as implementing statutes through rulemaking, issuance of guidance, and review and approval of marketing applications. It is difficult to predict how these executive actions will be implemented or whether they will be rescinded or replaced under a Biden Administration. The policies and priorities of an incoming Administration are unknown and could materially impact the regulation of our products. If we are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements or policies, or if we are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, we may lose any marketing approval that we may have obtained and we may not achieve or sustain profitability.

 

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Disruptions at the FDA and other government agencies caused by funding shortages or global health concerns could hinder their ability to hire and retain key leadership and other personnel, or otherwise prevent new products and services from being developed or commercialized in a timely manner, which could negatively impact our business.

The ability of the FDA to review and approve new products can be affected by a variety of factors, including government budget and funding levels, ability to hire and retain key personnel and accept the payment of user fees, and statutory, regulatory and policy changes. Average review times at the agency have fluctuated in recent years as a result. In addition, government funding of other government agencies that fund research and development activities is subject to the political process, which is inherently fluid and unpredictable.

Disruptions at the FDA and other agencies may also slow the time necessary for new drugs to be reviewed and/or approved by necessary government agencies, which would adversely affect our business. For example, over the last several years, including for 35 days beginning on December 22, 2018, the U.S. government has shut down several times and certain regulatory agencies, such as the FDA, have had to furlough critical FDA employees and stop critical activities. If a prolonged government shutdown occurs, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA to timely review and process our regulatory submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Separately, in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, on March 10, 2020, the FDA announced its intention to postpone most foreign inspections of manufacturing facilities and products through April 2020, and subsequently, on March 18, 2020, the FDA temporarily postponed routine surveillance inspections of domestic manufacturing facilities. Subsequently, on July 10, 2020 the FDA announced its intention to resume certain on-site inspections of domestic manufacturing facilities subject to a risk-based prioritization system. The FDA intends to use this risk-based assessment system to identify the categories of regulatory activity that can occur within a given geographic area, ranging from mission critical inspections to resumption of all regulatory activities. Regulatory authorities outside the United States may adopt similar restrictions or other policy measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If a prolonged government shutdown occurs, or if global health concerns continue to prevent the FDA or other regulatory authorities from conducting their regular inspections, reviews, or other regulatory activities, it could significantly impact the ability of the FDA or other regulatory authorities to timely review and process our regulatory submissions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

The FDA and other regulatory agencies actively enforce the laws and regulations prohibiting the promotion of off-label uses. If we are found or alleged to have improperly promoted off-label uses, we may become subject to significant liability.

The FDA and other regulatory agencies strictly regulate the promotional claims that may be made about prescription drugs, as our single-agent and combination therapy candidates would be, if approved. In particular, a drug may not be promoted for uses that are not approved by the FDA or such other regulatory agencies as reflected in the drug’s approved labeling. Physicians may nevertheless prescribe such drugs 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 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. If we cannot successfully manage the promotion of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved, we could become subject to significant liability, which would materially adversely affect our business and financial condition.

 

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Risks related to our reliance on third parties

We rely completely on third parties to manufacture our clinical drug supplies and we intend to rely on third parties to produce commercial supplies of any approved single-agent or combination therapy candidate, and our commercialization of any of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates could be stopped, delayed or made less profitable if those third parties fail to obtain approval of the FDA or comparable regulatory authorities, fail to provide us with sufficient quantities of drug product or fail to do so at acceptable quality levels or prices.

We do not currently have nor do we plan to acquire the infrastructure or capability internally to manufacture our clinical drug supplies for use in the conduct of our clinical trials, and we lack the resources and the capability to manufacture any of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates on a clinical or commercial scale. The facilities used by our contract manufacturers to manufacture our single-agent and combination therapy candidates must be approved by the FDA pursuant to inspections that will be conducted after we submit our NDA to the FDA. We do not control the manufacturing process of, and are completely dependent on, our contract manufacturing partners for compliance with cGMPs for manufacture of both active drug substances and finished drug products. If our contract manufacturers cannot successfully manufacture material that conforms to our specifications and the strict regulatory requirements of the FDA or others, they will not be able to secure and/or maintain regulatory approval for their manufacturing facilities. In addition, we have no control over the ability of our contract manufacturers to maintain adequate quality control, quality assurance and qualified personnel. If the FDA or a comparable foreign regulatory authority does not approve these facilities for the manufacture of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or if it withdraws any such approval in the future, we may need to find alternative manufacturing facilities, which would significantly impact our ability to develop, obtain regulatory approval for or market our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved.

Any replacement of our manufacturers could require significant effort and expertise because there may be a limited number of qualified replacements. In some cases, the technology required to manufacture our single-agent and combination therapy candidates may be unique to the original manufacturer and we may have difficulty transferring such skills or technology to another third party. The process of changing manufacturers is extensive and time consuming and could cause delays or interruptions in our drug development. Further, if we are required to change manufacturers for any reason, we will be required to verify that the new manufacturer maintains facilities and procedures that comply with quality standards and with all applicable regulations and guidelines. The delays associated with the verification of a new manufacturer could negatively affect our ability to develop single-agent and combination therapy candidates in a timely manner or within budget.

We rely on our manufacturers to purchase from third-party suppliers the materials necessary to produce our single-agent and combination therapy candidates for our clinical trials. There are a limited number of suppliers for raw materials that we use to manufacture our drugs and there may be a need to assess alternate suppliers to prevent a possible disruption of the manufacture of the materials necessary to produce our single-agent and combination therapy candidates for our clinical trials, and if approved, ultimately for commercial sale. We do not have any control over the process or timing of the acquisition of these raw materials by our manufacturers. Moreover, we currently do not have any agreements for the commercial production of these raw materials. Although we generally do not begin a clinical trial unless we believe we have a sufficient supply of a single-agent or combination therapy candidate to complete the clinical trial, any significant delay in the supply of a single-agent or combination therapy candidate, or the raw material components thereof, for an ongoing clinical trial due to the need to replace a third-party manufacturer could considerably delay completion of our clinical trials, product testing and potential regulatory approval of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. If our manufacturers or we are unable to purchase these raw materials after regulatory approval has been obtained for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, the commercial launch of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates would be delayed or there would be a shortage in supply, which would impair our ability to generate revenues from the sale of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

 

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We, or our manufacturing partners, may be unable to successfully increase the manufacturing capacity for any of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates in a timely or cost-effective manner, or at all. In addition, quality issues may arise during scale-up activities. If we or our manufacturing partners are unable to successfully scale up the manufacture of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates in sufficient quality and quantity, the development, testing and clinical trials of that single-agent or combination therapy candidate may be delayed or become infeasible, and marketing approval or commercial launch of any resulting product may be delayed or not obtained, which could significantly harm our business.

We expect to continue to depend on third-party contract manufacturers for the foreseeable future. We have not entered into long-term agreements with our current contract manufacturers or with any alternate fill/finish suppliers, and though we intend to do so prior to commercial launch in order to ensure that we maintain adequate supplies of finished drug product, we may be unable to enter into such an agreement or do so on commercially reasonable terms, which could have a material adverse impact upon our business. We currently obtain our supplies of finished drug product through individual purchase orders.

We rely on third parties to conduct, supervise and monitor our preclinical and clinical trials. If these third parties do not successfully carry out their contractual duties, meet rigorously enforced regulatory standards or meet expected deadlines, we may be unable to obtain regulatory approval for or commercialize any of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates on a timely basis or at all.

We currently do not have the ability to independently conduct preclinical studies that comply with the regulatory requirements known as good laboratory practice, or GLP, requirements. The FDA and regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions require us to comply with GCP requirements for conducting, monitoring, recording and reporting the results of clinical trials, in order to ensure that the data and results are scientifically credible and accurate and that the trial subjects are adequately informed of the potential risks of participating in clinical trials. We rely on medical institutions, clinical investigators, contract laboratories and other third parties, such as CROs, to conduct GLP-compliant nonclinical studies and GCP-compliant clinical trials on our single-agent and combination therapy candidates properly and on time. While we will have agreements governing their activities, we control only certain aspects of their activities and have limited influence over their actual performance. The third parties with whom we contract for execution of our GLP nonclinical studies and our GCP clinical trials play a significant role in the conduct of these studies and trials and the subsequent collection and analysis of data. These third parties are not our employees and, except for restrictions imposed by our contracts with such third parties, we have limited ability to control the amount or timing of resources that they devote to our programs. Although we rely on these third parties to conduct our GLP-compliant preclinical and nonclinical studies and GCP-compliant clinical trials, we remain responsible for ensuring that each of our GLP preclinical studies and clinical trials is conducted in accordance with its investigational plan and protocol and applicable laws and regulations, and our reliance on the CROs does not relieve us of our regulatory responsibilities.

Many of the third parties with whom we contract may also have relationships with other commercial entities, including our competitors, for whom they may also be conducting clinical trials or other drug development activities that could harm our competitive position. If the third parties conducting our GLP preclinical or nonclinical studies or our clinical trials do not perform their contractual duties or obligations, experience work stoppages, do not meet expected deadlines, terminate their agreements with us or need to be replaced, or if the quality or accuracy of the clinical data they obtain is compromised due to their failure to adhere to our clinical trial protocols or to GCPs, or for any other reason, we may need to enter into new arrangements with alternative third parties. This could be difficult, costly or impossible, and our preclinical studies or clinical trials may need to be extended, delayed, terminated or repeated. As a result we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval in a timely fashion, or at all, for the applicable single-agent or combination therapy candidate, our financial results and the commercial prospects for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates would be harmed, our costs could increase and our ability to generate revenues could be delayed.

 

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We depend on collaborations with third parties for the development of certain of our drug candidates, and we may depend on additional collaborations in the future for the development and commercialization of these or other potential candidates. If our collaborations are not successful, our ability to develop and commercialize our single-agent and combination therapy candidates could be adversely affected.

We are currently collaborating with third parties to develop certain of our potential drug candidates. For example, we are collaborating with Hansoh (Shanghai) Healthtech Co., Ltd. and Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Company Ltd. with respect to certain aspects of TRN-000632, our small-molecule allosteric inhibitor of the BCR-ABL fusion gene. In the future, we may seek collaboration arrangements for the commercialization, or potentially for the development, of certain of our other single-agent and combination therapy candidates depending on the merits of retaining commercialization rights for ourselves as compared to entering into collaboration arrangements. For example, certain of the disease areas that we believe our single-agent and combination therapy candidates address require large, costly and later-stage clinical trials, which a collaboration partner may be better positioned to finance and/or conduct. In addition, a component of our strategy is to maximize the commercial value of our current and future single-agent and combination therapy candidates, which may also strategically align with partnering commercial rights with partners that have large and established sales organizations. To the extent that we decide to enter into collaboration agreements, we may face significant competition for appropriate collaborators. Moreover, collaboration arrangements are complex and time-consuming to negotiate, document, implement and maintain and challenging to manage. We may not be successful in our efforts to enter into collaboration agreements. The terms of collaborations or other arrangements that we may establish may not be favorable to us.

The success of our current and future collaboration arrangements will depend heavily on the efforts and activities of our collaborators. Collaborations are subject to numerous risks, which may include risks that:

 

   

collaborators have significant discretion in determining the efforts and resources that they will apply to collaborations;

 

   

collaborators may not pursue development and commercialization of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or may elect not to continue or renew development or commercialization programs based on clinical trial results, changes in their strategic focus due to their acquisition of competitive products or their internal development of competitive products, availability of funding or other external factors, such as a business combination that diverts resources or creates competing priorities;

 

   

collaborators may delay clinical trials, provide insufficient funding for a clinical trial program, stop a clinical trial, abandon a single-agent or combination therapy candidate, repeat or conduct new clinical trials or require a new formulation of a single-agent or combination therapy candidate for clinical testing;

 

   

collaborators could independently develop, or develop with third parties, drugs that compete directly or indirectly with our single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

collaborators with marketing, manufacturing and distribution rights to one or more drugs may not commit sufficient resources to or otherwise not perform satisfactorily in carrying out these activities;

 

   

we could grant exclusive rights to our collaborators that would prevent us from collaborating with others;

 

   

collaborators may not properly maintain or defend our intellectual property rights or may use our intellectual property or proprietary information in a way that gives rise to actual or threatened litigation that could jeopardize or invalidate our intellectual property or proprietary information or expose us to potential liability;

 

   

disputes may arise between us and collaborators that cause the delay or termination of the research, development or commercialization of our current or future single-agent and combination therapy candidates or that result in costly litigation or arbitration that diverts management attention and resources;

 

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collaborations may be terminated, and, if terminated, this may result in a need for additional capital to pursue further development or commercialization of the applicable current or future single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

collaborators may own or co-own intellectual property covering drugs and other research that result from our collaborating with them, and in such cases, we would not have the exclusive right to develop or commercialize such intellectual property and may not be able to commercialize such intellectual property without their consent;

 

   

disputes may arise with respect to the ownership of any intellectual property developed pursuant to our collaborations; and

 

   

collaborators’ sales and marketing activities or other operations may not be in compliance with applicable laws resulting in civil or criminal proceedings.

If our collaborations on research and development candidates do not result in the successful development and commercialization of products or if one of our collaborators terminates its agreement with us, we may not receive any future milestone or royalty payments under the collaboration.

If conflicts arise between us and our collaborators or strategic partners, these parties may act in a manner adverse to us and could limit our ability to implement our strategies.

If conflicts arise between our collaborators or strategic partners and us, the other party may act in a manner adverse to us and could limit our ability to implement our strategies. Current or future collaborators or strategic partners may develop, either alone or with others, products in related fields that are competitive with the products or potential products that are the subject of these collaborations.

Our current or future collaborators or strategic partners may preclude us from entering into collaborations with their competitors, fail to obtain timely regulatory approvals, terminate their agreements with us prematurely or fail to devote sufficient resources to the development and commercialization of products. Furthermore, competing products, either developed by our current or future collaborators or strategic partners or to which our collaborators or strategic partners may have rights, may result in the withdrawal of partner support for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. Any of these developments could harm our product development efforts.

Risks related to commercialization of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates

The successful commercialization of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates will depend in part on the extent to which governmental authorities and health insurers establish adequate coverage, reimbursement levels and pricing policies. Failure to obtain or maintain coverage and adequate reimbursement for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved, could limit our ability to market those drugs and decrease our ability to generate revenue.

The availability and adequacy of coverage and reimbursement by governmental healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, private health insurers and other third-party payors are essential for most patients to be able to afford prescription medications such as our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, assuming FDA approval. Our ability to achieve acceptable levels of coverage and reimbursement for products by governmental authorities, private health insurers and other organizations will have an effect on our ability to successfully commercialize our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. Assuming we obtain coverage for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates by a third-party payor, the resulting reimbursement payment rates may not be adequate or may require co-payments that patients find unacceptably high. We cannot be sure that coverage and reimbursement in the United States, the European Economic Area, or EEA, or elsewhere will be available for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any product that we may develop, and any reimbursement that may become available may be decreased or eliminated.

 

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Third-party payors increasingly are challenging prices charged for pharmaceutical products and services, and many third-party payors may refuse to provide coverage and reimbursement for particular drugs or biologics when an equivalent generic drug, biosimilar or a less expensive therapy is available. It is possible that a third-party payor may consider our single-agent and combination therapy candidates as substitutable and only offer to reimburse patients for the less expensive drug. Even if we show improved efficacy or improved convenience of administration with our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, pricing of existing third-party therapeutics may limit the amount we will be able to charge for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. These payors may deny or revoke the reimbursement status of a given product or establish prices for new or existing marketed products at levels that are too low to enable us to realize an appropriate return on our investment in our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. For products administered under the supervision of a physician, obtaining coverage and adequate reimbursement may be particularly difficult because of the higher prices often associated with such drugs. Additionally, separate reimbursement for the product itself or the treatment or procedure in which the product is used may not be available, which may impact physician utilization. If reimbursement is not available or is available only at limited levels, we may not be able to successfully commercialize our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, and may not be able to obtain a satisfactory financial return on our single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

No uniform policy for coverage and reimbursement for products exists among third-party payors in the United States. Therefore, coverage and reimbursement for products can differ significantly from payor to payor. As a result, the coverage determination process is often a time-consuming and costly process that will require us to provide scientific and clinical support for the use of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates to each payor separately, with no assurance that coverage and adequate reimbursement will be applied consistently or obtained in the first instance. Furthermore, rules and regulations regarding reimbursement change frequently, in some cases on short notice, and we believe that changes in these rules and regulations are likely.

Outside the United States, international operations are generally subject to extensive governmental price controls and other market regulations, and we believe the increasing emphasis on cost-containment initiatives in Europe and other countries have and will continue to put pressure on the pricing and usage of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. In many countries, the prices of medical products are subject to varying price control mechanisms as part of national health systems. Other countries allow companies to fix their own prices for medical products, but monitor and control company profits. Additional foreign price controls or other changes in pricing regulation could restrict the amount that we are able to charge for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. Accordingly, in markets outside the United States, the reimbursement for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates may be reduced compared with the United States and may be insufficient to generate commercially-reasonable revenue and profits.

Moreover, increasing efforts by governmental and third-party payors in the United States and abroad to cap or reduce healthcare costs may cause such organizations to limit both coverage and the level of reimbursement for newly approved products and, as a result, they may not cover or provide adequate payment for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. We expect to experience pricing pressures in connection with the sale of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates due to the trend toward managed health care, the increasing influence of health maintenance organizations and additional legislative changes. The downward pressure on healthcare costs in general, particularly prescription drugs and biologics and surgical procedures and other treatments, has become intense. As a result, increasingly high barriers are being erected to the entry of new products.

Even if our current or future single-agent and combination therapy candidates obtain regulatory approval, they may fail to achieve the broad degree of physician and patient adoption and use necessary for commercial success.

Even if one or more of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates receive FDA or other regulatory approvals, the commercial success of any of our current or future single-agent and combination therapy

 

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candidates will depend significantly on the broad adoption and use of the resulting product by physicians and patients for approved indications. Given the number of drugs in development for the treatment of NASH, if we are unsuccessful in achieving a differentiated profile with our single-agent and combination therapy candidates based on efficacy, safety and tolerability, dosing and administration, market acceptance will be limited. Our single-agent and combination therapy candidates may not be commercially successful for a variety of reasons, including, among other things, competitive factors, pricing or physician preference, reimbursement by insurers, the degree and rate of physician and patient adoption of our current or future single-agent and combination therapy candidates. If approved, the commercial success of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates will depend on a number of factors, including:

 

   

the clinical indications for which the single-agent or combination therapy is approved and patient demand for approved drugs that treat those indications;

 

   

the safety and efficacy of our single-agent or combination therapy as compared to other available therapies;

 

   

the availability of coverage and adequate reimbursement from managed care plans, insurers and other healthcare payors for any of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates that may be approved;

 

   

acceptance by physicians, operators of clinics and patients of the single-agent or combination therapy as a safe and effective treatment;

 

   

physician and patient willingness to adopt a new therapy over other available therapies to treat approved indications;

 

   

overcoming any biases physicians or patients may have toward particular therapies for the treatment of approved indications;

 

   

proper training and administration of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates by physicians and medical staff;

 

   

public misperception regarding the use of our therapies, if approved for commercial sale;

 

   

patient satisfaction with the results and administration of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates and overall treatment experience, including, for example, the convenience of any dosing regimen;

 

   

the cost of treatment with our single-agent and combination therapy candidates in relation to alternative treatments and reimbursement levels, if any, and willingness to pay for the drug, if approved, on the part of insurance companies and other third-party payors, physicians and patients;

 

   

the revenue and profitability that our drugs and combination therapies may offer a physician as compared to alternative therapies;

 

   

the prevalence and severity of side effects;

 

   

limitations or warnings contained in the FDA-approved labeling for our drugs;

 

   

the willingness of physicians, operators of clinics and patients to utilize or adopt our drugs and combination therapies as a solution;

 

   

any FDA requirement to undertake a REMS;

 

   

the effectiveness of our sales, marketing and distribution efforts;

 

   

adverse publicity about our drugs and combination therapies or favorable publicity about competitive drugs; and

 

   

potential product liability claims.

 

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We cannot assure you that our current or future single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved, will achieve broad market acceptance among physicians and patients. Any failure by our single-agent and combination therapy candidates that obtain regulatory approval to achieve market acceptance or commercial success would adversely affect our results of operations.

We currently have no sales organization. If we are unable to establish sales capabilities on our own or through third parties, we may not be able to market and sell our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved, effectively in the United States and foreign jurisdictions or generate drug revenue.

We currently do not have a marketing or sales organization. In order to commercialize our single-agent and combination therapy candidates in the United States and foreign jurisdictions, we must build our marketing, sales, distribution, managerial and other non-technical capabilities or make arrangements with third parties to perform these services, and we may not be successful in doing so. If any of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates receive regulatory approval, we expect to establish a sales organization with technical expertise and supporting distribution capabilities to commercialize each such single-agent or combination therapy candidate, which will be expensive and time consuming. We have no prior experience in the marketing, sale and distribution of pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology products, and there are significant risks involved in building and managing a sales organization, including our ability to hire, retain and incentivize qualified individuals, generate sufficient sales leads, provide adequate training to sales and marketing personnel and effectively manage a geographically dispersed sales and marketing team. Any failure or delay in the development of our internal sales, marketing and distribution capabilities would adversely impact the commercialization of these products. We may choose to collaborate with third parties that have direct sales forces and established distribution systems, either to augment our own sales force and distribution systems or in lieu of our own sales force and distribution systems. If we are unable to enter into such arrangements on acceptable terms or at all, we may not be able to successfully commercialize our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. If we are not successful in commercializing our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates, either on our own or through arrangements with one or more third parties, we may not be able to generate any future drug revenue and we would incur significant additional losses.

Our employees, principal investigators, consultants and commercial partners may engage in misconduct or other improper activities, including non-compliance with regulatory standards and requirements and insider trading.

We are exposed to the risk of fraud or other misconduct by our employees, principal investigators, CROs, consultants and commercial partners. Misconduct by these parties could include intentional failures to comply with the regulations of the FDA and non-U.S. regulators, provide accurate information to the FDA and non-U.S. regulators, comply with healthcare fraud and abuse laws and regulations in the United States and abroad, report financial information or data accurately or disclose unauthorized activities to us. In particular, sales, marketing and business arrangements in the healthcare industry are subject to extensive laws and regulations intended to prevent fraud, misconduct, kickbacks, self-dealing and other abusive practices. These laws and regulations may restrict or prohibit a wide range of pricing, discounting, marketing and promotion, sales commission, customer incentive programs and other business arrangements. Such misconduct could also involve the improper use of information obtained in the course of clinical trials, which could result in regulatory sanctions and cause serious harm to our reputation. It is not always possible to identify and deter employee misconduct, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent this activity may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to comply with these laws or regulations. If any such actions are instituted against us those actions could have a significant impact on our business, including the imposition of significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, fines, disgorgement, imprisonment, exclusion from government funded healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, additional reporting obligations and oversight if subject to a corporate integrity agreement or other agreement to resolve allegations of non-compliance with these laws, and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations.

 

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Our business operations and future relationships with investigators, healthcare professionals, consultants, third-party payors, patient organizations and customers will be subject to applicable healthcare regulatory laws, which could expose us to penalties.

Our business operations and future arrangements with investigators, healthcare professionals, consultants, third-party payors, patient organizations and customers, may expose us to broadly applicable fraud and abuse and other healthcare laws and regulations. These laws may constrain the business or financial arrangements and relationships through which we will conduct our operations, including how we research, market, sell and distribute our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved. Such laws include:

 

   

the U.S. federal Anti-Kickback Statute, which prohibits, among other things, persons or entities from knowingly and willfully soliciting, offering, receiving or providing any remuneration (including any kickback, bribe, or certain rebate), directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind, to induce or reward, or in return for, either the referral of an individual for, or the purchase, lease, order or recommendation of, any good, facility, item or service, for which payment may be made, in whole or in part, under U.S. federal and state healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. A person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation;

 

   

the U.S. federal false claims and civil monetary penalties laws, including the civil False Claims Act, which, among other things, impose criminal and civil penalties, including through civil whistleblower or qui tam actions, against individuals or entities for knowingly presenting, or causing to be presented, to the U.S. federal government, claims for payment or approval that are false or fraudulent, knowingly making, using or causing to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim, or from knowingly making a false statement to avoid, decrease or conceal an obligation to pay money to the U.S. federal government. In addition, the government may assert that a claim including items and services resulting from a violation of the U.S. federal Anti-Kickback Statute constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the False Claims Act;

 

   

the U.S. federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, which imposes criminal and civil liability for, among other things, knowingly and willfully executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program, or knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false statement, in connection with the delivery of, or payment for, healthcare benefits, items or services; similar to the U.S. federal Anti-Kickback Statute, a person or entity does not need to have actual knowledge of the statute or specific intent to violate it in order to have committed a violation;

 

   

the U.S. federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act, which requires certain manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologics and medical supplies that are reimbursable under Medicare, Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program to report annually to the government information related to certain payments and other transfers of value to physicians (defined to include doctors, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists and chiropractors) and teaching hospitals, as well as ownership and investment interests held by the physicians described above and their immediate family members. Beginning in 2022, such obligations will include payments and other transfers of value provided in the previous year to certain other healthcare professionals, including physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse anesthetists, anesthesiology assistants and certified nurse midwives;

 

   

analogous U.S. state laws and regulations, including: state anti-kickback and false claims laws, which may apply to our future business practices, including but not limited to, research, distribution, sales and marketing arrangements and claims involving healthcare items or services reimbursed by any third-party payor, including private insurers; state laws that require pharmaceutical companies to comply with the pharmaceutical industry’s voluntary compliance guidelines and the relevant compliance guidance promulgated by the U.S. federal government, or otherwise restrict payments that may be made to healthcare providers and other potential referral sources; and state laws and regulations that require drug manufacturers to file reports relating to pricing and marketing information, which requires

 

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tracking gifts and other remuneration and items of value provided to healthcare professionals and entities; and

 

   

similar healthcare laws and regulations in the EEA and other jurisdictions, including reporting requirements detailing interactions with and payments to healthcare providers.

Ensuring that our internal operations and future business arrangements with third parties comply with applicable healthcare laws and regulations will involve substantial costs. It is possible that governmental authorities will conclude that our business practices do not comply with current or future statutes, regulations, agency guidance or case law involving applicable fraud and abuse or other healthcare laws and regulations. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the laws described above or any other governmental laws and regulations that may apply to us, we may be subject to significant penalties, including civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, fines, exclusion from government-funded healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid or similar programs in other countries or jurisdictions, disgorgement, individual imprisonment, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations.

Enacted and future healthcare legislation may increase the difficulty and cost for us to obtain marketing approval of and commercialize our single-agent and combination therapy candidates and may affect the prices we may set.

In the United States, the EEA and other jurisdictions, there have been, and we expect there will continue to be, a number of legislative and regulatory changes and proposed changes to the healthcare system that could affect our future results of operations. In particular, there have been and continue to be a number of initiatives at the U.S. federal and state levels that seek to reduce healthcare costs and improve the quality of healthcare. For example, in March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, or collectively the ACA, was enacted, which substantially changed the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private insurers. Among the provisions of the ACA, those of greatest importance to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries include the following:

 

   

an annual, non-deductible fee payable by any entity that manufactures or imports certain branded prescription drugs and biologic agents (other than those designated as orphan drugs), which is apportioned among these entities according to their market share in certain government healthcare programs;

 

   

a new Medicare Part D coverage gap discount program, in which manufacturers must agree to offer point-of-sale discounts off negotiated prices of applicable brand drugs to eligible beneficiaries during their coverage gap period, as a condition for the manufacturer’s outpatient drugs to be covered under Medicare Part D;

 

   

an increase in the statutory minimum rebates a manufacturer must pay under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program to 23.1% and 13.0% of the average manufacturer price for branded and generic drugs, respectively;

 

   

a new methodology by which rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program are calculated for drugs that are inhaled, infused, instilled, implanted or injected;

 

   

extension of a manufacturer’s Medicaid rebate liability to covered drugs dispensed to individuals who are enrolled in Medicaid managed care organizations; and

 

   

expansion of eligibility criteria for Medicaid programs by, among other things, allowing states to offer Medicaid coverage to certain individuals with income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level, thereby potentially increasing a manufacturer’s Medicaid rebate liability.

Since its enactment, there have been judicial and Congressional challenges to certain aspects of the ACA, and we expect there will be additional challenges and amendments to the ACA in the future. The U.S. Supreme

 

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Court is currently reviewing the case, although it is unclear when the Supreme Court will make a decision. It is also unclear how other efforts to challenge, repeal or replace the ACA will affect the law or our business.

In addition, other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted in the United States since the ACA was enacted. For example, the Budget Control Act of 2011 resulted in aggregate reductions of Medicare payments to providers of 2% per fiscal year, which went into effect in April 2013 and, due to subsequent legislative amendments to the statute, will remain in effect through 2030, with the exception of a temporary suspension from May 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021, unless additional action is taken by Congress. In January 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was signed into law, which, among other things, further reduced Medicare payments to several types of providers, including hospitals, imaging centers and cancer treatment centers, and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years. These new laws or any other similar laws introduced in the future may result in additional reductions in Medicare and other health care funding, which could negatively affect our future customers and accordingly, our financial operations.

Moreover, payment methodologies may be subject to changes in healthcare legislation and regulatory initiatives. For example, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, may develop new payment and delivery models, such as bundled payment models. In addition, recently there has been heightened governmental scrutiny over the manner in which manufacturers set prices for their marketed products. We expect that additional U.S. federal healthcare reform measures will be adopted in the future, any of which could limit the amounts that the U.S. federal government will pay for healthcare products and services, which could result in reduced demand for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or additional pricing pressures.

Individual states in the United States have also become increasingly active in passing legislation and implementing regulations designed to control pharmaceutical and biological product pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions on certain product access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures, and, in some cases, designed to encourage importation from other countries and bulk purchasing. Legally-mandated price controls on payment amounts by third-party payors or other restrictions could harm our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. In addition, regional healthcare authorities and individual hospitals are increasingly using bidding procedures to determine what pharmaceutical products and which suppliers will be included in their prescription drug and other healthcare programs. This could reduce the ultimate demand for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or put pressure on our product pricing.

We cannot predict the likelihood, nature or extent of government regulation that may arise from future legislation or administrative action in the United States or any other jurisdiction. If we or any third parties we may engage are slow or unable to adapt to changes in existing requirements or the adoption of new requirements or policies, or if we or such third parties are not able to maintain regulatory compliance, our single-agent and combination therapy candidates may lose any regulatory approval that may have been obtained and we may not achieve or sustain profitability.

If the market opportunities for any single-agent or combination therapy that we or our strategic collaborators develop are smaller than we believe they are, our revenue may be adversely affected and our business may suffer.

We intend to initially focus our single-agent and combination therapy candidate development on therapies for the treatment of NASH and other liver and other chronic liver diseases. Our projections of addressable patient populations that have the potential to benefit from treatment with our single-agent and combination therapy candidates are based on estimates. These estimates have been derived from a variety of sources, including the scientific literature, surveys of clinics, patient foundations or market research, and may prove to be incorrect. Further, new studies may change the estimated incidence or prevalence of these diseases. The number of patients may turn out to be lower than expected. Additionally, the potentially addressable patient population for our

 

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single-agent and combination therapy candidates may not ultimately be amenable to treatment with our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. Our market opportunity may also be limited by future competitor treatments that enter the market. If any of our estimates are inaccurate, the market opportunities for any of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates could be significantly diminished and have an adverse material impact on our business.

Risks Related to Intellectual Property

Our current and any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates could be alleged to infringe patent rights and other intellectual property rights of third parties, which may require costly litigation and, if we are not successful, could cause us to pay substantial damages and/or limit our ability to commercialize our drugs and combination therapy candidates.

Our commercial success depends on our ability to develop, manufacture and market our current and any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates that may be approved for sale, and to use our proprietary technology without infringing the patents and other intellectual property rights of third parties. If any third-party patents, or other intellectual property rights are found to cover our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or their compositions, methods of use or manufacturing, we may be required to pay damages, which could be substantial, and we would not be free to manufacture or market our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or to do so without obtaining a license, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Regardless of merits, intellectual property disputes can be costly to defend, time-consuming and may cause our business, operating results and financial condition to suffer.

We operate in an industry with extensive intellectual property litigation. As the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology industries expand and more patents are issued, the risk increases that there may be patents issued to third parties that relate to our products and technology of which we are not aware or that we may need to challenge to continue our operations as currently contemplated.

From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims with respect to intellectual property with respect to our single-agent and combination therapy candidates and technologies we use in our business. We may face allegations that we have infringed the trademarks, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property rights of third parties, including patents held by our competitors or by non-practicing entities. Litigation may make it necessary to defend ourselves by determining the scope, enforceability and validity of third-party proprietary rights, or to establish our proprietary rights. Interference or derivation proceedings provoked by third parties or brought by us or declared by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, may be necessary to determine the priority of inventions with respect to our patents or patent applications or those of our licensors. Regardless of whether claims that we are infringing patents or other intellectual property rights have merit, the claims can be time consuming, divert management attention and financial resources and are costly to evaluate and defend. Results of any such litigation are difficult to predict and may require us to cease developing, manufacturing, or commercializing the infringing single-agent and combination therapy candidate, stop treating certain conditions, obtain licenses or modify our drugs or combination therapies and features while we develop non-infringing substitutes, or may result in significant settlement costs. For example, litigation can involve substantial damages for infringement, and if the court finds that the infringement was willful, we could be ordered to pay treble damages and the patent owner’s attorneys’ fees. We may also be prohibited from selling or licensing our single-agent and combination therapy candidates unless the third party licenses rights to us, which it is not required to do at a commercially reasonable price or at all. If a license is available from a third party, we may have to pay substantial royalties or upfront fees or grant cross-licenses to intellectual property rights for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

Although we have reviewed certain third-party patent filings that we believe may be relevant to certain of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, we have not conducted a freedom-to-operate search or analysis for all of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. As such, we may not be aware of patents

 

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or pending or future patent applications that, if issued, would block us from commercializing our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. Thus, we cannot guarantee that our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, or our commercialization thereof, do not and will not infringe any third party’s intellectual property.

In addition, patent applications in the United States and many international jurisdictions are typically not published until 18 months after the filing of certain priority documents (or, in some cases, are not published until they issue as patents), and publications in the scientific literature often lag behind actual discoveries. Claims in patent applications can also be revised before issuance. Therefore, we cannot be certain that others have not filed patent applications or made public disclosures relating to our technology or our contemplated technology. A third party may have filed, and may in the future file, patent applications covering our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or technology similar to ours. Any such patent application may have priority over our patent applications or patents, which could further require us to obtain rights to issued patents covering such technologies. If another party has filed a U.S. patent application on inventions similar to ours, depending on whether the timing of the filing date falls under certain patent laws, we may have to participate in a priority contest (such as an interference proceeding) declared by the USPTO to determine priority of invention in the United States. The costs of patent litigation and other proceedings could be substantial, and it is possible that such efforts would be unsuccessful if it is determined that the other party had independently arrived at the same or similar invention prior to our own invention, resulting in a loss of our U.S. patent position with respect to such invention.

The coverage of patents is subject to interpretation by the courts, and the interpretation is not always uniform. If we were sued for patent infringement, we would need to demonstrate that our single-agent and combination therapy candidates either do not infringe the patent claims of the relevant patent or that the patent claims are invalid or unenforceable, and we may not be successful in doing so. Proving invalidity or unenforceability is difficult. For example, in the United States, proving invalidity requires a showing of clear and convincing evidence to overcome the presumption of validity enjoyed by issued patents. Even if we believe third-party intellectual property claims are without merit, there is no assurance that a court would find in our favor on questions of infringement, validity, or enforceability.

Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of complex patent litigation more effectively than we can. Even if resolved in our favor, litigation or other legal proceedings relating to intellectual property claims may cause us to incur significant expenses, and could distract our technical and management personnel from their normal responsibilities. In addition, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments, and if securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a material adverse effect on the price of our common stock. Any uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of any litigation could have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise the funds necessary to continue our operations.

There can be no assurance with respect to the outcome of any future litigation brought by or against us, and the outcome of any such litigation could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition. Litigation is inherently unpredictable, and outcomes are uncertain. Further, as the costs and outcome of these types of claims and proceedings can vary significantly, it is difficult to estimate potential losses that may occur. Such claims and proceedings could substantially increase our operating losses and reduce the resources available for development activities or any future sales, marketing or distribution activities. We may not have sufficient financial or other resources to conduct such litigation or proceedings adequately. Accordingly, we are unable at this time to estimate the effects of these potential future lawsuits on our financial condition, operations or cash flows.

We may be subject to claims by employees, consultants and contractors claiming ownership of what we regard as our own intellectual property.

While it is our policy to require our employees, consultants and contractors who may be involved in the conception or development of intellectual property to execute agreements assigning such intellectual property to

 

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us, we may be unsuccessful in executing such an agreement with each party who, in fact, conceives or develops intellectual property that we regard as our own, which may result in claims by or against us related to the ownership of such intellectual property. In addition, such agreements may not be self-executing such that the intellectual property subject to such agreements may not be assigned to us without additional assignments being executed, and we may fail to obtain such assignments. In addition, such agreements may be breached. Accordingly, we may be forced to bring claims against third parties, or defend claims that they may bring against us to determine the ownership of what we regard as our intellectual property. If we fail in prosecuting or defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property. Even if we are successful in prosecuting or defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to our senior management and scientific personnel, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

If we are unable to obtain, maintain and enforce intellectual property protection directed to our current and any future technologies that we develop, others may be able to make, use or sell drugs or combination therapies substantially the same as ours, which could adversely affect our ability to compete in the market.

The market for pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals is highly competitive and subject to rapid technological change. Our success depends, in part, upon our ability to maintain a competitive position in the development and protection of technologies and any future single agent or combination therapy candidates for use in these fields and upon our ability to obtain, maintain and enforce our intellectual property rights. We seek to obtain and maintain patents and other intellectual property rights to restrict the ability of others to market products that misappropriate our technology and/or infringe our intellectual property to unfairly and illegally compete with any of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates. If we are unable to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights, our competitive position and our business could be harmed, as third parties may be able to make, use or sell products that are substantially the same as any single agent or combination therapy candidates we may sell without incurring the sizeable development and licensing costs that we have incurred, which would adversely affect our ability to compete in the market. We use a combination of patents, trademarks, know-how, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect our proprietary technology and that of our licensors. However, these protections may not be adequate and may not provide us with any competitive advantage. For example, patents may not issue from any of our or our licensors’ currently pending or any future patent applications, and our or our licensors’ issued patents and any future patents that may issue may not survive legal challenges to their scope, validity or enforceability or provide significant protection for us.

To protect our proprietary position, we file patent applications in the United States and abroad related to our single-agent and combination therapy candidates that we consider important to our business. The patent application and approval process is expensive, time-consuming and complex. We may not be able to file, prosecute and maintain all necessary or desirable patent applications at a reasonable cost or in a timely manner or in all jurisdictions. It is also possible that we will fail to identify patentable aspects of our research and development output before it is too late to obtain patent protection. Moreover, depending on the terms of any future license or collaboration agreements to which we may become a party, we may not have the right to control the preparation, filing, and prosecution of patent applications, or to maintain the patents, covering technology licensed from third parties. Therefore, these patents and patent applications may not be prosecuted and enforced in a manner consistent with the best interests of our business.

Furthermore, the patent position of biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies generally is highly uncertain. No consistent policy regarding the breadth of claims allowed in biotechnology and pharmaceutical patents has emerged to date in the United States or in many foreign jurisdictions. The standards applied by the USPTO and foreign patent offices in granting patents are not always applied uniformly or predictably. In addition, the determination of patent rights with respect to biological and pharmaceutical products commonly involves complex legal and factual questions, which have in recent years been the subject of much litigation. As a result, the issuance, scope, validity, enforceability and commercial value of our patent rights are highly

 

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uncertain. Thus, we cannot offer any assurances about which, if any, patents will issue, the breadth of any such patents, whether any issued patents will be found invalid and unenforceable or will be threatened by third parties or whether any issued patents will effectively prevent others from commercializing competing technologies and single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

The USPTO, international patent offices or judicial bodies may deny or significantly narrow claims made under our patent applications, and our issued patents may be successfully challenged, may be designed around or may otherwise be of insufficient scope to provide us with protection for our drugs or combination therapies. Further, the USPTO, international trademark offices or judicial bodies may deny our trademark applications and, even if published or registered, these trademarks may not effectively protect our brand and goodwill. Like patents, trademarks also may be successfully opposed or challenged.

We cannot be certain that the steps we have taken will prevent unauthorized use or unauthorized reverse engineering of our technology. Moreover, third parties may independently develop technologies that are competitive with ours and such competitive technologies may or may not infringe our intellectual property. The enforcement of our intellectual property rights also depends on the success of any legal actions we may take against these infringers in the respective country or forum, but these actions may not be successful. As with all granted intellectual property, such intellectual property may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented, may not provide protection and/or may not prove to be enforceable in actions against specific alleged infringers.

Even if our patents are determined by a court to be valid and enforceable, they may not be interpreted sufficiently broadly to prevent others from marketing products similar to ours or designing around our patents. For example, third parties may be able to make products that are similar to ours but that are not covered by the claims of our patents. Third parties may assert that we or our licensors were not the first to make the inventions covered by our issued patents or pending patent applications. The claims of our or our licensors’ issued patents or patent applications when issued may not cover our single-agent or combination therapy candidates or any future drugs or combination therapies that we develop. We may not have freedom to commercialize unimpeded by the patent rights of others. Third parties may have patents that dominate, block or are otherwise relevant to our technology. There may be prior public disclosures or other art that could be deemed to invalidate one or more of our patent claims. Further, we may not develop additional proprietary technologies in the future, and, if we do, they may not be patentable.

We may not be able to correctly estimate or control our future operating expenses in relation to obtaining intellectual property, enforcing intellectual property and/or defending intellectual property, which could affect operating expenses. Our operating expenses may fluctuate significantly in the future as a result of a variety of factors, including the costs of preparing, filing, prosecuting, defending and enforcing patent and trademark claims and other intellectual property-related costs, including adverse proceedings and litigation costs.

We may be involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents or the patents of our licensors, which could be expensive, time consuming, and unsuccessful. Further, our issued patents could be found invalid or unenforceable if challenged in court.

Competitors may infringe our intellectual property rights or those of our licensors. To prevent infringement or unauthorized use, we may be required to file infringement claims, which can be expensive and time-consuming. In addition, in a patent infringement proceeding, a court may decide that one or more patent of ours or any of our current licensors or future licensors is not valid or is unenforceable, in whole or in part, or may refuse to stop the other party from using the technology at issue on the grounds that our or our licensors’ patents do not cover the technology in question. An adverse result in any litigation or defense proceedings could put one or more of our or our licensors’ patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly, which may curtail or preclude our ability to exclude third parties from making and selling similar or competitive products, and could put our or our licensors’ patent applications at risk of not issuing. If we or any of our potential future collaborators were to initiate legal proceedings against a third party to enforce a patent directed at our products,

 

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the defendant could counterclaim that our or our licensors’ patent is invalid and/or unenforceable in whole or in part. In patent litigation in the United States, defendant counterclaims alleging invalidity and/or unenforceability are commonplace. Grounds for a validity challenge include an alleged failure to meet any of several statutory requirements, including lack of novelty, obviousness or non-enablement. Grounds for an unenforceability assertion could also include an allegation that someone connected with prosecution of the patent withheld relevant information from the USPTO or made a misleading statement during prosecution. Third parties may also raise similar validity claims before the USPTO in post-grant proceedings such as ex parte reexaminations, inter partes review or post-grant review, or oppositions or similar proceedings outside the United States, in parallel with litigation or even outside the context of litigation.

If a defendant were to prevail on a legal assertion of invalidity or unenforceability of our or our licensors’ patents covering one of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates, we could lose a part, and perhaps all, of the patent protection covering such candidate. Competing products may also be sold in other countries in which our patent coverage might not exist or be as strong. If we lose a foreign patent lawsuit, alleging our infringement of a competitor’s patents, we could be prevented from marketing our products in one or more foreign countries. Any of these occurrences could adversely affect our competitive business position, business prospects and financial condition.

The outcome following legal assertions of invalidity and unenforceability is unpredictable, and prior art could render our patents or those of our licensors invalid. Similar mechanisms for challenging the validity and enforceability of a patent exist in ex-U.S. patent offices and may result in the revocation, cancellation, or amendment of any ex-U.S. patents we hold in the future. For the patents and patent applications that we may license in the future, we may have limited or no right to participate in the defense of any licensed patents against challenge by a third party. If a defendant were to prevail on a legal assertion of invalidity and/or unenforceability, we would lose at least part, and perhaps all, of the patent protection on such single-agent or combination therapy candidate. Such a loss of patent protection would have a material adverse impact on our business.

Even if we establish infringement, the court may decide not to grant an injunction against further infringing activity and instead award only monetary damages, which may or may not be an adequate remedy. Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. There could also be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a material adverse effect on the price of our common stock.

We may not be able to prevent, alone or with our potential licensors, misappropriation of our intellectual property rights, particularly in countries where the laws may not protect those rights as fully as in the United States.

Our defense of litigation or interference proceedings may fail and, even if successful, may result in substantial costs and distract our management and other employees. An unfavorable outcome could require us to cease using the related technology or to attempt to license rights to it from the prevailing party. Our business could be harmed if the prevailing party does not offer us a license on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or if a non-exclusive license is offered and our competitors gain access to the same technology. In addition, the uncertainties associated with litigation could have a material adverse effect on our ability to raise the funds necessary to continue our clinical trials, continue our research programs, license necessary technology from third parties or enter into development or manufacturing partnerships that would help us bring our products to market.

 

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We license or otherwise have access to patent rights from third-party owners. Such licenses or other arrangements may be subject to early termination if we fail to comply with our obligations in our agreements with third parties, which could result in the loss of rights or technology that are material to our business.

We are a party to licenses and other agreements that give us rights to third-party intellectual property that are necessary or useful for our business, and we may enter into additional licenses or other agreements in the future. For example, we are party to license agreements with Eli Lilly and Company with respect to TERN-101 and TERN-201 and an assignment agreement with Vintagence Biotechnology Ltd. with respect to our THR-b program. Under these agreements, we are obligated to pay the counterparties fees, which may include annual license fees, milestone payments, royalties, a percentage of revenues associated with the applicable technology and a percentage of sublicensing revenue. In addition, under certain of such agreements, we are required to diligently pursue the development of products using the applicable technology. If we fail to comply with these obligations and fail to cure our breach within a specified period of time, the counterparty may have the right to terminate the applicable agreement, in which event we could lose valuable rights and technology that are material to our business.

We may rely on third parties from whom we license proprietary technology to file and prosecute patent applications and maintain patents and otherwise protect the intellectual property we license from them. We may have limited control over these activities or any other intellectual property that may be related to our in-licensed intellectual property. For example, we cannot be certain that such activities by these licensors will be conducted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations or will result in valid and enforceable patents and other intellectual property rights. We may have limited control over the manner in which our licensors initiate an infringement proceeding against a third-party infringer of the intellectual property rights, or defend certain of the intellectual property that may be licensed to us. It is possible that the licensors’ infringement proceeding or defense activities may be less vigorous than if we conduct them ourselves.

Our intellectual property agreements with third parties may be subject to disagreements over contract interpretation, which could narrow the scope of our rights to the relevant intellectual property or technology or increase our financial or other obligations to our licensors.

Certain provisions in our intellectual property agreements may be susceptible to multiple interpretations. The resolution of any contract interpretation disagreement that may arise could affect the scope of our rights to the relevant intellectual property or technology, or affect financial or other obligations under the relevant agreement, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

We may jointly own certain patent rights with third parties. Our ability to out-license these patent rights, or to prevent the third party from out-licensing these patent rights, may be limited in certain countries.

We may jointly own patents and patent applications with third parties in the future. Unless we enter into an agreement with the joint owner, we will be subject to certain default rules pertaining to joint ownership. Certain countries require the consent of all joint owners to license jointly owned patents, and if we are unable to obtain such consent from the joint owner, we may not be able to license our rights under these patents and patent applications. In certain other countries, including the United States, the joint owner could license its rights under these patents and patent applications to another party without our consent and without any duty of accounting to us.

 

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We may in the future be dependent on intellectual property licensed or sublicensed to us from, or for which development was funded or otherwise assisted by, government agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health, for development of our technology and single-agent and combination therapy candidates. Failure to meet our own obligations to our licensors or upstream licensors, including such government agencies, may result in the loss of our rights to such intellectual property, which could harm our business.

In the future, government agencies may provide funding, facilities, personnel or other assistance in connection with the development of the intellectual property rights owned by or licensed to us. Such government agencies may retain rights in such intellectual property, including the right to grant or require us to grant mandatory licenses or sublicenses to such intellectual property to third parties under certain specified circumstances, including if it is necessary to meet health and safety needs that we are not reasonably satisfying or if it is necessary to meet requirements for public use specified by federal regulations, or to manufacture products in the United States. Any exercise of such rights, including with respect to any such required sublicense of these licenses could result in the loss of significant rights and could harm our ability to commercialize licensed products.

We may be subject to claims challenging the inventorship or ownership of our patents and other intellectual property.

We may be subject to claims that former employees, collaborators, or other third parties have an interest in our patents or other intellectual property as an inventor or co-inventor. The failure to name the proper inventors on a patent application can result in the patents issuing thereon being unenforceable. Inventorship disputes may arise from conflicting views regarding the contributions of different individuals named as inventors, the effects of foreign laws where foreign nationals are involved in the development of the subject matter of the patent, conflicting obligations of third parties involved in developing our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or as a result of questions regarding co-ownership of potential joint inventions. For example, we may have inventorship disputes arise from conflicting obligations of consultants or others who are involved in developing our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. Alternatively, or additionally, we may enter into agreements to clarify the scope of our rights in such intellectual property. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these and other claims challenging inventorship. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights, such as exclusive ownership of, or right to use, valuable intellectual property. Such an outcome could have a material adverse effect on our business. Even if we are successful in defending against such claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to management and other employees.

We or our licensors may in the future rely on third-party consultants or collaborators or on funds from third parties, such as the U.S. government, such that we or our licensors are not the sole and exclusive owners of the patents we in-licensed. If other third parties have ownership rights or other rights to our patents, including in-licensed patents, they may be able to license such patents to our competitors, and our competitors could market competing products and technology. This could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, business, financial conditions, results of operations and prospects.

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 common in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, in addition to our employees, we engage the services of consultants to assist us in the development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. Many of these consultants, and many of our employees, were previously employed at, or may have previously provided or may be currently providing consulting services to, universities or other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies including our competitors or potential competitors. These employees and consultants may have executed proprietary rights, non-disclosure and non-competition agreements, or similar agreements, in

 

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connection with such other current or previous employment. Although we try to ensure that our employees and consultants do not use the proprietary information or know-how of others in their work for us, we may become subject to claims that we, our employees or a consultant inadvertently or otherwise used or disclosed trade secrets or other information proprietary to their former employers or their former or current clients. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. If we fail in defending any such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights, which could adversely affect our business. Such intellectual property could be awarded to a third party, and we could be required to obtain a license from such third party to commercialize our technology or drugs and combination therapies. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation could result in substantial costs and be a distraction to our management team. Any of the foregoing would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

We may not be able to protect our intellectual property rights throughout the world.

We have a number of international patents and patent applications, and expect to continue to pursue patent protection in many of the significant markets in which we intend to do business. However, filing, prosecuting and defending patents on single-agent and combination therapy candidates in all countries throughout the world would be prohibitively expensive, and the laws of some foreign countries do not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as federal and state laws in the United States. The requirements for patentability may differ in certain countries, particularly in developing countries. In addition, any future intellectual property license agreements may not always include worldwide rights. Consequently, we have not pursued or maintained, and may not pursue or maintain in the future, patent protection for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates in every country or territory in which we may sell our drugs and combination therapies and we may not be able to prevent third parties from practicing our inventions in all countries outside the United States, or from selling or importing products made using our inventions in and into the United States or other jurisdictions. Competitors may use our technologies in jurisdictions where we have not obtained patent protection to develop their own products, and may export otherwise infringing products to territories where we have patent protection but enforcement is not as strong as that in the United States and where our ability to enforce our patents to stop infringing activities may be inadequate. These products may compete with any current or future single-agent or combination therapy candidates we may sell, and our patents or other intellectual property rights may not be effective or sufficient to prevent them from competing.

Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of certain countries, particularly certain developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents and other intellectual property protection, particularly those relating to pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement of our patents or marketing of competing products in violation of our proprietary rights generally.

Moreover, our ability to protect and enforce our intellectual property and proprietary rights may be adversely affected by unforeseen changes in foreign intellectual property laws. Additionally, the laws of some countries outside of the United States and Europe do not afford intellectual property protection to the same extent as the laws of the United States and Europe. Many companies have encountered significant problems in protecting and defending intellectual property and proprietary rights in certain foreign jurisdictions. The legal systems of some countries, including, for example, India, China and other developing countries, do not favor the enforcement of patents and other intellectual property or proprietary rights, particularly those relating to biotechnology products, which could make it difficult for us to stop the infringement, misappropriation or other violation of our patents or other intellectual property or proprietary rights. For example, many foreign countries have compulsory licensing laws under which a patent owner must grant licenses to third parties. Consequently, we may not be able to prevent third parties from practicing our inventions in certain countries outside the United States and Europe. In addition, many countries limit the enforceability of patents against government agencies or government contractors. In these countries, the patent owner may have limited remedies, which could materially diminish the value of such patent. If we are forced to grant a license to third parties with respect to any patents

 

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relevant to our business, our competitive position may be impaired, and our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be adversely affected.

Proceedings to enforce our patent rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial costs and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business, could put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and our patent applications at risk of not issuing and could provoke third parties to assert claims against us. We may not prevail in any lawsuits that we initiate, and the damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may not be commercially meaningful. Accordingly, our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property that we develop or license.

We may not identify relevant third-party patents or may incorrectly interpret the relevance, scope or expiration of a third-party patent, which might adversely affect our ability to develop and market our single-agent and combination therapies.

We cannot guarantee that any of our patent searches or analyses, including the identification of relevant patents, the scope of patent claims or the expiration of relevant patents, are complete or thorough, nor can we be certain that we have identified each and every third-party patent and pending application in the United States and abroad that is relevant to or necessary for the commercialization of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates in any jurisdiction. The scope of a patent claim is determined by an interpretation of the law, the written disclosure in a patent and the patent’s prosecution history. Our interpretation of the relevance or the scope of a patent or a pending application may be incorrect, which may negatively impact our ability to market our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. We may incorrectly determine that our single-agent and combination therapy candidates are not covered by a third-party patent or may incorrectly predict whether a third-party’s pending application will issue with claims of relevant scope. Our determination of the expiration date of any patent in the United States or abroad that we consider relevant may be incorrect, which may negatively impact our ability to develop and market our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. Our failure to identify and correctly interpret relevant patents may negatively impact our ability to develop and market our single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

One aspect of the determination of patentability of our inventions depends on the scope and content of the “prior art,” information that was or is deemed available to a person of skill in the relevant art prior to the priority date of the claimed invention. There may be prior art of which we are not aware that may affect the patentability of our patent claims or, if issued, affect the validity or enforceability of a patent claim. Further, we may not be aware of all third-party intellectual property rights potentially relating to our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or their intended uses, and as a result the impact of such third-party intellectual property rights upon the patentability of our own patents and patent applications, as well as the impact of such third-party intellectual property upon our freedom to operate, is highly uncertain. Because patent applications in the United States and most other countries are confidential for typically a period of 18 months after filing, or may not be published at all, we cannot be certain that we were the first to file any patent application related to our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. As a result, the issuance, scope, validity, enforceability and commercial value of our patent rights are highly uncertain. Furthermore, for U.S. applications in which all claims are entitled to a priority date before March 16, 2013, an interference proceeding can be provoked by a third party or instituted by the USPTO to determine who was the first to invent any of the subject matter covered by the patent claims of our applications. For U.S. applications containing a claim not entitled to priority before March 16, 2013, there is a greater level of uncertainty in the patent law in view of the passage of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, or the AIA, which brought into effect significant changes to the U.S. patent laws, including new procedures for challenging pending patent applications and issued patents.

 

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Patent terms may be inadequate to establish our competitive position on our single-agent and combination therapy candidates for an adequate amount of time.

Patents have a limited lifespan. In the United States, if all maintenance fees are timely paid, the natural expiration of a patent is generally 20 years from its earliest U.S. non-provisional filing date. Patent terms may be shortened or lengthened by, for example, terminal disclaimers, patent term adjustments, supplemental protection certificates and patent term extensions, but the life of a patent, and the protection it affords, is limited. Non-payment or delay in payment of patent fees, maintenance fees or annuities, delay in patent filings or delay in extension filings (including any patent term extension or adjustment filings), whether intentional or unintentional, may result in the loss of patent rights important to our business. Even if patents covering our single-agent and combination therapy candidates are obtained, once the patent life has expired for a single-agent or combination therapy candidate, we may be open to competition from competitive medications, including generic versions. Given the amount of time required for the development, testing and regulatory review of new single-agent and combination therapy candidates, patents directed towards such single-agent and combination therapy candidates might expire before or shortly after such single-agent and combination therapy candidates are commercialized. As a result, our owned and licensed patent portfolio may not provide us with sufficient rights to exclude others from commercializing single-agent and combination therapy candidates similar or identical to ours for a meaningful amount of time, or at all.

Depending upon the timing, duration and conditions of any FDA marketing approval of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, one or more of our owned or licensed U.S. patents may be eligible for limited patent term extension under the Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984, or Hatch-Waxman Act, and similar legislation in the EU and certain other jurisdictions. The Hatch-Waxman Act permits, in certain cases, a patent term extension of up to five years for a patent covering an approved product as compensation for effective patent term lost during product development and the FDA regulatory review process. However, we may not receive an extension if we fail to exercise due diligence during the testing phase or regulatory review process, fail to apply within applicable deadlines, fail to apply prior to expiration of relevant patents or otherwise fail to satisfy applicable requirements. Moreover, the length of the extension could be less than we request. Only one patent per approved product can be extended, the extension cannot extend the total patent term beyond 14 years from approval and the amount of available extension to any extension-eligible patent which claims a product, a method of using a product or a method of manufacturing a product, depends on a variety of factors, including the date on which the patent issues and certain dates related to the regulatory review period. If we are unable to obtain patent term extension or the term of any such extension is less than we request, the period during which we can enforce our patent rights for the applicable single-agent or combination therapy candidate will be shortened and our competitors may obtain approval to market competing products sooner. As a result, our revenue from applicable products could be reduced. Further, if this occurs, our competitors may take advantage of our investment in development and trials by referencing our clinical and nonclinical data and launch their product earlier than might otherwise be the case, and our competitive position, business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially harmed.

Further, there are detailed rules and requirements regarding the patents that may be submitted to the FDA for listing in the Orange Book. We may be unable to obtain patents covering our single-agent and combination therapy candidates that contain one or more claims that satisfy the requirements for listing in the Orange Book. Even if we submit a patent for listing in the Orange Book, the FDA may decline to list the patent, or a manufacturer of generic drugs may challenge the listing. If one of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates is approved and a patent covering that single-agent or combination therapy candidate is not listed in the Orange Book, a manufacturer of generic drugs would not have to provide advance notice to us of any abbreviated new drug application filed with the FDA to obtain permission to sell a generic version of such single-agent or combination therapy candidate. Any of the foregoing could harm our competitive position, business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

 

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Obtaining and maintaining patent protection depends on compliance with various procedural, document submission, fee payment and other requirements imposed by governmental patent agencies, and our patent protection could be reduced or eliminated for non-compliance with these requirements.

The USPTO and various foreign governmental patent agencies require compliance with a number of procedural, documentary, fee payment and other provisions during the patent process. Periodic maintenance fees, renewal fees, annuity fees and various other governmental fees on patents and/or applications will be due to be paid to the USPTO and various governmental patent agencies outside of the United States in several stages over the lifetime of the patents and/or applications. We employ reputable professionals and rely on such third parties to help us comply with these requirements and effect payment of these fees with respect to the patents and patent applications that we own, and we may have to rely upon our licensors to comply with these requirements and effect payment of these fees with respect to any patents and patent applications that we license. In many cases, an inadvertent lapse can be cured by payment of a late fee or by other means in accordance with the applicable rules. However, there are situations in which noncompliance can result in abandonment or lapse of a patent or patent application, resulting in partial or complete loss of patent rights in the relevant jurisdiction. In such an event, competitors might be able to enter the market earlier than would otherwise have been the case.

Changes in patent law in the U.S. or in other countries could diminish the value of patents in general, thereby impairing our ability to protect our single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

As is the case with other pharmaceutical companies, our success is heavily dependent on intellectual property, particularly patents. Obtaining and enforcing patents in the pharmaceutical industry involves both technological and legal complexity and is therefore costly, time consuming and inherently uncertain. Our patent rights may be affected by developments or uncertainty in U.S. or ex-U.S. patent statutes, patent case laws in USPTO rules and regulations or in the rules and regulations of ex-U.S. patent offices. There are a number of recent changes to the U.S. patent laws that may have a significant impact on our ability to protect our technology and enforce our intellectual property rights. For example, on September 16, 2011, the AIA, was signed into law. The AIA includes a number of significant changes to U.S. patent law. These include provisions that affect the way patent applications will be prosecuted and may also affect patent litigation. In particular, under the AIA, the United States transitioned in March 2013 to a “first to file” system in which the first inventor to file a patent application will be entitled to the patent. Third parties are allowed to submit prior art before the issuance of a patent by the USPTO, and may become involved in post-grant proceedings including opposition, derivation, reexamination, inter partes review or interference proceedings challenging our patent rights or the patent rights of others. An adverse determination in any such submission, proceeding or litigation could reduce the scope or enforceability of, or invalidate, our patent rights, which could adversely affect our competitive position. This could have a negative impact on some of our intellectual property and could increase uncertainties surrounding obtaining and enforcement or defense of our issued patents.

In addition, Congress may pass patent reform legislation that is unfavorable to us. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on several patent cases in recent years, either narrowing the scope of patent protection available in certain circumstances or weakening the rights of patent owners in certain situations. In addition to increasing uncertainty with regard to our ability to obtain patents in the future, this combination of events has created uncertainty with respect to the value of patents once obtained. Depending on decisions by Congress, the federal courts and the USPTO, the laws and regulations governing patents could change in unpredictable ways that would weaken our ability to obtain new patents or to enforce our existing patents and patents we might obtain in the future. Similarly, statutory or judicial changes to the patent laws of other countries may increase the uncertainties and costs surrounding the prosecution of patent applications and the enforcement or defense of issued patents. We cannot predict future changes in the interpretation of patent laws or changes to patent laws that might be enacted into law by U.S. and international legislative bodies. Those changes may materially affect the patents and patent applications of our licensors, our existing or future patents and patent applications and our ability to obtain additional patents in the future.

 

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If our trademarks and trade names are not adequately protected, then we may not be able to build name recognition in our markets of interest and our business may be adversely affected.

Our current or future trademarks or trade names may be challenged, infringed, circumvented or declared generic or descriptive determined to be infringing on other marks. We may not be able to protect our rights to these trademarks and trade names or may be forced to stop using these names, which we need for name recognition by potential partners or customers in our markets of interest. During trademark registration proceedings, we may receive rejections of our applications by the USPTO or in other foreign jurisdictions. Although we would be given an opportunity to respond to those rejections, we may be unable to overcome such rejections. In addition, in the USPTO and in comparable agencies in many foreign jurisdictions, third parties are given an opportunity to oppose pending trademark applications and to seek to cancel registered trademarks. Opposition or cancellation proceedings may be filed against our trademarks, and our trademarks may not survive such proceedings. If we are unable to establish name recognition based on our trademarks and trade names, we may not be able to compete effectively and our business may be adversely affected. We may license our trademarks and trade names to third parties, such as distributors. Though these license agreements may provide guidelines for how our trademarks and trade names may be used, a breach of these agreements or misuse of our trademarks and tradenames by our licensees may jeopardize our rights in or diminish the goodwill associated with our trademarks and trade names.

Moreover, any name we have proposed to use with our single-agent and combination therapy candidates in the United States must be approved by the FDA, regardless of whether we have registered it, or applied to register it, as a trademark. Similar requirements exist in Europe. The FDA typically conducts a review of proposed product names, including an evaluation of potential for confusion with other product names. If the FDA (or an equivalent administrative body in a foreign jurisdiction) objects to any of our proposed proprietary single-agent or combination therapy names, it may be required to expend significant additional resources in an effort to identify a suitable substitute name that would qualify under applicable trademark laws, not infringe the existing rights of third parties and be acceptable to the FDA. Furthermore, in many countries, owning and maintaining a trademark registration may not provide an adequate defense against a subsequent infringement claim asserted by the owner of a senior trademark. At times, competitors or other third parties may adopt trade names or trademarks similar to ours, thereby impeding our ability to build brand identity and possibly leading to market confusion. In addition, there could be potential trade name or trademark infringement claims brought by owners of other registered trademarks or trademarks that incorporate variations of our registered or unregistered trademarks or trade names. If we assert trademark infringement claims, a court may determine that the marks we have asserted are invalid or unenforceable, or that the party against whom we have asserted trademark infringement has superior rights to the marks in question. In this case, we could ultimately be forced to cease use of such trademarks.

If we are unable to protect the confidentiality of our trade secrets, our business and competitive position would be harmed.

We rely on the protection of our trade secrets, including unpatented know-how, technology and other proprietary information. We have taken steps to protect our trade secrets and unpatented know-how, including entering into confidentiality agreements with third parties, and confidential information and inventions agreements with employees, consultants and advisors. Despite these efforts, we cannot provide any assurances that all such agreements have been duly executed, and any of these parties may breach the agreements and disclose our proprietary information, including our trade secrets, and we may not be able to obtain adequate remedies for such breaches. In addition to contractual measures, we try to protect the confidential nature of our proprietary information using commonly accepted physical and technological security measures. Even though we use commonly accepted security measures, the criteria for protection of trade secrets can vary among different jurisdictions. Additionally, such security measures may not provide adequate protection for our proprietary information, for example, in the case of misappropriation of a trade secret by an employee, consultant, customer or third party with authorized access. Recourse we take against such misconduct may not provide an adequate

 

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remedy to fully protect our interests. Monitoring unauthorized uses and disclosures is difficult, and we do not know whether the steps we have taken to protect our proprietary technologies will be effective. Unauthorized parties may also attempt to copy or reverse engineer certain aspects of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates that we consider proprietary.

Enforcing a claim that a party illegally disclosed or misappropriated a trade secret is difficult, expensive and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, some courts inside and outside the United States are less willing or unwilling to protect trade secrets. Moreover, third parties may still obtain this information or may come upon this or similar information independently, and we would have no right to prevent them from using that technology or information to compete with us. Trade secrets will over time be disseminated within the industry through independent development, the publication of journal articles and the movement of personnel skilled in the art from company to company or academic to industry scientific positions. Though our agreements with third parties typically restrict the ability of our advisors, employees, collaborators, licensors, suppliers, third-party contractors and consultants to publish data potentially relating to our trade secrets, our agreements may contain certain limited publication rights. If any of our trade secrets were to be lawfully obtained or independently developed by a competitor, we would have no right to prevent such competitor from using that technology or information to compete with us, which could harm our competitive position. Because from time to time we expect to rely on third parties in the development, manufacture, and distribution of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, we must, at times, share trade secrets with them. Despite employing the contractual and other security precautions described above, the need to share trade secrets increases the risk that such trade secrets become known by our competitors, are inadvertently incorporated into the technology of others, or are disclosed or used in violation of these agreements. If any of these events occurs or if we otherwise lose protection for our trade secrets, the value of this information may be greatly reduced and our competitive position would be harmed. If we do not apply for patent protection prior to such publication or if we cannot otherwise maintain the confidentiality of our proprietary technology and other confidential information, then our ability to obtain patent protection or to protect our trade secret information may be jeopardized.

Intellectual property rights do not necessarily address all potential threats to our competitive advantage.

The degree of future protection afforded by our intellectual property rights is uncertain because intellectual property rights have limitations, and may not adequately protect our business or permit us to maintain our competitive advantage. For example:

 

   

others may be able to make product candidates that are similar to ours but that are not covered by the claims of the patents that we own or have exclusively licensed;

 

   

we or our licensors or future collaborators might not have been the first to make the inventions covered by the issued patents or pending patent applications that we own or have exclusively licensed;

 

   

we or our licensors or future collaborators might not have been the first to file patent applications covering certain of our inventions;

 

   

others may independently develop similar or alternative technologies or duplicate any of our technologies without infringing our intellectual property rights;

 

   

it is possible that our owned or licensed pending patent applications will not lead to issued patents;

 

   

issued patents that we own or have exclusively licensed may be held invalid or unenforceable, as a result of legal challenges by our competitors;

 

   

our competitors might conduct research and development activities in countries where we do not have patent rights and then use the information learned from such activities to develop competitive products for sale in our major commercial markets;

 

   

we may not develop additional proprietary technologies that are patentable;

 

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we cannot predict the scope of protection of any patent issuing based on our owned or licensed patent applications, including whether the patent applications that we own or in-license will result in issued patents with claims that cover our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or uses thereof in the United States or in other foreign countries;

 

   

the claims of any patent issuing based on our owned or licensed patent applications may not provide protection against competitors or any competitive advantages, or may be challenged by third parties;

 

   

if enforced, a court may not hold that our owned or licensed patents are valid, enforceable and infringed;

 

   

we may need to initiate litigation or administrative proceedings to enforce and/or defend our patent rights which will be costly whether we win or lose;

 

   

we may be required to coordinate with licensors on enforcement of our patents;

 

   

we may choose not to file a patent application in order to maintain certain trade secrets or know-how, and a third party may subsequently file a patent application and secure an issued patent covering such intellectual property;

 

   

we may fail to adequately protect and police our trademarks and trade secrets; and

 

   

the patents of others may have an adverse effect on our business, including if others obtain patents claiming subject matter similar to or improving that covered by our patents and patent applications.

Should any of these events occur, they could significantly harm our business, results of operations and prospects.

Other Risks Related to Our Business

If we fail to attract and retain senior management and key scientific personnel, our business may be materially and adversely affected.

Our success depends in part on our continued ability to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified management and clinical and scientific personnel. We are highly dependent upon members of our senior management, particularly our Chief Executive Officer, Senthil Sundaram, and President and Chief Medical Officer, Erin Quirk, M.D., as well as our senior scientists and other members of our senior management team. The loss of services of any of these individuals could delay or prevent the successful development of our pipeline, initiation or completion of our planned clinical trials or the commercialization of our current or future single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

Competition for qualified personnel in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology field is intense due to the limited number of individuals who possess the skills and experience required by our industry. We will need to hire additional personnel as we expand our clinical development and if we initiate commercial activities. We may not be able to attract and retain quality personnel on acceptable terms, or at all. In addition, to the extent we hire personnel from competitors, we may be subject to allegations that they have been improperly solicited or that they have divulged proprietary or other confidential information, or that their former employers own their research output.

We will need to increase the size of our organization, and we may experience difficulties in managing growth.

As of December 31, 2020, we had 30 full-time employees. We will need to continue to expand our managerial, operational, finance and other resources in order to manage our operations and clinical trials, continue our development activities and, if approved, commercialize our preclinical and clinical-stage single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates. Our

 

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management and personnel, systems and facilities currently in place may not be adequate to support this future growth. Our need to effectively execute our growth strategy requires that we:

 

   

manage our preclinical studies and clinical trials effectively;

 

   

identify, recruit, retain, incentivize and integrate additional employees, including additional clinical development and sales personnel;

 

   

manage our internal development and operational efforts effectively while carrying out our contractual obligations to third parties; and

 

   

continue to improve our operational, financial and management controls, reports systems and procedures.

If we are not successful in identifying, developing and commercializing additional single-agent and combination therapy candidates, our ability to expand our business and achieve our strategic objectives would be impaired.

Although the development and commercialization of TERN-101, TERN-201 and TERN-501 is currently our primary focus, as part of our longer-term growth strategy, we plan to evaluate the development and commercialization of other therapies related to NASH and other chronic liver diseases. The success of this strategy depends primarily upon our ability to identify and validate new therapeutic candidates, and to identify, develop and commercialize new drugs and biologics. Our research efforts may initially show promise in discovering potential new drugs and biologics, yet fail to yield single-agent and combination therapy candidates for clinical development for a number of reasons, including:

 

   

we may need to rely on third parties to generate molecules for some of our single-agent or combination therapy candidate programs;

 

   

we may encounter drug manufacturing difficulties that limit yield or produce undesirable characteristics that increase the cost of manufacturing our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, cause delays or make our single-agent and combination therapy candidates unmarketable;

 

   

our single-agent and combination therapy candidates may cause adverse effects in patients or subjects, even after successful initial toxicology studies, which may make the single-agent and combination therapy candidates unmarketable;

 

   

our single-agent and combination therapy candidates may not demonstrate a meaningful benefit to patients or subjects; and

 

   

our future collaboration partners may change their development profiles or plans for potential single-agent and combination therapy candidates or abandon a therapeutic area or the development of a partnered single-agent or combination therapy candidate.

If any of these events occur, we may be forced to abandon our development efforts for one or more programs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and prospects and could potentially cause us to cease operations. Future research programs to identify new single-agent and combination therapy candidates may require substantial technical, financial and human resources. We may focus our efforts and resources on potential programs or single-agent and combination therapy candidates that ultimately prove to be unsuccessful.

Single-agent and combination therapy candidates may require additional, time-consuming development efforts prior to commercial sale, including preclinical studies, clinical trials and approval by the FDA and/or comparable foreign regulatory authorities. All single-agent and combination therapy candidates are prone to the risks of failure that are inherent in pharmaceutical product development, including the possibility that the single-agent or combination therapy candidate will not be shown to be sufficiently safe and effective for approval by

 

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regulatory authorities. In addition, we cannot assure you that any such products that are approved will be manufactured or produced economically, be successfully commercialized, be widely accepted in the marketplace, or be more effective than other commercially available alternatives.

If product liability lawsuits are brought against us, we may incur substantial liabilities and may be required to limit commercialization of our current or future single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

We face an inherent risk of product liability as a result of the clinical testing of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates and will face an even greater risk if we commercialize any single-agent or combination therapies. For example, we may be sued if any drug we develop allegedly causes injury or is found to be otherwise unsuitable during clinical 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, negligence, strict liability and breach of warranty. Claims could also be asserted under state consumer protection acts. If we cannot successfully defend ourselves against product liability claims, we may incur substantial liabilities or be required to limit commercialization of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. Even a successful defense would require significant financial and management resources. Regardless of the merits or eventual outcome, liability claims may result in:

 

   

decreased demand for our current or future single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

injury to our reputation;

 

   

delay or termination of clinical trials;

 

   

withdrawal of clinical trial participants;

 

   

costs to defend the related litigation;

 

   

diversion of management’s time and our resources;

 

   

substantial monetary awards to trial participants or patients;

 

   

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

 

   

loss of revenue; and

 

   

the inability to commercialize our current or any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved.

If we are unable to obtain and maintain sufficient product liability insurance at an acceptable cost and scope of coverage to protect against potential product liability claims, the commercialization of our current or any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates we develop could be inhibited or prevented. We currently carry product liability insurance covering our clinical trials. 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. Our insurance policies also have various exclusions and deductibles, 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 funds to pay such amounts. Moreover, in the future, we may not be able to maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or in sufficient amounts to protect us against losses. If and when we obtain approval for marketing any of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates, we intend to expand our insurance coverage to include the sale of such single-agent or combination therapy candidate; however, we may be unable to obtain this liability insurance on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

 

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As a company with some operations and vendors located outside of the United States, our business is subject to economic, political, regulatory and other risks associated with international operations.

As a company with some operations and vendors in China, our business is subject to risks associated with conducting business outside the United States. Accordingly, our future results could be harmed by a variety of factors, including:

 

   

economic weakness, including inflation, or political instability in particular non-U.S. economies and markets;

 

   

differing jurisdictions could present different issues for securing, maintaining or obtaining freedom to operate in such jurisdictions;

 

   

potentially reduced protection for intellectual property rights;

 

   

difficulties in compliance with different, complex and changing laws, regulations and court systems of multiple jurisdictions and compliance with a wide variety of foreign laws, treaties and regulations;

 

   

changes in non-U.S. regulations and customs, tariffs and trade barriers;

 

   

changes in non-U.S. currency exchange rates of the Renminbi, or RMB, U.S. dollar, euro and currency controls;

 

   

changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic environment;

 

   

trade protection measures, import or export licensing requirements or other restrictive actions by governments;

 

   

negative consequences from changes in tax laws;

 

   

compliance with tax, employment, immigration and labor laws for employees living or traveling abroad, including, for example, the variable tax treatment in different jurisdictions of options granted under our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan;

 

   

workforce uncertainty in countries where labor unrest is more common than in the United States;

 

   

litigation or administrative actions resulting from claims against us by current or former employees or consultants individually or as part of class actions, including claims of wrongful terminations, discrimination, misclassification or other violations of labor law or other alleged conduct;

 

   

difficulties associated with staffing and managing international operations, including differing labor relations;

 

   

production shortages resulting from any events affecting raw material supply or manufacturing capabilities abroad; and

 

   

business interruptions resulting from geo-political actions, including war and terrorism, health epidemics, or natural disasters including earthquakes, typhoons, floods and fires.

See “—Risks Related to Doing Business in China” for additional risks related to our operations in China.

Our business involves the use of hazardous materials, and we and our suppliers must comply with environmental laws and regulations, which can be expensive and restrict how we do business.

Our research and development activities and our third-party suppliers’ activities involve the controlled storage, use and disposal of hazardous materials owned by us, including the components of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates and other hazardous compounds. We and any third-party manufacturers and suppliers are subject to numerous federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and permitting requirements, including those governing laboratory procedures; the generation, handling, use, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous and regulated materials and wastes; the emission and discharge of hazardous

 

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materials into the ground, air and water; and employee health and safety. Our operations and those or our third-party manufacturers and CROs involve the use of hazardous and flammable materials, including chemicals and biological and radioactive materials. Our operations and those of our third-party manufacturers and CROs also produce hazardous waste. In some cases, these hazardous materials and various wastes resulting from their use are stored at our and our manufacturers’ and CROs’ facilities pending their use and disposal. We generally contract with third parties for the disposal of these materials and wastes. We cannot eliminate the risk of contamination, which could cause an interruption of our commercialization efforts, research and development efforts and business operations, and environmental damage resulting in costly clean-up and liabilities under applicable laws and regulations governing the use, storage, handling and disposal of these materials and specified waste products.

We cannot guarantee that the safety procedures utilized by our third-party manufacturers and CROs for handling and disposing of these materials comply with the standards prescribed by these laws and regulations, nor can we eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials. Under certain environmental laws, we could be held responsible for costs relating to any contamination at our current or past facilities and at third-party facilities. In such an event, we may be held liable for any resulting damages and such liability could exceed our resources, and state or federal or other applicable authorities may curtail our use of certain materials and/or interrupt our business operations. Furthermore, environmental laws and regulations are complex, change frequently and have tended to become more stringent. We cannot predict the impact of such changes and cannot be certain of our future compliance.

Compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations may be expensive, and current or future environmental laws and regulations may impair our research and product development efforts. In addition, we cannot entirely eliminate the risk of accidental injury or contamination from hazardous materials or wastes. Although we maintain workers’ compensation insurance to cover us for costs and expenses we may incur due to injuries to our employees resulting from the use of hazardous materials, this insurance may not provide adequate coverage against potential liabilities. We do not carry specific biological or hazardous waste insurance coverage, and our property, casualty and general liability insurance policies specifically exclude coverage for damages and fines arising from biological or hazardous waste exposure or contamination. Accordingly, in the event of contamination or injury, we could be held liable for damages or be penalized with fines in an amount exceeding our resources, and our clinical trials or regulatory approvals could be suspended, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We face potential liability related to the privacy of health information we utilize in the development of products, as well as information we obtain from clinical trials sponsored by us from research institutions and directly from individuals.

We and our partners and vendors are subject to various federal, state and foreign data protection laws and regulations (i.e., laws and regulations that address data privacy and security). If we or our partners or vendors fail to comply with these laws and regulations we may be subject to litigation, regulatory investigations, enforcement notices, enforcement actions, fines, and criminal or civil penalties, as well as negative publicity and a potential loss of business.

In the United States, numerous federal and state laws and regulations, including state data breach notification laws, state health information privacy laws, and federal and state consumer protection laws and regulations that govern the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of health-related and other personal information could apply to our operations or the operations of our partners. For example, most healthcare providers, including research institutions from which we obtain patient health information, are subject to privacy and security regulations promulgated under HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009. Under HIPAA, we could potentially face substantial criminal or civil penalties if we knowingly receive individually identifiable health information from a HIPAA-covered healthcare provider or research institution that has not satisfied HIPAA’s requirements for disclosure of individually

 

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identifiable health information, or otherwise violate applicable HIPAA requirements related to the protection of such information. Even when HIPAA does not apply, failing to take appropriate steps to keep consumers’ personal information secure may constitute a violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act.

In addition, once we commence clinical trials, we may maintain sensitive personally identifiable information, including health information, that we receive throughout the clinical trial process, in the course of our research collaborations, and directly from individuals (or their healthcare providers) who enroll in our patient assistance programs. As such, we may be subject to state laws requiring notification of affected individuals and state regulators in the event of a breach of personal information. These state laws include the recently enacted California Consumer Privacy Act, or the CCPA, which establishes additional data privacy rights for residents of the State of California, including expanded rights to access and delete their personal information, opt out of certain personal information sharing and receive detailed information about how their personal information is used. The CCPA also provides for civil penalties for violations, as well as a private right of action for data breaches that is expected to increase data breach litigation. The CCPA has been amended from time to time, and it remains unclear what, if any, further modifications will be made to this legislation or how it will be interpreted. Further, on November 3, 2020, the California Privacy Rights Act, or the CPRA, was voted into law by California residents. The CPRA significantly amends the CCPA, and imposes additional data protection obligations on companies doing business in California, including additional consumer rights processes and opt outs for certain uses of sensitive data. It also creates a new California data protection agency specifically tasked to enforce the law, which would likely result in increased regulatory scrutiny of California businesses in the areas of data protection and security. The substantive requirements for businesses subject to the CPRA will go into effect on January 1, 2023, and become enforceable on July 1, 2023. Similar laws have been proposed in other states and at the federal level, and if passed, such laws may have potentially conflicting requirements that would make compliance challenging.

Any clinical trial programs and research collaborations, among other activities, that we engage in outside the United States may implicate international data protection laws, including, in Europe, the General Data Protection Regulation, or the GDPR, which became effective in 2018. The GDPR imposes stringent operational requirements for processors and controllers of personal data. Among other things, the GDPR requires detailed notices and consent requirements for clinical trial subjects and investigators and other data subjects, procedures regarding the security of personal data and notification of data processing obligations or security incidents to appropriate data protection authorities or data subjects, and honoring and providing for the rights of individuals within the EEA and the United Kingdom in relation to their personal data, including the right to access, correct and delete their data. If our privacy or data security measures fail to comply with the requirements of the GDPR or other applicable laws or regulations, we may be subject to litigation, regulatory investigations, enforcement notices, and/or enforcement actions requiring us to change the way we use personal data and/or fines. In addition to statutory enforcement, a personal data breach can lead to negative publicity and a potential loss of business. Further, following the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU effective as of December 31, 2020, we will have to comply with the GDPR and the GDPR as incorporated into United Kingdom national law, which may have differing requirements. If we fail to comply with any such data protection laws, we may be subject to litigation, regulatory investigations, enforcement notices, and/or enforcement actions, as well as negative publicity and a potential loss of business.

We are also subject to evolving EEA laws on data export, as we may transfer personal data from the EEA to other jurisdictions. Recent legal developments in Europe have created complexity and uncertainty regarding transfers of personal data from the EEA to the United States. For example, on July 16, 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union, or CJEU, invalidated the EU-US Privacy Shield Framework, or Privacy Shield, under which personal data could be transferred from the EEA to United States entities who had self-certified under the Privacy Shield scheme. Moreover, it is uncertain whether the standard contractual clauses will also be invalidated by the European courts or legislature. As government authorities issue further guidance on personal data export mechanisms and/or start taking enforcement action, we could suffer additional costs, complaints, and/or regulatory investigations or fines, and/or if we are otherwise unable to transfer personal data between and among

 

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countries and regions in which we operate, it could affect the manner in which we provide our services, the geographical location or segregation of our relevant systems and operations, and could adversely affect our financial results. These laws and regulations may apply, not only to us, but also to vendors that store or otherwise process data on our behalf, such as information technology vendors. If such a vendor misuses data we have provided to it, or fails to safeguard such data, we may be subject to litigation, regulatory investigations, enforcement notices, and/or enforcement actions, as well as negative publicity and a potential loss of business.

We are likely to be required to expend significant capital and other resources to ensure ongoing compliance with applicable privacy and data security laws. Claims that we have violated individuals’ privacy rights, failed to comply with applicable laws or breached our contractual obligations, even if we are not found liable, could be expensive and time-consuming to defend, and could result in adverse publicity that could harm our business. Moreover, even if we take all necessary action to comply with regulatory requirements, we could be subject to a hack or data breach, which could subject us to fines and penalties, as well as reputational damage.

If we or our partners or vendors fail to comply with applicable federal, state, or local regulatory requirements, we could be subject to a range of regulatory actions that could affect our or any collaborators’ ability to seek to commercialize our clinical candidates. Any threatened or actual government enforcement action could also generate adverse publicity and require that we devote substantial resources that could otherwise be used in other aspects of our business. Any of the foregoing could harm our competitive position, business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

We or the third parties upon whom we depend may be adversely affected by earthquakes or other natural disasters, and our business continuity and disaster recovery plans may not adequately protect us from a serious disaster.

Our corporate headquarters and other facilities are located in the San Francisco Bay Area, which has experienced both severe earthquakes and the effects of wildfires. We do not carry earthquake insurance. Earthquakes, wildfires or other natural disasters could severely disrupt our operations, and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

If a natural disaster, power outage or other event occurred that damaged critical infrastructure or that otherwise disrupted operations, it may be difficult or, in certain cases, impossible, for us to continue our business for a substantial period of time. The disaster recovery and business continuity plans we have in place currently are limited and are unlikely to prove adequate in the event of a serious disaster or similar event. We may incur substantial expenses as a result of the limited nature of our disaster recovery and business continuity plans, which, particularly when taken together with our lack of earthquake insurance, could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Furthermore, integral parties in our supply chain are similarly vulnerable to natural disasters or other sudden, unforeseen and severe adverse events. If such an event were to affect our supply chain, it could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Significant disruptions of information technology systems, breaches of data security and other incidents could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We collect and maintain information in digital and other forms that is necessary to conduct our business, and we are increasingly dependent on information technology systems and infrastructure to operate our business. In the ordinary course of our business, we collect, store and transmit large amounts of confidential information, including intellectual property, proprietary business information and personal information. It is critical that we do so in a secure manner to maintain the privacy, security, confidentiality and integrity of such confidential information. We have established physical, electronic and organizational measures designed to safeguard and secure our systems to prevent a data compromise, and rely on commercially available systems, software, tools

 

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and monitoring to provide security for our information technology systems and the processing, transmission and storage of digital information. We have also outsourced elements of our information technology infrastructure, and as a result a number of third-party vendors may have access to our confidential information. Our internal information technology systems and infrastructure, and those of any future collaborators and our contractors, consultants, vendors and other third parties on which we rely, are vulnerable to damage or unauthorized access or use resulting from computer viruses, malware, natural disasters, terrorism, war, telecommunication and electrical failures, cyber-attacks or cyber-intrusions over the Internet, denial or degradation of service attacks, ransomware, hacking, phishing and other social engineering attacks, attachments to emails, persons inside our organization or persons with access to systems inside our organization.

The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyber-attacks or cyber intrusion, including by computer hackers, foreign governments and cyber terrorists, has generally increased as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased. The prevalent use of mobile devices that access confidential information also increases the risk of lost or stolen devices, security incidents and data security breaches, which could lead to the loss of confidential information or other intellectual property. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we may face increased risks of a security breach or disruption due to our reliance on internet technology and the number of our employees who are working remotely, which may create additional opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities. The costs to us to investigate, mitigate and remediate security incidents, breaches, disruptions, network security problems, bugs, viruses, worms, malicious software programs and security vulnerabilities could be significant, and while we have implemented security measures to protect our data security and information technology systems, our efforts to address these problems may not be successful, and these problems could result in unexpected interruptions, delays, cessation of service, negative publicity and other harm to our business and our competitive position. If such an event were to occur and cause interruptions in our operations, it could result in a material disruption of our drug development programs. For example, the loss of clinical trial data from completed or ongoing or planned clinical trials could result in delays in our regulatory approval efforts and significantly increase our costs to recover or reproduce the data. Any security compromise affecting us, our partners or our industry, whether real or perceived, could harm our reputation, erode confidence in the effectiveness of our security measures and lead to regulatory scrutiny. Moreover, if a computer security breach affects our systems or results in the unauthorized access to or unauthorized use, disclosure, release or other processing of personally identifiable information or clinical trial data, it may be necessary to notify individuals, governmental authorities, supervisory bodies, the media and other parties pursuant to privacy and security laws, and our reputation could be materially damaged. We would also be exposed to a risk of loss, governmental investigations or enforcement, or litigation and potential liability, which could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our internal computer systems, or those used by our third-party research institution collaborators, CROs or other contractors or consultants, may fail or suffer security breaches.

We are increasingly dependent upon information technology systems, infrastructure and data to operate our business. In the ordinary course of business, we collect, store and transmit confidential information (including but not limited to intellectual property, proprietary business information and personal information). It is critical that we do so in a secure manner to maintain the confidentiality and integrity of such confidential information. We also have outsourced elements of our operations to third parties, and as a result we manage a number of third-party contractors who have access to our confidential information.

Despite the implementation of security measures, our internal computer systems and those of our CROs and other contractors and consultants are vulnerable to damage from computer viruses and unauthorized access. Although to our knowledge we have not experienced any such material system failure or security breach to date, if such an event were to occur and cause interruptions in our operations or those of our third-party CROs, vendors, and other contractors and consultants, it could result in a material disruption of our development programs and our business operations. For example, the loss of clinical trial data from completed or future

 

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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 our third-party research institution collaborators for research and development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates and other third parties for the manufacture of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates and to 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 those of our third-party CROs, vendors, and other contractors and consultants, or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or proprietary information or patient information, we could incur liability and the further development and commercialization of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates could be delayed.

While we have not experienced any such system failure, accident or security breach to date, we cannot assure you that our data protection efforts and our investment in information technology will prevent significant breakdowns, data leakages, breaches in our systems, or those of our third-party CROs, vendors and other contractors and consultants, or other cyber incidents that could have a material adverse effect upon our reputation, business, operations or financial condition. For example, if such an event were to occur and cause interruptions in our operations, or those of our third-party CROs, vendors, and other contractors and consultants, it could result in a material disruption of our programs and the development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates could be delayed. In addition, the loss of clinical trial data for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates could result in delays in our marketing approval efforts and significantly increase our costs to recover or reproduce the data. Furthermore, significant disruptions of our internal information technology systems, or those of our third-party CROs, vendors and other contractors and consultants, or security breaches could result in the loss, misappropriation, and/or unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of, or the prevention of access to, confidential information (including trade secrets or other intellectual property, proprietary business information, and personal information), which could result in financial, legal, business, and reputational harm to us. For example, any such event that leads to unauthorized access, use, or disclosure of personal information, including personal information regarding our clinical trial subjects or employees, could harm our reputation directly, compel us to comply with federal and/or state breach notification laws and foreign law equivalents, subject us to mandatory corrective action, and otherwise subject us to liability under laws and regulations that protect the privacy and security of personal information, which could result in significant legal and financial exposure and reputational damages that could potentially have an adverse effect on our business.

We have and will enter into collaboration, license, contract research and/or manufacturing relationships with contract organizations that operate in certain countries that are at heightened risk of theft of technology, data and intellectual property through direct intrusion by private parties or foreign actors, including those affiliated with or controlled by state actors. Accordingly, our efforts to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights around the world may be inadequate to obtain a significant commercial advantage from the intellectual property that we develop or license, and we may be at heightened risk of losing our proprietary intellectual property rights around the world, including outside of such countries, to the extent such theft or intrusion destroy the proprietary nature of our intellectual property.

The costs related to significant security breaches or disruptions could be material and exceed the limits of any applicable insurance we may maintain against such risks. If the information technology systems of our third-party CROs, vendors and other contractors and consultants become subject to disruptions or security breaches, we may have insufficient recourse against such third parties and we may have to expend significant resources to mitigate the impact of such an event, and to develop and implement protections to prevent future events of this nature from occurring.

 

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Risks Related to Doing Business in China

The pharmaceutical industry in China is highly regulated and such regulations are subject to change which may affect approval and commercialization of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

Some of our research and development operations and manufacturing facilities are in the People’s Republic of China, which we refer to as China or PRC. The pharmaceutical industry in China is subject to comprehensive government regulation and supervision, encompassing the approval, registration, manufacturing, packaging, licensing and marketing of new drugs. In recent years, the regulatory framework in China regarding the pharmaceutical industry has undergone significant changes, and we expect that it will continue to undergo significant changes. Any such changes or amendments may result in increased compliance costs on our business or cause delays in or prevent the successful development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates in China and reduce the current benefits we believe are available to us from developing and manufacturing drugs in China. PRC authorities have become increasingly vigilant in enforcing laws in the pharmaceutical industry and any failure by us or our partners to maintain compliance with applicable laws and regulations or obtain and maintain required licenses and permits may result in the suspension or termination of our business activities in China. We believe our strategy and approach are aligned with the PRC government’s regulatory policies, but we cannot ensure that our strategy and approach will continue to be aligned.

If we fail to comply with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations of China, we could become subject to fines or penalties or incur costs that could have a material adverse effect on the success of our business.

We are subject to numerous environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, including those governing laboratory procedures and the handling, use, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes. Our manufacturing operations primarily occur in China and involve the use of hazardous materials, including chemical materials. Our operations also produce hazardous waste products. We are therefore subject to PRC laws and regulations concerning the discharge of waste water, gaseous waste and solid waste during our processes of research and development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. We engage competent third-party contractors for the transfer and disposal of these materials and wastes. We may not comply fully with environmental regulations at all times. Any violation of these regulations may result in substantial fines, criminal sanctions, revocations of operating permits, shutdown of our facilities and obligations to take corrective measures. We cannot completely eliminate the risk of contamination or injury from these materials and wastes. In the event of contamination or injury resulting from the use or discharge of hazardous materials, we could be held liable for any resulting damages, and any liability could exceed our resources. We also could incur significant costs associated with civil, administrative or criminal fines and penalties.

Although we maintain workers’ compensation insurance to cover costs and expenses incurred due to on-the-job injuries to our employees and third party liability insurance for injuries caused by unexpected seepage, pollution or contamination, such insurance may not provide adequate coverage against potential liabilities. Furthermore, China may take steps towards the adoption of more stringent environmental regulations. Due to the possibility of unanticipated regulatory or other developments, the amount and timing of future environmental expenditures may vary substantially from those currently anticipated. If there is any unanticipated change in the environmental regulations, we may need to incur substantial capital expenditures to install, replace, upgrade or supplement our manufacturing facility and equipment or make operational changes to limit any adverse impact or potential adverse impact on the environment in order to comply with new environmental protection laws and regulations. If such costs become prohibitively expensive, we may be forced to cease certain aspects of our business operations.

 

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China’s economic, political and social conditions, as well as governmental policies, could affect the business environment and financial markets in China, our ability to operate our business, our liquidity and our access to capital.

Substantially all of our manufacturing operations are conducted in China. Accordingly, our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects may be influenced to a significant degree by economic, political, legal and social conditions in China as well as China’s economic, political, legal and social conditions in relation to the rest of the world. China’s economy differs from the economies of developed countries in many respects, including with respect to the amount of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. While China’s economy has experienced significant growth over the past 40 years, growth has been uneven across different regions and among various economic sectors of China. China’s government has implemented various measures to encourage economic development and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall economy in China, but may have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations that are currently applicable to us. In addition, in the past, China’s government implemented certain measures, including interest rate increases, to control the pace of economic growth. These measures may cause decreased economic activity in China, which may adversely affect our business and results of operation. More generally, if the business environment in China deteriorates from the perspective of domestic or international investment, our business in China may also be adversely affected.

Failure to comply with PRC regulations regarding the registration requirements for employee stock ownership plans or share option plans may subject the PRC plan participants or us to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.

Under the applicable regulations and State Administration of Foreign Exchange of the People’s Republic of China, or SAFE, rules, PRC citizens who participate in an employee stock ownership plan or a stock option plan in an overseas publicly listed company are required to register with SAFE and complete certain other procedures. In February 2012, SAFE promulgated the Notices on Issues concerning the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plans of Overseas Publicly Listed Companies, or the Stock Option Rules, which replaced the Application Procedures of Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Employee Stock Ownership Plan or Stock Option Plans of Overseas Publicly Listed Companies issued by SAFE in March 2007. Pursuant to the Stock Option Rules, if a PRC resident participates in any stock incentive plan of an overseas publicly listed company, a qualified PRC domestic agent must, among other things, file on behalf of such participant an application with SAFE to conduct the SAFE registration with respect to such stock incentive plan and obtain approval for an annual allowance with respect to the purchase of foreign exchange in connection with the exercise or sale of stock options or stock such participant holds. Such participating PRC residents’ foreign exchange income received from the sale of stock and dividends distributed by the overseas publicly listed company must be fully remitted into a PRC collective foreign currency account opened and managed by the PRC agent before distribution to such participants. We and our PRC resident employees who have been granted stock options or other share-based incentives of ours will be subject to the Stock Option Rules when our company becomes an overseas listed company upon the completion of this offering. If we or our PRC resident participants fail to comply with these regulations, we and/or our PRC resident participants may be subject to fines and legal sanctions.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock and this Offering

Our stock price may be volatile and you may not be able to resell shares of our common stock at or above the price you paid.

The trading price of our common stock following this offering could be highly volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control. In particular, the trading prices for pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have been highly volatile as a

 

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result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These factors include those discussed in this “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus and others such as:

 

   

results from, and any delays in, our clinical trials for our two clinical-stage drug candidates or any other future clinical development programs, including any delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

   

announcements of regulatory approval or disapproval of our current or any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

the failure or discontinuation of any of our research and development programs;

 

   

the termination of any of our existing license agreements;

 

   

announcements relating to any future licensing, collaboration or development agreements;

 

   

delays in the commercialization of our current or any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

public misperception regarding the use of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

acquisitions and sales of new products or single-agent and combination therapy candidates, technologies or businesses;

 

   

manufacturing and supply issues related to our single-agent and combination therapy candidates for clinical trials or future single-agent and combination therapy candidates for commercialization;

 

   

quarterly variations in our results of operations or those of our competitors;

 

   

changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by securities analysts;

 

   

announcements by us or our competitors related to new or existing products or drug candidates, significant contracts, commercial relationships, acquisitions or capital commitments;

 

   

developments with respect to intellectual property rights;

 

   

our commencement of, or involvement in, litigation;

 

   

changes in financial estimates or guidance;

 

   

any major changes in our board of directors or management;

 

   

new legislation or regulation in the United States or abroad relating to the sale or pricing of pharmaceuticals;

 

   

the FDA or other U.S. or foreign regulatory actions affecting us or our industry or the indications for which we are developing our current or future single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

product liability claims or other litigation or public concern about the safety of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

market conditions in the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors; and

 

   

general economic conditions in the United States and abroad, including as a result of an economic recession or depression and market volatility related to the COVID-19 pandemic and global health concerns.

In addition, the stock markets in general, and the markets for pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology stocks in particular, have experienced extreme volatility that may have been unrelated to the operating performance of the issuer. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price or liquidity of our common stock.

 

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An active, liquid and orderly market for our common stock may not develop, and you may not be able to resell your common stock at or above the public offering price.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for shares of our common stock, and an active public market for our shares may not develop or be sustained after this offering. We and the representatives of the underwriters will determine the initial public offering price of our common stock through negotiation. This price will not necessarily reflect the price at which investors in the market will be willing to buy and sell our shares following this offering. In addition, an active trading market may not develop following the consummation of this offering or, if it is developed, may not be sustained. The lack of an active market may impair your ability to sell your shares at the time you wish to sell them or at a price that you consider reasonable. An inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital by selling shares and may impair our ability to acquire other single-agent and combination therapy candidates, businesses or technologies using our shares as consideration.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they issue an adverse or misleading opinion regarding our stock, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. We do not currently have and may never obtain research coverage by securities and industry analysts. If no or few securities or industry analysts commence coverage of us, the trading price for our stock would be negatively impacted. In the event we obtain securities or industry analyst coverage, if any of the analysts who cover us issue an adverse or misleading opinion regarding us, our business model, our intellectual property or our stock performance, or if our clinical trials and operating results fail to meet the expectations of analysts, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline.

We are an “emerging growth company,” and as a result of the reduced disclosure and governance requirements applicable to emerging growth companies, our common stock may be less attractive to investors.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy 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. In addition, as an “emerging growth company,” the JOBS Act allows us to delay adoption of new or revised accounting pronouncements applicable to public companies until such pronouncements are made applicable to private companies. We have elected to use this extended transition period under the JOBS Act. As a result, our consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to the financial statements of issuers who are required to comply with the effective dates for new or revised accounting standards that are applicable to public companies, which may make comparison of our financials to those of other public companies more difficult.

We cannot predict if investors will find our common stock less attractive because we will 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. We may take advantage of these reporting exemptions until we are no longer an emerging growth company. We will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of (1) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the consummation of this offering, (2) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, (3) the last day of the fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates exceeded $700.0 million as of the last business day of the second fiscal quarter of such year, or (4) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.

 

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We will incur significant costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives. We may fail to comply with the rules that apply to public companies, including Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or Section 404, which could result in sanctions or other penalties that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

We will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses as a public company, including costs resulting from public company reporting obligations under the Exchange Act and regulations regarding corporate governance practices. The listing requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, require that we satisfy certain corporate governance requirements relating to director independence, filing annual and interim reports, stockholder meetings, approvals and voting, soliciting proxies, conflicts of interest and a code of conduct. Our management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to ensure that we comply with all of these requirements. Moreover, the reporting requirements, rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly. Any changes we make to comply with these obligations may not be sufficient to allow us to satisfy our obligations as a public company on a timely basis, or at all. These reporting requirements, rules and regulations, coupled with the increase in potential litigation exposure associated with being a public company, could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or board committees or to serve as executive officers, or to obtain certain types of insurance, including directors’ and officers’ insurance, on acceptable terms.

After this offering, we will be subject to Section 404 and the related rules of the SEC, which generally require our management and independent registered public accounting firm to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Beginning with the second annual report that we will be required to file with the SEC, Section 404 requires an annual management assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. However, for so long as we remain an emerging growth company as defined in the JOBS Act, we intend to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to public companies that are not emerging growth companies, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404. Once we are no longer an emerging growth company or, if prior to such date, we opt to no longer take advantage of the applicable exemption, we will be required to include an opinion from our independent registered public accounting firm on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.

During the course of our review and testing, we may identify deficiencies and be unable to remediate them before we must provide the required reports. Furthermore, if we identify any material weaknesses, we may not detect errors on a timely basis and our financial statements may be materially misstated. We or our independent registered public accounting firm may not be able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information and cause the trading price of our stock to fall. In addition, as a public company we will be required to file accurate and timely quarterly and annual reports with the SEC under the Exchange Act. In order to report our results of operations and financial statements on an accurate and timely basis, we will depend in part on CROs and other third parties to provide timely and accurate notice of their costs to us. Any failure to report our financial results on an accurate and timely basis could result in sanctions, lawsuits, delisting of our shares from the Nasdaq Global Market or other adverse consequences that would materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Purchasers in this offering will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the book value of their investment.

The initial public offering price of our common stock is substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our common stock before giving effect to this offering. Accordingly, if you purchase our

 

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common stock in this offering, you will incur immediate substantial dilution of approximately $8.65 per share, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus, and our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2020. In addition, following this offering, purchasers in this offering will have contributed approximately 34.0% of the total gross consideration paid by stockholders to us to purchase shares of our common stock through September 30, 2020, but will own only approximately 27.5% of the shares of common stock outstanding immediately after this offering. Furthermore, if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares or outstanding options are exercised, you could experience further dilution. For a further description of the dilution that you will experience immediately after this offering, see the section titled “Dilution.”

If we sell shares of our common stock in future financings, stockholders may experience immediate dilution and, as a result, our stock price may decline.

We may from time to time issue additional shares of common stock at a discount from the current trading price of our common stock. As a result, our stockholders would experience immediate dilution upon the purchase of any shares of our common stock sold at such discount. In addition, as opportunities present themselves, we may enter into financing or similar arrangements in the future, including the issuance of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock. If we issue common stock or securities convertible into common stock, our common stockholders would experience additional dilution and, as a result, our stock price may decline.

Our principal stockholders and management own a significant percentage of our stock and will be able to exert significant control over matters subject to stockholder approval.

Based upon the number of shares of common stock, on an as-converted basis, outstanding as of January 14, 2021, immediately prior to the completion of this offering, our executive officers, directors, holders of 5% or more of our capital stock and their respective affiliates beneficially owned approximately 77.2% of our voting stock and, upon the closing of this offering, that same group will hold approximately 57.7% of our outstanding voting stock (assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares and no exercise of outstanding options). In addition, such stockholders have designated the majority of the directors on our board. Therefore, even after this offering these stockholders will have the ability to influence us through this ownership position. These stockholders may be able to determine all matters requiring stockholder approval. For example, these stockholders may be able to control elections of directors, amendments of our organizational documents, or approval of any merger, sale of assets or other major corporate transaction. This may prevent or discourage unsolicited acquisition proposals or offers for our common stock that you may feel are in your best interest as one of our stockholders.

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

If our existing stockholders sell, or indicate an intention to sell, substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market after the lock-up and other legal restrictions on resale discussed in this prospectus lapse, the trading price of our common stock could decline. Immediately after this offering, based upon the number of shares outstanding as of September 30, 2020 (including the conversion of all of our shares of convertible preferred stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020, as well as the conversion of all of our shares of convertible preferred stock issued and sold in December 2020 into an aggregate of 16,079,230 shares of our common stock immediately prior to the completion of this offering), we will have outstanding a total of 22,721,720 shares of common stock, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. Of these shares, substantially all of the shares of our common stock sold in this offering, plus any shares sold upon exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, will be freely tradable, without restriction, in the public market immediately following this offering.

The lock-up agreements pertaining to this offering will expire 180 days from the date of this prospectus. Based upon the number of shares outstanding as of September 30, 2020 (including the conversion of all of our

 

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shares of convertible preferred stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020, as well as the conversion of all of our shares of convertible preferred stock issued and sold in December 2020 into an aggregate of 16,079,230 shares of our common stock immediately prior to the completion of this offering), after the lock-up agreements expire, up to approximately 16,471,720 additional shares of common stock will be eligible for sale in the public market, approximately 285,714 of which shares are held by directors, executive officers and other affiliates and will be subject to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. The representatives may, however, in their 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.

In addition, as of September 30, 2020, approximately 707,633 shares of common stock that are subject to outstanding options, 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, the holders of approximately 16,079,230 shares of our common stock, or approximately 97.6% of our total outstanding shares of common stock as of September 30, 2020 (including the conversion of all of our shares of convertible preferred stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020, as well as the conversion of all of our shares of convertible preferred stock issued and sold in December 2020 into shares of our common stock immediately prior to the completion of this offering), will be entitled to rights with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act, subject to the lock-up agreements described above. 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 purchased by affiliates. Any sales of securities by these stockholders could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock.

We have broad discretion to determine how to use the funds raised in this offering, and may use them in ways that may not enhance our operating results or the price of our common stock.

Our management will have broad discretion over the use of proceeds from this offering, and we could spend the proceeds from this offering in ways our stockholders may not agree with or that do not yield a favorable return, if at all. We currently expect to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents, to advance TERN-101 through the Phase 2a clinical trial (the LIFT Study), advance TERN-501 monotherapy through the Phase 1 clinical trial, initiate and advance Phase 2 clinical development for our combination therapy program and advance TERN-201 through the Phase 1b clinical trial, as well as advance our research and development activities, including our GLP-1R and combination programs, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. However, our use of these proceeds may differ substantially from our current plans. If we do not invest or apply the proceeds of this offering in ways that improve our operating results, we may fail to achieve expected financial results, which could cause our stock price to decline.

Our ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards and certain other tax attributes may be limited.

Under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” generally defined as a greater than 50 percentage point change (by value) in its equity ownership by certain stockholders over a three-year period, the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change net operating loss carryforwards, or NOLs, and other pre-change tax attributes (such as research and development tax credits) to offset its post-change income or taxes may be limited. We may have experienced ownership changes in the past and may experience ownership changes as a result of this offering and/or subsequent shifts in our stock ownership (some of which are outside our control). As a result, our ability to use our pre-change NOLs and tax credits to offset future taxable income, if any, could be subject to limitations. Similar provisions of state tax law may also apply. As a result, even if we attain profitability, we may be unable to use a material portion of our NOLs and tax credits.

 

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Provisions in our charter documents and under Delaware law could discourage a takeover that stockholders may consider favorable and may lead to entrenchment of management.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, both of which will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering, will contain provisions that could delay or prevent changes in control or changes in our management without the consent of our board of directors. These provisions will include the following:

 

   

a classified board of directors with three-year staggered terms, which may delay the ability of stockholders to change the membership of a majority of our board of directors;

 

   

no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates;

 

   

the exclusive right of our board of directors to elect a director to fill a vacancy, however occurring, including by an expansion of the board of directors, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on our board of directors;

 

   

the ability of our board of directors to authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock and to determine the price and other terms of those shares, including voting or other rights or preferences, without stockholder approval, which could be used to significantly dilute the ownership of a hostile acquiror;

 

   

the ability of our board of directors to alter our amended and restated bylaws without obtaining stockholder approval;

 

   

the required approval of at least 66 2/3% of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors to adopt, amend or repeal our amended and restated bylaws or repeal the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation regarding the election and removal of directors;

 

   

a prohibition on stockholder action by written consent, which forces stockholder action to be taken at an annual or special meeting of our stockholders;

 

   

the requirement that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by the board of directors, which may delay the ability of our stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors; and

 

   

advance notice procedures that stockholders must comply with in order to nominate candidates to our board of directors or to propose matters to be acted upon at a stockholders’ meeting, which may discourage or deter a potential acquiror from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquiror’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.

We are also subject to the anti-takeover provisions contained in Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Under Section 203, a corporation may not, in general, engage in a business combination with any holder of 15% or more of its capital stock unless the holder has held the stock for three years or, among other exceptions, the board of directors has approved the transaction. For a description of our capital stock, see the section titled “Description of Capital Stock.”

As a California-domiciled public company, we will be required to have at least two or three women and at least one director from an underrepresented community on our board of directors by the end of 2021, depending on the size of our board at the time.

Our success depends in part on our continued ability to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified individuals to our board of directors. As a public company headquartered in California, we will be required to have two or three women on our board of directors by the end of 2021, depending on the size of our board of directors at the time. We will be also required to have at least one director from an underrepresented community by the end of 2021 and to have two or three two or three directors from an underrepresented community by the

 

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end of 2022, depending on the size of our board of directors at the time. While we currently have three women and five directors from an underrepresented community on the board of directors, recruiting and retaining board members carries uncertainty, and failure to comply with this California requirement will result in financial penalties.

Claims for indemnification by our directors and officers may reduce our available funds to satisfy successful third-party claims against us and may reduce the amount of money available to us.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers, in each case to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.

In addition, as permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated bylaws to be effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering and our indemnification agreements that we have entered into with our directors and officers will provide that:

 

   

we will indemnify our directors and officers for serving us in those capacities or for serving other business enterprises at our request, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Delaware law provides that a corporation may indemnify such person if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the registrant and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful;

 

   

we may, in our discretion, indemnify employees and agents in those circumstances where indemnification is permitted by applicable law;

 

   

we are required to advance expenses, as incurred, to our directors and officers in connection with defending a proceeding, except that such directors or officers shall undertake to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification;

 

   

we will not be obligated pursuant to our amended and restated bylaws to indemnify a person with respect to proceedings initiated by that person against us or our other indemnitees, except with respect to proceedings authorized by our board of directors or brought to enforce a right to indemnification;

 

   

the rights conferred in our amended and restated bylaws are not exclusive, and we are authorized to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors, officers, employees and agents and to obtain insurance to indemnify such persons; and

 

   

we may not retroactively amend our amended and restated bylaw provisions to reduce our indemnification obligations to directors, officers, employees and agents.

While we maintain a directors’ and officers’ insurance policy, such insurance may not be adequate to cover all liabilities that we may incur, which may reduce our available funds to satisfy third-party claims and may adversely impact our cash position.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for certain disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, in the event that the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware or other state courts of the State of Delaware) is the exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty, any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws, or

 

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any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine; provided that, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction; and provided further 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. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will also provide that the federal district courts of the United States of America will be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action against us or any of our directors, officers, employees or agents and arising under the Securities Act. Nothing in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws precludes stockholders that assert claims under the Exchange Act from bringing such claims in state or federal court, subject to applicable law.

This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims, although our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Furthermore, the enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ certificates of incorporation has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that a court could find these types of provisions to be inapplicable or unenforceable. While the Delaware courts have determined that such choice of forum provisions are facially valid, a stockholder may nevertheless seek to bring a claim in a venue other than those designated in the exclusive forum provisions, and there can be no assurance that such provisions will be enforced by a court in those other jurisdictions. If a court were to find the choice of forum provision that will be contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

We do not currently 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 do not currently intend to pay any cash dividends on our common stock for the foreseeable future. We currently intend to invest our future earnings, if any, to fund our growth. Therefore, you are not likely to receive any dividends on your common stock for the foreseeable future. Since we do not intend to pay dividends, your ability to receive a return on your investment will depend on any future appreciation in the market value of our common stock. There is no guarantee that our common stock will appreciate or even maintain the price at which our holders have purchased it.

We may be subject to securities litigation, which is expensive and could divert our management’s attention.

In the past, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their securities have been subject to securities class action litigation. We may be the target of this type of litigation in the future. Regardless of the merits or the ultimate results of such litigation, securities litigation brought against us could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention from other business concerns.

Participation in this offering by our existing stockholders and/or their affiliated entities may reduce the public float for our common stock.

To the extent certain of our existing stockholders and their affiliated entities participate in this offering, such purchases would reduce the non-affiliate public float of our shares, meaning the number of shares of our common stock that are not held by officers, directors and controlling stockholders. A reduction in the public float could reduce the number of shares that are available to be traded at any given time, thereby adversely impacting the liquidity of our common stock and depressing the price at which you may be able to sell shares of common stock purchased in this offering.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements about us and our industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus, including statements regarding our strategy, future financial condition, future operations, projected costs, prospects, plans, objectives of management and expected market growth, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “design,” “due,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “plan,” “positioned,” “potential,” “predict,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would” and other similar expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events and future trends, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about:

 

   

our expectations regarding the potential market size and size of the potential patient populations for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates and any future single-agent and combination therapy candidates if approved for commercial use;

 

   

our clinical and regulatory development plans;

 

   

our expectations with regard to the results of our clinical studies, preclinical studies and research and development programs, including the timing and availability of data from such studies;

 

   

the timing of commencement of future nonclinical studies and clinical trials and research and development programs;

 

   

our ability to acquire, discover, develop and advance single-agent and combination therapy candidates into, and successfully complete, clinical trials;

 

   

our intentions and our ability to establish collaborations and/or partnerships;

 

   

the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

our commercialization, marketing and manufacturing capabilities and expectations;

 

   

our intentions with respect to the commercialization of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

the pricing and reimbursement of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved;

 

   

the potential effects of COVID-19 on our preclinical and clinical programs and business;

 

   

the implementation of our business model and strategic plans for our business and single-agent and combination therapy candidates, including additional indications for which we may pursue;

 

   

the scope of protection we are able to establish, maintain, protect and enforce for intellectual property rights covering our single-agent and combination therapy candidates including the projected terms of patent protection;

 

   

estimates of our expenses, future revenue, capital requirements, our needs for additional financing and our ability to obtain additional capital;

 

   

our anticipated use of proceeds from this offering;

 

   

our future financial performance; and

 

   

developments and projections relating to our competitors and our industry, including competing products.

We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results

 

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of operations, business strategy and financial needs. In light of the significant uncertainties in these forward-looking statements, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although we believe that we have a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this prospectus, we cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur at all. You should refer to the section titled “Risk Factors” for a discussion of important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. Furthermore, if our forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 27A of the Securities Act, do not protect any forward-looking statements that we make in connection with this offering.

You should read this prospectus and the documents that we reference in this prospectus and have filed as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of the forward-looking statements in this prospectus by these cautionary statements.

 

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MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

This prospectus contains estimates, projections and other information concerning our industry, our business, as well as data regarding market research, estimates and forecasts prepared by our management. Information that is based on estimates, forecasts, projections, market research or similar methodologies is inherently subject to uncertainties and actual events or circumstances may differ materially from events and circumstances that are assumed in this information. The industry in which we operate is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in the section titled “Risk Factors.” Unless otherwise expressly stated, we obtained this industry, business, market and other data from reports, research surveys, studies and similar data prepared by market research firms and other third parties, industry, medical and general publications, government data and similar sources. In some cases, we do not expressly refer to the sources from which this data is derived. In that regard, when we refer to one or more sources of this type of data in any paragraph, you should assume that other data of this type appearing in the same paragraph is derived from the same sources, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds to us from this offering will be approximately $89.5 million (or approximately $103.5 million if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase up to 937,500 additional shares of common stock), based on an assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease, as applicable, the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $5.8 million, assuming that the number of shares of common stock 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 estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase or decrease of 1,000,000 shares of common stock offered by us would increase or decrease, as applicable, the net proceeds to us by approximately $14.9 million, assuming the assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share remains the same, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

The principal purposes of this offering are to obtain additional capital to support our operations, to create a public market for our common stock and to facilitate our future access to the public markets. We currently intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents, as follows:

 

   

approximately $15.0 million to advance the clinical development of TERN-101 including the completion our ongoing Phase 2a clinical trial (the LIFT Study);

 

   

approximately $30.0 million to initiate and complete our Phase 1 clinical trial of TERN-501 as a monotherapy, initiate and complete our Phase 2a clinical trial of TERN-501 in combination with TERN-101 and initiate and partially conduct a Phase 2b clinical trial of TERN-501 in combination with TERN-101;

 

   

approximately $10.0 million to initiate and complete our planned Phase 1b clinical trial of TERN-201;

 

   

approximately $10.0 million on our earlier stage research and development activities, including advancing our GLP-1R program into Phase 1 clinical development; and

 

   

any remaining proceeds for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

Based upon our current operating plan, we believe that the anticipated net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents, which includes gross proceeds of approximately $87.4 million (including conversion of the $15.0 million of convertible notes and effective conversion of $1.8 million in a bridge loan, plus accrued interest) from the issuance and sale of our convertible preferred stock in December 2020, will enable us to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into 2024.

This expected use of the net proceeds from this offering represents our intentions based on our current plans and business conditions, which could change in the future as our plans and business conditions evolve. Further, due to the uncertainties inherent in the drug development process, it is difficult to estimate with certainty the exact amounts of the net proceeds from this offering that may be used for the above purposes. We may also use a portion of the remaining net proceeds and our existing cash and cash equivalents to in-license, acquire or invest in complementary businesses, technologies, products or assets. However, we have no current commitments or obligations to do so.

Our management will have broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from this offering, and our investors will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of the net proceeds of this

 

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offering. The amounts and timing of our expenditures will depend upon numerous factors including the results of our research and development efforts, the timing and success of our preclinical studies and ongoing clinical trials or clinical trials we may commence in the future, the timing of regulatory submissions, the amount of cash obtained through any future collaborations and other factors described in the section titled “Risk Factors.”

The expected net proceeds from this offering, together with our cash and cash equivalents, will not be sufficient for us to fund any of our drug or combination therapy candidates through regulatory approval, and we will need to raise additional capital to complete the development and commercialization of our drug and combination therapy candidates. We expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings and potential collaborations, and license and development agreements. We have based these estimates on assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, and we could expend our available capital resources at a rate greater than we currently expect.

Pending the use of the net proceeds from this offering as described above, we intend to invest the net proceeds in a variety of capital preservation instruments, including short-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 cash dividends on our capital stock, and we do not currently intend to pay any cash dividends on our capital stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to fund the development and expansion of our business. Any future determination related to dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors, subject to applicable laws, and will depend upon, among other factors, our results of operations, financial condition, contractual restrictions and capital requirements. In addition, our ability to pay cash dividends on our capital stock may be limited by the terms of any future debt or preferred securities we issue or any credit facilities we enter into.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents, and our capitalization as of September 30, 2020 on:

 

   

an actual basis;

 

   

a pro forma basis, to reflect: (i) the conversion of all of our shares of convertible preferred stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020 into 7,334,518 shares of our common stock, which will occur immediately prior to the completion of this offering, (ii) the issuance and sale of shares of our convertible preferred stock in December 2020 for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $87.4 million (including conversion of the $15.0 million of convertible notes and effective conversion of $1.8 million in a bridge loan, plus accrued interest) and the subsequent conversion into 8,744,712 shares of our common stock, which will occur immediately prior to the completion of the offering, and (iii) the filing and effectiveness of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation in Delaware, which will be in effect immediately prior to the completion of this offering; and

 

   

a pro forma as adjusted basis, to reflect (i) the pro forma adjustments set forth above; and (ii) the sale of 6,250,000 shares of our common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

You should read this table together with the sections titled “Selected Consolidated Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The pro forma 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.

 

     As of September 30, 2020  
     Actual     Pro Forma     Pro Forma
as
Adjusted(1)
 
     (unaudited)  
     (in thousands, except share and per
share amounts)
 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 13,756     $ 83,256     $ 172,756  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loans payable

   $ 19,337     $ —       $ —    

Noncontrolling interest

   $ 13,599     $ —       $ —    

Convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 76,409,088 shares authorized, 4,473,480 shares issued and outstanding, actual; no shares authorized, issued or outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted

     94,967       —         —    

Stockholders’ (deficit) equity:

      

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; no shares authorized, issued or outstanding, actual; 10,000,000 share authorized, no shares issued or outstanding pro forma and pro forma as adjusted

      

Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 392,490 shares issued and outstanding, actual; 150,000,000 shares authorized, 16,471,720 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma; 150,000,000 shares authorized, 22,721,720 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted(2)

     —         2       627  

Additional paid-in capital

     2,081       199,998       288,873  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     90       90       90  

Accumulated deficit

     (121,986     (122,502    
122,502
 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity

     (119,815     77,588       167,088  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 5,551     $ 77,588     $ 167,088  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease, as applicable, each of pro forma as

 

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adjusted cash and cash equivalents, additional paid-in capital, total stockholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $5.8 million, assuming that the number of shares of common stock 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 or decrease of 1,000,000 shares of common stock offered by us would increase or decrease, as applicable, each of pro forma as adjusted cash and cash equivalents, additional paid-in capital, total stockholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $14.9 million, assuming that the assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range 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.

(2)

The number of shares of common stock outstanding includes 83,333 shares of our common stock that are issued but are subject to forfeiture and our right to repurchase as of September 30, 2020. Such shares are therefore not considered outstanding for accounting purposes.

The number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted, in the table above is based on shares of common stock outstanding (after giving effect to the conversion of all of our shares of convertible preferred stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020, as well as giving effect to the issuance and subsequent conversion of all of our shares of convertible preferred stock issued and sold in December 2020 into an aggregate of 16,079,230 shares of our common stock immediately prior to the completion of this offering), and excludes:

 

   

940,034 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options as of September 30, 2020, with a weighted-average exercise price of $6.08 per share;

 

   

1,578,400 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options granted subsequent to September 30, 2020, with a weighted-average exercise price of $9.24 per share;

 

   

2,275,007 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2021 Incentive Award Plan, or the 2021 Plan, which will become effective on the date immediately prior to the date our registration statement relating to this offering becomes effective, of which options to purchase 46,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus will be granted concurrently with this offering, as well as any future increases in the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the 2021 Plan; and

 

   

227,500 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under the 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the ESPP, which will become effective on the date immediately prior to the date our registration statement relating to this offering becomes effective, as well as any future increases in the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the ESPP.

 

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DILUTION

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

Our historical net tangible book value (deficit) as of September 30, 2020 was $(106.2) million, or $(270.62) per share of our common stock. Our historical net tangible book value (deficit) represents our total tangible assets less total liabilities and convertible preferred stock. Historical net tangible book value (deficit) per share is our historical net tangible book value (deficit) divided by the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020.

Our pro forma net tangible book value as of September 30, 2020 was $77.6 million, or $4.71 per share of our common stock, based on the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020. Pro forma net tangible book value per share represents our total tangible assets less our total liabilities, divided by the number of outstanding shares of common stock, after giving effect to the conversion of all of the outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020 and the conversion of all of our outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock issued and sold in December 2020 into an aggregate of 16,079,230 shares of our common stock, which will occur immediately prior to the completion of this offering.

After giving effect to the sale of 6,250,000 shares of common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting the estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of September 30, 2020 would have been $167.1 million, or $7.35 per share. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value of $2.64 per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution of $8.65 per share to new investors participating in this offering.

The following table illustrates this dilution on a per share basis:

 

Assumed initial public offering price per share

     $ 16.00  

Historical net tangible book value (deficit) per share as of September 30, 2020

   $ (270.62  

Pro forma increase in net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2020 attributable to the pro forma transactions described above

   $ 275.33    
  

 

 

   

Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of September 30, 2020

   $ 4.71    

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

   $ 2.64    
  

 

 

   

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

     $ 7.35  
    

Dilution per share to new investors participating in this offering

     $ 8.65  
    

 

 

 

Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease, as applicable, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering by $0.26 per share and the dilution per share to new investors participating in this offering by $0.74 per share, assuming that the number of shares of common stock 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, an increase of 1,000,000 in the number of shares of common stock offered by us would increase the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value after this offering by $2.96 per share and decrease the dilution per share to new investors participating in this offering by $0.32 per share, and a decrease of 1,000,000 shares of

 

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common stock offered by us would decrease the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value by $2.30 per share, and increase the dilution per share to new investors in this offering by $0.34 per share, assuming that the assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range 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.

If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of common stock from us, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to this offering would be $7.65 per share, representing an immediate increase to existing stockholders of $2.94 per share, and dilution to new investors participating in this offering of $8.35 per share.

The following table summarizes on the pro forma as adjusted basis described above, the differences between the number of shares purchased from us, the total consideration paid and the average price per share paid to us by existing stockholders and by investors purchasing shares in this offering at the assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page on this prospectus, before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us:

 

     Shares Purchased     Total Consideration     Average
Price Per
Share
 
($ in millions, except per share amounts)    Number      Percent     Amount      Percent  

Existing stockholders

     16,471,720        72.5   $ 194.4        66.0   $ 11.80  

New investors

     6,250,000        27.5     100.0        34.0   $ 16.00  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     22,721,720        100   $ 294.4        100  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

A $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease, as applicable, the total consideration paid by new investors by $6.3 million and, in the case of an increase, would increase the percentage of total consideration paid by new investors to 1.4% and, in the case of a decrease, would decrease the percentage of total consideration paid by new investors to 1.4%, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same. Similarly, an increase or decrease of 1,000,000 shares in the number of shares offered by us would increase or decrease, as applicable, the total consideration paid by new investors by $16.0 million and, in the case of an increase, would increase the percentage of total consideration paid by new investors to 3.4% and, in the case of a decrease, would decrease the percentage of total consideration paid by new investors to 3.8%, assuming that the assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same.

If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, our existing stockholders would own 69.6% and our new investors would own 30.4% of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding upon the completion of this offering.

The number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted, in the table above is based on 16,471,720 shares of common stock outstanding (after giving effect to the conversion of all of our shares of convertible preferred stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020, as well as giving effect to the issuance and subsequent conversion of all of our shares of convertible preferred stock issued and sold in December 2020 into an aggregate of 16,079,230 shares of our common stock immediately prior to the completion of this offering), and excludes:

 

   

940,034 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options as of September 30, 2020, with a weighted-average exercise price of $6.08 per share;

 

   

1,578,400 shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options granted subsequent to September 30, 2020, with a weighted average exercise price of $9.24 per share;

 

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2,275,007 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under the 2021 Plan, which will become effective immediately prior to the execution of the underwriting agreement related to this offering, of which options to purchase 46,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus will be granted concurrently with this offering, as well as any future increases in the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 2021 Plan; and

 

   

227,500 shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under the ESPP, which will become effective on the date immediately prior to the date our registration statement relating to this offering becomes effective, as well as any future increases in the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the ESPP.

To the extent that any outstanding options are exercised, new options or other equity awards are issued under our equity incentive plans, or we issue additional shares in the future, there will be further dilution to new investors participating in this offering.

 

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following tables set forth our selected consolidated statements of operations and consolidated balance sheet data. The selected consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 and the selected consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary consolidated statements of operations data for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020 and the summary consolidated balance sheet data as of September 30, 2020 are derived from our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any period in the future. You should read the following selected consolidated financial data together with the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The selected consolidated financial data included in this section are not intended to replace the consolidated financial statements and are qualified in their entirety by the consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2018     2019             2019                     2020          
                 (unaudited)  
     (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)  

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:

        

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development

   $ 14,554     $ 61,534     $ 53,978     $ 20,259  

General and administrative

     3,901       8,663       6,275       7,998  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     18,455       70,197       60,253       28,257  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (18,455     (70,197     (60,253     (28,257
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

        

Interest income

     332       1,204       1,097       53  

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

     —         —         346       (295

Change in fair value of loans payable

     —         —         —         (2,366

Other income, net

     38       154       15       325  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

     370       1,358       1,458       (2,283
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before benefit (provision) for income taxes

     (18,085     (68,839     (58,795     (30,540

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

     67       20       22       (102
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (18,018     (68,819     (58,773     (30,642

Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (307     (208     63       (518
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (17,711   $ (68,611   $ (58,836   $ (30,124
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

        

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax

   $ —       $ 2     $ —       $ —    

Foreign exchange translation adjustment, net of tax

     (65     (166     (491     196  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

     (18,083     (68,983     (59,264     (30,446

Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (320     (231     (8     (490
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (17,763   $ (68,752   $ (59,256   $ (29,956
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

   $ (237.56   $ (374.39   $ (341.54   $ (111.38
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common stock outstanding, basic and diluted

     74,553       183,262       172,266       270,463  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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     As of September 30, 2020  
     Actual      Pro
Forma(1)
     Pro Forma
as Adjusted(2) (3)
 
     (unaudited)                
     (in thousands)  

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 13,756      $ 83,256      $ 172,756  

Working capital (deficiency)(4)

     (12,602      76,235        165,735  

Total assets

     17,413        86,913        176,413  

Noncontrolling interest

     13,599        —          —    

Convertible preferred stock

     94,967        —          —    

Accumulated deficit

     (121,986      (122,502      (122,502

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (119,815      77,588        167,088  

 

(1)

The pro forma column reflects: (i) the conversion of all of our shares of convertible preferred stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020 into 7,334,518 shares of our common stock, which will occur immediately prior to the completion of this offering, (ii) the issuance and sale of shares of our convertible preferred stock in December 2020 for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $87.4 million (including conversion of the $15.0 million of convertible notes and effective conversion of $1.8 million in a bridge loan, plus accrued interest) and the subsequent conversion into 8,744,712 shares of our common stock, which will occur immediately prior to the completion of the offering, and (iii) the filing and effectiveness of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation in Delaware, which will be in effect immediately prior to the completion of this offering.

(2)

The pro forma as adjusted column reflects: (i) the pro forma adjustments set forth above, and (ii) the sale of 6,250,000 shares of our common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

(3)

The pro forma as adjusted information discussed above is illustrative only and will depend on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease, as applicable, each of our pro forma as adjusted cash and cash equivalents, working capital, total assets and total stockholders’ equity by approximately $5.8 million, assuming the number of shares of common stock 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 estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase or decrease of 1,000,000 shares of common stock offered by us would increase or decrease, as applicable, each of our pro forma as adjusted cash and cash equivalents, working capital, total assets and total stockholders’ equity by approximately $14.9 million, assuming the assumed initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the price range 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.

(4)

We define working capital as current assets less current liabilities. See our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus for further details regarding our current assets and current liabilities.

 

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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 consolidated financial statements and the related notes 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. As a result of many factors, including those factors set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus, our actual results could differ materially from the results described in or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Overview

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of small-molecule single-agent and combination therapy candidates for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH, and other chronic liver diseases. Our programs are based on clinically-validated and complementary mechanisms of action to address the multiple hepatic disease processes of NASH in order to drive meaningful clinical benefits for patients. The mechanisms of action targeted by our current drug candidates are the same mechanisms of action targeted by other drug candidates that have achieved clinical proof-of-concept in NASH clinical trials and have demonstrated significant improvements on histological and non-invasive markers of the disease, though no drug has been approved for the treatment of NASH in the United States or Europe. Our most advanced program is TERN-101, a liver-distributed, non-bile acid Farnesoid X Receptor, or FXR, agonist that has demonstrated sustained liver FXR activation, as well as a favorable tolerability profile across multiple Phase 1 clinical trials. In our Phase 1 clinical trials, no pruritus, or itching, or increases in LDL cholesterol levels as compared to the control group were observed—unlike in Phase 1 clinical trials of other FXR agonists conducted by third parties. Our Phase 2a clinical trial of TERN-101 in NASH patients (the LIFT Study) was fully enrolled in January 2021 and we expect top-line data in the third quarter of 2021. Our second clinical stage program, TERN-201, is a highly selective inhibitor of Vascular Adhesion Protein-1, or VAP-1. We intend to start our Phase 1b clinical trial of TERN-201 in NASH patients in the first half of 2021 and expect top-line data in the first half of 2022. Our third program entering the clinic is TERN-501, a Thyroid Hormone Receptor beta, or THR-b, agonist with high metabolic stability, enhanced liver distribution and greater selectivity for THR-b compared to other THR-b agonists in development. In January 2021, the FDA cleared our investigational new drug application for TERN-501. We intend to start our Phase 1 first-in-human clinical trial of TERN-501 in the first half of 2021 and expect top-line data in the second half of 2021. We are also pursuing two combination therapy programs to address the multiple disease processes of NASH and expect.

Since the commencement of our operations, we have devoted substantially all of our resources to research and development activities, organizing and staffing our company, business planning, raising capital, establishing and maintaining our intellectual property portfolio, conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials and providing general and administrative support for these operations. We have incurred significant operating losses since the commencement of our operations. Our net losses attributable to common stockholders were $17.7 million and $68.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively, and $58.8 million and $30.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and we expect to continue to incur significant and increasing losses for the foreseeable future as we continue to advance our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, and as we transition to operating as a public company. As of September 30, 2020, we had an accumulated deficit of $122.0 million excluding $1.1 million of net losses that have been allocated to the noncontrolling interest. Including the losses allocated to the noncontrolling interest, we have incurred $123.1 million of losses to date on a consolidated basis. In December 2020, we issued and sold shares of our convertible preferred stock for gross proceeds of approximately $87.4 million (including conversion of the $15.0 million of convertible notes and effective conversion of $1.8 million in a bridge loan, plus accrued interest). We expect to continue to incur net operating losses for at least the next several years as we continue our research and development efforts, advance our single-agent and combination therapy candidates

 

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through preclinical and clinical development, seek regulatory approval, prepare for and, if approved, proceed to commercialization. See “—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

We do not have any single-agent or combination therapy candidates approved for commercial sale, and we have not generated any revenue from product sales. Our ability to generate product revenue sufficient to achieve profitability, if ever, will depend on the successful development and eventual commercialization of one or more of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates which we expect, if it ever occurs, will take a number of years. We will not generate any revenue from product sales unless and until we successfully complete clinical development and obtain regulatory approval for one or more of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates. If we obtain regulatory approval for any of our single-agent or combination therapy candidates, we expect to incur significant expenses related to developing our internal commercialization capability to support product sales, marketing and distribution.

We do not own or operate, and currently have no plans to establish, any manufacturing facilities. We rely, and expect to continue to rely, on third parties for the manufacture of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates for preclinical and clinical testing, as well as for commercial manufacturing if any of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates obtain marketing approval. We believe that this strategy allows us to maintain a more efficient infrastructure by eliminating the need for us to invest in our own manufacturing facilities, equipment and personnel while also enabling us to focus our expertise and resources on the development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. The coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, pandemic is rapidly evolving. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact countries worldwide, including the United States, or U.S., and China where we have business operations. The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, operations and development timelines and plans remains uncertain, and will depend on certain developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak and its impact on our development activities, planned clinical trial enrollment, future trial sites, contract research organizations, or CROs, third-party manufacturers and other third parties with whom we do business, as well as its impact on regulatory authorities and our key scientific and management personnel. The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or a similar health epidemic is highly uncertain and subject to change. To the extent possible, we are conducting business as usual, with necessary or advisable modifications to employee travel and with our employees working remotely. We will continue to actively monitor the rapidly evolving situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic and may take further actions that alter our operations, including those that may be required by federal, state or local authorities in the U.S. and China, or that we determine are in the best interest of our employees and other third parties with whom we do business. At this point, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may affect our business, operations and development timelines and plans, including the resulting impact on our expenditures and capital needs, remains uncertain.

Components of our results of operations

Revenue

To date, we have not generated, and do not expect to generate, any revenue from the sale of products for the foreseeable future.

Operating expenses

Research and development

Research and development expenses account for a significant portion of our operating expenses and consist primarily of external and internal expenses incurred in connection with the discovery and development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. To date, our research and development expenses have related primarily to discovery efforts, preclinical and clinical development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. Research and development expenses are recognized as incurred and payments made prior to the receipt of goods or services to be used in research and development are capitalized until the goods or services are

 

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received. Costs for certain activities, such as manufacturing and preclinical studies and clinical trials, are generally recognized based on an evaluation of the progress to completion of specific tasks using information and data provided to us by our vendors and collaborators.

External expenses include:

 

   

expenses incurred in connection with the discovery, preclinical and clinical development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, including those incurred under agreements with third parties, such as consultants and CROs;

 

   

the cost of manufacturing products for use in our preclinical studies and clinical trials, including payments to contract manufacturing organizations, or CMOs, and consultants;

 

   

the costs of funding research performed by third-party vendors for performing preclinical testing on our behalf;

 

   

the costs of purchasing lab supplies and non-capital equipment used in designing, developing and manufacturing preclinical study and clinical trial materials;

 

   

costs associated with consultants for chemistry, manufacturing and controls development, regulatory, statistics and other services;

 

   

expenses related to regulatory activities, including filing fees paid to regulatory agencies; and

 

   

facility costs including rent, depreciation and maintenance expenses.

Internal expenses include employee and personnel-related costs and expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation expense for employees and personnel engaged in research and development functions.

We typically use our employee, consultant and infrastructure resources across our development programs. We track outsourced development costs by drug candidate or preclinical program, but we do not allocate personnel costs, other internal costs or external consultant costs to specific drug candidates or preclinical programs.

Our direct research and development expenses are tracked on a program-by-program basis for our drug and combination therapy candidates and consist primarily of external costs, such as fees paid to outside consultants, CROs and CMOs in connection with our preclinical development, manufacturing and clinical development activities. Our direct research and development expenses by program also include fees incurred under our license agreements. We do not allocate employee costs or facility expenses, including depreciation or other indirect costs, to specific programs because these costs are deployed across multiple programs and, as such, are not separately classified. We use internal resources primarily to oversee the research and discovery as well as for managing our preclinical development, process development, manufacturing and clinical development activities. These employees work across multiple programs and, therefore, we do not track their costs by program.

 

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The table below summarizes our research and development expenses incurred by program during the periods indicated:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
        
     2018      2019      Change  
     (in thousands)         

Research and Development

        

Direct research and development expense by program:

        

TERN-101

   $ 1,308      $ 6,939      $ 5,631  

TERN-201

     1,058        5,162        4,104  

TERN-501

     941        3,934        2,993  

Other programs

     4,481        4,800        319  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total direct research and development expense

     7,788        20,835        13,047  

Personnel related (including stock-based compensation)

     2,549        5,121        2,572  

License fees

     4,000        35,000        31,000  

Indirect research and development expense

     217        578        361  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total research and development expenses

   $ 14,554      $ 61,534      $ 46,980  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
        
     2019      2020      Change  
     (unaudited)         
     (in thousands)         

Research and Development

        

Direct research and development expense by program:

        

TERN-101

   $ 4,186      $ 7,552      $ 3,366  

TERN-201

     4,254        2,636        (1,618

TERN-501

     1,874        2,692        818  

Other programs

     4,645        2,600        (2,045
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total direct research and development expense

     14,959        15,480        521  

Personnel related (including stock-based compensation)

     3,616        4,376        760  

License fees

     35,000        —          (35,000

Indirect research and development expense

     403        403        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total research and development expenses

   $ 53,978      $ 20,259      $ (33,719
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

We expect our research and development expenses to increase substantially in absolute dollars for the foreseeable future as we advance our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any other future single-agent or combination therapy candidates we may develop into and through preclinical studies and clinical trials and pursue regulatory approval of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. The process of conducting the necessary clinical research to obtain regulatory approval is costly and time-consuming. The actual probability of success for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any other future single-agent or combination therapy candidate that we may develop may be affected by a variety of factors including: the safety and efficacy of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, early clinical data, investment in our clinical program, the ability of collaborators to successfully develop our licensed single-agent and combination therapy candidates, competition, manufacturing capability and commercial viability. We may never succeed in achieving regulatory approval for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. As a result of the uncertainties discussed above, we are unable to determine the duration and completion costs of our research and development projects or when and to what extent we will generate revenue from the commercialization and sale of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates or any other future single-agent and combination therapy candidates we may develop. The duration, costs and timing of preclinical studies and clinical trials and

 

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development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates will depend on a variety of factors, including:

 

   

the timing and progress of preclinical and clinical development activities;

 

   

the number and scope of preclinical and clinical programs we decide to pursue;

 

   

our ability to maintain our current research and development programs and to establish new ones;

 

   

establishing an appropriate safety profile with investigational new drug-enabling toxicology studies;

 

   

the successful patient enrollment in, and the initiation and completion of, clinical trials;

 

   

the successful completion of clinical trials with safety, tolerability and efficacy profiles that are satisfactory to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, or any comparable foreign regulatory authority;

 

   

establishing commercial manufacturing capabilities or making arrangements with third-party manufacturers;

 

   

the receipt of regulatory approvals from applicable regulatory authorities;

 

   

the timing, receipt and terms of any marketing approvals from applicable regulatory authorities;

 

   

our ability to establish licensing or collaboration arrangements;

 

   

the performance of our future collaborators, if any;

 

   

establishing commercial manufacturing capabilities or making arrangements with third-party manufacturers;

 

   

the development and timely delivery of commercial-grade product formulations that can be used in our planned clinical trials and for commercial launch;

 

   

commercializing our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved, whether alone or in collaboration with others;

 

   

obtaining and maintaining patent and trade secret protection and regulatory exclusivity for our drug and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

obtaining, maintaining, defending and enforcing patent claims and other intellectual property rights;

 

   

maintaining a continued acceptable safety profile of our products following approval; and

 

   

obtaining and retaining key research and development personnel.

Any changes in the outcome of any of these factors could significantly impact the costs, timing and viability associated with the development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

General and administrative

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel-related expenses, including salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation expense, for personnel in executive, finance, accounting, business development, legal, human resource and other administrative functions. General and administrative expenses also include corporate facility costs not otherwise included in research and development expenses, depreciation and other expenses, which include direct or allocated expenses for rent and maintenance of facilities and insurance, not otherwise included in research and development expenses, as well as professional fees for legal, patent, consulting, investor and public relations, accounting and tax services.

We expect that our general and administrative expenses will increase substantially in the foreseeable future as we increase our headcount to support the continued research and development of our programs and the growth

 

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of our business. We also anticipate incurring additional expenses associated with operating as a public company, including increased expenses related to accounting, legal and regulatory matters, compliance, director and officer insurance, investor and public relations and tax-related services associated with maintaining compliance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and standards applicable to companies listed on a national securities exchange, additional insurance expenses, investor relations activities and other administrative and professional services.

Other income (expense)

Interest income

Interest income primarily consists of interest income on our marketable securities and short-term investments.

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

Foreign exchange gain (loss) primarily consists of foreign exchange gain or loss and government grants received by our majority-owned subsidiary Terns China Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (organized in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China, or PRC), or Terns China. Our assets and liabilities from our subsidiaries Terns Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Suzhou PRC, or Terns Suzhou, and our majority-owned subsidiary Terns China are translated from their functional currency of the Chinese Yuan, or CNY, to the U.S. dollar reporting currency at the balance sheet date exchange rates, while income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates prevailing during the fiscal year. Translation adjustments arising from these are reported as foreign currency translation adjustments and are shown as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated balance sheets.

Other income

Other income primarily consists of a tax rebate.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes using an asset and liability approach. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Valuation allowances are provided when necessary to reduce net deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

In determining whether a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is necessary, we analyze both positive and negative evidence related to the realization of deferred tax assets and inherent in that, assess the likelihood of sufficient future taxable income. We also consider the expected reversal of deferred tax liabilities and analyze the period in which these would be expected to reverse to determine whether the taxable temporary difference amounts serve as an adequate source of future taxable income to support the realizability of the deferred tax assets. In addition, we consider whether it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position.

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and foreign countries, and we are subject to routine corporate income tax audits in these jurisdictions. We believe that our tax return positions are fully supported, but tax authorities are likely to challenge certain positions, which may not be fully sustained. Our income tax expense includes amounts intended to satisfy income tax assessments that result from these challenges in accordance with the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes prescribed by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. Determining the income tax expense for these potential assessments and recording the related assets and liabilities requires management judgments and estimates.

 

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Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

In 2017, we established the entity Terns China as a financing subsidiary to allow investment by Lilly Asia Ventures, or LAV, investment entities: Suzhou Litai Equity Investment Centre (Limited Partnership) (PRC) and Suzhou Lirui Equity Investment Centre (Limited Partnership) (PRC), or collectively referred to as the LAV PRC Entities. Our board of directors have the unilateral ability to control the Terns China board of directors and direct the economic activities that most significantly affect the entity. Accordingly, we have determined that the entity is a variable interest entity, or VIE, and we are the primary beneficiary. Following the completion of the China Conversion, we do not currently anticipate any further direct investments into Terns China and Terns China will only act as an operating subsidiary for our business activities in China. Through September 30, 2020, losses at Terns China have been allocated to the LAV PRC Entities’ noncontrolling interest and are reflected in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. As of September 30, 2020, the noncontrolling interest is classified outside of stockholders’ deficit on the consolidated balance sheets as it is redeemable for cash based on an investor option after a specified date.

Results of operations

Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020 (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
   

 

    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
   

 

 
     2018     2019     Change     2019     2020     Change  
                 (unaudited)        

Results of Operations

            

Operating expenses:

            

Research and development

   $ 14,554     $ 61,534     $ 46,980     $ 53,978     $ 20,259     $ (33,719

General and administrative

     3,901       8,663       4,762       6,275       7,998       1,723  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     18,455       70,197       51,742       60,253       28,257       (31,996
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (18,455     (70,197     (51,742     (60,253     (28,257     31,996  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

            

Interest income

     332       1,204       872       1,097       53       (1,044

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

     37       140       103       346       (295     (641

Change in fair value of loans payable

     —         —         —         —         (2,366     (2,366

Other income, net

     1       14       13       15       325       310  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

     370       1,358       988       1,458       (2,283     (3,741
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before benefit (provision) for income taxes

     (18,085     (68,839     (50,754     (58,795     (30,540     28,255  

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

     67       20       (47     22       (102     (124
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (18,018   $ (68,819   $ (50,801   $ (58,773   $ (30,642   $ 28,131  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Research and development expenses

Research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $14.6 million, compared to $61.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase of $47.0 million was primarily due to a $35.0 million one-time milestone payment made in connection with the Genfit SA, or Genfit, collaboration agreement (as further described in Note 14, Assignment, License and Collaboration Agreements to our audited

 

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consolidated financial statements and Note 13, Assignment, License and Collaboration Agreements to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements to the consolidated financial statements) and a $13.0 million increase in program related expenses, of which $12.7 million relates to the TERN-101, TERN-201 and TERN-501 programs.

Research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 were $54.0 million, compared to $20.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The decrease of $33.7 million was primarily due to a $35.0 million one-time milestone payment made in connection with the Genfit collaboration agreement that occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Excluding such milestone payment, research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased by $1.2 million as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019, which includes an $0.7 million increase in salaries and wages and a $0.5 million increase in program related expenses. The $0.5 million increase in program related expenses was primarily driven by $2.6 million related to the TERN-101, TERN-201 and TERN-501 programs offset by a decrease of $2.0 million in other programs.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $3.9 million, compared to $8.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase of $4.8 million was primarily due to a $1.8 million increase in professional services. In addition, there was a $1.6 million increase in employee-related expenses primarily related to increased headcount to support our continued research activities and development of our drug and combination therapy candidates, a $0.5 million increase in rent expense to facilitate company growth and a $0.3 million increase in employee travel-related expenses.

General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 were $6.3 million, compared to $8.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The increase of $1.7 million was primarily due to a $0.8 million increase in employee-related expenses primarily related to increased headcount to support our continued research activities and development of our drug and combination therapy candidates, a $0.4 million increase in IT-related expenses, a $0.4 million increase in professional services and consulting. In addition, there was a $0.1 million increase in rent expense to facilitate company growth.

Interest income

Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $0.4 million, compared to $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase of $1.0 million was primarily due to interest earned from our marketable securities and short-term investments.

Interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $1.1 million, compared to less than $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The decrease of $1.0 million was primarily due to the maturity of marketable securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

Foreign exchange gain for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 was not material.

Foreign exchange gain for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was $0.3 million, foreign exchange loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $0.3 million. The change in foreign exchange gain (loss) relates to the change in value of the CNY to the U.S. dollar.

Change in fair value of loans payable

The change in fair value of loans payable for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was a non-cash charge of $2.4 million. The change in the fair value of loans payable was due to the difference in fair value for

 

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our convertible loans payable between June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020. Once the loans payable are settled, remeasurement for the loans payable will no longer be required and we will no longer record such expense (or income).

Other income, net

Other income, net for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 was not material.

Other income, net for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was less than $0.1 million and was $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The $0.3 million increase was due to a tax rebate.

Income taxes

The provision for income taxes primarily relates to projected federal, state, and foreign income taxes. To determine the quarterly provision for income taxes, we used an estimated annual effective tax rate, which is generally based on expected annual income and statutory tax rates in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. In addition, the tax effects of certain significant or unusual items are recognized discretely in the quarter during which they occur and can be a source of variability in the effective tax rates from quarter to quarter.

We utilize the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes, under which deferred taxes are determined based on temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the temporary differences reverse. We record a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred taxes to the amount it believes is more likely than not to be realized. In making such determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence quarterly, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and recent financial performance. Forming a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not required is difficult when there is negative evidence such as cumulative losses in recent years. Based upon our review of all positive and negative evidence, we continue to have a valuation allowance on our state research and development deferred tax assets.

We recorded an income tax benefit of $22,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and an income tax provision of $0.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily related to federal research and development credits, and foreign tax loss benefits, partially offset by foreign uncertain tax positions.

Income tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not threshold to be recognized. Income tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are derecognized in the first financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. We record potential penalties and interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits within the consolidated statements of operations as income tax expense.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, our unrecognized tax benefits increased by $2.0 million related to the federal and state research and development tax credits and transfer pricing tax position in Terns China. Accrued interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2020 were approximately $28,591.

Liquidity and capital resources

Uses of Cash

Our primary use of cash is to fund operating expenses, which consist primarily of research and development expenditures and general and administrative expenditures. Cash used to fund operating expenses is impacted by the timing of when we pay these expenses, as reflected in the change in our outstanding accounts payable and accrued expenses.

 

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We expect to continue to incur net operating losses for at least the next several years, and we expect our research and development expenses, general and administrative expenses and capital expenditures will continue to increase. We expect our expenses and capital requirements will increase significantly in connection with our ongoing activities as we potentially:

 

   

continue our ongoing and planned research and development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

initiate preclinical studies and clinical trials for any additional single-agent and combination therapy candidates that we may pursue in the future;

 

   

seek to discover and develop additional single-agent and combination therapy candidates and further expand our clinical product pipeline;

 

   

seek regulatory approvals for any single-agent and combination therapy candidates that successfully complete clinical trials;

 

   

continue to scale up external manufacturing capacity with the aim of securing sufficient quantities to meet our capacity requirements for clinical trials and potential commercialization;

 

   

develop, maintain, expand, protect and enforce our intellectual property portfolio, including patents, trade secrets and know-how;

 

   

attract, hire and retain additional clinical, scientific, quality control and manufacturing management and administrative personnel;

 

   

add clinical, operational, financial and management information systems and personnel, including personnel to support our product development and planned future commercialization efforts;

 

   

expand our operations;

 

   

incur additional legal, accounting, investor relations and other expenses associated with operating as a public company; and

 

   

increase the size of our administrative function to support the growth of our business. Our net losses may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year, depending on the timing of our clinical trials and our expenditures on other research and development activities.

Sources of liquidity

We have principally funded our operations primarily through proceeds from the sale of shares of our convertible preferred stock and sale of our convertible promissory notes. To date, we have received gross proceeds of approximately $196.4 million from our convertible preferred stock financings and the sale of convertible promissory notes, including funding directly to Terns China, which is included in the noncontrolling interest on our consolidated balance sheets. We have devoted substantially all of our resources to research and development activities, organizing and staffing our company, raising capital, establishing and maintaining our intellectual property portfolio, conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials and providing general and administrative support for these operations.

Since our inception, we have not generated any revenue from product sales and we have incurred significant operating losses and negative cash flows from our operations. Our net losses attributable to common stockholders were $17.7 million and $68.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively, and $58.8 million and $30.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively. As of September 30, 2020, we had an accumulated deficit of $122.0 million, excluding $1.1 million of net losses that have been allocated to the noncontrolling interest, and $13.8 million in cash and cash equivalents. In May 2020, we received proceeds of $16.8 million from the issuance of convertible promissory notes and a bridge loan. In December 2020, we issued and sold shares of our convertible preferred stock for gross proceeds of approximately

 

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$87.4 million (including conversion of the $15.0 million of convertible notes and effective conversion of $1.8 million in a bridge loan, plus accrued interest). We believe that the net proceeds from this offering, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents, which includes the gross proceeds of approximately $87.4 million from the issuance and sale our convertible preferred stock in December 2020 (including conversion of the $15.0 million of convertible notes and effective conversion of $1.8 million in a bridge loan, plus accrued interest) will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses and capital expenditure requirements into 2024. We will need substantial additional funding to support our operating activities as we advance our single-agent and combination therapy candidates through clinical development, seek regulatory approval and prepare for and, if any of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates are approved, proceed to commercialization. Until such time as we can generate significant revenue from product sales, if ever, we expect to finance our operating activities through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, and license and development agreements in connection with any future collaborations. Adequate funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to obtain funding, we will be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate some or all of our research and development programs, product portfolio expansion or commercialization efforts, which could adversely affect our business prospects, or we may be unable to continue operations. Although we continue to pursue these plans, there is no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining sufficient funding on terms acceptable to us to fund continuing operations, if at all.

Future funding requirements

We expect to incur significant expenses and operating losses for the foreseeable future as we advance the preclinical and clinical development of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. We expect that our research and development and general and administrative costs will increase in connection with conducting additional preclinical studies and clinical trials for our current and future research programs and single-agent and combination therapy candidates, contracting with CMOs to support preclinical studies and clinical trials, expanding our intellectual property portfolio, and providing general and administrative support for our operations. As a result, we will need additional capital to fund our operations, which we may obtain from additional equity or debt financings, collaborations, licensing arrangements or other sources.

Our primary uses of cash are to fund our research and development activities, business planning, establishing and maintaining our intellectual property portfolio, hiring personnel, raising capital and providing general and administrative support for these operations.

We expect our expenses to increase in connection with our ongoing activities, particularly as we continue the research and development of, continue or initiate clinical trials of, and seek marketing approval for, our single-agent and combination therapy candidates. In addition, if we obtain marketing approval for our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, we expect to incur significant commercialization expenses related to any approved products, marketing, manufacturing and distribution to the extent that such sales, marketing and distribution are not the responsibility of potential collaborators. Furthermore, following the closing of this offering, we expect to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. Accordingly, we will need to obtain substantial additional funding in connection with our continuing operations. If we are unable to raise capital when needed or on attractive terms, we would be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate our research and development programs or future commercialization efforts.

Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:

 

   

the scope, progress, results and costs of product discovery, preclinical studies and clinical trials;

 

   

the scope, prioritization and number of our research and development programs;

 

   

the costs, timing and outcome of regulatory review of our single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

our ability to establish and maintain collaborations on favorable terms, if at all;

 

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the achievement of milestones or occurrence of other developments that trigger payments under any collaboration agreements we enter into;

 

   

the extent to which we are obligated to reimburse, or entitled to reimbursement of, clinical trial costs under collaboration agreements, if any;

 

   

the costs of preparing, filing and prosecuting patent applications, maintaining and enforcing our intellectual property rights and defending intellectual property-related claims;

 

   

the extent to which we acquire or in-license other single-agent and combination therapy candidates and technologies;

 

   

the costs of securing manufacturing arrangements for commercial production; and

 

   

the costs of establishing or contracting for sales and marketing capabilities if we obtain regulatory approvals to market our single-agent and combination therapy candidates.

Identifying potential single-agent and combination therapy candidates and conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials is a time-consuming, expensive and uncertain process that takes many years to complete, and we may never generate the necessary data or results required to obtain marketing approval and achieve product sales. In addition, our single-agent and combination therapy candidates, if approved, may not achieve commercial success. Our commercial revenues, if any, will be derived from sales of single-agent and combination therapy candidates that we do not expect to be commercially available for many years, if at all. Accordingly, we will need to continue to rely on additional financing to achieve our business objectives. Adequate additional financing may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.

Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial revenues from product sales, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, collaborations, strategic alliances and licensing arrangements. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of our stockholders will or could be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect your rights as a shareholder. Debt financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends.

If we raise funds through collaborations, strategic alliances or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our future revenue streams, research programs or single-agent and combination therapy candidates or to grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our product development or future commercialization efforts or grant rights to develop and market single-agent and combination therapy candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves.

Loans Payable

2020 Convertible Promissory Notes

In May 2020, we issued convertible promissory notes, or the 2020 Notes, in the aggregate amount of approximately $15.0 million. The 2020 Notes bear interest at a rate of 10.0% per annum, are unsecured, and are due and payable, including accrued interest, on May 31, 2021.

In the event of a qualified sale of equity securities resulting in gross proceeds to us of at least $22.5 million (excluding the principal amount and any interest accrued under the 2020 Notes), all principal and accrued and unpaid interest under the 2020 Notes would be automatically converted into shares issued in the next qualified equity financing in an amount equal to the outstanding principal and unpaid accrued interest divided by 90% of the price per share paid by investors in the next equity financing.

 

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In the event of a non-qualified sale of equity securities resulting in gross proceeds to us of less than $22.5 million (excluding the principal amount and any interest accrued under the 2020 Notes), all principal and accrued and unpaid interest under the 2020 Notes can be electively, at the option of the holder, converted into shares issued in the nonqualified financing, in an amount equal to the outstanding principal and unpaid accrued interest divided by 90% of the price per share paid by investors in the applicable non-qualified financing.

In the event of a change of control, the holders of the 2020 Notes can elect, at their sole discretion, to convert the entire outstanding balance into a newly created series of preferred stock at a price equal to the outstanding principal and unpaid accrued interest divided by 120% of the Series B convertible preferred stock issue price. If the holders of the 2020 Notes do not elect to convert the 2020 Notes in the event of a change of control, the entire balance shall be immediately due and payable in full without notice or demand by the holders of the 2020 Notes, plus an additional amount equal to 50% of the outstanding principal of this note payable to the holders of the 2020 Notes together with the outstanding balance. The newly created series of preferred stock would vote together with, pari passu with, and have identical rights, privileges, preferences and restrictions as, the Series B convertible preferred stock, other than with respect to: (i) the per share liquidation preference, the per share redemption price and the conversion price for purposes of price-based anti-dilution protection, which will equal 120% multiplied by the Series B convertible preferred stock issue price; and (ii) the basis for any dividend rights, which will be based on 120% multiplied by the Series B convertible preferred stock issue price, or (iii) in the case of a conversion pursuant to the Series B convertible preferred stock agreement.

In the event no equity financing, non-qualifying equity financing or change of control occurs prior to May 31, 2021, all principal and accrued interest shall be due and payable. If we fail to repay the outstanding balance in full to the holders of the 2020 Notes on May 31, 2021, the holders of the 2020 Notes shall be entitled to elect to convert the entire balance outstanding into conversion shares equal to the outstanding principal and unpaid interest divided by the Series B convertible preferred stock issue price. The 2020 Notes may not be prepaid, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the holders of the 2020 Notes.

In December 2020, the 2020 Notes converted into shares of our Series C convertible preferred stock.

Bridge Loan

In May 2020, we entered into a bridge loan with Terns China, or the Bridge Loan for aggregate proceeds of $1.8 million, payable in renminbi, or RMB at an established USD/RMB exchange rate, based on an average of the previous five working days before May 8, 2020. The Bridge Loan bears interest at a rate of 10% per year, will begin to accrue on the date of drawdown, and will be computed based on the actual number of days elapsed based on a year of 365 days. The Bridge Loan holders will have the same conversion rights as the 2020 Notes holders.

In connection with the closing of the Series C convertible preferred stock financing in December 2020, entities that are a part of Lilly Asia Ventures, or LAV, agreed to effectively convert the Bridge Loan into shares of our Series C preferred stock on the same terms as the 2020 Notes. The conversion will be based on an outstanding loan balance equal to $1.9 million, consisting of (i) the principal loan amount ($1.8 million) plus (ii) accrued interest through December 29, 2020 ($0.1 million).

To help facilitate the transfer of cash from China to the United States to effectively convert the Bridge Loan, we and Terns China agreed to enter into an agreement with LAV to (i) repay the Bridge Loan, and (ii) issue shares of Series C convertible preferred stock at the initial closing to entities that are a part of Lilly Asia Ventures in exchange for a promissory note issued to us by LAV, or the LAV Affiliate Promissory Note.

On December 29, 2020, the Bridge Loan was amended to clarify that (i) interest will accrue up to and through December 29, 2020, with no additional interest accruing after December 29, 2020 and (ii) the Bridge Loan will be repaid in full by us following the requisite government approvals in China. Proceeds from the repayment of the Bridge Loan by Terns China will be used by LAV to repay the LAV Affiliate Promissory Note in full to us.

 

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Cash flows

The following table shows a summary of our cash flows for the periods presented:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2018     2019     2019     2020  
                 (unaudited)  
    

(in thousands)

 

Net cash used in operating activities

   $ (18,071   $ (66,222   $ (56,694   $ (22,422

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (4,776     (3,856     (7,923     6,740  

Net cash provided by financing activities

     99,761       62       85       16,875  

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

     103       (131     (455     236  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents

   $ 77,017     $ (70,147   $ (64,987   $ 1,429  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating activities

Net cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2018 were primarily due to our net loss of $18.0 million and an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $1.6 million primarily attributable to an increase in prepayments to CROs, partially offset by an increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $0.9 million primarily attributable to program related services incurred and not paid as of December 31, 2018 and an increase in accounts payable of $0.5 million.

Net cash used in operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2019 consisted primarily of our net loss of $68.8 million and an increase in prepayments to CROs of $1.0 million and a $0.3 million increase in other assets, partially offset by an increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $1.9 million primarily attributable to program related services incurred and not paid as of December 31, 2019, an increase in accounts payable of $0.7 million and stock-based compensation expense of $0.7 million.

Net cash used in operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 were primarily due to our net loss of $58.8 million and a decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $1.4 million offset by an increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $2.4 million primarily attributable to program related services incurred and not paid as of September 30, 2019, share-based compensation of $0.5 million and an increase in accounts payable of $0.5 million.

Net cash used in operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 consisted primarily of our net loss of $30.6 million and a decrease in accounts payable of $1.2 million, offset by an increase in accrued expenses and other current liabilities of $4.9 million primarily attributable to program related services incurred and not paid as of September 30, 2020, a change in fair value of loans payable of $2.4 million, stock-based compensation of $0.9 million and an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $1.0 million primarily attributable to an increase in prepayments to CROs.

Investing activities

Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2018 consisted primarily of $6.9 million in purchases of short-term investments offset by $2.4 million in proceeds from the sale and maturity of marketable securities.

 

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Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2019 consisted primarily of $45.1 million in purchases of marketable securities, $13.3 million in purchases of short-term investments and $0.9 million in purchases of property and equipment, offset by $39.5 million of proceeds from the sale and maturity of marketable securities and $15.9 million of proceeds from the sale and maturity of short-term investments.

Net cash used in investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 consisted primarily of $33.4 million proceeds from sale and maturities of marketable securities, $16.0 million from proceeds from sale and maturity of short-term investments, offset by $45.1 million of purchases of marketable securities and $11.7 million of purchase of short-term investments.

Net cash provided by investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 consisted primarily of $5.6 million proceeds from sale and maturity of marketable securities and $2.4 million of proceeds from the sale and maturity of short-term investments, offset by $0.7 million purchase of short-term investments and $0.5 million purchase of property and equipment.

Financing activities

Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2018 consisted primarily of $73.0 million of net proceeds received from issuance of Series B convertible preferred stock, $14.6 million proceeds from issuance of Series A convertible preferred stock and a $12.0 million capital injection from a noncontrolling interest investor.

Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2019 was nominal.

Net cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was nominal.

Net cash provided by financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 consisted primarily of $16.8 million proceeds from the issuance of loans payable.

Contractual obligations and commitments

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2019:

 

     Payments Due by Period  
     Less than 1
Year
     1 to 3
Years
     3 to 5
Years
     More than 5
Years
     Total  
     (in thousands)  

Operating leases

   $ 857      $ 1,407      $ 1,214      $      $ 3,478  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 857      $ 1,407      $ 1,214      $      $ 3,478  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In May 2020, we entered into two separate loan agreements due in May 2021 totaling an aggregate fair value of $19.3 million as described in the subsection titled “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Loans Payable.” Obligations under these loans are not included in the table above. To date, $15.0 million of those loans has been converted and $1.8 million has been effectively converted. See Note 14, Subsequent Events, to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for additional information.

Since inception, we have entered into assignment, license and collaboration agreements, as further described in Note 14, Assignment, License and Collaboration Agreements to our audited consolidated financial statements and Note 13, Assignment, License and Collaboration Agreements to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements to the consolidated financial statements. We may incur contingent payments upon our achievement of clinical, regulatory and commercial milestones, as applicable, or royalty payments that we are required to make under our agreements. Due to the uncertainty of the achievement and timing of the events

 

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requiring payment under these agreements, the amounts to be paid by us are not fixed or determinable at this time and are excluded from the table above. In addition, in the normal course of business, we enter into contracts with clinical research organizations for preclinical studies and clinical trials and contract manufacturing organizations for the manufacture of clinical trial materials. These agreements provide for termination at the request of either party with less than one year’s notice and are, therefore, cancelable contracts and not included in the table above.

Going Concern

We have evaluated whether there are certain conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued.

If we are unable to obtain funding, we will be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate some or all of development programs which could adversely affect our business prospects, or we may be unable to continue our operations. Although management continues to pursue these plans, there is no assurance that we will be successful in obtaining sufficient funding on terms acceptable to us to fund continuing operations, if at all.

Based on its recurring losses from operations incurred since inception, expectation of continuing operating losses for the foreseeable future, and need to raise additional capital to finance our future operations, the we have concluded that there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the consolidated financial statements are issued.

Off-balance sheet arrangements

We currently do not have, and did not have during the periods presented, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in the rules and regulations of the SEC.

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 consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses and the disclosure of our contingent liabilities in our consolidated financial statements. We base our estimates on historical experience, known trends and events and various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Our actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

While our significant accounting policies are described in more detail in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to each of our audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements elsewhere in this prospectus, we believe that the following accounting policies are those most critical to the judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our audited consolidated financial statements.

Fair value of common stock

Historically, for all periods prior to this offering, the fair value of our common stock was estimated on each grant date by our board of directors. In order to determine the fair value, our board of directors considered, among other things, contemporaneous valuations of our common stock and preferred stock prepared by unrelated third-party valuation firms in accordance with the guidance provided by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants 2013 Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation, or the Practice Aid.

 

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Given the absence of a public trading market of our shares of capital stock, our board of directors exercised reasonable judgment and considered a number of objective and subjective factors to determine the best estimate of the fair value of our shares of common stock and preferred stock, including:

 

   

the prices at which we sold shares of convertible preferred stock and the superior rights and preferences of the convertible preferred stock relative to its common stock;

 

   

the progress of our research and development programs, including the status and results of preclinical studies for its single-agent and combination therapy candidates;

 

   

our stage of development and commercialization and our business strategy;

 

   

external market conditions affecting the biotechnology industry and trends within the biotechnology industry;

 

   

our financial position, including cash on hand, and its historical and forecasted performance and operating results;

 

   

the lack of an active public market for our common stock and convertible preferred stock;

 

   

the likelihood of achieving a liquidity event, such as an initial public offering, or IPO, or sale of our company in light of prevailing market conditions; and

 

   

the analysis of IPOs and the market performance of similar companies in the biotechnology industry.

Significant changes to the key assumptions underlying the factors used could have resulted in different fair values of common stock at each valuation date.

Common stock valuation methodology

We obtained contemporaneous third-party valuations of our common stock as of the dates on which our board of directors granted equity awards. On August 1, 2017, June 24, 2018, June 24, 2019 and September 1, 2020, we used third party valuations of our common stock prepared using the income approach, which focuses on the income-producing capability of a business. The income approach estimates value based on the expectation of future cash flows that a company will generate such as cash earnings, cost savings, tax deductions, and the proceeds from disposition. These cash flows are discounted to the present using a rate of return that incorporates the risk-free rate for the use of funds, the expected rate of inflation, and risks associated with the particular investment. The selected discount rate is generally based on rates of return available from alternative investments of similar type, quality, and risk. Once the value of our company was estimated it was allocated to our common shares using the Option Pricing Method, or OPM. This approach allows for the allocation of a company’s equity value among the various equity capital owners (preferred and common stockholders). The OPM uses the preferred stockholders’ liquidation preferences, participation rights, dividend policy, and conversion rights to determine how proceeds from a liquidity event shall be distributed among the various ownership classes at a future date.

The probability weighted expected return method (PWERM) involves the estimation of future potential outcomes for our company, as well as values and probabilities associated with each respective potential outcome. The common stock per share value determined using this approach is ultimately based upon probability-weighted per share values resulting from the various future scenarios, which can include an IPO, merger or sale, dissolution or continued operation as a private company.

These contemporaneous third-party valuations using the OPM method resulted in valuations of our common stock of $1.96 as of August 1, 2017, $2.38 as of March 31, 2018, $6.16 as of October 20, 2018, $6.72 as of June 24, 2019 and $6.86 as of June 1, 2020. In October 2020, in connection with the preparation of our financial statements, we conducted a retrospective valuation of our common stock as of June 24, 2019 and June 1, 2020 and determined that the grant date fair value was $9.24 per share and $12.04 per share, respectively, solely for

 

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accounting purposes. In addition, in October 2020, in connection with the preparation of our financial statements, a third-party retrospective valuation of our common stock using the PWERM as of September 1, 2020 resulted in a valuation of $23.38 per share. In November 2020, a third-party retrospective valuation of our common stock using the PWERM resulted in a valuation of $9.24 per share.

The aggregate stock-based compensation expense recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $0.9 million, which reflects the reassessed grant date fair value from the retrospective valuations received in October 2020.

The assumptions underlying these valuations represented our board of directors’ best estimates at the time they were made, which involve inherent uncertainties and the application of the judgment of our board of directors. As a result, if factors or expected outcomes change and we use significantly different assumptions or estimates, our stock-based compensation expense could be materially different.

Once a public trading market for our common stock has been established in connection with the completion of this offering, it will no longer be necessary for our board of directors to estimate the fair value of our common stock in connection with our accounting for granted stock options and other such awards we may grant, as the fair value of our common stock will be determined based on the quoted market price of our common stock.

Loans Payable

We have elected to record certain loans payable at fair value on the date of issuance, with gains and losses arising from changes in fair value recognized in the statements of operations at each period end while such loans payable are outstanding. Issuance costs are recognized in the statement of operations in the period in which they are incurred. The fair value of the loans payable was determined using a probability weighted expected return model, a scenario-based valuation model in which discrete future outcome scenarios for our company are projected and discounted to present value.

Accrued research and development expenses

As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our accrued research and development expenses. This process involves reviewing purchase orders and open contracts, communicating with our 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 services when we have not yet been invoiced or otherwise notified of the actual cost. The majority of our service providers invoice us monthly in arrears for services performed or when contractual milestones are met; however, some require advance payments. We make estimates of our accrued expenses as of each balance sheet date in our consolidated financial statements based on facts and circumstances known to us at that time. We periodically confirm the accuracy of our estimates with the service providers and make adjustments if necessary. The significant estimates in our accrued research and development expenses include the costs incurred for services performed by CROs and CMOs among others, in connection with research and development activities for which we have not yet been invoiced.

We contract with CROs and CMOs to conduct clinical and manufacturing and other research and development services on our behalf. We base our expenses related to CROs and CMOs on our estimates of the services received and efforts expended pursuant to quotes and contracts with them. The financial terms of these agreements are subject to negotiation, vary from contract to contract and may result in uneven payment flows. There may be instances in which payments made to our CROs or CMOs will exceed the level of services provided and result in a prepayment of the research and development expense. 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 the actual timing of the performance of services or the level of effort varies from our estimate, we adjust the accrual or amount of prepaid expense accordingly. Non-refundable advance payments for goods and services that will be used in future research and development activities are expensed when the activity has been performed or when the goods have been received rather than when the payment is made.

 

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Although we do not expect our estimates to be materially different from amounts actually incurred, our understanding of the status and timing of services performed relative to the actual status and timing of services performed may vary and may result in us reporting amounts that are too high or too low in any particular period. To date, there have been no material differences between our estimates of such expenses and the amounts actually incurred.

Accounting for income taxes

We record income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases, and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Our consolidated financial statements contain certain deferred tax assets which have arisen as a result of temporary differences between book and tax accounting. ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes, requires the establishment of a valuation allowance to reflect the likelihood of realization of deferred tax assets. Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets. In establishing the valuation allowance at the end of each reporting period, we evaluate the weight of all available evidence to determine whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable is based on significant estimates of future operating performance and results, and it is reasonably possible that changes in these estimates in the near term could materially affect our financial condition and results of operations. We review and adjust our liability for unrecognized tax benefits based on our best judgment given the facts, circumstances and information available at each reporting date. To the extent that the final outcome of these tax positions is different than the amounts recorded, such differences may impact income tax expense and actual tax payments. We recognize any interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Actual tax payments may materially differ from estimated liabilities as a result of changes in tax laws as well as unanticipated transactions impacting related income tax balances. Our effective tax rate may vary from period to period based on changes in estimated taxable income or loss, changes to the valuation allowance, changes to federal or state tax laws or as a result of future acquisitions or dispositions.

Emerging growth company status

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, or the JOBS Act, permits an “emerging growth company” to take advantage of an extended transition to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date we (i) are no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, we will not be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not emerging growth companies and our consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to other public companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates. We may choose to early adopt any new or revised accounting standards whenever such early adoption is permitted for private companies. The JOBS Act also exempts us from having to provide an auditor attestation of internal control over financial reporting under Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 404(b).

We will cease to be an “emerging growth company” on the date that is the earliest of (i) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenues of $1.07 billion or more, (ii) the last day of the fiscal year in which the fifth anniversary of the completion of this initial public offering occurs, (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in nonconvertible debt during the previous three years or (iv) the last day of the fiscal year in which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer under the rules of the SEC, which generally is when we have more than $700.0 million in market value of our stock held by non-affiliates as of the last day of the second fiscal quarter and we have been a public company for at least 12 months and have filed one annual report.

 

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Further, 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 exceptions from disclosure requirements, including reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements. We cannot predict if investors will find our shares of common stock less attractive because we may rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our shares of common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for shares of our common stock and our share price may be more volatile.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements

See Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to each of our audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1 of this prospectus for a description of recent accounting pronouncements applicable to our consolidated financial statements.

Qualitative and quantitative disclosures about market risk

Substantially all of our operations are within the United States and the PRC, and we are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business, including the effects of foreign currency fluctuations, interest rate changes and inflation. Information relating to quantitative and qualitative disclosures about these market risks is set forth below.

Interest rate risk

Cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and short-term investments are held primarily in bank and time deposits. The fair value of our cash and short-term investments would not be significantly affected by either an increase or decrease in interest rates due mainly to the short-term nature of these instruments.

Foreign currency exchange risk

Foreign currency risk arises from future commercial transactions and recognized assets and liabilities. A substantial majority of our expense-related transactions are denominated in CNY, which is the functional currency of Terns Suzhou and Terns China. Our commercial transactions outside the PRC are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars. We do not hedge against currency risk. In the past years, CNY continued to appreciate against the U.S. dollar. To the extent that we need to convert U.S. dollars into CNY for our operations, appreciation of CNY against the U.S. dollar would reduce the CNY amount we receive from the conversion. Conversely, if we decide to convert CNY into U.S. dollars, appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the CNY would reduce the U.S. dollar amounts available to us.

Effects of inflation

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 results of operations during the periods presented.

 

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BUSINESS

Company Overview

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of small-molecule single-agent and combination therapy candidates for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH, and other chronic liver diseases. Our programs are based on clinically-validated and complementary mechanisms of action to address the multiple hepatic disease processes of NASH in order to drive meaningful clinical benefits for patients. The mechanisms of action targeted by our current drug candidates are the same mechanisms of action targeted by other drug candidates that have achieved clinical proof-of-concept in NASH clinical trials and have demonstrated significant improvements on histological and non-invasive markers of the disease, though no drug has been approved for the treatment of NASH in the United States or Europe. Our most advanced program is TERN-101, a liver-distributed, non-bile acid Farnesoid X Receptor agonist that has demonstrated sustained liver FXR activation, as well as a favorable tolerability profile across multiple Phase 1 clinical trials. In our Phase 1 clinical trials, no pruritus, or itching, or increases in LDL cholesterol levels as compared to the control group were observed—unlike in Phase 1 clinical trials of other FXR agonists conducted by third parties. Our Phase 2a clinical trial of TERN-101 in NASH patients (the LIFT Study) was fully enrolled in January 2021 and we expect top-line data in the third quarter of 2021. Our second clinical stage program, TERN-201, is a highly selective inhibitor of Vascular Adhesion Protein-1. We intend to start our Phase 1b clinical trial of TERN-201 in NASH patients in the first half of 2021 and expect top-line data in the first half of 2022. Our third program entering the clinic is TERN-501, a Thyroid Hormone Receptor beta agonist with high metabolic stability, enhanced liver distribution and greater selectivity for THR-b compared to other THR-b agonists in development. In January 2021, the FDA cleared our investigational new drug application, or IND, for TERN-501. We intend to start our Phase 1 first-in-human clinical trial of TERN-501 in the first half of 2021 and expect top-line data in the second half of 2021. We are also pursuing two combination therapy programs to address the multiple disease processes of NASH and expect to initiate a Phase 2a clinical proof-of-concept trial evaluating a combination of TERN-101 and TERN-501 in the first half of 2022.

NASH is a severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD, that affects up to 15 million people in the United States, and up to 6% of the global population, for which there is currently no approved therapy in the United States or Europe. In a study published in Hepatology in 2016, direct healthcare costs associated with NAFLD and NASH in the United States in 2016 were estimated to be approximately $100 billion, in the absence of approved therapies. Severe progression of NASH can lead to cirrhosis, decompensated liver disease and increased risk for hepatic carcinoma and liver-related mortality. NASH is a multifaceted disease that involves three distinct pathogenic hepatic disease processes: steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. Our pipeline of programs is intended to address each of these distinct pathogenic disease processes. We believe that with our pipeline targeting steatosis (TERN-101 and TERN-501), inflammation (TERN-101 and TERN-201) and fibrosis (TERN-101 and TERN-201) in tandem, our programs have the potential to provide greater resolution of NASH and improvement in related clinical outcomes. Furthermore, by developing combination therapies to treat NASH, we are aiming to expand the reach of NASH therapeutics through improved response rates, better tolerability and improved compliance as compared to monotherapy regimens.

 

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Our NASH Pipeline Programs

Our wholly owned NASH pipeline includes multiple single-agent and combination therapy candidates that provide several opportunities to address the multifaceted nature of NASH and drive meaningful clinical benefits for patients. We intend to advance single-agent and combination therapy candidates to increase the potential for improved response rates in NASH patients, for whom there are no approved treatment options.

 

 

LOGO

 

   

TERN-101 is a liver-distributed, non-bile acid Farnesoid X Receptor, or FXR, agonist that has demonstrated a differentiated tolerability profile and improved target engagement due to its sustained FXR activation in the liver but only transient FXR activation in the intestine. FXR is a nuclear receptor primarily expressed in the liver, intestine and kidneys. FXR regulates hepatic expression of various genes involved in lipid metabolism, inflammation and fibrosis. Clinical trials of other FXR agonists have demonstrated significant histological NASH improvements but have also resulted in pruritus and adverse lipid changes. These safety and tolerability issues have been observed in Phase 1 clinical trials for other FXR agonists and have generally been regarded as dose-limiting toxicities, which are suboptimal for patients and can lead to treatment discontinuation. However, in all four Phase 1 clinical trials of TERN-101, none of the 119 subjects who received TERN-101 reported pruritus, and the serum lipid profiles among TERN-101 recipients were similar to placebo recipients at all doses. We are currently evaluating TERN-101 in a 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 2a clinical trial in approximately 100 NASH patients (the LIFT Study). In January 2021, we completed the enrollment of patients into the LIFT Study and top-line data is expected in the third quarter of 2021. We received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, for TERN-101 for the treatment of NASH in October 2019. Fast Track designation does not guarantee an accelerated review by the FDA.

 

   

TERN-201 is a highly-selective inhibitor of Vascular Adhesion Protein-1, or VAP-1, that has demonstrated sustained target engagement in clinical trials without the off-target liabilities associated with other VAP-1 inhibitors in development. VAP-1 facilitates the deceleration, binding, and transmigration of leukocytes from the bloodstream into the liver and produces reactive oxygen species that promote liver inflammation and fibrosis. VAP-1 has been shown to be over-expressed in the livers of NASH patients in response to local lipotoxicity and liver injury. In a Phase 2a clinical trial of another developer’s VAP-1 inhibitor in NASH patients, 12 weeks of administration demonstrated significant, dose-dependent improvements in NASH biomarkers, providing clinical proof of concept for VAP-1 inhibition in NASH. In our Phase 1a first-in-human (SAD/MAD) clinical trial in 61 healthy subjects, TERN-201 was shown to fully suppress plasma VAP-1 activity at all of the doses we evaluated. TERN-201 was selected for development over other discovery candidates because it is highly specific for VAP-1 inhibition and has minimal potential for off-target effects. We intend to start our Phase 1b clinical trial of TERN-201 in NASH patients in the first half of 2021 and expect top-line data in the first half of 2022. We received Fast Track designation from the

 

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FDA for TERN-201 for the treatment of NASH in August 2020. Fast Track designation does not guarantee an accelerated review by the FDA.

 

   

TERN-501 is a Thyroid Hormone Receptor beta, or THR-b, agonist with high metabolic stability, enhanced liver distribution and greater selectivity for THR-b compared to other THR-b agonists in development. Agonism of THR-b increases fatty acid metabolism via mitochondrial oxidation and affects cholesterol synthesis and metabolism. As a result, THR-b stimulation has the ability to reduce hepatic steatosis and improve serum lipid parameters including LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. In vivo NASH studies in a rodent model have demonstrated that low-doses of TERN-501 achieved complete resolution of steatosis and reductions in serum lipids, hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. TERN-501 has high liver distribution and is 23-fold more selective for THR-b than for THR-α activation, thereby minimizing the risk of cardiotoxicity and other off-target effects associated with non-selective THR stimulation. Finally, TERN-501 has been designed to be metabolically stable and is therefore expected to have little pharmacokinetic variability and a low clinical dose, making it an attractive candidate for use in fixed-dose combinations for NASH treatment. In January 2021, the FDA cleared our IND for TERN-501. We intend to start our Phase 1 first-in-human trial of TERN-501 in the first half of 2021 and expect top-line data in the second half of 2021.

 

   

GLP-1R is our small-molecule Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor agonist program that is intended to address metabolic processes involved in the pathogenesis of NASH. Our GLP-1R program has identified several potentially suitable small-molecule scaffolds. We plan to further optimize these series of compounds and identify structures that are suitable for orally administered combination with other NASH drug candidates within our pipeline. We are currently advancing this program through lead optimization and anticipate announcing a development candidate in the second half of 2021.

Combinations:

Several prior clinical trials evaluating single-agent therapies for NASH have shown only moderate histological improvements and exhibited tolerability issues with some of these agents at high doses. We believe that developing combination therapies targeting multiple mechanistic pathways will drive improved response rates for NASH patients while mitigating potential tolerability concerns and improving compliance as compared with monotherapy regimens. We are well-positioned to develop multiple combination therapies for NASH with our extensive experience in combination drug development and the ability to leverage our pipeline of wholly owned single-agents that we believe are suitable for orally administered combination development.

We believe that therapies targeting steatosis (TERN-101 and TERN-501), inflammation (TERN-101 and TERN-201) and fibrosis (TERN-101 and TERN-201) in tandem, have the potential to provide greater resolution of NASH and improvement in related clinical outcomes. We expect to initiate a Phase 2a clinical proof-of-concept trial evaluating a combination of TERN-101 and TERN-501 in NASH patients in the first half of 2022. We are also assessing the potential utility of combinations of TERN-201 with assets inside and outside of our pipeline. Given the strength of our internal resources and capabilities, we have the flexibility to independently advance our combination therapies without the need for a co-development partner at this time.

Our History

Terns was founded in 2017 by members of our leadership team including our Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Weidong Zhong, and our head of Research, Dr. Martijn Fenaux, with the goal of developing innovative therapies for patients with NASH and other liver diseases. Terns was named after the small sea bird that travels the farthest of any animal in the world, echoing the founders’ desire to create a small and nimble company with the tenacity and perseverance to overcome challenges and adversities in drug development and achieve the ultimate goal of helping patients across the world.

We have assembled a team of industry veterans with extensive experience in drug discovery and development, especially in liver diseases. Collectively, our team is responsible for more than 20 FDA approved

 

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products, including eleven fixed-dose-combination drugs. Our executive team has a strong track record in leading successful biotechnology companies and research and development organizations. Senthil Sundaram, our Chief Executive Officer, has over 20 years of strategy, financial and leadership experience in the life sciences industry. Dr. Erin Quirk, our President and Chief Medical Officer, brings more than 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, and has personally contributed to the development of 14 approved drug products to date, including initial marketing applications for five novel fixed-dose combinations. Dr. Weidong Zhong, our founder and Chief Scientific Officer, is an accomplished industry veteran who brings 25 years of experience in drug discovery and development and has developed over 20 small-molecule and biologic drug candidates.

Since our founding in 2016, we have raised $126.9 million in capital from leading venture capital funds, healthcare-dedicated investors, and institutional investors, including Lilly Asia Ventures, OrbiMed Advisors, Vivo Capital and Decheng Capital.

Our Strategy

Our goal is to develop and commercialize differentiated monotherapies and combination therapies for patients with NASH and other chronic liver diseases. Key elements of our strategy to achieve this goal include:

 

   

Develop improved drug candidates targeting clinically-validated mechanisms of action. We are developing a portfolio of small molecule drug candidates targeting clinically-validated mechanisms of action for the treatment of NASH. The mechanisms of action targeted by our current drug candidates are the same mechanisms of action targeted by other drug candidates that have achieved clinical proof-of-concept in NASH clinical trials and have demonstrated significant improvements on histological and non-invasive markers of the disease, though no drug has been approved for the treatment of NASH in the United States or Europe. However, these clinical trials have also highlighted an opportunity for us to meaningfully improve the efficacy, safety and tolerability of therapies utilizing these mechanisms. Based on this premise, we are advancing multiple drug candidates we believe have the potential to deliver better clinical outcomes in a high proportion of NASH patients as either single-agent or combination therapies.

 

   

Leverage non-invasive biomarkers to rapidly advance our single-agent drug candidates through clinical proof-of-concept. We are advancing our single-agent drug candidates through clinical proof-of-concept trials on an expedited basis by using relevant non-invasive biomarkers in our Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials to efficiently confirm and benchmark target engagement or efficacy without the need for liver biopsies. We believe this approach enables us to accelerate enrollment in our clinical trials and achieve significantly shorter development timelines.

 

   

Advance our portfolio of combination therapy candidates for the treatment of NASH. In addition to developing our single-agent drug candidates, we are evaluating and developing fixed-dose combination therapies to address the multiple disease processes of NASH. We believe developing combination therapies targeting multiple mechanistic pathways will drive improved response rates for NASH patients while mitigating potential tolerability concerns and improving compliance as compared with monotherapy regimens. The outcomes of our monotherapy biomarker-based clinical trials will further inform our decision to pursue the utility of our drug candidates as monotherapies or in fixed-dose-combinations that we believe have synergistic therapeutic effect and well-balanced safety profiles. We have identified and are advancing our first combination therapy candidate for NASH, involving a combination of TERN-101 and TERN-501, and expect to initiate a Phase 2a clinical proof-of-concept trial in the first half of 2022. We are also evaluating the potential to co-administer TERN-201, a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic agent, in combination with a metabolically active NASH treatment.

 

   

Advance our earlier stage program and expand applications for our existing drug candidates. We have identified a series of GLP-1R small molecule agonists with the potential to address metabolic processes involved in the pathogenesis of NASH. Our GLP-1R program is designed to enable oral administration, a limitation of existing GLP-1 agonists, for widespread use in NASH patients. We are

 

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currently advancing this program through lead optimization and anticipate announcing a development candidate in the second half of 2021. Beyond NASH, our goal is to maximize the commercial potential of our existing drug candidates by exploring additional indications supported by their underlying biology and mechanism. For example, we believe our NASH drug candidates may also have utility in other chronic liver diseases such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. We will maintain a focused and disciplined strategy in evaluating potential follow-on indications that may merit further advancement.

 

   

Independently develop and commercialize our drug candidates in indications and geographies where we believe we can maximize the value and benefit to patients. We have a disciplined strategy to maximize the value of our pipeline by retaining development and commercialization rights to those drug candidates, indications and geographies that we believe we can ultimately commercialize successfully on our own if they are approved. We plan to collaborate on drug candidates that we believe have promising utility in disease areas, patient populations or geographies that are better served by the resources or specific expertise of other biopharmaceutical companies.

Background on NASH

NASH is a severe form of NAFLD, a common liver disease characterized by the accumulation of excess fat in the liver (steatosis). When hepatic steatosis results in liver inflammation and, in many cases, fibrosis, it results in NASH, a multifaceted disease that involves three distinct pathogenic hepatic disease processes: steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. Severe progression of NASH leads to cirrhosis and decompensated liver disease, with the associated risks for hepatocellular carcinoma and liver-related death. NASH was recently identified as the second leading etiologic indication for liver transplantation in the United States, and it is projected to become the leading cause of liver transplantation in the coming years.

NAFLD is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the United States, affecting 80 to 100 million individuals. Among persons with NAFLD, approximately 20% will progress to NASH, which is currently estimated to affect 15 million adults in the United States. Progression of liver fibrosis ultimately leads to cirrhosis in an estimated 20% of patients with NASH. With an aging population and the markedly increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia/metabolic syndrome worldwide, NAFLD and NASH have increased greatly in prevalence, posing a significant healthcare challenge. In a study published in Hepatology in 2016, direct healthcare costs associated with NAFLD and NASH in the United States in 2016 were estimated to be approximately $100 billion, in the absence of approved therapies.

Etiology of NASH

NAFLD and NASH are classified as progressive metabolic diseases, often correlated with chronic excess caloric intake, obesity and metabolic syndrome. Physiologically, hepatocytes in the liver can act as a repository for excess energy stored by the body. As humans consume disproportionate amounts of calories relative to those burned on a consistent basis, the body becomes overweight, and organs, including the liver, become burdened by fatty tissue. With the liver acting as the hub for excess energy and energy conversion, an imbalance develops with more delivery of fats and triglycerides to the liver, an increase in hepatic fatty acid synthesis, and impaired hepatic fatty acid oxidation and removal of liver fat, resulting in NAFLD.

Within the steatotic liver, fat deposits can create lipotoxic effects to the surrounding liver tissue, resulting in hepatocyte stress and injury and activating inflammatory Kupffer cells. Local increases in reactive oxygenation species can induce hepatocytes to undergo cell death and create an inflammatory response within the organ. VAP-1 is over expressed in affected areas of the liver, serving as an attachment point for inflammatory leukocytes and triggering their recruitment from the bloodstream into the liver. These leukocytes are stimulated by local lipotoxic effects and the presence of reactive oxygenation species to produce cytokines, further exacerbating local inflammatory cascades and activating resident Kupffer cells, thereby exacerbating local inflammation.

 

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Inflammatory cascades in the liver activate hepatic stellate cells to excrete extracellular matrix resulting in liver fibrosis. Over time, fibrosis progresses, increasingly replacing diseased and normal liver tissue with scar tissue. Eventually, most of the liver is replaced by fibrotic tissue, which histologically is categorized as cirrhosis. While some cirrhotic patients have enough functional liver tissue to maintain hepatic activity, over time, the liver fails, resulting in decompensated liver disease and the need for liver transplantation to avoid liver related death. Furthermore, cirrhosis is a key risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma.

NASH is currently diagnosed by histological findings on liver biopsy. In clinical trials, recommended scoring systems assess (i) liver fibrosis and (ii) steatosis and inflammation using the NAFLD Activity Score, or NAS, a composite score that grades the degree of three non-fibrotic histologic features of NASH: steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning, and lobular inflammation. Efficacious responses to treatment in NASH clinical trials are usually considered to be either an improvement in fibrosis score without worsening of the NAS, or an improvement of the NAS without worsening of fibrosis.

Increasingly, non-invasive blood and imaging tests are being used in clinical practice to diagnose NASH. Vibration controlled transient elastography combined with blood tests (serum chemistries, hematological parameters and other biomarkers) have shown good accuracy in diagnosing both steatosis and the degree of liver inflammation. As data from these non-invasive assessments continue to accumulate—for initial diagnosis of NASH, monitoring of disease progression over time, and monitoring response to treatment—these approaches may replace liver biopsy, both in clinical practice and clinical trials. In its December 2018 draft NASH guidance, the FDA encouraged sponsors to include non-invasive biomarkers in clinical studies of experimental NASH treatments in order to accelerate development and supplant liver biopsy.

Treatment of NASH

There currently are no FDA-approved therapies for the treatment of NASH, and available treatment options are limited to control of metabolic dysfunction, including weight loss, as well as lifestyle modifications such as exercise and dietary changes. However, many patients are unable to achieve or maintain significant weight loss or comply long-term with the dietary and lifestyle changes required to reverse NASH. In order to optimally treat NASH and reduce the risk of liver cancer and liver-related mortality, the three distinct disease processes may each need to be addressed–steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. Single agents focusing on specific mechanisms contributing to one of these three processes, each involving multiple pathways, have demonstrated only modest results to date.

 

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The following table summarizes some of the treatment approaches for NASH currently in clinical development, together with limitations observed and Terns’ differentiated approach. Among the small-molecule programs with validated mechanisms, we believe FXR agonism, VAP-1 inhibition and THR-b agonism have great potential, not only as targets for single-agent therapy, but also as key components in combination therapies.

 

Treatment
Approaches in
NASH

 

Clinical Trial Findings(1)

 

Observed Limitations(1)

 

TERNS Differentiation

FXR agonists   Improvements in liver fibrosis and markers of liver function.   Pruritus and adverse lipid effects   TERN-101: high liver distribution, minimizing potential for pruritus and adverse lipid changes
VAP-1 inhibitors   Clinical PoC in NASH with significant dose dependent improvements in key markers of liver injury, inflammation and cell death   Off-target mono-amine oxidase, or MAO, inhibition can result in significant drug-drug interactions   TERN-201: highly specific for VAP-1 inhibition; minimal potential to inhibit MAO-A or MAO-B
THR-b agonists   Significant reductions in liver fat and in lipid levels in serum  

Low THR-b selectivity can cause cardiac and other safety issues

 

Variable PK and patient-specific dose adjustments

  TERN-501: superior selectivity for THR-b over THR-α; enhanced metabolic stability
GLP-1 agonists   Activation of the GLP-1 pathway has shown to be effective in driving NASH resolution  

Requires frequent injections which may limit potential for widespread use

 

Tolerability concerns

  Potential for once-daily oral administration and coformulation with other oral NASH therapies
FGF agonists   Histological NASH and fibrosis improvements in Phase 2  

Requires frequent injections which may limit potential for widespread use

 

Tolerability concerns

  N/A
De Novo
Lipogenesis
Inhibitors (ACC,
FASN, DGAT2)
  NASH biomarker improvement in Phase 2  

Serum triglyceride elevations

 

Skin/hair toxicity

  N/A

 

(1)

Represents clinical trial findings from clinical trials conducted by other sponsors.

Our Programs

We are developing a portfolio of small molecules that address the multiple hepatic disease processes of NASH in order to drive meaningful clinical benefits. Our most advanced program, TERN-101, is a liver-distributed, non-bile acid FXR agonist that has demonstrated sustained liver FXR activation, as well as a favorable tolerability profile across multiple Phase 1 clinical trials. Our Phase 2a clinical trial of TERN-101 in NASH was fully enrolled in January 2021 and we expect top-line data in the third quarter of 2021. Our second clinical stage program, TERN-201, is a highly selective inhibitor of VAP-1, which directly addresses hepatic inflammation. We intend to start our Phase 1b clinical trial of TERN-201 in NASH patients in the first half of 2021 and expect top-line data in the first half of 2022. Our third program entering the clinic is TERN-501, a THR-b agonist with high metabolic stability, enhanced liver distribution and greater selectivity for THR-b compared to other THR-b agonists in development. In January 2021, the FDA cleared our IND for TERN-501. We intend to start our Phase 1 first-in-human clinical trial of TERN-501 in the first half of 2021 and expect top-line data in the second half of 2021. We are also pursuing two combination therapy programs to address the multiple disease processes of NASH and expect to initiate a Phase 2a clinical proof-of-concept trial evaluating a combination of TERN-101 and TERN-501 in the first half of 2022. We believe developing combination therapies targeting multiple mechanistic pathways will drive improved response rates across the population of NASH patients while mitigating potential tolerability concerns associated with other drugs in development.

 

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TERN-101—a liver-distributed FXR agonist

Drug candidate summary

TERN-101 is a liver-distributed, non-bile acid FXR agonist that has demonstrated a differentiated tolerability profile and improved target engagement; likely due to its sustained FXR activation in the liver but only transient FXR activation in the intestine. FXR is a nuclear receptor primarily expressed in the liver, intestine and kidneys. FXR regulates hepatic expression of various genes involved in lipid metabolism, inflammation and fibrosis. Clinical studies of other FXR agonists have demonstrated significant histological NASH improvements but have also resulted in pruritus and adverse lipid changes. These tolerability issues have generally been observed in Phase 1 clinical trials of other FXR agonists in development and have been regarded as dose-limiting toxicities, which are suboptimal for patients and can lead to treatment discontinuation. However, in all four Phase 1 clinical trials of TERN-101, none of the 119 subjects who received TERN-101 reported pruritus, and the serum lipid profiles among TERN-101 recipients were similar to placebo recipients even at high doses. We are currently evaluating TERN-101 in a Phase 2a, 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial in approximately 100 NASH patients (the LIFT Study), which was fully enrolled in January 2021, and we expect top-line data in the third quarter of 2021. Our investigational new drug applicaiton, or IND, for TERN-101 went into effect in May 2019. We received Fast Track designation from the FDA for TERN-101 for the treatment of NASH in October 2019. Fast Track designation does not guarantee an accelerated review by the FDA.

FXR agonists may address NASH in different liver cell types

FXR is a nuclear receptor primarily expressed in the liver, intestine and kidneys. FXR regulates hepatic expression of various genes involved in lipid metabolism, inflammation and fibrosis. In the hepatocyte, FXR activation induces small heterodimer partner, or SHP, a key metabolic regulator. The upregulation of SHP by FXR reduces the expression of sterol-regulatory element-binding protein 1C, or SREBP1C, a master regulator of triglyceride synthesis. FXR-mediated inhibition of SREBP1C and subsequent reduction in triglyceride levels could result in reduced hepatic steatosis. FXR also plays a role in modulating hepatic inflammation. Activation of FXR in the hepatocyte represses nuclear factor-kB, or NF-kB, via induction of SHP, thereby reducing hepatic inflammation. FXR activation is also directly associated with reduction in hepatic inflammation in Kupffer cells. In hepatic stellate cells, FXR activation reduces fibrogenic markers such collagen type 1 alpha 1, or Col1a1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1, or TIMP1. Inhibition of Col1a1 and TIMP1 reduces collagen synthesis and increases the degradation of the extracellular matrix, or ECM, thereby reducing liver fibrosis.

 

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A liver-distributed FXR agonist has the potential to address NASH

by acting on the three key disease processes and cell types

 

 

LOGO

Clinical validation of FXR agonists

FXR agonism has been investigated in large-scale clinical trials and has shown clinically relevant improvements in NASH. In these clinical trials, FXR agonists have shown significant histological NASH improvements in fibrosis, as well as improvement in markers of liver function.

Limitations of other FXR agonists: pruritus and adverse lipid changes

Clinical trials of other FXR agonists have demonstrated significant histological NASH improvements but have also resulted in pruritus and adverse lipid changes. These tolerability issues have been observed in early Phase 1 clinical trials for other FXR agonists as shown in the table below and have been regarded as dose-limiting toxicities, which are suboptimal for patients and can lead to treatment discontinuation. However, in all four Phase 1 clinical trials of TERN-101, none of the 119 subjects who received TERN-101 reported pruritus, and the serum lipid profiles among TERN-101 recipients were similar to placebo recipients even at high doses. An FXR agonist that can demonstrate improved liver health with minimal adverse effects would have great potential benefits for NASH patients.

 

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FXR agonists: comparison of Phase 1 clinical trial results

 

               Observations in Phase 1 clinical trials(1)

Drug candidate

   Developer    Dosing duration    Pruritus    Lipid profile change

TERN-101

   Terns Pharma    14d    None    None

MET409

   Metacrine    14d    Yes    Yes

EDP-305

   Enanta    14d    Yes    Yes

EYP001

   Enyo    15d    Yes    Not disclosed

Obeticholic acid

   Intercept    14d    Yes    Yes

 

(1)

Includes findings from trials conducted by other sponsors. Denotes changes as compared to control group.

We believe the liabilities from the other FXR agonists may be due to their activation of FXR outside the liver, particularly in the intestine. FXR activation in intestinal enterocytes results in the secretion of Fibroblast Growth Factor 19, or FGF19, which has been associated with increased serum low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol in published studies. Pruritus has been observed in clinical studies of other FXR agonists known to activate intestinal FXR. On the other hand, the use of bile acid sequestrants (such as cholestyramine or colesevelam) or ileal bile acid transporter, or IBAT, inhibitors has been demonstrated in several clinical studies to reduce plasma LDL, cholesterol in patients with hyperlipidemia and also to mitigate pruritus in patients with cholestatic liver disease, potentially through prevention of FXR activation. Therefore, we believe that an FXR agonist with sustained activity in the liver, but only minimal or transient intestinal or other extrahepatic FXR activity, would likely not be associated with pruritus or adverse lipid changes.

Our solution: TERN-101, a liver-distributed FXR agonist

We believe TERN-101 has been well-tolerated in completed clinical trials to date because of its high liver distribution, thereby minimizing activation of intestinal pathways that may be associated with pruritus and adverse lipid changes. The figure on the left below demonstrates in a preclinical model that administration of TERN-101 results in significantly higher distribution to the liver compared to other FXR agonists. The figure on the right below demonstrates that administration of TERN-101 is also associated with much higher activation of liver-related FXR gene expression, in contrast to intestinally-directed FXR agonists that have greater FXR gene activation in the intestine than in the liver. Studies have demonstrated that there is minimal overlap between liver and intestine FXR binding sites, indicating potentially a high degree of tissue-specific FXR function.

 

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TERN-101 preferentially distributes to liver and induces liver-specific genes

 

 

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Figure: The information from the figure above (left) represents preclinical data derived from a rat model conducted by Terns (2 mg/kg of TERN-101, cilofexor or tropifexor); and data disclosed in regulatory filings for the 30 mg/kg of OCA. The information from the figure above (right) represents preclinical data derived from a mouse study model of SHP gene expression conducted by Terns after 7 days of dosing with TERN-101 (10 mg/kg), OCA (30 mg/kg) and tropifexor (0.3 mg/kg). SHP functions to inhibit bile acid synthesis.

TERN-101 administration demonstrates sustained FXR activation in the liver

The liver-distributed profile of TERN-101 has been demonstrated in a Phase 1 clinical trial of the pharmacodynamics of TERN-101 in 36 human subjects. Sustained liver FXR activation in human subjects was demonstrated by dose-dependent decreases in 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one, or C4, concentrations that are among the most potent demonstrated with an FXR agonist to date. A decrease in C4 is a surrogate marker for FXR activation in the liver. In contrast to sustained liver FXR activation, repeated administration of TERN-101 over seven days resulted in only a transient increase of FGF19, suggesting transient intestinal FXR activation while the drug is being absorbed. Data from other FXR agonists in development demonstrate a much more sustained increase in FGF19 that persists through repeat administrations, which may indicate that sustained intestinal FXR activation is associated with their underlying tolerability issues.

 

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TERN-101 induces sustained suppression of C4 but only transient increases of FGF19

 

 

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Figure: Change in C4 relative to baseline (Day 1) on Day 7. FGF19 figure represents the mean FGF19 plasma concentration on Day 7.

TERN-101 administration is not associated with liabilities of other FXR agonists

Across four completed Phase 1 clinical trials in 136 subjects, TERN-101 was administered to 119 subjects and was generally well-tolerated with no confirmed dose-related tolerability signals. Adverse events, or AEs, tended to be mild to moderate, with no dose-related increases in AEs. There was no pruritus among the 119 subjects treated with TERN-101, and lipid profiles in the TERN-101 dose groups were similar to placebo across each trial, including single administrations of TERN-101 at dose level of 600mg and repeated administrations at dose levels of 400mg for 14 days. The chart below plots serum LDL cholesterol concentrations from a Phase 1 pharmacodynamic clinical trial in 36 subjects and demonstrates that the lipid profiles are similar for subjects receiving TERN-101 or placebo. In one Phase 1 clinical trial, one subject receiving placebo and two subjects receiving 400 mg TERN-101 experienced elevations in alanine aminotransferase, or ALT, and aspartate transaminase, or AST, up to approximately five times the upper limit of normal. One of the TERN-101 recipients experienced transient transaminase elevations that decreased upon continued dosing through the duration of the trial, while the other TERN-101 recipient discontinued treatment. Transaminase elevations did not exceed 5.2x the upper limit of normal in any subject who received TERN-101, and none of these subjects had concomitant elevations in bilirubin. Transaminases for each of these subjects decreased to baseline at the end of the clinical trial. No transaminase elevations >1.5x upper limit of normal were observed in other TERN-101 clinical trials, including the single ascending dose trial (including doses of 600 mg) and a subsequent repeat dose trial (25 mg, 75 mg and 150 mg doses). Therefore, across the four completed Phase 1 clinical trials for TERN-101 it was concluded that the changes from baseline in ALT and AST were similar between TERN-101 and placebo recipients and the transaminase elevations that occurred in one Phase 1 clinical trial were not clinically relevant. ALT and AST elevations did not recur in subsequent trials.

 

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TERN-101 shows comparable LDL changes to placebo in 7-day Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics Phase 1 trial

 

 

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Figure: Changes from baseline (Day -1) in mean LDL.

We believe the favorable Phase 1 tolerability profile stems from the fact that TERN-101 is liver-distributed, with limited systemic and intestinal FXR activation that may be associated with the pruritus and adverse lipid changes seen with other FXR agonists. The solid line in the chart below shows the average plasma level on Day 7 of TERN-101 in human subjects administered 150 mg TERN-101 capsules. The dotted line represents projected TERN-101 liver concentration, which was calculated based on the TERN-101 rat tissue distribution study results. Plasma concentrations at this dose generally do not exceed the TERN-101 EC50 throughout the 24 hour dosing period, thereby avoiding the effects of FXR activation outside of the liver, which we believe explains the lower incidence of off-target effects typically associated with other FXR agonists in development. However, liver concentrations of TERN-101 are projected to be much higher than the TERN-101 EC50 throughout the dosing period, which we believe accounts for the potent C4 decreases observed with TERN-101. Together, these data suggest TERN-101 activity will mainly occur in the liver.

TERN-101 is projected to achieve sustained liver activation

 

 

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Figure: TERN-101 150 mg capsule formulation mean plasma concentration and projected liver concentration over time on Day 7.

 

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Ongoing Phase 2a Clinical Trial of TERN-101 (LIFT Study) in NASH patients for 12 weeks

TERN-101 is currently being evaluated in the LIFT Study, a Phase 2a, 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial in approximately 100 patients with phenotypic or biopsy-diagnosed NASH, identified either by prior biopsy or clinical diagnosis (liver stiffness measured by transient elastography of 7.6—25 kPa and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) > 300). In January 2021, we completed the enrollment of patients into the LIFT Study and top-line data are expected in the third quarter of 2021. Clinical trial participants receive once-daily oral administration of placebo or TERN-101 tablet doses of 5 mg, 10 mg or 15 mg for 12 weeks. TERN-101 plasma concentrations resulting from these tablet doses are expected to fall within a comparable range as the plasma concentrations observed in Phase 1 studies of capsule formulation doses of 25 mg to 150 mg. The primary endpoint is the incidence of adverse events. Key secondary and exploratory outcome measures are percent change from baseline in ALT and change from baseline in hepatic fat fraction assessed by magnetic resonance imaging derived proton density fat fraction, or MRI-PDFF, key biomarkers that have been associated with histologic improvements in NASH patients.

TERN-101 Phase 2a LIFT trial design

 

 

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TERN-201 – a highly selective VAP-1 inhibitor

Drug candidate summary

TERN-201 is a highly selective, irreversible, covalent inhibitor of VAP-1. In our Phase 1a first-in-human (SAD/MAD) clinical trial across 61 healthy subjects, TERN-201 was shown to fully suppress plasma VAP-1 activity at all of the doses that we evaluated and VAP-1 suppression was evident up to days after a single dose. In preclinical studies, TERN-201 reduced fibrosis in a model of liver injury in a dose-dependent manner, with inflammation and fibrosis significantly reduced after treatment. TERN-201 exhibits high selectivity for VAP-1 and enhanced liver distribution. Importantly, TERN-201 does not inhibit human MAO-A and MAO-B, thereby avoiding risks associated with MAO inhibition. We believe the sustained activity of TERN-201, with its VAP-1 selectivity and anticipated low therapeutic dose, make it suitable for coadministration with therapies directed at steatosis and other metabolic processes involved in NASH. We are currently preparing to initiate a Phase 1b clinical trial of TERN-201 in NASH patients in the first half of 2021 and expect top-line data in the first half of 2022. Our IND for TERN-201 went into effect in January 2019. We received Fast Track designation from the FDA for TERN-201 for the treatment of NASH in August 2020. Fast Track designation does not guarantee an accelerated review by the FDA.

 

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Overview of VAP-1 biology in NASH

As liver damage accumulates in NAFLD and NASH patients, VAP-1 becomes increasingly expressed on the endothelium of blood vessels within the liver. Through its function as a leukocyte adhesion molecule, VAP-1 facilitates the deceleration, binding and transmigration of leukocytes from the blood stream into the liver, and recruits co-functioning proteins to aid in the transmigration process. These leukocytes respond to local liver tissue damage and multiple stimuli, reproducing and releasing cytokines which cause progressive liver inflammation. In addition, VAP-1 acts as an enzyme to break down short-chain primary amines in the blood and produce reactive oxygen species, or ROS, aldehyde, ammonia and hydrogen peroxide in the liver, which in turn cause inflammation, hepatic oxidative stress and tissue damage. Together, the cytokine cascades resulting from white blood cell liver penetration and local ROS-mediated oxidative stress and tissue damage stimulate fibrosis, the synthesis of ECM by activating hepatic stellate cells. The following graphic illustrates this process.

VAP-1 increases oxidative stress, recruits white blood cells to the liver, increases inflammation and fibrosis

 

 

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Clinical validation of VAP-1 inhibition in NASH

VAP-1 inhibition has the potential to address the inflammatory process in NASH patients. Preclinical data have demonstrated that VAP-1 inhibition improves liver histology and serum biomarkers. VAP-1 has been shown to be over-expressed in the livers of NASH patients in response to local lipotoxicity and liver injury. Increased levels of soluble VAP-1 in the plasma is also associated with the presence of NASH, and with increasing liver fibrosis. In a Phase 2a clinical trial, administration of a different VAP-1 inhibitor over 12 weeks in NASH patients demonstrated significant, dose dependent decreases from baseline in ALT, AST, GGT and CK-18, markers of liver injury and inflammation and cell death compared to placebo. Improvements in these markers provide clinical proof-of-concept for VAP-1 inhibition as a treatment approach in NASH.

Limitations of other VAP-1 inhibitors in development

A clinical trial of another VAP-1 inhibitor in NASH patients demonstrated improvements in markers of liver injury, inflammation and cell death, including significant reductions in ALT. However, other VAP-1 inhibitors currently in development for NASH are associated MAO inhibition due to their lack of specificity for

 

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binding VAP-1. Drugs that inhibit MAO create the risk of life-threatening serotonin syndrome and hypertensive crisis when administered with commonly prescribed serotonergic drugs and with tyramine-containing foods. Therefore, we believe a VAP-1 inhibitor with improved selectivity for VAP-1 inhibition that lacks the potential to inhibit MAO-A or MAO-B could provide meaningful clinical benefit to NASH patients in reducing inflammation and liver fibrosis without risks related to MAO inhibition.

Our solution for VAP-1 inhibition: TERN-201

TERN-201 was selected over other discovery candidates because it is highly specific for VAP-1 inhibition and has minimal potential to inhibit MAO-A or MAO-B at clinically relevant concentrations. Preclinical studies showed that TERN-201 was greater than 7000-fold more selective for VAP-1 than for MAO-A or MAO-B. In clinical studies, TERN-201 has shown strong VAP-1 inhibition at all doses studied, and plasma TERN-201 concentrations, or Cmax, after 7 days of dosing were more than 300 times lower than the IC50 concentrations for MAO-A and MAO–B inhibition at the highest dose level studied. The graph below illustrates the selectivity of TERN-201 for VAP-1 inhibition over MAO inhibition shown in preclinical studies.

TERN-201 shows no apparent MAO inhibition

 

Fold selectivity for VAP-1 over

MAO-A or MAO-B

 

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Clinical development of TERN-201

We have completed a first-in-human, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase 1 clinical trial (SAD/MAD) of TERN-201 which assessed the safety, pharmacokinetics, or PK, and pharmacodynamics, or PD, in 61 healthy subjects. Single oral TERN-201 doses of 1, 3, 6 or 10 mg and repeat doses of 1 mg and 4 mg (once-daily for 7 days) and 10 mg (once-daily for 14 days) were administered. In the trial, TERN-201 target engagement was assessed by measuring decreases from baseline in the semi-carbazide sensitive amine oxidase, or SSAO, activity which results from VAP-1 enzymatic activity, and by changes from baseline in methylamine, a biomarker that increases in concentration in the blood as its metabolism by VAP-1 is inhibited.

TERN-201 demonstrated robust and sustained VAP-1 target engagement. Near complete inhibition of VAP-1 plasma SSAO activity was observed at four hours post-dose on Day One in all single and multiple dose

 

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groups. There was evidence of dose dependent sustained decreases in VAP-1 plasma SSAO activity for one week after completion of single and repeat dosing due to covalent binding of TERN-201 to VAP-1 and the rate of regeneration of VAP-1 over several days after completion of TERN-201 dosing. Near complete suppression of VAP-1 plasma SSAO activity persisted to 7 days after completion of a single TERN-201 dose of 10 mg and repeat doses of 4 mg and 10 mg. Changes from baseline in methylamine were also dose dependent, with the greatest increases from baseline observed in the TERN-201 10 mg dose group in both single and multiple dose cohorts.

TERN-201 demonstrates near complete inhibition of VAP-1 plasma SSAO activity in single ascending dose Phase 1 trial

 

 

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In the Phase 1 SAD/MAD clinical trial, TERN-201 administered for up to 14 days was generally well-tolerated with no tolerability signals based on AEs, safety laboratory testing and electrocardiogram monitoring. Clinical and preclinical studies indicate that TERN-201 is not extensively metabolized and is unlikely to inhibit or induce major drug metabolism pathways or MAOs; therefore, it has a low potential for drug-drug interactions. This profile as well as its pharmaceutical properties and anticipated low therapeutic dose make it a very attractive candidate for co-formulation with other drugs as part of a single-tablet, fixed-dose combination treatment for NASH.

Preclinical data for TERN-201

In preclinical studies, TERN-201 demonstrated dose-dependent beneficial effects on liver histology and serum biomarkers comparable to other VAP-1 inhibitors in development. TERN-201 exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of rat hepatic stellate cells activation and reduction of fibrosis, inflammation, and ballooning in an in vivo rodent model of liver inflammation and fibrosis. TERN-201 also reduced inflammation and markers of fibrosis, leukocyte infiltration, and hepatic stellate cell activation in an in vivo NASH rodent model. Histological improvements were noted in inflammation and fibrosis scores as shown in the figure below. The animals in the TERN-201 dosing groups had a reduced inflammation score of 1.1, while placebo animals on average had an inflammation score of 2.3. This significant histological response correlates with the anti-inflammatory activity of TERN-201. Fibrosis scores were also reduced with an average score of 2.1 and 2.3 for the low and high TERN-201 dosing groups, respectively, compared to an average score of 2.9 in the placebo group.

 

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TERN-201 reduces liver inflammation and fibrosis in an in vivo rodent model of NASH

 

 

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Figure: Efficacy of TERN-201 in a rat model of NASH. Liver steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis assessed by histological scoring in treated groups (n=10). TERN-201 treatment groups had an ~1 point reduction in inflammation and fibrosis scores relative to the placebo group. Data for individual animals (dots) and mean (dashed line) are presented.

Planned TERN-201 Phase 1b clinical trial

We intend to initiate a 12-week Phase 1b clinical trial of TERN-201 in patients with NASH in the first half of 2021 that will assess the tolerability of different doses of TERN-201 and the potential improvements in NASH biomarkers. We expect to enroll approximately 60 patients in this trial. The primary endpoint of this trial will be to assess the safety of TERN-201. We expect top-line data from this clinical trial to be available in the first half of 2022. Following this clinical trial, we will consider subsequent trials of TERN-201 as monotherapy or potentially in combination with a metabolically active NASH treatment.

TERN-501 – a selective THR-b agonist with enhanced metabolic stability and liver distribution

Drug candidate summary

TERN-501 is a selective THR-b agonist with enhanced metabolic stability and liver distribution, characteristics that are intended to improve safety and efficacy in NASH patients. THR-b is the major form of thyroid hormone receptor in the liver and regulates key aspects of energy metabolism, including fatty acid and lipid synthesis and removal of liver fat through induction of fatty acid oxidation. THR-b stimulation has been identified as a target for NASH on the basis of its potential to reduce hepatic steatosis and improve serum lipid parameters in NASH patients. For any THR agonist, a key concern is toxicity from excess systemic THR-α stimulation. TERN-501 is 23-fold more selective for THR-b than for THR-α activation, thereby minimizing the risk of cardiotoxicity through THR-α stimulation. TERN-501 has high metabolic stability and a low projected clinical dose, which we believe makes it an attractive candidate for fixed-dose combination co-formulations. In January 2021, the FDA cleared our IND for TERN-501, which is expected to allow us to initiate a Phase 1 first-in-human clinical trial in the first half of 2021. We expect top-line data from this clinical trial in the second half of 2021.

THR-b agonists for NASH

Thyroid hormone plays a central role in regulating metabolism, through its actions in multiple tissues, including fat, skeletal muscle, pancreas, and liver. THR-α and THR-b are nuclear receptors widely expressed in the body, but the two different isoforms are differentially expressed in different tissue types. THR-b is the major form of thyroid hormone receptor in the liver and regulates key aspects of energy metabolism, including fatty acid and lipid synthesis and removal of liver fat through induction of fatty acid oxidation. THR-α is the major form of thyroid hormone receptor in cardiac muscle, skeletal muscle and bone. Selective agonism of THR -b in the liver has been identified as a target for NASH and validated in clinical trials on the basis of its potential to improve hepatic steatosis and lipid profiles in NASH patients.

 

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Clinical validation of THR-b agonism

Data from other NASH clinical studies validate the potential of THR-b agonism as a NASH treatment (the data from other NASH clinical studies described in this paragraph are from Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s Phase 2 Study of MGL-3196 and Viking Therapeutics, Inc.’s Phase 2 Study of VK2809). In these clinical studies, two different THR-b agonists showed significant reductions in liver fat measured by MRI-PDFF, as well as reduction in lipid levels in serum, which may offer additional benefits to NASH patients who are at high risk of cardiovascular comorbidities. One of these clinical trials correlated reductions in liver fat measured by MRI-PDFF with histological responses including NAS reduction, NASH resolution and fibrosis resolution. These types of histological responses may be suitable for accelerated approval under current draft guidance from the FDA titled “Noncirrhotic Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis With Liver Fibrosis: Developing Drugs for Treatment Guidance for Industry.”

Selectivity towards THR-b over THR-α is key to modulating the metabolic activities in the liver without triggering the unwanted effects of thyroid hormone outside of the liver

 

 

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Limitations of THR-b targeting

For THR agonists, a key safety concern is the potential for adverse effects from off-target thyroid hormone receptor stimulation that may stem from either lack of selectivity for THR-b or high variations in pharmacokinetics due to the lack of metabolic stability. Selectivity for THR-b over THR-α is key to modulating the metabolic activities in the liver without triggering the unwanted effects of THR-α activation outside of the liver. Stimulation of THR-α can adversely affect the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal system through increases in heart rate, cardiac arrhythmias, muscle wasting, and reduced bone mineral density. Therefore, the identification of a selective THR-b agonist particularly with enhanced liver distribution, would have the potential to improve hepatic steatosis and serum lipid profiles while potentially avoiding adverse effects of THR-α activation. However, the use of a liver-targeted pro-drug approach to overcome THR selectivity has not completely avoided cardiac adverse events in clinical trials.

In addition to THR-b selectivity, metabolic stability and predictable pharmacokinetics are important considerations in the development of thyroid hormone activators. In a Phase 2 clinical trial of another selective THR-b agonist, lack of metabolic stability resulted in significant inter-patient variability in drug exposure that required PK monitoring and dose adjustments. Dose adjustments in widespread clinical practice present potential challenges in terms of patient compliance, safety monitoring and additional burden on the healthcare system. Additionally, highly variable pharmacokinetics and unpredictable drug concentrations would hinder the potential for combination treatment in NASH patients.

 

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Our solution for THR-b agonism: high THR-b-selectivity and improved metabolic stability

TERN-501 was selected over other discovery candidates because of its high selectivity for THR-b over THR-α, its improved metabolic stability and its enhanced liver-distribution, all of which are characteristics that are intended to improve efficacy and safety in NASH patients. TERN-501 has a similar structural backbone to other THR-b agonists in late stage development that are selective for THR-b. Furthermore, the TERN-501 chemical structure incorporates certain changes designed to enhance metabolic and pharmacokinetic stability, thereby limiting the need for individualized dose adjustments implemented in studies with other THR-b agonists. In a head-to-head comparison, TERN-501 has shown a 23-fold selectivity for THR-b over THR-α stimulation in a cell-free assay, which is higher than the selectivity for two other THR agonists currently in development. TERN-501 is not a pro-drug and does not rely on the metabolic process to make it pharmacologically active. The following chart illustrates the selectivity of TERN-501 as compared to a reference drug and the active metabolite of a pro-drug in clinical development for NASH.

TERN-501 demonstrates higher selectivity for THR-b over THR-α

 

 

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Non-clinical tissue distribution studies show that TERN-501 demonstrates enhanced liver distribution relative to plasma and other organs. From non-clinical studies, TERN-501 is projected to have a predictable human PK profile due to its improved metabolic stability. Due to its metabolic stability, we believe that TERN-501 is unlikely to require PK monitoring and individualized clinical dose adjustment in NASH patients, as was done with another THR-b agonist in development that lacks metabolic stability and has variable PK in humans, thereby avoiding potential challenges associated with monitoring and dose adjustment in clinical practice, including patient compliance, safety monitoring and additional burden on the healthcare system. Further, TERN-501 is projected to have a low clinically efficacious dose range which, along with its metabolic stability, makes it attractive for long-term NASH treatment and for co-formulation as part of a fixed-dose combination.

Preclinical data for TERN-501

In preclinical studies, TERN-501 showed potent activity in animal models of metabolic disease. TERN-501 produced rapid and significant reductions in serum lipids in an in vivo rat model; serum total cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly reduced up to 71% and 82%, respectively, 24 hours after a single intraperitoneal injection of TERN-501. In an in vivo mouse NASH model, histological analysis showed that TERN-501 resolved liver steatosis to healthy control levels at all doses and led to a dose-dependent reduction in liver triglycerides

 

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and fibrosis. TERN-501 treatment of these mice also led to significant reductions in serum cholesterol, triglycerides and ALT.

The graph below compares reductions in plasma cholesterol and plasma triglycerides in an in vivo rat model following a single intraperitoneal administration of various doses of TERN-501 as compared to a reference compound in late-stage clinical development.

TERN-501 demonstrates dose-dependent reductions in serum total cholesterol and triglycerides in an in vivo rodent model of hypercholesterolemia

 

 

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The graphs below demonstrate the histological improvement in an in vivo mouse model of NASH following repeat administrations of various doses of TERN-501.

TERN-501 improves steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis in an

in vivo mouse model of NASH

 

 

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Figure: Efficacy of TERN-501 in a mouse model of NASH. Liver steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis assessed by histological scoring in treated groups (n=8). Data for individual animals (dots) and mean (dashed line) are presented.

Planned clinical trials for TERN-501

We intend to initiate a Phase 1 first-in-human clinical trial of TERN-501 in the first half of 2021. As a Phase 1 first in human clinical trial, the primary purpose of this trial is to address the safety of TERN-501. We expect to enroll approximately 90 participants in this trial. As with our other clinical programs, this Phase 1 clinical trial is planned to include single ascending dose and multiple ascending dose cohorts in which we intend

 

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to assess TERN-501 safety, tolerability and PK, as well as the reduction in serum lipid levels which could serve as an early marker of target engagement. As part of this Phase 1 clinical trial, we also intend to assess drug-drug interactions, including the co-administration of our liver-distributed FXR agonist (TERN-101) and our metabolically stable THR-beta agonist (TERN-501), two mechanisms that have shown additive or synergistic improvements on histological endpoints and serum lipid parameters in our preclinical NASH studies. We expect top-line data from our Phase 1 clinical trial in the second half of 2021. Following this Phase 1 clinical trial, we plan to conduct a Phase 2a clinical trial in NASH patients assessing TERN-501 administered as monotherapy and potentially co-administered with TERN-101.

Combination Therapy Programs

Several prior clinical trials evaluating single-agent therapies for NASH have shown only moderate histological improvements and exhibited tolerability issues with some of these agents at high doses. We believe developing combination therapies targeting multiple mechanistic pathways will drive improved response rates for NASH patients while mitigating potential tolerability concerns and improving compliance as compared with monotherapy regimens. We are well-positioned to develop multiple combination therapies for NASH with our extensive experience in combination drug development and the ability to leverage from within our pipeline of wholly owned single-agents that we believe are attractive candidates for combination development. We are focused on developing combination therapies with clinically validated mechanisms of action to address the multifaceted nature of NASH. Given the strength of our internal resources and capabilities, we have the flexibility to independently advance our combination therapies without the need for a co-development partner at this time. We believe that therapies targeting steatosis (TERN-101 and TERN-501), inflammation (TERN-101 and TERN-201) and fibrosis (TERN-101 and TERN-201) in tandem, have the potential to provide greater resolution of NASH and improvement in related clinical outcomes.

Our combination approach: complementary mechanisms for the treatment of NASH

 

 

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Preclinical data for combination therapies

We believe that a combination of TERN-101 and TERN-501 has the potential for improved therapeutic benefit for NASH patients. As a liver-distributed FXR agonist, TERN-101 is expected to have effects on multiple facets of NASH, including potential improvements in steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. TERN-501 is a THR-b agonist that is expected to potently and rapidly reduce hepatic steatosis and normalize plasma lipid parameters through the modulation of metabolic pathways that are distinct from those modulated by liver FXR activation. A combination of TERN-101 and TERN-501 would therefore be expected to significantly reduce

 

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steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis in NASH patients through their complementary effects without the need to use maximal dose levels of either agent. The combination may also result in a positive serum lipid profile since TERN-501 is expected to reduce LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in NASH patients in whom FXR agonists have generally not demonstrated potentially therapeutic decreases in plasma cholesterol or triglycerides.

As seen in the charts below, the combination of the FXR agonist TERN-101 and the THR-b agonist TERN-501 showed robust efficacy in an in vivo mouse model of NASH by profoundly reducing steatosis and significantly improving fibrosis, serum triglycerides, serum total cholesterol and ALT. The combination treatment of TERN-101 and TERN-501 also resulted in the expression of more than 800 additional distinct genes as compared to either agent alone, supporting our hypothesis that additional biological processes are activated by combination treatment. Together these results suggest that the combination of the FXR agonist TERN-101 and the THR-b agonist TERN-501 may provide additional benefits for NASH patients than either treatment alone.

Combination of TERN-101 + TERN-501 demonstrates improvements in liver histology and serum biomarkers in an in vivo NASH mouse model

 

 

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Figure: Data from a NASH mouse model. TERN-101 dose 3 mg/kg; TERN-501 dose 1 mg/kg. Liver steatosis (upper left), inflammation (upper middle) and fibrosis (upper right) were quantified by histological analysis for degree of steatosis, lobular inflammation, and fibrosis. Serum was collected at termination and analyzed for triglycerides, or TG (lower left), total cholesterol, or TC, (lower middle) and a biomarker of liver damage, alanine aminotransferase, or ALT (lower right). Data for individual animals (dots) and mean (dashed line) are presented; **p <0.01, ***p <0.001, ****p <0.

 

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We are also evaluating the potential to combine our VAP-1 inhibitor, TERN-201, with a metabolically active NASH treatment. We believe the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects, sustained target engagement, VAP-1 selectivity and anticipated low therapeutic dose of TERN-201 make it suitable for co-administration with therapies directed at steatosis and other metabolic processes involved in NASH. For example, the combination of our FXR agonist TERN-101 and TERN-201 demonstrated histological improvements in inflammation and GGT, an inflammation biomarker, in an in vivo rodent model of NASH.

Clinical development plan for NASH combination of TERN-101 and TERN-501

Our approach for developing a differentiated NASH combination regimen is to discover and develop promising drug candidates targeting clinically validated mechanisms of action, advance them first as monotherapies to evaluate safety and pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers and subsequently conduct Phase 1b or 2a trials to assess safety in NASH patients and potentially efficacious dose ranges using known non-invasive biomarkers of efficacy for these mechanisms of action. Subsequently, we intend to proceed to Phase 2a studies with the coadministration of two or more complimentary mechanisms of action—such as the FXR agonist TERN-101 and the THR-b agonist TERN-501—to assess the potential for combinations to generate additive or synergistic effects on these same non-invasive biomarkers relative to monotherapy and inform dose selection for later phase studies of the agents in combination. We then plan to proceed to longer duration Phase 2b and Phase 3 trials that can evaluate our individual monotherapies as well as promising combinations within the same trials to confirm treatment effects using liver biopsy and histological markers of efficacy. We believe this approach maximizes the chance of achieving higher NASH response rates compared to treatment approaches that rely exclusively on single-agent therapeutics and creates efficiencies through the evaluation of our individual monotherapies and combination treatments, allowing us to proceed to marketing authorization applications for those single-agent drug candidates and combination therapies that offer the clearest advantages to patients. The following graphic illustrates our potential combination development plan.

 

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Preclinical Pipeline

Our small-molecule glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor, or GLP-1R, agonist program is intended to address metabolic processes involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and NASH. The natural endogenous ligand, glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, promotes insulin secretion from pancreatic b-cells in a glucose-dependent-manner following food ingestion. Activation of the GLP-1 pathway has shown to be effective in driving NASH resolution in studies of available GLP-1 agonists currently approved for the treatment of diabetes. However,

 

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these approved agents are synthetic peptides and potentially require higher doses more frequent subcutaneous injections for the potential treatment of NASH. This injectable route of administration is likely to limit their use in NASH patients, particularly if efficacious oral NASH treatments become available. Although an oral GLP-1 peptide formulation is available for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, it requires high doses, is associated with adverse effects and lacks NASH efficacy data. A non-peptidic small-molecule oral GLP-1 receptor agonist may offer advantages over currently available peptide GLP-1R agonists that have been studied for the treatment of NASH.

Our GLP-1R program has identified several potentially suitable small-molecule scaffolds. We plan to further optimize these series of compounds and identify structures that have the potential for once daily oral administration and a profile suitable for combination with other NASH drugs within our pipeline. We aim to nominate a final candidate for further development in the second half of 2021.

Manufacturing and supply

We do not own or operate manufacturing facilities for the production of any of our drug candidates, nor do we have plans to develop our own manufacturing operations in the foreseeable future. We currently rely, and expect to continue to rely, on third-party contract manufacturers for manufacturing all our drug candidates for preclinical research and clinical trials. We do not have long-term agreements with any of these third parties.

If any of our drug candidates are approved by any regulatory agency, we intend to enter into agreements with a third-party contract manufacturer and one or more back-up manufacturers for the commercial production of those drugs. Development and commercial quantities of any drugs that we develop will need to be manufactured in facilities, and by processes, that comply with the requirements of the FDA and the regulatory agencies of other jurisdictions in which we are seeking approval.

Sales and Marketing

Given our stage of development, we have not yet established a commercial organization. We intend to establish a targeted commercial infrastructure in key geographies at the appropriate time prior to regulatory approval of our single-agent drugs and fixed-dose combination therapies. We expect to manage sales, marketing and distribution through internal resources and third-party relationships.

In addition, we will opportunistically explore commercialization partnerships in territories outside the United States. As our drug candidates progress through our pipeline, our commercial plans may change. Clinical data, the size of the development programs, the size of our target markets, the size of a commercial infrastructure and manufacturing needs may all influence our commercialization strategies.

Competition

The biotechnology industry is intensely competitive and subject to rapid and significant technological change. We believe that our pipeline, development experience, and scientific knowledge provide us with competitive advantages. However, we face potential worldwide competition from many different sources, including large multinational pharmaceutical companies, established biotechnology companies, and smaller or earlier stage biotechnology companies. In addition, academic institutions, government agencies and other public and private organizations conducting research may seek patent protection with respect to potentially competitive products or technologies. Given the high incidence of NASH, it is likely that the number of companies seeking to develop products and therapies for the treatment of liver and cardio-metabolic diseases, including NASH, will increase. Most of our competitors are focused on single-agent product candidates; there are fewer competitors, of which we are aware, who are developing combination therapies for the treatment of NASH.

 

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We are aware of both pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies with development programs in NASH. Large pharmaceutical companies participating in the development of NASH treatments include, but are not limited to, AbbVie, Inc., Amgen Inc., AstraZeneca PLC/MedImmune LLC, Bayer AG, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Eisai, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Gilead Sciences, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., Novo Nordisk A/S, Pfizer Inc., Roche Holding AG, Sanofi, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

In relation to TERN-101, companies who are currently conducting clinical trials with FXR in the context of NASH include AbbVie, Inc., Enanta Pharmaceuticals, Inc., ENYO Pharma SA, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Metacrine, Inc. and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.

TERN-201, our VAP-1 inhibitor, is a relatively novel mechanism for the treatment of NASH, and thus has little competition we are aware of. The companies who are currently developing a SSAO/VAP-1 inhibitor with NASH as a lead indication are LG Chem Ltd. and Novo Nordisk A/S.

With regards to TERN-501, companies who are currently conducting clinical trials targeting THR-b in the context of NASH include Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

Furthermore, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies who are developing clinical-stage drugs to treat NASH, using mechanisms not mentioned above, include 89Bio, Inc., Akero Therapeutics, Inc., Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Axcella Health, Inc., Carmot Therapeutics, Inc., Cirius Therapeutics, Inc., CohBar, Inc., Coherus Biosciences Inc., Corcept Therapeutics, Inc., CymaBay Therapeutics, Inc., Esperion Therapeutics, Inc., Galectin Therapeutics Inc., Galmed Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Inventiva Pharma SA, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., MediciNova, Inc., NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., NorthSea Therapeutics, Inc., Pliant Therapeutics, Inc., Poxel SA, Sagimet Biosciences, Inc., T3D Therapeutics, Inc. and Zydus Cadila Healthcare.

Many of our competitors have substantially greater financial, technical, human and other resources than we do and may be better equipped to develop, manufacture and market technologically superior products. In addition, many of these competitors have significantly greater experience than we have in undertaking preclinical studies and human clinical trials of new pharmaceutical products and in obtaining regulatory approvals of human therapeutic products. Accordingly, our competitors may succeed in obtaining FDA approval for superior products. Many of our competitors have established distribution channels for the commercialization of their products, whereas we have no such channel or capabilities. In addition, many competitors have greater name recognition and more extensive collaborative relationships. Smaller and earlier-stage companies may also prove to be significant competitors, particularly through collaborative arrangements with large, established companies.

Although we believe our drug and combination therapy candidate programs possess appealing attributes, we cannot guarantee that our products will achieve regulatory or market success. Our competitors may obtain regulatory approval of their products more rapidly than we do, or obtain patent protection or other intellectual property rights that limit our ability to develop or commercialize our drug candidate or any future drug candidates. Our competitors may also develop drugs that are more effective, more convenient, more widely used, and less costly, or have a better tolerability profile than our drugs. These competitors may also be more successful than we are in manufacturing and marketing their products. Should we not be able to compete with the aforementioned companies or others, it may hinder our ability to bring our product to market as planned.

Intellectual Property

The proprietary nature of, and protection for, our drug candidates and our discovery programs, processes and know-how are important to our business. For our patent portfolio for pipeline drug candidates, we seek to pursue patent protection covering compositions of matter and methods of use and manufacture. Our policy is to pursue, maintain, defend and enforce patent rights in strategic areas, whether developed internally or licensed from third parties, and to protect the technology, inventions and improvements that are commercially important

 

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to the development of our business. We also rely on trade secrets, confidential information and other proprietary know-how that may be important to the development of our business.

As of January 15, 2021, our owned and exclusively licensed patent portfolio includes:

 

   

For TERN-101, our FXR agonist, we own five patent families and exclusively license from Eli Lilly and Company, or Eli Lilly, two patent families, which collectively are directed to composition-of-matter coverage of TERN-101, its formulations, and its methods of use (including combination therapy) in the treatment of certain liver, metabolic and other diseases and conditions. The composition-of-matter patent family includes one issued U.S. patent and over 35 granted foreign patents. The issued U.S. patent in the composition-of-matter patent family is projected to expire, inclusive of patent term adjustment, in 2029, not including any patent term extensions that may be available. Corresponding foreign patents are generally projected to expire in 2028, not including any patent term extensions that may be available. For more information regarding this exclusive license agreement with Eli Lilly, please see “—Licensing and Other Intellectual Property-Related Agreements.”

 

   

For TERN-201, our VAP-1 inhibitor, we own two patent families and exclusively license from Eli Lilly two patent families, which collectively are directed to composition-of-matter coverage of TERN-201 and its methods of use (including combination therapy) in the treatment of certain liver, metabolic and other diseases and conditions. The composition-of-matter patent family includes three issued U.S. patents and 25 pending patent applications in foreign jurisdictions, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the EPO, India, Japan and Korea. The patents in this patent family and any patents issuing from patent applications therein are projected to expire in 2036, not including any patent term extensions that may be available. For more information regarding this exclusive license agreement with Eli Lilly, please see “—Licensing and Other Intellectual Property-Related Agreements.”

 

   

We do not currently own or have a license to any issued patent with claims directed to TERN-501, our THR-b agonist. However, we own two patent families with applications collectively directed to composition-of-matter coverage of TERN-501 and its methods of use (including combination therapy) in the treatment of various diseases, including certain liver, metabolic and other diseases and conditions. The composition-of-matter patent family is being pursued in the United States and in certain foreign jurisdictions, including under the Patent Cooperation Treaty. Any patents that may issue from applications in the composition-of-matter patent family are generally projected to expire in 2039, not including any patent term adjustments and any patent term extensions that may be available.

Our commercial success will depend in part on obtaining and maintaining patent protection of our current and future drug candidates, as well as successfully defending these patents against third-party challenges. Our ability to stop third parties from making, using, selling, offering to sell or importing our drugs depends in large part on the extent to which we have rights under valid and enforceable patents that cover these activities. We cannot be sure that patents will be granted with respect to any of our owned or licensed pending patent applications or with respect to any patent applications filed or licensed by us in the future, nor can we be sure that any patents that may be granted to, or licensed by, us in the future will be commercially useful in protecting our drug candidates, discovery programs and processes. Moreover, we cannot be sure that any of our owned or licensed patents will not be challenged, invalidated or circumvented or that such patents will be commercially useful in protecting our technology.

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, including the United States, the patent term is 20 years from the earliest date of filing a non-provisional patent application. In the United States, the patent term of a patent that covers an FDA-approved drug, in certain cases, may also be eligible for patent term extension, which permits patent term extension as compensation for the patent term lost during the FDA regulatory review process. The Drug Price Competition and Patent Term Restoration Act of 1984 permits such patent term extension of up to five years beyond the expiration of the patent, but patent term extension cannot extend the remaining term of a

 

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patent beyond a total of 14 years from the date of product approval. Only one patent among those eligible for an extension may be extended and the amount of available extension to any extension-eligible patent which claims a product, a method of using a product or a method of manufacturing a product, depends on a variety of factors, including the date on which the patent issues and certain dates related to the regulatory review period. Provisions are available in Europe and some other foreign jurisdictions to extend the term of a patent that covers an approved drug. In the future, if and when our drugs receive FDA or analogous foreign approval, we expect to apply for patent term extensions on patents covering those drugs from the applicable authorities where patent term extension is available, including the United States Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO. There is no guarantee that the applicable authorities, including the USPTO, will agree with our assessment of whether such extensions should be granted, and if granted, the length of such extensions.

In addition to patent protection, we also rely on trademark registration, trade secrets, know how, other proprietary information and continuing technological innovation to develop and maintain our competitive position. We seek to protect and maintain the confidentiality of proprietary information of our business that is not amenable to, or that we do not consider appropriate for, patent protection. We take steps to protect our proprietary information, including trade secrets and unpatented know-how, by entering into confidentiality agreements with third parties, and confidential information and inventions agreements with employees, consultants and advisors. However, we cannot provide any assurances that all such agreements have been duly executed, and any of these parties may breach the agreements and disclose our proprietary information, including our trade secrets and unpatented know-how, and we may not be able to obtain adequate remedies for such breaches. Enforcing a claim that a party illegally disclosed or misappropriated a trade secret is difficult, expensive and time-consuming, and the outcome is unpredictable. In addition, some courts inside and outside the United States are less willing or unwilling to protect trade secrets.

Moreover, third parties may still obtain this proprietary information or may come upon this or similar information independently, and we would have no right to prevent them from using that information to compete with us. If any of these events occurs or if we otherwise lose protection for our trade secrets and know how the value of this information may be greatly reduced, and our competitive position would be harmed. If we do not apply for patent protection prior to such publication or if we cannot otherwise maintain the confidentiality of our proprietary technology and other confidential information, then our ability to obtain patent protection or to protect our trade secret information may be jeopardized.

The patent positions of biotechnology companies like ours are generally uncertain and involve complex legal, scientific and factual questions. Our commercial success will also depend in part on not infringing upon the proprietary rights of third parties. It is uncertain whether the issuance of any third-party patent or other intellectual property or other proprietary right would require us to alter our development or commercial strategies, or any of our drug candidates or processes, obtain licenses or cease certain activities. Our breach of any license agreements or our failure to obtain a license to proprietary rights required to develop or commercialize our future drugs may have a material adverse impact on us. If third parties prepare and file patent applications in the United States that also claim technology to which we have rights, we may have to participate in interference or derivation proceedings in the USPTO to determine priority of invention. For more information regarding the risks related to intellectual property, please see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Intellectual Property.”

Licensing and Other Intellectual Property-Related Agreements

TERN-101 License Agreement with Eli Lilly

In February 2018, we entered into an exclusive license agreement with Eli Lilly, or the TERN-101 License Agreement, pursuant to which we have been granted an exclusive, worldwide, sublicensable (subject to certain conditions), royalty-bearing license under certain intellectual property rights, including patents applications filed in both the United States and foreign jurisdictions claiming the composition of the compound Eli Lilly has

 

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designated as LY2562175 and methods of using the same and certain know-how related to the manufacture of LY2562175 owned or controlled by Eli Lilly to develop, manufacture and commercialize therapeutic products containing LY2562175, or TERN-101 Products, for all uses and indications in humans. Eli Lilly also has the right, on a country-by-country and TERN-101 Product-by-TERN-101 Product basis, to negotiate an agreement governing the co-promotion of TERN-101 Products if we, or our sublicensees, decide to commercialize a TERN-101 Product in the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan.

Pursuant to the terms of the TERN-101 License Agreement, we must use commercially reasonable efforts to develop, manufacture, apply for regulatory approval of and commercialize TERN-101 Products in the People’s Republic of China. In addition, Eli Lilly provided us, at its expense, certain support in connection with the transfer of the licensed materials.

As consideration for the exclusive license, we are required to pay Eli Lilly up to an aggregate of $56 million upon the achievement of pre-specified clinical, regulatory and commercial milestone events for TERN-101 Products; no such milestones have been achieved to date under the TERN-101 License Agreement.

We are also required to pay tiered royalties calculated on a calendar year basis, ranging from mid-single digit to mid teen percentages, on net sales of TERN-101 Products. The royalty rate is subject to customary reductions, including reductions based on certain generic competition to a TERN-101 Product or amounts paid to any third party under a necessary license to such third party’s patent rights in order to develop, manufacture, commercialize or use a TERN-101 Product. The royalty term will terminate on a country-by-country, TERN-101 Product-by-TERN-101 Product basis on the later of (i) the expiration date of the last valid claim within the licensed patent rights infringed by the sale of such TERN-101 Product in such country, (ii) the loss of regulatory exclusivity for such TERN-101 Product in such country, and (iii) the tenth anniversary of the first commercial sale of such TERN-101 Product in such country.

Any intellectual property or inventions developed solely by either party in connection with activities conducted pursuant to the TERN-101 License Agreement shall be owned solely by that party, and any jointly-developed intellectual property or inventions shall be jointly owned (although no joint development activities are anticipated). We have the first right to prosecute, maintain, defend and enforce certain patents licensed under the TERN-101 License Agreement, including any patents that are solely and directly related to LY2562175 or TERN-101 Products.

The TERN-101 License Agreement shall expire upon the expiration of the last-to-expire royalty term for the TERN-101 Products on a country-by-country basis. Upon expiration of the TERN-101 License Agreement, the license granted to us shall be considered fully paid-up, irrevocable, perpetual and non-exclusive. Either we or Eli Lilly may terminate the TERN-101 License Agreement if the other party commits a material breach of the agreement or defaults in the performance thereunder and fails to cure that breach within 90 days after written notice is provided, or in the event of insolvency of the other party. We may terminate the TERN-101 License Agreement in its entirety or on a country-by-country and TERN-101 Product-by-TERN-101 Product basis upon 180 days’ prior written notice. Eli Lilly may terminate the TERN-101 License Agreement if we, our affiliates or our sublicensees challenge the licensed patents or if we assist any third party in challenging such patents.

TERN-201 License Agreement with Eli Lilly

In March 2018, we entered into an exclusive license agreement with Eli Lilly, or the TERN-201 License Agreement, pursuant to which we have been granted an exclusive, worldwide, sublicensable (subject to certain conditions), royalty-bearing license under certain intellectual property rights, including patents applications filed in both the United States and foreign jurisdictions claiming the composition of the compound Eli Lilly has designated as LY3379274, and methods of using the same and certain know-how related to the manufacture of LY3379274 owned or controlled by Eli Lilly to develop, manufacture, and commercialize therapeutic products containing LY3379274, or TERN-201 Products, for all uses and indications in humans. Eli Lilly has a right of

 

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first negotiation to negotiate an agreement covering the commercialization of any TERN-201 Product before we negotiate the same with a third party. Eli Lilly also has the right, on a country-by-country and TERN-201 Product-by- TERN-201 Product basis, to negotiate an agreement governing the co-promotion of TERN-201 Products if we, or our sublicensees, decide to commercialize a TERN-201 Product in the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan.

Pursuant to the terms of the TERN-201 License Agreement, we must use commercially reasonable efforts to develop, manufacture, apply for regulatory approval of and commercialize TERN-201 Products in the People’s Republic of China, the United States, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. In addition, Eli Lilly provided us, at its expense, certain support in connection with the transfer of the licensed materials.

As initial consideration for the license under the TERN-201 License Agreement, we paid Eli Lilly a non-refundable, upfront payment of $4 million. As additional consideration for the exclusive license, we are required to pay Eli Lilly up to an aggregate of $104 million upon the achievement of specified clinical and regulatory milestone events for TERN-201 Products. No development milestones have been achieved to date under the TERN-201 License Agreement.

We are also required to pay tiered royalties, ranging from mid-single digit to mid-teen percentages, on annual net sales of TERN-201 Products. The royalty rate is subject to customary reductions, including reductions based on certain generic competition to a TERN-201 Product or amounts paid to any third party under a necessary license to such third party’s patent rights in order to develop, manufacture, commercialize or use a TERN-201 Product. The royalty term will terminate on a country-by-country, TERN-201 Product-by-TERN-201 Product basis on the later of (i) the expiration date of the last valid claim within the licensed patent rights infringed by the sale of such TERN-201 Product in such country, (ii) the loss of regulatory exclusivity for such TERN-201 Product in such country, and (iii) the tenth anniversary of the first commercial sale of such TERN-201 Product in such country.

Any intellectual property or inventions developed solely by either party in connection with activities conducted pursuant to the TERN-201 License Agreement shall be owned solely by that party, and any jointly-developed intellectual property or inventions shall be jointly owned (although no joint development activities are anticipated). We have the first right to prosecute, maintain, defend and enforce certain patents licensed under the TERN-201 License Agreement, including any patents that are solely and directly related to LY3379274 or TERN-201 Products.

The TERN-201 License Agreement shall expire upon the expiration of the last-to-expire royalty term for the TERN-201 Products on a country-by-country basis. Upon expiration of the TERN-201 License Agreement, the license granted to us shall be considered fully paid-up, irrevocable, perpetual and non-exclusive. Either we or Eli Lilly may terminate the TERN-201 License Agreement if the other party commits a material breach of the agreement or defaults in the performance thereunder and fails to cure that breach within 90 days after written notice is provided, or in the event of insolvency of the other party. We may terminate the TERN-201 License Agreement in its entirety or on a country-by-country and TERN-201 Product-by-TERN-201 Product basis upon 180 days prior written notice. Eli Lilly may terminate the TERN-201 License Agreement if we, our affiliates or our sublicensees challenge the licensed patents or if we assist any third party in challenging such patents.

THR-b Agonist Assignment Agreement with Vintagence Biotechnology Ltd.

In June 2019, we entered into an assignment agreement with Vintagence Biotechnology Ltd., or Vintagence, pursuant to which Vintagence assigned to us certain worldwide intellectual property rights that are directed to THR-b agonists. In particular, we have been assigned a Chinese patent application and potentially certain other patents or patent applications and know-how relating to our THR-b program. We are also entitled to license the rights granted to us under the assignment agreement.

 

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Pursuant to the terms of the assignment agreement, we must use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize a product based on the assigned intellectual property in each of several major market territories.

During the term of the assignment agreement, Vintagence may not develop, manufacture, commercialize or otherwise exploit any compound covered by any of the assigned patent rights. In the event Vintagence develops a THR-b agonist not covered by the assigned patent rights, we will have the first right to negotiate an assignment or license to exclusively develop, manufacture, commercialize or otherwise exploit such agonist.

As initial consideration for the assignment, we paid Vintagence an upfront payment of CNY 5 million (approximately $0.75 million). As additional consideration, we are required to pay Vintagence up to an aggregate CNY 205 million (approximately $30 million) upon the achievement of specified developmental, clinical and regulatory milestone events with respect to products covered by the agreement.

We have the sole responsibility and decision-making authority to prosecute the assigned patents. However, if we decline to pay the prosecution costs for any assigned patent, Vintagence shall have the right to prosecute such assigned patent, and we must assign such assigned patent back to Vintagence. We also have the first right to enforce the assigned patents and know-how. If we do not bring an action to enforce any of the assigned patents or know-how against infringing activities, Vintagence has the right to bring such an action.

The assignment agreement will continue on a country-by-country basis until we have paid all milestone payments. We may terminate the assignment agreement in its entirety or on a covered product-by-covered product and country-by-country basis without cause with 60 days’ prior written notice. Either party may terminate the assignment agreement for the other party’s material breach that remains uncured for 90 days or for the other party’s insolvency. If we terminate the assignment agreement without cause or if Vintagence terminates the assignment agreement for our uncured material breach, we must transfer the assigned intellectual property back to Vintagence.

TRN-000632 Exclusive Option and License agreement with Hansoh Pharmaceuticals

In July 2020, we, along with our subsidiaries, CaspianTern LLC and Terns, Inc., entered into an exclusive option and license agreement with Hansoh (Shanghai) Healthtech Co., Ltd. and Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Company Ltd., or collectively, Hansoh, pursuant to which we have granted an exclusive option, exercisable during a specified period, to Hansoh to obtain an exclusive, royalty-bearing license under certain patent and other intellectual property rights owned or controlled by us, including patents claiming the composition of TRN-000632, our small-molecule allosteric inhibitor of the BCR-ABL fusion gene, and methods of using the same, to research, develop, manufacture, use, distribute, sell and otherwise exploit therapeutic products containing TRN-000632, or Hansoh Products, for all prophylactic, palliative, therapeutic and/or diagnostic uses in human diseases and disorders in the field of oncology in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, or the Hansoh Territory. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we would retain co-exclusive rights under certain know-how licensed to Hansoh and all rights under the patent rights outside of the field of oncology and Hansoh Territory. If Hansoh exercises its option and at our request, the parties will enter into a manufacturing and technology transfer agreement under which Hansoh will provide technical assistance and support related to the manufacture of Hansoh Products containing TRN-000632 as the sole active ingredient, at our cost. Pursuant to the terms of the option and license agreement, upon Hansoh’s exercise of its option, Hansoh must use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and commercialize a Hansoh Product in the Hansoh Territory and Hansoh may not exploit any other product in the Hansoh Territory with the same primary mechanism of action as the Hansoh Products.

As consideration for the exclusive option, we received an upfront, refundable (if Hansoh does not exercise the option) payment of $1 million. Under the license, if Hansoh exercises its option, Hansoh has agreed to pay us up to an aggregate $67.0 million upon the achievement of pre-specified clinical, regulatory and sales milestones

 

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with respect to the Hansoh Products. No such milestones have been achieved to date under this option and license agreement. Hansoh must also pay us royalties of a mid-single digit percentage on net sales of all Hansoh Products. The royalty rate is subject to customary reductions, including reductions based on generic competition to the Hansoh Products or royalties paid to any third party under a license to such third party’s patent rights necessary in order to commercialize a Hansoh Product. The royalty term will terminate on a Hansoh Product-by-Hansoh Product and country-by-country basis on the later of (i) the expiration date of the last valid claim within the licensed patent rights covering such Hansoh Product in such country, (ii) the loss of regulatory exclusivity for such Hansoh Product in such country, and (iii) the tenth anniversary of the first commercial sale of such Hansoh Product in such country.

Upon the effectiveness of the license, intellectual property developed out of the activities under this option and license agreement, and that is necessary or useful to exploit TRN-000632 or Hansoh Products, solely developed by one party shall be owned by that party, and jointly-developed intellectual property shall be jointly-owned. Hansoh will have the first right to prosecute, maintain, defend and enforce the licensed patent rights in the Hansoh Territory.

Hansoh’s right to exercise the option shall expire upon the earlier of 30 days after certain studies are completed or 16 months from the effective date of the option and license agreement. Hansoh can terminate its option at any time. If Hansoh exercises its option, the option and license agreement shall expire upon the expiration of the last-to-expire royalty term for the Hansoh Products in the Hansoh Territory. Upon expiration of the option and license agreement, the license under our know-how granted to Hansoh shall be considered fully paid-up, perpetual and co-exclusive. Either we or Hansoh may terminate the option and license agreement if the other party commits a material breach of the agreement and fails to cure that breach within 90 days after written notice is provided, or in the event of insolvency of the other party. Hansoh may terminate the option and license agreement upon 180 days’ prior written notice if the option has been exercised. Hansoh may also terminate the option and license agreement upon 60 days’ prior written notice if we undergo certain change of control events. If Hansoh terminates the option and license agreement upon such change of control events, we must assign our entire right, title and interest in and to the Hansoh Products, including all intellectual property rights therein, in the Hansoh Territory to Hansoh and Hansoh shall provide us the fair market value of such assignment.

Government Regulation and Product Approval

Among others, the FDA, the European Medicines Agency, or EMA, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, and comparable regulatory authorities in state and local jurisdictions and in other countries impose substantial and burdensome requirements on companies involved in the clinical development, manufacture, marketing and distribution of drugs such as those we are developing. These agencies and other federal, state and local entities regulate, among other things, the research and development, testing, manufacture, quality control, safety, effectiveness, labeling, storage, record keeping, approval, advertising and promotion, distribution, post-approval monitoring and reporting, sampling and export and import of our drug and combination therapy candidates. Any drug candidates that we develop must be approved by the FDA before they may be legally marketed in the United States and by the appropriate foreign regulatory agency before they may be legally marketed in those foreign countries. Generally, our activities in other countries will be subject to regulation that is similar in nature and scope as that imposed in the United States, although there can be important differences. Additionally, some significant aspects of regulation in the European Union, or EU, are addressed in a centralized way, but country-specific regulation remains essential in many respects.

U.S. Drug Development Process

In the United States, the FDA regulates drugs under the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, or the FDCA, and its implementing regulations. The process of obtaining regulatory approvals and the subsequent compliance with appropriate federal, state, local and foreign statutes and regulations require the expenditure of

 

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substantial time and financial resources. Failure to comply with the applicable U.S. requirements at any time during the product development process, approval process or after approval may subject an applicant to administrative or judicial sanctions. These sanctions could include the FDA’s refusal to approve pending applications, withdrawal of an approval, a clinical hold, warning letters, product recalls, product seizures, total or partial suspension of production or distribution, injunctions, fines, refusals of government contracts, restitution, disgorgement or civil or criminal penalties.

The process required by the FDA before a drug may be marketed in the United States generally involves the following:

 

   

completion of preclinical laboratory tests, animal studies and formulation studies in accordance with FDA’s good laboratory practice requirements and other applicable regulations;

 

   

submission to the FDA of an investigational new drug application, or IND, which must become effective before human clinical trials may begin;

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

submission to the FDA of a new drug application, or NDA, after completion of all pivotal trials;

 

   

a determination by the FDA within 60 days of its receipt of an NDA to file the NDA for review;

 

   

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

 

   

satisfactory completion of an FDA inspection of the manufacturing facility or facilities at which the drug is produced to assess compliance with cGMP requirements to assure that the facilities, methods and controls are adequate to preserve the drug’s identity, strength, quality and purity, and of selected clinical investigation sites to assess compliance with GCPs;

 

   

potential FDA audit of the preclinical and/or clinical trial sites that generated the data in support of the NDA; and

 

   

FDA review and approval of the NDA to permit commercial marketing of the product for particular indications for use in the United States.

Prior to beginning the first clinical trial with a product candidate in the United States, we must submit an IND to the FDA. An IND is a request for authorization from the FDA to administer an investigational new drug product to humans. The central focus of an IND submission is on the general investigational plan and the protocol(s) for clinical studies. Some preclinical testing may continue even after the IND is submitted. The IND also includes results of animal and in vitro studies assessing the toxicology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, and pharmacodynamic characteristics of the product; chemistry, manufacturing, and controls information; and any available human data or literature to support the use of the investigational product. An IND must become effective before human clinical trials may begin. The IND automatically becomes effective 30 days after receipt by the FDA, unless the FDA, within the 30-day time period, raises safety concerns or questions about the proposed clinical trial. In such a case, the IND may be placed on clinical hold and the IND sponsor and the FDA must resolve any outstanding concerns or questions before the clinical trial can begin. Submission of an IND therefore may or may not result in FDA authorization to begin a clinical trial.

Clinical trials involve the administration of the investigational product to human subjects under the supervision of qualified investigators in accordance with GCPs, which include the requirement that all research subjects provide their informed consent for their participation in any clinical study. Clinical trials are conducted under protocols detailing, among other things, the objectives of the study, the parameters to be used in

 

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monitoring safety and the effectiveness criteria to be evaluated. A separate submission to the existing IND must be made for each successive clinical trial conducted during product development and for any subsequent protocol amendments. Furthermore, an independent IRB for each site proposing to conduct the clinical trial must review and approve the plan for any clinical trial and its informed consent form before the clinical trial begins at that site and must monitor the study until completed. An IRB is charged with protecting the welfare and rights of trial participants and considers such items as whether the risks to individuals participating in the clinical trials are minimized and are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits. The IRB also approves the informed consent form that must be provided to each clinical trial subject or his or her legal representative and must monitor the clinical trial until completed. Regulatory authorities, the IRB or the sponsor may suspend a clinical trial at any time on various grounds, including a finding that the subjects are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk or that the trial is unlikely to meet its stated objectives. Some studies also include oversight by an independent group of qualified experts organized by the clinical study sponsor, known as a data safety monitoring board, which provides authorization for whether or not a study may move forward at designated check points based on access to certain data from the study and may halt the clinical trial if it determines that there is an unacceptable safety risk for subjects or other grounds, such as no demonstration of efficacy. There are also requirements governing the reporting of ongoing clinical studies and clinical study results to public registries.

Human clinical trials are typically conducted in three sequential phases that may overlap or be combined:

 

   

Phase 1: The product candidate is initially introduced into healthy human subjects or patients with the target disease or condition. These studies are designed to test the safety, dosage tolerance, absorption, metabolism and distribution of the investigational product in humans, the side effects associated with increasing doses, and, if possible, to gain early evidence on effectiveness. In the case of some products for severe or life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, especially when the product may be too inherently toxic to ethically administer to healthy volunteers, the initial human testing is often conducted in patients.

 

   

Phase 2: The product candidate is administered to a limited patient population with a specified disease or condition to evaluate the preliminary efficacy, optimal dosages, dose tolerance and dosing schedule and to identify possible adverse side effects and safety risks. Multiple Phase 2 clinical trials may be conducted to obtain information prior to beginning larger and more expensive Phase 3 clinical trials.

 

   

Phase 3: The product candidate is administered to an expanded patient population to further evaluate dosage, to provide statistically significant evidence of clinical efficacy and to further test for safety, generally at multiple geographically dispersed clinical trial sites. These clinical trials are intended to establish the overall risk/benefit ratio of the investigational product and to provide an adequate basis for product approval. Generally, two adequate and well-controlled Phase 3 clinical trials are required by the FDA for approval of an NDA.

Post-approval trials, sometimes referred to as Phase 4 studies, may be conducted after initial marketing approval. These trials are used to gain additional experience from the treatment of patients in the intended therapeutic indication. In certain instances, such as with accelerated approval drugs, FDA may mandate the performance of Phase 4 trials. In certain instances, the FDA may mandate the performance of Phase 4 clinical trials as a condition of approval of an NDA.

The FDA or the sponsor may suspend a clinical trial at any time on various grounds, including a finding that the research subjects or patients are being exposed to an unacceptable health risk. Similarly, an IRB can suspend or terminate approval of a clinical trial at its institution if the clinical trial is not being conducted in accordance with the IRB’s requirements or if the drug has been associated with unexpected serious harm to patients. In addition, some clinical trials are overseen by an independent group of qualified experts organized by the sponsor, known as a data safety monitoring board or committee. Depending on its charter, this group may determine whether a trial may move forward at designated check points based on access to certain data from the trial.

 

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During the development of a new drug, sponsors are given opportunities to meet with the FDA at certain points. These points may be prior to submission of an IND, at the end of Phase 2, and before an NDA is submitted. Meetings at other times may be requested. These meetings can provide an opportunity for the sponsor to share information about the data gathered to date, for the FDA to provide advice, and for the sponsor and the FDA to reach agreement on the next phase of development. Sponsors typically use the meetings at the end of the Phase 2 trial to discuss Phase 2 clinical results and present plans for the pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials that they believe will support approval of the new drug.

Concurrent with clinical trials, companies usually complete additional animal studies and must also develop additional information about the chemistry and physical characteristics of the drug and finalize a process for manufacturing the product in commercial quantities in accordance with cGMP requirements. The manufacturing process must be capable of consistently producing quality batches of the product candidate and, among other things, the manufacturer must develop methods for testing the identity, strength, quality and purity of the final drug. In addition, appropriate packaging must be selected and tested, and stability studies must be conducted to demonstrate that the product candidate does not undergo unacceptable deterioration over its shelf life.

While the IND is active and before approval, progress reports summarizing the results of the clinical trials and nonclinical studies performed since the last progress report must be submitted at least annually to the FDA, and written IND safety reports must be submitted to the FDA and investigators for serious and unexpected suspected adverse events, findings from other studies suggesting a significant risk to humans exposed to the same or similar drugs, findings from animal or in vitro testing suggesting a significant risk to humans, and any clinically important increased incidence of a serious suspected adverse reaction compared to that listed in the protocol or investigator brochure.

U.S. Review and Approval Process

Assuming successful completion of all required testing in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements, the results of product development, preclinical and other non-clinical studies and clinical trials, along with descriptions of the manufacturing process, analytical tests conducted on the chemistry of the drug, proposed labeling and other relevant information are submitted to the FDA as part of an NDA requesting approval to market the product. Data may come from company-sponsored clinical trials intended to test the safety and effectiveness of a use of a product, or from a number of alternative sources, including studies initiated by investigators. To support marketing approval, the data submitted must be sufficient in quality and quantity to establish the safety and effectiveness of the investigational drug product to the satisfaction of the FDA. The submission of an NDA is subject to the payment of substantial user fees; a waiver of such fees may be obtained under certain limited circumstances. Additionally, no user fees are assessed on NDAs for products designated as orphan drugs, unless the product also includes a non-orphan indication.

The FDA reviews an NDA to determine, among other things, whether a product is safe and effective for its intended use and whether its manufacturing is cGMP-compliant to assure and preserve the product’s identity, strength, quality and purity. Under the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, or PDUFA, guidelines that are currently in effect, the FDA has a goal of ten months from the date of “filing” of a standard NDA for a new molecular entity to review and act on the submission. This review typically takes twelve months from the date the NDA is submitted to FDA because the FDA has approximately two months to make a “filing” decision after it the application is submitted. The FDA conducts a preliminary review of all NDAs within the first 60 days after submission, before accepting them for filing, to determine whether they are sufficiently complete to permit 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. The resubmitted application also is subject to review before the FDA accepts it for filing.

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provides a recommendation as to whether the application should be approved and under what conditions. The FDA is not bound by the recommendations of an advisory committee, but it considers such recommendations carefully when making decisions.

Before approving an NDA, the FDA will typically 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 adequate to assure consistent production of the product within required specifications. Additionally, before approving an NDA, the FDA will typically inspect one or more clinical sites to assure compliance with GCPs. If the FDA determines that the application, manufacturing process or manufacturing facilities are not acceptable, it will outline the deficiencies in the submission and often will request additional testing or information. Notwithstanding the submission of any requested additional information, the FDA ultimately may decide that the application does not satisfy the regulatory criteria for approval.

After the FDA evaluates an NDA, it will issue an approval letter or a Complete Response Letter. An approval letter authorizes commercial marketing of the drug with prescribing information for specific indications. A Complete Response Letter indicates that the review cycle of the application is complete, and the application will not be approved in its present form. A Complete Response Letter usually describes the specific deficiencies in the NDA identified by the FDA and may require additional clinical data, such as an additional pivotal Phase 3 trial or other significant and time-consuming requirements related to clinical trials, nonclinical studies or manufacturing. If a Complete Response Letter is issued, the sponsor must resubmit the NDA, addressing all of the deficiencies identified in the letter, or withdraw the application. Even if such data and information are submitted, the FDA may decide that the NDA does not satisfy the criteria for approval.

If regulatory approval of a product is granted, such approval will be granted for particular indications and may contain limitations on the indicated uses for which such product may be marketed. For example, the FDA may approve the NDA with a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, or REMS, to ensure the benefits of the product outweigh its risks. A REMS is a safety strategy to manage a known or potential serious risk associated with a medicine and to enable patients to have continued access to such medicines by managing their safe use, and could include medication guides, physician communication plans, or elements to assure safe use, such as restricted distribution methods, patient registries, and other risk minimization tools. The FDA also may condition approval on, among other things, changes to proposed labeling or the development of adequate controls and specifications. Once approved, the FDA may withdraw the product approval if compliance with pre- and post-marketing requirements is not maintained or if problems occur after the product reaches the marketplace. The FDA may also require one or more Phase 4 post-market studies and surveillance to further assess and monitor the product’s safety and effectiveness after commercialization, and may limit further marketing of the product based on the results of these post-marketing studies. In addition, new government requirements, including those resulting from new legislation, may be established, or the FDA’s policies may change, which could impact the timeline for regulatory approval or otherwise impact ongoing development programs.

Expedited Development and Review Programs

The FDA has a number of programs intended to expedite the development or review of products that meet certain criteria. For example, new drugs are eligible for Fast Track designation if they are intended to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition and demonstrate the potential to address unmet medical needs for the disease or condition. Fast Track designation applies to the combination of the product and the specific indication for which it is being studied. The sponsor of a Fast Track product has opportunities for more frequent interactions with the review team during product development, and the FDA may consider for review sections of the NDA on a rolling basis before the complete application is submitted, if the sponsor provides a schedule for the submission of the sections of the NDA, the FDA agrees to accept sections of the NDA and determines that the schedule is acceptable, and the sponsor pays any required user fees upon submission of the first section of the NDA.

 

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Any product submitted to the FDA for approval, including a product with a Fast Track designation, may also be eligible for other types of FDA programs intended to expedite development and review, such as priority review and accelerated approval. A product is eligible for priority review if it has the potential to provide safe and effective therapy where no satisfactory alternative therapy exists or a significant improvement in the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of a disease compared to marketed products. The FDA will attempt to direct additional resources to the evaluation of an application for a new drug designated for priority review in an effort to facilitate the review. The FDA endeavors to review applications with priority review designations within six months of the filing date as compared to ten months for review of new molecular entity NDAs under its current PDUFA review goals.

In addition, a product may be eligible for accelerated approval. Drug products intended to treat serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions may be eligible for accelerated approval upon a determination that the product has an effect on a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict clinical benefit, or on a clinical endpoint that can be measured earlier than irreversible morbidity or mortality, that is reasonably likely to predict an effect on irreversible morbidity or mortality or other clinical benefit, taking into account the severity, rarity, or prevalence of the condition and the availability or lack of alternative treatments. As a condition of approval, the FDA may require that a sponsor of a drug receiving accelerated approval perform adequate and well-controlled post-marketing clinical trials. In addition, the FDA currently requires pre-approval of promotional materials as a condition for accelerated approval, which could adversely impact the timing of the commercial launch of the product.

The Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act established a category of drugs referred to as “breakthrough therapies” that may be eligible to receive breakthrough therapy designation. A sponsor may seek FDA designation of a product candidate as a “breakthrough therapy” if the product is intended, alone or in combination with one or more other products, to treat a serious or life-threatening disease or condition and preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the product may demonstrate substantial improvement over existing therapies on one or more clinically significant endpoints, such as substantial treatment effects observed early in clinical development. The designation includes all of the Fast Track program features, as well as more intensive FDA interaction and guidance. The breakthrough therapy designation is a distinct status from both accelerated approval and priority review, which can also be granted to the same drug if relevant criteria are met. If a product is designated as breakthrough therapy, the FDA will work to expedite the development and review of such drug.

Fast Track designation, breakthrough therapy designation, priority review, and accelerated approval do not change the standards for approval, but may expedite the development or approval process. Even if a product qualifies for one or more of these programs, the FDA may later decide that the product no longer meets the conditions for qualification or decide that the time period for FDA review or approval will not be shortened. We may explore some of these opportunities for our drug and combination therapy candidates as appropriate.

Post-approval Requirements

Any products manufactured or distributed pursuant to FDA approvals are subject to pervasive and continuing regulation by the FDA, including, among other things, requirements relating to record-keeping, reporting of adverse experiences, periodic reporting, product sampling and distribution, and advertising and promotion of the product. After approval, most changes to the approved product, such as adding new indications or other labeling claims, are subject to prior FDA review and approval. There also are continuing, annual program fees for any marketed products. Drug manufacturers and their subcontractors are required to register their establishments with the FDA and certain state agencies, and are subject to periodic unannounced inspections by the FDA and certain state agencies for compliance with cGMP, which impose certain procedural and documentation requirements upon us and our third-party manufacturers. Changes to the manufacturing process are strictly regulated, and, depending on the significance of the change, may require prior FDA approval before being implemented. FDA regulations also require investigation and correction of any deviations from cGMP and impose reporting requirements upon us and any third-party manufacturers that we may decide to use.

 

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Accordingly, manufacturers must continue to expend time, money and effort in the area of production and quality control to maintain compliance with cGMP and other aspects of regulatory compliance.

The FDA may withdraw approval 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 revisions to the approved labeling to add new safety information; imposition of post-market studies or clinical studies to assess new safety risks; or imposition of distribution restrictions or other restrictions under a REMS program. Other potential consequences include, 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 untitled letters;

 

   

clinical holds on clinical studies;

 

   

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;

 

   

consent decrees, corporate integrity agreements, debarment or exclusion from federal healthcare programs;

 

   

mandated modification of promotional materials and labeling and the issuance of corrective information;

 

   

the issuance of safety alerts, “dear doctor” letters, press releases and other communications containing warnings or other safety information about the product; or

 

   

injunctions or the imposition of civil or criminal penalties.

The FDA also may require post-marketing testing, known as Phase 4 testing, and surveillance to monitor the effects of an approved product. Discovery of previously unknown problems with a product or the failure to comply with applicable FDA requirements can have negative consequences, including adverse publicity, judicial or administrative enforcement, warning letters from the FDA, mandated corrective advertising or communications with doctors, and civil or criminal penalties, among others. Newly discovered or developed safety or effectiveness data may require changes to a product’s approved labeling, including the addition of new warnings and contraindications, and also may require the implementation of other risk management measures.

The FDA closely regulates the marketing, labeling, advertising and promotion of drug products. A company can make only those claims relating to safety and efficacy, purity and potency that are approved by the FDA 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. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in, among other things, adverse publicity, warning letters, corrective advertising and potential civil and criminal penalties. Physicians may prescribe, in their independent professional medical judgment, legally available products for uses that are not described in the product’s labeling and that differ from those tested by us and approved by the FDA. Physicians may believe that such off-label uses are the best treatment for many patients in varied circumstances. The FDA does not regulate the behavior of physicians in their choice of treatments. The FDA does, however, restrict manufacturer’s communications on the subject of off-label use of their products. The federal government has levied large civil and criminal fines against companies for alleged improper promotion of off-label use and has enjoined companies from engaging in off-label promotion. The FDA and other regulatory agencies have also required that companies enter into consent decrees or permanent injunctions under which specified promotional conduct is changed or curtailed. However, companies may share truthful and not misleading information that is otherwise consistent with a product’s FDA-approved labeling.

 

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In addition, the distribution of prescription pharmaceutical products is 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.

Marketing Exclusivity

Market exclusivity provisions authorized under the FDCA can delay the submission or the approval of certain marketing applications. The FDCA provides a five-year period of non-patent marketing exclusivity within the United States to the first applicant to obtain approval of an NDA for a new chemical entity. A drug is a new chemical entity if the FDA has not previously approved any other new drug containing the same active moiety, which is the molecule or ion responsible for the action of the drug substance. During the exclusivity period, the FDA may not approve or even accept for review an abbreviated new drug application, or ANDA, or an NDA submitted under Section 505(b)(2), or 505(b)(2) NDA, submitted by another company for another drug based on the same active moiety, regardless of whether the drug is intended for the same indication as the original innovative drug or for another indication, where the applicant does not own or have a legal right of reference to all the data required for approval. However, an application may be submitted after four years if it contains a certification of patent invalidity or non-infringement to one of the patents listed with the FDA by the innovator NDA holder.

The FDCA alternatively provides three years of marketing exclusivity for an NDA, or supplement to an existing NDA if new clinical investigations, other than bioavailability studies, that were conducted or sponsored by the applicant are deemed by the FDA to be essential to the approval of the application, for example new indications, dosages or strengths of an existing drug. This three-year exclusivity covers only the modification for which the drug received approval on the basis of the new clinical investigations and does not prohibit the FDA from approving ANDAs or 505(b)(2) NDAs for drugs containing the active agent for the original indication or condition of use. Five-year and three-year exclusivity will not delay the submission or approval of a full NDA. However, an applicant submitting a full NDA would be required to conduct or obtain a right of reference to any preclinical studies and adequate and well-controlled clinical trials necessary to demonstrate safety and effectiveness.

Foreign Government Regulation

Our product candidates will be subject to similar laws and regulations imposed by jurisdictions outside of the United States, and, in particular, Europe, which may include, for instance, applicable post-marketing requirements, including safety surveillance, anti-fraud and abuse laws and implementation of corporate compliance programs and reporting of payments or other transfers of value to healthcare professionals.

In order to market our future product candidates in the European Economic Area (which is comprised of the 28 Member States of the EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), or the EEA, and many other foreign jurisdictions, we must obtain separate regulatory approvals. More concretely, in the EEA, medicinal product candidates can only be commercialized after obtaining a Marketing Authorization, or MA, There are two types of marketing authorizations:

 

   

the “Community MA,” which is issued by the European Commission through the Centralized Procedure, based on the opinion of the Committee for Medicinal Product candidates for Human Use of the EMA and which is valid throughout the entire territory of the EEA. The Centralized Procedure is mandatory for certain types of product candidates, such as biotechnology medicinal product candidates, orphan medicinal product candidates and medicinal product candidates indicated for the treatment of AIDS, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, auto-immune and viral diseases. The Centralized Procedure is optional for product candidates containing a new active substance not yet authorized in the EEA, or for product candidates that constitute a significant therapeutic, scientific or technical innovation or which are in the interest of public health in the EU; and

 

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“National MAs,” which are issued by the competent authorities of the Member States of the EEA and only cover their respective territory, are available for product candidates not falling within the mandatory scope of the Centralized Procedure. Where a product has already been authorized for marketing in a Member State of the EEA, this National MA can be recognized in another Member State through the Mutual Recognition Procedure. If the product has not received a National MA in any Member State at the time of application, it can be approved simultaneously in various Member States through the Decentralized Procedure.

Under the above described procedures, before granting the MA, the EMA or the competent authorities of the Member States of the EEA make an assessment of the risk-benefit balance of the product on the basis of scientific criteria concerning its quality, safety and efficacy.

Data and marketing exclusivity. In the EEA, new product candidates authorized for marketing, or reference product candidates, qualify for eight years of data exclusivity and an additional two years of market exclusivity upon marketing authorization. The data exclusivity period prevents generic or biosimilar applicants from relying on the preclinical and clinical trial data contained in the dossier of the reference product when applying for a generic or biosimilar marketing authorization in the EU during a period of eight years from the date on which the reference product was first authorized in the EU. The market exclusivity period prevents a successful generic or biosimilar applicant from commercializing its product in the EU until 10 years have elapsed from the initial authorization of the reference product in the EU. The 10-year market exclusivity period can be extended to a maximum of eleven years if, during the first eight years of those 10 years, the marketing authorization holder obtains an authorization for one or more new therapeutic indications which, during the scientific evaluation prior to their authorization, are held to bring a significant clinical benefit in comparison with existing therapies.

Adaptive pathways.    The EMA has an adaptive pathways program which allows for early and progressive patient access to a medicine. The adaptive pathways concept is an approach to medicines approval that aims to improve patients’ access to medicines in cases of high unmet medical need. To achieve this goal, several approaches are envisaged: identifying small populations with severe disease where a medicine’s benefit-risk balance could be favorable; making more use of real-world data where appropriate to support clinical trial data; and involving health technology assessment bodies early in development to increase the chance that medicines will be recommended for payment and ultimately covered by national healthcare systems. The adaptive pathways concept applies primarily to treatments in areas of high medical need where it is difficult to collect data via traditional routes and where large clinical trials would unnecessarily expose patients who are unlikely to benefit from the medicine. The approach builds on regulatory processes already in place within the existing EU legal framework. These include: scientific advice; compassionate use; the conditional approval mechanism (for medicines addressing life-threatening conditions); patient registries and other pharmacovigilance tools that allow collection of real-life data and development of a risk-management plan for each medicine.

The adaptive pathways program does not change the standards for the evaluation of benefits and risks or the requirement to demonstrate a positive benefit-risk balance to obtain marketing authorization.

PRIME scheme. In July 2016, the EMA launched the PRIME scheme. PRIME is a voluntary scheme aimed at enhancing the EMA’s support for the development of medicines that target unmet medical needs. It is based on increased interaction and early dialogue with companies developing promising medicines, to optimize their product development plans and speed up their evaluation to help them reach patients earlier. Product developers that benefit from PRIME designation can expect to be eligible for accelerated assessment but this is however not guaranteed. The benefits of a PRIME designation includes the appointment of a rapporteur from the Committee for Medicinal Product candidates for Human Use before submission of an MAA, early dialogue and scientific advice at key development milestones, and the potential to qualify product candidates for accelerated review earlier in the application process.

 

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Other U.S. Healthcare Laws

Pharmaceutical companies are subject to additional healthcare regulation and enforcement by the federal government and by authorities in the states and foreign jurisdictions in which they conduct their business. Such laws include, without limitation, state and federal anti-kickback, fraud and abuse, false claims and physician sunshine laws and regulations. If their operations are found to be in violation of any of such laws or any other governmental regulations that apply, they may be subject to penalties, including, without limitation, civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, the curtailment or restructuring of operations, exclusion from participation in federal and state healthcare programs and individual imprisonment.

Coverage and Reimbursement

Sales of any product depend, in part, on the extent to which such product will be covered by third-party payors, such as federal, state and foreign government healthcare programs, commercial insurance and managed healthcare organizations, and the level of reimbursement for such product by third-party payors. Decisions regarding the extent of coverage and amount of reimbursement to be provided are made on a plan-by-plan basis. These third-party payors are increasingly reducing reimbursements for medical products, drugs and services. In addition, the U.S. government, state legislatures and foreign governments have continued implementing cost-containment programs, including price controls, restrictions on coverage and reimbursement and requirements for substitution of generic products. Adoption of price controls and cost-containment measures, and adoption of more restrictive policies in jurisdictions with existing controls and measures, could further limit sales of any product. Decreases in third-party reimbursement for any product or a decision by a third-party payor not to cover a product could reduce physician usage and patient demand for the product and also have a material adverse effect on sales.

Healthcare Reform

In the United States and certain foreign jurisdictions, there have been a number of legislative and regulatory changes to the healthcare system. In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, or collectively, the ACA, was signed into law, which substantially changed the way healthcare is financed by both governmental and private insurers in the United States. By way of example, the ACA increased the minimum level of Medicaid rebates payable by manufacturers of brand name drugs from 15.1% to 23.1%; required collection of rebates for drugs paid by Medicaid managed care organizations; imposed a non-deductible annual fee on pharmaceutical manufacturers or importers who sell certain “branded prescription drugs” to specified federal government programs, implemented a new methodology by which rebates owed by manufacturers under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program are calculated for drugs that are inhaled, infused, instilled, implanted, or injected; expanded eligibility criteria for Medicaid programs; creates a new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to oversee, identify priorities in, and conduct comparative clinical effectiveness research, along with funding for such research; and established a Center for Medicare Innovation at CMS to test innovative payment and service delivery models to lower Medicare and Medicaid spending, potentially including prescription drug spending.

Since its enactment, there have been judicial and Congressional challenges to certain aspects of the ACA, and we expect there will be additional challenges and amendments to the ACA in the future. For example, in 2017, Congress enacted the The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or the Tax Act, which eliminated the tax-based shared responsibility payment imposed by the ACA on certain individuals who fail to maintain qualifying health coverage for all or part of a year that is commonly referred to as the “individual mandate.” On December 14, 2018, a Texas U.S. District Court Judge ruled that the individual mandate is a critical and inseverable feature of the ACA, and therefore, because it was repealed as part of the Tax Act, the remaining provisions of the ACA are invalid as well. On December 18, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit ruled that the individual mandate was unconstitutional and remanded the case back to the District Court to determine whether the remaining provisions of the ACA are invalid as well. The U.S. Supreme Court is currently reviewing the case,

 

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although it is unclear when the Supreme Court will make a decision. In addition, there may be other efforts to challenge, repeal or replace the ACA.

Other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted since the ACA was enacted, including aggregate reductions of Medicare payments to providers of 2% per fiscal year and reduced payments to several types of Medicare providers, which will remain in effect through 2030 absent additional congressional action, with the exception of a temporary suspension from May 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021. Moreover, there has recently been heightened governmental scrutiny over the manner in which manufacturers set prices for their marketed products, which has resulted in several Congressional inquiries and proposed and enacted legislation designed, among other things, to bring more transparency to product pricing, review the relationship between pricing and manufacturer patient programs and reform government program reimbursement methodologies for pharmaceutical products. In addition, individual states in the United States have also become increasingly active in implementing regulations designed to control pharmaceutical product pricing, including price or patient reimbursement constraints, discounts, restrictions on certain product access and marketing cost disclosure and transparency measures and, in some cases, mechanisms to encourage importation from other countries and bulk purchasing. Furthermore, there has been increased interest by third party payors and governmental authorities in reference pricing systems and publication of discounts and list prices.

Data Privacy and Security Laws

Numerous state, federal and foreign laws govern the collection, dissemination, use, access to, confidentiality and security of health-related information. In the United States, numerous federal and state laws and regulations, including state data breach notification laws, state health information privacy laws, and federal and state consumer protection laws and regulations (e.g., Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, or FTC Act), govern the collection, use, disclosure, and protection of health-related and other personal information could apply to our operations or the operations of our partners. State laws may be more stringent, broader in scope or offer greater individual rights with respect to protected health information, or PHI, than the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, and state laws may differ from each other, which may complicate compliance efforts. Entities that are found to be in violation of HIPAA, as the result of a breach of unsecured PHI, a complaint about privacy practices, or an audit by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, may be subject to significant civil, criminal, and administrative fines and penalties and/or additional reporting and oversight obligations if required to enter into a resolution agreement and corrective action plan with HHS to settle allegations of HIPAA non-compliance.

Even when HIPAA does not apply, according to the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, violating consumers’ privacy rights or failing to take appropriate steps to keep consumers’ personal information secure may constitute unfair acts or practices in or affecting commerce in violation of Section 5(a) of the FTC Act. The FTC expects a company’s data security measures to be reasonable and appropriate in light of the sensitivity and volume of consumer information it holds, the size and complexity of its business, and the cost of available tools to improve security and reduce vulnerabilities. Individually identifiable health information is considered sensitive data that merits stronger safeguards.

In addition, certain state and non-U.S. laws, such as the GDPR, govern the privacy and security of health information in certain circumstances, some of which are more stringent than HIPAA and many of which differ from each other in significant ways and may not have the same effect, thus complicating compliance efforts. Failure to comply with these laws, where applicable, can result in the imposition of significant civil and/or criminal penalties and private litigation. For example, California recently enacted legislation, the CCPA, which went into effect January 1, 2020. The CCPA, among other things, creates new data privacy obligations for covered companies and provides new privacy rights to California residents, including the right to opt out of certain disclosures of their information. The CCPA also creates a private right of action with statutory damages for certain data breaches, thereby potentially increasing risks associated with a data breach. Further, the CPRA was recently voted into law by California residents, which significantly amends the CCPA, and imposes

 

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additional data protection obligations on companies doing business in California, including additional consumer rights processes and opt outs for certain uses of sensitive data. It also creates a new California data protection agency specifically tasked to enforce the law, which would likely result in increased regulatory scrutiny of California businesses in the areas of data protection and security. The substantive requirements for businesses subject to the CPRA will go into effect on January 1, 2023, and become enforceable on July 1, 2023.

In Europe, we are subject to laws relating to our and our suppliers’, vendors’, partners’ and subcontractors’ collection, control, processing and other use of personal data (i.e., any data relating to an identifiable living individual, whether that individual can be identified directly or indirectly). We are subject to the supervision of local data protection authorities in those jurisdictions where we are established, where we offer goods or services to EEA and United Kingdom residents and where we monitor the behavior of individuals within the EEA or the United Kingdom (i.e., undertaking clinical trials). We and our suppliers, partners and subcontractors process personal data including in relation to our employees, employees of customers, clinical trial patients, healthcare professionals and employees of suppliers including health and medical information. The data privacy regime in the EEA and the United Kingdom includes the GDPR, the e-Privacy Directive and the e-Privacy Regulation (once in force) and the national laws and regulations implementing or supplementing each of them.

The GDPR requires that personal data is only collected for specified, explicit and legal purposes as set out in the GDPR or local laws, and the data may then only be processed in a manner consistent with those purposes. The personal data collected and processed must be adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purposes for which it is collected and processed, it must be held securely, not transferred outside of the EEA (unless certain steps are taken to ensure an adequate level of protection), and must not be retained for longer than necessary for the purposes for which it was collected. In addition, the GDPR requires companies processing personal data to take certain organizational steps to ensure that they have adequate records, policies, security, training and governance frameworks in place to ensure the protection of data subject rights, including as required to respond to complaints and requests from data subjects. For example, the GDPR requires us to make more detailed disclosures to data subjects, requires disclosure of the legal basis on which we can process personal data, makes it harder for us to obtain valid consent for processing, requires the appointment of a data protection officer where sensitive personal data (e.g., health data) is processed on a large scale, introduces mandatory data breach notification throughout the EEA and imposes additional obligations on us when we are contracting with service providers.

In addition, to the extent a company processes, controls or otherwise uses “special category” personal data (including patients’ health or medical information, genetic information and biometric information), more stringent rules apply, further limiting the circumstances and the manner in which a company is legally permitted to process that data. Finally, the GDPR provides a broad right for EU and EEA member states to create supplemental national laws which may result in divergence across Europe making it harder to maintain a consistent operating model or standard operating procedures. Such laws, for example, may relate to the processing of health, genetic and biometric data, which could further limit our ability to use and share such data or could cause our costs to increase, and harm our business and financial condition.

We depend on a number of third parties in relation to the provision of our services, a number of which process personal data on our behalf. It is our policy to enter into contractual arrangements with each such provider to ensure that they only process personal data according to our instructions, and that they have sufficient technical and organizational security measures in place. Where we transfer personal data outside the EEA, we do so in compliance with the relevant data export requirements from time to time. We take our data protection obligations seriously, as any improper, unlawful or accidental disclosure, loss, alteration or access to, personal data, particularly sensitive personal data (i.e., special category), could negatively impact our business and/or our reputation.

We are also subject to EU laws on personal data export, as we may transfer personal data from the EEA to other jurisdictions which are not considered by the European Commission to offer adequate protection of

 

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personal data. Such transfers need to be legitimized by a valid transfer mechanism under the GDPR. Recent legal developments in Europe have created complexity and uncertainty regarding transfers of personal data from the EEA to the United States: on July 16, 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union, or CJEU, invalidated the EU-US Privacy Shield Framework, or Privacy Shield, under which personal data could be transferred from the EEA to US entities who had self-certified under the Privacy Shield scheme. While the CJEU upheld the adequacy of the standard contractual clauses (a standard form of contract approved by the European Commission as an adequate personal data transfer mechanism, and potential alternative to the Privacy Shield), it made clear that reliance on them alone may not necessarily be sufficient in all circumstances. GDPR increases financial penalties for noncompliance (including possible fines of up to four percent of global annual revenue for the preceding financial year or €20 million (whichever is higher) for the most serious violations). Relatedly, following the departure of the United Kingdom from the EU after the expiry of the transition period on January 1, 2021, the United Kingdom will operate a separate but similar regime to the EU which we will have to comply with (with respect to any United Kingdom activities) and allows for fines of up to £17.5 million or 4% of the total worldwide annual turnover of the preceding financial year (whichever is higher).

Employees

As of December 31, 2020, we had 30 full-time employees, all of whom are engaged in research and development activities, operations, finance and administration. Sixteen of our employees hold doctorate degrees (Ph.D., M.D. or Pharm.D.).

Property and Facilities

We lease approximately 9,750 square feet of space for our current headquarters in Foster City, California under an agreement that expires in June 2022. We also lease approximately 3,500 square feet of space for our current China office in Shanghai, China under an agreement that expires in May 2021, as well as approximately 6,000 square feet of space for our CMC chemistry, manufacturing and controls lab in Suzhou, China under an agreement that expires in September 2022. We believe that our existing facilities are adequate to meet our current needs, and that suitable additional alternative spaces will be available in the future on commercially reasonable terms.

Legal Proceedings

As of the date of this prospectus, we were not subject to any legal proceedings. From time to time, we may be involved in legal proceedings or subject to claims incident to the ordinary course of business. Regardless of the outcome, such proceedings or claims can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of resources and other factors, and there can be no assurances that favorable outcomes will be obtained.

 

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MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers and directors as of January 15, 2021:

 

NAME

   AGE     

POSITION(S)

Executive Officers

     

Senthil Sundaram

     42      Chief Executive Officer and Director

Erin Quirk, M.D.

     50      President and Chief Medical Officer

Mark Vignola, Ph.D.

     43      Chief Financial Officer

Bryan Yoon, Esq.

     43      Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel

Weidong Zhong, Ph.D.

     55      Chief Scientific Officer and Chairman

Non-Employee Directors

     

David Fellows(2)(3)

     64      Director

Carl Gordon, Ph.D., C.F.A(3)

     56      Director

Jeffrey Kindler, Esq.(1)(2)

     65      Director

Hongbo Lu, Ph.D.(1)(2)

     49      Director

Jill Quigley, Esq.(1)(3)

     45      Director

Yi Shi, Ph.D., MBA(4)

     48      Director

Elise Wang, MBA(5)

     61      Director

 

(1)

Member of our audit committee.

(2)

Member of our compensation committee.

(3)

Member of our nominating and corporate governance committee.

(4)

Dr. Shi is expected to resign from our board of directors prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

(5)

Ms. Wang has notified us of her resignation from our board of directors, effective upon the effectiveness of the registration statement to which this prospectus is a part.

Executive Officers

Senthil Sundaram has served as a member of our board of directors and as our Chief Executive Officer since July 2020. Previously, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of Nightstar Therapeutics, plc, a publicly-traded biotechnology company, from April 2017 to June 2019. From February 2013 to March 2017, Mr. Sundaram served in roles of increasing responsibility at Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly-traded biotechnology company, most recently as the Head of Business Development. He currently serves on the board of directors of Sio Gene Therapies, Inc. (formerly Axovant Gene Therapies Ltd.), a publicly-traded biotechnology company. Mr. Sundaram received his undergraduate degrees in Computer Engineering and Economics from Brown University. We believe Mr. Sundaram is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his extensive experience as an executive and director of public companies in the biotechnology industry.

Erin Quirk, M.D. has served as our Chief Medical Officer since January 2019, and our President since June 2020. She previously served in roles of increasing responsibility at Gilead Sciences, Inc., a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company, from July 2010 to September 2018, most recently as Vice President of HIV Clinical Research. Dr. Quirk received her undergraduate degree in Biology and English Literature from Drew University and her M.D. from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She completed her Residency in Internal Medicine and a Fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Washington University.

Mark Vignola, Ph.D. has served as our Chief Financial Officer since August 2020. Previously, he served as the Chief Financial Officer of Applied Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly-traded biotechnology company, from April 2019 to May 2020. Before that, Dr. Vignola served in roles of increasing responsibility at Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly-traded biotechnology company, most recently as the Head of Corporate and Investor Relations. Dr. Vignola received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Boston College and Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics & Microbiology from Duke University.

 

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Bryan Yoon, Esq. has served as our Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel since November 2020. From November 2019 to November 2020, he served as the Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary of LogicBio Therapeutics, Inc. a publicly-traded biotechnology company. Before that, he served as the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Nightstar Therapeutics, plc, a publicly-traded biotechnology company, from November 2017 to June 2019. Prior to joining Nightstar, Mr. Yoon served in roles of increasing responsibility at Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a publicly-traded biotechnology company, where he most recently was Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs and Corporate Secretary. Mr. Yoon received his undergraduate degree in Economics and Master of Engineering in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from Cornell University and his J.D. from University of Michigan Law School.

Weidong Zhong, Ph.D. has served as our Chief Scientific Officer since July 2020 and a member of our board of directors since April 2017, and is one of our founders. He previously served as our Chief Executive Officer from April 2017 to July 2020. Before that, Dr. Zhong served as the Head of Antiviral Research from September 2011 to March 2017 at Novartis Institute for BioMedical Research, a research division of Novartis International AG, a publicly-traded biotechnology company. Dr. Zhong received his undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Science and Technology of China and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. We believe Dr. Zhong is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his scientific expertise and his experience as an executive in drug discovery and development in the biotechnology industry, as well as his experience as a founding member of our company.

Non-Employee Directors

David Fellows has served as a member of our board of directors since December 2020. Mr. Fellows served as the Chief Executive Officer of Nightstar Therapeutics plc, a publicly-traded biotechnology company, from January 2015, and as a member of its board of directors from September 2017, until its acquisition by Biogen Inc., a publicly-traded biotechnology company, in July 2019. Before that, he served as the Vice President of Vision Care at Johnson & Johnson, from September 2005 to December 2014. Mr. Fellows has served on the board of the non-profit Glaucoma Foundation since May 2006. Mr. Fellows received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Butler University. We believe Mr. Fellows is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his extensive experience as an executive of companies in the biotechnology industry.

Carl Gordon, Ph.D., CFA has served as a member of our board of directors since October 2018. Dr. Gordon co-founded OrbiMed Advisors LLC and is the Managing Partner and Co-Head of Global Private Equity, roles he has held since 1998. Dr. Gordon currently serves on the boards of directors of Adicet Bio, Inc., Keros Therapeutics, Inc., ORIC Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Prevail Therapeutics Inc. and Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc., all publicly-traded companies, as well as several private companies. Dr. Gordon previously served on the boards of directors of several biopharmaceutical companies, including Alector, Inc., Arsanis, Inc. (which merged with X4 Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), Acceleron Pharma Inc., ARMO Biosciences, Inc., Intellia Therapeutics, Inc., Passage Bio, Inc., Selecta Biosciences, Inc. and SpringWorks Therapeutics, Inc. Dr. Gordon received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Harvard College, his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was a Fellow at The Rockefeller University. We believe that Dr. Gordon is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his scientific expertise, extensive business experience and experience in venture capital and the life science industry.

Jeffrey Kindler, Esq. has served as a member of our board of directors since December 2020. Mr. Kindler has served as an operating partner of ARTIS Ventures, a venture investment firm, since January 2020 and as the Chief Executive Officer of Centrexion Therapeutics, a private biopharmaceutical company, since October 2013. Mr. Kindler has served on the board of directors of Perrigo Company plc since February 2017, PPD, Inc. from March 2012 and Precigen, Inc. since November 2011, all publicly-traded companies. Mr. Kindler previously served on the board of vTv Therapeutics Inc., a publicly-traded biotechnology company, from July 2015 to December 2020 and SIGA Technologies, Inc., a publicly-traded pharmaceutical company, from March 2013 to June 2020. Mr. Kindler received his undergraduate degree from Tufts University and J.D. from Harvard

 

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University. We believe Mr. Kindler is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his extensive experience as an executive and director of companies in the biotechnology industry.

Hongbo Lu, Ph.D. has served as a member of our board of directors since April 2020. She has served as a Managing Partner at Vivo Capital, venture capital firm, since January 2021. She previously served as a Managing Partner of Lilly Asia Ventures, a venture capital firm, from January 2017 to December 2020. From June 2011 to October 2016, she served as a Managing Director at OrbiMed Advisors LLC. Dr. Lu currently serves on the board of directors of several private biotechnology companies, such as PINS Medical, Inc., Elpiscience and Geneception. She previously served on the board of directors of public companies including Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc., a publicly-traded biotechnology company, from May 2017 to May 2019, and on the board of directors of Avedro, Inc., a publicly-traded biotechnology company, from May 2018 to February 2019. Dr. Lu received her undergraduate degree in Material Science and Engineering from Tsinghua University, China, her Ph.D. in Biological Engineering from the University of Washington and her MBA from the University of California, Berkeley. We believe Dr. Lu is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to her experience as a director of public and private companies in the biotechnology industry and experience in venture capital and the life science industry.

Jill Quigley, Esq. has served as a member of our board of directors since December 2020. Ms. Quigley has served as the Chief Operating Officer of Passage Bio, a publicly-traded biopharmaceutical company, since November 2018. Previously, she served as the Interim Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel of Nutrinia, Inc., from January 2016 to November 2018. From July 2012 to January 2016, Ms. Quigley served in various roles at Shire plc, most recently as Senior Legal Counsel. Ms. Quigley received her undergraduate degree in Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics & Governance (CLEG) from American University and J.D. from Rutgers School of Law. We believe Ms. Quigley is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to her extensive experience as an executive of companies in the biotechnology industry.

Yi Shi, Ph.D, MBA has served as a member of our board of directors since April 2017. He has served as the Managing Partner of Lilly Asia Ventures, a venture capital firm, since June 2011. Dr. Shi currently serves on the board of directors of Beida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a publicly-traded biotechnology company. He also serves on the board of directors of several private biotechnology companies, including Ansun Biopharma, Transcenta Holding, Elpiscience and Scineuro. Dr. Shi received his undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Science and Technology China and his MBA and Ph.D. from Duke University. We believe Dr. Shi is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to his experience as a director of public and private companies in the biotechnology industry and experience in venture capital and the life science industry.

Elise Wang, MBA has served as a member of our board of directors since December 2020. Ms. Wang has served as a Principal and Partner of the Public Structured Finance group at Deerfield Management Company since March 2010. Ms. Wang served on the board of directors of Orchard Therapeutics plc, a publicly-traded biotechnology company, from August 2018 to October 2018. Ms. Wang received her undergraduate degree in Engineering Sciences from Harvard-Radcliffe University and her MBA from Harvard Business School. We believe Ms. Wang is qualified to serve on our board of directors due to her extensive experience in the biotechnology industry. Ms. Wang has notified us of her resignation from our board of directors, effective upon the effectiveness of the registration statement to which this prospectus is a part.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors.

Board Composition

Director Independence

Our board of directors currently consists of 9 members. Our board of directors has determined that all of our directors, other than Mr. Sundaram and Dr. Zhong, qualify as “independent” directors in accordance with The

 

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Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, or Nasdaq, Marketplace Rules, or the Nasdaq Listing Rules. Mr. Sundaram and Dr. Zhong are not considered independent because they are executive officers of our company. Under the Nasdaq Listing Rules, the definition of independence includes a series of objective tests, such as 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 or her family members has engaged in various types of business dealings with us. In addition, as required by the Nasdaq Listing Rules, our board of directors has made a subjective determination as to each independent director that no relationships exists that, 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 relationships as they may relate to us and our management.

Classified Board of Directors

In accordance with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which will be effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering, our board of directors will be divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. At each annual general 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. Our directors will be divided among the three classes as follows:

 

   

The Class I directors will be Carl Gordon, Hongbo Lu and Weidong Zhong, and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2022;

 

   

The Class II directors will be David Fellows and Jill Quigley, and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2023; and

 

   

The Class III directors will be Jeffrey Kindler and Senthil Sundaram, and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2024.

We expect that 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.

Voting Arrangements

The election of the members of our board of directors is currently governed by the amended and restated voting agreement that we entered into with certain holders of our common stock and convertible preferred stock and the related provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Pursuant to our amended and restated voting agreement and amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our current directors were elected as follows:

 

   

Dr. Gordon, Dr. Lu, Dr. Shi and Ms. Wang were elected as the designees of entities affiliated with OrbiMed Advisors LLC, Vivo Capital, Lilly Asia Ventures and Deerfield respectively; and

 

   

Mr. Sundaram was elected and designated as our then-serving and current Chief Executive Officer.

Our amended and restated voting agreement will terminate and the provisions of our current amended and restated certificate of incorporation by which our directors were elected will be amended and restated in connection with this offering. After this offering, the number of directors will be fixed by our board of directors, subject to the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws that will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering. Each of our current directors will continue to serve as a director until the election and qualification of his or her successor, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

 

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Leadership Structure of the Board

Our amended and restated bylaws and corporate governance guidelines provide our board of directors with flexibility to combine or separate the positions of Chairman of the board of directors and Chief Executive Officer.

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.

Role of Board in Risk Oversight Process

Risk assessment and oversight are an integral part of our governance and management processes. Our board of directors encourages management to promote a culture that incorporates risk management into our corporate strategy and day-to-day business operations. Management discusses strategic and operational risks at regular management meetings, and conducts specific strategic planning and review sessions during the year that include a focused discussion and analysis of the risks facing us. Throughout the year, senior management reviews these risks with the board of directors at regular board meetings as part of management presentations that focus on particular business functions, operations or strategies, and presents the steps taken by management to mitigate or eliminate such risks.

Our board of directors does not have a standing risk management committee, but rather administers this oversight function directly through our board of directors as a whole, as well as through various standing committees of our board of directors that address risks inherent in their respective areas of oversight. While our board of directors is responsible for monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure, our audit committee is responsible for overseeing our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures. The audit committee also approves or disapproves any related person transactions. Our nominating and corporate governance committee monitors the effectiveness of our corporate governance guidelines. Our compensation committee assesses and monitors whether any of our compensation policies and programs has the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking.

Board Committees

Our board of directors has established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. Our board of directors may establish other committees to facilitate the management of our business. The composition and functions of each committee are described below. Members serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by our board of directors. Each committee intends to adopt a written charter that satisfies the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq Listing Rules, which we will post on our website at www.ternspharma.com upon the completion of this offering. The reference to our website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained at or available through our website.

Audit Committee

Our audit committee oversees our corporate accounting and financial reporting process. Among other matters, the audit committee:

 

   

appoints our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

   

evaluates the independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, independence and performance;

 

   

determines the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm;

 

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reviews and approves the scope of the annual audit and pre-approves the audit and non-audit fees and services;

 

   

reviews and approves all related party transactions on an ongoing basis;

 

   

establishes procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of any complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters;

 

   

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

 

   

approves the retention of the independent registered public accounting firm to perform any proposed permissible non-audit services;

 

   

discusses on a periodic basis, or as appropriate, with our management’s policies and procedures with respect to risk assessment and risk management;

 

   

consults with management to establish procedures and internal controls relating to cybersecurity;

 

   

is responsible for reviewing our financial statements and our management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations to be included in our annual and quarterly reports to be filed with the SEC;

 

   

investigates any reports received through the ethics helpline and reports to the board of directors periodically with respect to any information received through the ethics helpline and any related investigations; and

 

   

reviews the audit committee charter and the audit committee’s performance on an annual basis.

Our audit committee consists of Jill Quigley, Jeffrey Kindler and Hongo Lu. Our board of directors has determined that all members are independent under the Nasdaq Listing Rules and Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Exchange Act. The chair of our audit committee is Ms. Quigley. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Kindler is an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is currently defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. Our board of directors has also determined that each member of our audit committee can read and understand fundamental consolidated financial statements, in accordance with applicable requirements.

Compensation Committee

Our compensation committee oversees policies relating to compensation and benefits of our officers and employees. The compensation committee reviews and approves or recommends corporate goals and objectives relevant to compensation of our executive officers (other than our Chief Executive Officer), evaluates the performance of these officers in light of those goals and objectives and approves the compensation of these officers based on such evaluations. The compensation committee also reviews and approves or makes recommendations to our board of directors regarding the issuance of stock options and other awards under our stock plans to our executive officers (other than our Chief Executive Officer). The compensation committee reviews the performance of our Chief Executive Officer and makes recommendations to our board of directors with respect to his compensation, and our board of directors retains the authority to make compensation decisions relative to our Chief Executive Officer. The compensation committee will review and evaluate, on an annual basis, the compensation committee charter and the compensation committee’s performance.

Our compensation committee consists of Jeffrey Kindler, David Fellows and Hongbo Lu. Our board of directors has determined that all members are independent under the Nasdaq Listing Rules and are “non-employee directors” as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. The chair of our compensation committee is Mr. Kindler.

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.

 

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In addition, the nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for overseeing our corporate governance policies and making recommendations to our board of directors concerning governance matters.

Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of David Fellows, Jill Quigley and Carl Gordon. Our board of directors has determined that all members of the nominating and corporate governance committee are independent under the Nasdaq Listing Rules. The chair of our nominating and corporate governance committee is Mr. Fellows.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the members of the compensation committee is currently, or has been at any time, one of our executive officers or employees. None of our executive officers currently serves, or has served during the last year, 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 on our 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, may take into account many factors, including but not limited to 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;

 

   

professional and academic experience relevant to our industry;

 

   

experience as a board member of another publicly held company;

 

   

strength of leadership skills;

 

   

experience in finance and accounting and/or executive compensation practices;

 

   

ability to devote the time required for preparation, participation and attendance at board of directors meetings and committee meetings, if applicable;

 

   

background, gender, age and ethnicity;

 

   

conflicts of interest; and

 

   

ability to make mature business judgments.

Following the consummation of this offering, our board of directors will evaluate each individual in the context of the board of directors as a whole, with the objective of ensuring that the board of directors, as a whole, has the necessary tools to perform its oversight function effectively in light of our business and structure.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Our board of directors has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that will apply to all of our employees, officers and directors, including those officers responsible for financial reporting.

 

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The full text of our code of business conduct and ethics will be posted on our website at www.ternspharma.com upon the completion of this offering. Any substantive amendment to, or waiver of, a provision of the code of business conduct and ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions, will be disclosed on our website.

Limitation on Liability and Indemnification Matters

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, both of which will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering, limit our directors’ liability, and provide that we may indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware General Corporation Law, or the DGCL. The DGCL provides that directors of a corporation will not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except for liability for any:

 

   

transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit;

 

   

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

 

   

unlawful payment of dividends or redemption of shares; or

 

   

breach of a director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders.

These limitations of liability do not apply to liabilities arising under federal securities laws and do not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or recession.

The DGCL and our amended and restated bylaws provide that we will, in certain situations, indemnify our directors and officers and may indemnify other employees and other agents, to the fullest extent permitted by law. Any indemnified person is also entitled, subject to certain limitations, to advancement, direct payment or reimbursement of reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding.

In addition, we have entered, and intend to continue to enter, into separate indemnification agreements with our directors and officers. These indemnification agreements, among other things, require us to indemnify our directors and officers for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by a director or officer in any action or proceeding arising out of their services as a director or officer, or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at our request.

We also maintain a directors’ and officers’ insurance policy pursuant to which our directors and officers are insured against liability for actions taken in their capacities as directors and officers. We believe that these provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and these indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act, may be permitted to directors, officers or control persons, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy, as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

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EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

This section discusses the material components of the executive compensation program for our 2020 named executive officers. Our named executive officers for fiscal year 2020 are:

 

   

Senthil Sundaram, our Chief Executive Officer;

 

   

Mark Vignola, Ph.D., our Chief Financial Officer; and

 

   

Erin Quirk, M.D., our President and Chief Medical 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. As an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act, we are not required to include a Compensation Discussion and Analysis section and have elected to comply with the scaled disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies. The equity award share numbers and exercise prices presented in this section have been adjusted to reflect the impact of the 1-for-14 reverse stock split.

2020 Summary Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2020.

 

Name and Principal Position

  Year     Salary
($)
    Bonus
($)
    Option
Awards

($)(1)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(2)
    Total
($)
 

Senthil Sundaram(3)

    2020       208,333       150,000 (4)      13,135,650       —         13,493,983  

Chief Executive Officer

           

Mark Vignola, Ph.D.(5).

    2020       110,000       —         3,060,550       —         3,170,550  

Chief Financial Officer

           

Erin Quirk, M.D.

    2020       374,325       —         3,294,044       —         3,668,369  

President and Chief Medical Officer

           

 

(1)

Amounts reflect the full grant date fair value of option awards granted during 2020 computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, rather than the amounts paid to or realized by the named individual. See Note 10 of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus for the assumptions used in calculating these amounts through September 30, 2020.

(2)

As of the date of this filing, annual performance-based cash bonus amounts for 2020 have not been determined by our board of directors. Annual bonuses are expected to be finalized by our board of directors in February 2021 based on the achievement of certain corporate performance objectives and will be disclosed on Form 8-K once determined.

(3)

Mr. Sundaram commenced his employment effective as of July 30, 2020.

(4)

Amount represents a signing and relocation bonus paid to Mr. Sundaram in connection with the commencement of his employment with us as described in the section titled “—Signing and Relocation Bonus” below.

(5)

Dr. Vignola commenced his employment with us on September 1, 2020.

Narrative to the Summary Compensation Table

2020 Annual Base Salaries

Our named executive officers each receive a base salary to compensate them for services rendered to our company. The base salary payable to each named executive officer is intended to provide a fixed component of compensation reflecting the executive’s skill set, experience, role and responsibilities. During fiscal year 2020, our named executive officers’ annual base salaries were as follows:

 

   

Mr. Sundaram: $500,000;

 

   

Dr. Vignola: $330,000; and

 

   

Dr. Quirk: $374,325.

 

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In December 2020, our board of directors approved increasing the base salaries of our named executive officers. Subject to the consummation of this offering, the annual base salaries for Mr. Sundaram, Dr. Vignola and Dr. Quirk will be $515,000, $375,000 and $430,000, respectively.

2020 Annual Performance Bonuses

We maintain an annual performance-based cash bonus program in which each of our named executive officers participated in 2020. Each named executive officer’s target bonus is expressed as a percentage of base salary, and bonus payments are determined based on achievement of certain performance goals approved by our board of directors. The 2020 annual bonus for Mr. Sundaram was targeted at 45% of annual base salary, the 2020 annual bonus for Dr. Vignola was targeted at 30% of his annual base salary and the 2020 annual bonus for Dr. Quirk was targeted at 35% of her base salary. In December 2020, in connection with this offering, our board of directors approved increasing the target bonuses of our named executive officers as follows for fiscal 2021, subject to the consummation of this offering: Mr. Sundaram: 50%; Dr. Quirk: 45%; and Dr. Vignola: 40%.

Signing and Relocation Bonus

In order to attract top talent, from time to time, we provide signing and relocation bonuses to external hires. In connection with the hire of Mr. Sundaram in July 2020, we approved a cash signing and relocation bonus in the aggregate amount of $150,000, which was paid within 30 days following his employment start date. In the event Mr. Sundaram resigns for “good reason” or we terminate his employment with us for “cause” (in each case as defined in his offer letter agreement) before the first anniversary of his employment start date, he will be required to repay a prorated portion of his signing and relocation bonus. We believe this signing and relocation bonus arrangement was appropriate as an incentive for Mr. Sundaram to join us and remain employed through the first anniversary of his employment start date.

Equity Compensation

We have granted stock options to our employees, including our named executive officers, in order to attract and retain them, as well as to align their interests with the interests of our stockholders. In order to provide a long-term incentive, these stock options generally vest over four years subject to continued service to the company.

In connection with this offering, we will adopt the 2021 Incentive Award Plan, or the 2021 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 us to obtain and retain services of these individuals, which is essential to our long-term success. The 2021 Plan will be effective on the date immediately prior to the date the registration statement relating to this offering becomes effective. For additional information about the 2021 Plan, please see the section titled “—Equity Compensation Plans—2021 Incentive Award Plan” below.

Other Elements of Compensation

Retirement Savings and Health and Welfare Benefits

Our employees, including our named executive officers, who satisfy certain eligibility requirements are eligible to participate in a 401(k) plan maintained by TriNet, a professional employer organization that is the legal employer of our employees. Our named executive officers are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan on the same terms as other full-time employees. For each participant, we make matching contributions to the 401(k) plan equal to 100% of the first 3% of eligible compensation contributed each year, up to $7,500. We believe that providing a vehicle for tax-deferred retirement savings though our 401(k) plan adds to the overall desirability of our executive compensation package and further incentivizes our employees, including our named executive officers, in accordance with our compensation policies.

 

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All of our full-time employees, including our named executive officers, are eligible to participate in our health and welfare plans, which are provided through TriNet. These health and welfare plans include medical, dental and vision benefits; short-term and long-term disability insurance; and supplemental life and AD&D insurance.

Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits

We determine perquisites on a case-by-case basis and will provide a perquisite to a named executive officer when we believe it is necessary to attract or retain the named executive officer. However, in 2020, we did not provide any perquisites or personal benefits to our named executive officers not otherwise made available to our other employees.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table summarizes the number of shares of common stock underlying outstanding option awards for each named executive officer as of December 31, 2020.

 

              Option Awards

Name

   Grant Date    Vesting
Commencement
Date(1)
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
     Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options

(#)
Unexercisable
     Option
Exercise
Price

($)
     Option
Expiration

Date

Senthil Sundaram

   8/13/2020    7/30/2020(2)(3)(4)     370,170        —          6.86      8/12/2030
   12/30/2020    12/30/2020(2)(3)(4)     579,027        —          9.24      12/29/2030

Mark Vignola

   9/10/2020    9/1/2020(2)(3)(4)     76,995        —          6.86      9/9/2030
   12/30/2020    12/30/2020(2)(3)(4)     150,812        —          9.24      12/29/2030

Erin Quirk

   1/11/2019    1/2/2019(2)     32,514        35,342        6.16      1/10/2029
   3/16/2020    1/17/2020     1,309        4,404        6.72      3/15/2030
   7/31/2020    7/1/2020     1,860        15,997        6.86      7/30/2030
   12/30/2020    12/30/2020(2)     —          288,250        9.24      12/29/2030

 

(1)

Except as otherwise indicated, 1/48th of the shares subject to each option vest on each monthly anniversary of the vesting commencement date, subject to continued service with us through each vesting date.

(2)

1/4th of the shares subject to each option vest on the 12-month anniversary of the vesting commencement date and 1/48th of the shares subject to the option vest on each monthly anniversary of the vesting commencement date for three years thereafter, subject to continued service with us through each vesting date.

(3)

Pursuant to the terms of the named executive officer’s offer letter agreement, the shares subject to the option will vest in full in the event of a termination of the executive’s employment by us without “cause” or the executive’s resignation for “good reason” (each such term as defined in the named executive officer’s offer letter agreement), in each case, that occurs after entering into a definitive agreement providing for a change in control and within three months prior to or 12 months following a change in control of our company.

(4)

Pursuant to the terms of the named executive officer’s offer letter agreement, the named executive officer may early exercise the option for restricted shares, subject to entering into a restricted shares agreement with the Company, provided that such restricted shares shall be subject to the same vesting schedule applicable to the related option award.

Change in Control Policy

On July 31, 2020, we adopted the Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Change in Control Policy (the “CIC Policy”) in which our executed officers (including our named executive officers), senior executives with a title of “Vice President” or higher, and other employees designated by our board are eligible to participate. Pursuant to the CIC Policy, 100% of a participant’s then-outstanding equity awards will vest in full in the event of a termination of the participant’s employment without “cause” or the participant’s resignation for “good reason” (each such term generally defined in the same way they are defined in Mr. Sundaram’s offer letter agreement), in each case, that occurs after entering into a definitive agreement providing for a change in control and within three months prior to or 12 months following a change in control of our company, subject to the participant’s timely execution

 

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and non-revocation of a general release of claims against the Company. If equity awards are subject to performance-based vesting conditions and such performance criteria have not or cannot be determined as of the date of the qualifying termination, such performance criteria shall be deemed to have been achieved at target levels. If a qualifying termination occurs after entering into a definitive agreement providing for a change in control but before the occurrence of an actual change in control event, the acceleration of the participant’s equity awards will occur upon the change in control event and not the qualifying termination.

Executive Compensation Arrangements

Offer Letter Agreements

As described below, we have entered into offer letter agreements with each of our named executive officers.

Mr. Sundaram Offer Letter Agreement

On July 24, 2020, we entered into an offer letter agreement with Mr. Sundaram setting forth the terms and conditions of his employment with us. This agreement provides that Mr. Sundaram will serve as our Chief Executive Officer with an annual base salary of $500,000, a target bonus opportunity of 45% of his annual base salary, a one-time signing and relocation bonus of $150,000 and an initial option to purchase 370,170 shares of our common stock. The offer letter also provided for Mr. Sundaram the opportunity to be granted an additional option in the event we completed certain financing transactions prior to our initial public offering or a change in control.

In the event Mr. Sundaram resigns for “good reason” or we terminate his employment with us without “cause” (in each case as defined in his offer letter agreement), he is entitled to receive the following benefits, in addition to any accrued obligations and subject to his timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims in our favor: (i) continuation of his then-current annual base salary for a period of 12 months, (ii) a prorated portion of his annual performance bonus at 100% of target, (iii) continuation of his healthcare insurance coverage (or an equivalent reimbursement from us) for a period of 12 months and (iv) extended exercisability of certain options for up to three years following his termination of employment. Additionally, in the event Mr. Sundaram resigns for “good reason” or we terminate his employment with us without “cause” following a “potential change in control” and within three months prior to or 12 months following a “change in control” of our company (in each case as defined in his offer letter agreement), he is entitled to receive the following benefits, in addition to any accrued obligations and subject to his timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims in our favor: (i) continuation of his then-current annual base salary for a period of 18 months, (ii) a prorated portion of his annual performance bonus at 150% of target, (iii) continuation of his healthcare insurance coverage (or an equivalent reimbursement from us) for a period of 12 months and (iv) full vesting acceleration of all his then-outstanding equity awards.

Mr. Sundaram’s offer letter agreement generally defines “cause” to mean the occurrence of any one or more of the following, subject to certain notice and cure rights: (i) the commission of any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude, (ii) the attempted commission of or participation in a fraud or act of dishonesty against us that results in (or might have reasonably resulted in) material harm to the business of our company; (iii) the intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between him and us or any statutory duty owed to us, or (iv) conduct that constitutes gross insubordination, incompetence or habitual neglect of duties and that results in (or might have reasonably resulted in) material harm to the business of our company.

Mr. Sundaram’s offer letter agreement generally defines “good reason” to mean the occurrence of any one or more of the following, without his consent and subject to certain notice and cure rights: (i) the assignment of any duties or responsibilities that results in a material diminution in his function (as in effect immediately prior to the effective date of the change in control transaction, if applicable); (ii) a reduction of greater than 10% in his annual base salary (as in effect on the effective date of the change in control transaction, if applicable); provided,

 

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however, that good reason shall not be deemed to have occurred in the event of a reduction in his annual base salary that is pursuant to a salary reduction program affecting substantially all of our employees and that does not adversely affect him to a greater extent than other similarly situated employees; or (iii) a relocation of his primary business office to a location more than 30 miles from the location of his primary business office (as of the effective date of the change in control transaction, if applicable), except for required travel on our company’s business (to an extent substantially consistent with his business travel obligations prior to the effective date of the change in control transaction, if applicable).

Dr. Vignola Offer Letter Agreement

On August 7, 2020, we entered into an offer letter agreement with Dr. Vignola setting forth the terms and conditions of his employment with us. The offer letter provides for Dr. Vignola to serve as our Chief Financial Officer commencing on September 1, 2020 with an annual base salary of $330,000 and a target bonus opportunity of 30% of his annual base salary.

In the event Dr. Vignola resigns for “good reason” or we terminate his employment with us without “cause” (in each case as defined in his offer letter agreement), he is entitled to receive the following benefits, in addition to any accrued obligations and subject to his timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims in our favor: (i) continuation of his then-current annual base salary for a period of 12 months, (ii) a prorated portion of his annual performance bonus based on actual performance, (iii) continuation of his healthcare insurance coverage (or an equivalent reimbursement from us) for a period of 12 months, and (iv) the extended exercisability of his options for up to three years following his termination of employment. In the event such resignation or termination occurs following a “potential change in control” and within three months prior to or 12 months following a “change in control” of our company (in each case as defined in his offer letter agreement), then, in addition to the foregoing payments and benefits, Dr. Vignola is entitled to full vesting acceleration of all his then-outstanding equity awards.

Dr. Vignola’s offer letter agreement generally defines “cause” and “good reason” in the same way they are defined in Mr. Sundaram’s offer letter agreement.

Dr. Quirk Offer Letter Agreement

On August 4, 2020, we entered into an offer letter agreement with Dr. Quirk setting forth the terms and conditions of her continued employment with us. The offer letter provides for Dr. Quirk to continue to serve as our President and Chief Medical Officer with an annual base salary of $374,325 and a target bonus opportunity of 35% of her annual base salary.

In the event Dr. Quirk resigns for “good reason” or we terminate her employment with us without “cause” (in each case as defined in her offer letter agreement), she is entitled to receive the following benefits, in addition to any accrued obligations and subject to her timely execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims in our favor: (i) continuation of her then-current annual base salary for a period of 12 months, (ii) a prorated portion of her annual performance bonus based on actual performance, and (iii) continuation of her healthcare insurance coverage (or an equivalent reimbursement from us) for a period of 12 months.

Dr. Quirk’s offer letter agreement generally defines “cause” and “good reason” in the same way they are defined in Mr. Sundaram’s offer letter agreement except that Dr. Quirk’s offer letter requires a greater distance relocation to trigger “good reason”.

New Employment Agreements

In connection with this offering, we intend to enter into new employment agreements with each of our named executive officers, which will become effective as of immediately prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement relating to this offering and supersede in their entirety their previous letter agreements.

 

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Equity Compensation Plans

The following summarizes the material terms of the 2021 Plan we intend to adopt in connection with this offering, in which our named executive officers will be eligible to participate following the consummation of this offering; our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2017 Plan, under which we have previously made periodic grants of equity and equity-based awards to our named executive officers and other key employees; and the 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan we intend to adopt in connection with this offering to provide our employees an opportunity to purchase shares of our common stock at a discount to fair market value.

2021 Incentive Award Plan

We have adopted the 2021 Plan, which will be effective on the date immediately prior to the date our registration statement relating to this offering becomes effective. The principal purpose of the 2021 Plan is to attract, retain and motivate selected employees, consultants and directors through the granting of stock-based compensation awards and cash-based performance bonus awards. The material terms of the 2021 Plan, as it is currently contemplated, are summarized below.

Share Reserve. Under the 2021 Plan, 2,275,007 shares of our common stock will be initially reserved for issuance pursuant to a variety of stock-based compensation awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, or SARs, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance bonus awards, performance stock unit awards, dividend equivalents, or other stock or cash based awards. The number of shares initially reserved for issuance or transfer pursuant to awards under the 2021 Plan will be increased by (i) the number of shares represented by awards outstanding under our 2017 Plan, or 2017 Plan Awards, that become available for issuance under the counting provisions described below following the effective date and (ii) an annual increase on the first day of each fiscal year beginning in 2022 and ending in 2031, equal to the lesser of (A) 5% of the shares of stock outstanding (on an as converted basis) on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (B) such smaller number of shares of stock as determined by our board of directors; provided, however, that no more than 19,522,824 shares of stock may be issued upon the exercise of incentive stock options.

The following counting provisions will be in effect for the share reserve under the 2021 Plan:

 

   

to the extent that an award (including a 2017 Plan Award) expires, lapses or is terminated, converted into an award in respect of shares of another entity in connection with a spin-off or other similar event, exchanged for cash, surrendered, repurchased, canceled, in any case, in a manner that results in the Company acquiring the underlying shares at a price not greater than the price paid by the participant or not issuing the underlying shares, such unused shares subject to the award at such time will be available for future grants under the 2021 Plan;

 

   

to the extent shares are tendered or withheld to satisfy the grant, exercise price or tax withholding obligation with respect to any award under the 2021 Plan or 2017 Plan Award, such tendered or withheld shares will be available for future grants under the 2021 Plan;

 

   

to the extent shares subject to stock appreciation rights are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of stock appreciation rights on exercise thereof, such shares will be available for future grants under the 2021 Plan;

 

   

the payment of dividend equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding awards or 2017 Plan Awards will not be counted against the shares available for issuance under the 2021 Plan; and

 

   

shares issued in assumption of, or in substitution for, any outstanding awards of any entity acquired in any form of combination by us or any of our subsidiaries will not be counted against the shares available for issuance under the 2021 Plan.

In addition, the sum of the grant date fair value of all equity-based awards under the 2021 Plan and all other cash compensation paid by us to any individual for services as a non-employee director during any calendar year may not exceed $1,500,000 for the individual’s first year of service and $1,000,000 for each year thereafter.

 

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Administration. The compensation committee of our board of directors is expected to administer the 2021 Plan unless our board of directors assumes authority for administration. The board of directors may delegate its powers to a committee, which, to the extent required to comply with Rule 16b-3, is intended to be comprised of “non-employee directors” for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. The 2021 Plan provides that the board or compensation committee may delegate its authority to grant awards other than to individuals subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or officers or directors to whom authority to grant awards has been delegated.

Subject to the terms and conditions of the 2021 Plan, the administrator has the authority to select the persons to whom awards are to be made, to determine the number of shares to be subject to awards and the terms and conditions of awards, and to make all other determinations and to take all other actions necessary or advisable for the administration of the 2021 Plan. The administrator is also authorized to adopt, amend or rescind rules relating to administration of the 2021 Plan. Our board of directors may at any time remove the compensation committee as the administrator and revest in itself the authority to administer the 2021 Plan. The full board of directors will administer the 2021 Plan with respect to awards to non-employee directors.

Eligibility. Awards under the 2021 Plan may be granted to individuals who are then our officers, employees or consultants or are the officers, employees or consultants of certain of our subsidiaries. Such awards also may be granted to our directors. However, only employees of our company or certain of our subsidiaries may be granted incentive stock options, or ISOs.

Awards. The 2021 Plan provides that the administrator may grant or issue stock options, SARs, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance bonus awards, performance stock units, other stock- or cash-based awards and dividend equivalents, or any combination thereof. 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.

 

   

Nonstatutory Stock Options, or NSOs, will provide for the right to purchase shares of our common stock at a specified price which may not be less than fair market value on the date of grant, and usually will become exercisable (at the discretion of the administrator) 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 corporate performance targets and individual performance targets established by the administrator. NSOs may be granted for any term specified by the administrator that does not exceed ten years.

 

   

Incentive Stock Options will be designed in a manner intended to comply with the provisions of Section 422 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 and must not be exercisable after a period of ten years measured from the date of grant. In the case of an ISO granted to an individual who owns (or is deemed to own) at least 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our capital stock, the 2021 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 not be exercisable after a period of five years measured from the date of grant.

 

   

Restricted Stock may be granted to any eligible individual and made subject to such restrictions as may be determined by the administrator. Restricted stock, typically, may be forfeited for no consideration or repurchased by us at the original purchase price if the conditions or restrictions on vesting are not met. In general, restricted stock may not be sold or otherwise transferred until restrictions are removed or expire. Purchasers of restricted stock, unlike recipients of options, will have voting rights and will have the right to receive dividends, if any, prior to the time when the restrictions lapse, however, extraordinary dividends will generally be placed in escrow, and will not be released until restrictions are removed or expire.

 

   

Restricted Stock Units may be awarded to any eligible individual, typically without payment of consideration, but subject to vesting conditions based on continued employment or service or on

 

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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 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.

 

   

Stock Appreciation Rights, or SARs, may be granted in connection with stock options or other awards, or separately. SARs granted in connection with stock options or other awards typically will provide for payments to the holder based upon increases in the price of our common stock over a set exercise price. The exercise price of any SAR granted under the 2021 Plan must be at least 100% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of grant. SARs under the 2021 Plan will be settled in cash or shares of our common stock, or in a combination of both, at the election of the administrator.

 

   

Performance Bonus Awards and Performance Stock Units are denominated in cash or shares/unit equivalents, respectively, and may be linked to one or more performance or other criteria as determined by the administrator.

 

   

Other Stock or Cash Based Awards are awards of cash, fully vested shares of our common stock and other awards valued wholly or partially by referring to, or otherwise based on, shares of our common stock. Other stock or cash based awards may be granted to participants and may also be available as a payment form in the settlement of other awards, as standalone payments and as payment in lieu of base salary, bonus, fees or other cash compensation otherwise payable to any individual who is eligible to receive awards. The administrator will determine the terms and conditions of other stock or cash based awards, which may include vesting conditions based on continued service, performance and/or other conditions.

 

   

Dividend Equivalents represent the right to receive the equivalent value of dividends paid on shares of our common stock and may be granted alone or in tandem with awards other than stock options or SARs. Dividend equivalents are converted to cash or shares by such formula and such time as determined by the administrator. In addition, dividend equivalents with respect to an awards subject to vesting will either (i) to the extent permitted by applicable law, not be paid or credited or (ii) be accumulated and subject to vesting to the same extent as the related award.

Any award may be granted as a performance award, meaning that the award will be subject to vesting and/or payment based on the attainment of specified performance goals.

Change in Control. In the event of a change in control, unless the administrator elects to terminate an award in exchange for cash, rights or other property, or cause an award to accelerate in full prior to the change in control, such award will continue in effect or be assumed or substituted by the acquirer, provided that any performance-based portion of the award will be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable award agreement. In the event the acquirer refuses to assume or replace awards granted, prior to the consummation of such transaction, awards issued under the 2021 Plan (other than any portion subject to performance-based vesting) will be subject to accelerated vesting such that 100% of such awards will become vested and exercisable or payable, as applicable. If a participant’s service relationship with the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the participant for Good Reason (each, as defined in the 2021 Plan) within three months prior to or 12 months following a change in control of the Company, then all of the participant’s equity awards granted under the 2021 Plan will become fully vested and, if applicable, exercisable and all forfeiture restrictions on such awards will lapse. The administrator may also make appropriate adjustments to awards under the 2021 Plan and is authorized to provide for the acceleration, cash-out, termination, assumption, substitution or conversion of such awards in the event of a change in control or certain other unusual or nonrecurring events or transactions.

Adjustments of Awards. The administrator has broad discretion to take action under the 2021 Plan, as well as make adjustments to the terms and conditions of existing and future awards, to prevent the dilution or enlargement of intended benefits and facilitate necessary or desirable changes in the event of certain transactions

 

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and events affecting our common stock, such as stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, acquisitions, consolidations and other corporate transactions. In addition, in the event of certain non-reciprocal transactions with our stockholders known as “equity restructurings,” the administrator will make equitable adjustments to the 2021 Plan and outstanding awards.

Amendment and Termination. The administrator may terminate, amend or modify the 2021 Plan at any time and from time to time. However, we must generally obtain stockholder approval to the extent required by applicable law, rule or regulation (including any applicable stock exchange rule), and generally no amendment may materially and adversely affect any outstanding award without the affected participant’s consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an option may be amended to reduce the per share exercise price below the per share exercise price of such option on the grant date and options may be granted in exchange for, or in connection with, the cancellation or surrender of options having a higher per share exercise price without receiving additional stockholder approval.

No incentive stock options may be granted pursuant to the 2021 Plan after the tenth anniversary of the effective date of the 2021 Plan, and no additional annual share increases to the 2021 Plan’s aggregate share limit will occur from and after such anniversary. Any award that is outstanding on the termination date of the 2021 Plan will remain in force according to the terms of the 2021 Plan and the applicable award agreement.

We have adopted the 2021 Plan, which will be effective on the date immediately prior to the date our registration statement relating to this offering becomes effective. The principal purpose of the 2021 Plan is to attract, retain and motivate selected employees, consultants and directors through the granting of stock-based compensation awards and cash-based performance bonus awards. The material terms of the 2021 Plan are summarized below.

2017 Equity Incentive Plan

Our board of directors adopted, and our stockholders approved, the 2017 Plan effective as of November 21, 2017. The 2017 Plan was subsequently amended on multiple occasions to increase the number of shares issuable thereunder. The 2017 Plan provides for the grant of ISOs, NSOs, SARs, restricted stock and restricted stock units. As of September 30, 2020, options to purchase 940,034 shares of our common stock at a weighted-average exercise price per share of $6.08 and 83,333 shares of our common stock subject to restricted stock or restricted stock purchase awards remained outstanding under the 2017 Plan. As of December 31, 2020, options to purchase 1,578,400 shares of our common stock, granted subsequent to September 30, 2020, at a weighted-average exercise price per share of $9.24 remained outstanding under the 2017 Plan. Following this offering and in connection with the effectiveness of our 2021 Plan, the 2017 Plan will terminate and no further awards will be granted under the 2017 Plan. However, all outstanding awards under the 2017 Plan will continue to be governed by their existing terms under the 2017 Plan.

Administration. Our board of directors, or a committee thereof appointed by our board of directors, has the authority to administer the 2017 Plan and grant awards thereunder. The administrator’s authority includes the authority to select the service providers to whom awards will be granted under the 2017 Plan, the number of shares to be subject to those awards and the terms and conditions of those awards. In addition, the administrator has the authority to construe and interpret the 2017 Plan and to adopt rules for the administration, interpretation, and application of the 2017 Plan that are consistent with the terms of the 2017 Plan.

Awards. The 2017 Plan provides that the administrator may grant or issue options, including ISOs and NSOs, SARs, restricted stock and restricted stock units to employees, officers, directors and consultants; provided that only employees may be granted incentive stock options.

 

   

Stock Options. The 2017 Plan provides for the grant of options, including ISOs or NSOs. Each option grant will be governed by an option award agreement subject to the 2017 Plan. ISOs may be granted

 

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only to employees. NSOs may be granted to employees, officers, directors, and consultants. The exercise price of ISOs granted to employees who at the time of grant own stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of our common stock may not be less than 110% of the fair market value per share of our common stock on the date of grant, and the exercise price of ISOs granted to any other employees may not be less than 100% of the fair market value per share of our common stock on the date of grant. The exercise price of NSOs to employees, officers, directors or consultants may not be less than 100% of the fair market value per share of our common stock on the date of grant.

 

   

Stock Appreciation Rights. The 2017 Plan provides for the grant of SARs. Each SAR will be governed by an SAR award agreement subject to the 2017 Plan. The exercise price of SARs may not be less than 100% of the fair market value per share of our common stock on the date of grant.

 

   

Restricted Stock Awards. The 2017 Plan provides for the grant of restricted stock awards. Each restricted stock award will be governed by a restricted share purchase agreement subject to the 2017 Plan, which will, among other things, detail the restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions the administrator approves. In general, restricted stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, margined, or otherwise encumbered until restrictions are removed or expire. Holders of restricted stock, unlike recipients of other equity awards, will have voting rights and will have the right to receive dividends, if any, prior to the time when the restrictions lapse.

 

   

Restricted Stock Units. The 2017 Plan provides for the grant of restricted stock unit awards which may be settled in either cash or shares of common stock. Each restricted stock unit award will be governed by a restricted stock unit award agreement subject to the 2017 Plan, that will, among other things, set forth any vesting conditions based on continued employment or service or on performance criteria established by the administrator. Unlike restricted stock, stock underlying restricted stock units will not be issued, if at all, until the restricted stock units have vested. Our board of directors may grant holders of restricted stock units the right to receive dividend equivalent payments on outstanding restricted stock units, provided that payment of such dividend equivalent payments may be delayed until the restricted stock units are settled for shares and may be subject to the same vesting requirements applicable to the restricted stock units.

Adjustments of Awards. In the event of any dividend, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, subdivision, combination, reclassification, or other change in the capital structure of our company affecting shares of our common stock, the administrator will make proportional adjustments to the number of shares available for issuance under the 2017 Plan and the number and exercise or purchase price of shares subject to outstanding awards so as to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits intended under the 2017 Plan.

Change in Control. In the event of a merger or change in control of our company, outstanding awards acquired under the 2017 Plan will be subject to the agreement evidencing the merger or change in control transaction, which may provide for non-identical treatment of such awards. Such agreement may provide for outstanding awards to be continued, assumed, substituted, accelerated, settled in cash or equity or cancelled for no consideration, subject to the terms of the 2017 Plan.

Amendment and Termination. Our board of directors may amend or terminate the 2017 Plan, including any forms of award agreement thereunder, at any time, but no amendment will impair the rights of a holder of an outstanding award without the holder’s consent. An amendment of the 2017 Plan will be subject to the approval of our stockholders where such approval is required by applicable law. Following this offering and in connection with the effectiveness of our 2021 Plan, the 2017 Plan will terminate and no further awards will be granted under the 2017 Plan provided that awards granted under the 2017 Plan will remain subject to the terms of the 2017 Plan.

 

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2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

We have adopted the 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or the ESPP, which will be effective on the date immediately prior to the date the registration statement relating to this offering becomes effective. The ESPP is designed to allow our eligible employees to purchase shares of our common stock, at periodic intervals, with their accumulated payroll deductions. The ESPP is intended to qualify under Section 423 of the Code (except for the “Non-Section 423 Component” of the ESPP pursuant to which options may be granted to non-U.S. employees). The material terms of the ESPP, as it is currently contemplated, are summarized below.

Administration. Subject to the terms and conditions of the ESPP, our compensation committee will administer the ESPP. Our compensation committee can delegate administrative tasks under the ESPP to the services of an agent and/or employees to assist in the administration of the ESPP. The administrator will have the discretionary authority to administer and interpret the ESPP. Interpretations and constructions of the administrator of any provision of the ESPP or of any rights thereunder will be conclusive and binding on all persons. We will bear all expenses and liabilities incurred by the ESPP administrator.

Share Reserve. The maximum number of our shares of our common stock which will be authorized for sale under the ESPP is equal to the sum of (i) 227,500 shares of common stock and (ii) an annual increase on the first day of each year beginning in 2022 and ending in 2031, equal to the lesser of (A) 1% of the shares of common stock outstanding (on an as converted basis) on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (B) such number of shares of common stock as determined by our board of directors; provided, however, no more than 3,128,135 shares of our common stock may be issued under the ESPP. The shares reserved for issuance under the ESPP may be authorized but unissued shares or reacquired shares.

Eligibility. Employees eligible to participate in the ESPP for a given offering period generally include employees who are employed by us or one of our subsidiaries on the first day of the offering period, or the enrollment date. Our employees (and, if applicable, any employees of our subsidiaries) who customarily work less than five months in a calendar year or are customarily scheduled to work less than 20 hours per week will generally not be eligible to participate in the ESPP. Finally, an employee who owns (or is deemed to own through attribution) 5% or more of the combined voting power or value of all our classes of stock or of one of our subsidiaries will not be allowed to participate in the ESPP.

Participation. Employees will enroll under the ESPP by completing a payroll deduction form permitting the deduction from their compensation of at least 1% of their compensation but not more than 15% of their compensation. Such payroll deductions may be expressed as either a whole number percentage or a fixed dollar amount, and the accumulated deductions will be applied to the purchase of shares on each purchase date. However, a participant may not purchase more than 100,000 shares in each offering period and may not accrue the right to purchase shares of common stock at a rate that exceeds $25,000 in fair market value of shares of our common stock (determined at the time the option is granted) for each calendar year the option is outstanding (as determined in accordance with Section 423 of the Code). The ESPP administrator has the authority to change these limitations for any subsequent offering period.

Offering. Under the ESPP, participants are offered the option to purchase shares of our common stock at a discount during predetermined purchase periods within a series of successive offering periods, the duration and timing of which will be determined by the ESPP administrator. However, in no event may an offering period be longer than 27 months in length.

The option purchase price will be the lower of 85% of the closing trading price per share of our common stock on the first trading date of an offering period in which a participant is enrolled or 85% of the closing trading price per share on the purchase date, which will occur on the last trading day of each offering period.

Unless a participant has previously canceled his or her participation in the ESPP before the purchase date, the participant will be deemed to have exercised his or her option in full as of each purchase date. Upon exercise,

 

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the participant will purchase the number of whole shares that his or her accumulated payroll deductions will buy at the option purchase price, subject to the participation limitations listed above.

A participant may cancel his or her payroll deduction authorization at any time prior to the end of the offering period. Upon cancellation, the participant will have the option to either (i) receive a refund of the participant’s account balance in cash without interest or (ii) exercise the participant’s option for the current offering period for the maximum number of shares of common stock on the applicable purchase date, with the remaining account balance refunded in cash without interest. Following at least one payroll deduction, a participant may also decrease (but not increase) his or her payroll deduction authorization once during any offering period. If a participant wants to increase or decrease the rate of payroll withholding, he or she may do so effective for the next offering period by submitting a new form before the offering period for which such change is to be effective.

A participant may not assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of (other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution) payroll deductions credited to a participant’s account or any rights to exercise an option or to receive shares of our common stock under the ESPP, and during a participant’s lifetime, options in the ESPP shall be exercisable only by such participant. Any such attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition will not be given effect.

Adjustments upon Changes in Recapitalization, Dissolution, Liquidation, Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of our common stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the common stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of common stock effected without receipt of consideration by us, we will proportionately adjust the aggregate number of shares of our common stock offered under the ESPP, the number and price of shares which any participant has elected to purchase under the ESPP and the maximum number of shares which a participant may elect to purchase in any single offering period. If there is a proposal to dissolve or liquidate us, then the ESPP will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed dissolution or liquidation, and any offering period then in progress will be shortened by setting a new purchase date to take place before the date of our dissolution or liquidation. We will notify each participant of such change in writing at least 10 business days prior to the new exercise date. If we undergo a merger with or into another corporation or sell all or substantially all of our assets, each outstanding option will be assumed or an equivalent option substituted by the successor corporation or the parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation. If the successor corporation refuses to assume the outstanding options or substitute equivalent options, then any offering period then in progress will be shortened by setting a new purchase date to take place before the date of our proposed sale or merger. We will notify each participant of such change in writing at least 10 business days prior to the new exercise date.

Amendment and Termination. Our board of directors may amend, suspend or terminate the ESPP at any time. However, the board of directors may not amend the ESPP without obtaining stockholder approval within 12 months before or after such amendment to the extent required by applicable laws.

Director Compensation

We have not historically maintained a formal non-employee director compensation program. Our non-employee directors received no cash compensation from us during the year ended December 31, 2020. However, we granted David Fellows, Jeffrey Kindler, and Jill Quigley each an option to purchase 28,475 stock options are set forth in the 2020 Director Compensation Table below. Additionally, we provide reimbursement to our non-employee directors for their reasonable expenses incurred in attending meetings of our board of directors and its committees. Mr. Sundaram and Dr. Zhong receive no additional compensation for their service as directors. Their respective compensation as executive officers is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table above.

 

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2020 Director Compensation Table

 

Name

   Option
Awards
($)(1)
     Total
($)
 

David Fellows

     309,641        309,641  

Carl Gordon, Ph.D., C.F.A.

     —          —    

Jeffrey Kindler

     309,641        309,641  

Hongbo Lu, Ph.D.

     —          —    

Jill Quigley, J.D.

     309,641        309,641  

Yi Shi, Ph.D., MBA

     —          —    

Elise Wang, MBA

     —          —    

 

(1)

Amounts reflect the full grant date fair value of option awards granted during 2020 computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, rather than the amounts paid to or realized by the named individual. See Note 10 of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus for the assumptions used in calculating these amounts through September 30, 2020.

 

  

The table below shows the aggregate numbers of stock options held as of December 31, 2020 by each non-employee director.

 

Name

   Options
Outstanding as
of December 31,
2020

(#)
 

David Fellows

     28,475  

Carl Gordon, Ph.D., C.F.A.

     —    

Jeffrey Kindler

     28,475  

Hongbo Lu, Ph.D.

     —    

Jill Quigley, J.D.

     28,475  

Yi Shi, Ph.D., MBA

     —    

Elise Wang, MBA

     —    

Non-Employee Director Compensation Program

We approved a compensation program for our non-employee directors, or the Director Compensation Program, to be effective in connection with the consummation of this offering. Pursuant to the Director Compensation Program, our non-employee directors will receive cash compensation as follows:

 

   

Each non-employee director will receive an annual cash retainer in the amount of $40,000 per year.

 

   

The non-executive chair will receive an additional annual cash retainer in the amount of $30,000 per year.

 

   

The chairperson of the audit committee will receive additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $15,000 per year for such chairperson’s service on the audit committee. Each non-chairperson member of the audit committee will receive additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $7,500 per year for such member’s service on the audit committee.

 

   

The chairperson of the compensation committee will receive additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $10,000 per year for such chairperson’s service on the compensation committee. Each non-chairperson member of the compensation committee will receive additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $5,000 per year for such member’s service on the compensation committee.

 

   

The chairperson of the nominating and corporate governance committee will receive additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $8,000 per year for such chairperson’s service on the nominating and corporate governance committee. Each non-chairperson member of the nominating and corporate governance committee will receive additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $4,000 per year for such member’s service on the nominating and corporate governance committee.

 

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Under the Director Compensation Program, each non-employee director will automatically be granted an option to purchase 25,000 shares of our common stock upon the director’s initial appointment or election to our board of directors, referred to as the Initial Grant, and an option to purchase 12,500 shares of our common stock automatically on the date of each annual stockholder’s meeting thereafter, referred to as the Annual Grant. The Initial Grant will vest as to 1/3rd of the total shares subject thereto on the first anniversary of the applicable date of grant and as to 1/36th of the total shares subject thereto on each monthly anniversary of the applicable date of grant over the next 24 months thereafter, subject to continued service through each applicable vesting date. The Annual Grant will vest on the earlier of the first anniversary of the date of grant or the date of the next annual stockholder’s meeting to the extent unvested as of such date, subject to continued service through each applicable vesting date. Each Initial Grant and Annual Grant will vest in full in the event of a change in control.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The following includes a summary of transactions since January 1, 2017 and any currently proposed transactions to which we were or are expected to be a participant in which (i) the amount involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000, and (ii) any of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or any affiliate or member of the immediate family of the foregoing persons, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than compensation and other arrangements that are described under the section titled “Executive and Director Compensation.”

Convertible Preferred Share Financings

Series A Convertible Preferred Shares Financing

In April 2017, we entered into a Series A convertible preferred share purchase agreement with various investors, pursuant to which we issued an aggregate of 2,089,285 Series A convertible preferred shares at $10.50 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $21.9 million. In addition, our subsidiary in China, Terns China Biotechnology Co., Ltd., sold equity interests to certain entities that are a part of Lilly Asia Ventures for gross proceeds of approximately $8.0 million, which equity interests were eligible for surrender and an exchange into an aggregate of 767,857 Series A convertible preferred shares, at the option of the investors, subject to certain terms and conditions, or the Series A Conversion Option. The Series A Conversion Option was exercised in full effective as of January 11, 2021, at which time Terns China Biotechnology Co., Ltd. became our indirect wholly owned subsidiary. As part of the exercise of the Series A Conversion Option, on December 29, 2020, we issued 767,857 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock to certain entities that are a part of Lilly Asia Ventures.

The table below sets forth the number of shares of our Series A convertible preferred shares purchased by our executive officers, directors, holders of more than 5% of our capital stock and their affiliated entities or immediate family members. Each Series A convertible preferred shares in the table below will convert into one share of our common stock immediately prior to the completion of this offering.

 

Name(1)

   Series A
Convertible
Preferred Shares

(#)
     Aggregate Cash
Purchase Price

($)
 

Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.)(2)

     2,089,285      $ 21,937,500  

Lilly Asia Ventures (PRC)(3)

     767,857        8,062,500  

 

(1)

For additional information regarding these stockholders and their equity holdings, see “Principal Stockholders.”

(2)

Entities that are a part of Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.) became beneficial owners of more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the Series A convertible preferred share financing. Dr. Yi Shi is currently a member of our board of directors. Dr. Shi was designated to serve as a member of our board of directors by Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.) after the closing of the Series A convertible preferred stock financing. Dr. Shi is a Managing Partner at Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.). Dr. Shi holds all voting and investment power over all shares beneficially held by entities that are part of Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.). In addition, Dr. Hongbo Lu is currently a member of our board of directors. Dr. Lu was originally designated to serve as a member of our board of directors by Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.) in April of 2020. Dr. Lu was not a member of our board of directors at the time of the Series A convertible preferred share financing but was at the time of the Series A convertible share financing a Managing Partner at Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.). Currently, Dr. Lu is a Managing Partner of Vivo Ventures and is no longer affiliated with Lilly Asia Ventures.

(3)

Entities that are a part of Lilly Asia Ventures (PRC) became beneficial owners of more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the Series A convertible preferred share financing. Dr. Fei Chen holds all voting and investment power over all shares beneficially held by entities that are a part of Lilly Asia Ventures (PRC). Dr. Fei Chen is a managing partner at Lilly Asia Ventures (PRC).

Series B Convertible Preferred Shares Financing

In October 2018, we entered into a Series B convertible preferred share purchase agreement with various investors, pursuant to which we issued an aggregate of 2,384,195 shares of Series B convertible preferred shares at $30.80 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $73.4 million. In addition, our subsidiary in China, Terns

 

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China Biotechnology Co., Ltd., sold equity interests to certain entities that are a part of Lilly Asia Ventures for gross proceeds of approximately $6.7 million, which equity interests were eligible for surrender and an exchange into an aggregate of 216,450 Series B convertible preferred shares, at the option of the investors, subject to certain terms and conditions, or the Series B Conversion Option. The Series B Conversion Option was exercised in full effective as of January 11, 2021, at which time Terns China Biotechnology Co., Ltd. became our indirect wholly owned subsidiary. As part of the exercise of the Series B Conversion Option, on December 29, 2020, we issued 216,450 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock to certain entities that are a part of Lilly Asia Ventures.

The table below sets forth the number of our Series B convertible preferred shares purchased by our executive officers, directors, holders of more than 5% of our capital stock and their affiliated entities or immediate family members. Each share of Series B convertible preferred shares in the table below will convert into 2.2 shares of our common stock immediately prior to the completion of this offering.

 

Name(1)

   Series B
Convertible
Preferred
Shares(#)
     Aggregate Cash
Purchase Price
($)
 

Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.)(2)

     432,900        13,333,320.00  

Entities affiliated with OrbiMed Advisors LLC(3)

     811,687        24,999,997.00  

Entities affiliated with Vivo Capital(4)

     811,687        24,999,999.20  

Decheng Capital China Life Science USD Fund III, L.P.(5)

     324,675        9,999,998.80  

Lilly Asia Ventures (PRC)(6)

     216,450        6,666,660  

 

(1)

For additional information regarding these stockholders and their equity holdings, see “Principal Stockholders.”

(2)

Entities that are a part of Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.) beneficially owned more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the Series B convertible preferred share financing. Dr. Yi Shi is currently, and was at the time of the Series B convertible preferred share financing, a member of our board of directors. Dr. Shi was designated to serve as a member of our board of directors by Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.). Dr. Shi is a Managing Partner at Lilly Asia Ventures. (U.S.). Dr. Shi holds all voting and investment power over all shares beneficially held by entities that are part of Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.). In addition, Dr. Hongbo Lu is currently a member of our board of directors. Dr. Lu was originally designated to serve as a member of our board of directors by Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.) in April of 2020. Dr. Lu was not a member of our board of directors at the time of the Series B convertible preferred share financing but was at the time of the Series B convertible preferred share financing a Managing Partner at Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.). Currently, Dr. Lu is a Managing Partner of Vivo Ventures and is no longer affiliated with Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.).

(3)

Entities affiliated with OrbiMed Advisors LLC became beneficial owners of more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the Series B convertible preferred share financing. Dr. Carl Gordon is currently a member of our board of directors. Dr. Gordon was designated to serve as a member of our board of directors by OrbiMed Advisors LLC after the closing of the Series B convertible preferred stock financing. Dr. Gordon is a Managing Partner at OrbiMed Advisors LLC.

(4)

Entities affiliated with Vivo Capital became beneficial owners of more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the Series B convertible preferred share financing. Dr. Weidong Liu was designated to serve as a member of our board of directors by Vivo Capital after the closing of the Series B convertible preferred stock financing. Dr. Liu is a Principal at Vivo Capital. In addition, Dr. Hongbo Lu is currently a member of our Board of Directors. Dr. Lu is a Managing Partner at Vivo Capital.

(5)

Entities affiliated with Decheng Capital became beneficial owners of more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the Series B convertible preferred share financing.

(6)

Entities that are a part of Lilly Asia Ventures (PRC) were beneficial owners of more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the Series B convertible preferred share financing. Dr. Fei Chen holds all voting and investment power over all shares beneficially held by entities that are a part of Lilly Asia Ventures (PRC). Dr. Fei Chen is a managing partner at Lilly Asia Ventures (PRC).

 

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2020 Convertible Note Financing

In May 2020, we entered into a note purchase agreement, pursuant to which we issued and sold to investors approximately $15.0 million in aggregate principal amount of convertible promissory notes. In December 2020, the 2020 Notes converted into shares of our Series C convertible preferred stock. The table below sets forth the principal amount of the convertible promissory notes held by our directors, executive officers or owners of more than 5% of a class of our capital stock, or an affiliate or immediate family member thereof at the time of the convertible note financing.

 

Name(1)

   Principal Amount of
Convertible
Promissory Notes at
Closing ($)
 

Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.)(2)

     9,652,834.57  

Entities affiliated with OrbiMed Advisors LLC(3)

     2,658,227.60  

Entities Affiliated with Vivo Capital(4)

     2,658,227.83  

 

(1)

For additional information regarding these stockholders and their equity holdings, see “Principal Stockholders.”

(2)

Entities that are a part of Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.) beneficially owned more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the convertible note financing. Dr. Yi Shi is currently, and was at the time of the convertible note financing, a member of our board of directors. Dr. Shi was designated to serve as a member of our board of directors by Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.). Dr. Shi is a Managing Partner at Lilly Asia Ventures. (U.S.). Dr. Shi holds all voting and investment power over all shares beneficially held by entities that are part of Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.). In addition, Dr. Hongbo Lu was at the time of the convertible note financing, a member of our board of directors. Dr. Lu was originally designated to serve as a member of our board of directors by Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.). Dr. Lu was at the time of the convertible note financing a Managing Partner at Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.). Currently, Dr. Lu is a Managing Partner of Vivo Ventures and is no longer affiliated with Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.).

(3)

Entities affiliated with OrbiMed Advisors LLC beneficially owned more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the convertible note financing. Dr. Carl Gordon is currently, and was at the time of the convertible note financing, a member of our board of directors. Dr. Gordon was designated to serve as a member of our board of directors by OrbiMed Advisors LLC. Dr. Gordon is a Managing Partner at OrbiMed Advisors LLC.

(4)

Entities Affiliated with Vivo Capital beneficially owned more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the convertible note financing. Dr. Weidong Liu was at the time of the convertible note financing, a member of our board of directors. Dr. Liu was designated to serve as a member of our board of directors by Vivo Capital. Dr. Liu is a Principal at Vivo Capital. In addition, Dr. Hongbo Lu is currently, and was at the time of the convertible note financing, a member of our Board of Directors. Dr. Lu is a Managing Partner at Vivo Capital.

2020 Bridge Loan

In May 2020, Terns China Biotechnology Co., Ltd. entered into a bridge loan, or the Bridge Loan, with certain entities that are a part of Lilly Asia Ventures, which beneficially owned more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the bridge loan financing, for the aggregate principal amount of approximately $1.8 million.

In connection with the closing of the Series C convertible preferred stock financing, entities affiliated with Lilly Asia Ventures, or LAV, agreed to effectively convert the Bridge Loan into shares of our Series C preferred stock on the same terms as the 2020 Notes, as described in more detail below. The conversion will be based on an outstanding loan balance equal to $1.9 million, consisting of (i) the principal loan amount ($1.8 million) plus (ii) accrued interest through December 29, 2020 ($0.1 million).

To help facilitate the transfer of cash from China to the United States to effectively convert the Bridge Loan, we and Terns China agreed to enter into an agreement with LAV to (i) repay the Bridge Loan, and (ii) issue shares of Series C convertible preferred stock at the initial closing to entities that are a part of Lilly Asia Ventures in exchange for a promissory note issued to us by LAV, or the LAV Affiliate Promissory Note.

On December 29, 2020, the Bridge Loan was amended to clarify that (i) interest will accrue up to and through December 29, 2020, with no additional interest accruing after December 29, 2020 and (ii) the Bridge

 

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Loan will be repaid in full by us following the requisite government approvals in China. Proceeds from the repayment of the Bridge Loan by Terns China will be used by LAV to repay the LAV Affiliate Promissory Note in full to us.

Series C Preferred Stock Financing

In December 2020, we entered into a Series C convertible preferred stock purchase agreement with various investors, pursuant to which we issued an aggregate of 7,500,665 shares of Series C convertible preferred stock at $11.65 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $87.4 million, which amount includes the conversion of the 2020 Notes and effective conversion of the Bridge Loan.

The table below sets forth the number of shares of our Series C convertible preferred stock purchased by our executive officers, directors, holders of more than 5% of our capital stock and their affiliated entities or immediate family members. Each share of Series C convertible preferred stock in the table below will convert into one share of our common stock immediately prior to the completion of this offering.

 

Name(1)

   Series C
Convertible

Preferred Stock
(#)
     Aggregate Cash
Purchase Price
($)
 

Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.)(2)

     1,739,901      $ 20,266,384.80  

Entities affiliated with OrbiMed Advisors LLC(3)

     1,530,491      $ 17,827,189.63  

Entities affiliated with Vivo Capital(4)

     414,420      $ 4,827,189.87  

Deerfield Partners, L.P.(5)

     1,717,033      $ 20,000,000.38  

Lilly Asia Ventures (PRC)(6)

     167,159      $ 1,947,072.94  

 

(1)

For additional information regarding these stockholders and their equity holdings, see “Principal Stockholders.”

(2)

Entities that are a part of Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.) beneficially owned more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the Series C convertible preferred stock financing. Dr. Yi Shi is currently, and was at the time of the Series C convertible preferred stock financing, a member of our board of directors. Dr. Shi was designated to serve as a member of our board of directors by Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.). Dr. Shi is a Managing Partner at Lilly Asia Ventures. (U.S.). Dr. Shi holds all voting and investment power over all shares beneficially held by entities that are part of Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.). In addition, Dr. Hongbo Lu is currently, and was at the time of the Series C convertible preferred stock financing, a member of our board of directors. Dr. Lu was originally designated to serve as a member of our board of directors by Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.). Dr. Lu was at the time of the Series C convertible preferred stock financing a Managing Partner at Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.). Currently, Dr. Lu is a Managing Partner at Vivo Capital and is no longer affiliated with Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.).

(3)

Entities affiliated with OrbiMed Advisors LLC beneficially owned more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the Series C convertible preferred stock financing. Dr. Carl Gordon is currently, and was at the time of the Series C convertible preferred stock financing, a member of our board of directors. Dr. Gordon was designated to serve as a member of our board of directors by OrbiMed Advisors LLC. Dr. Gordon is a Managing Partner at OrbiMed Advisors LLC.

(4)

Entities affiliated with Vivo Capital beneficially owned more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the Series C convertible preferred stock financing. Dr. Weidong Liu was at the time of the Series C convertible preferred stock financing, a member of our board of directors. Dr. Liu was designated to serve as a member of our board of directors by Vivo Capital. Dr. Liu is a Principal at Vivo Capital. In addition, Dr. Hongbo Lu is currently, and was at the time of the Series C convertible preferred stock financing, a member of our Board of Directors. Dr. Lu is a Managing Partner at Vivo Capital.

(5)

Entities affiliated with Deerfield Partners, L.P. became beneficial owners of more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the Series C convertible preferred stock financing. Ms. Elise Wang is currently a member of our board of directors. Ms. Wang was designated to serve as a member of our board of directors by Deerfield Partners, L.P. after the closing of the Series C convertible preferred stock financing. Ms. Wang is a Principal at Deerfield Management Company.

(6)

Entities that are a part of Lilly Asia Ventures (PRC) were beneficial owners of more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock at the time of the Series C convertible preferred stock financing. Dr. Fei Chen holds all voting and investment power over all shares beneficially held by entities that are a part of Lilly Asia Ventures (PRC). Dr. Fei Chen is a managing partner at Lilly Asia Ventures (PRC).

 

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Investors’ Rights Agreement

In December 2020, we entered into an amended and restated investors’ rights agreement with the purchasers of our outstanding convertible preferred stock, including entities with which certain of our directors are affiliated. Following the consummation of this offering, the holders of approximately 16,079,230 shares of our common stock, including the shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of our Series A, Series B and Series C convertible preferred stock, are entitled to rights with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act. For a more detailed description of these registration rights, see the section titled “Description of Capital Stock—Registration Rights.” The investors’ rights agreement also provides for a right of first offer in favor of certain holders of convertible preferred stock with regard to certain issuances of our capital stock. The rights of first offer will not apply to, and will terminate upon the consummation of, this offering.

Voting Agreement

In December 2020, we entered into an amended and restated voting agreement with certain holders of our common stock and convertible preferred stock. Upon the conversion of all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock into common stock in connection with the consummation of this offering, the amended and restated voting agreement will terminate. For a description of the amended and restated voting agreement, see the section titled “Management—Board Composition—Voting Arrangements.”

Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement

In December 2020, we entered into an amended and restated right of first refusal and co-sale agreement with certain holders of our common stock and convertible preferred stock. This agreement provides for rights of first refusal and co-sale relating to the shares of our common stock held by the parties to the agreement. Upon the consummation of this offering, the amended and restated right of first refusal and co-sale agreement will terminate.

Executive Officer and Director Compensation

Please see the section titled “Executive and Director Compensation” for information regarding the compensation of our directors and named executive officers.

Employment Agreements

We have entered into offer letter agreements with our executive officers that, among other things, provide for certain compensatory and change in control benefits, as well as severance benefits. For a description of these agreements with our named executive officers, see the section titled “Executive and Director Compensation—Executive Compensation Arrangements.”

Indemnification Agreements

We have entered into indemnification agreements with certain of our current directors and officers, and intend to enter into new indemnification agreements with each of our current directors and officers before the completion of this offering. 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 applicable law. See the section titled “Management—Limitation on Liability and Indemnification Matters.”

Policies and Procedures for Related Person Transactions

Prior to the consummation of this offering, our board of directors will adopt 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

 

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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 with an unrelated third party 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, as of January 14, 2021, information regarding beneficial ownership of our capital stock by:

 

   

each person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock;

 

   

each of our named executive officers;

 

   

each of our directors; and

 

   

all of our executive officers and directors as a group.

The percentage ownership information under the column titled “Before Offering” is based on                  shares of common stock outstanding as of January 14, 2021 assuming the conversion of all outstanding shares of our convertible preferred stock, as well as giving effect to the issuance and subsequent conversion of all of our shares of convertible preferred stock issued and sold in December 2020 into an aggregate of 16,079,230 shares of common stock upon the completion of this offering. The percentage ownership information under the column titled “After Offering” is based on the sale of 6,250,000 shares of common stock in this offering (assuming an initial public offering price of $16.00 per share, the midpoint of the estimated price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus). The percentage ownership information assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC and generally means that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power of that security. In addition, shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options or warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of January 14, 2021 are included in the following table. These shares are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding those options or warrants for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person, but they are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The information contained in the following table does not necessarily indicate beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Unless otherwise indicated, the persons or entities identified in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to applicable community property laws.

 

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Unless otherwise noted below, the address for each beneficial owner listed in the table below is c/o Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1065 East Hillsdale, Suite 100, Foster City, California 94404.

 

            Percentage of Shares Beneficially
Owned
 

Name of Beneficial Owner

   Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned

(#)
     Before
Offering

(%)
    After Offering
(%)
 

Greater than 5% Stockholders:

                        

Lilly Asia Ventures U.S.(1)

     4,781,566        29.0     18.7

Entities affiliated with OrbiMed Advisors LLC(2)

     3,316,204        20.1     14.6

Entities affiliated with Vivo Capital(3)

     2,200,133        13.3     9.7

Deerfield Partners, L.P.(4)

     1,717,033        10.4     7.6

Lilly Asia Ventures (PRC)(5)

     1,411,206        8.6     6.2

Named Executive Officers and Directors:

       

Erin Quirk, M.D.(6)

     329,528        2.0     1.4

Senthil Sundaram(7)

     949,197        5.4     4.0

Mark Vignola, Ph.D.(8)

     227,807        1.4       †  

David Fellows

     —          —         —    

Carl Gordon, Ph.D., C.F.A.(9)

     3,316,204        20.1     14.6

Jeffrey Kindler

     —          —         —    

Hongbo Lu, Ph.D.(10)

     —          —         —    

Jill Quigley

     —          —         —    

Yi Shi, Ph.D., MBA(11)

     4,781,566        29.0     18.7

Elise Wang(12)

     —          —         —    

Weidong Zhong, Ph.D.(13)

     430,112        2.6     1.8

All executive officers and directors as a group (12 persons)(*) (13)

     2,202,419        12.0     8.9

 

*

Includes Bryan Yoon, our Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, who is not named in the table above.

Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent.

(1)

Consists of (i) 1,392,857 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series A convertible preferred stock held directly by Hopewell Resources Holdings Limited, (ii) 696,428 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series A convertible preferred stock held directly by Oriental Spring Venture Limited, (iii) 432,900 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series B convertible preferred stock held directly by LAV Aqua Limited, (iv) 334,318 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series C convertible preferred stock held directly by LAV Aqua Limited, and (v) 1,405,583 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series C convertible preferred stock held directly by LAV Biosciences Fund V, L.P. LAV Corporate GP, Ltd. is the general partner of LAV GP III, L.P., which is the general partner of the parent entity of Hopewell Resources Holdings Limited and Oriental Spring Venture Limited. LAV Corporate IV GP, Ltd., is the general partner of LAV GP IV, L.P., which is the general partner of the parent entity of LAV Aqua Limited. LAV Corporate V GP, Ltd., is the general partner of LAV GP V, L.P., which is the general partner of LAV Biosciences Fund V, L.P. Dr. Yi Shi is the managing partner of LAV Corporate GP, Ltd., LAV Corporate IV GP, Ltd., and LAV Corporate V, L.P. and has all voting and investment power with respect to shares beneficially held by each of Hopewell Resources Holdings Limited, Oriental Spring Venture Limited, LAV Aqua Limited and LAV Biosciences Fund V, L.P. Dr. Yi Shi is a member of our board of directors. Dr. Yi Shi is a managing partner at Lilly Asia Ventures (U.S.). The principal address for each of LAV Corporate GP, Ltd., LAV Corporate IV GP, Ltd., and LAV Corporate V, L.P., Hopewell Resources Holdings Limited, Oriental Spring Venture Limited, LAV Aqua Limited and LAV Biosciences Fund V, L.P. is Unit 902-904, Two ChinaChem Central, 26 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong.

(2)

Consists of (i) 1,071,428 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series B convertible preferred stock held directly by OrbiMed Private Investments VII, LP, or OPI VII, (ii) 714,285 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series B convertible preferred stock held directly by OrbiMed Asia Partners III, LP, or OrbiMed Asia, (iii) 918,295 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series C convertible preferred stock held directly by OPI VII, and (iv) 612,196 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series C convertible preferred stock held directly by OrbiMed Asia. Dr. Carl L. Gordon is a member of the management committee of OrbiMed Advisors LLC, or OrbiMed Advisors, and a member of our board of directors. OrbiMed Capital GP VII LLC, or OrbiMed GP VII, is the general partner of OPI VII and OrbiMed Advisors is the managing member of OrbiMed GP VII. By virtue of such relationships, OrbiMed GP VII and OrbiMed Advisors may be deemed to have

 

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voting power and investment power over the securities held by OPI VII and as a result, may be deemed to have beneficial ownership over such securities. OrbiMed Advisors exercises voting and investment power through a management committee comprised of Dr. Gordon, Sven H. Borho, and Jonathan T. Silverstein, each of whom disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by OPI VII. Dr. Gordon a member of the management committee of OrbiMed Advisors III Limited, or OrbiMed Advisors III, and a member of our board of directors. OrbiMed Asia GP III, or OrbiMed Asia GP, is the general partner of OrbiMed Asia and OrbiMed Advisors III is the managing member of OrbiMed Asia GP. By virtue of such relationships, OrbiMed Asia GP and OrbiMed Advisors III may be deemed to have voting power and investment power over the securities held by OrbiMed Asia and as a result, may be deemed to have beneficial ownership over such securities. OrbiMed Advisors III exercises voting and investment power through a management committee comprised of Dr. Gordon, Sven H. Borho, Jonathan T. Silverstein, Jonathan Wang, David G. Wang, Sunny Sharma, Carter W. Nield and Samuel D. Isaly, each of whom disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by OrbiMed Asia. The address for each of the entities and individuals identified in this footnote is c/o OrbiMed Advisors, 601 Lexington Avenue 54th Floor, New York, NY 10022.

(3)

Consists of (i) 1,569,047 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series B convertible preferred stock held directly by Vivo Capital Fund VIII, L.P., or VCF, (ii) 216,666 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series B convertible preferred stock held directly by Vivo Capital Surplus Fund VIII, L.P., or VCSF, (iii) 364,138 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series C convertible preferred stock held directly by VCF, and (iv) 50,282 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series C convertible preferred stock held directly by VCSF. Vivo Capital VIII, LLC, or Vivo LLC, is the general partner of both VCF and VCSF. Dr. Hongbo Lu is a Managing Partner at Vivo Capital and a member of our board of directors. Dr. Liu does not have individual voting or investment power with respect to these shares and disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. The voting members of Vivo LLC are Frank Kung, Edgar Engleman and Shan Fu, none of whom has individual voting or investment power with respect to these shares and each of whom disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. The address for each of the entities and individuals identified in this footnote is 505 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 207, Palo Alto, California 94301.

(4)

Consists of 1,717,033 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series C convertible preferred stock held directly by Deerfield Partners, L.P., or Deerfield. Elise Wang is a Principal at Deerfield Management Company and a member of our board of directors. The address for Deerfield Partners, L.P., is c/o Deerfield Management Company, L.P., 780 Third Avenue, 37th Floor, New York, New York 10017.

(5)

Consists of (i) 767,857 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series A convertible preferred stock held directly by Auspice Limited, (ii) 476,190 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series B convertible preferred stock held directly by Auspice Limited, and (iii) 167,159 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series C convertible preferred stock held directly by Auspice Limited. Shanghai Liyi Investment Management Partnership L.P. is the general partner of Auspice Limited. Dr. Fei Chen is the managing partner of Shanghai Liyi Investment Management Partnership L.P. Dr. Fei Chen holds all voting and investment power over all shares beneficially held by Auspice Limited. Dr. Fei Chen is a managing partner at Lilly Asia Ventures (PRC). The registered address of Shanghai Liyi Investment Management Partnership L.P. is Room 1409, Building 2, No.700 Jiahao Road, Jiading District, Shanghai 201802 P.R. China. The registered address of Auspice Limited is Room 2909-2914, #3 Corporate Avenue 168 Hubin Road, Huangpu, Shanghai, China.

(6)

Consists of 329,528 shares of common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of January 14, 2021.

(7)

Consists of 949,197 shares of common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of January 14, 2021.

(8)

Consists of 227,807 shares of common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of January 14, 2021.

(9)

Consists of the shares described in footnote (2) above. Dr. Gordon disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein, if any.

(10)

Does not include the shares of common stock held by Vivo Capital described in footnote (3) above. Dr. Hongbo Lu is a Managing Partner at Vivo Capital and a member of our board of directors.

(11)

Consists of the shares described in footnote (1) above.

(12)

Does not include the shares of common stock held by Deerfield Partners, L.P. described in footnote (4) above. Ms. Wang is a Principal at Deerfield Management Company and a member of our board of directors.

(13)

Consists of (i) 285,714 shares of common stock held directly by Dr. Weidong Zhong and (ii) 144,398 shares of common stock that may be acquired pursuant to the exercise of stock options within 60 days of January 14, 2021.

(14)

Includes (i) 285,714 shares held by our current directors and executive officers and (ii) 2,202,419 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of January 14, 2021.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following summary describes our capital stock and the material provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws, which will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering, the amended and restated investors’ rights agreement to which we and certain of our stockholders are parties and of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Because the following is only a summary, it does not contain all of 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 and amended and restated investors’ rights agreement, copies of which have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is part.

General

Upon the completion of this offering and the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our authorized capital stock will consist of 150,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. In connection with this offering, we expect to consummate a 1-for-14 reverse stock split of our common stock and convertible preferred stock.

Common Stock

Outstanding Shares

As of September 30, 2020, we had 392,490 shares of common stock outstanding, held of record by seven stockholders. This amount excludes our outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock, which will convert into 16,079,230 shares of our common stock in connection with the closing of this offering. Based on the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020, and assuming (i) the conversion of all of our outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock and (ii) the issuance by us of 6,250,000 shares of our common stock in this offering, there will be 22,721,720 shares of common stock outstanding upon the closing of this offering.

Voting Rights

Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors. Our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the voting shares are able to elect all of the directors. In addition, the affirmative vote of holders of 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of the then outstanding voting stock will be required to take certain actions, including amending certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, including the provisions relating to amending our amended and restated bylaws, the classified board and director liability.

Dividends

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

Liquidation

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

Rights and Preferences

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

 

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the holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of our preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

Fully Paid and Nonassessable

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

Preferred Stock

Upon the completion of this offering, all of our currently outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock will convert into common stock and we will not have any shares of preferred stock outstanding. Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will be amended and restated to delete all references to such shares of convertible preferred stock. From and after the consummation of this offering, our board of directors will have the authority, without further action by our stockholders, to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions thereof. These rights, preferences and privileges could include dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms and the number of shares constituting, or the designation of, such series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of our common stock. The issuance of our preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon our liquidation. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of our company or other corporate action. Immediately after consummation of this offering, no shares of preferred stock will be outstanding, and we have no present plan to issue any shares of preferred stock.

Stock Options

As of September 30, 2020, we had outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 940,034 shares of our common stock, with a weighted-average exercise price of $6.08 per share. For additional information regarding terms of our equity incentive plans, see the section titled “Executive and Director Compensation—Equity Incentive Plans.”

Registration Rights

Upon the completion of this offering and subject to the lock-up agreements entered into in connection with this offering and federal securities laws, certain holders of shares of our common stock, including those shares of our common stock that will be issued upon the conversion of our convertible preferred stock in connection with this offering, will initially be entitled to certain rights with respect to registration of such shares under the Securities Act. These shares are referred to as registrable securities. The holders of these registrable securities possess registration rights pursuant to the terms of our amended and restated investors’ rights agreement and are described in additional detail below. The registration of shares of our common stock pursuant to the exercise of the registration rights described below would enable the holders to trade these shares without restriction under the Securities Act when the applicable registration statement is declared effective. We will pay the registration expenses, other than underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes, of the shares registered pursuant to the demand, piggyback and Form S-3 registrations described below.

Generally, in an underwritten offering, the managing underwriter, if any, has the right, subject to specified conditions and limitations, to limit the number of shares the holders may include. The demand, piggyback and Form S-3 registration rights described below will terminate upon the earliest of (i) with respect to each stockholder, such date, on or after the closing of this offering, on which all registrable shares held by such stockholder may immediately be sold during any 90-day period pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act, or Rule 144, and (ii) the occurrence of a deemed liquidation event, as defined in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as currently in effect.

 

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Demand Registration Rights

Upon the completion of this offering, holders of up to 16,079,230 shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding convertible preferred stock will be entitled to certain demand registration rights. Beginning 180 days following the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, certain investors holding, collectively, 20% of registrable securities may, on not more than two occasions, request that we register all or a portion of their shares, subject to certain specified exceptions. If any of these holders exercises its demand registration rights, then holders of 16,079,230 shares of our common stock issuable upon the shares of our convertible preferred stock in connection with this offering will be entitled to register their shares, subject to specified conditions and limitations in the corresponding offering.

Piggyback Registration Rights

In connection with this offering, holders of up to 16,079,230 shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding convertible preferred stock are entitled to their rights to notice of this offering and to include their shares of registrable securities in this offering. The requisite percentage of these stockholders are expected to waive all such stockholders’ rights to notice of this offering and to include their shares of registrable securities in this offering. In the event that we propose to register any of our securities under the Securities Act in another offering, either for our own account or for the account of other security holders, the holders of registrable securities will be entitled to certain “piggyback” registration rights allowing them to include their shares in such registration, subject to specified conditions and limitations.

S-3 Registration Rights

Upon the completion of this offering, the holders of 16,079,230 shares of our common stock issuable upon conversion of outstanding convertible preferred stock will initially be entitled to certain Form S-3 registration rights. Certain investors holding at least 10% of registrable securities may, on not more than two registrations on Form S-3 within any 12-month period, request that we register all or a portion of their shares on Form S-3 if we are qualified to file a registration statement on Form S-3, subject to specified exceptions. Such request for registration on Form S-3 must cover securities with an aggregate offering price which equals or exceeds $1.0 million, net of selling expenses. The right to have such shares registered on Form S-3 is further subject to other specified conditions and limitations.

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

Certain provisions of Delaware law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws that will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering contain provisions that could make the following transactions more difficult: acquisition of us by means of a tender offer; acquisition of us by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; or removal of our incumbent officers and directors. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in our best interests, including transactions that might result in a premium over the market price for our shares.

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

 

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Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute

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

Undesignated Preferred Stock

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

Special Stockholder Meetings

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

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals

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

Elimination of Stockholder Action by Written Consent

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will eliminate the right of stockholders to act by written consent without a meeting.

Classified Board; Election and Removal of Directors; Filling Vacancies

Effective upon the consummation of this offering, our board of directors will be divided into three classes, divided as nearly as equal in number as possible. The directors in each class will serve for a three-year term, one class being elected each year by our stockholders, with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors will be elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms. Because our stockholders do not have cumulative voting rights, our stockholders holding a majority of the shares of common stock outstanding will be able to elect all of our directors. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide for the removal of any of our directors only for cause and requires a stockholder vote by the holders of at least a 66 2/3% of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock. For more information on the classified board, see the section titled “Management—Board Composition.” Furthermore, any vacancy on our board of directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an increase in the size of the board, may only be filled by a resolution of the board of directors unless the board of directors determines that such vacancies shall be filled by the stockholders.

 

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This system of electing and removing directors and filling vacancies may tend to discourage a third party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, because it generally makes it more difficult for stockholders to replace a majority of the directors.

Choice of Forum

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for the following types of actions or proceedings under Delaware statutory or common law: any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers or stockholders to us or to our stockholders; any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time); or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. As a result, any action brought by any of our stockholders with regard to any of these matters will need to be filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and cannot be filed in any other jurisdiction; provided that, the exclusive forum provision will not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction; and provided further 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. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will also provide that the federal district courts of the United States of America will be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action against us or any of our directors, officers, employees or agents and arising under the Securities Act. Nothing in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws preclude stockholders that assert claims under the Exchange Act from bringing such claims in state or federal court, subject to applicable law.

If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope described above is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware, or a Foreign Action, in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the applicable provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder. Although our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will contain the choice of forum provision described above, it is possible that a court could find that such a provision is inapplicable for a particular claim or action or that such provision is unenforceable.

This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims, although our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Amendment of Charter Provisions

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

The provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting

 

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

Limitation on Liability and Indemnification

For a discussion of limitation on liability and indemnification, see the section titled “Management—Limitation on Liability and Indemnification Matters.”

Nasdaq Global Market Listing

We have applied to list our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market under the trading symbol “TERN.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Upon completion of this offering, the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock will be Computershare, Inc. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 250 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021.

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock, and a liquid trading market for our common stock may not develop or be sustained after this offering. Future sales of our common stock, including shares issued upon the exercise of outstanding options, in the public market after the completion of this offering, or the perception that those sales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price for our common stock from time to time or impair our ability to raise equity capital in the future. As described below, only a limited number of shares of our common stock will be available for sale in the public market for a period of several months after the completion of this offering due to contractual and legal restrictions on resale described below. Future sales of our common stock in the public market either before or after restrictions lapse, or the perception that those sales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock at such time and our ability to raise equity capital at a time and price we deem appropriate.

Sale of Restricted Shares

Based on the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020, upon the closing of this offering (i) assuming the conversion of all of our convertible preferred stock outstanding as of September 30, 2020 into an aggregate of 7,334,518 shares of our common stock in connection with the completion of this offering, (ii) assuming the conversion of all of our convertible preferred stock issued and sold in December 2020 into 8,744,712 shares of our common stock immediately prior to the completion of this offering, (iii) assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of common stock, if any, and (iv) assuming no exercise of outstanding options, we will have outstanding an aggregate of approximately 22,721,720 shares of common stock. Of these shares, all of the 6,250,000 shares of common stock to be sold in this offering will be freely tradable in the public market without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, unless the shares are held by any of our “affiliates” as such term is defined in Rule 144 of the Securities Act, or Rule 144, or subject to lock-up agreements. All remaining shares of common stock held by existing stockholders immediately prior to the consummation of this offering will be “restricted securities,” as such term is defined in Rule 144. These restricted securities were issued and sold by us in private transactions and are eligible for public sale only if registered under the Securities Act or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, including the exemptions provided by Rule 144 or Rule 701 of the Securities Act, or Rule 701, which rules are summarized below.

As a result of the lock-up agreements referred to below and the provisions of Rule 144 and Rule 701, based on the number of shares of our common stock outstanding (calculated as of September 30, 2020 on the basis of the assumptions described above and assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares, if any, and no exercise of outstanding options), the shares of our common stock (excluding the shares sold in this offering) that will be available for sale in the public market are as follows:

 

Approximate Number of Shares

  

First Date Available For Sale Into Public Market

16,471,720 shares   

181 days after the date of this prospectus, upon expiration of the lock-up agreements referred to below, subject in some cases to applicable volume, manner of sale and other limitations under Rule 144 and Rule 701.

We may issue shares of common stock from time to time as consideration for future acquisitions, investments or other corporate purposes. In the event that any such acquisition, investment or other transaction is significant, the number of shares of common stock that we may issue may in turn be significant. We may also grant registration rights covering those shares of common stock issued in connection with any such acquisition and investment.

In addition, the shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2021 Plan will become eligible for sale in the public market to the extent permitted by the provisions of various vesting schedules, the lock-up agreements, a registration statement under the Securities Act or an exemption from registration, including Rule 144 and Rule 701.

 

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Rule 144

Under Rule 144, as currently in effect, once we have been subject to the public company reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for at least 90 days, and we are current in our Exchange Act reporting at the time of sale, a person (or persons whose shares are required to be aggregated) who is not deemed to have been one of our “affiliates” for purposes of Rule 144 at any time during the 90 days preceding a sale and who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least six months, including the holding period of any prior owner other than one of our “affiliates,” is entitled to sell those shares in the public market (subject to the lock-up agreement referred to below, if applicable) without complying with the manner of sale, volume limitations or notice provisions of Rule 144, but subject to compliance with the public information requirements of Rule 144. If such a person has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least one year, including the holding period of any prior owner other than “affiliates,” then such person is entitled to sell such shares in the public market without complying with any of the requirements of Rule 144 (subject to the lock-up agreement referred to below, if applicable).

In general, under Rule 144, as currently in effect, once we have been subject to the public company reporting requirements of the Exchange Act for at least 90 days, our “affiliates,” as defined in Rule 144, who have beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least six months, are entitled to sell in the public market, upon expiration of any applicable lock-up agreements and within any three-month period, a number of those shares of our common stock that does not exceed the greater of:

 

   

1% of the number of shares of common stock then outstanding, which will equal approximately 164,717 shares of common stock immediately upon the completion of this offering (calculated as of September 30, 2020 on the basis of the assumptions described above and assuming no exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares and no exercise of outstanding options); or

 

   

the average weekly trading volume of our common stock on Nasdaq during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to such sale.

Such sales under Rule 144 by our “affiliates” or persons selling shares on behalf of our “affiliates” are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions, notice requirements and requirements related to the availability of current public information about us. Notwithstanding the availability of Rule 144, the holders of substantially all of our restricted securities have entered into lock-up agreements as referenced above and their restricted securities will become eligible for sale (subject to the above limitations under Rule 144) upon the expiration of the restrictions set forth in those agreements.

Rule 701

In general, under Rule 701 as currently in effect, any of our employees, directors, officers, consultants or advisors who acquired common stock from us in connection with a written compensatory stock or option plan or other written agreement in compliance with Rule 701 before the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part (to the extent such common stock is not subject to a lock-up agreement) and who are not our “affiliates” as defined in Rule 144 during the immediately preceding 90 days, is entitled to rely on Rule 701 to resell such shares beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus in reliance on Rule 144, but without complying with the notice, manner of sale, public information requirements or volume limitation provisions of Rule 144. Persons who are our “affiliates” may resell those shares beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus without compliance with minimum holding period requirements under Rule 144 (subject to the terms of the lock-up agreements referred to below, if applicable).

Lock-Up Agreements

In connection with this offering, we, our directors, our executive officers and holders of substantially all of our other outstanding shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of our

 

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common stock outstanding upon the completion of this offering, have agreed, subject to certain limited exceptions, with the underwriters not to directly or indirectly offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, make any short sale or otherwise dispose of or hedge any shares of our common stock or any options to purchase shares of our common stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock during the period from the date of this prospectus continuing through the date 180 days after the date of this prospectus, except with the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Cowen and Company, LLC, and certain other limited exceptions. These agreements are described in the section titled “Underwriting.”

In addition to the restrictions contained in the lock-up agreements described above, we have entered into agreements with certain security holders, including the amended and restated investors’ rights agreement, our standard form of option agreement, our standard form of restricted stock agreement and our standard form of restricted stock purchase agreement, that contain market stand-off provisions or incorporate market stand-off provisions from our equity incentive plan imposing restrictions on the ability of such security holders to offer, sell or transfer our equity securities for a period of 180 days following the date of this prospectus.

Registration Rights

Upon the completion of this offering, the holders of approximately 16,079,230 shares of our common stock will be entitled to rights with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act, subject to the lock-up agreements described under “—Lock-Up Agreements” above. 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 purchased by affiliates, immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Any sales of securities by these stockholders could have a material adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock. The requisite percentage of these stockholders will waive all such stockholders’ rights to notice of this offering and to include their shares of registrable securities in this offering. See the section titled “Description of Capital Stock—Registration Rights.”

Equity Incentive Plans

We intend to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act covering the shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 2021 Plan and our ESPP. Such registration statement is expected to be filed and become effective as soon as practicable after the completion of this offering. Accordingly, shares registered under such registration statement will be available for sale in the open market following its effective date, subject to Rule 144 volume limitations and the lock-up agreements described above, if applicable.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following discussion is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our common stock issued pursuant to this offering, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects. The effects of other U.S. federal tax laws, such as estate and gift tax laws, and any applicable state, local, or non-U.S. tax laws are not discussed. This discussion is based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial decisions, and published rulings and administrative pronouncements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, in each case in effect as of the date hereof.

These authorities may change or be subject to differing interpretations. Any such change or differing interpretation may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a Non-U.S. Holder. We have not sought and will not seek any rulings from the IRS regarding the matters discussed below. There can be no assurance the IRS or a court will not take a contrary position to that discussed below regarding the tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our common stock.

This discussion is limited to Non-U.S. Holders that 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 U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to a Non-U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances, including the impact of the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income or the alternative minimum tax. In addition, it does not address consequences relevant to Non-U.S. Holders subject to special rules, including, without limitation:

 

   

U.S. expatriates and former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;

 

   

persons holding our common stock as part of a hedge, straddle, or other risk reduction strategy or as part of a conversion transaction;

 

   

banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions;

 

   

brokers, dealers, or traders in securities;

 

   

“controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies,” and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;

 

   

partnerships or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and investors therein);

 

   

tax-exempt organizations or governmental organizations;

 

   

persons deemed to sell our common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code;

 

   

tax-qualified retirement plans; and

 

   

“qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds.

If an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will depend on the status of the partner, the activities of the partnership, and certain determinations made at the partner level. Accordingly, partnerships holding our common stock and the partners in such partnerships should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences to them.

THIS DISCUSSION IS NOT TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP, AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARISING UNDER THE U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, OR NON-U.S. TAXING JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

 

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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 neither a “U.S. person” nor an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A U.S. person is any person that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is or is treated as any of the following:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation 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 U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and all substantial decisions of which are subject to the control of one or more “United States persons” (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code), or (2) has a valid election in effect to be treated as a United States person for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Distributions

As described in the section of this prospectus titled “Dividend Policy,” we have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock, and we do not currently intend to pay any cash dividends on our capital stock in the foreseeable future. However, if we do make distributions of cash or property on our common stock, such distributions will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Amounts not treated as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes will constitute returns of capital and first be applied against and reduce a Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its common stock, but not below zero. Any excess will be treated as capital gain and will be treated as described below under “—Sale or Other Taxable Disposition.”

Subject to the discussion below regarding effectively connected income, dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividends (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty, provided the Non-U.S. Holder furnishes a valid IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable documentation) certifying qualification for the lower treaty rate). A Non-U.S. Holder that does not timely furnish the required documentation, but that qualifies 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 their entitlement to benefits under any applicable tax treaties.

If dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such dividends are attributable), the Non-U.S. Holder will be exempt from the U.S. federal withholding tax described above. To claim the exemption, the Non-U.S. Holder must furnish to the applicable withholding agent a valid IRS Form W-8ECI, 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 such effectively connected dividends will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular rates. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected dividends, 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.

 

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Sale or Other Taxable Disposition

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding, a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock unless:

 

   

the gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the Non-U.S. Holder maintains a permanent establishment in the United States to which such gain is attributable);

 

   

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 disposition and certain other requirements are met; or

 

   

our common stock constitutes a U.S. real property interest, or USRPI, by reason of our status as a U.S. real property holding corporation, or USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Gain described in the first bullet point above generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular rates. A Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation also may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on such effectively connected gain, as adjusted for certain items.

A Non-U.S. Holder described in the second bullet point above will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on gain realized upon the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock, which may be offset by certain U.S.-source capital losses of the Non-U.S. Holder (even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States), provided 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 we currently are not, and do not anticipate becoming, a USRPHC. Because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends, however, on the fair market value of our USRPIs relative to the fair market value of our non-U.S. real property interests and our other business assets, there can be no assurance that we currently are not a USRPHC or will not become one in the future. Even if we are or were to become a USRPHC, gain arising from the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock by a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax if our common stock is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market and such Non-U.S. Holder owned, actually and constructively, 5% or less of our common stock throughout the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of the sale or other taxable disposition or the Non-U.S. Holder’s holding period.

Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Payments of dividends on our common stock will not be subject to backup withholding, provided the Non-U.S. Holder certifies its non-U.S. status, such as by furnishing a valid IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, or otherwise establishes an exemption. However, information returns are required to be filed with the IRS in connection with any distributions on our common stock paid to the Non-U.S. Holder, regardless of whether any tax was actually withheld. In addition, proceeds of the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock within the United States or conducted through certain U.S.-related brokers generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting if the applicable withholding agent receives the certification described above or the Non-U.S. Holder otherwise establishes an exemption. Proceeds of a disposition of our common stock conducted through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker that does not have certain enumerated relationships with the United States generally will not be subject to backup withholding or information reporting.

 

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Copies of information returns that are filed with the IRS may also be made available under the provisions of an applicable treaty or agreement to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides or is established.

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 U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Additional Withholding Tax on Payments Made to Foreign Accounts

Withholding taxes may be imposed under Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code (such Sections commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA) on certain types of payments made to non-U.S. financial institutions and certain other non-U.S. entities. Specifically, a 30% withholding tax may be imposed on dividends on, or (subject to the proposed Treasury Regulations discussed below) gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, our common stock paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code), unless (1) the foreign financial institution undertakes certain diligence and reporting obligations, (2) the non-financial foreign entity either certifies it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial United States owner, or (3) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign 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 (1) above, it must enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of the Treasury requiring, among other things, that it undertakes to identify accounts held by certain “specified United States persons” or “United States owned foreign entities” (each as defined in the Code), annually reports certain information about such accounts, and withholds 30% on certain payments to non-compliant foreign financial institutions and certain other account holders. Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.

Under the applicable Treasury Regulations and administrative guidance, withholding under FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends on our common stock. While, beginning on January 1, 2019, withholding under FATCA would have applied also to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock, proposed Treasury Regulations eliminate FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds entirely. Taxpayers generally may rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations until final Treasury Regulations are issued.

Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of withholding under FATCA to their investment in our common stock.

 

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UNDERWRITING

We are offering the shares of common stock described in this prospectus through a number of underwriters. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Cowen and Company, LLC are acting as joint book-running managers of the offering and as representatives of the underwriters. We have entered into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters. Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase, at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions 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

   Number of
Shares
 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

                   

Cowen and Company, LLC

  
  

 

 

 

Total

     6,250,000  
  

 

 

 

The underwriters are committed to purchase all the common shares offered by us if they purchase any shares. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of non-defaulting underwriters may also be increased or the offering may be terminated.

The underwriters propose to offer the common shares directly to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and to certain dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of $                 per share. Any such dealers may resell shares to certain other brokers or dealers at a discount of up to $                 per share from the initial public offering price. After the initial offering of the shares to the public, if all of the common shares are not sold at the initial public offering price, the underwriters may change the offering price and the other selling terms. Sales of any shares made outside of the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriters. The offering of the shares by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.

The underwriters have an option to buy up to 937,500 additional shares of common stock from us to cover sales of shares by the underwriters which exceed the number of shares specified in the table above. The underwriters have 30 days from the date of this prospectus to exercise this option to purchase additional shares. If any shares are purchased with this option to purchase additional shares, the underwriters will purchase shares in approximately the same proportion as shown in the table above. If any additional shares of common stock are purchased, the underwriters will offer the additional shares on the same terms as those on which the shares are being offered.

The underwriting fee is equal to the public offering price per share of common stock less the amount paid by the underwriters to us per share of common stock. The underwriting fee is $                 per share. The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the underwriters assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

 

     Without
option to
purchase
additional
shares
exercise
     With full
option to
purchase
additional
shares
exercise
 

Per Share

   $                    $                

Total

   $        $    

We estimate that the total expenses of this offering, including registration, filing and listing fees, printing fees and legal and accounting expenses, but excluding the underwriting discounts and commissions, will be

 

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approximately $3.5 million. We have also agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain of their expenses in an amount of up to $40,000.

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the web sites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in the offering. The underwriters 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 representatives to underwriters and selling group members that may make Internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

We have agreed that we will not (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, or submit to, or file with, the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any shares of our common stock, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, loan, disposition or filing, or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers all or a portion of the economic consequences associated with the ownership of any shares of common stock or any such other securities (regardless of whether any of these transactions are to be settled by the delivery of shares of common stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise), in each case without the prior written consent of the representatives for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, other than the shares of our common stock to be sold in this offering.

The restrictions on our actions, as described above, do not apply to certain transactions, including (i) the issuance of shares of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of our common stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities or the exercise of warrants or options (including net exercise) or the settlement of restricted stock units, or RSUs, (including net settlement), in each case outstanding on the date of the underwriting agreement and described in this prospectus; (ii) grants of stock options, stock awards, restricted stock, RSUs or other equity awards and the issuance of shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of our common stock (whether upon the exercise of stock options or otherwise) to our employees, officers, directors, advisors or consultants pursuant to the terms of an equity compensation plan in effect as of the closing of this offering and described in this prospectus, provided that such recipients enter into a lock-up agreement with the underwriters; (iii) the issuance of up to 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or securities convertible into, exercisable for or which are otherwise exchangeable for, our common stock, immediately following the closing of this offering, in acquisitions or other similar strategic transactions, provided that such recipients enter into a lock-up agreement with the underwriters; or (iv) our filing of any registration statement on Form S-8 relating to securities granted or to be granted pursuant to any plan in effect on the date of the underwriting agreement and described in this prospectus or any assumed benefit plan pursuant to an acquisition or similar strategic transaction.

Our directors and executive officers, and substantially all of our shareholders, or the lock-up parties, have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriters prior to the commencement of this offering pursuant to which each lock-up party, with limited exceptions, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, or the restricted period, may not (and may not cause any of their direct or indirect affiliates to), without the prior written consent of the representatives, (1) 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 our common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common stock (including, without limitation, common stock or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by such lock-up parties in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant, or collectively with the common stock, the lock-up securities), (2) enter into any hedging, swap or other agreement or transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the lock-up securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of lock-up

 

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securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) make any demand for, or exercise any right with respect to, the registration of any lock-up securities, or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing. Such persons or entities have further acknowledged that these undertakings preclude them from engaging in any hedging or other transactions or arrangements (including, without limitation, any short sale or the purchase or sale of, or entry into, any put or call option, or combination thereof, forward, swap or any other derivative transaction or instrument, however described or defined) designed or intended, or which could reasonably be expected to lead to or result in, a sale or disposition or transfer (by any person or entity, whether or not a signatory to such agreement) of any economic consequences of ownership, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, of any lock-up securities, whether any such transaction or arrangement (or instrument provided for thereunder) would be settled by delivery of lock-up securities, in cash or otherwise.

The restrictions described in the immediately preceding paragraph and contained in the lock-up agreements between the underwriters and the lock-up parties do not apply, subject in certain cases to various conditions, to certain transactions, including (a) transfers of lock-up securities:

 

  (i)

as a bona fide gift or gifts, or for bona fide estate planning purposes,

 

  (ii)

by will, other testamentary document or intestacy,

 

  (iii)

to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the lock-up party or any immediate family member, or if the undersigned is a trust, to a trustor or beneficiary of the trust or to the estate of a beneficiary of such trust,

 

  (iv)

to a partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which the lock-up party and its immediate family members are the legal and beneficial owner of all of the outstanding equity securities or similar interests,

 

  (v)

to a nominee or custodian of a person or entity to whom a disposition or transfer would be permissible under clauses (i) through (iv),

 

  (vi)

if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity, (A) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity that is an affiliate of the lock-up party, or to any investment fund or other entity controlling, controlled by, managing or managed by or under common control with the lock-up party or its affiliates or (B) as part of a distribution to members partners, shareholders or other equity holders of the lock-up party,

 

  (vii)

by operation of law, such as pursuant to a qualified domestic order, divorce settlement, divorce decree, separation agreement or other court order,

 

  (viii)

to us from an employee or other service provider upon death, disability or termination of employment or service, in each case, of such employee or service provider,

 

  (ix)

as part of a sale of lock-up securities acquired (A) in open market transactions after the completion of this offering or (B) from the underwriters in this offering,

 

  (x)

to us in connection with the vesting, settlement or exercise of restricted stock units, options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of our common stock (including, in each case, by way of “net” or “cashless” exercise), including for the payment of exercise price and tax and remittance payments due as a result of the vesting, settlement, or exercise of such restricted stock units, options, warrants or rights, provided that any such shares of common stock received upon such exercise, vesting or settlement shall be subject to the terms of the lock-up agreement, and provided further that any such restricted stock units, options, warrants or rights are held by the lock-up parties pursuant to an agreement or equity awards granted under a stock incentive plan or other equity award plan, each such agreement or plan which is described in this prospectus (including any exhibits filed herewith), or

 

  (xi)

pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction approved by our board of directors and made to all shareholders involving a change in control (for

 

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purposes hereof, “change of control” shall mean the transfer (whether by tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, to a person or group of affiliated persons, of shares of capital stock if, after such transfer, such person or group of affiliated persons would hold more than 50% of our outstanding voting securities (or the surviving entity)), provided that if such transaction is not completed, all such lock-up securities would remain subject to the restrictions;

provided that (A) in the case of any transfer, distribution or other disposition pursuant to clause (a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii), such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value and each donee, devisee, transferee or distributee shall execute and deliver to the representatives a lock-up agreement, (B) in the case of any transfer, distribution or disposition pursuant to clauses (a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (x), no filing by any party (donor, donee, devisee, transferor, transferee, distributer or distributee) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, or other public announcement shall be required or shall be made voluntarily in connection with such transfer or distribution (other than a filing on a Form 5 made after the expiration of the restricted period referred to above) and (C) in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clauses (a)(vii) and (viii) it shall be a condition to such transfer that no public filing, report or announcement shall be voluntarily made and if any filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, or other public filing, report or announcement reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of common stock in connection with such transfer or distribution shall be legally required during the restricted period, such filing, report or announcement shall clearly indicate in the footnotes thereto the nature and conditions of such transfer;

(b) exercise of the options, settlement of RSUs or other equity awards, or the exercise of warrants granted pursuant to plans described in in this prospectus, provided that any lock-up securities received upon such exercise, vesting or settlement shall be subject to restrictions similar to those in the immediately preceding paragraph; (c) the conversion of outstanding preferred stock, warrants to acquire preferred stock, or convertible securities into shares of our common stock or warrants to acquire shares of our common stock, provided that any common stock or warrant received upon such conversion shall be subject to restrictions similar to those in the immediately preceding paragraph; (d) the establishment by lock-up parties of trading plans under Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, provided that such plan does not provide for the transfer of lock-up securities during the restricted period and no filing by any party under the Exchange Act or other public announcement shall be required or made voluntarily in connection with such trading plan during the restricted period; and (e) sell the shares of common stock to be sold by the lock-up party pursuant to the terms of the underwriting agreement.

The representatives, in their sole discretion, may release the securities subject to any of the lock-up agreements with the underwriters described above, in whole or in part at any time.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

We have applied to have our common stock approved for listing on Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “TERN.”

In connection with this offering, the underwriters may engage in stabilizing transactions, which involves making bids for, purchasing and selling shares of common stock in the open market for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock while this offering is in progress. These stabilizing transactions may include making short sales of common stock, which involves the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares of common stock than they are required to purchase in this offering, and purchasing shares of common stock on the open market to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales may be “covered” shorts, which are short positions in an amount not greater than the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares referred to above, or may be “naked” shorts, which are short positions in excess of that amount. The underwriters may close out any covered short position either by exercising their option to purchase additional shares, in whole or in part, or by purchasing shares in the open market. In making this determination,

 

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the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market compared to the price at which the underwriters may purchase shares through the option to purchase additional shares. 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 the common stock in the open market that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. To the extent that the underwriters create a naked short position, they will purchase shares in the open market to cover the position.

The underwriters have advised us that, pursuant to Regulation M of the Securities Act of 1933, they may also engage in other activities that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the common stock, including the imposition of penalty bids. This means that if the representatives of the underwriters purchase common stock in the open market in stabilizing transactions or to cover short sales, the representatives can require the underwriters that sold those shares as part of this offering to repay the underwriting discount received by them.

These activities may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of the common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock, and, as a result, the price of the common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. If the underwriters commence these activities, they may discontinue them at any time. The underwriters may carry out these transactions on the Nasdaq Global Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common stock. The initial public offering price will be determined by negotiations between us and the representatives of the underwriters. In determining the initial public offering price, we and the representatives of the underwriters expect to consider a number of factors including:

 

   

the information set forth in this prospectus and otherwise available to the representatives;

 

   

our prospects and the history and prospects for the industry in which we compete;

 

   

an assessment of our management;

 

   

our prospects for future earnings;

 

   

the general condition of the securities markets at the time of this offering;

 

   

the recent market prices of, and demand for, publicly traded common stock of generally comparable companies; and

 

   

other factors deemed relevant by the underwriters and us.

Neither we nor the underwriters can assure investors that an active trading market will develop for our common shares, or that the shares will trade in the public market at or above the initial public offering price.

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.

Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates have provided in the past to us and our affiliates and may provide from time to time in the future certain commercial banking, financial advisory, investment banking and

 

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other services for us and such affiliates in the ordinary course of their business, for which they have received and may continue to receive customary fees and commissions. In addition, from time to time, certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may effect transactions for their own account or the account of customers, and hold on behalf of themselves or their customers, long or short positions in our debt or equity securities or loans, and may do so in the future.

European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each a “Relevant State”), no shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that offers of shares may be made to the public in that Relevant State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:

 

  (a)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation;

 

  (b)

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the Representatives for any such offer; or

 

  (c)

in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation,

provided that no such offer of shares shall require the Issuer or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation and each person who initially acquires any shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with each of the underwriters and the Issuer that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation. In the case of any shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in the Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any shares to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriters has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the shares in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

United Kingdom

No shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in the United Kingdom prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority, except that the shares may be offered to the public in the United Kingdom at any time:

 

  (a)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the U.K. Prospectus Regulation;

 

  (b)

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the U.K. Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the Representatives for any such offer; or

 

  (c)

in any other circumstances falling within Section 86 of the FSMA;

 

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provided that no such offer of the shares shall require the Issuer or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Section 85 of the FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the U.K. Prospectus Regulation. For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the shares in the United Kingdom means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares and the expression “U.K. Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

In addition, in the United Kingdom, this document is being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are “qualified investors” (as defined in the U.K. Prospectus Regulation) (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended, or the “Order,” and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies (or persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated) falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (e) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”) or otherwise in circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in an offer to the public of the shares in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons. Any person in the UK who is not a relevant person must not act on or rely upon this document or any of its contents.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada

The shares may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland

The shares may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, or SIX, or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of, and 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 or marketing material relating to the shares or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

 

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Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company, the shares 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 shares will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA, or FINMA, and the offer of shares has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes, or CISA. The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of shares.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

The shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong), or the SFO, of Hong Kong and any rules made thereunder; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong), or the CO, or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the CO. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the SFO and any rules made thereunder.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

Each representative has acknowledged that this prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, each representative has represented and agreed that it has not offered or sold any shares or caused the shares to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not offer or sell any shares or cause the shares to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and has not circulated or distributed, nor will it circulate or distribute, this prospectus or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares, whether directly or indirectly, to any person in Singapore other than:

 

(a)

to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289) of Singapore, as modified or amended from time to time, or the SFA) pursuant to Section 274 of the SFA;

 

(b)

to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA; or

 

(c)

otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

(a)

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

(b)

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

securities or securities-based derivatives contracts (each term as defined in Section 2(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

(i)

to an institutional investor or to a relevant person, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

 

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(ii)

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

 

(iii)

where the transfer is by operation of law;

 

(iv)

as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

 

(v)

as specified in Regulation 37A of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Securities and Securities-based Derivatives Contracts) Regulations 2018.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

The shares have not been and will not be registered pursuant to Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act. Accordingly, none of the shares nor any interest therein may be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any “resident” of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the benefit of a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan in effect at the relevant time.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Arab Emirates

The shares have not been, and are not being, publicly offered, sold, promoted or advertised in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) other than in compliance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates (and the Dubai International Financial Centre) governing the issue, offering and sale of securities. Further, this prospectus does not constitute a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) and is not intended to be a public offer. This prospectus has not been approved by or filed with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the Securities and Commodities Authority or the Dubai Financial Services Authority.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Israel

In the State of Israel this prospectus shall not be regarded as an offer to the public to purchase shares of common stock under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728—1968, which requires a prospectus to be published and authorized by the Israel Securities Authority, if it complies with certain provisions of Section 15 of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728–1968, including, inter alia, if: (i) the offer is made, distributed or directed to not more than 35 investors, subject to certain conditions, or the Addressed Investors, or (ii) the offer is made, distributed or directed to certain qualified investors defined in the First Addendum of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728—1968, subject to certain conditions, or the Qualified Investors. The Qualified Investors shall not be taken into account in the count of the Addressed Investors and may be offered to purchase securities in addition to the 35 Addressed Investors. The company has not and will not take any action that would require it to publish a prospectus in accordance with and subject to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728—1968. We have not and will not distribute this prospectus or make, distribute or direct an offer to subscribe for our common stock to any person within the State of Israel, other than to Qualified Investors and up to 35 Addressed Investors.

Qualified Investors may have to submit written evidence that they meet the definitions set out in of the First Addendum to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728—1968. In particular, we may request, as a condition to be offered common stock, that Qualified Investors will each represent, warrant and certify to us and/or to anyone acting on our behalf: (i) that it is an investor falling within one of the categories listed in the First Addendum to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728—1968; (ii) which of the categories listed in the First Addendum to the Israeli Securities Law, 5728—1968 regarding Qualified Investors is applicable to it; (iii) that it will abide by all provisions set forth in the Israeli Securities Law, 5728—1968 and the regulations promulgated thereunder in connection with the offer to be issued common stock; (iv) that the shares of common stock that it will be issued are, subject to

 

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exemptions available under the Israeli Securities Law, 5728—1968: (a) for its own account; (b) for investment purposes only; and (c) not issued with a view to resale within the State of Israel, other than in accordance with the provisions of the Israeli Securities Law, 5728—1968; and (v) that it is willing to provide further evidence of its Qualified Investor status. Addressed Investors may have to submit written evidence in respect of their identity and may have to sign and submit a declaration containing, inter alia, the Addressed Investor’s name, address and passport number or Israeli identification number.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the issuance of our common stock offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Latham & Watkins LLP, Menlo Park, California. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2018 and 2019, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, as set forth in their report. 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 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, a registration statement on Form S-1, including exhibits and schedules, under the Securities Act, with respect to the shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information in the registration statement and its exhibits. For further information with respect to us and the common stock offered by this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or any other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each of these statements is qualified in all respects by this reference.

You may read our SEC filings, including this registration statement, over the Internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Upon the completion of this offering, we will be subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and we will file reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements and other information will be available for review at the SEC’s website referred to above. We also maintain a website at www.ternspharma.com, at which, following the completion of this offering, you may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information contained on or accessible through our website is not a part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.

 

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TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     F-2  

Audited Financial Statements as of and for the Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2019

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     F-3  

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

     F-4  

Consolidated Statements of Noncontrolling Interest, Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

     F-5  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

     F-6  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     F-7  

Unaudited Financial Statements as of and for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 and 2020

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

     F-34  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited)

     F-35  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Noncontrolling Interest, Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit (Unaudited)

     F-36  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

     F-37  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     F-38  

 

F-1


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, non-controlling interest, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit and cash flows for the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2018 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The Company’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has incurred significant losses and experienced negative cash flows from operations and has stated that substantial doubt exists about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s evaluation of the events and conditions and management’s plans regarding these matters are also described in Note 1. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.

San Jose, California

November 10, 2020, except for the fifth paragraph of Note 1, as to which the date is February 1, 2021

 

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Table of Contents

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     December 31,  
     2018     2019  

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 82,522     $ 12,327  

Marketable securities

     —         5,600  

Short-term investments

     4,361       1,723  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1,593       2,574  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     88,476       22,224  

Property and equipment, net

     261       961  

Other assets

     335       719  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 89,072     $ 23,904  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 914     $ 1,636  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     1,461       3,314  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     2,375       4,950  

Non-current liabilities

    

Deferred rent, net of current portion

     —         285  

Unrecognized tax benefit

     142       345  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     2,517       5,580  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

    

Noncontrolling interest

     14,325       14,117  

Convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 76,409,088 shares authorized as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively; 4,473,480 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively; aggregate liquidation value of $95,371 as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively

     94,967       94,967  

Stockholders’ deficit:

    

Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively; 104,761 and 215,890 shares issued and outstanding, respectively at December 31, 2018 and 2019

     —         —    

Additional paid-in capital

     455       1,208  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     59       (106

Accumulated deficit

     (23,251     (91,862
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (22,737     (90,760
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities, noncontrolling interest, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit

   $ 89,072     $ 23,904  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     Year Ended December
31,
 
     2018     2019  

Operating expenses:

    

Research and development

   $ 14,554     $ 61,534  

General and administrative

     3,901       8,663  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     18,455       70,197  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (18,455     (70,197
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income:

    

Interest income

     332       1,204  

Other income, net

     38       154  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income, net

     370       1,358  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before benefit for income taxes

     (18,085     (68,839

Benefit for income taxes

     67       20  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (18,018     (68,819

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (307     (208
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (17,711   $ (68,611
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

    

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax

   $ —       $ 2  

Foreign exchange translation adjustment, net of tax

     (65     (166
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

     (18,083     (68,983

Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (320     (231
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (17,763   $ (68,752
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

   $ (237.56   $ (374.39
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common stock outstanding, basic and diluted

     74,553       183,262  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NONCONTROLLING INTEREST, CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

 

    Non-
Controlling

Interest
    Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock
    Series B Convertible
Preferred Stock
          Common Stock     Additional
Paid-in

Capital
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

Income (Loss)
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Total
Stockholders’

Deficit
 
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount           Shares     Amount  

Balances at December 31, 2017

  $ 2,590       696,428     $ 7,313       —       $ —             —       $ —       $ 156     $ 124     $ (5,540   $ (5,260

Issuance of Series A convertible preferred stock

    —         1,392,857       14,625       —         —             —         —         —         —         —         —    

Contributions from noncontrolling interest

    12,042       —         —         —         —             —         —         —         —         —         —    

Issuance of Series B convertible preferred stock, net of issuance costs of $404

    —         —         —         2,384,195       73,029           —         —         —         —         —         —    

Exercise of stock options

    —         —         —         —         —             3,571       —         7       —         —         7  

Vesting of restricted stock

    —         —         —         —         —             101,190       —         58       —         —         58  

Stock-based compensation expense

    —         —         —         —         —             —         —         234       —         —         234  

Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation

    —         —         —         —         —             —         —         —         (65     —         (65

Net loss

    (307     —         —         —         —             —         —         —         —         (17,711     (17,711
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2018

    14,325       2,089,285       21,938       2,384,195       73,029           104,761       —         455       59       (23,251     (22,737

Exercise of stock options

    —         —         —         —         —             9,939       —         26       —         —         26  

Vesting of restricted stock

    —         —         —         —         —             101,190       —         59       —         —         59  

Stock-based compensation expense

    —         —         —         —         —             —         —         668       —         —         668  

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities

    —         —         —         —         —             —         —         —         2       —         2  

Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation

    —         —         —         —         —             —         —         —         (167     —         (167

Net loss

    (208     —         —         —         —             —         —         —         —         (68,611     (68,611
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2019

  $ 14,117       2,089,285     $ 21,938       2,384,195     $ 73,029           215,890     $ —       $ 1,208     $ (106   $ (91,862   $ (90,760
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
           2018                 2019        

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net loss

   $ (18,018   $ (68,819

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Stock-based compensation expense

     234       668  

Depreciation and amortization expense

     65       195  

Amortization and accretion on marketable securities

     —         (40

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (1,564     (987

Other assets

     (299     (313

Accounts payable

     488       722  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     877       1,858  

Deferred rent

     —         288  

Unrecognized tax benefit

     146       206  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (18,071     (66,222
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchase of property and equipment

     (244     (900

Purchase of short-term investments

     (6,949     (13,314

Proceeds from sale and maturity of short-term investments

     2,417       15,919  

Proceeds from sale and maturity of marketable securities

     —         39,510  

Purchase of marketable securities

     —         (45,071
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (4,776     (3,856
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from issuance of Series A convertible preferred stock

     14,625       —    

Net proceeds from issuance of Series B convertible preferred stock

     73,029       —    

Contributions from noncontrolling interest

     12,042       —    

Net proceeds from repayment of founders’ loans

     58       58  

Payment of deferred financing costs

     —         (22

Proceeds from stock option exercises

     7       26  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     99,761       62  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

     103       (131
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

     77,017       (70,147

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

     5,505       82,522  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

   $ 82,522     $ 12,375  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of noncash operating activities:

    

Cash paid for taxes

   $ —       $ 72  

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.

Nature of the Business and Basis of Presentation

Terns Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Terns or Terns Cayman) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of small-molecule single-agent and combination therapy candidates for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and other chronic liver diseases. Terns was incorporated as an exempted company in the Cayman Islands with limited liability in December 2016. Terns owns all of the share capital of Terns Pharmaceutical HongKong Limited (organized in Hong Kong) (Terns Hong Kong) and Terns, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Terns U.S.). Terns Hong Kong holds the majority interest in Terns China Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (organized in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China (PRC)) (Terns China) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Terns (Suzhou) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (organized in Suzhou, PRC) (Terns Suzhou). Terns and its consolidated subsidiaries are hereinafter referred to as the “Company.” The Company’s principal offices are in Foster City, California. Terns China and Terns Suzhou are collectively referred to as the “China Subsidiaries.”

The Company is subject to risks and uncertainties common to early-stage companies in the biopharmaceutical industry, including, but not limited to, successful discovery and development of its drug candidates, the ability to secure additional capital to fund operations, regulatory approval of its drug candidates, development by competitors of new technological innovations, dependence on key personnel, the ability to attract and retain qualified employees, compliance with governmental regulations, the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus and, ultimately, the commercial success of its drug candidates. Any drug candidates the Company may develop will require extensive nonclinical and clinical testing and regulatory approval prior to commercialization. These efforts require significant amounts of additional capital, adequate personnel, and infrastructure and extensive compliance-reporting capabilities. Even if the Company’s development efforts are successful, it is uncertain when, if ever, the Company will realize significant revenue from product sales.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and include the accounts of Terns and its wholly owned subsidiaries Terns U.S. and Terns Hong Kong, its wholly owned subsidiary Terns Suzhou, and a variable interest entity (VIE) Terns China in which Terns has a majority interest and is the primary beneficiary. The noncontrolling interest attributable to the Company’s VIE is presented as a separate component from stockholders’ deficit in the consolidated balance sheets, and a noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss and consolidated statements of noncontrolling interest, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit (see Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—Classification of Convertible Preferred Shares and Presentation of Noncontrolling Interest). The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative United States generally accepted accounting principles as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) and Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).

Reverse Stock Split

On January 29, 2021, the Company filed the amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse split of shares of the Company’s common stock and convertible preferred stock on a 1-for-14 basis (Reverse Stock Split). The par value and the number of authorized shares of the convertible preferred stock and common stock were not adjusted as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. All issued and outstanding common stock, options to purchase common stock and per share amounts contained in the consolidated financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to give effect to the Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented.

 

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Table of Contents

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Variable Interest Entity

The Company consolidates a VIE where it has been determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary of the entity’s operations. The Company has considered its relationships with a certain entity to determine whether the Company has a variable interest in that entity, and if so, whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of the relationship. U.S. GAAP requires VIEs to be consolidated if an entity’s interest in the VIE is a controlling financial interest. Under the variable interest model, a controlling financial interest is determined based on which entity, if any, has (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impacts the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) the obligations to absorb losses that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

Management performs ongoing reassessments of whether changes in the facts and circumstances regarding the Company’s involvement with a VIE will cause the consolidation conclusion to change. The consolidation status of a VIE may change as a result of such reassessments. Changes in consolidation status are applied prospectively in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Going Concern

The Company has evaluated whether there are certain conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued.

The Company has not generated any revenue and does not expect to generate any revenue from the sale of products for the foreseeable future. The Company has incurred significant net losses and negative cash flows from operations. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, the Company incurred net losses of $18.0 million and $68.8 million on a consolidated basis, respectively, of which $0.3 million and $0.2 million was attributable to the noncontrolling interest as of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. At December 31, 2019, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $91.9 million excluding $0.5 million of net losses that have been allocated to the noncontrolling interest. Including the losses allocated to the noncontrolling interest, the Company has incurred $92.4 million of losses to date on a consolidated basis. The Company expects to incur substantial operating losses and negative cash flows from operations for the foreseeable future. The Company had $12.3 million of cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2019 and raised an additional $16.8 million from the issuance of convertible notes and a bridge loan in May 2020 (see Note 15, Subsequent Events).

Upon the completion of this offering, the Company expects to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. In the event the Company does not complete an initial public offering (IPO), the Company expects to seek additional funding through private equity financings, debt financings or other capital sources, including collaborations with other companies or other strategic transactions. The Company may not be able to obtain financing on acceptable terms, or at all. The terms of any financing may adversely affect the holdings or the rights of the Company’s stockholders.

Based on the Company’s planned operations, it does not expect its current cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and short term investments to be sufficient to fund operations for at least 12 months after the date the consolidated financial statements are issued without raising additional capital through equity or debt financing, or potential additional collaboration proceeds. Therefore, management has determined that there is substantial doubt about the ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date these consolidated financial statements are issued.

The Company plans to take steps intended to enable the continued operation of the business which may include pursuing additional funding. The Company will be required to raise additional capital to further advance its research and development programs, operate its business and meet its obligations as they come due. The

 

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Table of Contents

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Company expects to finance its future operations through the sale of common stock, debt financings or strategic alliances with third parties. However, there is no guarantee that any of these strategic or financing opportunities will be executed or realized on favorable terms, if at all, and some could be dilutive to existing stockholders. The Company’s ability to raise additional capital through either the issuance of equity or debt, is dependent on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the demand for the Company, which itself is subject to a number of development and business risks and uncertainties, as well as the uncertainty that the Company would be able to raise such additional capital at a price or on terms that are favorable to the Company.

If the Company is unable to meet its working capital needs, the Company will be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate some or all of its development programs which could adversely affect its business prospects, or the Company may be unable to continue operations. Although management continues to pursue these plans, there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining sufficient funding on terms acceptable to the Company to fund continuing operations, if at all.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The consolidated financial statements do not reflect any adjustments relating to the future effects of the recoverability and reclassification of assets and liabilities that may result from the outcome of uncertainty related to our ability to continue as a going concern.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly evolving. The COVID-19 virus continues to impact countries worldwide, including the U.S. and China where the Company has business operations. The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on business, operations and development timelines and plans remains uncertain, and will depend on certain developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak and its impact on the Company’s development activities, planned clinical trial enrollment, future trial sites, contract research organizations (CROs), third-party manufacturers and other third parties with whom the Company conducts business, as well as its impact on regulatory authorities and the Company’s key scientific and management personnel. The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or a similar health epidemic is highly uncertain and subject to change. To the extent possible, the Company is conducting business as usual, with necessary or advisable modifications to employee travel and with employees working remotely. The Company will continue to actively monitor the rapidly evolving situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic and may take further actions that alter the Company’s operations, including those that may be required by federal, state or local authorities in the U.S. and China, or that the Company determines are in the best interest of its employees and other third parties with whom the Company conducts business. At this point, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may affect the Company’s business, operations and development timelines and plans, including the resulting impact on expenditures and capital needs, remains uncertain.

 

2.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates and assumptions made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, the estimates for accruals of research and development expenses, accrual of research contract costs, fair value of short-term investments, unrecognized tax benefits, fair value of common stock and stock option valuations. On an ongoing

 

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TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and judgments, using historical and anticipated results and trends and on various other assumptions that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents consist of standard checking accounts and money market funds. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Restricted cash represents a security deposit related to a lease.

The reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the applicable balance sheet line items that sum to the total of the same such amount shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows is as follows (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2018      2019  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 82,522      $ 12,327  

Restricted cash, non-current

     —          48  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 82,522      $ 12,375  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Marketable Securities

The Company classifies marketable securities with a remaining maturity when purchased of greater than three months as available-for-sale. Marketable securities with a remaining maturity date greater than one year are classified as non-current. The Company’s marketable securities are maintained by investment managers and consist of U.S. Treasury securities and equity securities. Debt securities are carried at fair value with the unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income (loss) as a component of stockholders’ deficit until realized. Any premium arising at purchase is amortized to the earliest call date and any discount arising at purchase is accreted to maturity. Amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts are recorded in interest income and/or expense. Equity securities with readily determinable fair values are also carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses are included in other income (expense), net. Realized gains and losses on both debt and equity securities are determined using the specific identification method and are included in other income (expense), net.

The Company classifies equity securities with readily determinable fair values, which would be available for use in its current operations, as current assets even though the Company may not dispose of such marketable securities within the next 12 months. Equity securities are included in marketable securities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

If any adjustment to fair value reflects a decline in value of the investment, the Company considers all available evidence to evaluate the extent to which the decline is “other-than-temporary” and, if so, marks the investment to market through a charge to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Short-term Investments

Short-term investments are comprised of structured deposits issued by certain banks whose interest is indexed to the fluctuation of the gold price, with original maturities between three months and one year with banks in China. The Company measures the short-term investments at fair value using the quoted subscription or redemption prices published by these banks. The change in fair value is recorded as interest income in the

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019.

Functional Currencies and Foreign Currency Translation

The Company’s reporting currency is U.S. dollars. The functional currency of Terns U.S and Terns H.K. is U.S. dollars, while the functional currency of Terns Suzhou and Terns China is the Chinese Yuan (CNY). Transactions denominated in other than the functional currencies are remeasured into the functional currency of the entity at the exchange rates prevailing on the transaction dates. Financial assets and liabilities denominated in other than the functional currency are remeasured at the balance sheet date exchange rate. The resulting exchange rate differences are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss as a foreign exchange related gain or loss.

Assets and liabilities of Terns Suzhou and Terns China are translated into U.S. dollars at the balance sheet date exchange rates, while income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates prevailing during the fiscal year. Translation adjustments arising from these are reported as foreign currency translation adjustments and are shown as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated balance sheets.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Other Risks and Uncertainties

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist of cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and short-term investments. The Company invests its excess cash with large financial institutions that management believes to be of high credit quality. The Company has not experienced any losses on such deposits.

The Company’s drug candidates require approvals from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and comparable foreign regulatory agencies prior to generating commercial sales in their respective jurisdictions. There can be no assurance that any drug candidates will receive the necessary approvals. If the Company is denied approval, approval is delayed or the Company is unable to maintain approval for any drug candidate, it could have a materially adverse impact on the Company.

Deferred Offering Costs

The Company capitalizes certain legal, professional accounting and other third-party fees that are directly associated with in-process equity financings as deferred offering costs until such financings are consummated. After consummation of the equity financing, these costs are recorded as a reduction to the carrying value of stockholders’ deficit as a reduction of additional paid-in capital or equity generated as a result of such offering. Should an in-process equity financing be abandoned, the deferred offering costs will be expensed immediately as a charge to operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Fair Value Measurements of Financial Instruments

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are defined below:

 

   

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

 

   

Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

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Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity that are significant to determining the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques.

The carrying values of the Company’s other assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities.

Classification of Convertible Preferred Stock and Presentation of Noncontrolling Interest

The holders of Series A and Series B convertible preferred stock have certain liquidation rights in the event of a deemed liquidation that, in certain situations, is not solely within the control of the Company and would call for the redemption of the then outstanding Series A and Series B convertible preferred stock. Therefore, the Series A and Series B convertible preferred stock are classified outside of shareholders’ deficit on the consolidated balance sheets. The carrying value of the convertible preferred stock is not subsequently remeasured to the redemption value until the contingent redemption events are considered to be probable of occurring.

The Company recognizes noncontrolling interest related to VIE’s, in which the Company is the primary beneficiary, as equity in the consolidated financial statements separate from the parent entity’s equity. The net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest is included in net loss in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Changes in the parent entity’s ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in deconsolidation are treated as equity transactions if the parent entity retains its controlling financial interest. In addition, when a subsidiary is deconsolidated, any retained noncontrolling equity investment in the former subsidiary will be initially measured at fair value and the difference between the carrying value and fair value of the retained interest will be recorded as a gain or loss.

Terns China, the Company’s VIE, was established as a financing subsidiary to allow investment by Lilly Asia Ventures (LAV) investment entities: Suzhou Litai Equity Investment Centre (Limited Partnership) (PRC) and Suzhou Lirui Equity Investment Centre (Limited Partnership) (PRC), collectively referred to as the “LAV PRC Entities”. The Company’s board of directors has the unilateral ability to control the Terns China board of directors. Following the completion of the China Conversion, the Company does not currently anticipate any further direct investments into Terns China and Terns China will only act as an operating subsidiary for the Company’s business activities in China. Net losses of the China Subsidiaries have been allocated based on their ownership percentage to the LAV PRC Entities’ noncontrolling interest and are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The noncontrolling interest is classified outside of stockholders’ deficit on the consolidated balance sheets as it is redeemable for cash based on an investor option after a specified date.

Segment Information

The Company manages its operations as a single segment for the purposes of assessing performance and making operating decisions.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses consist of costs incurred to discover, research and develop drug candidates, including personnel expenses, stock-based compensation expense, allocated facility-related and depreciation expenses, third-party license fees and external costs including fees paid to consultants and CROs, in connection with nonclinical studies and clinical trials, and

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

other related clinical trial fees, such as for investigator grants, patient screening, laboratory work, clinical trial database management, clinical trial material management and statistical compilation and analysis. Non-refundable prepayments for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities are recorded as prepaid expenses. Such amounts are recognized as an expense as the goods are delivered or the related services are performed, or until it is no longer expected that the goods will be delivered, or the services rendered. Costs incurred in obtaining technology licenses are charged immediately to research and development expense if the technology licensed has not reached technological feasibility and has no alternative future uses.

The Company has from time to time entered into various research and development and other agreements with commercial firms, researchers, universities and others for provisions of goods and services. These agreements are generally cancelable, and the related costs are recorded as research and development expenses as incurred. The Company records accruals for estimated ongoing research and development costs. When evaluating the adequacy of the accrued liabilities, the Company analyzes progress of the studies or clinical trials, including the phase or completion of events, invoices received and contracted costs. Significant judgments and estimates are made in determining the accrued balances at the end of any reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from the Company’s estimates. Since inception, the Company’s historical accrual estimates have not been materially different from the actual costs.

Patent Costs

All patent-related costs incurred in connection with filing and prosecuting patent applications are expensed as incurred due to the uncertainty of the recovery of the expenditure. Amounts incurred are classified as general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives. The general range of useful lives of equipment are as follows:

 

     Estimated Useful Life

Furniture and fixtures

   5 years

Computer equipment

   3 years

Office equipment

   5 years

Lab equipment

   3 to 5 years

Leasehold improvements

   Shorter of remaining life of the
lease or useful life of asset

When assets are sold or retired, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, with any resulting gain or loss recorded in operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Costs of repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company’s long-lived assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of an asset to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

asset group to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. If such asset is considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. There were no impairments of long-lived assets for any of the periods presented.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are computed using the asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements. In estimating future tax consequences, the Company considers all expected future events other than enactment of changes in tax laws or rates. A valuation allowance is recorded, if necessary, to reduce net deferred tax assets to their realizable values if management does not believe it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets will be realized. In making such a determination, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the amount of the valuation allowance. When the Company establishes or reduces the valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets, its provision for income taxes will increase or decrease, respectively, in the period such determination is made.

The Company follows the provisions of the authoritative guidance from the FASB, on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. These provisions provide a comprehensive model for the recognition, measurement and disclosure in financial statements of uncertain income tax positions that a company has taken or expects to take on a tax return. Under these provisions, a company can recognize the benefit of an income tax position only if it is more likely than not (greater than 50%) that the tax position will be sustained upon tax examination, based solely on the technical merits of the tax position. Otherwise, no benefit can be recognized. Assessing an uncertain tax position begins with the initial determination of the sustainability of the position and is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. As of each balance sheet date, unresolved uncertain tax positions must be reassessed. Additionally, the Company must accrue interest and related penalties, if applicable, on all tax exposures for which reserves have been established consistent with jurisdictional tax laws.

Common Stock Valuation

Due to the absence of an active market for the Company’s common stock, the Company utilized methodologies in accordance with the framework of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Technical Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately-Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation, to estimate the fair value of its common stock. In determining the fair value of options granted, the Company has considered the estimated fair value of the common stock as of the measurement date. The estimated fair value of the common stock has been determined at each grant date based upon a variety of factors, including:

 

   

the prices at which the Company sold shares of convertible preferred stock and the superior rights and preferences of the convertible preferred stock relative to its common stock at the time of each grant;

 

   

the progress of the Company’s research and development programs, including the status and results of clinical and nonclinical studies for its drugs;

 

   

the Company’s stage of development and commercialization and its business strategy;

 

   

external market conditions affecting the biotechnology industry and trends within the biotechnology industry;

 

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the Company’s financial position, including cash on hand, and its historical and forecasted performance and operating results;

 

   

the lack of an active public market for the Company’s common stock and convertible preferred stock;

 

   

the likelihood of achieving a liquidity event, such as an IPO or sale of the Company in light of prevailing market conditions; and

 

   

the analysis of IPOs and the market performance of similar companies in the biotechnology industry.

Significant changes to the key assumptions underlying the factors used could have resulted in different fair values of common stock at each valuation date.

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss is defined as the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, the Company had unrealized gains and foreign exchange translation adjustments, which were a component of comprehensive loss.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense, including grants of stock options and restricted stock awards issued under the Company’s equity incentive plan, is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the awards and is recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. The Company’s determination of the fair value of stock options with time-based vesting utilizes the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The Company estimates volatility using stock prices of peer companies, risk-free rates using the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected term, and dividend yield using the Company’s expectations and historical data. The Company uses the simplified method to calculate the expected term of stock option grants. Under the simplified method, the expected term is estimated to be the mid-point between the vesting date and the contractual term of the option. The fair value of each stock option grant is calculated based upon the Company’s common stock valuation on the date of the grant. The Company accounts for forfeitures of stock option grants as they occur.

Net Loss Per Common Share

The Company follows the two-class method when computing net income (loss) per common share as the Company has issued shares that meet the definition of participating securities. The two-class method determines net income (loss) per common share for each class of common and participating securities according to dividends declared or accumulated and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The two-class method requires income available to common stockholders for the period to be allocated between common and participating securities based upon their respective rights to receive dividends as if all income for the period had been distributed.

Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) per common share by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is computed by adjusting net income (loss) to reallocate undistributed earnings based on the potential impact of dilutive securities. Diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing the diluted net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period, including potential dilutive common shares. For purposes of this calculation, outstanding stock options and convertible preferred stock are considered potential dilutive common shares.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Company’s convertible preferred stock contractually entitles the holders of such shares to participate in dividends but do not contractually require the holders of such shares to participate in losses of the Company. Accordingly, in periods in which the Company reports a net loss, such losses are not allocated to such securities. In periods in which the Company reports a net loss, diluted net loss per common share is the same as basic net loss per common share, since dilutive common shares are not assumed to have been issued if their effect is anti-dilutive. The Company reported a net loss for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019.

Emerging Growth Company Status

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

From time to time, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standard setting bodies. The Company is an emerging growth company as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended (JOBS Act). Under the JOBS Act, emerging growth companies have extended transition periods available for complying with new or revised accounting standards. The Company has elected to use this exemption to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. Where allowable, the Company has early adopted certain standards as described below.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (ASU 2019-12), which eliminates certain exceptions related to the approach for intra-period tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. The new guidance also simplifies aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes and enacted changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. The Company early adopted ASU 2019-12 effective January 1, 2019. ASU 2019-12 removes the exception to the incremental approach for intra-period tax allocation in the event of a loss from continuing operations and income or gain from other items such as other comprehensive income. The exception previously resulted in allocating a tax benefit to continuing operations and tax expense to other items, even when tax expense may have been zero. Under the simplification, no tax expense or benefit will be recorded to continuing operations. There is no impact on the Company’s financial statements for this amendment under ASU 2019-12. The other provisions within ASU 2019-12 are not applicable to the Company.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (ASU 2018-13), which removed the following disclosure requirements: (1) the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; (2) the policy for timing of transfers between levels; and (3) the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. Additionally, this update added the following disclosure requirements: (1) the changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income and loss for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period; (2) the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. For certain unobservable inputs, an entity may disclose other quantitative information (such as the median or arithmetic average) in lieu of the weighted average if the entity determines that other quantitative information would be a more reasonable and rational method to reflect the distribution of unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The Company early adopted ASU 2018-13 on January 1, 2019. For the new disclosures regarding the Company’s Level 3 fair value measurements, (see Note 6, Fair Value).

In July 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-11, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) (ASU 2017-11). Part I to ASU 2017-11

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

eliminates the requirement to consider “down round” features when determining whether certain equity-linked financial instruments or embedded features are indexed to an entity’s own stock. In addition, entities have to make new disclosures for financial instruments with down round features and other terms that change conversion or exercise prices. Part I to ASU 2017-11 was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2018. The amendments in Part II of ASU 2017-11 do not have an effective date because the amendments do not have an accounting effect. The Company adopted ASU 2017-11 on January 1, 2019 with no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), (ASU 2014-09), which amended the existing FASB Accounting Standards Codification. ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) and establishes a principle for recognizing revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the expected consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. The standard also provides guidance on the recognition of costs related to obtaining and fulfilling customer contracts. Additionally, the standard requires disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.

ASU 2014-09, as amended, is effective for fiscal 2019, including interim periods within that reporting period. The standard allows for two different methods of adoption. The full retrospective method allows the amendment to be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented, and the modified retrospective method allows the amendment to be applied with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of initial application. The Company early adopted this standard on January 1, 2017 and the adoption had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the Company does not currently have any revenue-generating arrangements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02), which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e., lessees and lessors). The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less may be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases today. For non-public entities, ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of completing its review of its existing lease agreements under Topic 842 and does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-02 to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13), which requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost. ASU 2016-13 replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss methodology, which will result in more timely recognition of credit losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual private company reporting periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2023. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3.

Marketable Securities

Marketable securities consist of the following (in thousands):

 

    As of December 31, 2019:  
            Amortized cost/cost              Unrealized Gains      Unrealized Losses      Fair Value  

U.S. Treasury securities

  $  3,498      $  1      $  —        $  3,499  

Equity securities

    2,100        1        —          2,101  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $  5,598      $ 2      $ —        $ 5,600  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company did not have any marketable securities for the year ended December 31, 2018. No available-for-sale debt securities held as of December 31, 2019 had remaining maturities greater than three years.

 

4.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2018      2019  

Prepaid research and development costs

   $  1,431      $  2,113  

Other current assets

     162        461  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,593      $ 2,574  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

5.

Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
   2018      2019  

Leasehold improvements

   $  174      $ 772  

Furniture and fixtures

     99        201  

Computer equipment

     62        128  

Office equipment

     1        40  

Lab equipment

     —          89  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property and equipment, gross

     336        1,230  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less: Accumulated depreciation

     (75      (269
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

   $ 261      $ 961  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company recognized depreciation expense related to these assets of less than $0.1 million and $0.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

6.

Fair Value

The following tables present information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

 

     As of December 31, 2018:  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $  82,522      $ —        $  —        $  82,522  

Short-term investments—structured deposits

     —          4,361        —          4,361  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 82,522      $  4,361      $ —        $ 86,883  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     As of December 31, 2019:  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $  12,327      $ —        $  —        $  12,327  

Marketable securities

     5,600        —          —          5,600  

Short-term investments—structured deposits

     —          1,723        —          1,723  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 17,927      $  1,723      $ —        $ 19,650  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, there were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.

 

7.

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities included the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,  
     2018      2019  

Research and development costs

   $ 626      $ 1,852  

Compensation and benefit costs

     708        1,216  

Other

     127        246  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,461      $ 3,314  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

8.

Convertible Preferred Stock

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the Company’s certificate of incorporation as amended and restated, authorized the Company to issue 40,000,000 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock at par value of $0.0001 and 36,409,088 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock at par value of $0.0001.

On April 7, 2017, the Company entered into a Series A convertible preferred stock purchase agreement (Series A Agreement) whereby the Company issued 2,089,285 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock at $10.50 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $21.9 million.

The cash proceeds associated with the sale of the Series A convertible preferred stock were to be received by the Company over three tranches of payments. The first tranche was due and payable within 20 business days

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

of the closing of the Series A financing while the second and third tranches were due and payable upon the Company’s completion of certain milestones. The Company determined that the second tranche payment and third tranche payment each did not meet the definition of a freestanding financial instrument because the obligation on the applicable stockholder was not legally detachable or separately exercisable from the host share.

The Company received $7.3 million for tranche 1 on April 12, 2017, $7.3 million for tranche 2 on February 27, 2018 and $7.3 million for tranche 3 on July 3, 2018.

Terns China received an aggregate $8.0 million from the LAV PRC Entities in three tranches over the same period, which is presented as a noncontrolling interest (see Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies). In connection with the Series A Agreement and this Terns China investment, the Company also issued an option to the LAV PRC Entities to convert their interest in the China Subsidiaries into an interest in Terns Cayman (the LAV Option).

On October 19, 2018, the Company entered into a Series B convertible preferred share purchase agreement (Series B Agreement), whereby the Company issued 2,384,195 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock at $30.80 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $73.4 million.

Terns China received $6.7 million from the LAV PRC Entities in connection with the Series B financing, which is presented as a noncontrolling interest. In connection with the Series B Agreement and this Terns China investment, the LAV Option was to allow the LAV PRC Entities to convert this interest in the China Subsidiaries into an interest in Terns Cayman.

Series A convertible preferred stock and Series B convertible preferred stock are collectively referred to as “convertible preferred stock.” As of each balance sheet date, convertible preferred stock consisted of the following (in thousands, except share amounts):

 

     As of December 31, 2018 and 2019  
     Convertible
Preferred
Stock
Authorized
     Convertible
Preferred
Stock
Issued and
Outstanding
     Carrying
Value
     Liquidation
Preference
     Common Stock
Issuable Upon
Conversion
 

Series A convertible preferred stock

     40,000,000        2,089,285      $  21,938      $  21,938        2,089,285  

Series B convertible preferred stock

     36,409,088        2,384,195        73,029        73,433        5,245,233  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     76,409,088        4,473,480      $ 94,967      $ 95,371        7,334,518  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2019, the rights and privileges of the holders of the convertible preferred stock were as follows:

Conversion

Shares of preferred stock are convertible, at the option of the holder, at any time, into shares of common stock. The number of shares is determined by dividing the original issuance price by the conversion price, which is also equal to the original issuance price. The conversion price of the preferred stock is subject to adjustment to prevent dilution in the event that the Company issues additional shares of common stock at a price per share less than the Series A convertible preferred stock or Series B convertible preferred stock conversion price. These rights terminate in the event of a liquidation or winding up of the Company. No fractional shares will be issued.

 

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Liquidation Preference

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, winding up of the Company or deemed liquidation event, either voluntarily or involuntarily, all assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution will be distributed to the members of the Company at an amount equal to the respective Series A convertible preferred stock issuance price of $10.50 per share and Series B convertible preferred stock issuance price of $30.80 per share, plus any declared but unpaid dividends, first to the Series B convertible preferred stockholders, then the Series A convertible preferred stockholders.

If there are any assets or funds remaining after the distribution to the convertible preferred stockholders, the remaining assets and funds of the Company will be distributed ratably among all members according to the number of shares of common stock held by each member, treating all shares of convertible preferred stock as if it had been converted to common stock immediately prior to the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.

Dividends

As of December 31, 2019, the holders of the convertible preferred stock are entitled to be paid non-cumulative dividends if and when declared by the Company’s board of directors. The Company may not pay any dividends on shares of common stock of the Company unless the holders of the convertible preferred stock then outstanding simultaneously receive dividends at the same rate and same time as dividends paid with respect to common stock. The holders of Series B convertible preferred stock are entitled to receive dividends prior and in preference to any payments to the holders of Series A convertible preferred stock and common stock. After payment of dividends to the holders of Series B convertible preferred stock, the holders of Series A convertible preferred stock are entitled to receive dividends prior and in preference to any payment to holders of common stock. Any additional dividends paid in any fiscal year will be paid among the holders of preferred stock and common stock then outstanding on an as-converted basis. Through October 2018, dividends were cumulative, and accrued at a rate of 8.0%. Upon issuance of the Series B convertible preferred stock in October 2018, the dividends became non-cumulative. Dividends shall be 8.0% of the price per share per annum, payable only when and if declared by the Company’s board of directors. Through December 31, 2019, no cash dividends have been declared or paid by the Company.

Voting Rights

Each holder of outstanding convertible preferred stock is entitled to cast the number of votes equal to the whole number of shares of common stock into which the shares of convertible preferred stock held by such holder are convertible as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote on such matter. Fractional votes are not permitted, and any fractional voting rights available on an as-converted basis will be rounded to the nearest whole number. To the extent that convertible preferred stock is allowed to vote separately, that series of the convertible preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class or series.

Redemption

The Series B convertible preferred stock is redeemable by the Company at any time after the fourth anniversary of the Series B convertible preferred stock issue date provided that (a) Terns, the China Subsidiaries and LAV (Group Companies) taken as a whole have not filed at least two INDs with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the China Food and Drug Administration, or both with respect to the Group Companies’ self-developed drug programs (including at least one NASH program), (b) if the Series A preferred stockholders become entitled to redemption resulting from breach of the Series A convertible preferred stock transaction documents by the Group Company or Company founders, or (c) if any of the Group Company or the Company founders materially breaches any provisions of the Series B convertible preferred stock transaction documents.

 

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Provided that the Company has fully paid the Series B convertible preferred stock redemption price on all Series B convertible preferred stock redeeming preferred shares, pursuant to (a) and (b) above, any Series A holder may request redemption with the consent of a majority of the outstanding Series A convertible preferred stock holders.

The holders of Series A and Series B convertible preferred stock have certain liquidation rights in the event of a deemed liquidation that, in certain situations, is not solely within the control of the Company and would call for the redemption of the then outstanding Series A and Series B convertible preferred stock. Therefore, the Series A and Series B convertible preferred stock are classified outside of stockholders’ deficit on the consolidated balance sheets. The carrying value of the convertible preferred stock is not subsequently remeasured to the redemption value until the contingent redemption events are considered to be probable of occurring.

 

9.

Common Stock

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles authorized the Company to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. The voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of the Company’s common shares are subject to and qualified by the rights, powers and preferences of the holders of the convertible preferred stock set forth above.

As of each balance sheet date, the Company had reserved shares of common stock for issuance in connection with the following:

 

Shares reserved:

     
     December 31,  
     2018      2019  

Conversion of outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock

     7,334,518        7,334,518  

LAV Options issued and outstanding

     984,306        984,306  

Options outstanding under the 2017 stock plan

     122,490        478,135  

Shares available for future grant under the 2017 stock plan

     833,614        503,741  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     9,274,928        9,300,700  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Each common share entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders. Common stockholders are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared by the Company’s board of directors, subject to the preferential dividend rights of the convertible preferred stock. Through December 31, 2019, no cash dividends have been declared or paid by the Company.

 

10.

Stock-Based Compensation

In 2017, the Company’s board of directors and stockholders approved and adopted the Terns Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (Plan). The Plan is intended to advance the interests of the Company and its stockholders by providing an incentive to attract, retain and reward persons performing services for the Company and by motivating such persons to contribute to the growth and profitability of the Company. The Plan permits the grant of options and restricted stock awards. The maximum aggregate number of shares that may be subject to awards and sold under the Plan as of December 31, 2018 and 2019 is 15,102,272. The shares may be authorized but unissued, or reacquired common stock. For the U.S optionees, the exercise price for each option shall be established at the discretion of the board of directors; provided, however, that (i) the exercise price per share for an option shall be no less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the effective date of the grant of the option and (ii) no incentive stock option granted to a ten percent stockholder shall have an

 

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exercise price per share less than 110% of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the effective date of the grant of the option. Stock options granted to employees and nonemployees under the Plan generally vest over four years. One grant to a Terns China employee was granted with an exercise price of $0.0014 per option. Options granted under the Plan generally expire ten years after the date of grant. Options granted under the Plan to a ten percent stockholder expire five years after the date of the grant. At December 31, 2018 and 2019, 833,614 shares and 503,741 shares were available for future grants, respectively.

Stock Option Activity

The following table summarizes the stock option activity under the Plan:

 

     Number of
Shares
    Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
                  (in years)      (in thousands)  

Outstanding as of December 31, 2018

     122,490     $ 2.07        9.08      $ 501  
  

 

 

         

Granted

     446,061       5.21        

Exercised

     (9,939     2.64        

Forfeited

     (80,477     5.14        
  

 

 

         

Outstanding as of December 31, 2019

     478,135     $ 4.48        8.94      $ 2,277  
  

 

 

         

Options exercisable as of December 31, 2019

     130,761     $ 4.59        8.67      $ 606  

Options unvested as of December 31, 2019

     347,359     $ 4.44        9.04      $ 1,672  

The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the stock options and the fair value of the Company’s common stock for those stock options that had exercise prices lower than the fair value of the Company’s common stock.

The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 was $1.36 and $4.53 per share, respectively. As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively, there was $0.2 million and $1.7 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock options. The unrecognized stock-based compensation expense is estimated to be recognized over a period of 2.92 years as of December 31, 2019.

The total fair value of options vested during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, was less than $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

 

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Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The Company estimated the fair value of options granted using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions presented on a weighted average basis:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2018     2019  

Expected option life

     6.03 Years       5.98 Years  

Expected volatility

     63.51     63.84

Risk-free interest rate

     2.69     2.38

Expected dividend yield

     0     0

Fair value of underlying common stock

   $ 2.27     $ 6.63  

Fair value of option

   $ 1.36     $ 4.53  

Expected dividend yield is based on the fact that the Company has never paid cash dividends and does not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

The activity for restricted stock is summarized as follows:

 

     Number
of Shares
     Grant-Date
Fair Value
 

Unvested restricted common stock as of December 31, 2018

     303,570      $ 1.96  

Granted

     —          —    

Vested

     (101,190      1.96  

Forfeited

     (35,714      1.96  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unvested restricted common stock as of December 31, 2019

     166,666      $ 1.96  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, there was $0.3 million and $0.2 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock granted by the Company, respectively. The unrecognized stock-based compensation expense is estimated to be recognized over a period of 1.27 years as of December 31, 2019. The total fair value of the restricted stock vested during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 was $0.2 million.

Stock-based compensation expense was classified in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss as follows (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2018      2019  

Research and development expense

   $ 85      $ 228  

General and administrative expense

     149        440  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

   $ 234      $ 668  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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11.

Income Taxes

The following table presents domestic and foreign components of income (loss) before income taxes (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2018      2019  

U.S.

   $ 1,574      $ (770

Foreign

     (19,659      (68,069
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ (18,085    $ (68,839
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The reconciliation of the Federal statutory income tax benefit to the Company’s effective income tax benefit is as follows:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2018     2019  

Tax benefit at U.S. statutory rate

     21.00     21.00

State income taxes, net of Federal tax benefit

     0.00       0.00  

Foreign income taxed at non-U.S. rates

     (20.68     (20.32

Other permanent items

     6.59       2.78  

Stock-based compensation

     (0.02     (0.12

Research and development credits

     1.29       1.06  

Unrecognized tax benefit

     (9.25     (3.85

Other

     1.44       (0.52
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     0.37     0.03
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019 consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2018      2019  

Current

     

Federal

   $ 66      $ 42  

State

     1        1  

Foreign

     108        236  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current

   $ 175      $ 279  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred

     

Federal

   $ (138    $ (266

Foreign

     (104      (33
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred

   $ (242    $ (299
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total benefit for income taxes

   $ (67    $ (20
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of loss and credit carryforwards and temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The Company’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2018 and 2019 were comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

     As of
December 31,
 
     2018      2019  

Deferred tax assets:

     

Accruals and reserves

   $ 224      $ 353  

Stock-based compensation

     73        110  

Net operating loss

     —          47  

Research and development credits

     125        448  

Valuation allowance

     (125      (299
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

   $ 297      $ 659  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

     

Fixed assets

   $ (12    $ (74
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

     (12      (74
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

   $ 285      $ 585  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Consequently, the Company has recorded a state valuation allowance on research and development deferred tax assets of $0.1 million and $0.3 million at December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

The difference between the provision for income taxes and the income tax determined by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 21.00% was due primarily to losses generated in certain foreign jurisdiction where no benefit was recorded and unrecognized tax benefit for tax positions related to research and development credits and transfer pricing between jurisdictions.

As of December 31, 2018, and 2019, the Company had federal research credit carryforward of approximately $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively, which begins to expire after 2037, and California research credit carryforward of approximately $0.2 million and $0.5 million which does not expire.

Utilization of the research and development credit carryforward may be subject to an annual limitation due to the ownership percentage change limitations provided by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and similar state provisions. The annual limitation may result in the expiration of the research and development credits before utilization. The amount of such limitation, if any, has not been determined.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was, $1.9 million and $4.7 million respectively, $1.8 million and $4.5 million of which would affect income tax expense, respectively, if recognized, before consideration of any valuation allowance. The Company does not expect the unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next 12 months.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending unrecognized tax benefit are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2018      2019  

Unrecognized tax benefit at beginning of year

   $ 66      $ 1,884  

Increases related to current year tax position

     1,818        2,825  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unrecognized tax benefit at end of year

   $ 1,884      $ 4,709  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company includes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the provision for income taxes. As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the total amount of gross interest accrued and penalties was nominal.

The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal, state, and various foreign jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. The Company’s tax years remain open for examination by all tax authorities since inception as well as carryover attributes beginning December 31, 2017, remain open to adjustment by the U.S. and foreign authorities.

 

12.

Net Loss Per Common Share

Basic and diluted net loss per common share were calculated as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2018     2019  

Numerator:

    

Net loss

   $ (18,018   $ (68,819

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (307     (208
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (17,711   $ (68,611
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Denominator:

    

Weighted average common stock outstanding, basic and diluted

     74,553       183,262  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

   $ (237.56   $ (374.39
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company excluded the following potential common shares, presented based on amounts outstanding at each period end, from the computation of diluted net loss attributable to common stockholders per common share for the periods indicated because including them would have had an anti-dilutive effect:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2018      2019  

Options to purchase common stock

     122,490        478,135  

Restricted common stock

     303,570        166,666  

Convertible preferred stock (as converted to common stock)

     7,334,518        7,334,518  

Options to purchase convertible preferred stock (as converted to common stock)

     984,306        984,306  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     8,744,884        8,963,625  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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13.

Commitments and Contingencies

Lease Agreements

In October 2015, the Company entered into a lease agreement for office space in San Mateo, California which expired October 31, 2019. The monthly lease payments were $9,608.

In March 2018, the Company entered into a lease agreement for office space in Shanghai China, which expires on May 31, 2021. Monthly lease payments are inclusive of base rent, property management fee and the respective value added tax to be paid. Monthly lease payments include base rent of approximately $15,000 through May 31, 2021.

In November 2018, the Company entered into a lease agreement for office space in Beijing China, which expired on November 30, 2019. In August 2019, the Company renewed the lease and the lease expires on November 30, 2020. Monthly lease payments are inclusive of base rent, property management fee and the respective value added tax to be paid. Monthly lease payments include base rent of approximately $3,000 through November 30, 2020.

In March 2019, the Company entered into a lease agreement for office space in Foster City, California which expires October 2024. The Company has the option to extend the lease agreement for a period of five years. The monthly lease payments include base rent charges of $48,000. The lease provides for a rent abatement and scheduled increases in base rent. In connection with the lease, the Company has made a one-time security deposit in the amount of $48,000 which was included in other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

In June 2019, the Company entered into a lease agreement for office space in Suzhou China, which expires on September 30, 2022. Monthly lease payments are inclusive of base rent, property management fee and the respective value added tax to be paid. Monthly lease payments include base rent of approximately $4,000 through September 30, 2022.

Future minimum lease payments due under operating leases as of December 31, 2019 are as follows (in thousands):

 

2020

   $ 857  

2021

     739  

2022

     668  

2023

     652  

2024

     562  

Thereafter

     —    
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,478  
  

 

 

 

Contingencies

From time to time, the Company may have certain contingent liabilities that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company accrues a liability for such matters when it is probable that future expenditures will be made, and such expenditures can be reasonably estimated. For all periods presented, the Company was not a party to any pending material litigation or other material legal proceedings.

Indemnification Agreements

In the ordinary course of business, the Company may provide indemnification of varying scope and terms to vendors, lessors, business partners and other parties with respect to certain matters including, but not limited to,

 

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losses arising out of breach of such agreements or from intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with members of its board of directors and executive officers that will require the Company, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers. The maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is, in many cases, unlimited. As of December 31, 2018 and 2019, the Company had not incurred any material costs as a result of such indemnifications.

 

14.

Assignment, License and Collaboration Agreements

Technology Assignment Agreement

On April 7, 2017, the Company entered into an assignment agreement with CuRxgen Therapeutics, Inc. (CuRxgen) (CuRxgen 2017 Assignment Agreement). Under the terms of the CuRxgen 2017 Assignment Agreement, CuRxgen agreed to sell, assign, transfer, absolutely and irrevocably the assignment of all its right, title and interest in and to the technologies (including the deliverables and all intellectual property rights), free from all other rights, charges and encumbrances (whether monetary or not) and gave the Company a third party assignment right that allows the Company to further sell either technology, including its further development, production and commercialization rights and results and the products (if any), taken as a whole. The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to meet development event milestones.

The Company paid CuRxgen a non-refundable, non-creditable upfront payment of $1.5 million. The Company agreed to pay CuRxgen $1.5 million upon the completion of the first human dose in the first phase 1 study of each technology ($3.0 million collectively upon completion of the first human dose in the first phase 1 study of both technologies). In addition, the Company agreed to pay up to an aggregate of $25.0 million in pre-specified milestone payments upon market approval of the products in the U.S., mainland China and Europe. The Company also agreed to pay CuRxgen mid-single digit royalties on net sales of products with respect to each technology. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has paid $1.5 million to CuRxgen and no milestones have been achieved. The Company has recognized research and development expense of approximately $0.3 million and $0.2 million in the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively, related to this agreement.

License Agreements

TERN-101 License Agreement with Eli Lilly

On February 9, 2018, the Company entered a worldwide exclusive license agreement with Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) (Lilly FXR 2018 License Agreement). Under the terms of the Lilly FXR 2018 License Agreement, Lilly granted the Company an exclusive, royalty-bearing license to make, have made, use, offer for sale, sell, import, and have imported, including all rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize covered products in the field in the territory and a sublicensing right that allows the Company to grant sublicenses to affiliates and third parties to perform any portion of the development, manufacture, and commercialization of covered products. The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to meet development event milestones, develop the covered product in the field in mainland China and commercialize the covered product in the field in mainland China.

The Company agreed to pay Lilly up to an aggregate of $6.0 million in pre-specified development milestones for the first covered product in mainland China, and up to an aggregate of $50.0 million in pre-specified development milestones for the first covered product in ex-mainland China. The Company also agreed to pay Lilly tiered royalties calculated on a calendar year basis, in the mid-single digits to low teens on net

 

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sales ranging from the low hundreds of millions of dollars to the low billions of dollars. The Lilly FXR 2018 License Agreement expires upon expiry of the last remaining royalty obligation for a licensed product. No development milestones have been met as of the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company recorded research and development expense of approximately $0.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2019, related to this agreement. No research and development expense was recorded in the year ended December 31, 2018.

Lilly ASK1 License Agreement

On March 9, 2018, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with Lilly (Lilly ASK1 2018 License Agreement). Under the terms of the Lilly ASK1 2018 License Agreement, Lilly granted the Company an exclusive, royalty-bearing license to make, have made, use, offer for sale, sell, import, and have imported, including all rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize covered products and a sublicensing right that allows the Company to grant sublicenses to affiliates and third parties to perform any portion of the development, manufacture, and commercialization of covered products. The Company will remain directly responsible for all amounts owed to Lilly, regardless of sublicenses. The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop the covered products in the field in the major markets and commercialize the covered products in the field in the major markets.

The Company agreed to pay Lilly up to an aggregate of $55.0 million in pre-specified development milestones for the first covered product, and up to an aggregate of $22.5 million in pre-specified development milestones for the second indication of a covered product. The Company agreed to pay Lilly tiered royalties calculated on a calendar year basis, in the mid-single digits to mid-teens on net sales ranging from the high tens of millions of dollars to the low billions of dollars. The Company has the right to terminate the Lilly Ask1 2018 License Agreement in its entirety or on a covered product-by-covered product and country-by-country basis in its sole discretion by giving 180 days’ advance written notice to Lilly. The Lilly Ask1 2018 License Agreement expires upon expiry of the last remaining royalty obligation for a licensed product. No development milestones have been met as of the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company has recognized research and development expense of approximately $1.8 million and $1.1 million in the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, respectively, related to this agreement.

TERN-201 License Agreement with Eli Lilly

On March 9, 2018, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with Lilly (Lilly VAP-1 2018 License Agreement). Under the terms of the Lilly VAP-1 2018 License Agreement, Lilly granted the Company an exclusive, royalty-bearing license to make, have made, use, offer for sale, sell, import, and have imported, including all rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize covered products and a sublicensing right that allows the Company to grant sublicenses to affiliates and third parties to perform any portion of the development, manufacture, and commercialization of covered products. The Company will remain directly responsible for all amounts owed to Lilly, regardless of sublicenses. The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to meet development events according to achievement due dates and commercialize the covered product in the field in the major markets.

The Company paid Lilly a non-refundable, non-creditable upfront payment of $4.0 million, which was recorded as research and development expense in the Company’s statement of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2018. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Lilly VAP-1 2018 License Agreement, the Company agreed to pay Lilly up to an aggregate of $74.0 million in pre-specified development milestones for the first covered product, and up to an aggregate of $30.0 million in pre-specified development milestones for the second indication of a covered product. The Company must also pay Lilly tiered royalties

 

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TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

calculated on a calendar year basis, in the mid-single digits to mid-teens on net sales ranging from the high tens of millions of dollars to the low billions of dollars. The Lilly VAP-1 2018 License Agreement expires upon expiry of the last remaining royalty obligation for a licensed product. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has paid $4.0 million to Lilly. No development milestones have been met as of the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company has recognized research and development expense of approximately $1.7 million and $3.8 million in the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, respectively, related to this agreement.

Assignment Agreement

On June 24, 2019, the Company entered into an assignment agreement with Vintagence Biotechnology Ltd. (Vintagence) (Vintagence 2019 Assignment Agreement). Under the terms of the Vintagence 2019 Assignment Agreement, Vintagence assigned and agreed to assign to the Company any and all worldwide rights, title, and interest in and to the Vintagence technology and gave Terns a sublicensing right that allows the Company to grant sublicenses to any of its affiliates and/or to licensees or contractors to perform any portion of the development, manufacture, and/or commercialization of covered compounds or covered products. The Company will remain directly responsible for all amounts owed to Vintagence under this agreement, regardless of sublicenses. The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to commercialize the covered product in the field in the major markets.

The Company paid Vintagence a non-refundable, non-creditable upfront payment of $0.7 million, which was recorded as research and development expense in the Company’s statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2019. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Vintagence 2019 Assignment Agreement, the Company agreed to pay Vintagence up to CNY 205.0 million in development milestones for the first covered product. The term of the Vintagence 2019 Assignment Agreement will continue in effect on a country-by-country basis until all milestone payments are made. The Company has the right to terminate the agreement in its entirety or on a covered product-by-covered product and country-by-country basis, in its sole discretion by giving 60 days advance written notice to Vintagence. No development milestones have been met as of the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company has recognized research and development expense of approximately $0.9 million and $2.7 million in the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, respectively, related to this agreement.

Collaboration Agreement

On June 24, 2019, the Company entered into a collaboration agreement with Genfit SA (Genfit) (Genfit 2019 Collaboration Agreement). Under the Genfit 2019 Collaboration Agreement, Genfit agreed to grant the Company an exclusive license to develop, manufacture and commercialize any pharmaceutical product in any form suitable for oral administration to adults or children that contains elafibranor (drug product) in the Terns territory. Under the terms of the Genfit 2019 Collaboration Agreement, the Company paid Genfit a one-time, non-refundable, non-creditable financial milestone payment of $35.0 million, which was recorded as research and development expense in the Company’s statement of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2019. In addition, the Company agreed to pay to Genfit up to an aggregate of $18.0 million in pre-specified development milestones, and up to an aggregate of $175.0 million in pre-specified commercial milestones. The Company also agreed to pay Genfit non-creditable, non-refundable royalties in the mid-teens, calculated on a product-by-licensed product and region-by-region basis, of all net sales. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has paid $35.0 million to Genfit. The Company has recognized an immaterial amount of research and development expense in the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019 related to this agreement. In May 2020, Genfit terminated its development program in NASH and, subsequently, the Company

 

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TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

terminated its plans for NASH development work in China pursuant to the Genfit 2019 Collaboration Agreement. As a result, the Company does not anticipate making any milestone payments under the Genfit 2019 Collaboration Agreement in the foreseeable future.

 

15.

Subsequent Events

The Company has reviewed and evaluated subsequent events through November 10, 2020, the date that the financial statements were available to be issued.

2020 Convertible Promissory Notes

In May 2020, the Company issued convertible promissory notes (2020 Notes) in the aggregate amount of approximately $15.0 million. The 2020 Notes bear interest at a rate of 10.0% per annum, are unsecured, and are due and payable, including accrued interest, on May 31, 2021.

In the event of a qualified sale of equity securities resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of at least $22.5 million (excluding the principal amount and any interest accrued under the 2020 Notes), all principal and accrued and unpaid interest under the 2020 Notes would be automatically converted into shares issued in the next qualified equity financing in an amount equal to the outstanding principal and unpaid accrued interest divided by 90% of the price per share paid by investors in the next equity financing.

In the event of a non-qualified sale of equity securities resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of less than $22.5 million (excluding the principal amount and any interest accrued under the 2020 Notes), all principal and accrued and unpaid interest under the 2020 Notes can be electively, at the option of the holder, converted into shares issued in the non-qualified financing shares, in an amount equal to the outstanding principal and unpaid accrued interest divided by 90% of the price per share paid by investors in the applicable non-qualified financing.

In the event of a change of control, the holders of the 2020 Notes can elect, at their sole discretion, to convert the entire outstanding balance into a newly created series of preferred stock at a price equal to the outstanding principal and unpaid accrued interest divided by 120% of the Series B convertible preferred stock issue price. If the holders of the 2020 Notes do not elect to convert the 2020 Notes in the event of a change of control, the entire balance shall be immediately due and payable in full without notice or demand by the holders of the 2020 Notes, plus an additional amount equal to 50% of the outstanding principal of this note payable to the holders of the 2020 Notes together with the outstanding balance. The newly created series of preferred stock would vote together with, pari passu with, and have identical rights, privileges, preferences and restrictions as, the Company’s Series B convertible preferred stock, other than with respect to: (i) the per share liquidation preference, the per share redemption price and the conversion price for purposes of price-based anti-dilution protection, which will equal 120% multiplied by the Series B convertible preferred stock issue price; and (ii) the basis for any dividend rights, which will be based on 120% multiplied by the Series B convertible preferred stock issue price, or (d) in the case of a conversion pursuant to the Series B convertible preferred stock agreement.

In the event no equity financing, non-qualifying equity financing, or change of control occurs prior to May 31, 2021, all principal and accrued interest shall be due and payable. If the Company fails to repay the outstanding balance in full to the holders of the 2020 Notes on May 31, 2021, the holders of the 2020 Notes shall be entitled to elect to convert the entire balance outstanding into conversion shares equal to the outstanding principal and unpaid interest divided by the Series B convertible preferred stock issue price. The 2020 Notes may not be prepaid, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the holders of the 2020 Notes.

 

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TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Bridge Loan

In May 2020, the Company entered into a bridge loan with Terns China (Bridge Loan) for aggregate proceeds of $1.8 million, payable in renminbi (RMB) at an established USD/RMB exchange rate, based on an average of the previous five working days before May 8, 2020. The Bridge Loan bears interest at a rate of 10% per year, will begin to accrue on the date of drawdown, and will be computed based on the actual number of days elapsed based on a year of 365 days. The Bridge Loan holders will have the same conversion rights as the 2020 Notes holders.

Upon conversion, the holders of the Bridge Loan will be entitled to receive an option to subscribe the same class of conversion stock and certain equity interest in Terns China. The number of shares will be based on the same conversion price as defined in the 2020 Notes, based on the specific conversion arrangements as provided in the 2020 Notes. When holding the option, the investor will have the same stockholder’s rights as if it directly held such conversion stock. In addition, the holders of the Bridge Loan also have the option to directly hold the conversion stock, in which case the Company shall, at the same time when the 2020 Notes are converted, directly issue to the investor the unpaid conversion stock, the amount of which is determined in the same manner as the 2020 Notes conversion scenarios. After the investor completes the relevant Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) approval procedures and after Terns China repays the balance in full, the investor shall use the repaid balance to pay to the Company the relevant subscription price for the conversion stock, and the Company shall mark the conversion stock as “fully paid.”

Hansoh Option and License Agreement

On July 27, 2020, the Company entered into an exclusive option and license agreement with Hansoh (Shanghai) Healthtech Co., Ltd. (Hansoh Healthtech) and Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Company Ltd. (Jiangsu Hansoh) (collectively, Hansoh) (Hansoh 2020 Option and License Agreement). Under the terms of the Hansoh 2020 Option and License Agreement, the Company granted Hansoh an exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, fully-paid, royalty-free license to conduct preliminary studies on the licensed compound with an option to exclusively license the same for development and commercialization of licensed products in all prophylactic, palliative, therapeutic and/or diagnostic uses in connection with all human diseases and disorders (including development and research activities on animal models thereof) in the field of oncology, including all types of cancers (Field) in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau (collectively, the Territory). Upon Hansoh’s exercising the option, the Company will grant to Hansoh and its affiliates, an irrevocable, royalty-bearing license, with the right to sublicense to exploit licensed compound and licensed products in the Field, defined as in the Territory.

Hansoh is required to pay the Company a refundable, non-creditable upfront payment of $1.0 million, provided that in the event Hansoh elects to not exercise the option, the Company shall refund the amount of the upfront payment within six months from the expiration or termination of the option period. If the Company does not pay the refund amount within six months, the refund amount will be regarded as a debt owed by the Company to Hansoh, secured against the number of common shares as is equal to the refund amount divided by the share price of such shares issued by the Company in the latest equity financing round before the refund amount is due. Interest on the refund amount is at a rate equal to 5% per annum over the then-current applicable federal rate, compounded annually and will continue to accrue until paid. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days for the actual number of days elapsed. The entire amount of accrued but unpaid interest and all outstanding principal shall be due and payable on or before the close of business on the fifth anniversary of the last day of the refund period.

In addition, pursuant to the Hansoh 2020 Option and License Agreement, Hansoh has agreed to pay the Company up to $67.0 million in pre-specified milestones. Hansoh must also pay the Company royalties in the mid-single digits based on net sales of all licensed products. The term of the Hansoh 2020 Option and License Agreement will continue until the end of the last-to-expire royalty term. No milestones have been received to date.

 

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TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     December 31,     September 30,  
     2019     2020  

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 12,327     $ 13,756  

Marketable securities

     5,600       —    

Short-term investments

     1,723       —    

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     2,574       1,665  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     22,224       15,421  

Property and equipment, net

     961       1,234  

Deferred financing costs

     25       58  

Other assets

     694       700  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 23,904     $ 17,413  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 1,636     $ 461  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     3,314       8,225  

Loans payable

     —         19,337  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     4,950       28,023  

Non-current liabilities

    

Deferred rent, net of current portion

     285       262  

Unrecognized tax benefit

     345       354  

Restricted shares repurchase liability

     —         23  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     5,580       28,662  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)

    

Noncontrolling interest

     14,117       13,599  

Convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 76,409,088 shares authorized as of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively; 4,473,480 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively; aggregate liquidation value of $95,371 as of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively

     94,967       94,967  

Stockholders’ deficit:

    

Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively; 215,890 and 309,156 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively

     —         —    

Additional paid-in capital

     1,208       2,081  

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

     (106     90  

Accumulated deficit

     (91,862     (121,986
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (90,760     (119,815
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities, noncontrolling interest, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit

   $ 23,904     $ 17,413  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
             2019                     2020          

Operating expenses:

    

Research and development

   $ 53,978     $ 20,259  

General and administrative

     6,275       7,998  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     60,253       28,257  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (60,253     (28,257
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

    

Interest income

     1,097       53  

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

     346       (295

Change in fair value of loans payable

     —         (2,366

Other income, net

     15       325  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

     1,458       (2,283
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before benefit (provision) for income taxes

     (58,795     (30,540

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

     22       (102
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

     (58,773     (30,642

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest

     63       (518)  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (58,836   $ (30,124
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

    

Foreign exchange translation adjustment, net of tax

     (491)       196  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

     (59,264)       (30,446

Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (8)       (490
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (59,256)     $ (29,956
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

   $ (341.54   $ (111.38
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average common stock outstanding, basic and diluted

     172,266       270,463  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NONCONTROLLING INTEREST, CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

 

    Non-
Controlling

Interest
    Series A
Convertible
Preferred Stock
    Series B
Convertible
Preferred Stock
          Common Stock     Additional
Paid-in

Capital
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

Income (Loss)
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Total
Stockholders’

Deficit
 
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount           Shares     Amount  

Balances at December 31, 2018

  $ 14,325       2,089,285     $ 21,938       2,384,195     $ 73,029           104,761     $ —       $ 455     $ 59     $ (23,251   $ (22,737

Exercise of stock options

    —         —         —         —         —             9,939       —         26       —         —         26  

Vesting of restricted stock

    —         —         —         —         —             101,190       —         59       —         —         59  

Stock-based compensation expense

    —         —         —         —         —             —         —         523       —         —         523  

Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation

    —         —         —         —         —             —         —         —         (491     —         (491

Net loss

    63       —         —         —         —             —         —         —         —         (58,836     (58,836
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances at September 30, 2019

  $ 14,388      
2,089,285
 
 
  $ 21,938       2,384,195     $ 73,029           215,890     $ —       $ 1,063     $ (432   $ (82,087   $  (81,456
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2019

  $ 14,117      
2,089,285
 
 
  $ 21,938       2,384,195     $ 73,029           215,890     $ —       $ 1,208     $ (106   $ (91,862   $ (90,760

Exercise of stock options

    —         —         —         —         —             9,933       —         32       —         —         32  

Vesting of restricted stock

    —         —         —         —         —             83,333       —         23       —         —         23  

Stock-based compensation expense

    —         —         —         —         —             —         —         905       —         —         905  

Capital discount on issuance of loans payable

    —         —         —         —         —             —         —         (87     —         —         (87

Unrealized loss on foreign currency translation

    —         —         —         —         —             —         —         —         196       —         196  

Net loss

    (518     —         —         —         —             —         —         —         —         (30,124     (30,124
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances at September 30, 2020

  $ 13,599       2,089,285     $ 21,938       2,384,195     $ 73,029           309,156     $ —       $ 2,081     $ 90     $ (121,986   $ (119,815
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2019     2020  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net loss

   $ (58,773   $ (30,642

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Stock-based compensation expense

     523       905  

Depreciation and amortization expense

     122       288  

Amortization and accretion on marketable securities

     (98     37  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (1,371     966  

Other assets

     (10     —    

Accounts payable

     480       (1,176

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     2,424       4,857  

Change in fair value of loans payable

     —         2,366  

Deferred rent

     9       (23
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (56,694     (22,422
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Purchase of property and equipment

     (620     (537

Purchase of short-term investments

     (11,654     (715

Proceeds from sale and maturity of short-term investments

     16,025       2,431  

Proceeds from sale and maturity of marketable securities

     33,397       5,561  

Purchase of marketable securities

     (45,071     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     (7,923     6,740  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Net proceeds from repayment of founders’ loans

     58       —    

Payment of deferred financing costs

     —         (33

Proceeds from issuance of loans payable

     —         16,876  

Proceeds from equity activities

     27       32  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     85       16,875  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

     (455     236  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

     (64,987     1,429  

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

     82,522       12,375  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

   $ 17,535     $ 13,804  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.

Nature of the Business and Basis of Presentation

Terns Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Terns or Terns Cayman) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a portfolio of small-molecule single-agent and combination therapy candidates for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and other chronic liver diseases. Terns was incorporated as an exempted company in the Cayman Islands with limited liability in December 2016. Terns owns all of the share capital of Terns Pharmaceutical HongKong Limited (organized in Hong Kong) (Terns Hong Kong) and Terns, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Terns U.S.). Terns Hong Kong holds the majority interest in Terns China Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (organized in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China (PRC)) (Terns China) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Terns (Suzhou) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (organized in Suzhou, PRC) (Terns Suzhou). Terns and its consolidated subsidiaries are hereinafter referred to as the “Company.” The Company’s principal office is in Foster City, California. Terns China and Terns Suzhou are collectively referred to as the “China Subsidiaries.”

The Company is subject to risks and uncertainties common to early-stage companies in the biopharmaceutical industry, including, but not limited to, successful discovery and development of its drug candidates, the ability to secure additional capital to fund operations, regulatory approval of its drug candidates, development by competitors of new technological innovations, dependence on key personnel, the ability to attract and retain qualified employees, compliance with governmental regulations, the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus and, ultimately, the commercial success of its drug candidates. Any drug candidates the Company may develop will require extensive nonclinical and clinical testing and regulatory approval prior to commercialization. These efforts require significant amounts of additional capital, adequate personnel, and infrastructure and extensive compliance-reporting capabilities. Even if the Company’s development efforts are successful, it is uncertain when, if ever, the Company will realize significant revenue from product sales.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and include the accounts of Terns and its wholly owned subsidiaries Terns U.S. and Terns Hong Kong, its wholly owned subsidiary Terns Suzhou, and a variable interest entity (VIE) Terns China in which Terns has a majority interest and is the primary beneficiary. The noncontrolling interest attributable to the Company’s VIE is presented as a separate component from stockholders’ deficit in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, and a noncontrolling interest in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss and unaudited condensed consolidated statements of noncontrolling interest, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit. The Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Any reference in these notes to applicable guidance is meant to refer to the authoritative United States generally accepted accounting principles as found in the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) and Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).

Reverse Stock Split

On January 29, 2021, the Company filed the amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse split of shares of the Company’s common stock and convertible preferred stock on a 1-for-14 basis (Reverse Stock Split). The par value and the number of authorized shares of the convertible preferred stock and common stock were not adjusted as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. All issued and outstanding common stock, options to purchase common stock and per share amounts contained in the condensed consolidated financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to give effect to the Reverse Stock Split for all periods presented.

 

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TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Variable Interest Entity

The Company consolidates a VIE where it has been determined that the Company is the primary beneficiary of the entity’s operations. The Company has considered its relationships with a certain entity to determine whether the Company has a variable interest in that entity, and if so, whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of the relationship. U.S. GAAP requires VIEs to be consolidated if an entity’s interest in the VIE is a controlling financial interest. Under the variable interest model, a controlling financial interest is determined based on which entity, if any, has (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impacts the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) the obligations to absorb losses that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

Management performs ongoing reassessments of whether changes in the facts and circumstances regarding the Company’s involvement with a VIE will cause the consolidation conclusion to change. The consolidation status of a VIE may change as a result of such reassessments. Changes in consolidation status are applied prospectively in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Going Concern

The Company has evaluated whether there are certain conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued.

The Company has not generated any revenue and does not expect to generate any revenue from the sale of products for the foreseeable future. The Company has incurred significant net losses and negative cash flows from operations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, the Company incurred net losses of $58.8 million and $30.6 million on a consolidated basis, respectively, of which $0.5 million was attributable to the noncontrolling interest as of September 30, 2020 offset by net income of $0.1 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest as of September 30, 2019. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $122.0 million excluding $1.1 million of net losses that have been allocated to the noncontrolling interest. Including the losses allocated to the noncontrolling interest, the Company has incurred $123.1 million of losses to date on a consolidated basis. The Company expects to incur substantial operating losses and negative cash flows from operations for the foreseeable future. The Company had $13.8 million of cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2020.

Upon the completion of this offering, the Company expects to incur additional costs associated with operating as a public company. In the event the Company does not complete an initial public offering (IPO), the Company expects to seek additional funding through private equity financings, debt financings or other capital sources, including collaborations with other companies or other strategic transactions. The Company may not be able to obtain financing on acceptable terms, or at all. The terms of any financing may adversely affect the holdings or the rights of the Company’s stockholders.

Based on the Company’s planned operations, it does not expect its current cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and short term investments to be sufficient to fund operations for at least 12 months after the date the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are issued without raising additional capital through an equity or debt financing, or potential additional collaboration proceeds. Therefore, management has determined that there is substantial doubt about the ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are issued.

The Company plans to take steps intended to enable the continued operation of the business which may include pursuing additional funding. The Company will be required to raise additional capital to further advance

 

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its research and development programs, operate its business and meet its obligations as they come due. The Company expects to finance its future operations through the sale of common stock, debt financings or strategic alliances with third parties. However, there is no guarantee that any of these strategic or financing opportunities will be executed or realized on favorable terms, if at all, and some could be dilutive to existing stockholders. The Company’s ability to raise additional capital through either the issuance of equity or debt, is dependent on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the demand for the Company, which itself is subject to a number of development and business risks and uncertainties, as well as the uncertainty that the Company would be able to raise such additional capital at a price or on terms that are favorable to the Company.

If the Company is unable to meet its working capital needs, the Company will be forced to delay, reduce or eliminate some or all of its development programs which could adversely affect its business prospects, or the Company may be unable to continue operations. Although management continues to pursue these plans, there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining sufficient funding on terms acceptable to the Company to fund continuing operations, if at all.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not reflect any adjustments relating to the future effects of the recoverability and reclassification of assets and liabilities that may result from the outcome of uncertainty related to our ability to continue as a going concern.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly evolving. The COVID-19 virus continues to impact countries worldwide, including the U.S. and China where the Company has business operations. The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on business, operations and development timelines and plans remains uncertain, and will depend on certain developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak and its impact on the Company’s development activities, planned clinical trial enrollment, future trial sites, contract research organizations (CROs), third-party manufacturers and other third parties with whom the Company conducts business, as well as its impact on regulatory authorities and the Company’s key scientific and management personnel. The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or a similar health epidemic is highly uncertain and subject to change. To the extent possible, the Company is conducting business as usual, with necessary or advisable modifications to employee travel and with employees working remotely. The Company will continue to actively monitor the rapidly evolving situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic and may take further actions that alter the Company’s operations, including those that may be required by federal, state or local authorities in the U.S. and China, or that the Company determines are in the best interest of its employees and other third parties with whom the Company conducts business. At this point, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may affect the Company’s business, operations and development timelines and plans, including the resulting impact on expenditures and capital needs, remains uncertain.

 

2.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The Company’s significant accounting policies are disclosed in the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, included elsewhere in this prospectus. An update and supplement to these accounting policies follows. The Company did not adopt any new accounting pronouncements in the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

 

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Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents consist of standard checking accounts and money market funds. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of 90 days or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Restricted cash represents a security deposit related to a lease.

The reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the applicable balance sheet line items that sum to the total of the same such amount shown in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows is as follows (in thousands):

 

     September 30,  
     2019      2020  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 17,487      $ 13,756  

Restricted cash, non-current

     48        48  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 17,535      $ 13,804  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loans Payable

The Company has elected to record certain loans payable at fair value on the date of issuance, with gains and losses arising from changes in fair value recognized in the statements of operations at each period end while such loans payable are outstanding. Issuance costs are recognized in the statement of operations in the period in which they are incurred. The fair value of the loans payable was determined using a probability weighted expected return method (PWERM), a scenario-based valuation model in which discrete future outcome scenarios for the Company are projected and discounted to present value (see Note 5, Fair Value).

Revenue Recognition

On January 1, 2017, the Company early adopted Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), on a modified retrospective basis. Topic 606 establishes a principle for recognizing revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers, in an amount that reflects the expected consideration received in exchange for those goods or services. The standard also provides guidance on the recognition of costs related to obtaining and fulfilling customer contracts. Additionally, the standard requires disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that the Company determines are within the scope of Topic 606, the Company performs the following five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The Company only applies the five-step model to contracts when it is probable that it will collect the consideration it is entitled to in exchange for the goods and services it transfers to the customer. At contract inception, the Company assesses the goods or services promised within each contract that falls under the scope of Topic 606, determines those that are performance obligations and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct. The Company then recognizes as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied.

The Company enters into corporate collaborations under which it may obtain upfront license fees, research and development funding, and development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments and royalty payments. The Company’s performance obligations under these arrangements may include licenses of intellectual property, distribution rights, research and development services, delivery of manufactured product and/or participation on joint steering committees.

 

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Licenses of intellectual property

If the license to the Company’s intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other performance obligations identified in the arrangement, the Company recognizes revenue from upfront license fees allocated to the license when the license is transferred to the customer and the customer is able to use and benefit from the license. For licenses that are bundled with other promises, the Company utilizes judgement to assess the nature of the combined performance obligation to determine whether the combined performance obligation is satisfied over time or at a point in time and, if over time, the appropriate method of measuring proportional performance for purposes of recognizing revenue from non-refundable, upfront fees. The Company evaluates the measure of proportional performance each reporting period and, if necessary, adjusts the measure of performance and related revenue recognition.

Milestone payments

At the inception of each arrangement that includes development, regulatory or commercial milestone payments, the Company evaluates whether the milestones are considered probable of being reached and estimates the amount to be included in the transaction price. Topic 606 suggests two alternatives to use when estimating the amount of variable consideration: the expected value method and the most likely amount method. Under the expected value method, an entity considers the sum of probability-weighted amounts in a range of possible consideration amounts. Under the most likely amount method, an entity considers the single most likely amount in a range of possible consideration amounts. Whichever method is used, it should be consistently applied throughout the life of the contract; however, it is not necessary for the Company to use the same approach for all contracts. The Company expects to use the most likely amount method for development and regulatory milestone payments. If it is probable that a significant revenue reversal would not occur, the associated milestone value is included in the transaction price. Milestone payments that are not within the Company’s or the licensee’s control, such as regulatory approvals, are not considered probable of being achieved until those approvals are received. The transaction price is then allocated to each performance obligation on a relative stand-alone selling price basis. The Company recognizes revenue as or when the performance obligations under the contract are satisfied. At the end of each subsequent reporting period, the Company re-evaluates the probability or achievement of each such milestone and any related constraint, and if necessary, adjusts its estimates of the overall transaction price. Any such adjustments are recorded on a cumulative catch-up basis, which would affect revenues and earnings in the period of adjustment.

Commercial milestones and royalties

For arrangements that include sales-based royalties, including milestone payments based on the level of sales, and in which the license is deemed to be the predominant item to which the royalties relate, the Company recognizes revenue when the related sales occur. To date, the Company has not recognized any royalty revenue resulting from its collaboration arrangements.

Upfront payments and fees are recorded as deferred revenue upon receipt or when due and may require deferral of revenue recognition to a future period until the Company performs its obligations under these arrangements. Amounts payable to the Company are recorded as accounts receivable when the Company’s right to consideration is unconditional.

Deferred Offering Costs

The Company capitalizes certain legal, professional accounting and other third-party fees that are directly associated with in-process equity financings as deferred offering costs until such financings are consummated.

 

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After consummation of the equity financing, these costs are recorded as a reduction to the carrying value of stockholders’ deficit as a reduction of additional paid-in capital or equity generated as a result of such offering. Should an in-process equity financing be abandoned, the deferred offering costs will be expensed immediately as a charge to operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2020, the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of noncontrolling interest, convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, and the related disclosures are unaudited. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments necessary, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, to fairly state the financial position and the results of the Company’s operations and cash flows for interim periods in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Interim period results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations or cash flows for a full year or any subsequent interim period. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

3.

Marketable Securities

Marketable securities consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     As of December 31, 2019:  
     Amortized cost/cost      Unrealized Gains      Unrealized Losses      Fair Value  

U.S. Treasury securities

   $ 3,498      $ 1      $ —        $ 3,499  

Equity securities

     2,100        1        —          2,101  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 5,598      $ 2      $ —        $ 5,600  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company did not have any marketable securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

 

4.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,      September 30,  
     2019      2020  

Prepaid research and development costs

   $ 2,113      $ 1,033  

Other current assets

     461        632  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 2,574      $ 1,665  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

5.

Fair Value

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are defined below:

 

   

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

 

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Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

   

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity that are significant to determining the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques.

The carrying values of the Company’s other assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities.

The following tables present information about the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

 

     As of December 31, 2019:  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 12,327      $ —        $  —        $ 12,327  

Marketable securities

     5,600        —          —          5,600  

Short-term investments—structured deposits

     —          1,723        —          1,723  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 17,927      $ 1,723      $ —        $ 19,650  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     As of September 30, 2020:  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 13,756      $  —        $ —        $ 13,756  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 13,756      $ —        $ —        $ 13,756  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

           

Loans payable

   $ —        $ —        $ 19,337      $ 19,337  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ —        $ —        $ 19,337      $ 19,337  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2020, there were no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.

Valuation of Loans Payable

The loans payable liability in the table above relates to certain notes payable and bridge loan transactions (see Note 7, Loans Payable). The fair value of the loans payable liability was determined based on significant inputs not observable in the market, which represents a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the loans payable liability is remeasured at each reporting period, with changes in fair value recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The Company used the PWERM method to value the loans payable. This approach involved the estimation of future potential outcomes for the Company, as well as values and probabilities associated with each respective potential outcome. The Company considered two scenarios (i) a 60% probability of an IPO in the near-term and

 

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(ii) a 40% probability of the Company remaining private for approximately 1.75 years following the date of the valuation. The Company considered these two scenarios to calculate the (i) future value of the loans payable under each scenario and (ii) the present value of the loans payable under each scenario. The value of the Company’s equity used to determine the appropriate allocation of value to the stockholders was calculated using different methodologies for each scenario. For the first scenario, the value of the Company’s equity was estimated based on the Company’s estimates, as well as recent IPO indications of comparable companies. For the second scenario, the value of the Company’s equity was estimated using the income approach, which focuses on the income-producing capability of a business and estimates value based on the expectation of future cash flows, which are then discounted to the present using a rate of return that incorporates the risk-free rate for the use of funds, the expected rate of inflation, and risks associated with the particular investment. Under each scenario, the rights and preferences of each share class were considered in order to determine the appropriate allocation of value to the common and preferred stockholders, as well as the loans payable. The value per common and preferred share, as well as the loans payable, under each scenario was multiplied by a present value factor, calculated based on the Company’s cost of equity and the expected timing of each scenario. After taking into consideration the PWERM of each scenario, the Company arrived at the fair value of the loans payable.

The fair value of the loans payable was determined to be $19.3 million as of September 30, 2020, using a discount rate of 18.0% estimated using the weighted average cost of capital for the Company, and was recorded in its condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2020. The Company recorded other expense of $2.4 million related to the change in the fair value of loans payable for the year ended September 30, 2020. Loans payable are re-measured at each reporting period using the PWERM.

 

6.

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities included the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31,      September 30,  
     2019      2020  

Research and development costs

   $ 1,852      $ 6,549  

Compensation and benefit costs

     1,216        1,121  

Other

     246        555  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,314      $ 8,225  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

7.

Loans Payable

2020 Convertible Promissory Notes

In May 2020, the Company issued convertible promissory notes (2020 Notes) in the aggregate amount of approximately $15.0 million. The 2020 Notes bear interest at a rate of 10.0% per annum, are unsecured, and are due and payable, including accrued interest, on May 31, 2021.

In the event of a qualified sale of equity securities resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of at least $22.5 million (excluding the principal amount and any interest accrued under the 2020 Notes), all principal and accrued and unpaid interest under the 2020 Notes would be automatically converted into shares issued in the next qualified equity financing in an amount equal to the outstanding principal and unpaid accrued interest divided by 90% of the price per share paid by investors in the next equity financing.

In the event of a non-qualified sale of equity securities resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of less than $22.5 million (excluding the principal amount and any interest accrued under the 2020 Notes), all principal

 

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and accrued and unpaid interest under the 2020 Notes can be electively, at the option of the holder, converted into shares issued in the non-qualified financing, in an amount equal to the outstanding principal and unpaid accrued interest divided by 90% of the price per share paid by investors in the applicable non-qualified financing.

In the event of a change of control, the holders of the 2020 Notes can elect, at their sole discretion, to convert the entire outstanding balance into a newly created series of preferred stock at a price equal to the outstanding principal and unpaid accrued interest divided by 120% of the Series B convertible preferred stock issue price. If the holders of the 2020 Notes do not elect to convert the 2020 Notes in the event of a change of control, the entire balance shall be immediately due and payable in full without notice or demand by the holders of the 2020 Notes, plus an additional amount equal to 50% of the outstanding principal of this note payable to the holders of the 2020 Notes together with the outstanding balance. The newly created series of preferred stock would vote together with, pari passu with, and have identical rights, privileges, preferences and restrictions as, the Company’s Series B convertible preferred stock, other than with respect to: (i) the per share liquidation preference, the per share redemption price and the conversion price for purposes of price-based anti-dilution protection, which will equal 120% multiplied by the Series B convertible preferred stock issue price; and (ii) the basis for any dividend rights, which will be based on 120% multiplied by the Series B convertible preferred stock issue price, or (iii) in the case of a conversion pursuant to the Series B convertible preferred stock agreement.

In the event no equity financing, non-qualifying equity financing or change of control occurs prior to May 31, 2021, all principal and accrued interest shall be due and payable. If the Company fails to repay the outstanding balance in full to the holders of the 2020 Notes on May 31, 2021, the holders of the 2020 Notes shall be entitled to elect to convert the entire balance outstanding into conversion shares equal to the outstanding principal and unpaid interest divided by the Series B convertible preferred stock issue price. The 2020 Notes may not be prepaid, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the holders of the 2020 Notes.

The Company elected to measure the 2020 Notes at fair value (see Note 5, Fair Value). No components of the loans were required to be recorded in equity. The Company paid an immaterial amount of legal costs in connection with the 2020 Notes, which were expensed. There were no principal payments due or paid under the 2020 Notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Bridge Loan

In May 2020, the Company entered into a bridge loan with Terns China (Bridge Loan) for aggregate proceeds of $1.8 million, payable in renminbi (RMB) at an established USD/RMB exchange rate, based on an average of the previous five working days before May 8, 2020. The Bridge Loan bears interest at a rate of 10% per year, will begin to accrue on the date of drawdown, and will be computed based on the actual number of days elapsed based on a year of 365 days. The Bridge Loan holders will have the same conversion rights as the 2020 Notes holders.

Upon conversion, the holders of the Bridge Loan will be entitled to receive an option to subscribe the same class of conversion stock and certain equity interest in Terns China. The number of shares will be based on the same conversion price as defined in the 2020 Notes, based on the specific conversion arrangements as provided in the 2020 Notes. When holding the option, the investor will have the same stockholder’s rights as if they directly held such conversion stock. In addition, the holders of the Bridge Loan also have the option to directly hold the conversion stock, in which case the Company shall, at the same time when the 2020 Notes are converted, directly issue to the investor the unpaid conversion stock, the amount of which is determined in the same manner as the 2020 Notes conversion scenarios. After the investor completes the relevant overseas direct investment (ODI) approval procedures and after Terns China repays the balance in full, the investor shall use the

 

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repaid balance to pay to the Company the relevant subscription price for the conversion stock, and the Company shall mark the conversion stock as “fully paid.”

The Company elected to measure the Bridge Loan at fair value (see Note 5, Fair Value). No components of the loans were required to be recorded in equity. The Company paid an immaterial amount of legal costs in connection with the Bridge Loan, which were expensed. There were no principal payments due or paid under the Bridge Loan during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

As of the period presented, the determined fair value of loans payable consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30,  
     2020  

2020 Notes

   $ 17,164  

Bridge Loan

     2,173  
  

 

 

 
   $ 19,337  
  

 

 

 

 

8.

Convertible Preferred Stock

As of September 30, 2019 and 2020, the Company’s certificate of incorporation as amended and restated, authorized the Company to issue 40,000,000 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock at par value of $0.0001 and 36,409,088 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock at par value of $0.0001.

On April 7, 2017, the Company entered into a Series A convertible preferred stock purchase agreement (Series A Agreement) whereby the Company issued 2,089,285 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock at $10.50 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $21.9 million.

The cash proceeds associated with the sale of the Series A convertible preferred stock were to be received by the Company over three tranches of payments. The first tranche was due and payable within 20 business days of the closing of the Series A financing while the second and third tranches were due and payable upon the Company’s completion of certain milestones. The Company determined that the second tranche payment and third tranche payment each did not meet the definition of a freestanding financial instrument because the obligation on the applicable stockholder was not legally detachable or separately exercisable from the host share.

The Company received $7.3 million for tranche 1 on April 12, 2017, $7.3 million for tranche 2 on February 27, 2018 and $7.3 million for tranche 3 on July 3, 2018.

Terns China received an aggregate $8.0 million from the LAV PRC Entities in three tranches over the same period, which is presented as a noncontrolling interest (see Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies). In connection with the Series A Agreement and this Terns China investment, the Company also issued an option to the LAV PRC Entities to convert their interest in the China Subsidiaries into an interest in Terns Cayman (the LAV Option).

On October 19, 2018, the Company entered into a Series B convertible preferred share purchase agreement (Series B Agreement), whereby the Company issued 2,384,195 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock at $30.80 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $73.4 million.

 

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Terns China received $6.7 million from the LAV PRC Entities in connection with the Series B financing, which is presented as a noncontrolling interest. In connection with the Series B Agreement and this Terns China investment, the LAV Option was to allow the LAV PRC Entities to convert this interest in the China Subsidiaries into an interest in Terns Cayman.

Series A convertible preferred stock and Series B convertible preferred stock are collectively referred to as “convertible preferred stock.” As of each balance sheet date, convertible preferred stock consisted of the following (in thousands, except share amounts):

 

     As of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020  
     Convertible
Preferred
Stock
Authorized
     Convertible
Preferred
Stock
Issued and
Outstanding
     Carrying
Value
     Liquidation
Preference
     Common Stock
Issuable Upon
Conversion
 

Series A convertible preferred stock

     40,000,000        2,089,285      $ 21,938      $ 21,938        2,089,285  

Series B convertible preferred stock

     36,409,088        2,384,195        73,029        73,433        5,245,233  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     76,409,088        4,473,480      $ 94,967      $ 95,371        7,334,518  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2020, the rights and privileges of the holders of the convertible preferred stock were as follows:

Conversion

Shares of preferred stock are convertible, at the option of the holder, at any time, into shares of common stock. The number of shares is determined by dividing the original issuance price by the conversion price, which is also equal to the original issuance price. The conversion price of the preferred stock is subject to adjustment to prevent dilution in the event that the Company issues additional shares of common stock at a price per share less than the Series A convertible preferred stock or Series B convertible preferred stock conversion price. These rights terminate in the event of a liquidation or winding up of the Company. No fractional shares will be issued.

Liquidation Preference

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, winding up of the Company or deemed liquidation event, either voluntarily or involuntarily, all assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution will be distributed to the members of the Company at an amount equal to the respective Series A convertible preferred stock issuance price of $10.50 per share and Series B convertible preferred stock issuance price of $30.80 per share, plus any declared but unpaid dividends, first to the Series B convertible preferred stockholders, then the Series A convertible preferred stockholders.

If there are any assets or funds remaining after the distribution to the convertible preferred stockholders, the remaining assets and funds of the Company will be distributed ratably among all members according to the number of shares of common stock held by each member, treating all shares of convertible preferred stock as if they had been converted to common stock immediately prior to the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.

Dividends

As of September 30, 2020, the holders of the convertible preferred stock are entitled to be paid non-cumulative dividends if and when declared by the Company’s board of directors. The Company may not pay

 

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any dividends on shares of common stock of the Company unless the holders of the convertible preferred stock then outstanding simultaneously receive dividends at the same rate and same time as dividends paid with respect to common stock. The holders of Series B convertible preferred stock are entitled to receive dividends prior and in preference to any payments to the holders of Series A convertible preferred stock and common stock. After payment of dividends to the holders of Series B convertible preferred stock, the holders of Series A convertible preferred stock are entitled to receive dividends prior and in preference to any payment to the holders of common stock. Any additional dividends paid in any fiscal year will be paid among the holders of preferred stock and common stock then outstanding on an as-converted basis. Upon issuance of the Series B convertible preferred stock in October 2018, the dividends became non-cumulative. Dividends shall be 8.0% of the price per share per annum, payable only when and if declared by the Company’s board of directors. Through September 30, 2020, no cash dividends have been declared or paid by the Company.

Voting Rights

Each holder of outstanding convertible preferred stock is entitled to cast the number of votes equal to the whole number of shares of common stock into which the shares of convertible preferred stock held by such holder are convertible as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote on such matter. Fractional votes are not permitted, and any fractional voting rights available on an as-converted basis will be rounded to the nearest whole number. To the extent that convertible preferred stockholders are allowed to vote separately, that series of the convertible preferred stock will have the right to vote separately as a class or series.

Redemption

The Series B convertible preferred stock is redeemable by the Company at any time after the fourth anniversary of the Series B convertible preferred stock issue date provided that (a) Terns, the China Subsidiaries and LAV (Group Companies) taken as a whole have not filed at least two INDs with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the China Food and Drug Administration, or both with respect to the Group Companies’ self-developed drug programs (including at least one NASH program), (b) if the Series A preferred stockholders become entitled to redemption resulting from breach of the Series A convertible preferred stock transaction documents by the Group Company or Company founders, or (c) if any of the Group Company or the Company founders materially breaches any provisions of the Series B convertible preferred stock transaction documents.

Provided that the Company has fully paid the Series B convertible preferred stock redemption price on all Series B convertible preferred stock redeeming preferred shares, pursuant to (a) and (b) above, any Series A holder may request redemption with the consent of a majority of the outstanding Series A convertible preferred stockholders.

The holders of Series A and Series B convertible preferred stock have certain liquidation rights in the event of a deemed liquidation that, in certain situations, are not solely within the control of the Company and would call for the redemption of the then outstanding Series A and Series B convertible preferred stock. Therefore, the Series A and Series B convertible preferred stock are classified outside of stockholders’ deficit on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. The carrying value of the convertible preferred stock is not subsequently remeasured to the redemption value until the contingent redemption events are considered to be probable of occurring.

 

9.

Common Stock

As of September 30, 2019 and 2020, the Company’s certificate of incorporation as amended and restated authorized the Company to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share. The

 

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voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of the Company’s common stock are subject to and qualified by the rights, powers and preferences of the holders of the convertible preferred stock set forth above.

As of each balance sheet date, the Company had reserved shares of common stock for issuance in connection with the following:

 

Shares reserved:

     
     December 31,      September 30,  
     2019      2020  

Conversion of outstanding shares of convertible preferred stock

     7,334,518        7,334,518  

LAV Options issued and outstanding

     984,306        984,306  

Options outstanding under the 2017 stock plan

     478,135        940,034  

Shares available for future grant under the 2017 stock plan

     503,741        67,599  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     9,300,700        9,326,457  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Each common share entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders. Common stockholders are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared by the Company’s board of directors, subject to the preferential dividend rights of the convertible preferred stock. Through September 30, 2020, no cash dividends have been declared or paid by the Company.

 

10.

Stock-Based Compensation

In 2017, the Company’s board of directors and stockholders approved and adopted the Terns Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (Plan). The Plan permits the grant of options and restricted stock awards. Stock options granted to employees and nonemployees under the Plan generally vest over four years. Options granted under the Plan generally expire ten years after the date of grant. As of September 30, 2020, 67,599 shares were available for future grants of the Company’s common stock.

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock option activity under the Plan since December 31, 2019:

 

     Number
of Shares
    Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
                  (in years)      (in thousands)  

Outstanding as of December 31, 2019

     478,135     $ 4.48        8.94      $ 2,277  

Granted

     558,769     $ 6.79        

Exercised

     (9,933     3.18         $ 201  

Forfeited

     (86,937     2.45        
  

 

 

         

Outstanding as of September 30, 2020

     940,034     $ 6.08        9.11      $ 16,262  
  

 

 

         

Options exercisable as of September 30, 2020

     242,853     $ 4.76        8.27      $ 4,511  

Options unvested as of September 30, 2020

     697,148     $ 6.54        9.40      $ 11,751  

The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the stock options and the fair value of the Company’s common stock for those stock options that had exercise prices lower than the fair value of the Company’s common stock.

The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted for the year ended December 31, 2019 and during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $4.53 per share and $16.14 per share, respectively. As of

 

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December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively, there was $1.7 million and $10.1 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock options. The unrecognized stock-based compensation expense is estimated to be recognized over a period of 3.57 years as of September 30, 2020.

The total fair value of options vested during the year ended December 31, 2019 and the nine months ended September 30, 2020, was $0.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The Company estimated the fair value of options granted using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions presented on a weighted average basis:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2019     2020  

Expected option life

     5.98 Years       6.02 Years  

Expected volatility

     63.84     61.96

Risk-free interest rate

     2.38     0.43

Expected dividend yield

     0     0

Fair value of underlying common stock

   $ 6.63     $ 20.72  

Fair value of option

   $ 4.53     $ 16.14  

Expected dividend yield is based on the fact that the Company has never paid cash dividends and does not expect to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

The activity for restricted stock since December 31, 2019 is summarized as follows:

 

     Number
of Shares
     Grant-Date
Fair Value
 

Unvested restricted common stock as of December 31, 2019

     166,666      $ 1.96  

Granted

     —          —    

Vested

     (83,333      1.96  

Forfeited

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unvested restricted common stock as of September 30, 2020

     83,333      $ 1.96  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2019 and September 30, 2020, there was $0.2 million and less than $0.1 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock granted by the Company, respectively. The unrecognized stock-based compensation expense is estimated to be recognized over a period of 0.52 years as of September 30, 2020. The total fair value of the restricted stock vested during the years ended December 31, 2019 and nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $0.2 million.

Stock-based compensation expense was classified in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss as follows (in thousands):

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
         2019              2020      

Research and development expense

   $ 203      $ 228  

General and administrative expense

     320        677  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

   $ 523      $ 905  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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11.

Income Tax

The provision for income taxes primarily relates to projected federal, state, and foreign income taxes. To determine the quarterly provision for income taxes, the Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate, which is generally based on expected annual income and statutory tax rates in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. In addition, the tax effects of certain significant or unusual items are recognized discretely in the quarter during which they occur and can be a source of variability in the effective tax rates from quarter to quarter.

The Company utilizes the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes, under which deferred taxes are determined based on temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the temporary differences reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred taxes to the amount it believes is more likely than not to be realized. In making such determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence quarterly, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and recent financial performance. Forming a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not required is difficult when there is negative evidence such as cumulative losses in recent years. Based upon the Company’s review of all positive and negative evidence, the Company continues to have a valuation allowance on its state research and development deferred tax assets.

The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $22,000 in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and an income tax provision of $0.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily related to federal research and development credits, and foreign tax loss benefits, partially offset by foreign uncertain tax positions.

Income tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not threshold to be recognized. Income tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are derecognized in the first financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. The Company records potential penalties and interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits within the consolidated statements of operations as income tax expense.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits increased by $2.0 million related to the federal and state research and development tax credits and transfer pricing tax position in Terns China. Accrued interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2020 were approximately $28,591.

 

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12.

Net Loss Per Common Share

Basic and diluted net loss per common share were calculated as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2019     2020  

Numerator:

    

Net loss

   $ (58,773   $ (30,642

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

     63       (518
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders

   $ (58,836   $ (30,124
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Denominator:

    

Weighted average common stock outstanding, basic and diluted

     172,266       270,463  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted

   $ (341.54   $ (111.38
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company excluded the following potential common shares, presented based on amounts outstanding at each period end, from the computation of diluted net loss attributable to common stockholders per common share for the periods indicated because including them would have had an anti-dilutive effect:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2019      2020  

Options to purchase common stock

     529,565        940,034  

Restricted common stock

     202,381        83,333  

Convertible preferred stock (as converted to common shares)

     7,334,518        7,334,518  

Options to purchase convertible preferred stock (as converted to common shares)

     984,306        984,306  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     9,050,770        9,342,191  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

13.

Assignment, License and Collaboration Agreements

Technology Assignment Agreement

On April 7, 2017, the Company entered into an assignment agreement with CuRxgen Therapeutics, Inc. (CuRxgen) (CuRxgen 2017 Assignment Agreement). Under the terms of the CuRxgen 2017 Assignment Agreement, CuRxgen agreed to sell, assign, transfer, absolutely and irrevocably the assignment of all its right, title and interest in and to the technologies (including the deliverables and all intellectual property rights), free from all other rights, charges and encumbrances (whether monetary or not) and gave the Company a third party assignment right that allows the Company to further sell either technology, including its further development, production and commercialization rights and results and the products (if any), taken as a whole. The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to meet development event milestones.

The Company paid CuRxgen a non-refundable, non-creditable upfront payment of $1.5 million. The Company agreed to pay CuRxgen $1.5 million upon the completion of the first human dose in the first phase 1 study of each technology ($3.0 million collectively upon completion of the first human dose in the first phase 1 study of both technologies). In addition, the Company agreed to pay up to an aggregate of $25.0 million in pre-specified milestone payments upon market approval of the products in the U.S., mainland China and Europe.

 

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The Company also agreed to pay CuRxgen mid-single digit royalties on net sales of products with respect to each technology. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has paid $2.2 million to CuRxgen and no milestones have been achieved. The Company has recognized research and development expense of approximately $0.2 million and $0.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively, related to this agreement.

License Agreements

TERN-101 License Agreement with Eli Lilly

On February 9, 2018, the Company entered a worldwide exclusive license agreement with Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) (Lilly FXR 2018 License Agreement). Under the terms of the Lilly FXR 2018 License Agreement, Lilly granted the Company an exclusive, royalty-bearing license to make, have made, use, offer for sale, sell, import, and have imported, including all rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize covered products in the field in the territory and a sublicensing right that allows the Company to grant sublicenses to affiliates and third parties to perform any portion of the development, manufacture, and commercialization of covered products. The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to meet development event milestones, develop the covered product in the field in mainland China and commercialize the covered product in the field in mainland China.

The Company agreed to pay Lilly up to an aggregate of $6.0 million in pre-specified development milestones for the first covered product in mainland China, and up to an aggregate of $50.0 million in pre-specified development milestones for the first covered product in ex-mainland China. The Company also agreed to pay Lilly tiered royalties calculated on a calendar year basis, in the mid-single digits to low teens on net sales ranging from the low hundreds of millions of dollars to the low billions of dollars. The Lilly FXR 2018 License Agreement expires upon expiry of the last remaining royalty obligation for a licensed product. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has paid $0.6 million to Lilly and no milestones have been achieved. The Company recorded research and development expense of approximately $0.3 million and $0.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2020, respectively, related to this agreement.

Lilly ASK1 License Agreement

On March 9, 2018, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with Lilly (Lilly ASK1 2018 License Agreement). Under the terms of the Lilly ASK1 2018 License Agreement, Lilly granted the Company an exclusive, royalty-bearing license to make, have made, use, offer for sale, sell, import, and have imported, including all rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize covered products and a sublicensing right that allows the Company to grant sublicenses to affiliates and third parties to perform any portion of the development, manufacture, and commercialization of covered products. The Company will remain directly responsible for all amounts owed to Lilly, regardless of sublicenses. The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop the covered products in the field in the major markets and commercialize the covered products in the field in the major markets.

The Company agreed to pay Lilly up to an aggregate of $55.0 million in pre-specified development milestones for the first covered product, and up to an aggregate of $22.5 million in pre-specified development milestones for the second indication of a covered product. The Company agreed to pay Lilly tiered royalties calculated on a calendar year basis, in the mid-single digits to mid-teens on net sales ranging from the high tens of millions of dollars to the low billions of dollars. The Company has the right to terminate the Lilly Ask1 2018 License Agreement in its entirety or on a covered product-by-covered product and country-by-country basis in its sole discretion by giving 180 days’ advance written notice to Lilly. The Lilly Ask1 2018 License Agreement

 

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expires upon expiry of the last remaining royalty obligation for a licensed product. No development milestones have been met as of the nine months ended September 30, 2020. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has paid $3.0 million to Lilly and no milestones have been achieved. The Company has recognized research and development expense of approximately $1.6 million and less than $0.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively, related to this agreement.

TERN-201 License Agreement with Eli Lilly

On March 9, 2018, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with Lilly (Lilly VAP-1 2018 License Agreement). Under the terms of the Lilly VAP-1 2018 License Agreement, Lilly granted the Company an exclusive, royalty-bearing license to make, have made, use, offer for sale, sell, import, and have imported, including all rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize covered products and a sublicensing right that allows the Company to grant sublicenses to affiliates and third parties to perform any portion of the development, manufacture, and commercialization of covered products. The Company will remain directly responsible for all amounts owed to Lilly, regardless of sublicenses. The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to meet development events according to achievement due dates and commercialize the covered product in the field in the major markets.

The Company paid Lilly a non-refundable, non-creditable upfront payment of $4.0 million, which was recorded as research and development expense in the Company’s statement of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2018. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Lilly VAP-1 2018 License Agreement, the Company agreed to pay Lilly up to an aggregate of $74.0 million in pre-specified development milestones for the first covered product, and up to an aggregate of $30.0 million in pre-specified development milestones for the second indication of a covered product. The Company must also pay Lilly tiered royalties calculated on a calendar year basis, in the mid-single digits to mid-teens on net sales ranging from the high tens of millions of dollars to the low billions of dollars. The Lilly VAP-1 2018 License Agreement expires upon expiry of the last remaining royalty obligation for a licensed product. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has paid $6.6 million to Lilly. No development milestones have been met as of the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The Company has recognized research and development expense of approximately $4.3 million and $2.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively, related to this agreement.

Assignment Agreement

On June 24, 2019, the Company entered into an assignment agreement with Vintagence Biotechnology Ltd. (Vintagence) (Vintagence 2019 Assignment Agreement). Under the terms of the Vintagence 2019 Assignment Agreement, Vintagence assigned and agreed to assign to the Company any and all worldwide rights, title, and interest in and to the Vintagence technology and gave Terns a sublicensing right that allows the Company to grant sublicenses to any of its affiliates and/or to licensees or contractors to perform any portion of the development, manufacture, and/or commercialization of covered compounds or covered products. The Company will remain directly responsible for all amounts owed to Vintagence under this agreement, regardless of sublicenses. The Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to commercialize the covered product in the field in the major markets.

The Company paid Vintagence a non-refundable, non-creditable upfront payment of $0.7 million, which was recorded as research and development expense in the Company’s statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2019. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Vintagence 2019 Assignment Agreement, the Company agreed to pay Vintagence up to CNY 205.0 million in development

 

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milestones for the first covered product. The term of the Vintagence 2019 Assignment Agreement will continue in effect on a country-by-country basis until all milestone payments are made. The Company has the right to terminate the agreement in its entirety or on a covered product-by-covered product and country-by-country basis, in its sole discretion by giving 60 days advance written notice to Vintagence. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has paid $6.3 million to Vintagence and no development milestones have been met. The Company has recognized research and development expense of approximately $1.9 million and $2.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2020, respectively, related to this agreement.

Hansoh Option and License Agreement

On July 27, 2020, the Company entered into an exclusive option and license agreement with Hansoh (Shanghai) Healthtech Co., Ltd. (Hansoh Healthtech) and Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Company Ltd. (Jiangsu Hansoh) (collectively, Hansoh) (Hansoh 2020 Option and License Agreement). Under the terms of the Hansoh 2020 Option and License Agreement, the Company granted Hansoh an exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, fully-paid, royalty-free license to conduct preliminary studies on the licensed compound with an option to exclusively license the same for development and commercialization of licensed products in all prophylactic, palliative, therapeutic and/or diagnostic uses in connection with all human diseases and disorders (including development and research activities on animal models thereof) in the field of oncology, including all types of cancers (Field) in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau (collectively, the Territory). Upon Hansoh’s exercising the option, the Company will grant to Hansoh and its affiliates, an irrevocable, royalty-bearing license, with the right to sublicense to exploit licensed compound and licensed products in the Field, defined as in the Territory.

Hansoh is required to pay the Company a refundable, non-creditable upfront payment of $1.0 million, provided that in the event Hansoh elects to not exercise the option, the Company shall refund the amount of the upfront payment within six months from the expiration or termination of the option period. If the Company does not pay the refund amount within six months, the refund amount will be regarded as a debt owed by the Company to Hansoh, secured against the number of common shares as is equal to the refund amount divided by the share price of such shares issued by the Company in the latest equity financing round before the refund amount is due. Interest on the refund amount is at a rate equal to 5% per annum over the then-current applicable federal rate, compounded annually and will continue to accrue until paid. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days for the actual number of days elapsed. The entire amount of accrued but unpaid interest and all outstanding principal shall be due and payable on or before the close of business on the fifth anniversary of the last day of the refund period. The Company has not yet received the upfront payment. The upfront payment and future payments are all constrained as of September 30, 2020.

In addition, pursuant to the Hansoh 2020 Option and License Agreement, Hansoh has agreed to pay the Company up to $67.0 million in pre-specified clinical, regulatory and sales milestones. Hansoh must also pay the Company royalties in the mid-single digits based on net sales of all licensed products. The term of the Hansoh 2020 Option and License Agreement will continue until the end of the last-to-expire royalty term. No milestones have been received to date.

Collaboration Agreement

On June 24, 2019, the Company entered into a collaboration agreement with Genfit SA (Genfit) (Genfit 2019 Collaboration Agreement). Under the Genfit 2019 Collaboration Agreement, Genfit agreed to grant the Company an exclusive license to develop, manufacture and commercialize any pharmaceutical product in any form suitable for oral administration to adults or children that contains elafibranor (drug product) in the Terns

 

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territory. Under the terms of the Genfit 2019 Collaboration Agreement, the Company paid Genfit a one-time, non-refundable, non-creditable financial milestone payment of $35.0 million, which was recorded as research and development expense in the Company’s statement of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2019. In addition, the Company agreed to pay to Genfit up to an aggregate of $18.0 million in pre-specified development milestones, and up to an aggregate of $175.0 million in pre-specified commercial milestones. The Company also agreed to pay Genfit non-creditable, non-refundable royalties in the mid-teens, calculated on a product-by-licensed product and region-by-region basis, of all net sales. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has paid $35.6 million to Genfit. The Company has recognized an immaterial amount of research and development expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2020 related to this agreement. In May 2020, Genfit terminated its development program in NASH and, subsequently, the Company terminated its plans for NASH development work in China pursuant to the Genfit 2019 Collaboration Agreement. As a result, the Company does not anticipate making any milestone payments under the Genfit 2019 Collaboration Agreement in the foreseeable future.

 

14.

Subsequent Events

The Company has reviewed and evaluated subsequent events through February 1, 2021.

Domestication

On December 29, 2020, the Company effected a de-registration of the Company in the Cayman Islands and a domestication in the State of Delaware (Domestication), pursuant to which it became a Delaware corporation and no longer subject to the laws of the Cayman Islands.

Certificate of Incorporation

In December 2020, in connection with the Domestication, the Company’s Board of Directors and stockholders approved the certificate of incorporation in the State of Delaware. The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Company is authorized to issue is (i) 299,700,000 shares of common stock, (ii) 40,000,000 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock, (iii) 36,409,088 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock, and (iii) 111,619,996 shares of Series C convertible preferred stock. All classes of stock are authorized at a par value of $0.0001.

LAV Series A and Series B Preferred Stock Options

On November 4, 2020, the Chinese government provided approval for entities affiliated with Lilly Asia Ventures (LAV) to exercise the LAV Option (see Note 8, Convertible Preferred Stock). Terns Hong Kong agreed to repurchase all equity interests held by the LAV PRC Entities with proceeds to be used by LAV to purchase shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock of the Company (Repurchase).

On December 29, 2020, the Company issued 767,857 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock and 216,450 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock to an affiliate of LAV (LAV Affiliate) in exchange for a promissory note with a principal amount equal to the original investment by LAV in Terns China (LAV Series A and Series B Promissory Note). The LAV Series A and Series B Promissory Note was repaid through proceeds of the Repurchase which was completed on January 11, 2021.

Series C Preferred Stock

On December 29, 2020, the Company entered into a Series C preferred stock purchase agreement (Series C Convertible Preferred Stock Financing) whereby it issued 7,500,665 shares of Series C convertible preferred

 

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

stock at $11.65 per share for gross proceeds of $87.4 million, which excludes shares issued upon conversion of the 2020 Notes.

In connection with the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock Financing, the 2020 Notes, totaling unpaid principal and accrued interest of $15.9 million, converted into 1,366,820 shares of Series C convertible preferred stock.

LAV Affiliate Promissory Note

The Series C Convertible Preferred Stock Financing constituted a qualified sale of equity securities under the Bridge Loan, which would have triggered an automatic conversion of the unpaid principal and accrued interest of $1.9 million into an option for LAV to receive shares of Series C convertible preferred stock (see Note 7, Loans Payable). For regulatory purposes in China, in lieu of the Bridge Loan converting into an option to acquire shares of Series C convertible preferred stock, the Company and Terns China entered into an agreement with LAV to (i) repay the Bridge Loan and (ii) issue shares of Series C convertible preferred stock at the initial closing to the LAV Affiliate, in exchange for a promissory note issued to the Company by the LAV Affiliate (LAV Affiliate Promissory Note).

On December 29, 2020, the Bridge Loan was amended to clarify that (i) interest will accrue up to and through December 29, 2020, with no additional interest accruing after December 29, 2020 and (ii) the Bridge Loan will be repaid in full by the Company following the requisite government approvals in China. Proceeds from the repayment of the Bridge Loan by Terns China will be used by LAV to repay the LAV Affiliate Promissory Note in full.

Options Granted

On December 30, 2020, the Company’s board of directors granted stock options to various employees of the Company exercisable for 1,578,400 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $9.24 per share and vesting over a period of four years. In light of the proximity of the grants to the Company’s initial public offering, the Company will utilize the price to the public for purposes of the grant date fair value for recording stock compensation expense for the three months ended December 31, 2020.

 

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6,250,000 Shares

 

 

LOGO

Common Stock

 

 

Preliminary Prospectus

 

 

 

J.P. Morgan   Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC   Cowen

Through and including                     , 2021 (the 25th day after the commencement of this offering), all dealers that buy, sell or trade shares of our common stock, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This delivery requirement is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

 

 

                    , 2021

 

 

 


Table of Contents

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table sets forth 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 estimates except the SEC registration fee, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, filing fee and the exchange listing fee. All amounts are estimates except for the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, registration fee, the FINRA filing fee and the Nasdaq Global Market listing fee.

 

ITEM

   AMOUNT  

SEC registration fee

   $ 13,331  

FINRA filing fee

     18,828  

Nasdaq listing fee

     175,000  

Printing expenses

     500,000  

Legal fees and expenses

     1,600,000  

Accounting fees and expenses

     1,150,000  

Transfer agent fees and expenses

     10,000  

Miscellaneous expenses

     32,841  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 3,500,000  
  

 

 

 

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

As permitted by Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, we have adopted provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws that limit or eliminate the personal liability of our directors for a breach of their fiduciary duty of care as a director. The duty of care generally requires that, when acting on behalf of the corporation, directors exercise an informed business judgment based on all material information reasonably available to them. Consequently, a director will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability for:

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

any act related to unlawful stock repurchases, redemptions or other distributions or payment of dividends; or

 

   

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

These limitations of liability do not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation also authorizes us to indemnify our officers, directors and other agents to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law.

As permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated bylaws provide that:

 

   

we may indemnify our directors, officers and employees to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, subject to limited exceptions;

 

   

we may advance expenses to our directors, officers and employees in connection with a legal proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, subject to limited exceptions; and

 

   

the rights provided in our amended and restated bylaws are not exclusive.

 

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Table of Contents

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws provide for the indemnification provisions described above and elsewhere herein. We have entered or will enter into, and intend to continue to enter into, separate indemnification agreements with our directors and officers that may be broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained in the Delaware General Corporation Law. These indemnification agreements generally require us, among other things, to indemnify our officers and directors against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers, other than liabilities arising from willful misconduct. These indemnification agreements also generally require us to advance any expenses incurred by the directors or officers as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. These indemnification provisions and the indemnification agreements may be sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of our officers and directors for liabilities, including reimbursement of expenses incurred, arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act.

We have purchased and currently intend to maintain insurance on behalf of each and every person who is or was a director or officer of the company against any loss arising from any claim asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, subject to certain exclusions.

The form of underwriting agreement for this initial public offering provides for indemnification by the underwriters of us and our officers and directors who sign this registration statement for specified liabilities, including matters arising under the Securities Act.

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

Since January 1, 2017, we have made the following sales of unregistered securities:

Equity Plan-Related Issuances

 

  1.

We have granted to our directors, employees and consultants options to purchase 2,828,338 shares of our common stock with per share exercise prices ranging from $0.0014 to $9.24 under our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, or the 2017 Plan.

 

  2.

We have issued to certain of our directors, employees and consultants an aggregate of 170,842 shares of our common stock at per share purchase prices ranging from $0.0014 to $9.24 pursuant to exercises of options under the 2017 Plan for an aggregate purchase price of $385,160.

 

  3.

We have granted to our directors, employees and consultants 83,333 shares of restricted common stock at a price per share of $0.0001 (including non-cash issuances as consideration for services) under the 2017 Plan for an aggregate purchase price $163,733.

Sale of Preferred Stock & Convertible Promissory Notes

 

  4.

In April 2017, we issued and sold an aggregate of 2,857,142 Series A convertible preferred shares (including securities convertible into Series A convertible preferred shares) to two accredited investors at $10.50 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $30.0 million.

 

  5.

In October 2018, we issued and sold an aggregate of 2,600,645 Series B convertible preferred shares (including securities convertible into Series B convertible preferred shares) to seven accredited investors at $30.80 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $80.0 million.

 

  6.

In May 2020, we issued and sold $15.0 million in aggregate principal amount of convertible promissory notes, or the 2020 Notes.

 

  7.

In December 2020, we issued and sold an aggregate of 7,500,665 shares of Series C convertible preferred stock to 13 accredited investors at $11.65 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $87 million (inclusive of the conversion of the 2020 Notes).

 

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Table of Contents

The offers, sales and issuances of the securities described in paragraphs (1) through (3) were deemed to be exempt from registration under Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act as transactions under compensatory benefit plans and contracts relating to compensation, or under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering. The recipients of such securities were our directors, employees or bona fide consultants and received the securities under our equity incentive plans. Appropriate legends were affixed to the securities issued in these transactions. Each of the recipients of securities in these transactions had adequate access, through employment, business or other relationships, to information about us.

The offers, sales and issuances of the securities described in paragraphs (4) through (6) were deemed to be exempt under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act or Rule 506 of Regulation D under the Securities Act as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering. The recipients of securities in each of these transactions acquired the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof and appropriate legends were affixed to the securities issued in these transactions. Each of the recipients of securities in these transactions was an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act and had adequate access to information about us. No underwriters were involved in these transactions.

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a) Exhibits.

The exhibits listed below are filed as part of this registration statement.

 

        Incorporated by Reference        

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Description

 

Form

   

Date

   

Number

   

Filed
Herewith

 
  1.1  

Form of Underwriting Agreement.

          X  
  3.1  

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, currently in effect.

    S-1       1/15/2021       3.1    
  3.2  

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, effecting a stock split.

          X  
  3.3  

Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, to be in effect immediately prior to the completion of this offering.

          X  
  3.4  

Bylaws, currently in effect.

    S-1       1/15/2021       3.4    
  3.5  

Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws, to be in effect immediately prior to the completion of this offering.

          X  
  4.1  

Reference is made to Exhibits 3.1 through 3.5.

          X  
  4.2  

Form of Common Stock Certificate.

          X  
  5.1  

Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP.

          X  
10.1  

Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement, dated December 29, 2020, by and among the Registrant and the investors listed therein.

    S-1       1/15/2021       10.1    
10.2  

Lease, dated March  1, 2019, by and between the Registrant and DWF IV Century Plaza, LLC.

    S-1       1/15/2021       10.2    
10.3  

Lease, dated June 15, 2018, by and between the Registrant and Changning Raffles Shanghai.

    S-1       1/15/2021       10.3    
10.4(a)#  

2017 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.

    S-1       1/15/2021       10.4(a)    

 

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Table of Contents
        Incorporated by Reference      

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Description

 

Form

   

Date

 

Number

 

Filed
Herewith

 
10.4(b)#  

Form of Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement under 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.

    S-1     1/15/2021   10.4(b)  
10.4(c)#  

Form of Early Exercise Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement under 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.

    S-1     1/15/2021   10.4(c)  
10.4(d)#  

Form of International Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement under 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.

    S-1     1/15/2021   10.4(d)  
10.5(a)#  

2021 Incentive Award Plan.

          X  
10.5(b)#  

Form of Stock Option Grant Notice and Stock Option Agreement under the 2021 Incentive Award Plan.

          X  
10.5(c)#  

Form of Restricted Stock Award Grant Notice and Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the 2021 Incentive Award Plan.

          X  
10.5(d)#  

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2021 Incentive Award Plan.

          X  
10.6#  

2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

          X  
10.7#  

Employment Agreement by and between the Registrant and Erin Quirk, M.D.

          X  
10.8#  

Employment Agreement by and between the Registrant and Senthil Sundaram.

          X  
10.9#  

Employment Agreement by and between the Registrant and Mark Vignola, Ph.D.

          X  
10.10#  

Non-Employee Director Compensation Program.

          X  
10.11  

Form of Indemnification Agreement for directors and officers.

          X  
10.12†  

Exclusive License Agreement, dated as of February 9, 2018, between Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company. 

    S-1     1/15/2021   10.13  
10.13†  

Exclusive License Agreement, dated as of March 9, 2018, between Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company.

    S-1     1/15/2021   10.14  
10.14†  

Assignment Agreement, dated as of June 24, 2019, by and among Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Vintagence Biotechnology Ltd.

    S-1     1/15/2021   10.15  
10.15†  

Exclusive Option and License, dated as of July 27, 2020, by and among Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Terns, Inc., CaspianTern LLC, Hansoh (Shanghai) Healthtech Co., Ltd. and Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Company Ltd.

    S-1     1/15/2021   10.16  
21.1  

List of subsidiaries.

    S-1     1/15/2021   21.1  
23.1  

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.

          X  

 

II-4


Table of Contents
         Incorporated by Reference      

Exhibit
Number

  

Exhibit Description

 

Form

   

Date

 

Number

 

Filed
Herewith

 
23.2   

Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).

          X  
24.1   

Power of Attorney. Reference is made to the signature page to the Registration Statement.

    S-1     1/15/2021   24.1  

 

#

Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.

Certain portions of this document that constitute confidential information have been redacted in accordance with Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(10).

(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 consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

Item 17. Undertakings.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters 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 SEC 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 of 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 Registrant 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.

 

  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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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement on Form S-1 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Foster City, State of California on February 1, 2021.

 

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

By:

 

/s/ Senthil Sundaram

 

Senthil Sundaram

 

Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement on Form S-1 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

SIGNATURE

  

TITLE

 

DATE

/s/ Senthil Sundaram

Senthil Sundaram

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

February 1, 2021

/s/ Mark Vignola

Mark Vignola, Ph.D.

  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

February 1, 2021

*

Weidong Zhong, Ph.D.

   Chief Scientific Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors  

February 1, 2021

*

David Fellows

   Director  

February 1, 2021

*

Carl Gordon, Ph.D., C.F.A.

   Director  

February 1, 2021

*

Jeffrey Kindler

   Director  

February 1, 2021

*

Hongbo Lu, Ph.D.

   Director  

February 1, 2021

*

Jill Quigley, J.D.

   Director  

February 1, 2021

*

Yi Shi, Ph.D., MBA

   Director  

February 1, 2021

*

Elise Wang, MBA

   Director  

February 1, 2021

*By: /s/ Senthil Sundaram

Senthil Sundaram

Attorney-In-Fact

    

February 1, 2021

EX-1.1

Exhibit 1.1

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

[6,250,000] Shares of Common Stock, Par Value $0.0001

Underwriting Agreement

February [    ], 2021

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

Cowen and Company, LLC

As Representatives of the

several Underwriters listed

in Schedule 1 hereto

c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

383 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10179

c/o Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

c/o Cowen and Company, LLC

599 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to the several underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto (the “Underwriters”), for whom you are acting as representatives (the “Representatives”), an aggregate of [6,250,000] shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Underwritten Shares”) and, at the option of the Underwriters, up to an additional [937,500] shares of common stock of the Company (the “Option Shares”). The Underwritten Shares and the Option Shares are herein referred to as the “Shares”. The shares of common stock of the Company to be outstanding after giving effect to the sale of the Shares are referred to herein as the “Stock”.


The Company hereby confirms its agreement with the several Underwriters concerning the purchase and sale of the Shares, as follows:

1. Registration Statement. The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Securities Act”), a registration statement (File No. 333-252180), including a prospectus, relating to the Shares. Such registration statement, as amended at the time it became effective, including the information, if any, deemed pursuant to Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the Securities Act to be part of the registration statement at the time of its effectiveness (“Rule 430 Information”), is referred to herein as the “Registration Statement”; and as used herein, the term “Preliminary Prospectus” means each prospectus included in such registration statement (and any amendments thereto) before effectiveness, any prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) under the Securities Act and the prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time of its effectiveness that omits Rule 430 Information, and the term “Prospectus” means the prospectus in the form first used (or made available upon request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities Act) in connection with confirmation of sales of the Shares. If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the “Rule 462 Registration Statement”), then any reference herein to the term “Registration Statement” shall be deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration Statement. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

At or prior to the Applicable Time (as defined below), the Company had prepared the following information (collectively with the pricing information set forth on Annex A, the “Pricing Disclosure Package”): a Preliminary Prospectus dated January 15, 2021 and each “free-writing prospectus” (as defined pursuant to Rule 405 under the Securities Act) listed on Annex A hereto.

“Applicable Time” means [●] P.M., New York City time, on February [    ], 2021.

2. Purchase of the Shares.

(a) The Company agrees to issue and sell the Underwritten Shares to the several Underwriters as provided in this underwriting agreement (this “Agreement”), and each Underwriter, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase at a price per share of $[●] (the “Purchase Price”) from the Company the respective number of Underwritten Shares set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name in Schedule 1 hereto.

In addition, the Company agrees to issue and sell the Option Shares to the several Underwriters as provided in this Agreement, and the Underwriters, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, shall have the option to purchase, severally and not jointly, from the Company the Option Shares at the Purchase Price less an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Underwritten Shares but not payable on the Option Shares.

 

2


If any Option Shares are to be purchased, the number of Option Shares to be purchased by each Underwriter shall be the number of Option Shares which bears the same ratio to the aggregate number of Option Shares being purchased as the number of Underwritten Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule 1 hereto (or such number increased as set forth in Section 10 hereof) bears to the aggregate number of Underwritten Shares being purchased from the Company by the several Underwriters, subject, however, to such adjustments to eliminate any fractional Shares as the Representatives in their sole discretion shall make.

The Underwriters may exercise the option to purchase Option Shares at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, on or before the thirtieth day following the date of the Prospectus, by written notice from the Representatives to the Company. Such notice shall set forth the aggregate number of Option Shares as to which the option is being exercised and the date and time when the Option Shares are to be delivered and paid for, which may be the same date and time as the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) but shall not be earlier than the Closing Date nor later than the tenth full business day (as hereinafter defined) after the date of such notice (unless such time and date are postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 hereof). Any such notice shall be given at least two business days prior to the date and time of delivery specified therein.

(b) The Company understands that the Underwriters intend to make a public offering of the Shares, and initially to offer the Shares on the terms set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters may offer and sell Shares to or through any affiliate of an Underwriter.

(c) Payment for the Shares shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account specified by the Company to the Representatives in the case of the Underwritten Shares, at the offices of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017 at 10:00 A.M. New York City time on February [    ], 2021, or at such other time or place on the same or such other date, not later than the fifth business day thereafter, as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing or, in the case of the Option Shares, on the date and at the time and place specified by the Representatives in the written notice of the Underwriters’ election to purchase such Option Shares. The time and date of such payment for the Underwritten Shares is referred to herein as the “Closing Date”, and the time and date for such payment for the Option Shares, if other than the Closing Date, is herein referred to as the “Additional Closing Date”.

Payment for the Shares to be purchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall be made against delivery to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters of the Shares to be purchased on such date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the sale of such Shares duly paid by the Company. Delivery of the Shares shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct.

 

3


(d) The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Representatives and the other Underwriters are acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Company with respect to the offering of Shares contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Company or any other person. Additionally, neither the Representatives nor any other Underwriter is advising the Company or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. The Company shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and neither the Representatives nor the other Underwriters shall have any responsibility or liability to the Company with respect thereto. Any review by the Representatives and the other Underwriters of the Company, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the Underwriters and shall not be on behalf of the Company.

3. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter that:

(a) Preliminary Prospectus. No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and each Preliminary Prospectus included in the Pricing Disclosure Package, at the time of filing thereof, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, and no Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted 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 that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in any Preliminary Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.

(b) Pricing Disclosure Package. The Pricing Disclosure Package as of the Applicable Time did not, and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, will not, contain any 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; provided that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in such Pricing Disclosure Package, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof. No statement of material fact included in the Prospectus has been omitted from the Pricing Disclosure Package and no statement of material fact included in the Pricing Disclosure Package that is required to be included in the Prospectus has been omitted therefrom.

 

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(c) Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. Other than the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has not prepared, made, used, authorized, approved or referred to and will not prepare, make, use, authorize, approve or refer to any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Shares (each such communication by the Company or its agents and representatives (other than a communication referred to in clause (i) below) an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus”) other than (i) any document not constituting a prospectus pursuant to Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Securities Act or Rule 134 under the Securities Act or (ii) the documents listed on Annex A hereto, each electronic road show and any other written communications approved in writing in advance by the Representatives. Each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus complies in all material respects with the Securities Act, has been or will be (within the time period specified in Rule 433) filed in accordance with the Securities Act (to the extent required thereby) and does not conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Pricing Disclosure Package, and, when taken together with the Preliminary Prospectus accompanying, or delivered prior to delivery of, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, did not, and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, will not, contain any 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; provided that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Preliminary Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Preliminary Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.

(d) Emerging Growth Company. From the time of initial confidential submission of the Registration Statement to the Commission (or, if earlier, the first date on which the Company engaged directly or through any person authorized to act on its behalf in any Testing-the-Waters Communication undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of the Securities Act) 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 either Section 5(d) of, or Rule 163B under, the Securities Act.

 

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(e) Testing-the-Waters Materials. The Company (i) has not alone engaged in any Testing-the-Waters Communications other than Testing-the-Waters Communications with the consent of the Representatives (x) with entities that are qualified institutional buyers (“QIBs”) within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act or institutions that are accredited investors within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7) or (a)(8) under the Securities Act (“IAIs”) and otherwise in compliance with the requirements of Section 5(d) of the Securities Act or (y) with entities that the Company reasonably believed to be QIBs or IAIs and otherwise in compliance with the requirements of Rule 163B under the Securities Act and (ii) has not authorized anyone other than the Representatives to engage in Testing-the-Waters Communications. The Company reconfirms that the Representatives have been authorized to act on its behalf in undertaking Testing-the-Waters Communications by virtue of a writing substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Company has not distributed or approved for distribution any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications (as defined below) other than those listed on Annex B 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. Any individual Written Testing-the-Waters Communication does not conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Pricing Disclosure Package, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, and when taken together with the Pricing Disclosure Package as of the Applicable Time, did not, and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, will not, contain any 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.

(f) Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued by the Commission, and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act against the Company or related to the offering of the Shares has been initiated, or to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission; as of the applicable effective date of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, the Registration Statement and any such post-effective amendment complied and will comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and as of the date of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the Prospectus will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and will not contain any 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; provided that the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to

 

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any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 7(b) hereof.

(g) Financial Statements. The financial statements (including the related notes thereto) of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and present fairly in all material respects, the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the results of their operations and the changes in their cash flows for the periods specified; such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, and any supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly in all material respects, the information required to be stated therein; and the other financial information included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus has been derived from the accounting records of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and presents fairly the information shown thereby.

(h) No Material Adverse Change. Since the date of the most recent financial statements of the Company included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (i) there has not been any change in the capital stock (other than the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of stock options and warrants described as outstanding in, and the grant of options and awards under existing equity incentive plans described in, the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus), short-term debt or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, set aside for payment, paid or made by the Company on any class of capital stock, or any material adverse change, or any development that would reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change, in or affecting the business, properties, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity, results of operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (ii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has entered into any transaction or agreement (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; and (iii) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained any loss or interference with its business that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole and that is either from fire, explosion, pandemic, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor disturbance or dispute or any action, order or decree of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except in each case as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

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(i) Organization and Good Standing. The Company and each of its subsidiaries have been duly organized and are validly existing and in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization, are duly qualified to do business and are in good standing in each jurisdiction in which their respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of their respective businesses requires such qualification, and have all power and authority necessary to own or hold their respective properties and to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged, except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing or have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity, results of operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or on the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement (a “Material Adverse Effect”). The subsidiaries listed in Schedule 2 to this Agreement are the only significant subsidiaries of the Company.

(j) Capitalization. The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading “Capitalization”; all the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and are not subject to any pre-emptive or similar rights that have not been duly waived or satisfied; except as described in or expressly contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no outstanding rights (including, without limitation, pre-emptive rights that have not been duly waived or satisfied), warrants or options to acquire, or instruments convertible into or exchangeable for, any shares of capital stock or other equity interest in the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any contract, commitment, agreement, understanding or arrangement of any kind relating to the issuance of any capital stock of the Company or any such subsidiary, any such convertible or exchangeable securities or any such rights, warrants or options; the capital stock of the Company conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and all the outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each subsidiary owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable (except as otherwise described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus,) and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of any lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest, restriction on voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party.

 

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(k) Stock Options. With respect to the stock options (the “Stock Options”) granted pursuant to the stock-based compensation plans of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Company Stock Plans”), (i) each grant of a Stock Option was duly authorized no later than the date on which the grant of such Stock Option was by its terms to be effective (the “Grant Date”) by all necessary corporate action, including, as applicable, approval by the board of directors of the Company (or a duly constituted and authorized committee thereof) and any required stockholder approval by the necessary number of votes or written consents, and the award agreement governing such grant (if any) was duly executed and delivered by each party thereto, (ii) each such grant was made in accordance with the terms of the applicable Company Stock Plan and all other applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements, and (iv) each such grant was properly accounted for in accordance with GAAP in the financial statements (including the related notes) of the Company.

(l) Due Authorization. The Company has full right, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder; and all action required to be taken for the due and proper authorization, execution and delivery by it of this Agreement and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby has been duly and validly taken.

(m) Underwriting Agreement. This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

(n) The Shares. The Shares to be issued and sold by the Company hereunder have been duly authorized by the Company and, when issued and delivered and paid for as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued, will be fully paid and nonassessable and will conform to the descriptions thereof in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and the issuance of the Shares is not subject to any preemptive or similar rights.

(o) Description of the Underwriting Agreement. This Agreement conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(p) No Violation or Default. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents; (ii) in default, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any property or asset of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject; or (iii) in violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for any such default or violation that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(q) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Shares and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, result in the termination, modification or acceleration of, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property, right or asset of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any property, right or asset of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iii) result in the violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, 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 a Material Adverse Effect.

(r) No Consents Required. No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Shares and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications as may be required by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and under applicable state securities laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters.

(s) Legal Proceedings. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no legal, governmental or regulatory investigations, actions, demands, claims, suits, arbitrations, inquiries or proceedings (“Actions”) pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or, may reasonably be expected to become a party or to which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is or may be the subject that, individually or in the aggregate, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; to the knowledge of the Company, no such actions are threated or contemplated by any governmental or regulatory authority or threatened by others; and (i) there are no current or pending Actions that are required under the Securities Act to be described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus that are not so described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and (ii) there are no statutes, regulations or contracts or other documents that are required under the Securities Act to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus that are not so filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

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(t) Independent Accountants. Ernst & Young LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and as required by the Securities Act.

(u) Title to Real and Personal Property. The Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title in fee simple (in the case of real property) to, or have valid rights to lease or otherwise use, all items of real and personal property that are material to the respective businesses of the Company and its subsidiaries, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, claims and defects and imperfections of title except those that (i) do not materially interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its subsidiaries or (ii) would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(v) Intellectual Property. Except as disclosed in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the final Prospectus, (i) The Company and its subsidiaries own or have the right to use all patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, trademark registrations, service mark registrations, domain names and other source indicators, copyrights and copyrightable works, know-how, trade secrets, systems, procedures, proprietary or confidential information and all other worldwide intellectual property, industrial property and proprietary rights (collectively, “Intellectual Property”) used, or as contemplated to be used, in the Registration Statement, in the conduct of their respective businesses; (ii) the Intellectual Property owned by the Company and its subsidiaries and, to the Company’s knowledge, the Intellectual Property licensed to the Company and its subsidiaries, are valid, subsisting and enforceable, and there is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others challenging the validity, scope or enforceability of any such Intellectual Property; (iii) to the knowledge of the Company, Company’s and its subsidiaries’ conduct of their respective businesses does not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate, and has not infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated, any Intellectual Property of any person; (iv) the Company and its subsidiaries have not received any notice of any claim challenging the Company’s rights in or to its Intellectual Property and there are no actual or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened claims alleging that the Company or any of its subsidiaries infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate any third party Intellectual Property; (v) to the knowledge of the Company, the Intellectual Property of the Company and its subsidiaries is not being, and has not been, infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated by any person; (vi) to the knowledge of the Company, all employees or contractors engaged in the development of Intellectual Property owned by the Company or its subsidiaries, on behalf of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company have

 

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executed an invention assignment agreement or other agreement whereby such employees or contractors assign all of their right, title and interest in and to such Intellectual Property to the Company or the applicable subsidiary, and to the Company’s knowledge no such agreement has been breached or violated; and (vii) to the knowledge of the Company, the Company and its subsidiaries use, and have used, commercially reasonable efforts to appropriately maintain all information intended by the Company to be maintained as a trade secret.

(w) No Undisclosed Relationships. No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the directors, officers, stockholders, customers, suppliers or other affiliates of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the other, that is required by the Securities Act to be described in each of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and that is not so described in such documents and in the Pricing Disclosure Package.

(x) Investment Company Act. The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares 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” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Investment Company Act”).

(y) Taxes. The Company and its subsidiaries have paid all federal, state, local and foreign taxes and filed all tax returns required to be paid or filed through the date hereof except where the failure to pay such taxes or file such tax returns would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; and except as otherwise disclosed in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there is no material tax deficiency that has been, or could reasonably be expected to be, asserted against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets.

(z) Licenses and Permits. The Company and its subsidiaries possess all licenses, sub-licenses, certificates, permits and other authorizations issued by, and have made all declarations and filings with, the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign governmental or regulatory authorities that are necessary for the ownership or lease of their respective properties or the conduct of their respective businesses as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except where the failure to possess or make the same would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; and except as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received notice of any revocation or modification of any such license, sub-license, certificate, permit or authorization or has any reason to believe that any such license, sub-license, certificate, permit or authorization will not be renewed in the ordinary course, except for such revocations, modifications, or non-renewals, that would not, whether individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(aa) No Labor Disputes. No labor disturbance by or dispute with employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or, to the knowledge of the Company, is contemplated or threatened, and the Company is not aware of any existing or imminent labor disturbance by, or dispute with, the employees of any of its or its subsidiaries’ principal suppliers, contractors or customers, except as would not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of cancellation or termination with respect to any collective bargaining agreement to which it is a party.

(bb) Certain Environmental Matters. (i) The Company and its subsidiaries (x) are in compliance with all, and have not violated any, applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws (including common law), rules, regulations, requirements, decisions, judgments, decrees, orders and other legally enforceable requirements relating to pollution or the protection of human health or safety, the environment, natural resources, hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants (collectively, “Environmental Laws”); (y) have received and are in compliance with all, and have not violated any, permits, licenses, certificates or other authorizations or approvals required of them under any Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses; and (z) have not received notice of any actual or potential liability or obligation under or relating to, or any actual or potential violation of, any Environmental Laws, including for the investigation or remediation of any disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, and have no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in any such notice; (ii) there are no costs or liabilities associated with Environmental Laws of or relating to the Company or its subsidiaries, except in the case of each of (i) and (ii) above, for any such matter as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) except as described in each of the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, (x) there is no proceeding that is pending, or that is known by the Company to be contemplated, against the Company or any of its subsidiaries under any Environmental Laws in which a governmental entity is also a party, other than such proceeding regarding which the Company reasonably believes no monetary sanctions of $100,000 or more will be imposed, (y) the Company and its subsidiaries are not aware of any facts or issues regarding compliance with Environmental Laws, or liabilities or other obligations under Environmental Laws or concerning hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants, that would reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position of the Company and its subsidiaries, and (z) none of the Company or its subsidiaries anticipates material capital expenditures relating to any Environmental Laws.

 

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(cc) Compliance with ERISA. (i) Each employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), for which the Company or any member of its “Controlled Group” (defined as any entity, whether or not incorporated, that is under common control with the Company within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA or any entity that would be regarded as a single employer with the Company under Section 414(b),(c),(m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) would have any liability (each, a “Plan”) has been maintained in compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not limited to ERISA and the Code; (ii) no prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred with respect to any Plan, excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption; (iii) for each Plan that is subject to the funding rules of Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, no Plan has failed (whether or not waived), or is reasonably expected to fail, to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code) applicable to such Plan; (iv) no Plan is, or is reasonably expected to be, in “at risk status” (within the meaning of Section 303(i) of ERISA) and no Plan that is a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA is in “endangered status” or “critical status” (within the meaning of Sections 304 and 305 of ERISA) (v) the fair market value of the assets of each Plan exceeds the present value of all benefits accrued under such Plan (determined based on those assumptions used to fund such Plan); (vi) no “reportable event” (within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA and the regulations promulgated thereunder) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (vii) each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified, and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification; (viii) neither the Company nor any member of the Controlled Group has incurred, nor reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than contributions to the Plan or premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, in the ordinary course and without default) in respect of a Plan (including a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA); and (ix) none of the following events has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur: (A) a material increase in the aggregate amount of contributions required to be made to all Plans by the Company or its Controlled Group affiliates in the current fiscal year of the Company and its Controlled Group affiliates compared to the amount of such contributions made in the Company’s and its Controlled Group affiliates’ most recently completed fiscal year; or (B) a material increase in the Company and its subsidiaries’ “accumulated post-retirement benefit obligations” (within the meaning of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 715-60) compared to the amount of such obligations in the Company and its subsidiaries’ most recently completed fiscal year, except in each case with respect to the events or conditions set forth in (i) through (ix) hereof, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(dd) Disclosure Controls. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain an effective system of “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act and that has been designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(ee) Accounting Controls. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain systems of “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that comply with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and have been designed by, or under the supervision of, their respective principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain 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, there are no material weaknesses in the Company’s 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 in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which have adversely affected or are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

(ff) Insurance. The Company and its subsidiaries have insurance covering their respective properties, operations, personnel and businesses, including business interruption insurance, which insurance is in amounts and insures against such losses and risks as the Company reasonably believes are adequate to protect the Company and its subsidiaries and their respective businesses; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has (i) received notice from any insurer or agent of such insurer that capital improvements or other expenditures are required or necessary to be made in order to continue such insurance or (ii) any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage at reasonable cost from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business.

 

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(gg) Cybersecurity; Data Protection. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and its subsidiaries’ information technology assets and equipment, computers, systems, networks, hardware, software, websites, applications, and databases (collectively, “IT Systems”) are adequate for, and operate and perform as required in connection with the operation of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as currently conducted, free and clear of all material bugs, errors, defects, Trojan horses, time bombs, malware and other corruptants; (ii) the Company and its subsidiaries have implemented and maintained commercially reasonable controls, policies, procedures, and safeguards to maintain and protect their material confidential information and the integrity, continuous operation, redundancy and security of all IT Systems and data (including all personal, personally identifiable, sensitive, confidential or regulated data (“Personal Data”)) used in connection with their businesses, and there have been no breaches, violations, outages or unauthorized uses of or accesses to same, except for those that have been remedied without material cost or liability or the duty to notify any other person, nor any incidents under internal review or investigations relating to the same; and (iii) the Company and its subsidiaries are presently in compliance with all applicable laws or statutes and all judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, internal policies and contractual obligations relating to the privacy and security of IT Systems and Personal Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Personal Data from unauthorized use, access, misappropriation or modification (“Data Security Obligations”). The Company has not received any written notification of or written complaint regarding, and is unaware of any other facts that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably indicate material non-compliance with any Data Security Obligation, and there is no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened alleging non-compliance with any Data Security Obligation.

(hh) No Unlawful Payments. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor any director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any agent, affiliate or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has (i) used any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity; (ii) made or taken an act in furtherance of an offer, promise or authorization of any direct or indirect unlawful payment or benefit to any foreign or domestic government official or employee, including of any government-owned or controlled entity or of a public international organization, or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, or any political party or party official or candidate for political office; (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or any applicable law or

 

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regulation implementing the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, or committed an offence under the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law; or (iv) made, offered, agreed, requested or taken an act in furtherance of any unlawful bribe or other unlawful benefit, including, without limitation, any rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful or improper payment or benefit. The Company and its subsidiaries have instituted, maintain and enforce, and will continue to maintain and enforce policies and procedures designed to promote and ensure compliance with all applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws.

(ii) Compliance with Anti-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, including those of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the applicable money laundering statutes of all jurisdictions where the Company or any of its subsidiaries conducts business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Anti-Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Anti-Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(jj) No Conflicts with Sanctions Laws. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, directors, officers, or employees, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any agent, affiliate or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently the subject or the target of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. government, (including, without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”) or the U.S. Department of State and including, without limitation, the designation as a “specially designated national” or “blocked person”), the United Nations Security Council (“UNSC”), the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”) or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), nor is the Company or any of its subsidiaries located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject or target of Sanctions, including, without limitation, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria (each, a “Sanctioned Country”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Shares hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business with any person that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject or target of Sanctions, (ii) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business in any Sanctioned Country or (iii) in any other manner that will result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise) of Sanctions. Since the Company’s inception, the Company and its subsidiaries have not knowingly engaged in and are not now knowingly engaged in any dealings or transactions with any person that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject or the target of Sanctions or with any Sanctioned Country.

 

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(kk) No Restrictions on Subsidiaries. No subsidiary of the Company is currently prohibited, directly or indirectly, under any agreement or other instrument to which it is a party or is subject, from paying any dividends to the Company, from making any other distribution on such subsidiary’s capital stock or similar ownership interest, from repaying to the Company any loans or advances to such subsidiary from the Company or from transferring any of such subsidiary’s properties or assets to the Company or any other subsidiary of the Company.

(ll) No Broker’s Fees. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would give rise to a valid claim against any of them or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares.

(mm) No Registration Rights. No person has the right to require the Company or any of its subsidiaries to register any securities for sale under the Securities Act by reason of the filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission or the issuance and sale of the Shares, except for such rights as have been duly waived.

(nn) No Stabilization. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries or, to the Company’s knowledge, other affiliates has taken, directly or indirectly, without giving effect to activities by the Underwriters, any action designed to or that would reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares.

(oo) Margin Rules. Neither the issuance, sale and delivery of the Shares nor the application of the proceeds thereof by the Company as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board of Governors.

(pp) Forward-Looking Statements. No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) included or incorporated by reference in any of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.

(qq) Statistical and Market Data. Nothing has come to the attention of the Company that has caused the Company to believe that the statistical and market-related data included in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus is not based on or derived from sources that are reliable and accurate in all material respects.

 

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(rr) Sarbanes-Oxley Act. There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), including Section 402 related to loans and Sections 302 and 906 related to certifications.

(ss) Status under the Securities Act. At the time of filing the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or any offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) under the Securities Act) of the Shares and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act. The Company has paid the registration fee for this offering pursuant to Rule 456(b)(1) under the Securities Act or will pay such fee within the time period required by such rule (without giving effect to the proviso therein) and in any event prior to the Closing Date.

(tt) No Ratings. There are (and prior to the Closing Date, will be) no debt securities, convertible securities or preferred stock issued or guaranteed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries that are rated by a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization”, as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act.

(uu) Regulatory Matters; Products and Product Candidates. Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company (collectively with its subsidiaries) and except, in each case, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) has operated and currently operates its business in compliance with all Health Care Laws (as defined below) applicable to the ownership, testing, development, manufacture, packaging, processing, use, distribution, storage, import, export or disposal of any of the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ product candidates or any product manufactured or distributed by the Company; (ii) has not received any FDA Form 483, written notice of adverse finding, warning letter, untitled letter or other correspondence or written notice from any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority alleging or asserting non-compliance with (A) any Health Care Laws or (B) any licenses, certificates, approvals, clearances, exemptions, authorizations, permits and supplements or amendments thereto required by any such Health Care Laws (“Regulatory Authorizations”); (iii) possesses all Regulatory Authorizations required to conduct its business as currently conducted, and such Regulatory Authorizations are valid and in full force and effect and the Company is not in violation of any term of any such Regulatory Authorizations; (iv) has not received written notice of any claim, action, suit, proceeding, hearing, enforcement, investigation, arbitration or other

 

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action from the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), the Department of Health and Human Services or any comparable foreign or other regulatory authority to which they are subject (collectively, the “Applicable Regulatory Authorities”) alleging that any product of the Company is in violation of any Health Care Laws or Regulatory Authorizations and has no knowledge that the Applicable Regulatory Authorities or any other third party is considering any such claim, litigation, arbitration, action, suit, investigation or proceeding; (v) has not received written notice that any of the Applicable Regulatory Authorities has taken, is taking or intends to take action to limit, suspend, or revoke any Regulatory Authorizations and has no knowledge that any of the Applicable Regulatory Authorities is considering such action; (vi) has filed, obtained, maintained or submitted all reports, documents, forms, notices, applications, records, claims, submissions and supplements or amendments as required by any Health Care Laws or Regulatory 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); (vii) is not a party to and does not have any ongoing reporting obligations pursuant to any corporate integrity agreements, deferred or non-prosecution agreements, monitoring agreements, consent decrees, settlement orders, plans of correction or similar agreements with or imposed by any Applicable Regulatory Authority; and (viii) along with its employees, officers and directors, has not been excluded, suspended or debarred from participation in any government health care program or human clinical research and, to the knowledge of the Company, is not subject to a governmental inquiry, investigation, proceeding, or other similar action that could reasonably be expected to result in debarment, suspension, or exclusion.

The term “Health Care Laws” means Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1395-1395hhh (the Medicare statute); Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1396-1396v (the Medicaid statute); the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(b); the civil False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq.; the criminal False Claims Act, 42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(a); any criminal laws relating to health care fraud and abuse, including but not limited to 18 U.S.C. Sections 286, 287, 1347 and 1349, and the health care fraud criminal provisions under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1320d et seq. (“HIPAA”); the Civil Monetary Penalties Law, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1320a-7a and 1320a-7b; the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7h; the Exclusion Statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7; HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 17921 et seq.; the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S.C. §§ 301 et seq.; the regulations promulgated pursuant to such laws; and any similar federal, state and local laws and regulations.

(vv) Preclinical Studies and Clinical Trials. (i) Except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the pre-clinical studies and clinical trials conducted by or, to the knowledge of the Company, on behalf of or sponsored by the Company, or in which the Company

 

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has participated 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, as applicable, were, and if still pending are, being conducted in all respects in accordance with all applicable Health Care Laws, ; (ii) the descriptions in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus of the results of such studies and trials are, to the knowledge of the Company, accurate and complete in all respects and fairly present the data derived therefrom; (iii) the Company has no knowledge of any other studies or trials not described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus the results of which are inconsistent with or which the Company reasonably believes call into question the results described or referred to in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and (iv) the Company has not received any written notices or correspondence from the Regulatory Authorities or any other governmental agency requiring or threatening the termination, modification or suspension of any pre-clinical studies or clinical trials 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 other than ordinary course communications with respect to modifications in connection with the design and implementation of such studies or trials, and, to the Company’s knowledge, there are no reasonable grounds for the same.

4. Further Agreements of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees with each Underwriter that:

(a) Required Filings. The Company will file the final Prospectus with the Commission within the time periods specified by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the Securities Act, will file any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act; and the Company will furnish copies of the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (to the extent not previously delivered) to the Underwriters in New York City prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement in such quantities as the Representatives may reasonably request.

(b) Delivery of Copies. The Company will deliver, without charge, (i) to the Representatives, four signed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto, in each case including all exhibits and consents filed therewith; and (ii) to each Underwriter (A) a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto (without exhibits) and (B) during the Prospectus Delivery Period (as defined below), as many copies of the Prospectus (including all amendments and supplements thereto and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus) as the Representatives may reasonably request. As used herein, the term “Prospectus Delivery Period” means such period of time after the first date of the public offering of the Shares as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters a prospectus relating to the Shares is required by law to be delivered (or required to be delivered but for Rule 172 under the Securities Act) in connection with sales of the Shares by any Underwriter or dealer.

 

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(c) Amendments or Supplements, Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses. Before making, preparing, using, authorizing, approving, referring to or filing any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and before filing any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, the Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters a copy of the proposed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, amendment or supplement for review and will not make, prepare, use, authorize, approve, refer to or file any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representatives reasonably object.

(d) Notice to the Representatives. The Company will advise the Representatives promptly, and confirm such advice in writing (which may be by electronic mail), (i) when the Registration Statement has become effective; (ii) when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective; (iii) when any supplement to the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication or any amendment to the Prospectus has been filed or distributed; (iv) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or the receipt of any comments from the Commission relating to the Registration Statement or any other request by the Commission for any additional information including, but not limited to, any request for information concerning any Testing-the-Waters Communication; (v) of the issuance by the Commission or any other governmental or regulatory authority of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any of the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act; (vi) of the occurrence of any event or development within the Prospectus Delivery Period as a result of which the Prospectus, any of the Pricing Disclosure Package, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication as then amended or supplemented would include any 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 existing when the Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package, any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading; and (vii) of the receipt by the Company of any notice with respect to any suspension of the qualification of the Shares for offer and sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any of the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication or suspending any such qualification of the Shares and, if any such order is issued, will obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.

 

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(e) Ongoing Compliance. (1) If during the Prospectus Delivery Period (i) any event or development shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with law, the Company will as promptly as practicable notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file with the Commission and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representatives may designate such amendments or supplements to the Prospectus as may be necessary so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus will comply with law and (2) if at any time prior to the Closing Date (i) any event or development shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Pricing Disclosure Package as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Pricing Disclosure Package is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package to comply with law, the Company will as promptly as practicable notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file with the Commission (to the extent required) and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representatives may designate such amendments or supplements to the Pricing Disclosure Package as may be necessary so that the statements in the Pricing Disclosure Package as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Pricing Disclosure Package is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Pricing Disclosure Package will comply with law.

(f) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company will qualify the Shares for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives shall reasonably request and will continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for distribution of the Shares; provided that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.

 

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(g) Earning Statement. The Company will make generally available to its security holders and the Representatives as soon as practicable an earning statement that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Commission promulgated thereunder covering a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the “effective date” (as defined in Rule 158) of the Registration Statement; provided that the Company will be deemed to have furnished such statements to its security holders and the Representatives to the extent they are filed on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”).

(h) Clear Market. For a period of 180 days after the date of the Prospectus (the “Restricted Period”), the Company will not (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, or submit to, or file with, the Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any shares of Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Stock, or publicly disclose the intention to undertake any of the foregoing, or (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Stock or any such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, other than the Shares to be sold hereunder.

The restrictions described above do not apply to (i) the issuance of shares of Stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of Stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities or the exercise of warrants or options (including net exercise) or the settlement of RSUs (including net settlement), in each case outstanding on the date of this Agreement and described in the Prospectus; (ii) grants of stock options, stock awards, restricted stock, RSUs, or other equity awards and the issuance of shares of Stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of Stock (whether upon the exercise of stock options or otherwise) to the Company’s employees, officers, directors, advisors, or consultants pursuant to the terms of an equity compensation plan in effect as of the Closing Date and described in the Prospectus, provided that such recipients enter into a lock-up agreement with the Underwriters; (iii) the issuance of up to 5% of the outstanding shares of Stock, or securities convertible into, exercisable for, or which are otherwise exchangeable for, Stock, immediately following the Closing Date, in acquisitions or other similar strategic transactions, provided that such recipients enter into a lock-up agreement with the Underwriters; or (iv) the filing of any registration statement on Form S-8 relating to securities granted or to be granted pursuant to any plan in effect on the date of this Agreement and described in the Prospectus or any assumed benefit plan pursuant to an acquisition or similar strategic transaction.

 

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If J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, in their sole discretion, agree to release or waive the restrictions set forth in a lock-up letter described in Section 6(l) hereof for an officer or director of the Company and provide the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver.

(i) Use of Proceeds. The Company will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading “Use of proceeds”.

(j) No Stabilization. Neither the Company nor its subsidiaries or affiliates will take, directly or indirectly, without giving effect to activities by the Underwriters, any action designed to or that would reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Stock.

(k) Exchange Listing. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to list for quotation the Shares on the Nasdaq Global Market (the “Nasdaq Market”).

(l) Reports. So long as the Shares are outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Representatives, as soon as commercially reasonable after the date that they are available, copies of all reports or other communications (financial or other) furnished to holders of the Shares, and copies of any reports and financial statements furnished to or filed with the Commission or any national securities exchange or automatic quotation system; provided the Company will be deemed to have furnished such reports and financial statements to the Representatives to the extent they are filed on EDGAR, or any successor to such system.

(m) Record Retention. The Company will, pursuant to reasonable procedures developed in good faith, retain copies of each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 433 under the Securities Act.

(n) Filings. The Company will file with the Commission such reports as may be required by Rule 463 under the Securities Act.

(o) Emerging Growth Company. The Company will promptly notify the Representatives if the Company ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company at any time prior to the later of (i) completion of the distribution of Shares within the meaning of the Securities Act and (ii) completion of the 180-day Restricted Period referred to in Section 4(h) hereof.

 

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5. Certain Agreements of the Underwriters. Each Underwriter hereby represents and agrees that:

(a) It has not, and will not use, authorize use of, refer to or participate in the planning for use of, any “free writing prospectus”, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act (which term includes use of any written information furnished to the Commission by the Company and not incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and any press release issued by the Company) other than (i) a free writing prospectus that contains no “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433(h)(2) under the Securities Act) that was not included (including through incorporation by reference) in the Preliminary Prospectus or a previously filed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, (ii) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus listed on Annex A or prepared pursuant to Section 3(c) or Section 4(c) above (including any electronic road show), or (iii) any free writing prospectus prepared by such Underwriter and approved by the Company in advance in writing (each such free writing prospectus referred to in clauses (i) or (iii), an “Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus”).

(b) It has not and will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, use any free writing prospectus that contains the final terms of the Shares unless such terms have previously been included in a free writing prospectus filed with the Commission; provided that Underwriters may use a term sheet substantially in the form of Annex C hereto without the consent of the Company; provided further that any Underwriter using such term sheet shall notify the Company, and provide a copy of such term sheet to the Company, prior to, or substantially concurrently with, the first use of such term sheet.

(c) It is not subject to any pending proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act with respect to the offering (and will promptly notify the Company if any such proceeding against it is initiated during the Prospectus Delivery Period).

6. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligation of each Underwriter to purchase the Underwritten Shares on the Closing Date or the Option Shares on the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, as provided herein is subject to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

(a) Registration Compliance; No Stop Order. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no proceeding for such purpose or pursuant to Section 8A under the Securities Act shall be pending before or threatened by the Commission; the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission under the Securities Act (in the case of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act) and in accordance with Section 4(a) hereof; and all requests by the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representatives.

 

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(b) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained herein shall be true and correct on the date hereof and on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be; and the statements of the Company and its officers made in any certificates delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

(c) No Material Adverse Change. No event or condition of a type described in Section 3(h) hereof shall have occurred or shall exist, which event or condition is not described in the Pricing Disclosure Package (excluding any amendment or supplement thereto) and the Prospectus (excluding any amendment or supplement thereto) and the effect of which in the judgment of the Representatives makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Shares on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(d) Officer’s Certificate. The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, a certificate of the chief financial officer or chief accounting officer of the Company and one additional senior executive officer of the Company who is satisfactory to the Representatives on behalf of the Company and not in their individual capacities (i) confirming that such officers have carefully reviewed the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and, to the knowledge of such officers, the representations set forth in Sections 3(b) and 3(d) hereof are true and correct, (ii) confirming that the other representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct and that 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 the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and (iii) to the effect set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above.

(e) Comfort Letters. On the date of this Agreement and on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, Ernst & Young LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives, at the request of the Company, letters, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, containing statements and information of the type customarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; provided, that the letter delivered on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall use a “cut-off” date no more than two business days prior to such Closing Date or such Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

 

27


(f) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Company. Latham & Watkins LLP, counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Representatives, at the request of the Company, their written opinion and 10b-5 statement, dated the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives.

(g) Opinion of Intellectual Property Counsel for the Company. The Representatives shall have received opinions, on and as of the Closing Date or Additional Closing date, as the case may be, of Morrison & Foerster LLP, intellectual property counsel for the Company, addressed to the Underwriters and in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives.

(h) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Underwriters. The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, an opinion and 10b-5 statement, addressed to the Underwriters, of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, with respect to such matters as the Representatives may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such documents and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

(i) No Legal Impediment to Issuance and Sale. No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority that would, as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, prevent the issuance or sale of the Shares; and no injunction or order of any federal, state or foreign court shall have been issued that would, as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, prevent the issuance or sale of the Shares.

(j) Good Standing. The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, satisfactory evidence of the good standing of the Company and its significant subsidiaries in their respective jurisdictions of organization and their good standing in such other jurisdictions as the Representatives may reasonably request, in each case in writing or any standard form of telecommunication from the appropriate governmental authorities of such jurisdictions. Notwithstanding the above, the Representatives agree and acknowledge that, to the extent requested, satisfactory evidence of good standing may not be readily, or entirely, available with respect to the Company’s significant subsidiaries organized in the P.R.C. and the Company shall not be required to provide such evidence unless requested at least 10 business days prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as applicable.

(k) Exchange Listing. The Shares to be delivered on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq Market, subject to official notice of issuance.

 

28


(l) Lock-up Agreements. The “lock-up” agreements, each substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, between you and certain shareholders, officers and directors of the Company relating to sales and certain other dispositions of shares of Stock or certain other securities, delivered to you on or before the date hereof, shall be full force and effect on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

(m) Additional Documents. On or prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives such further certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.

All opinions, letters, certificates and evidence mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.

7. Indemnification and Contribution.

(a) Indemnification of the Underwriters. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, not misleading, or (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Securities Act, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, any road show as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Securities Act (a “road show”) or any Pricing Disclosure Package (including any Pricing Disclosure Package that has subsequently been amended), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in paragraph (b) below.

 

29


(b) Indemnification of the Company. Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, any road show or any Pricing Disclosure Package (including any Pricing Disclosure Package that has subsequently been amended), it being understood and agreed upon that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the following information in the Prospectus furnished on behalf of each Underwriter: the concession and reallowance figures appearing in the third paragraph under the caption “Underwriting”, the information contained in the fifteenth and sixteenth paragraph under the caption “Underwriting”.

(c) Notice and Procedures. If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to the preceding paragraphs of this Section 7, such person (the “Indemnified Person”) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the “Indemnifying Person”) in writing; provided that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 7 except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided, further, that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Person otherwise than under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 7. If any such proceeding shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the Indemnifying Person thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person (who shall not, without the consent of the Indemnified Person, be counsel to the Indemnifying Person) to represent the Indemnified Person and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section that the Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding, as incurred. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests

 

30


between them. It is understood and agreed that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be paid or reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm for any Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control persons of such Underwriter shall be designated in writing by the Representatives and any such separate firm for the Company, its directors, its officers who signed the Registration Statement and any control persons of the Company shall be designated in writing by the Company. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person shall have requested that an Indemnifying Person reimburse the Indemnified Person for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this paragraph, the Indemnifying Person shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by the Indemnifying Person of such request and (ii) the Indemnifying Person shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (x) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (y) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.

(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) or (b) above is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is 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 Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other, in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, 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, shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds (before deducting expenses) received by the Company from the sale of the Shares and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters in connection therewith, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate offering price of the Shares. The

 

31


relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

(e) Limitation on Liability. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to paragraph (d) above were 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 account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (d) and (e), 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 Shares 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. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to paragraphs (d) and (e) are several in proportion to their respective purchase obligations hereunder and not joint.

(f) Non-Exclusive Remedies. The remedies provided for in this Section 7 paragraphs (a) through (e) are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity.

8. Effectiveness of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date first written above.

9. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice to the Company, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and on or prior to the Closing Date or, in the case of the Option Shares, prior to the Additional Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on or by any of the New York Stock Exchange or The Nasdaq Stock Market; (ii) trading of any securities issued or guaranteed by the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market; (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by federal or New York State authorities; or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis, either within or outside the United States, that, in the judgment of the Representatives, is material and adverse and makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering, sale or delivery of the Shares on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, on the terms and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

 

32


10. Defaulting Underwriter.

(a) If, on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, any Underwriter defaults on its obligation to purchase the Shares that it has agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, the non-defaulting Underwriters may in their discretion arrange for the purchase of such Shares by other persons satisfactory to the Company on the terms contained in this Agreement. If, within 36 hours after any such default by any Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters do not arrange for the purchase of such Shares, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of 36 hours within which to procure other persons satisfactory to the non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase such Shares on such terms. If other persons become obligated or agree to purchase the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter, either the non-defaulting Underwriters or the Company may postpone the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, for up to five full business days in order to effect any changes that in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Underwriters may be necessary in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or in any other document or arrangement, and the Company agrees to promptly prepare any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus that effects any such changes. As used in this Agreement, the term “Underwriter” includes, for all purposes of this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires, any person not listed in Schedule 1 hereto that, pursuant to this Section 10, purchases Shares that a defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase.

(b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate number of Shares that remain unpurchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate number of Shares to be purchased on such date, then the Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number of Shares that such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder on such date plus such Underwriter’s pro rata share (based on the number of Shares that such Underwriter agreed to purchase on such date) of the Shares of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made.

(c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate number of Shares that remain unpurchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate amount of Shares to be purchased on such date, or if the Company shall not exercise the right described in paragraph (b) above, then this Agreement or, with respect to any Additional Closing Date, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase Shares on the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall terminate without liability on the part of the non-defaulting Underwriters. Any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10 shall be without liability on the part of the Company, except that the Company will continue to be liable for the payment of expenses as set forth in Section 11 hereof and except that the provisions of Section 7 hereof shall not terminate and shall remain in effect.

 

33


(d) Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of any liability it may have to the Company or any non-defaulting Underwriter for damages caused by its default.

11. Payment of Expenses.

(a) Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company will pay or cause to be paid all costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder, including without limitation, (i) the costs incident to the authorization, issuance, sale, preparation and delivery of the Shares and any taxes payable in that connection; (ii) the costs incident to the preparation, printing and filing under the Securities Act of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including all exhibits, amendments and supplements thereto) and the distribution thereof; (iii) the fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and independent accountants; (iv) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the registration or qualification and determination of eligibility for investment of the Shares under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate and the preparation, printing and distribution of a Blue Sky Memorandum (including the related fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters); (v) the cost of preparing stock certificates; (vi) the costs and charges of any transfer agent and any registrar; (vii) all expenses and application fees incurred in connection with any filing with, and clearance of the offering by, FINRA; (viii) all expenses incurred by the Company in connection with any “road show” presentation to potential investors and (x) all fees and expenses related to the listing of the Shares on the Nasdaq Global Market; provided that the aggregate amount payable by the Company pursuant to clauses (iv) and (vii) (other than application fees paid by the Company directly to FINRA) shall not exceed $40,000.

(b) If (i) this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9, (ii) the Company for any reason fails to tender the Shares for delivery to the Underwriters or (iii) the Underwriters decline to purchase the Shares for any reason permitted under this Agreement, the Company agrees to reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the fees and expenses of their counsel) reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement and the offering contemplated hereby. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that the Company shall not pay or reimburse any costs, fees or expenses incurred by any Underwriter that defaults on its obligations to purchase the Shares.

12. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers and directors and any controlling persons referred to herein, and the affiliates of each Underwriter referred to in Section 7 hereof. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any other person any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein. No purchaser of Shares from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor merely by reason of such purchase.

 

34


13. Survival. The respective indemnities, rights of contribution, representations, warranties and agreements of the Company and the Underwriters contained in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of the Company or the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement or any certificate delivered pursuant hereto shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Shares and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any termination of this Agreement or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company or the Underwriters or the directors, officers, controlling persons or affiliates referred to in Section 7 hereof.

14. Certain Defined Terms. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) except where otherwise expressly provided, the term “affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; (b) the term “business day” means any day other than a day on which banks are permitted or required to be closed in New York City; and (c) the term “subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; and (d) the term “significant subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act.

15. Compliance with USA Patriot Act. In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Underwriters are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the Underwriters to properly identify their respective clients.

16. Miscellaneous.

(a) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted and confirmed by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be given to the Representatives c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179 (fax: (212) 622-8358); Attention Equity Syndicate Desk; c/o Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282, Attention: Registration Department; c/o Cowen and Company, LLC, Attention: Head of Equity Capital Markets (fax: (646) 562-1249), with a copy to the General Counsel (fax: (646) 562-1130). Notices to the Company shall be given to it at Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 1065 East Hillsdale, Suite 100, Attention: Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel, and a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to Latham & Watkins LLP, 140 Scott Drive, Menlo Park, California 94025, Attention: Brian Cuneo.

(b) Governing Law. This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

35


(c) Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the parties hereto hereby waives any right to trial by jury in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

(d) Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes.

(i) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

(ii) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

As used in this Section 16(g):

“BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k).

“Covered Entity” means any of the following:

(i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);

(ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or

(iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

“U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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(e) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Agreement or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Agreement, if any, shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, without limitation, “pdf,” “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code.

(f) Amendments or Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

(g) Headings. The headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please indicate your acceptance of this Agreement by signing in the space provided below.

 

Very truly yours,
TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Accepted: As of the date first written above

 

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC
COWEN AND COMPANY, LLC
For themselves and on behalf of the several Underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto.
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
COWEN AND COMPANY, LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

38


Schedule 1

 

Underwriter

  

Number of Shares

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

   [●]

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

   [●]

Cowen and Company, LLC

   [●]
  

 

Total

   [●]

 

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Schedule 2

Significant Subsidiaries

Terns, Inc.

Terns China Biotechnology Co. Ltd.

Terns (Suzhou) Biotechnology Co., Ltd.

 

40


Annex A

 

a.

Pricing Disclosure Package

[None]

 

b.

Pricing Information Provided Orally by Underwriters

Underwritten Shares: [●]

Option Shares: [●]

Public Offering Price Per Share: $[●]

 

41


Annex B

Written Testing-the-Waters Communications

Investor Presentation dated January 2021

 

42


Annex C

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Pricing Term Sheet

[None]

 

43


Exhibit A

Form of Testing-the-Waters Authorization

(to be delivered by the issuer to the Representatives in email or letter form)

In reliance on Section 5(d) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Issuer”) hereby authorizes J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“J.P. Morgan”), Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”) and Cowen and Company, LLC (“Cowen”) and their respective affiliates and employees, to engage on behalf of the Issuer in oral and written communications (“Testing-the-Waters Communications”) with potential investors that are “qualified institutional buyers”, as defined in Rule 144A under the Act, or institutions that are “accredited investors”, within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7) or (a)(8) under the Act, to determine whether such investors might have an interest in the Issuer’s contemplated initial public offering (the “Offering”). A “Written Testing-the Waters Communication” means any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Act. Each of J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs and Cowen, individually and not jointly, agrees that it shall not distribute any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication that has not been approved by the Issuer other than such Written Testing-the-Waters Communications that are purely logistical in nature or are limited to any one or more statements described in Rule 134 under the Act (whether or not reliance on Rule 134 would otherwise be permitted or available under the Act for such Testing the Waters Communication) and/or any customary legal or regulatory legends or disclaimers.

The Issuer represents that it is an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Act (“Emerging Growth Company”) and agrees to promptly notify J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs and Cowen in writing if the Issuer hereafter ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company while this authorization is in effect. If at any time following the distribution of any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication there 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 Issuer will promptly notify J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs and Cowen and will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Written Testing-the-Waters Communication to eliminate or correct such untrue statement or omission.

Nothing in this authorization is intended to limit or otherwise affect the ability of J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs and Cowen and their respective affiliates and employees, to engage in communications in which they could otherwise lawfully engage in the absence of this authorization, including, without limitation, any written communication containing only one or more of the statements specified under Rule 134(a) under the Act. This authorization shall remain in effect until the Issuer has provided to J.P. Morgan, Goldman Sachs and Cowen a written notice revoking this authorization. All notices as described herein shall be sent by email to the attention of [__].

 

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Exhibit B

Form of Waiver of Lock-up

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC

GOLDMAN SACHS & CO. LLC

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Initial Public Offering of Common Stock

, 2021

[Name and Address of

Officer or Director

Requesting Waiver]

Dear Mr./Ms. [Name]:

This letter is being delivered to you in connection with the offering by Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) of [●] shares of common stock, $[●] par value (the “Common Stock”), of the Company and the lock-up letter dated ____________________, 2021, (the “Lock-up Letter”), executed by you in connection with such offering, and your request for a [waiver] [release] dated ____________________, 2021, with respect to [●] shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”).

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC hereby agree to [waive] [release] the transfer restrictions set forth in the Lock-up Letter, but only with respect to the Shares, effective ____________________, 2021; provided, however, that such [waiver] [release] is conditioned on the Company announcing the impending [waiver] [release] by press release through a major news service at least two business days before effectiveness of such [waiver] [release]. This letter will serve as notice to the Company of the impending [waiver] [release].

Except as expressly [waived] [released] hereby, the Lock-up Letter shall remain in full force and effect.

Yours very truly,                                                                 

cc: Company

 

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Exhibit C

Form of Press Release

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

[Date]

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Company”) announced today that J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and Cowen and Company, LLC, the lead book-running managers in the Company’s recent public sale of [●] shares of 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 ____________________, 2021, and the shares may be sold on or after such date.    

This press release is not an offer for sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction where such offer is prohibited, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

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Exhibit D

FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

            , 2021

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

Cowen and Company, LLC

As Representatives of

the several Underwriters listed in

Schedule 1 to the Underwriting

Agreement referred to below

c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

383 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10179

c/o Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

c/o Cowen and Company, LLC

599 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Re: Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. --- Public Offering

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned understands that you, each as one of several representatives (the “Representatives”) of the several Underwriters, propose to enter into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), providing for the initial public offering (the “Public Offering”) by the several Underwriters named in Schedule 1 to the Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriters”), of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), of the Company (the “Securities”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.

In consideration of the Underwriters’ agreement to purchase and make the Public Offering of the Securities, and for other good and valuable consideration receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters, the undersigned will not, and will not cause any direct or indirect affiliate to, during the period beginning on the date of this letter agreement (this “Letter Agreement”) and ending at the close of business

 

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180 days after the date of the final prospectus relating to the Public Offering (the “Prospectus”) (such period, the “Restricted Period”), (1) 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 Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock (including without limitation, Common Stock or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant) (collectively with the Common Stock, “Lock-Up Securities”), (2) enter into any hedging, swap or other agreement or transaction that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Lock-Up Securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Lock-Up Securities, in cash or otherwise, (3) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any Lock-Up Securities, or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing. The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing precludes the undersigned from engaging in any hedging or other transactions or arrangements (including, without limitation, any short sale or the purchase or sale of, or entry into, any put or call option, or combination thereof, forward, swap or any other derivative transaction or instrument, however described or defined) designed or intended, or which could reasonably be expected to lead to or result in, a sale or disposition or transfer (whether by the undersigned or any other person) of any economic consequences of ownership, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, of any Lock-Up Securities, whether any such transaction or arrangement (or instrument provided for thereunder) would be settled by delivery of Lock-Up Securities, in cash or otherwise. The undersigned further confirms that it has furnished the Representatives with the details of any transaction the undersigned, or any of its affiliates, is a party to as of the date hereof, which transaction would have been restricted by this Letter Agreement if it had been entered into by the undersigned during the Restricted Period.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the undersigned may:

(a) transfer or dispose of the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities:

(i) as a bona fide gift or gifts, or for bona fide estate planning purposes,

(ii) by will, other testamentary document or intestacy,

(iii) to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned, or if the undersigned is a trust, to a trustor or beneficiary of the trust or to the estate of a beneficiary of such trust (for purposes of this Letter Agreement, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, current or former marriage, domestic partnership or adoption, not more remote than first cousin),

(iv) to a partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which the undersigned and the immediate family of the undersigned are the legal and beneficial owner of all of the outstanding equity securities or similar interests,

 

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(v) to a nominee or custodian of a person or entity to whom a disposition or transfer would be permissible under clauses (i) through (iv) above,

(vi) if the undersigned is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity, (A) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity that is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) of the undersigned, or to any investment fund or other entity controlling, controlled by, managing or managed by or under common control with the undersigned or affiliates of the undersigned (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where the undersigned is a partnership, to its general partner or a successor partnership or fund, or any other funds managed by such partnership), or (B) as part of a distribution to members, partners, shareholders or other equity holders of the undersigned,

(vii) by operation of law, such as pursuant to a qualified domestic order, divorce settlement, divorce decree, separation agreement or other court order,

(viii) to the Company from an employee or other service provider of the Company upon death, disability or termination of employment or service, in each case, of such employee or service provider,

(ix) as part of a sale of the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities acquired (A) in open market transactions after the closing date for the Public Offering or (B) from the Underwriters in the Public Offering,

(x) to the Company in connection with the vesting, settlement, or exercise of restricted stock units, options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of Common Stock (including, in each case, by way of “net” or “cashless” exercise), including for the payment of exercise price and tax and remittance payments due as a result of the vesting, settlement, or exercise of such restricted stock units, options, warrants or rights, provided that any such shares of Common Stock received upon such exercise, vesting or settlement shall be subject to the terms of this Letter Agreement, and provided further that any such restricted stock units, options, warrants or rights are held by the undersigned pursuant to an agreement or equity awards granted under a stock incentive plan or other equity award plan, each such agreement or plan which is described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, or filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, or

(xi) pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction that is approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and made to all holders of the Company’s capital stock involving a Change of Control (as defined below) of the Company (for purposes hereof, “Change of Control” shall mean the transfer (whether by tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, to a person or group of affiliated persons, of shares of capital stock if, after such transfer, such person or group of affiliated persons would hold more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (or the surviving entity)); provided that in the event that such tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction is not completed, the undersigned’s Lock-Up Securities shall remain subject to the provisions of this Letter Agreement;

 

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provided that (A) in the case of any transfer, distribution or other disposition pursuant to clause (a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii), such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value and each donee, devisee, transferee or distributee shall execute and deliver to the Representatives a lock-up letter in the form of this Letter Agreement, (B) in the case of any transfer, distribution or disposition pursuant to clauses (a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), and (x), no filing by any party (donor, donee, devisee, transferor, transferee, distributer or distributee) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or other public announcement shall be required or shall be made voluntarily in connection with such transfer or distribution (other than a filing on a Form 5 made after the expiration of the Restricted Period referred to above) and (C) in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clauses (a)(vii) and (viii) it shall be a condition to such transfer that no public filing, report or announcement shall be voluntarily made and if any filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, or other public filing, report or announcement reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock in connection with such transfer or distribution shall be legally required during the Restricted Period, such filing, report or announcement shall clearly indicate in the footnotes thereto the nature and conditions of such transfer

(b) exercise outstanding options, settle restricted stock units or other equity awards or exercise warrants pursuant to plans described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; provided that any Lock-up Securities received upon such exercise, vesting or settlement shall be subject to the terms of this Letter Agreement;

(c) convert outstanding preferred stock, warrants to acquire preferred stock or convertible securities into shares of Common Stock or warrants to acquire shares of Common Stock; provided that any such shares of Common Stock or warrants received upon such conversion shall be subject to the terms of this Letter Agreement;

(d) establish trading plans pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer or disposition of shares of Lock-Up Securities; provided that (1) such plans do not provide for the transfer or disposition of Lock-Up Securities during the Restricted Period and (2) no filing by any party under the Exchange Act or other public announcement shall be required or made voluntarily in connection with such trading plan during the Restricted Period in contravention of this Lock-Up Agreement; and

(e) sell the Securities to be sold by the undersigned pursuant to the terms of the Underwriting Agreement.

If the undersigned is not a natural person, the undersigned represents and warrants that no single natural person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the common equity interests, or 50% or more of the voting power, in the undersigned.

 

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If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, the undersigned further agrees that the foregoing provisions shall be equally applicable to any Company-directed Securities the undersigned may purchase in the Public Offering.

In the event that, during the Restricted Period, the Representatives release or waive any prohibition set forth in the relevant lock-up agreement(s) on the transfer of shares of Common Stock, or any securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock, held by any director, executive officer or Significant Holder (as defined below), the same percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock held by the undersigned on the date of such release or waiver as the percentage of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock held by such director, executive officer or such Significant Holder on the date of such release or waiver that are the subject of such waiver shall be immediately and fully released on the same terms from the applicable prohibition(s) set forth herein. For the purposes of the foregoing, a “Significant Holder” shall mean any person or entity that (together with any investment funds affiliated with such person or entity) beneficially owns 2% or more of the total outstanding shares of Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this paragraph will not apply (1) if the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not involving a disposition for value, (2) if the transferee agrees in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this Letter Agreement to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of transfer, (3) in the case of any secondary underwritten public offering of shares of Common Stock (including a secondary underwritten public offering with a primary component); provided that the undersigned shall be offered the opportunity to participate on a pro rata basis consistent in such offering on pricing terms that are no less favorable than the terms of the secondary offering, or (4) if the release or waiver is granted to any individual party by the Representatives in an amount, individually or in the aggregate with respect to such individual party, less than or equal to $2,500,000 in value of Common Stock. The Representatives shall use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly notify the Company of each such release and the Company, in turn, shall notify the undersigned promptly thereafter that the same percentage of the Lock-Up Securities held by the undersigned has been released or waived from the restrictions set forth in this Lock-Up agreement (provided that the failure to provide such notice shall not give rise to any claim or liability against the Representatives or the Underwriters). The undersigned further acknowledges that Representatives are under no obligation to inquire into whether, or to ensure that, the Company notifies the undersigned of the delivery by the Representatives of any such notice, which is a matter between the undersigned and the Company.

If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, (i) the Representatives and on behalf of the Underwriters agree 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 Lock-Up Securities, the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters 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 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 the Representatives on behalf of the

 

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Underwriters hereunder to any such officer or director shall only be effective two business days after the publication date of such announcement. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (a) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration or that is to an immediate family member as defined in FINRA Rule 5130(i)(5) and (b) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this Letter Agreement to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.

In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company, and any duly appointed transfer agent for the registration or transfer of the securities described herein, are hereby authorized to decline to make any transfer of securities if such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this Letter Agreement.

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Letter Agreement. All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred and any obligations of the undersigned shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs or personal representatives of the undersigned.

The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters have not provided any recommendation or investment advice nor have the Underwriters solicited any action from the undersigned with respect to the Public Offering of the Securities and the undersigned has consulted their own legal, accounting, financial, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent deemed appropriate. The undersigned further acknowledges and agrees that, although the Representatives may be required or choose to provide certain Regulation Best Interest and Form CRS disclosures to you in connection with the Public Offering, the Representatives and the other Underwriters are not making a recommendation to you to enter into this Letter Agreement, and nothing set forth in such disclosures is intended to suggest that the Representatives or any Underwriter is making such a recommendation.

The undersigned understands that, if either (i) the Representatives, on the one hand, or the Company, on the other hand, informs the other, prior to the execution of the Underwriting Agreement, that it has determined not to proceed with the Public Offering, (ii) the Registration Statement is withdrawn, prior to the execution of the Underwriting Agreement, (iii) the Underwriting Agreement does not become effective by February 28, 2021, or (iv) 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, or (v) the Restricted Period has expired, this Letter Agreement shall automatically terminate and be of no further force and effect and the undersigned shall be released from all obligations under this Letter Agreement. The undersigned understands that the Underwriters are entering into the Underwriting Agreement and proceeding with the Public Offering in reliance upon this Letter Agreement.

 

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This Letter Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Letter Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of law principles thereof.

 

Very truly yours,
By:  

 

Name:
Title:
EX-3.2

Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the

General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware)

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “General Corporation Law”),

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

1. That the name of this corporation is Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The date on which and the jurisdiction where this corporation was first formed, incorporated, created or otherwise came into being was December 9, 2016 in the Cayman Islands. In accordance with Section 388 of the General Corporation Law, this corporation became domesticated as a corporation in the State of Delaware by filing a certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on December 29, 2020.

2. That the Board of Directors duly adopted resolutions proposing to amend and restate the Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation, declaring said amendment and restatement to be advisable and in the best interests of this corporation and its stockholders, and authorizing the appropriate officers of this corporation to solicit the consent of the stockholders therefor, which resolution setting forth the proposed amendment and restatement is as follows:

RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation be amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

FIRST: The name of this corporation is Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

SECOND: The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street in the City of Wilmington 19801, County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust 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 “General Corporation Law”).

FOURTH: Effective upon the filing of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Restated Certificate”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Effective Time”), each fourteen (14) shares of Common Stock (as defined below) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall, automatically and without any further action on the part of any stockholders of the Corporation, be reclassified as one (1) share of Common Stock and each fourteen (14) shares of Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock (each, as defined below) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, automatically and without any further action on the part of any stockholders of the Corporation, be reclassified as one (1) share of Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock, respectively (the “Reverse Stock Split”).

 

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Each stock certificate (or book entry shares) representing shares of any class of series of Common Stock or Preferred Stock (as defined below) immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, from and after the Effective Time, represent that number of shares shall have been reclassified pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split; provided, however, that each holder of any stock certificate(s) that represented shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be entitled to receive, upon surrender of such certificate(s), one or more certificates (or book entry shares) evidencing and representing the number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock into which the shares represented by such certificate(s) (or book entries) shall have been reclassified pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split.

No fractional shares shall be issued for shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split. If the Reverse Stock Split would result in the issuance of any fractional share of any class or series of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall, in lieu of issuing any such fractional share, pay cash in an amount equal to the fair value of such fractional share (as determined in good faith by the Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors”)). All share, per share and dollar reference in this Restated Certificate shall be adjusted for the Reverse Stock Split only as explicitly provided herein.

The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is (i) 299,700,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”) and (ii) 188,029,084 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”).

The following is a statement of the designations and the powers, privileges and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof in respect of each class of capital stock of the Corporation.

A. COMMON STOCK

1. General. The voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of the Common Stock are subject to and qualified by the rights, powers and preferences of the holders of the Preferred Stock set forth herein.

2. Voting. The holders of the Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held at all meetings of stockholders (and written actions in lieu of meetings); provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation or pursuant to the General Corporation Law. There shall be no cumulative voting. The number of authorized shares of Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by (in addition to any vote of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock that may be required by the terms of this Certificate of Incorporation) the affirmative vote of the holders of shares of capital stock of the Corporation representing a majority of the votes represented by all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the General Corporation Law.

 

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B. PREFERRED STOCK

As of the effective date of this Certificate of Incorporation, (a) 40,000,000 shares of the authorized Preferred Stock of the Corporation are designated “Series A Preferred Stock”, (b) 36,409,088 shares of the authorized Preferred Stock of the Corporation are hereby designated “Series B Preferred Stock” and (c) 111,619,996 shares of the authorized Preferred Stock of the Corporation are hereby designated “Series C Preferred Stock”. Unless otherwise indicated, references to “sections” or “subsections” in this Part B of this Article Fourth refer to sections and subsections of Part B of this Article Fourth.

1. Dividends.

The holders of then outstanding shares of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, only when, as and if declared by the Board, dividends for each share of Preferred Stock, prior and in preference to any declaration or payment of any other dividend as set forth herein. The Corporation shall not declare, pay or set aside any dividends (whether in cash or property) on shares of any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation unless (in addition to the obtaining of any consents required elsewhere in this Certificate of Incorporation) the holders of Series C Preferred Stock then outstanding first receive a non-cumulative dividend on each outstanding share and in an amount at least equal to eight percent (8%) of the Series C Original Issue Price (as defined below); following which, the holders of Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding receive a non-cumulative dividend on each outstanding share of Series B Preferred Stock in an amount at least equal to eight percent (8%) of the Series B Original Issue Price (as defined below); and following, which, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding receive a non-cumulative dividend on each outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock in an amount at least equal to eight percent (8%) of the Series A Original Issue Price (as defined below). The right to receive dividends on shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to the foregoing shall not be cumulative, and no rights to dividends shall accrue to holders of Preferred Stock by reason of the fact that dividends on said shares are not declared. As of the Effective Time, the “Original Issue Price” shall mean $10.50 per share for the shares designated as Series A Preferred Stock (the “Series A Original Issue Price”), $30.80 per share for the shares designated as Series B Preferred Stock (the “Series B Original Issue Price”) and $11.648 per share for the shares designated as Series C Preferred Stock (the “Series C Original Issue Price”), in each case, subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization with respect to the shares of such series of Preferred Stock occurring after the Effective Time. Furthermore, if and to the extent that prior to the Effective Time, any dividends have accrued or cumulated with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, any and all of such dividends shall, upon the Effective Time, be waived and forgiven retrospectively and prospectively and shall not be considered accrued or payable.

 

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2. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up; Certain Mergers, Consolidations and Asset Sales.

2.1 Preferential Payments to Holders of Preferred Stock.

(a) In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders or, in the case of a Deemed Liquidation Event (as defined below), out of the consideration payable to stockholders in such Deemed Liquidation Event or the Available Proceeds (as defined below), before any payment shall be made to the holders of Series B Preferred Stock, Series A Preferred Stock or Common Stock by reason of their ownership thereof, an amount per share equal one times the Series C Original Issue Price, plus any dividends declared but unpaid thereon (the amount payable pursuant to this sentence is hereinafter referred to as the “Series C Preference Amount”). If upon any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation or Deemed Liquidation Event, the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders shall be insufficient to pay the holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock the full amount to which they shall be entitled under this Section 2.1, the holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall share ratably in any distribution of the assets available for distribution in proportion to the respective amounts which would otherwise be payable in respect of the shares held by them upon such distribution if all amounts payable on or with respect to such shares were paid in full.

(b) Next, if there are any assets or funds remaining after the payment in full of the Series C Preference Amount, the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders or, in the case of a Deemed Liquidation Event (as defined below), out of the consideration not payable to the holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 2.1 or the remaining Available Proceeds (as defined below), before any payment shall be made to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock or Common Stock by reason of their ownership thereof, an amount per share equal to one times the Series B Original Issue Price, plus any dividends declared but unpaid thereon (the amount payable pursuant to this sentence is hereinafter referred to as the “Series B Preference Amount”). If upon any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation or Deemed Liquidation Event, the assets of the Corporation available for distribution in respect of the Series B Preferred Stock, after giving effect to the payment of the Series C Preference Amount, shall be insufficient to pay the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock the full amount to which they shall be entitled under this Section 2.1(b), the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall share ratably in any distribution of the assets available for distribution to such holders in proportion to the respective amounts which would otherwise be payable in respect of the shares held by them upon such distribution if all amounts payable on or with respect to such shares were paid in full.

(c) Next, if there are any assets or funds remaining after the payment in full of the Series C Preference Amount and the Series B Preference Amount, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders or, in the case of a Deemed Liquidation Event (as defined below), out of the consideration not payable to the holders of shares of Series C Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 2.1 or the holders of shares of Series B Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 2.1(b) or the remaining Available Proceeds (as defined below), before any payment shall be made to the holders of Common Stock by reason of their ownership

 

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thereof, an amount per share equal to one times the Series A Original Issue Price, plus any dividends declared but unpaid thereon (the amount payable pursuant to this sentence is hereinafter referred to as the “Series A Preference Amount”). If upon any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation or Deemed Liquidation Event, the assets of the Corporation available for distribution in respect of the Series A Preferred Stock, after giving effect to the payment of the Series C Preference Amount and the Series B Preference Amount, shall be insufficient to pay the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock the full amount to which they shall be entitled under this Section 2.1, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall share ratably in any distribution of the assets available for distribution to such holders in proportion to the respective amounts which would otherwise be payable in respect of the shares held by them upon such distribution if all amounts payable on or with respect to such shares were paid in full.

2.2 Distribution of Remaining Assets. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after the payment in full of the Series C Preference Amount, the Series B Preference Amount and the Series A Preference Amount the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders or, in the case of a Deemed Liquidation Event, the consideration not payable to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 2.1 or the remaining Available Proceeds, as the case may be, shall be distributed among the holders of the shares of Preferred Stock and Common Stock, pro rata based on the number of shares held by each such holder, treating for this purpose all such securities as if they had been converted to Common Stock pursuant to the terms of this Certificate of Incorporation immediately prior to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation. The aggregate amount which a holder of a share of Preferred Stock is entitled to receive under Sections 2.1 and (b) is hereinafter referred to as the “Liquidation Amount.”

2.3 Deemed Liquidation Events.

2.3.1 Definition. Each of the following events shall be considered a “Deemed Liquidation Event” unless (x) the holders of Preferred Stock representing at least a majority of the shares of Common Stock into which such outstanding Preferred Stock are then convertible, voting together on as converted basis, and (y) the Series C Requisite Holders (as defined below) (collectively (x) and (y), the “Requisite Holders”) elect otherwise by written notice sent to the Corporation at least five days prior to the effective date of any such event:

 

  (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, a majority, by voting power,

 

5


of the capital stock of (1) the surviving or resulting corporation and such surviving or resulting corporation is not publicly traded; 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 and such parent company of such surviving or resulting corporation is not publicly traded; or

(b) (1) 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 (2) the sale or disposition (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, and whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) 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.

2.3.2 Effecting a Deemed Liquidation Event.

(a) The Corporation shall not have the power to effect a Deemed Liquidation Event referred to in Section 2.3.1(a)(i) 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 in such Deemed Liquidation Event shall be allocated to the holders of capital stock of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 2.1 and (b).

(b) In the event of a Deemed Liquidation Event referred to in Section 2.3.1(a)(ii) or 2.3.1(b), if the Corporation does not effect a dissolution of the Corporation under the General Corporation Law within ninety (90) days after such Deemed Liquidation Event, then (i) the Corporation shall send a written notice (the “Redemption Notice”) to each holder of Preferred Stock no later than the ninetieth (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 Preferred Stock, and (iii) if the Requisite Holders so request in a written instrument delivered to the Corporation not later than one hundred twenty (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, together with any other assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, all to the extent permitted by Delaware law governing distributions to stockholders (the “Available Proceeds”), on the one hundred fiftieth (150th) day after such Deemed Liquidation Event, to redeem all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock at a price per share equal to the applicable Liquidation Amount and in the order of priority set forth in Section 2.1. 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 Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall redeem a pro rata portion of each holder’s shares of 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 as soon as it may lawfully do so under

 

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Delaware law governing distributions to stockholders. Prior to the distribution or redemption provided for in this Section 2.3.2(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. With respect to any redemption required by this Section 2.3.2(b):

 

  (i)

each Redemption Notice shall state: (1) the number of shares of Preferred Stock held by the holder that the Corporation shall redeem; (2) the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”) and the applicable Liquidation Amount in respect of the shares of Preferred Stock held by such holder, and (3) for holders of shares in certificated form, that the holder is to surrender to the Corporation, in the manner and at the place designated, his, her or its certificates representing the shares of Preferred Stock to be redeemed; and

 

  (ii)

on or before the Redemption Date, each holder of shares of Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall surrender the certificate or certificates representing such shares (or, if such registered holder alleges that such certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, a lost certificate affidavit and agreement reasonably acceptable to the Corporation to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of such certificate) to the Corporation, in the manner and at the place designated in the Redemption Notice, and thereupon the Available Proceeds for such shares shall be payable to the order of the person whose name appears on such certificate or certificates as the owner thereof.

2.3.3 Amount Deemed Paid or Distributed. The amount deemed paid or distributed to the holders of capital stock of the Corporation upon any such merger, consolidation, sale, transfer, exclusive license, other disposition or redemption shall be the cash or the value of the property, rights or securities to be paid or distributed to such holders pursuant to such Deemed Liquidation Event. The value of such property, rights or securities shall be determined in good faith by the Board.

2.3.4 Allocation of Escrow and Contingent Consideration. In the event of a Deemed Liquidation Event pursuant to Section 2.3.1(a)(i), if any portion of the consideration payable to the stockholders of the Corporation is payable only upon satisfaction of contingencies (the “Additional Consideration”), the Merger Agreement shall provide that (a) the portion of such consideration that is not Additional Consideration (such portion, the “Initial

 

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Consideration”) shall be allocated among the holders of capital stock of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 2.1 and (b) as if the Initial Consideration were the only consideration payable in connection with such Deemed Liquidation Event; and (b) any Additional Consideration which becomes payable to the stockholders of the Corporation upon satisfaction of such contingencies shall be allocated among the holders of capital stock of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 2.1 and (b) after taking into account the previous payment of the Initial Consideration as part of the same transaction. For the purposes of this Section 2.3.4, consideration placed into escrow or retained as a holdback to be available for satisfaction of indemnification or similar obligations in connection with such Deemed Liquidation Event shall be deemed to be Additional Consideration.

3. Voting.

3.1 General. On any matter presented to the stockholders of the Corporation for their action or consideration at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation (or by written consent of stockholders in lieu of meeting), each holder of outstanding shares of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to cast the number of votes equal to the number of whole shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Preferred Stock held by such holder are convertible as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote on such matter. Except as provided by law or by the other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation, holders of Preferred Stock shall vote together with the holders of Common Stock as a single class and on an as-converted to Common Stock basis.

3.2 Election of Directors. As long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock are outstanding, the holders of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled, voting exclusively and as a separate class, to elect one (1) director of the Corporation at any election of directors (the “Series A Director”). As long as any shares of Series B Preferred Stock are outstanding, the holders of such shares of Series B Preferred Stock shall be entitled, voting exclusively and as a separate class, to elect two (2) directors of the Corporation at any election of directors (each, a “Series B Director”). As long as any shares of Series C Preferred Stock are outstanding, the holders of such shares of Series C Preferred Stock shall be entitled, voting exclusively and as a separate class, to elect one (1) director of the Corporation at any election of directors (the “Series C Director” and collectively with the Series A Director and Series B Directors, the “Preferred Directors”). The holders of outstanding Common Stock, voting exclusively and as a separate class, shall be entitled to elect two (2) directors of the Corporation at any election of directors (the “Common Directors”). Any director elected as provided in the preceding sentences may be removed without cause by, and only by, the affirmative vote of the holders of the shares of the class or series of capital stock entitled to elect such director or directors, given either at a special meeting of such stockholders duly called for that purpose or pursuant to a written consent of stockholders. If the holders of shares of the requisite series of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as the case may be, fail to elect a sufficient number of Preferred Directors or Common Directors, as applicable, to fill all directorships for which they are entitled to elect directors, voting exclusively and as a separate class, pursuant to the first four sentences of this Section 3.2, then any directorship not so filled shall remain vacant until such time as the holders of the applicable series of Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as the case may be, elect a person to fill such directorship by vote or written consent in lieu of a meeting; and no such directorship may be filled by stockholders of the Corporation other than by the stockholders of the Corporation that

 

8


are entitled to elect a person to fill such directorship, voting exclusively and as a separate class. Notwithstanding the above, nothing in this Section 3.2 shall prohibit the Board from appointing any persons to fill vacancies on the Board with respect to directorships other than those for the Preferred Directors or the Common Directors, in each case in accordance with the Company’s Bylaws. The holders of record of the shares of Common Stock and of any other class or series of voting stock (including the Preferred Stock), exclusively and voting together as a single class on an as converted basis, shall be entitled to elect the balance of the total number of directors of the Corporation. At any meeting held for the purpose of electing a director, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the particular class or series entitled to elect such director shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of electing such director. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3.2, a vacancy in any directorship filled by the holders of any class or classes or series shall be filled only by vote or written consent in lieu of a meeting of the holders of such class or classes or series. The rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock under this Section 3.2 shall terminate on the first date following the Effective Time on which there are issued and outstanding less than 3,214,285 shares of Preferred Stock (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination, or other similar recapitalization with respect to the Preferred Stock occurring after the Effective Time).

3.3 Preferred Stock Protective Provisions. At any time when at least 3,214,285 shares of Preferred Stock (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization with respect to the Preferred Stock occurring after the Effective Time) are outstanding, the Corporation shall not, either directly or indirectly by amendment, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, or otherwise, do any of the following without (in addition to any other vote required by law or this Certificate of Incorporation) the written consent or affirmative vote of the holders of Preferred Stock representing at least a majority of the shares of Common Stock into which such outstanding Preferred Stock are then convertible, voting together as a single class on as-converted basis, given in writing or by vote at a meeting, consenting or voting (as the case may be) separately as a class, and any such act or transaction entered into without such consent or vote shall be null and void ab initio, and of no force or effect:

3.3.1 amend, alter or repeal any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Corporation in a manner that adversely affects the powers, preferences or rights of the Preferred Stock;

3.3.2 merge or consolidate the Corporation or any subsidiary with any other entity or entities;

3.3.3 liquidate, dissolve, windup or terminate business and affairs of the Corporation or any subsidiary, effect any merger or consolidation or any other Deemed Liquidation Event, or consent to any of the foregoing;

3.3.4 create, adopt, amend, terminate or repeal any equity (or equity-linked) compensation plan or amend or waive any of the terms of any option or other grant pursuant to any such plan;

 

9


3.3.5 increase or decrease the authorized number of directors constituting the Board, or change the number of votes entitled to be cast by any director or directors on any matter;

3.3.6 purchase or redeem (or permit any subsidiary to purchase or redeem) or pay or declare any dividend or make any distribution on, any shares of capital stock of the Corporation other than (i) redemptions of or dividends or distributions on the Preferred Stock as expressly authorized herein, (ii) dividends or other distributions payable on the Common Stock solely in the form of additional shares of Common Stock, (iii) repurchases of stock from former employees, officers, directors, consultants or other persons who performed services for the Corporation or any subsidiary in connection with the cessation of such employment or service at no greater than the original purchase price thereof, or (iv) pursuant to a contractual right of first refusal in favor of the Corporation;

3.3.7 create, or authorize the creation of, or reclassify, any capital stock unless the same ranks junior to the Preferred Stock with respect to its rights, preferences and privileges, or increase the authorized number of shares of Preferred Stock or any additional class or series of capital stock of the Corporation unless the same ranks junior to the Preferred Stock with respect to its rights, preferences and privileges; or

3.3.8 create, or hold capital stock in, any subsidiary that is not wholly owned (either directly or through one (1) or more other subsidiaries) by the Corporation, or permit any subsidiary to create, or authorize the creation of, or issue or obligate itself to issue, any shares of any class or series of capital stock, or sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any capital stock of any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Corporation, or permit any direct or indirect subsidiary to sell, lease, transfer, exclusively license or otherwise dispose (in a single transaction or series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of such subsidiary.

3.4 Series C Preferred Stock Protective Provisions. At any time when at least 1,428,571 shares of Series C Preferred Stock (subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock dividend, stock split, combination or other similar recapitalization with respect to the Series C Preferred Stock occurring after the Effective Time) are outstanding, the Corporation shall not, either directly or indirectly by amendment, merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, or otherwise, do any of the following without (in addition to any other vote required by law or this Certificate of Incorporation) the written consent or affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty percent (60%) of the then outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock (the “Series C Requisite Holders”) given in writing or by vote at a meeting, consenting or voting (as the case may be) separately as a class, and any such act or transaction entered into without such consent or vote shall be null and void ab initio, and of no force or effect:

3.4.1 amend, alter or repeal any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Corporation in a manner that adversely affects the powers, preferences or rights of the Series C Preferred Stock;

3.4.2 authorize, create or issue equity securities having rights, priority or preferences superior to or on par with the Series C Preferred Stock,

 

10


3.4.3 increase or decrease the authorized number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock; or

3.4.4 effect any Deemed Liquidation Event or waive the payment of the Series C Preference Amount in connection therewith.

4. Optional Conversion. The holders of the Preferred Stock shall have conversion rights as follows (the “Conversion Rights”):

4.1 Right to Convert.

4.1.1 Conversion Ratio. Each share of Preferred Stock shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, and without the payment of additional consideration by the holder thereof, into such number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock as is determined by dividing the applicable Original Issue Price by the applicable Conversion Price (as defined below) in effect at the time of conversion. As of the Effective Time, the “Conversion Price” for each share of (i) Series A Preferred Stock shall be equal to the Series A Original Issue Price, (ii) Series B Preferred Stock shall be equal to $14.00, and (iii) Series C Preferred Stock shall be equal to the Series C Original Issue Price. Such initial Conversion Price, and the rate at which shares of Preferred Stock may be converted into shares of Common Stock, shall be subject to adjustment as provided below.

4.1.2 Termination of Conversion Rights. In the event of a Redemption Notice, the Conversion Rights of the shares designated for redemption shall terminate at the close of business on the last full day preceding the date fixed for redemption, unless the redemption price is not fully paid on such redemption date, in which case the Conversion Rights for such shares shall continue until such price is paid in full. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation or a Deemed Liquidation Event, the Conversion Rights shall terminate at the close of business on the last full day preceding the date fixed for the payment of any such amounts distributable on such event to the holders of Preferred Stock; provided that the foregoing termination of Conversion Rights shall not affect the amount(s) otherwise paid or payable in accordance with Section 2.1 to holders of Preferred Stock pursuant to such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation or a Deemed Liquidation Event.

4.2 Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of the Preferred Stock. In lieu of any fractional shares to which the holder would otherwise be entitled, the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of the Preferred Stock shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share.

4.3 Mechanics of Conversion.

4.3.1 Notice of Conversion. In order for a holder of Preferred Stock to voluntarily convert such shares of Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock, such holder shall (a) provide written notice to the Corporation’s transfer agent at the office of the transfer agent for the Preferred Stock (or at the principal office of the Corporation if the Corporation serves as its own transfer agent) that such holder elects to convert all or any number of such holder’s shares of Preferred Stock and, if applicable, any event on which such conversion is contingent and (b), if such holder’s shares are certificated, surrender the certificate or certificates

 

11


for such shares of Preferred Stock (or, if such registered holder alleges that such certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, a lost certificate affidavit and agreement reasonably acceptable to the Corporation to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of such certificate), at the office of the transfer agent for the Preferred Stock (or at the principal office of the Corporation if the Corporation serves as its own transfer agent). Such notice shall state such holder’s name or the names of the nominees in which such holder wishes the shares of Common Stock to be issued. If required by the Corporation, any certificates surrendered for conversion shall be endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Corporation, duly executed by the registered holder or his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing. The close of business on the date of receipt by the transfer agent (or by the Corporation if the Corporation serves as its own transfer agent) of such notice and, if applicable, certificates (or lost certificate affidavit and agreement) shall be the time of conversion (the “Conversion Time”), and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the specified shares shall be deemed to be outstanding of record as of such date. The Corporation shall, as soon as practicable after the Conversion Time (i) issue and deliver to such holder of Preferred Stock, or to his, her or its nominees, a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion in accordance with the provisions hereof and a certificate for the number (if any) of the shares of Preferred Stock represented by the surrendered certificate that were not converted into Common Stock, and (ii) pay all declared but unpaid dividends on the shares of Preferred Stock converted.

4.3.2 Reservation of Shares. The Corporation shall at all times when the Preferred Stock shall be outstanding, reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued capital stock, for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the Preferred Stock, such number of its duly authorized shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding 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 the Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall take such corporate action as may be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purposes, including, without limitation, engaging in best efforts to obtain the requisite stockholder approval of any necessary amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation. Before taking any action which would cause an adjustment reducing the applicable Conversion Price below the then par value of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Preferred Stock, the Corporation will take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order that the Corporation may validly and legally issue fully paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock at such adjusted Conversion Price.

4.3.3 Effect of Conversion. All shares of Preferred Stock which shall have been surrendered for conversion as herein provided shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights with respect to such shares shall immediately cease and terminate at the Conversion Time, except only the right of the holders thereof to receive shares of Common Stock in exchange therefor and to receive payment of any dividends declared but unpaid thereon. Any shares of Preferred Stock so converted shall be retired and cancelled and may not be reissued as shares of such series, and the Corporation may thereafter take such appropriate action (without the need for stockholder action) as may be necessary to reduce the authorized number of shares of Preferred Stock accordingly.

 

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4.3.4 No Further Adjustment. Upon any such conversion, no adjustment to the applicable Conversion Price shall be made for any declared but unpaid dividends on such Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion or on the Common Stock delivered upon conversion.

4.3.5 Taxes. The Corporation shall pay any and all issuance and other similar taxes that may be payable in respect of any issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 4. The Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that in which the shares of Preferred Stock so converted were registered, and no such issuance or delivery shall be made unless and until the person or entity requesting such issuance has paid to the Corporation the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Corporation, that such tax has been paid.

4.4 Adjustments to Conversion Price for Diluting Issues.

4.4.1 Special Definitions. For purposes of this Article Fourth, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) “Additional Shares of Common Stock” shall mean all shares of Common Stock issued (or, pursuant to Section 4.4.3 below, deemed to be issued) by the Corporation after the Effective Time, other than (1) the following shares of Common Stock and (2) shares of Common Stock deemed issued pursuant to the following Options (as defined below) and Convertible Securities (as defined below) (the securities described in clauses (1) and (2), collectively, “Exempted Securities”):

 

  (i)

as to any series of Preferred Stock shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities issued as a dividend or distribution on such series of Preferred Stock;

 

  (ii)

shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities issued by reason of a dividend, stock split, split-up or other distribution on shares of Common Stock that is covered by Section 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 or 4.8;

 

  (iii)

shares of Common Stock or Options issued to employees or directors of, or consultants or advisors to, the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to a plan, agreement or arrangement approved by the Board, including at least two Preferred Directors;

 

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  (iv)

shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities actually issued upon the exercise of Options or shares of Common Stock actually issued upon the conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities, in each case provided such issuance is pursuant to the terms of such Option or Convertible Security;

 

  (v)

shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities issued to institutional lenders, equipment lessors or other financial institutions, or to real property lessors, pursuant to a debt financing, equipment leasing or real property leasing transaction approved by the Board ;

 

  (vi)

shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities issued pursuant to the acquisition of another corporation by the Corporation by merger, purchase of substantially all of the assets or other reorganization or to a joint venture agreement, provided that such issuances are approved by the Board, including at least two Preferred Directors;

 

  (vii)

shares of Common Stock, Options or Convertible Securities issued in connection with sponsored research, collaboration, technology license, development, OEM, marketing or other similar agreements or strategic partnerships approved by the Board, including at least two Preferred Directors;

 

  (viii)

shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock issued pursuant to the exercise of the LAV Option Agreements (as defined in the Series C Purchase Agreement (defined below));

 

  (ix)

shares of Series C Preferred Stock issued in connection with that certain Series C Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2020 (the “Series C Purchase Agreement”); or

 

  (x)

shares of Common Stock issued in an underwritten public offering of the Corporation’s Common Stock pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

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(b) “Convertible Securities” shall mean any evidences of indebtedness, shares or other securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, but excluding Options.

(c) “Option” shall mean rights, options or warrants to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire Common Stock or Convertible Securities.

4.4.2 No Adjustment of Conversion Price. No adjustment in the applicable Conversion Price shall be made as the result of the issuance or deemed issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock if the Corporation receives written notice from the Requisite Holders agreeing that no such adjustment shall be made as the result of the issuance or deemed issuance of such Additional Shares of Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the issuance or deemed issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock is at price per share that is less than the Series B Conversion Price but greater than the Series C Conversion Price, any waiver to the adjustment of the Series B Conversion Price in connection with such issuance or deemed issuance shall require the prior written consent of the holders of at least a majority of the Series B Preferred Stock.

4.4.3 Deemed Issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock.

(a) If the Corporation at any time or from time to time after the Effective Time shall issue any Options or Convertible Securities (excluding Options or Convertible Securities which are themselves Exempted Securities) or shall fix a record date for the determination of holders of any class of securities entitled to receive any such Options or Convertible Securities, then the maximum number of shares of Common Stock (as set forth in the instrument relating thereto, assuming the satisfaction of any conditions to exercisability, convertibility or exchangeability but without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such number) issuable upon the exercise of such Options or, in the case of Convertible Securities and Options therefor, the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities, shall be deemed to be Additional Shares of Common Stock issued as of the time of such issue or, in case such a record date shall have been fixed, as of the close of business on such record date.

(b) If the terms of any Option or Convertible Security, the issuance of which resulted in an adjustment to the Conversion Price of any series of Preferred Stock pursuant to the terms of Section 4.4.4, are revised as a result of an amendment to such terms or any other adjustment pursuant to the provisions of such Option or Convertible Security (but excluding automatic adjustments to such terms pursuant to anti-dilution or similar provisions of such Option or Convertible Security) to provide for either (1) any increase or decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion and/or exchange of any such Option or Convertible Security or (2) any increase or decrease in the consideration payable to the Corporation upon such exercise, conversion and/or exchange, then, effective upon such increase or decrease becoming effective, the Conversion Price computed upon the original

 

15


issuance of such Option or Convertible Security (or upon the occurrence of a record date with respect thereto) shall be readjusted to such Conversion Price as would have been obtained had such revised terms been in effect upon the original date of issuance of such Option or Convertible Security. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no readjustment pursuant to this clause (b) shall have the effect of increasing such Conversion Price to an amount which exceeds the lower of (i) the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the original adjustment made as a result of the issuance of such Option or Convertible Security, or (ii) the Conversion Price that would have resulted from any issuances of Additional Shares of Common Stock (other than deemed issuances of Additional Shares of Common Stock as a result of the issuance of such Option or Convertible Security) between the original adjustment date and such readjustment date.

(c) If the terms of any Option or Convertible Security (excluding Options or Convertible Securities which are themselves Exempted Securities), the issuance of which did not result in an adjustment to the Conversion Price of any series of Preferred Stock pursuant to the terms of Section 4.4.4 (either because the consideration per share (determined pursuant to Section 4.4.5) of the Additional Shares of Common Stock subject thereto was equal to or greater than such Conversion Price then in effect, or because such Option or Convertible Security was issued before the Effective Time), are revised after the Effective Time as a result of an amendment to such terms or any other adjustment pursuant to the provisions of such Option or Convertible Security (but excluding automatic adjustments to such terms pursuant to anti-dilution or similar provisions of such Option or Convertible Security) to provide for either (1) any increase in the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of any such Option or Convertible Security or (2) any decrease in the consideration payable to the Corporation upon such exercise, conversion or exchange, then such Option or Convertible Security, as so amended or adjusted, and the Additional Shares of Common Stock subject thereto (determined in the manner provided in Section 4.4.3(a) shall be deemed to have been issued effective upon such increase or decrease becoming effective.

(d) Upon the expiration or termination of any unexercised Option or unconverted or unexchanged Convertible Security (or portion thereof) which resulted (either upon its original issuance or upon a revision of its terms) in an adjustment to the Conversion Price of any series of Preferred Stock pursuant to the terms of Section 4.4.4, such the Conversion Price shall be readjusted to such Conversion Price as would have been obtained had such Option or Convertible Security (or portion thereof) never been issued.

(e) If the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion and/or exchange of any Option or Convertible Security, or the consideration payable to the Corporation upon such exercise, conversion and/or exchange, is calculable at the time such Option or Convertible Security is issued or amended but is subject to adjustment based upon subsequent events, any adjustment to the Conversion Price of any series of Preferred Stock provided for in this Section 4.4.3 shall be effected at the time of such issuance or amendment based on such number of shares or amount of consideration without regard to any provisions for subsequent adjustments (and any subsequent adjustments shall be treated as provided in this Section 4.4.3). If the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion and/or exchange of any Option or Convertible Security, or the consideration payable to the Corporation upon such exercise, conversion and/or exchange, cannot be calculated at all at the time such Option or Convertible Security is issued or amended, any adjustment to such

 

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Conversion Price that would result under the terms of this Section 4.4.3 at the time of such issuance or amendment shall instead be effected at the time such number of shares and/or amount of consideration is first calculable (even if subject to subsequent adjustments), assuming for purposes of calculating such adjustment to the Conversion Price that such issuance or amendment took place at the time such calculation can first be made.

4.4.4 Adjustment of Conversion Price Upon Issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the Effective Time issue Additional Shares of Common Stock (including Additional Shares of Common Stock deemed to be issued pursuant to Section 4.4.3), without consideration or for a consideration per share less than the Conversion Price of any series of Preferred Stock in effect immediately prior to such issuance or deemed issuance, then such Conversion Price shall be reduced, concurrently with such issuance, to a price (calculated to the nearest one-hundredth of a cent) determined in accordance with the following formula:

CP2 = CP1* (A + B) ÷ (A + C).

For purposes of the foregoing formula, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) “CP2” shall mean the applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately after such issuance or deemed issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock

(b) “CP1” shall mean the applicable Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issuance or deemed issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock;

(c) “A” shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such issuance or deemed issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock (treating for this purpose as outstanding all shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Options outstanding immediately prior to such issuance or deemed issuance or upon conversion or exchange of Convertible Securities (including the Preferred Stock) outstanding (assuming exercise of any outstanding Options therefor) immediately prior to such issuance);

(d) “B” shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued if such Additional Shares of Common Stock had been issued or deemed issued at a price per share equal to CP1 (determined by dividing the aggregate consideration received by the Corporation in respect of such issuance by CP1); and

(e) “C” shall mean the number of such Additional Shares of Common Stock issued in such transaction.

4.4.5 Determination of Consideration. For purposes of this Section 4.4, the consideration received by the Corporation for the issuance or deemed issuance of any Additional Shares of Common Stock shall be computed as follows:

(a) Cash and Property. Such consideration shall:

 

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  (i)

insofar as it consists of cash, be computed at the aggregate amount of cash received by the Corporation, excluding amounts paid or payable for accrued interest;

 

  (ii)

insofar as it consists of property other than cash, be computed at the fair market value thereof at the time of such issue, as determined in good faith by the Board; and

 

  (iii)

in the event Additional Shares of Common Stock are issued together with other shares or securities or other assets of the Corporation for consideration which covers both, be the proportion of such consideration so received, computed as provided in clauses (i) and (ii) above, as determined in good faith by the Board.

(b) Options and Convertible Securities. The consideration per share received by the Corporation for Additional Shares of Common Stock deemed to have been issued pursuant to Section 4.4.3, relating to Options and Convertible Securities, shall be determined by dividing:

 

  (i)

the total amount, if any, received or receivable by the Corporation as consideration for the issuance of such Options or Convertible Securities, plus the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration (as set forth in the instruments relating thereto, without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such consideration) payable to the Corporation upon the exercise of such Options or the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities, or in the case of Options for Convertible Securities, the exercise of such Options for Convertible Securities and the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities, by

 

  (ii)

the maximum number of shares of Common Stock (as set forth in the instruments relating thereto, without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such number) issuable upon the exercise of such Options or the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities, or in the case of Options for Convertible Securities, the exercise of such Options for Convertible Securities and the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities.

 

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4.4.6 Multiple Closing Dates. In the event the Corporation shall issue on more than one date Additional Shares of Common Stock that are a part of one transaction or a series of related transactions and that would result in an adjustment to the Conversion Price of any series of Preferred Stock pursuant to the terms of Section 4.4.4, and such issuance dates occur within a period of no more than ninety (90) days from the first such issuance to the final such issuance then, upon the final such issuance, such Conversion Price shall be readjusted to give effect to all such issuances as if they occurred on the date of the first such issuance (and without giving effect to any additional adjustments as a result of any such subsequent issuances within such period).

4.5 Adjustment for Stock Splits and Combinations. If the Corporation shall at any time or from time to time after the Effective Time effect a subdivision of the outstanding Common Stock, each Conversion Price in effect immediately before that subdivision shall be proportionately decreased so that the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion of each share of such series shall be increased in proportion to such increase in the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. If the Corporation shall at any time or from time to time after the Effective Time combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock, each Conversion Price in effect immediately before the combination shall be proportionately increased so that the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion of each share of such series shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. Any adjustment under this Section shall become effective at the close of business on the date the subdivision or combination becomes effective.

4.6 Adjustment for Certain Dividends and Distributions. In the event the Corporation at any time or from time to time after the Effective Time shall make or issue, or fix a record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive, a dividend or other distribution payable on the Common Stock in additional shares of Common Stock, then and in each such event the Conversion Price for each series of Preferred Stock in effect immediately before such event shall be decreased as of the time of such issuance or, in the event such a record date shall have been fixed, as of the close of business on such record date, by multiplying such Conversion Price then in effect by a fraction:

(1) the numerator of which shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the time of such issuance or the close of business on such record date, and

(2) the denominator of which shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the time of such issuance or the close of business on such record date plus the number of shares of Common Stock issuable in payment of such dividend or distribution.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) if such record date shall have been fixed and such dividend is not fully paid or if such distribution is not fully made on the date fixed therefor, the Conversion Price for each series of Preferred Stock shall be recomputed accordingly as of the close of business on such record date and thereafter such Conversion Price shall be adjusted pursuant to this Section 4.6 as of the time of actual payment of such dividends or distributions; and (b) no such adjustment shall be made if the holders of Preferred Stock simultaneously receive a dividend or other distribution of shares of Common Stock in a number equal to the number of shares of Common Stock as they would have received if all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock had been converted into Common Stock on the date of such event.

4.7 Adjustments for Other Dividends and Distributions. In the event the Corporation at any time or from time to time after the Effective Time shall make or issue, or fix a record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive, a dividend or other distribution payable in securities of the Corporation (other than a distribution of shares of Common Stock in respect of outstanding shares of Common Stock) or in other property and the provisions of Section 1 do not apply to such dividend or distribution, then and in each such event the holders of Preferred Stock shall receive, simultaneously with the distribution to the holders of Common Stock, a dividend or other distribution of such securities or other property in an amount equal to the amount of such securities or other property as they would have received if all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock had been converted into Common Stock on the date of such event.

4.8 Adjustment for Merger or Reorganization, etc. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, if there shall occur any reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, consolidation or merger involving the Corporation in which the Common Stock (but not the Preferred Stock) is converted into or exchanged for securities, cash or other property (other than a transaction covered by Sections 4.4, 4.6 or 4.7), then, following any such reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, consolidation or merger, each share of Preferred Stock shall thereafter be convertible in lieu of the Common Stock into which it was convertible prior to such event into the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation issuable upon conversion of one share of Preferred Stock immediately prior to such reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, consolidation or merger would have been entitled to receive pursuant to such transaction; and, in such case, appropriate adjustment (as determined in good faith by the Board) shall be made in the application of the provisions in this Section 4 with respect to the rights and interests thereafter of the holders of the Preferred Stock, to the end that the provisions set forth in this Section 4 (including provisions with respect to changes in and other adjustments of each Conversion Price) shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to any securities or other property thereafter deliverable upon the conversion of the Preferred Stock.

4.9 Certificate as to Adjustments. Upon the occurrence of each adjustment or readjustment of the Conversion Price of any series of Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 4, the Corporation at its expense shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable but in any event not later than 10 days thereafter, compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and furnish to each holder of such series of Preferred Stock a certificate setting forth such adjustment or readjustment (including the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property into which of such series of Preferred Stock is convertible) and showing in detail

 

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the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based. The Corporation shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the written request at any time of any holder of Preferred Stock (but in any event not later than 10 days thereafter), furnish or cause to be furnished to such holder a certificate setting forth (i) the Conversion Price for such series of Preferred Stock then in effect, and (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock and the amount, if any, of other securities, cash or property which then would be received upon the conversion of each share of each series Preferred Stock.

4.10 Notice of Record Date. In the event:

(a) the Corporation shall take a record of the holders of its Common Stock (or other capital stock or securities at the time issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock) for the purpose of entitling or enabling them to receive any dividend or other distribution, or to receive any right to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or any other securities, or to receive any other security; or

(b) of any capital reorganization of the Corporation, any reclassification of the Common Stock of the Corporation, or any Deemed Liquidation Event; or

(c) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Corporation,

then, and in each such case, the Corporation will send or cause to be sent to the holders of the Preferred Stock a notice specifying, as the case may be, (i) the record date for such dividend, distribution or right, and the amount and character of such dividend, distribution or right, or (ii) the effective date on which such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is proposed to take place, and the time, if any is to be fixed, as of which the holders of record of Common Stock (or such other capital stock or securities at the time issuable upon the conversion of the Preferred Stock) shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock (or such other capital stock or securities) for securities or other property deliverable upon such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, and the amount per share and character of such exchange applicable to the Preferred Stock and the Common Stock. Such notice shall be sent at least 10 days prior to the record date or effective date for the event specified in such notice.

5. Mandatory Conversion.

5.1 Trigger Events. Upon either (a) the point in time immediately prior to the closing of the sale of shares of Common Stock in a firm-commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, resulting in at least $75,000,000 of gross proceeds to the Corporation at a price per share to the public of at least 1.2 times the Series C Original Issue Price per share and in connection with such offering the Common Stock is listed for trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market’s National Market, the New York Stock Exchange or another exchange or marketplace approved the Board (a “Qualified IPO”) or (b) the date and time, or the occurrence of an event, specified by vote or written consent of the Requisite Holders (the time of such closing or the date and time specified or the time of the event specified in such vote or written consent is referred to herein as the “Mandatory Conversion Time”), then (i) all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock shall automatically be converted into shares of Common Stock, at the then effective conversion rate as calculated pursuant to Section 4.1.1 and (ii) such shares may not be reissued by the Corporation.

 

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5.2 Procedural Requirements. All holders of record of shares of Preferred Stock shall be sent written notice of the Mandatory Conversion Time and the place designated for mandatory conversion of all such shares of Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 5. Such notice need not be sent in advance of the occurrence of the Mandatory Conversion Time. Upon receipt of such notice, each holder of shares of Preferred Stock in certificated form shall surrender his, her or its certificate or certificates for all such shares (or, if such holder alleges that such certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, a lost certificate affidavit and agreement reasonably acceptable to the Corporation to indemnify the Corporation against any claim that may be made against the Corporation on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of such certificate) to the Corporation at the place designated in such notice. If so required by the Corporation, any certificates surrendered for conversion shall be endorsed or accompanied by written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Corporation, duly executed by the registered holder or by his, her or its attorney duly authorized in writing. All rights with respect to the Preferred Stock converted pursuant to Section 5.1, including the rights, if any, to receive notices and vote (other than as a holder of Common Stock), will terminate at the Mandatory Conversion Time (notwithstanding the failure of the holder or holders thereof to surrender any certificates at or prior to such time), except only the rights of the holders thereof, upon surrender of any certificate or certificates of such holders (or lost certificate affidavit and agreement) therefor, to receive the items provided for in the next sentence of this Section 5.2. As soon as practicable after the Mandatory Conversion Time and, if applicable, the surrender of any certificate or certificates (or lost certificate affidavit and agreement) for Preferred Stock, the Corporation shall (a) issue and deliver to such holder, or to his, her or its nominees, a certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable on such conversion in accordance with the provisions hereof and (b) pay any declared but unpaid dividends on the shares of Preferred Stock converted. Such converted Preferred Stock shall be retired and cancelled and may not be reissued as shares of such series, and the Corporation may thereafter take such appropriate action (without the need for stockholder action) as may be necessary to reduce the authorized number of shares of Preferred Stock accordingly.

6. Redemption. The Preferred Stock is not redeemable upon demand by the holders of the Preferred Stock except in accordance with Subsection 2.3.2(b).

7. Redeemed or Otherwise Acquired Shares. Any shares of Preferred Stock that are redeemed, converted or otherwise acquired by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries shall be automatically and immediately cancelled and retired and shall not be reissued, sold or transferred. Neither the Corporation nor any of its subsidiaries may exercise any voting or other rights granted to the holders of Preferred Stock following redemption, conversion or acquisition.

8. Waiver. Except as otherwise set forth herein, (a) any of the rights, powers, preferences and other terms of the Preferred Stock set forth herein may be waived on behalf of all holders of Preferred Stock by the affirmative written consent or vote of the Requisite Holders and (b) at any time more than one series of Preferred Stock is issued and outstanding, any of the rights, powers, preferences and other terms of any series of Preferred Stock set forth herein may be waived on behalf of all holders of such series of Preferred Stock by the affirmative written consent or vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares of such series of Preferred Stock then outstanding; provided however that any holder of Preferred Stock may waive its rights hereunder on such holder’s own behalf without the consent of any other party.

 

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9. Notices. Any notice required or permitted by the provisions of this Article Fourth to be given to a holder of shares of Preferred Stock shall be mailed, postage prepaid, to the post office address last shown on the records of the Corporation, or given by electronic communication in compliance with the provisions of the General Corporation Law, and shall be deemed sent upon such mailing or electronic transmission.

FIFTH: Subject to any additional vote required by this Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, in furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board is expressly authorized to make, repeal, alter, amend and rescind any or all of the Bylaws of the Corporation.

SIXTH: Subject to any additional vote required by this Certificate of Incorporation, the number of directors of the Corporation shall be determined in the manner set forth in the Bylaws of the Corporation. Each director shall be entitled to one vote on each matter presented to the Board.

SEVENTH: Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Corporation shall so provide.

EIGHTH: Meetings of stockholders may be held within or without the State of Delaware, as the Bylaws of the Corporation may provide. The books of the Corporation may be kept outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board or in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

NINTH: To the fullest extent permitted by law, 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 General Corporation Law or any other law of the State of Delaware is amended after approval by the stockholders of this Article Ninth 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 General Corporation Law as so amended.

Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article Ninth by the stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation 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.

TENTH: The following indemnification provisions shall apply to the persons enumerated below.

 

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1. Right to Indemnification of Directors and Officers. The Corporation shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person (an “Indemnified Person”) who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that such person, or a person for whom such person is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Person in such Proceeding. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in Section 3 of this Article Tenth the Corporation shall be required to indemnify an Indemnified Person in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Indemnified Person only if the commencement of such Proceeding (or part thereof) by the Indemnified Person was authorized in advance by the Board.

2. Prepayment of Expenses of Directors and Officers. The Corporation shall pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an Indemnified Person in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that, to the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Indemnified Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article Tenth or otherwise.

3. Claims by Directors and Officers. If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article Tenth is not paid in full within 30 days after a written claim therefor by the Indemnified Person has been received by the Corporation, the Indemnified Person may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the Indemnified Person is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable law.

4. Indemnification of Employees and Agents. The Corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made or is otherwise involved in any Proceeding by reason of the fact that such person, or a person for whom such person is the legal representative, is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation or, while an employee or agent of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding. The ultimate determination of entitlement to indemnification of persons who are non-director or officer employees or agents shall be made in such manner as is determined by the Board in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Corporation shall not be required to indemnify a person in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such person if the Proceeding was not authorized in advance by the Board.

5. Advancement of Expenses of Employees and Agents. The Corporation may pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an employee or agent in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board.

 

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6. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Article Tenth shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws of the Corporation, or any agreement, or pursuant to any vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

7. Other Indemnification. The Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer or employee of another Corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, organization or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other Corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, organization or other enterprise.

8. Insurance. The Board may, to the full extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists, or may hereafter be amended from time to time, authorize an appropriate officer or officers to purchase and maintain at the Corporation’s expense insurance: (a) to indemnify the Corporation for any obligation which it incurs as a result of the indemnification of directors, officers and employees under the provisions of this Article Tenth; and (b) to indemnify or insure directors, officers and employees against liability in instances in which they may not otherwise be indemnified by the Corporation under the provisions of this Article Tenth.

9. Amendment or Repeal. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article Tenth shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification. The rights provided hereunder shall inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Person and such person’s heirs, executors and administrators.

ELEVENTH: The Corporation renounces, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any interest or expectancy of the Corporation in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any Excluded Opportunity. An “Excluded Opportunity” is any matter, transaction or interest that is presented to, or acquired, created or developed by, or which otherwise comes into the possession of (i) any director of the Corporation who is not an employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, or (ii) any holder of Preferred Stock or any partner, member, director, stockholder, employee, affiliate or agent of any such holder, other than someone who is an employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries (collectively, the persons referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) are “Covered Persons”), unless such matter, transaction or interest is presented to, or acquired, created or developed by, or otherwise comes into the possession of, a Covered Person expressly and solely in such Covered Person’s capacity as a director of the Corporation while such Covered Person is performing services in such capacity. Any repeal or modification of this Article Eleventh will only be prospective and will not affect the rights under this Article Eleventh in effect at the time of the occurrence of any actions or omissions to act giving rise to liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the Requisite Holders, will be required to amend or repeal, or to adopt any provisions inconsistent with this Article Eleventh.

 

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TWELFTH: Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, (a) the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine; and (b) subject to the preceding provisions of this Article Twelfth, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of clause (a) of the immediately preceding sentence is filed in a court other than the courts in the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the provisions of clause (a) of the immediately preceding sentence and (y) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder. If any provision or provisions of this Article Twelfth 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 Twelfth (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article Twelfth 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.

THIRTEENTH: Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternate forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any security of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to this Article Thirteenth.

FOURTEENTH: For purposes of Section 500 of the California Corporations Code (to the extent applicable), in connection with any repurchase of shares of Common Stock permitted under this Certificate of Incorporation from employees, officers, directors or consultants of the Corporation in connection with a termination of employment or services pursuant to agreements or arrangements approved by the Board (in addition to any other consent required under this Certificate of Incorporation), such repurchase may be made without regard to any “preferential dividends arrears amount” or “preferential rights amount” (as those terms are defined in Section 500 of the California Corporations Code). Accordingly, for purposes of making any calculation under California Corporations Code Section 500 in connection with such repurchase, the amount of any “preferential dividends arrears amount” or “preferential rights amount” (as those terms are defined therein) shall be deemed to be zero (0).

*    *    *

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Certificate of Incorporation has been executed by a duly authorized officer of this corporation on this 29th of January, 2021.

 

By:  

/s/ Senthil Sundaram

  Senthil Sundaram,
  Chief Executive Officer
1065 East Hillsdale Blvd., Suite 100
Foster City, CA 94404
EX-3.3

Exhibit 3.3

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the Delaware General Corporation Law, hereby certifies as follows:

The name of this corporation is Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The date on which and the jurisdiction where this corporation was first formed, incorporated, created or otherwise came into being was December 9, 2016 in the Cayman Islands. In accordance with Section 388 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, this corporation became domesticated as a corporation in the State of Delaware by filing a certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on December 29, 2020.

The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242, 245 and 228 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

The text of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as heretofore amended or supplemented is hereby restated and further amended to read in its entirety as set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be effective as of [•] a.m. Eastern Time on [•], 2021.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been signed this [•] day of [•], 2021.

 

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
By:  

 

  Senthil Sundaram
  Chief Executive Officer


EXHIBIT A

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the corporation is Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE II

REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE AND DURATION

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law. The Corporation is to have a perpetual existence.

ARTICLE IV

CAPITAL STOCK

Section 1. This Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of capital stock which shall be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 160,000,000, of which 150,000,000 shares shall be Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares shall be Preferred Stock. The Common Stock shall have a par value of $0.0001 per share and the Preferred Stock shall have a par value of $0.0001 per share. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, the number of authorized shares of any of the Common Stock or Preferred 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 in voting power of the stock of the Corporation with the power to vote thereon irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law or any successor provision thereof, and no vote of the holders of any of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock voting separately as a class shall be required therefor.

Section 2. Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) is hereby authorized to provide from time to time by resolution or resolutions for the creation and issuance, out of the authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock, of one or more series of Preferred Stock by filing a certificate (a “Certificate of Designation”) pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, setting forth such resolution and, with respect to each such series, establishing

 

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the designation of such series and the number of shares to be included in such series and fixing the voting powers (full or limited, or no voting power), preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of the shares of each such series. 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 so authorized in accordance with this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Designation establishing a series of Preferred Stock, the Board of Directors may, by resolution or resolutions, increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of such series and, if the number of shares of such series shall be so decreased, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.

ARTICLE V

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation it is further provided that:

Section 1.

(a) The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation shall be vested in the Board of Directors. The number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be fixed exclusively by one or more resolutions adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise expressly delegated by resolution of the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power and authority to appoint and remove officers of the Corporation.

(b) Other than any directors elected by the separate vote of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, the Board of Directors shall be and is divided into three classes, designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, as nearly equal in number as possible. Directors shall be assigned to each class in accordance with a resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors. At the first annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Qualifying Record Date”), the term of office of the Class I directors shall expire and Class I directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the second annual meeting of stockholders following the Qualifying Record Date, the term of office of the Class II directors shall expire and Class II directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the third annual meeting of stockholders following the Qualifying Record Date, the term of office of the Class III directors

 

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shall expire and Class III directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, at each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected for a full term of three years to succeed the directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual meeting.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article V, Section 1(b), each director shall serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

(c) Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the Board of Directors or any individual director may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting power of all the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation with the power to vote at an election of directors (the “Voting Stock”).

(d) Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation or removal and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by the stockholders, and except as otherwise provided by law, be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and shall not be filled by the stockholders. Any director appointed in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of the class to which the director shall have been appointed and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

Section 2.

(a) In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to make, alter or repeal Bylaws of the Corporation. In addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any Certificate of Designation in respect of one or more series of Preferred Stock), the adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the Corporation by the stockholders of the Corporation shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of the Voting Stock, voting together as a single class.

(b) The directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.

 

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ARTICLE VI

STOCKHOLDERS

Section 1. Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, and the taking of any action by written consent of the stockholders in lieu of a meeting of the stockholders is specifically denied.

Section 2. Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called, for any purpose or purposes, at any time by the Board of Directors, but such special meetings may not be called by stockholders or any other person or persons.

Section 3. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of other business proposed to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation.

ARTICLE VII

LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION

Section 1. To the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, 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 Delaware General Corporation Law is amended after approval by the stockholders of this Article VII 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 Delaware General Corporation Law as so amended, automatically and without further action, upon the date of such amendment.

Section 2. The Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by law, shall indemnify and advance expenses to any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action, suit 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 or officer of the Corporation or any predecessor of the Corporation, or serves or served at any other enterprise as a director or officer at the request of the Corporation or any predecessor to the Corporation.

Section 3. The Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by law, may indemnify and advance expenses to any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action, suit 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 an employee or agent of the Corporation or any predecessor of the Corporation, or serves or served at any other enterprise as an employee or agent at the request of the Corporation or any predecessor to the Corporation.

 

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Section 4. Neither any amendment nor repeal of this Article VII, nor the adoption by amendment of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of any provision inconsistent with this Article VII, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article VII in respect of any matter occurring, or any action or proceeding accruing or arising (or that, but for this Article VII, would accrue or arise) prior to such amendment or repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision.

ARTICLE VIII

EXCLUSIVE FORUM

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, (a) the Court of Chancery (the “Chancery Court”) of the State of Delaware (or, in the event that the Chancery Court does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware or other state courts of the State of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action, suit or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action, suit or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or to the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action, suit or proceeding arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or the bylaws of the Corporation or this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as either may be amended from time to time) or (iv) any action, suit or proceeding asserting a claim against the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine; and (b) subject to the preceding provisions of this Article VIII, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of clause (a) of the immediately preceding sentence is filed in a court other than the courts in the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the provisions of clause (a) of the immediately preceding sentence and (y) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any security of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to this Article VIII. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Article VIII shall not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any other claim for which the federal courts of the United States have exclusive jurisdiction.

If any provision or provisions of this Article VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever, (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Article VIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

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ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the Voting Stock required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any Certificate of Designation in respect of one or more series of Preferred Stock), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal Articles V, VI, VII and VIII and this Article IX.

* * * *

 

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EX-3.5

Exhibit 3.5

Amended and Restated Bylaws of

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(a Delaware corporation)


Table of Contents

 

     Page  

Article I - Corporate Offices

     1  

1.1

  Registered Office      1  

1.2

  Other Offices      1  

Article II - Meetings of Stockholders

     1  

2.1

  Place of Meetings      1  

2.2

  Annual Meeting      1  

2.3

  Special Meeting      1  

2.4

  Advance Notice Procedures for Business Brought before a Meeting      2  

2.5

  Advance Notice Procedures for Nominations of Directors      5  

2.6

  Notice of Stockholders’ Meetings      7  

2.7

  Manner of Giving Notice; Affidavit of Notice      7  

2.8

  Quorum      8  

2.9

  Adjourned Meeting; Notice      8  

2.10

  Conduct of Business      8  

2.11

  Voting      8  

2.12

  Record Date for Stockholder Meetings and Other Purposes      9  

2.13

  Proxies      9  

2.14

  List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote      10  

2.15

  Inspectors of Election      10  

Article III - Directors

     11  

3.1

  Powers      11  

3.2

  Number of Directors      11  

3.3

  Election, Qualification and Term of Office of Directors      11  

3.4

  Resignation and Vacancies      11  

3.5

  Place of Meetings; Meetings by Telephone      12  

3.6

  Regular Meetings      12  

3.7

  Special Meetings; Notice      12  

3.8

  Quorum      12  

3.9

  Board Action by Written Consent without a Meeting      13  

3.10

  Fees and Compensation of Directors      13  

Article IV - Committees

     13  

4.1

  Committees of Directors      13  

4.2

  Committee Minutes      13  

4.3

  Meetings and Action of Committees      13  

Article V - Officers

     14  

5.1

  Officers      14  

5.2

  Appointment of Officers      14  

5.3

  Subordinate Officers      14  

5.4

  Removal and Resignation of Officers      15  

5.5

  Vacancies in Offices      15  

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

     Page  

5.6

  Representation of Shares of Other Corporations      15  

5.7

  Authority and Duties of Officers      15  

Article VI - Records

     15  

Article VII - General Matters

     16  

7.1

  Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments      16  

7.2

  Stock Certificates; Partly Paid Shares      16  

7.3

  Lost Certificates      16  

7.4

  Shares Without Certificates      16  

7.5

  Construction; Definitions      16  

7.6

  Dividends      17  

7.7

  Fiscal Year      17  

7.8

  Seal      17  

7.9

  Transfer of Stock      17  

7.10

  Stock Transfer Agreements      17  

7.11

  Registered Stockholders      17  

7.12

  Waiver of Notice      18  

Article VIII - Notice by Electronic Transmission

     18  

8.1

  Notice by Electronic Transmission      18  

8.2

  Definition of Electronic Transmission      19  

Article IX - Indemnification

     19  

9.1

  Indemnification of Directors and Officers      19  

9.2

  Indemnification of Others      19  

9.3

  Prepayment of Expenses      20  

9.4

  Determination; Claim      20  

9.5

  Non-Exclusivity of Rights      20  

9.6

  Insurance      20  

9.7

  Other Indemnification      20  

9.8

  Continuation of Indemnification      20  

9.9

  Amendment or Repeal; Interpretation      21  

Article X - Amendments

     21  

Article XI - Forum Selection

     22  

 

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Amended and Restated Bylaws of

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

 

 

Article I - Corporate Offices

1.1 Registered Office.

The address of the registered office of Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware, and the name of its registered agent at such address, shall be as set forth in the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation, as the same may be amended and/or restated from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”).

1.2 Other Offices.

The Corporation may have additional offices at any place or places, within or outside the State of Delaware, as the Corporation’s board of directors (the “Board”) may from time to time establish or as the business of the Corporation may require.

Article II - Meetings of Stockholders

2.1 Place of Meetings.

Meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, if any, within or outside the State of Delaware, designated by the Board. The Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211(a)(2) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). In the absence of any such designation or determination, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the Corporation’s principal executive office.

2.2 Annual Meeting.

The Board shall designate the date and time of the annual meeting. At the annual meeting, directors shall be elected and other proper business properly brought before the meeting in accordance with Section 2.4 may be transacted.

2.3 Special Meeting.

Special meetings of the stockholders may be called only by such Persons and only in such manner as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation. As used in these bylaws, “Person” means any individual, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation, trust, business trust, joint stock company, joint venture, unincorporated association, cooperative or association or any other legal entity or organization of whatever nature, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

No business may be transacted at any special meeting of stockholders other than the business specified in the notice of such meeting.


2.4 Advance Notice Procedures for Business Brought before a Meeting.

(i) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (a) specified in a notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Board, (b) if not specified in a notice of meeting, otherwise brought before the meeting by the Board or the chairperson of the meeting, or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder present in Person who (A)(1) was a stockholder of the Corporation both at the time of giving the notice provided for in this Section 2.4 and at the time of the meeting, (2) is entitled to vote at the meeting and (3) has complied with this Section 2.4 or (B) properly made such proposal in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (as so amended and inclusive of such rules and regulations, the “Exchange Act”), which proposal has been included in the proxy statement for the annual meeting. The foregoing clause (c) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to propose business to be brought before an annual meeting of the stockholders. The only matters that may be brought before a special meeting are the matters specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Person calling the meeting pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation and Section 2.3 of these bylaws. For purposes of this Section 2.4 and Section 2.5 of these bylaws, “present in Person” shall mean that the stockholder proposing that the business be brought before the annual or special meeting of the Corporation, or, if the proposing stockholder is not an individual, a qualified representative of such proposing stockholder, appear at such annual meeting, and a “qualified representative” of such proposing stockholder shall be, if such proposing stockholder is (x) a general or limited partnership, any general partner or Person who functions as a general partner of the general or limited partnership or who controls the general or limited partnership, (y) a corporation or a limited liability company, any officer or Person who functions as an officer of the corporation or limited liability company or any officer, director, general partner or Person who functions as an officer, director or general partner of any entity ultimately in control of the corporation or limited liability company or (z) a trust, any trustee of such trust. This Section 2.4 shall apply to any business that may be brought before an annual or special meeting of stockholders other than nominations for election to the Board at an annual meeting, which shall be governed by Section 2.5 of these bylaws. Stockholders seeking to nominate Persons for election to the Board must comply with Section 2.5 of these bylaws, and this Section 2.4 shall not be applicable to nominations for election to the Board except as expressly provided in Section 2.5 of these bylaws.

(ii) Without qualification, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must (a) provide Timely Notice (as defined below) thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation and (b) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.4. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the one-year anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered, or mailed and received, not later than the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or, if later, the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was first made (such notice within such time periods, “Timely Notice”). In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of Timely Notice as described above.

(iii) To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 2.4, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth:

 

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(a) As to each Proposing Person (as defined below), (A) the name and address of such Proposing Person (including, if applicable, the name and address that appear on the Corporation’s books and records); and (B) the number of shares of each class or series of stock of the Corporation that are, directly or indirectly, owned of record or beneficially owned (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) by such Proposing Person, except that such Proposing Person shall in all events be deemed to beneficially own any shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation as to which such Proposing Person has a right to acquire beneficial ownership at any time in the future (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (A) and (B) are referred to as “Stockholder Information”);

(b) As to each Proposing Person, (A) the full notional amount of any securities that, directly or indirectly, underlie any “derivative security” (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(c) under the Exchange Act) that constitutes a “call equivalent position” (as such term is defined in Rule 16a-1(b) under the Exchange Act) (“Synthetic Equity Position”) and that is, directly or indirectly, held or maintained by such Proposing Person with respect to any shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation; provided that, for the purposes of the definition of “Synthetic Equity Position,” the term “derivative security” shall also include any security or instrument that would not otherwise constitute a “derivative security” as a result of any feature that would make any conversion, exercise or similar right or privilege of such security or instrument becoming determinable only at some future date or upon the happening of a future occurrence, in which case the determination of the amount of securities into which such security or instrument would be convertible or exercisable shall be made assuming that such security or instrument is immediately convertible or exercisable at the time of such determination; and, provided, further, that any Proposing Person satisfying the requirements of Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act (other than a Proposing Person that so satisfies Rule 13d-1(b)(1) under the Exchange Act solely by reason of Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E)) shall not be deemed to hold or maintain the notional amount of any securities that underlie a Synthetic Equity Position held by such Proposing Person as a hedge with respect to a bona fide derivatives trade or position of such Proposing Person arising in the ordinary course of such Proposing Person’s business as a derivatives dealer, (B) any rights to dividends on the shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation owned beneficially by such Proposing Person that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (C) any material pending or threatened legal proceeding in which such Proposing Person is a party or material participant involving the Corporation or any of its officers or directors, or any affiliate of the Corporation, (D) any other material relationship between such Proposing Person, on the one hand, and the Corporation or any affiliate of the Corporation, on the other hand, (E) any direct or indirect material interest in any material contract or agreement of such Proposing Person with the Corporation or any affiliate of the Corporation (including, in any such case, any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement) and (F) any other information relating to such Proposing Person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies or consents by such Proposing Person in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (A) through (F) are referred to as “Disclosable Interests”); provided, however, that Disclosable Interests shall not include any such disclosures with respect to the ordinary course business activities of any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a Proposing Person solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner; and

 

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(c) As to each item of business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting, (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting and any material interest in such business of each Proposing Person, (B) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration), (C) a reasonably detailed description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings (x) between or among any of the Proposing Persons or (y) between or among any Proposing Person and any other Person or entity (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder and (D) any other information relating to such item of business that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies in support of the business proposed to be brought before the meeting pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that the disclosures required by this Section 2.4(iii) shall not include any disclosures with respect to any broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee who is a Proposing Person solely as a result of being the stockholder directed to prepare and submit the notice required by these bylaws on behalf of a beneficial owner.

(iv) For purposes of this Section 2.4, the term “Proposing Person shall mean (a) the stockholder providing the notice of business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting, (b) the beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf the notice of the business proposed to be brought before the annual meeting is made, (c) any participant (as defined in paragraphs (a)(ii)-(vi) of Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A) with such stockholder in such solicitation or (d) any associate (within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act for the purposes of these bylaws) of such stockholder, beneficial owner or any other participant.

(v) A Proposing Person shall update and supplement its notice to the Corporation of its intent to propose business at an annual meeting, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be true and correct as of the record date for notice of the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for notice of the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof).

(vi) Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual meeting that is not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 2.4. The presiding officer of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that the business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 2.4, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

(vii) In addition to the requirements of this Section 2.4 with respect to any business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting, each Proposing Person shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to any such business. Nothing in this Section 2.4 shall be deemed to affect the rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.

 

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(viii) For purposes of these bylaws, “public disclosure” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

2.5 Advance Notice Procedures for Nominations of Directors.

(i) Nominations of any Person for election to the Board at an annual meeting may be made at such meeting only (a) by or at the direction of the Board, including by any committee or Persons authorized to do so by the Board or these bylaws, or (b) by a stockholder present in Person (as defined in Section 2.4) (1) who was a beneficial owner of shares of the Corporation both at the time of giving the notice provided for in this Section 2.5 and at the time of the meeting, (2) is entitled to vote at the meeting and (3) has complied with this Section 2.5 as to such notice and nomination. The foregoing clause (b) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make any nomination of a Person or Persons for election to the Board at any annual meeting of stockholders.

(ii) Without qualification, for a stockholder to make any nomination of a Person or Persons for election to the Board at an annual meeting, the stockholder must (a) provide Timely Notice (as defined in Section 2.4(ii) of these bylaws) thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation, (b) provide the information, agreements and questionnaires with respect to such stockholder and its candidate for nomination as required to be set forth by this Section 2.5, and (c) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.5. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(iii) To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 2.5, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth:

(a) As to each Nominating Person (as defined below), the Stockholder Information (as defined in Section 2.4(iii)(a) of these bylaws) except that for purposes of this Section 2.5, the term “Nominating Person” shall be substituted for the term “Proposing Person” in all places it appears in Section 2.4(iii)(a);

(b) As to each Nominating Person, any Disclosable Interests (as defined in Section 2.4(iii)(b), except that for purposes of this Section 2.5 the term “Nominating Person” shall be substituted for the term “Proposing Person” in all places it appears in Section 2.4(iii)(b) and the disclosure with respect to the business to be brought before the meeting in Section 2.4(iii)(c) shall be made with respect to nomination of each Person for election as a director at the meeting); and

(c) As to each candidate whom a Nominating Person proposes to nominate for election as a director, (A) all information with respect to such candidate for nomination that would be required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice pursuant to this Section 2.5 if such candidate for nomination were a Nominating Person, (B) all information relating to such candidate for nomination that is required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in a

 

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contested election pursuant to Section 14(a) under the Exchange Act (including such candidate’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected), (C) a description of any direct or indirect material interest in any material contract or agreement between or among any Nominating Person, on the one hand, and each candidate for nomination or his or her respective associates or any other participants in such solicitation, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 under Regulation S-K if such Nominating Person were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the candidate for nomination were a director or executive officer of such registrant (the disclosures to be made pursuant to the foregoing clauses (A) through (C) are referred to as “Nominee Information”), and (D) a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement as provided in Section 2.5(vi).

(iv) For purposes of this Section 2.5, the term “Nominating Person shall mean (a) the stockholder providing the notice of the nomination proposed to be made at the meeting, (b) the beneficial owner or beneficial owners, if different, on whose behalf the notice of the nomination proposed to be made at the meeting is made, (c) any other participant in such solicitation and (d) any associate of such stockholder or beneficial owner or any other participant in such solicitation.

(v) A stockholder providing notice of any nomination proposed to be made at a meeting shall further update and supplement such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice pursuant to this Section 2.5 shall be true and correct as of the record date for notice of the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for notice of the meeting (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of such record date), and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting or, if practicable, any adjournment or postponement thereof (and, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the date to which the meeting has been adjourned or postponed) (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof).

(vi) To be eligible to be a candidate for election as a director of the Corporation at an annual meeting, a candidate must be nominated in the manner prescribed in this Section 2.5 and the candidate for nomination, whether nominated by the Board or by a stockholder of record, must have previously delivered (in accordance with the time period prescribed for delivery in a notice to such candidate given by or on behalf of the Board), to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, (a) a completed written questionnaire (in the form provided by the Corporation) with respect to the background, qualifications, stock ownership and independence of such candidate for nomination and (b) a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Corporation) that such candidate for nomination (A) is not, and will not become a party to, any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any Person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation or reimbursement for service as a director of the Corporation that has not been disclosed therein and (B) if elected as a director of the Corporation, will comply with all applicable corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality, stock ownership and trading and other policies and guidelines of the Corporation applicable to all directors and in effect during such Person’s term in office as a director (and, if requested by any candidate for nomination, the Secretary of the Corporation shall provide to such candidate for nomination all such policies and guidelines then in effect).

 

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(vii) The Board may also require any proposed candidate for nomination as a Director to furnish such other information as may reasonably be requested by the Board in writing prior to the meeting of stockholders at which such candidate’s nomination is to be acted upon in order for the Board to determine the eligibility of such candidate for nomination to be an independent director of the Corporation.

(viii) In addition to the requirements of this Section 2.5 with respect to any nomination proposed to be made at a meeting, each Proposing Person shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to any such nominations.

(ix) No candidate shall be eligible for nomination as a director of the Corporation unless such candidate for nomination and the Nominating Person seeking to place such candidate’s name in nomination has complied with this Section 2.5, as applicable. The presiding officer at the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that a nomination was not properly made in accordance with this Section 2.5, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare such determination to the meeting, the defective nomination shall be disregarded and any ballots cast for the candidate in question (but in the case of any form of ballot listing other qualified nominees, only the ballots case for the nominee in question) shall be void and of no force or effect.

(x) Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, no candidate for nomination shall be eligible to be seated as a director of the Corporation unless nominated and elected in accordance with this Section 2.5.

2.6 Notice of Stockholders Meetings.

Unless otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, the notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with either Section 2.7 or Section 8.1 of these bylaws not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. The notice shall specify the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in Person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called.

2.7 Manner of Giving Notice; Affidavit of Notice.

Notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be deemed given:

(i) if mailed, when deposited in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his or her address as it appears on the Corporation’s records; or

(ii) if electronically transmitted as provided in Section 8.1 of these bylaws.

An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Corporation or of the transfer agent or any other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given by mail or by a form of electronic transmission, as applicable, shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

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2.8 Quorum.

Unless otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, the holders of a majority in voting power of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in Person, or by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders. If, however, a quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (i) the chairperson of the meeting or (ii) a majority in voting power of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, present in Person, or by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 2.9 of these bylaws until a quorum is present or represented.

2.9 Adjourned Meeting; Notice.

When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, if any, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in Person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At any adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record as of the record date so fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

2.10 Conduct of Business.

The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the Person presiding over the meeting. The Board may adopt by resolution such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and (for any or no reason) to recess and/or adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairperson, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chairperson of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (i) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (ii) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (iii) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other Persons as the chairperson of the meeting shall determine; (iv) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (v) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chairperson of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

2.11 Voting.

Except as may be otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these bylaws or the DGCL, each stockholder shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.

 

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Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, at all duly called or convened meetings of stockholders at which a quorum is present, for the election of directors, a plurality of the votes cast shall be sufficient to elect a director. Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, these bylaws, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange applicable to the Corporation, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to the Corporation or its securities, each other matter presented to the stockholders at a duly called or convened meeting at which a quorum is present shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) on such matter.

2.12 Record Date for Stockholder Meetings and Other Purposes.

In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be the close of business on the next day preceding the day on which notice is first given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting; and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance herewith at the adjourned meeting.

In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment or any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of capital stock, or for the purposes of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than sixty (60) days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

2.13 Proxies.

Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another Person or Persons to act for such stockholder by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting, but, no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three (3) years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 212 of the DGCL. A proxy may be in the form of a telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic transmission which sets forth or is submitted with information from which it can be determined that the telegram, cablegram or other means of electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder.

 

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2.14 List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote.

The Corporation shall prepare, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than ten (10) days before the date of the meeting, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth (10th) day before the meeting date), arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. The Corporation shall not be required to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the Corporation’s principal executive office. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. Such list shall presumptively determine the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and the number of shares held by each of them. Except as otherwise provided by law, the stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list of stockholders required by this Section 2.14 or to vote in Person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

2.15 Inspectors of Election.

Before any meeting of stockholders, the Corporation shall appoint an inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting or its adjournment and make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more Persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If any Person appointed as inspector or any alternate fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, then the chairperson of the meeting shall appoint a Person to fill that vacancy.

Such inspectors shall:

(i) determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting and the validity of any proxies and ballots;

(ii) count all votes or ballots;

(iii) count and tabulate all votes;

(iv) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspector(s); and

(v) certify its or their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and its or their count of all votes and ballots.

 

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Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of inspector, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspection with strict impartiality and according to the best of such inspector’s ability. Any report or certificate made by the inspectors of election is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. The inspectors of election may appoint such Persons to assist them in performing their duties as they determine.

Article III - Directors

3.1 Powers.

Except as otherwise provided by the certificate of incorporation or the DGCL, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board.

3.2 Number of Directors.

Subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, the total number of directors constituting the Board shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.

3.3 Election, Qualification and Term of Office of Directors.

Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these bylaws, each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship, shall hold office until the expiration of the term of the class, if any, for which elected and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Directors need not be stockholders. The Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws may prescribe qualifications for directors.

3.4 Resignation and Vacancies.

Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. The resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein or upon the happening of an event specified therein, and if no time or event is specified, at the time of its receipt. When one or more directors so resigns and the resignation is effective at a future date or upon the happening of an event to occur on a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office as provided in this section in the filling of other vacancies.

Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors shall be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Any director appointed in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the term of the class, if any, to which the director is appointed and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified. A vacancy in the Board shall be deemed to exist under these bylaws in the case of the death, removal or resignation of any director.

 

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3.5 Place of Meetings; Meetings by Telephone.

The Board may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, members of the Board, or any committee designated by the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all Persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting pursuant to this bylaw shall constitute presence in Person at the meeting.

3.6 Regular Meetings.

Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.

3.7 Special Meetings; Notice.

Special meetings of the Board for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by a majority of the total number of directors constituting the Board.

Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be:

(i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone;

(ii) sent by United States first-class mail, postage prepaid;

(iii) sent by facsimile or electronic mail; or

(iv) sent by other means of electronic transmission,

directed to each director at that director’s address, telephone number, facsimile number or electronic mail address, or other address for electronic transmission, as the case may be, as shown on the Corporation’s records.

If the notice is (i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone, (ii) sent by facsimile or electronic mail, or (iii) sent by other means of electronic transmission, it shall be delivered or sent at least twenty-four (24) hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is sent by U.S. mail, it shall be deposited in the U.S. mail at least four (4) days before the time of the holding of the meeting. The notice need not specify the place of the meeting (if the meeting is to be held at the Corporation’s principal executive office) nor the purpose of the meeting.

3.8 Quorum.

At all meetings of the Board, a majority of the total number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the Board, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

 

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A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.

3.9 Board Action by Written Consent without a Meeting.

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

3.10 Fees and Compensation of Directors.

Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation, including fees and reimbursement of expenses, of directors for services to the Corporation in any capacity.

Article IV - Committees

4.1 Committees of Directors.

The Board may designate one (1) or more committees, each committee to consist, of one (1) or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board may designate one (1) or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board or in these bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority to (i) approve or adopt, or recommend to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopt, amend or repeal any bylaw of the Corporation.

4.2 Committee Minutes.

Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required.

4.3 Meetings and Actions of Committees.

Meetings and actions of committees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of:

(i) Section 3.5 (place of meetings and meetings by telephone);

 

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(ii) Section 3.6 (regular meetings);

(iii) Section 3.7 (special meetings and notice);

(iv) Section 3.9 (action without a meeting); and

(v) Section 7.12 (waiver of notice),

with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board and its members. However:

(i) the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the Board or by resolution of the committee;

(ii) special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the Board or the chairperson of the applicable committee; and

(iii) the Board may adopt rules for the governance of any committee to override the provisions that would otherwise apply to the committee pursuant to this Section 4.3, provided that such rules do not violate the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law.

Article V - Officers

5.1 Officers.

The officers of the Corporation shall include a president and a secretary. The Corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board, a chairperson of the Board, a vice chairperson of the Board, a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer, a treasurer, one (1) or more vice presidents, one (1) or more assistant vice presidents, one (1) or more assistant treasurers, one (1) or more assistant secretaries, and any such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same Person.

5.2 Appointment of Officers.

The Board shall appoint the officers of the Corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 of these bylaws.

5.3 Subordinate Officers.

The Board may appoint, or empower the chief executive officer or, in the absence of a chief executive officer, the president, to appoint, such other officers and agents as the business of the Corporation may require. Each of such officers and agents shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws or as the Board may from time to time determine.

 

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5.4 Removal and Resignation of Officers.

Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board or, except in the case of an officer chosen by the Board, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the Board.

Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Corporation. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice. Unless otherwise specified in the notice of resignation, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party.

5.5 Vacancies in Offices.

Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation shall be filled by the Board or as provided in Section 5.2.

5.6 Representation of Shares of Other Corporations.

The chairperson of the Board, the chief executive officer, the president, any vice president, the treasurer, the secretary or assistant secretary of this Corporation, or any other Person authorized by the Board, the chief executive officer, the president or a vice president, is authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of this Corporation all rights incident to any and all shares or other ownership interests of any other corporation or corporations or other entity or entities standing in the name of this Corporation. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such Person directly or by any other Person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such Person having the authority.

5.7 Authority and Duties of Officers.

All officers of the Corporation shall respectively have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the business of the Corporation as may be provided herein or designated from time to time by the Board and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the control of the Board.

Article VI - Records

A stock ledger consisting of one or more records in which the names of all of the Corporation’s stockholders of record, the address and number of shares registered in the name of each such stockholder, and all issuances and transfers of stock of the corporation are recorded in accordance with Section 224 of the DGCL shall be administered by or on behalf of the Corporation. Any records administered by or on behalf of the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account and minute books, may be kept on, or by means of, or be in the form of, any information storage device, or method, or one or more electronic networks or databases (including one or more distributed electronic networks or databases), provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time and, with respect to the stock ledger, that the records so kept (i) can be used to prepare the list of stockholders specified in Sections 219 and 220 of the DGCL, (ii) record the information specified in Sections 156, 159, 217(a) and 218 of the DGCL, and (iii) record transfers of stock as governed by Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code.

 

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Article VII - General Matters

7.1 Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments.

The Board, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the Board or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

7.2 Stock Certificates.

The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board by resolution may provide that some or all of the shares of any class or series of stock of the Corporation shall be uncertificated. Certificates for the shares of stock, if any, shall be in such form as is consistent with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of stock represented by a certificate shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of the Corporation by, any two officers authorized to sign stock certificates representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. The chairperson or vice chairperson of the Board, the president, vice president, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the secretary or any assistant secretary of the Corporation shall be specifically authorized to sign stock certificates. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

7.3 Lost Certificates.

The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

7.4 Shares Without Certificates.

The Corporation may adopt a system of issuance, recordation and transfer of its shares of stock by electronic or other means not involving the issuance of certificates, provided the use of such system by the Corporation is permitted in accordance with applicable law.

7.5 Construction; Definitions.

Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural and the plural number includes the singular.

 

16


7.6 Dividends.

The Board, subject to any restrictions contained in either (i) the DGCL or (ii) the Certificate of Incorporation, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of its capital stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of the Corporation’s capital stock.

The Board may set apart out of any of the funds of the Corporation available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve. Such purposes shall include but not be limited to equalizing dividends, repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, and meeting contingencies.

7.7 Fiscal Year.

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board and may be changed by the Board.

7.8 Seal.

The Corporation may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be adopted and which may be altered by the Board. The Corporation may use the corporate seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

7.9 Transfer of Stock.

Shares of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law and in these bylaws. Shares of stock of the Corporation shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation only by the holder of record thereof or by such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, upon surrender to the Corporation of the certificate or certificates representing such shares endorsed by the appropriate Person or Persons (or by delivery of duly executed instructions with respect to uncertificated shares), with such evidence of the authenticity of such endorsement or execution, transfer, authorization and other matters as the Corporation may reasonably require, and accompanied by all necessary stock transfer stamps. No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the Corporation for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing the names of the Persons from and to whom it was transferred.

7.10 Stock Transfer Agreements.

The Corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes or series of stock of the Corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the Corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.

7.11 Registered Stockholders.

The Corporation:

(i) shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a Person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and to vote as such owner; and

 

17


(ii) shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of another Person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.

7.12 Waiver of Notice.

Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver, signed by the Person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the Person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a Person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the Person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws.

Article VIII - Notice by Electronic Transmission

8.1 Notice by Electronic Transmission.

Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders pursuant to the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if:

(i) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two (2) consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent; and

(ii) such inability becomes known to the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Corporation or to the transfer agent, or other Person responsible for the giving of notice.

However, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

Any notice given pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be deemed given:

 

  (i)

if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;

 

  (ii)

if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice;

 

  (iii)

if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice; and

 

18


  (iv)

if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder.

An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

8.2 Definition of Electronic Transmission.

An “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, including the use of, or participation in, one or more electronic networks or databases (including one or more distributed electronic networks or databases), that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

Article IX - Indemnification

9.1 Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any director or officer of the Corporation who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she, or a Person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while serving as a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, non-profit entity or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such Person in connection with any such Proceeding. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.4, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a Person in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such Person only if the Proceeding was authorized in the specific case by the Board.

9.2 Indemnification of Others.

The Corporation shall have the power to indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any employee or agent of the Corporation who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any Proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she, or a Person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was an employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, non-profit entity or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses reasonably incurred by such Person in connection with any such Proceeding.

 

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9.3 Prepayment of Expenses.

The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by any officer or director of the Corporation, and may pay the expenses incurred by any employee or agent of the Corporation, in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article IX or otherwise.

9.4 Determination; Claim.

If a claim for indemnification (following the final disposition of such Proceeding) under this Article IX is not paid in full within sixty (60) days, or a claim for advancement of expenses under this Article IX is not paid in full within thirty (30) days, after a written claim therefor has been received by the Corporation the claimant may thereafter (but not before) file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim to the fullest extent permitted by law. In any such action the Corporation shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.

9.5 Non-Exclusivity of Rights.

The rights conferred on any Person by this Article IX shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such Person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, these bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

9.6 Insurance.

The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any Person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, non-profit entity or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.

9.7 Other Indemnification.

The Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify or advance expenses to any Person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, non-profit entity or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount such Person may collect as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, non-profit entity or other enterprise.

9.8 Continuation of Indemnification.

The rights to indemnification and to prepayment of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article IX shall continue notwithstanding that the Person has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation and shall inure to the benefit of the estate, heirs, executors, administrators, legatees and distributees of such Person.

 

20


9.9 Amendment or Repeal; Interpretation.

The provisions of this Article IX shall constitute a contract between the Corporation, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, each individual who serves or has served as a director or officer of the Corporation (whether before or after the adoption of these bylaws), in consideration of such Person’s performance of such services, and pursuant to this Article IX the Corporation intends to be legally bound to each such current or former director or officer of the Corporation. With respect to current and former directors and officers of the Corporation, the rights conferred under this Article IX are present contractual rights and such rights are fully vested, and shall be deemed to have vested fully, immediately upon adoption of theses bylaws. With respect to any directors or officers of the Corporation who commence service following adoption of these bylaws, the rights conferred under this provision shall be present contractual rights and such rights shall fully vest, and be deemed to have vested fully, immediately upon such director or officer commencing service as a director or officer of the Corporation. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article IX shall not adversely affect any right or protection (i) hereunder of any Person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification or (ii) under any agreement providing for indemnification or advancement of expenses to an officer or director of the Corporation in effect prior to the time of such repeal or modification.

Any reference to an officer of the Corporation in this Article IX shall be deemed to refer exclusively to the chairperson of the Board, a vice chairperson of the Board, a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer, a treasurer appointed pursuant to Article V of these bylaws, and to any vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer or other officer of the Corporation appointed by (x) the Board pursuant to Article V of these Bylaws or (y) an officer to whom the Board has delegated the power to appoint officers pursuant to Article V of these bylaws, and any reference to an officer of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, non-profit entity or other enterprise shall be deemed to refer exclusively to an officer appointed by the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of such other entity pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws (or equivalent organizational documents) of such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, non-profit entity or other enterprise. The fact that any Person who is or was an employee of the Corporation or an employee of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, non-profit entity or other enterprise has been given or has used the title of “vice president” or any other title that could be construed to suggest or imply that such Person is or may be an officer of the Corporation or of such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, non-profit entity or other enterprise shall not result in such Person being constituted as, or being deemed to be, an officer of the Corporation or of such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, non-profit entity or other enterprise for purposes of this Article IX.

Article X - Amendments

The Board is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation. The stockholders also shall have power to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws of the Corporation; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation with the power to vote at an election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

21


Article XI - Forum Selection

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, (a) the Court of Chancery (the “Chancery Court”) of the State of Delaware (or, in the event that the Chancery Court does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware or other state courts of the State of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action, suit or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action, suit or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or stockholder of the Corporation to the Corporation or to the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action, suit or proceeding arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time) or (iv) any action, suit or proceeding asserting a claim against the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine; and (b) subject to the preceding provisions of this Article XI, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of clause (a) of the immediately preceding sentence is filed in a court other than the courts in the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the provisions of clause (a) of the immediately preceding sentence and (y) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any security of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to this Article XI. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Article XI shall not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any other claim for which the federal courts of the United States have exclusive jurisdiction.

If any provision or provisions of this Article XI shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever, (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article XI (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Article XI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

22


Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Certificate of Amendment and Restatement of Bylaws

 

 

 

The undersigned hereby certifies that she is the duly elected, qualified, and acting Secretary of Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), and that the foregoing bylaws were approved on [•], 2021, effective as of [•], 2021, by the Corporation’s board of directors.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set her hand this [•] day of [•], 2021.

 

                          

Senthil Sundaram
Secretary
EX-4.2

Exhibit 4.2

 

LOGO

THIS CERTIFIES THAT is the owner of CUSIP DATED COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED: COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A. TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR, FULLY-PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (hereinafter called the “Company”), transferable on the books of the Company in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. This Certificate and the shares represented hereby, are issued and shall be held subject to all of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and the By-Laws, as amended, of the Company (copies of which are on file with the Company and with the Transfer Agent), to all of which each holder, by acceptance hereof, assents. This Certificate is not valid unless countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar. Witness the facsimile seal of the Company and the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers. COMMON STOCK PAR VALUE $0.0001 COMMON STOCK SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS Certificate Number Shares . TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer By AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE 12/29/2020 DEL AWAR E CO R PO RATE TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. ZQ|CERT#|COY|CLS|RGSTRY|ACCT#|TRANSTYPE|RUN#|TRANS# 880881 10 7 DD-MMM-YYYY * * 000000* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 000000* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 000000* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 000000* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 000000* * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Alexander David Sample **** Mr. Sample **** Mr. Sample **000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares*** *000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares**** 000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****0 00000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****00 0000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000 000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****0000 00**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****00000 0**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000 **Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000* *Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000** Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**Shares****000000**S ***ZERO HUNDRED THOUSAND ZERO HUNDRED AND ZERO*** MR. SAMPLE & MRS. SAMPLE & MR. SAMPLE & MRS. SAMPLE ZQ00000000 Certificate Numbers 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 1234567890/1234567890 Total Transaction Num/No. 123456 Denom. 123456 Total 1234567 MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. PO BOX 505006, Louisville, KY 40233-5006 CUSIP/IDENTIFIER XXXXXX XX X Holder ID XXXXXXXXXX Insurance Value 1,000,000.00 Number of Shares 123456 DTC 12345678 123456789012345 THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERABLE IN CITIES DESIGNATED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT, AVAILABLE ONLINE AT www.computershare.com


LOGO

The IRS requires that the named transfer agent (“we”) report the cost basis of certain shares or units acquired after January 1, 2011. If your shares or units are covered by the legislation, and you requested to sell or transfer the shares or units using a specific cost basis calculation method, then we have processed as you requested. If you did not specify a cost basis calculation method, then we have defaulted to the first in, first out (FIFO) method. Please consult your tax advisor if you need additional information about cost basis. If you do not keep in contact with the issuer or do not have any activity in your account for the time period specified by state law, your property may become subject to state unclaimed property laws and transferred to the appropriate state. For value received    hereby sell, assign and transfer unto Shares Attorney Dated 20 Signature: Signature: Notice: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the certificate, in every particular, without alteration or enlargement, or any change whatever. PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE (PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING POSTAL ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE) of the common stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint to transfer the said stock on the books of the within-named Company with full power of substitution in the premises. . TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH SHAREHOLDER WHO SO REQUESTS, A SUMMARY OF THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF STOCK OF THE COMPANY AND THE QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND RIGHTS, AND THE VARIATIONS IN RIGHTS, PREFERENCES AND LIMITATIONS DETERMINED FOR EACH SERIES, WHICH ARE FIXED BY THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF THE COMPANY, AS AMENDED, AND THE RESOLUTIONS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY, AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO DETERMINE VARIATIONS FOR FUTURE SERIES. SUCH REQUEST MAY BE MADE TO THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY OR TO THE TRANSFER AGENT. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY REQUIRE THE OWNER OF A LOST OR DESTROYED STOCK CERTIFICATE, OR HIS LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES, TO GIVE THE COMPANY A BOND TO INDEMNIFY IT AND ITS TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS AGAINST ANY CLAIM THAT MAY BE MADE AGAINST THEM ON ACCOUNT OF THE ALLEGED LOSS OR DESTRUCTION OF ANY SUCH CERTIFICATE. Signature(s) Guaranteed: Medallion Guarantee Stamp THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (Banks, Stockbrokers, Savings and Loan Associations and Credit Unions) WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15. The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations: TEN COM-as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - Custodian. (Cust) (Minor) TEN ENT-as tenants by the entireties under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (State) JT TEN-as joint tenants with right of survivorship UNIF TRF MIN ACT-Custodian (until age ) and not as tenants in common (Cust) under Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (Minor) (State) Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

 

EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

February 1, 2021

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

1065 East Hillsdale Blvd., Suite 100

Foster City, California 94404

 

Re:

Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-252180) Up to 7,187,500 Shares of Common Stock of Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special counsel to Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the proposed issuance of up to 7,187,500 shares 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 January 15, 2021 (Registration No. 333–252180) (as amended, 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 General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) 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 (not less than par value) 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 DGCL.


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.” 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(a)

Exhibit 10.5(a)

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

2021 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

ARTICLE I.

PURPOSE

The Plan’s purpose is to enhance the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate persons who make (or are expected to make) important contributions to the Company by providing these individuals with equity ownership opportunities.

ARTICLE II.

DEFINITIONS

As used in the Plan, the following words and phrases have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

2.1 “Administrator” means the Board or a Committee to the extent that the Board’s powers or authority under the Plan have been delegated to such Committee. With reference to the Board’s or a Committee’s powers or authority under the Plan that have been delegated to one or more officers pursuant to Section 4.2, the term “Administrator” shall refer to such officer(s) unless and until such delegation has been revoked.

2.2 “Applicable Law” means any applicable law, including without limitation: (a) provisions of the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and any rules or regulations thereunder; (b) corporate, securities, tax or other laws, statutes, rules, requirements or regulations, whether U.S. or non-U.S. federal, state or local; and (c) rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded.

2.3 “Automatic Exercise Date” shall mean, with respect to an Option or a Stock Appreciation Right, the last business day of the applicable Option term or Stock Appreciation Right term that was initially established by the Administrator for such Option or Stock Appreciation Right (e.g., the last business day prior to the tenth anniversary of the date of grant of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right if the Option or Stock Appreciation Right initially had a ten-year Option term or Stock Appreciation Right term, as applicable).

2.4 “Award” means an Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock award, Restricted Stock Unit award, Performance Bonus Award, Performance Stock Unit award, Dividend Equivalents award or Other Stock or Cash Based Award granted to a Participant under the Plan.

2.5 “Award Agreement” means an agreement evidencing an Award, which may be written or electronic, that contains such terms and conditions as the Administrator determines, consistent with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

2.6 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.7 “Cause” means, if the Participant is a party to a written employment or consulting agreement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or an Award Agreement in which the term “cause” is defined, “Cause” shall be as defined in such agreement, or if no such agreement exists, (i) any willful, material violation by the Participant of any law or regulation applicable to the business of the Company or


a Subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company, (ii) the Participant’s conviction for, or guilty plea to, a felony (or crime of similar magnitude under Applicable Law outside the United States) or a crime involving moral turpitude, or any willful perpetration by the Participant of a common law fraud, (iii) the Participant’s commission of an act of personal dishonesty which involves personal profit in connection with the Company or any other entity having a business relationship with the Company, (iv) any material breach or violation by the Participant of any provision of any agreement or understanding between the Company or any Subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company and the Participant regarding the terms of the Participant’s service as an employee, officer, director or consultant to the Company or a Subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company, including without limitation, the willful and continued failure or refusal of the Participant to perform the material duties required of such Participant as an employee, officer, director or consultant of the Company or a Subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company, other than as a result of having a Disability, or a breach of any applicable invention assignment and confidentiality agreement or similar agreement between the Company or a Subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company and the Participant, (v) the Participant’s violation of the Company’s code of ethics, (vi) the Participant’s disregard of the policies of the Company or any Subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company so as to cause loss, harm, damage or injury to the property, reputation or employees of the Company or a Subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company, or (vii) any other misconduct by the Participant which is injurious to the financial condition or business reputation of, or is otherwise injurious to, the Company or a Subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company.

2.8 “Change in Control” means any 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) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of the Company’s securities possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; provided, however, that the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (i) any acquisition by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) any acquisition by an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) any acquisition which complies with Sections 2.8(c)(i), 2.8(c)(ii) and 2.8(c)(iii); or (iv) in respect of an Award held by a particular Participant, any acquisition by the Participant or any group of persons including the Participant (or any entity controlled by the Participant or any group of persons including the Participant);

(b) The Incumbent Directors cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board;

(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, (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) which 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;

 

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(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 2.8(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; and

(iii) after which at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or the analogous governing body) of the Successor Entity were Board members at the time of the Board’s approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such transaction; or

(d) The completion of a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award (or any portion of an Award) that provides for the deferral of compensation that is subject to Section 409A, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes under Section 409A, the transaction or event described in subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 2.8 with respect to such Award (or portion thereof) shall only constitute a Change in Control for purposes of the payment timing of such Award if such transaction also constitutes a “change in control event,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).

The Administrator shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its sole discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date 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.

2.9 “Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all regulations, guidance, compliance programs and other interpretative authority issued thereunder.

2.10 “Committee” means one or more committees or subcommittees of the Board, which may include one or more Company directors or executive officers, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law. To the extent required to comply with the provisions of Rule 16b-3, it is intended that each member of the Committee will be, at the time the Committee takes any action with respect to an Award that is subject to Rule 16b-3, a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3; however, a Committee member’s failure to qualify as a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 will not invalidate any Award granted by the Committee that is otherwise validly granted under the Plan.

2.11 “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.

2.12 “Company” means Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor.

2.13 “Consultant” means any person, including any adviser, engaged by the Company or a Subsidiary to render services to such entity if the consultant or adviser: (i) renders bona fide services to the Company or a Subsidiary; (ii) renders services not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and does not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities; and (iii) is a natural person.

2.14 “Designated Beneficiary” means, if permitted by the Company, the beneficiary or beneficiaries the Participant designates, in a manner the Company determines, to receive amounts due or exercise the Participant’s rights if the Participant dies. Without a Participant’s effective designation, “Designated Beneficiary” will mean the Participant’s estate or legal heirs.

 

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2.15 “Director” means a Board member.

2.16 “Disability” means a permanent and total disability under Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

2.17 “Dividend Equivalents” means a right granted to a Participant to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on a specified number of Shares. Such Dividend Equivalent shall be converted to cash or additional Shares, or a combination of cash and Shares, by such formula and at such time and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Administrator.

2.18 “DRO” means a “domestic relations order” as defined by the Code or Title I of the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the rules thereunder.

2.19 “Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3.

2.20 “Employee” means any employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

2.21 “Equity Restructuring” means a nonreciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split (including a reverse stock split), spin-off or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the number or kind of Shares (or other Company securities) or the share price of Common Stock (or other Company securities) and causes a change in the per share value of the Common Stock underlying outstanding Awards.

2.22 “Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and all regulations, guidance and other interpretative authority issued thereunder.

2.23 “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of a Share determined as follows: (i) if the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange, the value of a Share will be the closing sales price for a Share as quoted on such exchange for such date, or if no sale occurred on such date, the last day preceding such date during which a sale occurred, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or another source the Administrator deems reliable; (ii) if the Common Stock is not listed on an established stock exchange but is quoted on a national market or other quotation system, the value of a Share will be the closing sales price for a Share on such date, or if no sales occurred on such date, then on the last date preceding such date during which a sale occurred, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or another source the Administrator deems reliable; or (iii) if the Common Stock is not listed on any established stock exchange or quoted on a national market or other quotation system, the value established by the Administrator in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Award granted on or after the effectiveness of the Company’s registration statement relating to its initial public offering and prior to the Public Trading Date, the Fair Market Value means the initial public offering price of a Share as set forth in the Company’s final prospectus relating to its initial public offering filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

2.24 “Good Reason” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term, or term of similar effect, in any offer letter, employment, severance or similar agreement, including any Award Agreement, between the Participant and the Company; provided, that in the absence of an offer letter, employment, severance or similar agreement containing such definition, Good Reason means the occurrence of one or more of the following without the Participant’s consent: (i) a material reduction in the Participant’s base compensation, or (ii) a relocation of the principal place at which the Participant must perform services by more than 50 miles. In order to establish Good Reason, the Participant must provide the Administrator with notice of the event giving rise to Good Reason within 30 days of the occurrence of such event, the event shall remain uncured 30 days thereafter and the Participant must actually terminate services with 30 days following the end of such cure period.

 

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2.25 “Greater Than 10% Stockholder” means 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 parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company, as determined in accordance with in Section 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively.

2.26 “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that meets the requirements to qualify as an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

2.27 “Incumbent Directors” means, for any period of 12 consecutive months, 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 2.8(a) or 2.8(c)) whose election or nomination for election to the Board was approved by a vote of at least a majority (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for Director without objection to such nomination) of the Directors then still in office who either were Directors at the beginning of the 12-month period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved. No individual initially elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to Directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall be an Incumbent Director.

2.28 “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

2.29 “Option” means a right granted under Article VI to purchase a specified number of Shares at a specified price per Share during a specified time period. An Option may be either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonqualified Stock Option.

2.30 “Other Stock or Cash Based Awards” means cash awards, awards of Shares, and other awards valued wholly or partially by referring to, or are otherwise based on, Shares or other property.

2.31 “Overall Share Limit” means the sum of (i) 2,275,007 Shares; (ii) any Shares that are subject to Prior Plan Awards that become available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Article V; and (iii) an annual increase on the first day of each year beginning in 2022 and ending in 2031, equal to the lesser of (A) 5% of the Shares outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (B) such smaller number of Shares as determined by the Board or the Committee.

2.32 “Participant” means a Service Provider who has been granted an Award.

2.33 “Performance Bonus Award” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3.

2.34 “Performance Stock Unit” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 8.1 and subject to Section 8.2, to receive Shares, the payment of which is contingent upon achieving certain performance goals or other performance-based targets established by the Administrator.

2.35 “Permitted Transferee” means, with respect to a Participant, any “family member” of the Participant, as defined in the General Instructions to Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities

 

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Act (or any successor form thereto), or any other transferee specifically approved by the Administrator after taking into account Applicable Law.

2.36 “Plan” means this 2021 Incentive Award Plan.

2.37 “Prior Plan” means the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.

2.38 “Prior Plan Award” means an award outstanding under the Prior Plan as of the Effective Date.

2.39 “Public Trading Date” means 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.

2.40 “Restricted Stock” means Shares awarded to a Participant under Article VII, subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.

2.41 “Restricted Stock Unit” means an unfunded, unsecured right to receive, on the applicable settlement date, one Share or an amount in cash or other consideration determined by the Administrator to be of equal value as of such settlement date, subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.

2.42 “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

2.43 “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code.

2.44 “Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all regulations, guidance and other interpretative authority issued thereunder.

2.45 “Service Provider” means an Employee, Consultant or Director.

2.46 “Shares” means shares of Common Stock.

2.47 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right granted under Article VI to receive a payment equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a specified number of Shares on the date the right is exercised over the exercise price set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

2.48 “Subsidiary” means any entity (other than the Company), whether U.S. or non-U.S., 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.

2.49 “Substitute Awards” means Awards granted or Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, in each case by a company or other entity acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines.

2.50 “Tax-Related Items” means any U.S. and non-U.S. federal, state and/or local taxes (including, without limitation, income tax, social insurance contributions, fringe benefit tax, employment tax, stamp tax and any employer tax liability which has been transferred to a Participant) for which a Participant is liable in connection with Awards and/or Shares.

 

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2.51 “Termination of Service” means:

(a) As to a Consultant, the time when the engagement of a Participant as a Consultant to the Company or a Subsidiary 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 Subsidiary.

(b) As to a Non-Employee Director, the time when a Participant 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 Participant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary.

(c) As to an Employee, the time when the employee-employer relationship between a Participant and the Company or any Subsidiary is terminated for any reason, including, without limitation, a termination by resignation, discharge, death, disability or retirement; but excluding terminations where the Participant simultaneously commences or remains in employment or service with the Company or any Subsidiary.

The Company, in its sole discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and questions relating to any Termination of Service, including, without limitation, whether a Termination of Service has occurred, 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. For purposes of the Plan, a Participant’s employee-employer relationship or consultancy relationship shall be deemed to be terminated in the event that the Subsidiary employing or contracting with such Participant ceases to remain a Subsidiary following any merger, sale of stock or other corporate transaction or event (including, without limitation, a spin-off), even though the Participant may subsequently continue to perform services for that entity.

ARTICLE III.

ELIGIBILITY

Service Providers are eligible to be granted Awards under the Plan, subject to the limitations described herein. No Service Provider shall have any right to be granted an Award pursuant to the Plan and neither the Company nor the Administrator is obligated to treat Service Providers, Participants or any other persons uniformly.

ARTICLE IV.

ADMINISTRATION AND DELEGATION

4.1 Administration.

(a) The Plan is administered by the Administrator. The Administrator has authority to determine which Service Providers receive Awards, grant Awards and set Award terms and conditions, subject to the conditions and limitations in the Plan. The Administrator also has the authority to take all actions and make all determinations under the Plan, to interpret the Plan and Award Agreements and to adopt, amend and repeal Plan administrative rules, guidelines and practices as it deems advisable. The Administrator may correct defects and ambiguities, supply omissions, reconcile inconsistencies in the Plan or any Award and make all other determinations that it deems necessary or appropriate to administer the Plan and any Awards. The Administrator (and each member thereof) is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to it, him or her by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, 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. The Administrator’s determinations under the Plan are in its sole discretion and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or any Award.

 

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(b) Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator has the exclusive power, authority and sole discretion to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant; (iii) determine the number of Awards to be granted and the number of Shares to which an Award will relate; (iv) subject to the limitations in the Plan, determine the terms and conditions of any Award and related Award Agreement, 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, waivers or amendments thereof; (v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances an Award may be settled in, or the exercise price of an Award may be paid in cash, Shares, or other property, or an Award may be canceled, forfeited, or surrendered; and (vi) 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.

4.2 Delegation of Authority. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Board or any Committee may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more Committees or officers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that in no event shall an officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries be delegated the authority to grant Awards to, or amend Awards held by, the following individuals: (a) individuals who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or (b) officers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Directors to whom authority to grant or amend Awards has been delegated hereunder. Any delegation hereunder shall be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Board or Committee specifies at the time of such delegation or that are otherwise included in the applicable organizational documents, and the Board or Committee, as applicable, may at any time rescind the authority so delegated or appoint a new delegatee. At all times, the delegatee appointed under this Section 4.2 shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Board or the Committee, as applicable, and the Board or the Committee may abolish any committee at any time and re-vest in itself any previously delegated authority. Further, regardless of any delegation, the Board or a Committee may, in its discretion, exercise any and all rights and duties as the Administrator under the Plan delegated thereby, except with respect to Awards that are required to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee under the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded.

ARTICLE V.

STOCK AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS

5.1 Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment under Article IX and the terms of this Article V, Awards may be made under the Plan covering up to the Overall Share Limit. As of the Effective Date, the Company will cease granting awards under the Prior Plan; however, Prior Plan Awards will remain subject to the terms of the Prior Plan. Shares issued or delivered under the Plan may consist of authorized but unissued Shares, Shares purchased on the open market or treasury Shares.

5.2 Share Recycling.

(a) If all or any part of an Award or Prior Plan Award expires, lapses or is terminated, converted into an award in respect of shares of another entity in connection with a spin-off or other similar event, exchanged for cash, surrendered, repurchased, canceled without having been fully exercised or forfeited, in any case, in a manner that results in the Company acquiring Shares covered by the Award or Prior Plan Award at a price not greater than the price (as adjusted to reflect any Equity Restructuring) paid by the Participant for such Shares or not issuing any Shares covered by the Award or Prior Plan Award, the unused Shares covered by the Award or Prior Plan Award will, as applicable, become or again be available for Awards under the Plan. The payment of Dividend Equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards or Prior Plan Awards shall not count against the Overall Share Limit.

 

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(b) In addition, the following Shares shall be available for future grants of Awards: (i) Shares tendered by a Participant or withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price of an Option or any stock option granted under the Prior Plan; (ii) Shares tendered by the Participant or withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an Award or any Prior Plan Award; and (iii) 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. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5.2(b), no Shares may again be optioned, granted or awarded pursuant to an Incentive Stock Option if such action would cause such Option to fail to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.

5.3 Incentive Stock Option Limitations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no more than 19,522,824 Shares (as adjusted to reflect any Equity Restructuring) may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options.

5.4 Substitute Awards. In connection with an entity’s merger or consolidation with the Company or any Subsidiary or the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s acquisition of an entity’s property or stock, the Administrator may grant Awards in substitution for any options or other stock or stock-based awards granted before such merger or consolidation by such entity or its affiliate. Substitute Awards may be granted on such terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate, notwithstanding limitations on Awards in the Plan. Substitute Awards will not count against the Overall Share Limit (nor shall Shares subject to a Substitute Award be added to the Shares available for Awards under the Plan as provided above), except that Shares acquired by exercise of substitute Incentive Stock Options will count against the maximum number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan. Additionally, in the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary 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 appropriately adjusted to reflect the transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan (and Shares subject to such Awards may again become available for Awards under the Plan as provided under Section 5.2 above); 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 employees or directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries prior to such acquisition or combination.

5.5 Non-Employee Director Award Limit. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Plan or in any policy of the Company regarding non-employee director compensation, the sum of the grant date fair value (determined as of the grant date in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or any successor thereto) of all equity-based Awards and the maximum amount that may become payable pursuant to all cash-based Awards that may be granted to a Service Provider as compensation for services as a Non-Employee Director during any calendar year shall not exceed $1,500,000 for such Service Provider’s first year of service as a Non-Employee Director and $1,000,000 for each year thereafter.

 

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ARTICLE VI.

STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

6.1 General. The Administrator may grant Options or Stock Appreciation Rights to one or more Service Providers, subject to such terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Administrator shall determine. The Administrator will determine the number of Shares covered by each Option and Stock Appreciation Right, the exercise price of each Option and Stock Appreciation Right and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option and Stock Appreciation Right. A Stock Appreciation Right will entitle the Participant (or other person entitled to exercise the Stock Appreciation Right) to receive from the Company upon exercise of the exercisable portion of the Stock Appreciation Right an amount determined by multiplying the excess, if any, of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price per Share of the Stock Appreciation Right by the number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, subject to any limitations of the Plan or that the Administrator may impose and payable in cash, Shares valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise or a combination of the two as the Administrator may determine or provide in the Award Agreement.

6.2 Exercise Price. The Administrator will establish each Option’s and Stock Appreciation Right’s exercise price and specify the exercise price in the Award Agreement. Subject to Section 6.7, the exercise price will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the grant date of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is a Substitute Award, the exercise price per share of the Shares subject to such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, may be less than the Fair Market Value per share on the date of grant; provided that the exercise price of any Substitute Award shall be determined in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 424 and 409A of the Code.

6.3 Duration of Options. Subject to Section 6.7, each Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be exercisable at such times and as specified in the Award Agreement, provided that the term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right will not exceed ten years; provided, further, that, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or specified in the Award Agreement, (a) no portion of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right which is unexercisable at a Participant’s Termination of Service shall thereafter become exercisable and (b) the portion of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right that is unexercisable at a Participant’s Termination of Service shall automatically expire on the date of such Termination of Service. In addition, in no event shall an Option or Stock Appreciation Right granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of overtime pay under the U.S. Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 be exercisable earlier than six (6) months after its date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant, prior to the end of the term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, commits an act of “cause” (as determined by the Administrator), or violates any non-competition, non-solicitation or confidentiality provisions of any employment contract, confidentiality and nondisclosure agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the right to exercise the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as applicable, shall be terminated, unless otherwise determined by the Company, and the Company may suspend the Participant’s right to exercise the Option or Stock Appreciation Right when it reasonably believes that the Participant may have participated in any such act or violation.

6.4 Exercise. Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised by delivering to the Company (or such other person or entity designated by the Administrator) a notice of exercise, in a form and manner the Company approves (which may be written, electronic or telephonic and may contain representations and warranties deemed advisable by the Administrator), signed or authenticated by the person authorized to exercise the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, together with, as applicable, (a) payment in full of the exercise price for the number of Shares for which the Option is exercised in a manner specified in Section 6.5 and (b) satisfaction in full of any withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items in a manner specified in Section 10.5. The Administrator may, in its discretion, limit exercise with respect to fractional Shares and require that any partial exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right be with respect to a minimum number of Shares.

 

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6.5 Payment Upon Exercise. The Administrator shall determine the methods by which payment of the exercise price of an Option shall be made, including, without limitation:

(a) Cash, check or wire transfer of immediately available funds; provided that the Company may limit the use of one of the foregoing methods if one or more of the methods below is permitted;

(b) If there is a public market for Shares at the time of exercise, unless the Company otherwise determines, (A) delivery (including electronically or telephonically to the extent permitted by the Company) of a notice that the Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker acceptable to the Company with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise of the Option and that the broker has been directed to deliver promptly to the Company funds sufficient to pay the exercise price, or (B) the Participant’s delivery to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company an amount sufficient to pay the exercise price by cash, wire transfer of immediately available funds or check; provided that such amount is paid to the Company at such time as may be required by the Company;

(c) To the extent permitted by the Administrator, delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of Shares owned by the Participant valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of delivery;

(d) To the extent permitted by the Administrator, surrendering Shares then issuable upon the Option’s exercise valued at their Fair Market Value on the exercise date;

(e) To the extent permitted by the Administrator, delivery of a promissory note or any other lawful consideration; or

(f) To the extent permitted by the Administrator, any combination of the above payment forms.

6.6 Expiration of Option Term or SAR Term: Automatic Exercise of In-The-Money Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator in an Award Agreement or otherwise or as otherwise directed by a holder of Option or Stock Appreciation Rights in writing to the Company, each vested and exercisable Option and Stock Appreciation Right outstanding on the Automatic Exercise Date with an exercise price per Share that is less than the sum of the Fair Market Value per Share and the related broker’s fees (as described in Section 11.19(c)), if any, per Share as of such date shall automatically and without further action by the holder of the Option or Stock Appreciation Rights or the Company be exercised on the Automatic Exercise Date. In the sole discretion of the Administrator, payment of the exercise price of any such Option shall be made pursuant to Section 6.5(b) or 6.5(d) and the Company or any Subsidiary shall be entitled to deduct or withhold an amount sufficient to satisfy any withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items associated with such exercise in accordance with Section 10.5. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, this Section 6.6 shall not apply to an Option or Stock Appreciation Right if the holder of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right incurs a Termination of Service on or before the Automatic Exercise Date. For the avoidance of doubt, no Option or Stock Appreciation Right with an exercise price per Share that is equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value per Share on the Automatic Exercise Date shall be exercised pursuant to this Section 6.6.

 

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6.7 Additional Terms of Incentive Stock Options. The Administrator may grant Incentive Stock Options only to employees of the Company, any of its present or future parent or subsidiary corporations, as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code, respectively, and any other entities the employees of which are eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under the Code. If an Incentive Stock Option is granted to a Greater Than 10% Stockholder, the exercise price will not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value on the Option’s grant date, and the term of the Option will not exceed five years. All Incentive Stock Options (and Award Agreements related thereto) will be subject to and construed consistently with Section 422 of the Code. By accepting an Incentive Stock Option, the Participant agrees to give prompt notice to the Company of dispositions or other transfers (other than in connection with a Change in Control) of Shares acquired under the Option made within (a) two years from the grant date of the Option or (b) one year after the transfer of such Shares to the Participant, specifying the date of the disposition or other transfer and the amount the Participant realized, in cash, other property, assumption of indebtedness or other consideration, in such disposition or other transfer. Neither the Company nor the Administrator will be liable to a Participant, or any other party, if an Incentive Stock Option fails or ceases to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code. Any Incentive Stock Option or portion thereof that fails to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code for any reason, including becoming exercisable with respect to Shares having a fair market value exceeding the $100,000 limitation under Treasury Regulation Section 1.422-4, will be a Nonqualified Stock Option.

ARTICLE VII.

RESTRICTED STOCK; RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

7.1 General. The Administrator may grant Restricted Stock, or the right to purchase Restricted Stock, to any Service Provider, subject to forfeiture or the Company’s right to repurchase all or part of such shares at their issue price or other stated or formula price from the Participant if conditions the Administrator specifies in the Award Agreement are not satisfied before the end of the applicable restriction period or periods that the Administrator establishes for such Award. In addition, the Administrator may grant Restricted Stock Units, which may be subject to vesting and forfeiture conditions during the applicable restriction period or periods, as set forth in an Award Agreement, to Service Providers. The Administrator shall establish the purchase price, if any, and form of payment for Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units; 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 and Restricted Stock Units to the extent required by Applicable Law. The Award Agreement for each Award of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall set forth the terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Administrator shall determine.

7.2 Restricted Stock.

(a) Stockholder Rights. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, each Participant holding shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to all the rights of a stockholder with respect to such Shares, subject to the restrictions in the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions paid or made with respect to the Shares to the extent such dividends and other distributions have a record date that is on or after the date on which such Participant becomes the record holder of such Shares; provided, however, that with respect to a share of Restricted Stock subject to restrictions or vesting conditions, except in connection with a spin-off or other similar event as otherwise permitted under Section 9.2, dividends which are paid to Company stockholders prior to the removal of restrictions and satisfaction of vesting conditions shall only be paid to the Participant to the extent that the restrictions are subsequently removed and the vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the share of Restricted Stock vests.

 

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(b) Stock Certificates. The Company may require that the Participant deposit in escrow with the Company (or its designee) any stock certificates issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock, together with a stock power endorsed in blank.

(c) Section 83(b) Election. If a Participant 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 such Participant would otherwise be taxable under Section 83(a) of the Code, such Participant 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.

7.3 Restricted Stock Units. The Administrator may provide that settlement of Restricted Stock Units will occur upon or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Restricted Stock Units vest or will instead be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the Participant’s election, subject to compliance with Applicable Law.

ARTICLE VIII.

OTHER TYPES OF AWARDS

8.1 General. The Administrator may grant Performance Stock Unit awards, Performance Bonus Awards, Dividend Equivalents or Other Stock or Cash Based Awards, to one or more Service Providers, in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Administrator shall determine.

8.2 Performance Stock Unit Awards. Each Performance Stock Unit award shall be denominated in a number of Shares or in unit equivalents of Shares or units of value (including a dollar value of Shares) and may be linked to any one or more of performance or other specific criteria, including service to the Company or Subsidiaries, determined to be appropriate by the Administrator, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator. In making such determinations, the Administrator may consider (among such other factors as it deems relevant in light of the specific type of award) the contributions, responsibilities and other compensation of the particular Participant.

8.3 Performance Bonus Awards. Each right to receive a bonus granted under this Section 8.3 shall be denominated in the form of cash (but may be payable in cash, stock or a combination thereof) (a “Performance Bonus Award”) and shall be payable upon the attainment of performance goals that are established by the Administrator and relate to one or more of performance or other specific criteria, including service to the Company or Subsidiaries, in each case on a specified date or dates or over any period or periods determined by the Administrator.

8.4 Dividend Equivalents. If the Administrator provides, an Award (other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right) may provide a Participant with the right to receive Dividend Equivalents. Dividend Equivalents may be paid currently or credited to an account for the Participant, settled in cash or Shares and subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Award with respect to which the Dividend Equivalents are granted and subject to other terms and conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Dividend Equivalents with respect to an Award subject to vesting shall either (i) to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, not be paid or credited or (ii) be accumulated and subject to vesting to the same extent as the related Award. All such Dividend Equivalents shall be paid at such time as the Administrator shall specify in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

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8.5 Other Stock or Cash Based Awards. Other Stock or Cash Based Awards may be granted to Participants, including Awards entitling Participants to receive cash or Shares to be delivered in the future and annual or other periodic or long-term cash bonus awards (whether based on specified performance criteria or otherwise), in each case subject to any conditions and limitations in the Plan. Such Other Stock or Cash Based Awards will also be available as a payment form in the settlement of other Awards, as standalone payments and as payment in lieu of compensation to which a Participant is otherwise entitled. Other Stock or Cash Based Awards may be paid in Shares, cash or other property, as the Administrator determines. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator will determine the terms and conditions of each Other Stock or Cash Based Award, including any purchase price, performance goal(s), transfer restrictions, and vesting conditions, which will be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. Except in connection with a spin-off or other similar event as otherwise permitted under Article IX, dividends that are paid prior to vesting of any Other Stock or Cash Based Award shall only be paid to the applicable Participant to the extent that the vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied and the Other Stock or Cash Based Award vests.

ARTICLE IX.

ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK

AND CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS

9.1 Equity Restructuring(a) . In connection with any Equity Restructuring, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article IX the Administrator will equitably adjust the terms of the Plan and each outstanding Award as it deems appropriate to reflect the Equity Restructuring, which may include (i) adjusting the number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Article V hereof on the maximum number and kind of shares that may be issued); (ii) adjusting the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the performance goals or other criteria included in, outstanding Awards; and (iii) granting new Awards or making cash payments to Participants. The adjustments provided under this Section 9.1 will be nondiscretionary and final and binding on all interested parties, including the affected Participant and the Company; provided that the Administrator will determine whether an adjustment is equitable.

9.2 Corporate Transactions. In the event of any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Common Stock, other securities, or other property), reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin off, combination, amalgamation, repurchase, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, or sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or sale or exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, Change in Control, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock or other securities of the Company, other similar corporate transaction or event, other unusual or nonrecurring transaction or event affecting the Company or its financial statements or any change in any Applicable Law or accounting principles, the Administrator, 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 (except that action to give effect to a change in Applicable Law or accounting principles may be made within a reasonable period of time after such change) and either automatically or upon the Participant’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 (x) prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended by the Company to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any Award granted or issued under the Plan, (y) to facilitate such transaction or event or (z) give effect to such changes in Applicable Law or accounting principles:

(a) To provide for the cancellation of any such Award in exchange for either an amount of cash or other property with a value equal to the amount that could have been obtained upon the exercise or settlement of the vested portion of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights under the vested portion of such Award, as applicable; provided that, if the amount that could have been obtained upon the exercise or settlement of the vested portion of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, in any case, is equal to or less than zero, then the Award may be terminated without payment;

 

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(b) To provide that such Award shall vest and, to the extent applicable, be exercisable as to all Shares (or other property) covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the provisions of such Award;

(c) To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation or entity, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation or entity, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and applicable exercise or purchase price, in all cases, as determined by the Administrator;

(d) To make adjustments in the number and type of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Article V hereof on the maximum number and kind of shares which may be issued) or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in, outstanding Awards;

(e) To replace such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator; or

(f) To provide that the Award will terminate and cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after the applicable event.

9.3 Change in Control.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, except as may be provided in an applicable Award Agreement for an Award subject to performance-based vesting, in the event of a Change in Control, unless the Administrator elects to (i) terminate an Award in exchange for cash, rights or property, or (ii) cause an Award to become fully exercisable and no longer subject to any forfeiture restrictions prior to the consummation of a Change in Control, pursuant to Section 9.2, (A) such Award (other than any portion subject to performance-based vesting) 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 and (B) the portion of such Award subject to performance-based vesting shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement and, in the absence of applicable terms and conditions, the Administrator’s discretion.

(b) Except as may be provided in an applicable Award Agreement for an Award subject to performance-based vesting, in the event that the successor corporation in a Change in Control refuses to assume or substitute for an Award (other than any portion subject to performance-based vesting), the Administrator shall cause such Award to become fully vested and, if applicable, exercisable immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction and all forfeiture restrictions on such Award to lapse and, to the extent unexercised upon the consummation of such transaction, to terminate in exchange for cash, rights or other property. The Administrator shall notify the Participant of any Award that becomes exercisable pursuant to the preceding sentence that such Award shall be fully exercisable for a period of 15 days from the date of such notice, contingent upon the occurrence of the Change in Control, and such Award shall terminate upon the consummation of the Change in Control in accordance with the preceding sentence.

 

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(c) For the purposes of this Section 9.3, 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.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 9.3(a), if a Participant experiences a Termination of Service during the period beginning three months prior to and ending 12 months following the closing of a Change in Control that is effected by the Company without Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason, then, the Award(s) held by such Participant shall become fully vested and, if applicable, exercisable and all forfeiture restrictions on such Award(s) shall lapse as of immediately prior to the consummation of such Change in Control or, if later, the date of such Termination of Service.

9.4 Administrative Stand Still. 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 extraordinary transaction or change affecting the Shares or the share price of Common Stock (including any Equity Restructuring or any securities offering or other similar transaction) or for reasons of administrative convenience or to facilitate compliance with any Applicable Law, the Company may refuse to permit the exercise or settlement of one or more Awards for such period of time as the Company may determine to be reasonably appropriate under the circumstances.

9.5 General. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or the Administrator’s action under the Plan, no Participant will have any rights due to any subdivision or consolidation of Shares of any class, dividend payment, increase or decrease in the number of Shares of any class or dissolution, liquidation, merger, or consolidation of the Company or other corporation. Except as expressly provided with respect to an Equity Restructuring under Section 9.1 above or the Administrator’s action under the Plan, no issuance by the Company of Shares of any class, or securities convertible into Shares of any class, will affect, and no adjustment will be made regarding, the number of Shares subject to an Award or the Award’s grant or exercise price. The existence of the Plan, any Award Agreements and the Awards granted hereunder will not affect or restrict in any way the Company’s right or power to make or authorize (i) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, (ii) any merger, consolidation, spinoff, dissolution or liquidation of the Company or sale of Company assets or (iii) any sale or issuance of securities, including securities with rights superior to those of the Shares or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares.

ARTICLE X.

PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS

10.1 Transferability.

(a) No Award may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, or, subject to the Administrator’s consent, 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.

 

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During the life of a Participant, Awards will be exercisable only by the Participant, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO. After the death of a Participant, any exercisable portion of an Award may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement, be exercised by the Participant’s personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then-Applicable Law of descent and distribution. References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, will include references to a transferee approved by the Administrator.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 10.1(a), the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Participant or a Permitted Transferee of such Participant to transfer an Award other than an Incentive Stock Option (unless such Incentive Stock Option is intended to become a Nonqualified Stock Option) to any one or more Permitted Transferees of such Participant, 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 (A) to another Permitted Transferee of the applicable Participant or (B) by will or the laws of descent and distribution or, subject to the consent of the Administrator, pursuant to a domestic relations order; (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 Participant (other than the ability to further transfer the Award to any person other than another Permitted Transferee of the applicable Participant); (iii) the Participant (or transferring Permitted Transferee) and the receiving 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; and (iv) any transfer of an Award to a Permitted Transferee shall be without consideration, except as required by Applicable Law. In addition, and further notwithstanding Section 10.1(a), the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine to permit a Participant to transfer Incentive Stock Options to a trust that constitutes a Permitted Transferee if, under Section 671 of the Code and other Applicable Law, the Participant is considered the sole beneficial owner of the Incentive Stock Option while it is held in the trust.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 10.1(a), if permitted by the Administrator, a Participant may, in the manner determined by the Administrator, designate a Designated Beneficiary. A Designated 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 Award Agreement applicable to the Participant and any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator. If the Participant 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 Participant’s spouse or domestic partner, as applicable, as the Participant’s Designated Beneficiary with respect to more than 50% of the Participant’s interest in the Award shall not be effective without the prior written or electronic consent of the Participant’s spouse or domestic partner. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by a Participant at any time; provided that the change or revocation is delivered in writing to the Administrator prior to the Participant’s death.

10.2 Documentation. Each Award will be evidenced in an Award Agreement in such form as the Administrator determines in its discretion. Each Award may contain such terms and conditions as are determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, to the extent not inconsistent with those set forth in the Plan.

10.3 Discretion. Except as the Plan otherwise provides, each Award may be made alone or in addition or in relation to any other Award. The terms of each Award to a Participant need not be identical, and the Administrator need not treat Participants or Awards (or portions thereof) uniformly.

 

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10.4 Changes in Participant’s Status. The Administrator will determine how the Disability, death, retirement, authorized leave of absence or any other change or purported change in a Participant’s Service Provider status affects an Award and the extent to which, and the period during which, the Participant, the Participant’s legal representative, conservator, guardian or Designated Beneficiary may exercise rights under the Award, if applicable. Except to the extent otherwise required by Applicable Law or expressly authorized by the Company or by the Company’s written policy on leaves of absence, no service credit shall be given for vesting purposes for any period the Participant is on a leave of absence.

10.5 Withholding. Each Participant must pay the Company or a Subsidiary, as applicable, or make provision satisfactory to the Administrator for payment of, any Tax-Related Items required by Applicable Law to be withheld in connection with such Participant’s Awards and/or Shares by the date of the event creating the liability for Tax-Related Items.

At the Company’s discretion and subject to any Company insider trading policy (including black-out periods), any withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items may be satisfied by (i) deducting an amount sufficient to satisfy such withholding obligation from any payment of any kind otherwise due to a Participant; (ii) accepting a payment from the Participant in cash, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, or by check made payable to the order of the Company or a Subsidiary, as applicable; (iii) accepting the delivery of Shares, including Shares delivered by attestation; (iv) retaining Shares from the Award creating the withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items, valued on the date of delivery, (v) if there is a public market for Shares at the time the withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied, selling Shares issued pursuant to the Award creating the withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items, either voluntarily by the Participant or mandatorily by the Company; (vi) accepting delivery of a promissory note or any other lawful consideration; or (vii) any combination of the foregoing payment forms. The amount withheld pursuant to any of the foregoing payment forms shall be determined by the Company and may be up to, but no greater than, the aggregate amount of such obligations based on the maximum statutory withholding rates in the applicable Participant’s jurisdiction for all Tax-Related Items that are applicable to such taxable income.

If any tax withholding obligation will be satisfied under clause (v) of the preceding paragraph, each Participant’s acceptance of an Award under the Plan will constitute the Participant’s authorization to the Company and instruction and authorization to any brokerage firm selected by the Company to effect the sale to complete the transactions described in clause (v).

10.6 Amendment of Award; Repricing. The Administrator may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award, including by substituting another Award of the same or a different type, changing the exercise or settlement date, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Nonqualified Stock Option. The Participant’s consent to such action will be required unless (i) the action, taking into account any related action, does not materially and adversely affect the Participant’s rights under the Award, or (ii) the change is permitted under Article IX or pursuant to Section 11.6. In addition, the Administrator shall, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, have the authority to (a) amend any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right to reduce its exercise price per Share, or (b) cancel any Option or Stock Appreciation Right in exchange for cash or another Award.

10.7 Conditions on Delivery of Stock. The Company will not be obligated to deliver any Shares under the Plan or remove restrictions from Shares previously delivered under the Plan until (i) all Award conditions have been met or removed to the Company’s satisfaction, (ii) as determined by the Company, all other legal matters regarding the issuance and delivery of such Shares have been satisfied, including, without limitation, any applicable securities laws and stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, (iii) any approvals from governmental agencies that the Company determines are necessary or advisable have been obtained and (iv) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations

 

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or agreements as the Administrator deems necessary or appropriate to satisfy Applicable Law. The inability or impracticability of the Company to obtain or maintain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained, and shall constitute circumstances in which the Administrator may determine to amend or cancel Awards pertaining to such Shares, with or without consideration to the Participant.

10.8 Acceleration. The Administrator may at any time provide that any Award will become immediately vested and fully or partially exercisable, free of some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise fully or partially realizable.

ARTICLE XI.

MISCELLANEOUS

11.1 No Right to Employment or Other Status. No person will have any claim or right to be granted an Award, and the grant of an Award will not be construed as giving a Participant the right to continue employment or any other relationship with the Company or a Subsidiary. The Company and its Subsidiaries expressly reserve the right at any time to dismiss or otherwise terminate its relationship with a Participant free from any liability or claim under the Plan or any Award, except as expressly provided in an Award Agreement or other written agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Subsidiary.

11.2 No Rights as Stockholder; Certificates. Subject to the Award Agreement, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary will have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares to be distributed under an Award until becoming the record holder of such Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless the Administrator otherwise determines or Applicable Law requires, the Company will not be required to deliver to any Participant certificates evidencing Shares issued in connection with any Award and instead such Shares may be recorded in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator). The Company may place legends on any share certificate or book entry to reference restrictions applicable to the Shares (including, without limitation, restrictions applicable to Restricted Stock).

11.3 Effective Date. The Plan will become effective on the date immediately prior to the date the Company’s registration statement relating to the initial public offering of its Common Stock becomes effective (the “Effective Date”). No Incentive Stock Option may be granted pursuant to the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan was approved by the Board and (ii) the date the Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders.

11.4 Amendment of Plan. The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time and from time to time; provided that (a) no amendment requiring stockholder approval to comply with Applicable Law shall be effective unless approved by the Board, and (b) no amendment, other than an increase to the Overall Share Limit or pursuant to Article IX or Section 11.6, may materially and adversely affect any Award outstanding at the time of such amendment without the affected Participant’s consent. No Awards may be granted under the Plan during any suspension period or after Plan termination. Awards outstanding at the time of any Plan suspension or termination will continue to be governed by the Plan and the Award Agreement, as in effect before such suspension or termination. The Board will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Law.

11.5 Provisions for Foreign Participants. The Administrator may modify Awards granted to Participants who are nationals of a country other than the United States or employed or residing outside the United States, establish subplans or procedures under the Plan or take any other necessary or appropriate action to address Applicable Law, including (a) differences in laws, rules, regulations or customs of such jurisdictions with respect to tax, securities, currency, employee benefit or other matters, (b) listing and other requirements of any non-U.S. securities exchange, and (c) any necessary local governmental or regulatory exemptions or approvals.

 

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11.6 Section 409A.

(a) General. The Company intends that all Awards be structured to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A, such that no adverse tax consequences, interest, or penalties under Section 409A apply. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, the Administrator may, without a Participant’s consent, amend this Plan or Awards, adopt policies and procedures, or take any other actions (including amendments, policies, procedures and retroactive actions) as are necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of Awards, including any such actions intended to (A) exempt this Plan or any Award from Section 409A, or (B) comply with Section 409A, including regulations, guidance, compliance programs and other interpretative authority that may be issued after an Award’s grant date. The Company makes no representations or warranties as to an Award’s tax treatment under Section 409A or otherwise. The Company will have no obligation under this Section 11.6 or otherwise to avoid the taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A with respect to any Award and will have no liability to any Participant or any other person if any Award, compensation or other benefits under the Plan are determined to constitute noncompliant “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A.

(b) Separation from Service. If an Award constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A, any payment or settlement of such Award upon a Participant’s Termination of Service will, to the extent necessary to avoid taxes under Section 409A, be made only upon the Participant’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A), whether such “separation from service” occurs upon or after the Participant’s Termination of Service. For purposes of this Plan or any Award Agreement relating to any such payments or benefits, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms means a “separation from service.”

(c) Payments to Specified Employees. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Plan or any Award Agreement, any payment(s) of “nonqualified deferred compensation” required to be made under an Award to a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A and as the Administrator determines) due to his or her “separation from service” will, to the extent necessary to avoid taxes under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, be delayed for the six-month period immediately following such “separation from service” (or, if earlier, until the specified employee’s death) and will instead be paid (as set forth in the Award Agreement) on the day immediately following such six-month period or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter (without interest). Any payments of “nonqualified deferred compensation” under such Award payable more than six months following the Participant’s “separation from service” will be paid at the time or times the payments are otherwise scheduled to be made.

11.7 Limitations on Liability. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no individual acting as a director, officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary will be liable to any Participant, former Participant, spouse, beneficiary, or any other person for any claim, loss, liability, or expense incurred in connection with the Plan or any Award, and such individual will not be personally liable with respect to the Plan because of any contract or other instrument executed in his or her capacity as an Administrator, director, officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each director, officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary that has been or will be granted or delegated any duty or power relating to the Plan’s administration or interpretation, against any cost or expense (including attorneys’ fees) or liability (including any sum paid in settlement of a claim with the Administrator’s approval) arising from any act or omission concerning this Plan unless arising from such person’s own fraud or bad faith; provided that 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.

 

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11.8 Data Privacy. As a condition for receiving any Award, each Participant explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this Section 11.8 by and among the Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates exclusively for implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in the Plan. The Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Participant, including the Participant’s name, address and telephone number; birthdate; social security, insurance number or other identification number; salary; nationality; job title(s); any Shares held in the Company or its Subsidiaries and affiliates; and Award details, to implement, manage and administer the Plan and Awards (the “Data”). The Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may transfer the Data amongst themselves as necessary to implement, administer and manage a Participant’s participation in the Plan, and the Company and its Subsidiaries and affiliates may transfer the Data to third parties assisting the Company with Plan implementation, administration and management. These recipients may be located in the Participant’s country, or elsewhere, and the Participant’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the recipients’ country. By accepting an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, to implement, administer and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any required Data transfer to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any Shares. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data that the Company holds regarding such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data regarding such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data regarding the Participant or refuse or withdraw the consents in this Section 11.8 in writing, without cost, by contacting the local human resources representative. The Company may cancel Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan and, in the Administrator’s sole discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Participant refuses or withdraws the consents in this Section 11.8. For more information on the consequences of refusing or withdrawing consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.

11.9 Severability. If any portion of the Plan or any action taken under it is held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity will not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan will be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provisions had been excluded, and the illegal or invalid action will be null and void.

11.10 Governing Documents. If any contradiction occurs between the Plan and any Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company (or any Subsidiary), the Plan will govern, unless such Award Agreement or other written agreement was approved by the Administrator and expressly provides that a specific provision of the Plan will not apply.

11.11 Governing Law. The Plan and all Awards will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of law rules thereof or of any other jurisdiction.

11.12 Clawback Provisions. All Awards (including the gross amount of any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit the Participant actually or constructively receives upon receipt or exercise of any Award or the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award) will be subject to recoupment by the Company to the extent required to comply with Applicable Law or any policy of the Company providing for the reimbursement of incentive compensation, whether or not such policy was in place at the time of grant of an Award.

 

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11.13 Titles and Headings. The titles and headings in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, if any conflict, the Plan’s text, rather than such titles or headings, will control.

11.14 Conformity to Applicable Law. Participant acknowledges that the Plan is intended to conform to the extent necessary with Applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan and all Awards will be administered only in a manner intended to conform with Applicable Law. To the extent Applicable Law permits, the Plan and all Award Agreements will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to Applicable Law.

11.15 Relationship to Other Benefits. No payment under the Plan will 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 Subsidiary, except as expressly provided in writing in such other plan or an agreement thereunder.

11.16 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 Participant pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or Award Agreement shall give the Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Company or any Subsidiary.

11.17 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.

11.18 Prohibition on Executive Officer Loans. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no Participant 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.

11.19 Broker-Assisted Sales. In the event of a broker-assisted sale of Shares in connection with the payment of amounts owed by a Participant under or with respect to the Plan or Awards, including amounts to be paid under Section 10.5: (a) any Shares to be sold through the broker-assisted sale will be sold on the day the payment first becomes due, or as soon thereafter as practicable; (b) such Shares may be sold as part of a block trade with other Participants in the Plan in which all Participants receive an average price; (c) the applicable Participant will be responsible for all broker’s fees and other costs of sale, and by accepting an Award, each Participant agrees to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any losses, costs, damages, or expenses relating to any such sale; (d) to the extent the Company or its designee receives proceeds of such sale that exceed the amount owed, the Company will pay such excess in cash to the applicable Participant as soon as reasonably practicable; (e) the Company and its designees are under no obligation to arrange for such sale at any particular price; and (f) in the event the proceeds of such sale are insufficient to satisfy the Participant’s applicable obligation, the Participant may be required to pay immediately upon demand to the Company or its designee an amount in cash sufficient to satisfy any remaining portion of the Participant’s obligation.

*    *    *    *    *

 

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EX-10.5(b)

Exhibit 10.5(b)

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

2021 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

GLOBAL STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2021 Incentive Award Plan, as may be amended from time to time (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the holder listed below (“Participant”), an option to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Shares”), set forth below (the “Option”). This Option is subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth herein, as well as in the Plan and the Global Stock Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A, including any additional terms and conditions set forth in any appendix for the Participant’s country (the “Appendix” and, together with the Global Stock Option Agreement, the “Stock Option Agreement”), each of 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.

 

Participant:    [____________]
Grant Date:    [____________]
Vesting Commencement Date:    [____________]
Exercise Price per Share:    $[___________]
Total Exercise Price:    [____________]

Total Number of Shares

Subject to the Option:

   [____________]
Expiration Date:    [____________]
Vesting Schedule:    [____________]

Type of Option:             ☐    Incentive Stock Option        ☐    Nonqualified Stock Option

By his or her signature and the Company’s signature below, Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Stock Option Agreement and this Grant Notice. Participant has reviewed the Plan, the Stock Option Agreement 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 the Plan, the Stock Option Agreement and this Grant Notice. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan, the Stock Option Agreement or this Grant Notice.

 

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.:     PARTICIPANT:
By:  

 

    By:  

 

Print Name:  

 

    Print Name:  

 

Title:  

 

     
Address:  

 

    Address:  

 

 

 

     

 

 


EXHIBIT A

TO GLOBAL STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE

GLOBAL STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Pursuant to the Stock Option Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) to which this Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”) is attached, Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has granted to the Participant an Option under the Company’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan, as may be amended from time to time (the “Plan”), to purchase the number of Shares indicated in the Grant Notice.

ARTICLE 1.

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 2.

GRANT OF OPTION

2.1 Grant of Option. In consideration of the Participant’s past or continued employment with or service to the Company or any Subsidiary 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 the Participant the Option to purchase any part or all of an aggregate of the number of Shares set forth in the Grant Notice, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement, subject to adjustments as provided in Article IX of the Plan. Unless designated as a Nonqualified 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 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 subject to the Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and the Participant is a Greater Than 10% Stockholder as of the Grant Date, the exercise price per share of the Shares subject to the Option shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date.

2.3 Consideration to the Company. In consideration of the grant of the Option by the Company, the Participant agrees to render faithful and efficient services to the Company or any Subsidiary. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the employ or service of the Company or any Subsidiary or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of the Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company or a Subsidiary and the Participant.

 

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ARTICLE 3.

PERIOD OF EXERCISABILITY

3.1 Commencement of Exercisability.

(a) Subject to Sections 3.2, 3.3, 5.12 and 5.18 hereof, 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 which has not become vested and exercisable at the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service shall thereafter become vested and exercisable, except as may be otherwise provided by the Administrator or as set forth in a written agreement between the Company and the Participant. For the avoidance of doubt, employment or service during only a portion of the vesting period shall not entitle the Participant to vest in a pro-rata portion of the Option.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 3.1(a) hereof and the Grant Notice, but subject to Section 3.1(b) hereof, in the event of a Change in Control, the Option shall be treated pursuant to Sections 9.2 and 9.3 of the Plan.

3.2 Duration of Exercisability. The installments provided for in the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice are cumulative. Each such installment which 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 hereof.

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 Date set forth in the Grant Notice, which shall in no event be more than ten years from the Grant Date;

(b) If this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option and the Participant, at the time the Option was granted, was a Greater Than 10% Stockholder, the expiration of five years from the Grant Date;

(c) The expiration of three months from the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service, unless such termination is for Cause or occurs by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability;

(d) The expiration of one year from the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability; or

(e) The Participant’s Termination of Service for Cause.

3.4 Special Tax Consequences. The Participant acknowledges that, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the Option is granted) of all Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options, including the Option (if applicable), are exercisable for the first time by the Participant in any calendar year exceeds $100,000, the Option and such other options shall be Nonqualified Stock Options to the extent necessary to comply with the limitations imposed by Section 422(d) of the Code. The Participant 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. The Participant also acknowledges that an Incentive Stock Option exercised more than three months after the Participant’s Termination of Employment, other than by reason of death or Disability, will be taxed as a Nonqualified Stock Option.

 

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3.5 Tax Withholding.

(a) The Participant acknowledges that, regardless of any action taken by the Company or, if different, the Subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company for which the Participant renders services (the “Service Recipient”) the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Participant’s responsibility and may exceed the amount (if any) actually withheld by the Company or the Service Recipient. The Participant further acknowledges that the Company and/or the Service Recipient (i) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of this Option, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or exercise of this Option, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such exercise and the receipt of any dividends; and (ii) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of this Option to reduce or eliminate the Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if the Participant is subject to Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction, the Participant acknowledges that the Company and/or the Service Recipient (or former Service Recipient, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.

(b) The Option cannot be exercised until the Participant has made such arrangements as the Company may require for the satisfaction of any Tax-Related Items that may arise in connection with the exercise of the Option or the acquisition of the Shares by the Participant. The Company shall not be required to issue, allot or transfer Shares until the Participant has satisfied this obligation. At the time Participant exercises the Option, in whole or in part, or at the time any other withholding event for Tax-Related Items occurs with respect to the Option, the Participant hereby authorizes the Company and/or Service Recipient, or their respective agents, at their discretion, to satisfy any applicable withholding obligations for Tax-Related Items by one or a combination of the following methods:

(i) withholding from the Participant’s salary, wages, or any other amounts payable to the Participant, in accordance with Applicable Law;

(ii) withholding Shares otherwise issuable to the Participant upon the exercise of the Option, provided that to the extent necessary to qualify for an exemption from application of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, if applicable, such Share withholding procedure will be subject to the express prior approval of the Board or the Committee;

(iii) instructing a broker on the Participant’s behalf to sell Shares otherwise issuable to the Participant upon exercise of the Option and to submit the proceeds of such sale to the Company; or

(iv) any other method determined by the Company to be in compliance with Applicable Law.

(c) The Company may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering statutory withholding amounts or other applicable withholding rates, including maximum rates applicable in the Participant’s jurisdiction(s). In the event of over-withholding, the Participant may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash and (with no entitlement to the equivalent in Shares) or if not refunded, the Participant may seek a refund from the local tax authorities. In the event of under-withholding, the Participant may be required to pay any additional Tax-Related Items directly to the applicable tax authority or to the Company and/or the Service Recipient. If the obligations for Tax-

 

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Related Items is satisfied by withholding in Shares, for tax purposes, the Participant is deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the exercised Option, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares is held back solely for the purpose of satisfying the withholding obligations for Tax-Related Items.

(d) Finally, the Participant agrees to pay the Company or the Service Recipient any amount of Tax-Related Items that cannot be satisfied by the means described above in Section 3.5(b). The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any Shares to the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative unless and until the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative shall have paid or otherwise satisfied in full the amount of any withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items resulting from the Option or the Shares subject to the Option.

ARTICLE 4.

EXERCISE OF OPTION

4.1 Person Eligible to Exercise. Except as provided in Section 5.4 hereof, during the lifetime of the Participant, only the Participant may exercise the Option or any portion thereof, unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO. After the death of the Participant, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time when the Option becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3 hereof, be exercised by the deceased Participant’s personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’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 hereof. However, the Option shall not be exercisable with respect to fractional Shares.

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; for the avoidance of doubt, delivery shall include electronic delivery), during regular business hours, of all of the following prior to the time when the Option or such portion thereof becomes unexercisable under Section 3.3 hereof:

(a) An exercise notice in a form specified by the Administrator, stating that the Option or portion thereof is thereby exercised, such notice complying with all applicable rules established by the Administrator. The notice shall be signed by the Participant or other person then entitled to exercise the Option or such portion of the Option;

(b) The receipt by the Company of full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option or portion thereof is exercised, including payment of any applicable Tax-Related Items, which shall be made by deduction from other compensation payable to the Participant or in such other form of consideration permitted under Section 4.4 hereof that is acceptable to the Company;

(c) Any other written representations or documents as may be required in the Administrator’s sole discretion to evidence compliance with the Securities Act, the Exchange 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 hereof by any person or persons other than the Participant, appropriate proof of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option.

 

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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 shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of the Participant:

(a) Cash or check;

(b) With the consent of the Administrator, surrender of Shares (including, without limitation, Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of the Option) held for such period of time as may be required by the Administrator in order to avoid adverse accounting consequences and having a Fair Market Value on the date of delivery equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option or exercised portion thereof; or

(c) Other legal consideration acceptable to the Administrator (including, without limitation, through the delivery of a notice that the Participant has placed a market sell order with a broker with respect to Shares 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 Option exercise price; provided that payment of such proceeds is then made to the Company at such time as may be required by the Company, but in any event not later than the settlement of such sale).

4.5 Conditions to Issuance of Shares. The Shares deliverable upon the exercise of the Option, or any portion thereof, may be either previously authorized but unissued Shares or issued Shares which have then been reacquired by the Company. Such Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any Shares purchased upon the exercise of the Option or portion thereof prior to fulfillment of all of the conditions in Section 10.7 of the Plan and following conditions:

(a) The admission of such Shares to listing on all stock exchanges on which such Shares are then listed;

(b) The completion of any registration or other qualification of such Shares under any U.S. or non-U.S. state or federal law or under rulings or regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or of any other governmental regulatory body, which the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable;

(c) The obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any U.S. or non-U.S. state or federal governmental agency which the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable;

(d) The receipt by the Company of full payment for such Shares, including payment of any applicable Tax-Related Items, which may be in one or more of the forms of consideration permitted under Section 4.4 hereof; and

(e) 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.

 

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4.6 Rights as Stockholder. The holder of the Option shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to dividends, in respect of any Shares purchasable upon the exercise of any part of the Option unless and until such Shares shall have been issued by the Company and held of record by such holder (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). 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 IX of the Plan.

ARTICLE 5.

OTHER PROVISIONS

5.1 Nature of Grant. By accepting the Option, the Participant acknowledges, understands, and agrees that:

(a) the Plan is established voluntarily by the Company, it is wholly discretionary in nature;

(b) the grant of this Option is exceptional, voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of options, or benefits in lieu of options, even if options have been granted in the past;

(c) all decisions with respect to future option or other grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company;

(d) the Participant is voluntarily participating in the Plan;

(e) this Option and any Shares acquired under the Plan, and the income from and value of same, are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;

(f) this Option and any Shares acquired under the Plan, and the income from and value of same, are not part of normal or expected compensation for any purposes, including for purposes of calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, dismissal, end-of-service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, holiday pay, pension or retirement or welfare benefits or similar payments;

(g) the future value of the Shares underlying this Option is unknown, indeterminable, and cannot be predicted with certainty;

(h) if the underlying Shares do not increase in value, this Option will have no value;

(i) if the Participant exercises this Option and acquires Shares, the value of such Shares may increase or decrease in value, even below the exercise price;

(j) no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of this Option resulting from the Participant’s Termination of Service (for any reason whatsoever, whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of Applicable Law in the jurisdiction where the Participant is providing service or the terms of the Participant’s employment or other service agreement, if any);

(k) unless otherwise agreed with the Company, this Option and the Shares subject to this Option, and the income from and value of same, are not granted as consideration for, or in connection with, the service the Participant may provide as a director of a Subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company;

 

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(l) unless otherwise provided in the Plan or by the Company in its discretion, this Option and the benefits evidenced by this Agreement do not create any entitlement to have this Option or any such benefits transferred to, or assumed by, another company nor be exchanged, cashed out or substituted for, in connection with any corporate transaction affecting the Shares; and

(m) neither the Company, the Service Recipient nor any other Subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company shall be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between the Participant’s local currency and the U.S. dollar that may affect the value of this Option or of any amounts due to the Participant pursuant to the exercise of this Option or the subsequent sale of any Shares acquired upon exercise.

5.2 Administration. The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith shall be final and binding upon the Participant, the Company and all other interested persons. No member of the Committee or the Board shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan, this Agreement or the Option.

5.3 Whole Shares. The Option may only be exercised for whole Shares.

5.4 Transferability.

(a) Subject to Section 4.1 hereof, 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 Option has been exercised and the Shares underlying the Option have been issued, and all restrictions applicable to such Shares have lapsed. Neither the Option nor any interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or his or her 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) unless and until the Option has been exercised, and any attempted disposition thereof prior to exercise shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by the preceding sentence.

(b) During the lifetime of the Participant, only the Participant may exercise the Option (or any portion thereof), unless it has been disposed of pursuant to a DRO; after the death of the Participant, any exercisable portion of the Option may, prior to the time when such portion becomes unexercisable under the Plan or this Agreement, be exercised by the Participant’s personal representative or by any person empowered to do so under the deceased Participant’s will or under the then-applicable laws of descent and distribution.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Participant may, in the manner permitted and determined by the Administrator, designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the Participant and to receive any distribution with respect to the Option upon the Participant’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 this Agreement, except to the extent the Plan and this Agreement otherwise provide, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator. If the Participant 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 Participant’s spouse or domestic partner, as applicable, as his or her beneficiary with respect to

 

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more than 50% of the Participant’s interest in the Option shall not be effective without the prior written consent of the Participant’s spouse or domestic partner. If no beneficiary has been designated or survives the Participant, payment shall be made to the person entitled thereto pursuant to the Participant’s will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to the foregoing, a beneficiary designation may be changed or revoked by the Participant at any time provided the change or revocation is filed with the Administrator prior to the Participant’s death.

5.5 No Advice Regarding Grant. The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the Company making recommendations regarding participation in the Plan, or the Participant’s acquisition or sale of the underlying Shares. The Participant understands that the Participant may incur tax consequences as a result of the grant, vesting or exercise of the Option, or with the purchase or disposition of the Shares subject to the Option. The Participant understands and agrees that the Participant should consult with the Participant’s own tax, legal and financial advisors regarding participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.

5.6 Binding Agreement. Subject to the limitation on the transferability of the Option contained herein, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

5.7 Adjustments Upon Specified Events. The Administrator may accelerate the vesting of the Option in such circumstances as it, in its sole discretion, may determine. In addition, upon the occurrence of certain events relating to the Shares contemplated by Article IX of the Plan (including, without limitation, an extraordinary cash dividend on such Shares), the Administrator shall make such adjustments the Administrator deems appropriate in the number of Shares subject to the Option, the exercise price of the Option and the kind of securities that may be issued upon exercise of the Option. The Participant acknowledges that the Option is subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and Article IX of the Plan.

5.8 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 Company’s principal office, and any notice to be given to the Participant shall be addressed to the Participant at the Participant’s last address reflected on the Company’s records. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 5.8, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. Any notice which is required to be given to the Participant shall, if the Participant is then deceased, be given to the person entitled to exercise his or her Option pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof by written notice under this Section 5.8. 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 or comparable non-U.S. postal service.

5.9 Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

5.10 Governing Law. 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.

5.11 Conformity to Securities Laws. The Participant acknowledges that the Plan 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 Applicable Law and regulations and rules promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, and U.S. state and non-U.S. 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 Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such Applicable Law.

 

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5.12 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, however, that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this Agreement shall adversely affect the Option in any material way without the prior written consent of the Participant.

5.13 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 5.4 hereof, this Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

5.14 Notification of Disposition. If this Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option, the Participant shall give prompt notice to the Company of any disposition or other transfer of any Shares acquired under this Agreement if such disposition or transfer is made (a) within two years from the Grant Date with respect to such Shares or (b) within one year after the transfer of such Shares to the Participant. 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 the Participant in such disposition or other transfer.

5.15 Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if the Participant 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.

5.16 Not a Contract of Service Relationship. Nothing in this Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue to serve as a Service Provider or interfere with or restrict in any way with the right of the Company or the Service Recipient, as applicable, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or to terminate for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, the services of the Participant’s at any time.

5.17 Entire Agreement. The Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof, provided that the Option shall be subject to any accelerated vesting provisions in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Company plan pursuant to which the Participant is eligible to participate, in each case, in accordance with the terms therein.

5.18 Section 409A. This Option is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (together with any 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 date hereof, “Section 409A”). However, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement, if at any time the

 

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Administrator determines that the Option (or any portion thereof) may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator shall have the right in its sole discretion (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify the Participant or any other person for failure to do so) to adopt such amendments to the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement, or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate either for the Option to be exempt from the application of Section 409A or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.

5.19 Limitation on the Participant’s Rights. Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and shall not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. The Participant shall have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the Option, and rights no greater than the right to receive the Shares as a general unsecured creditor with respect to options, as and when exercised pursuant to the terms hereof.

5.20 Electronic Delivery and Acceptance. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means. The Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the company or a third party designated by the Company.

5.21 Language. The Participant acknowledges that the Participant is sufficiently proficient in English, or has consulted with an advisor who is sufficiently proficient in English, so as to allow the Participant to understand the terms and conditions of this Agreement. If the Participant received this Agreement, or any other document related to this Option and/or the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.

5.22 Appendix. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Global Stock Option Agreement, this Option shall be subject to any additional terms and conditions set forth in any Appendix to this Global Stock Option Agreement for the Participant’s country. Moreover, if the Participant relocates to one of the countries included in the Appendix, the additional terms and conditions for such country will apply to the Participant, to the extent the Company determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons. The Appendix constitutes part of this Agreement.

5.23 Insider Trading/Market Abuse Laws. The Participant acknowledges that, depending on the Participant’s country or broker’s country, or the country in which the Shares are listed, the Participant may be subject to insider trading restrictions and/or market abuse laws in applicable jurisdictions, which may affect his or her ability to accept, acquire, sell or attempt to sell, or otherwise dispose of the Shares, rights to Shares (e.g., this Option) or rights linked to the value of Shares, during such times as the Participant is considered to have “inside information” regarding the Company (as defined by the laws or regulations in applicable jurisdictions). Local insider trading laws and regulations may prohibit the cancellation or amendment of orders the Participant placed before possessing inside information. Furthermore, the Participant may be prohibited from (i) disclosing insider information to any third party, including fellow employees (other than on a “need to know” basis) and (ii) “tipping” third parties or causing them to otherwise buy or sell securities. Any restrictions under these laws or regulations are separate from and in addition to any restrictions that may be imposed under any applicable Company insider trading policy. The Participant acknowledges that it is his or her responsibility to comply with any applicable restrictions, and the Participant should speak to his or her personal advisor on this matter.

 

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5.24 Foreign Asset/Account, Exchange Control and Tax Reporting. The Participant acknowledges that the Participant may be subject to foreign asset/account, exchange control and/or tax reporting requirements as a result of the acquisition, holding and/or transfer of Shares or cash (including dividends and the proceeds arising from the sale of Shares) derived from his or her participation in the Plan in, to and/or from a brokerage/bank account or legal entity located outside the Participant’s country. Applicable Law may require that the Participant report such accounts, assets, the balances therein, the value thereof and/or the transactions related thereto to the applicable authorities in such country. The Participant also may be required to repatriate sale proceeds or other funds received as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan to his or her country through a designated bank or broker within a certain time after receipt. The Participant acknowledges that he or she is responsible for ensuring compliance with any applicable foreign asset/account, exchange control and tax reporting requirements and should consult his or her personal legal advisor on this matter.

*    *    *    *    *

 

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APPENDIX

TO

GLOBAL STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

2021 Incentive Award Plan

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Grant Notice, the Agreement and the Plan.

Terms and Conditions

This Appendix includes additional terms and conditions that govern this Option if the Participant resides and/or works in China. If the Participant is a citizen or resident (or is considered as such for local law purposes) of a country other than the country in which the Participant is currently residing and/or working, or if the Participant transfers to another country after the Grant Date, the Administrator shall, in its discretion, determine to what extent the terms and conditions contained herein shall be applicable to the Participant.

Notifications

This Appendix also includes information regarding securities, exchange controls, tax and certain other issues of which the Participant should be aware with respect to his or her participation in the Plan. The information is based on the securities, exchange control, tax and other laws in effect in China as of January 2021. Such laws are often complex and change frequently. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that the Participant not rely on the information noted herein as the only source of information relating to the consequences of his or her participation in the Plan because the information may be out of date at the time the Participant exercises this Option or sells Shares acquired under the Plan.

In addition, the information contained herein is general in nature and may not apply to the Participant’s particular situation, and the Company is not in a position to assure the Participant of any particular result. Accordingly, the Participant should seek appropriate professional advice as to how the relevant laws in his or her country may apply to the Participant’s situation.

If the Participant is a citizen or resident (or is considered as such for local law purposes) of a country other than the one in which he or she is currently residing and/or working, or if the Participant transfers to another country after the Grant Date, the information contained herein may not be applicable to the Participant in the same manner.

 

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CHINA

Terms and Conditions

The following provisions apply only to Participants who are subject to exchange control restrictions imposed by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”), as determined by the Company in its sole discretion:

Exercisability of Option. In addition to the vesting conditions set forth in the Grant Notice and the Stock Option Agreement, this Option shall not vest nor be exercisable until all necessary exchange control and other approvals from SAFE or its local counterpart have been received by the Company or one of its Chinese Subsidiaries or other affiliates under applicable exchange control rules with respect to the Plan and the awards thereunder (the “SAFE Approval Date”). The Participant must continue to provide service through each date on the Vesting Schedule and through the SAFE Approval Date to be able to exercise this Option. Should the SAFE Approval Date occur after any of the vesting dates in the Vesting Schedule, the Participant will (i) receive a credit for any vesting that would have occurred under the Vesting Schedule once the SAFE Approval Date occurs and (ii) continue to vest in accordance with the Vesting Schedule following the SAFE Approval Date, provided that the Participant has not experienced a Termination of Service as of the SAFE Approval Date and is otherwise entitled to exercise this Option pursuant to the terms of any applicable SAFE approval or regulations.

If the Company is unable to complete the SAFE registration or maintain the registration, no Shares subject to this Option shall be issued and the Company has the sole discretion to allow any vested Options to be settled in cash paid through local payroll in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Shares underlying this Option on the applicable date of exercise, less the Total Exercise Price and any withholding for Tax-Related Items.

Furthermore, notwithstanding any provision in the Grant Notice and the Stock Option Agreement, if the Participant experiences a Termination of Service before the SAFE Approval Date, this Option shall be forfeited, unless the Company determines in its discretion that any portion of this Option that may otherwise have vested and become exercisable in accordance with the terms of the Stock Option Agreement may be exercised in compliance with applicable SAFE regulations and restrictions.

Finally, notwithstanding any provision in the Grant Notice and the Stock Option Agreement, if the Participant experiences a Termination of Service after the SAFE Approval Date, this Option, to the extent that vested and exercisable as of the Termination Date, may be exercised by the Participant only within such time period as required by the Company in accordance with SAFE requirements.

Stock Must Remain With Company’s Designated Broker. The Participant agrees to hold any Shares received upon exercise of this Option with the Company’s designated broker until the Shares are sold. The limitation shall apply to all Shares issued to the Participant under the Plan, whether or not the Participant has experienced a Termination of Service.

Manner of Exercise. Notwithstanding any provision in the Grant Notice and the Stock Option Agreement, the Participant must pay the Total Exercise Price by using a “cashless exercise” method as described in Section 4.4(c) of the Agreement. The Company reserves the right to provide the Participant with additional methods of payment depending on the development of local law.

 

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Forced Sale of Shares. The Company has the discretion to arrange for the sale of the Shares issued upon exercise of this Option, either immediately upon exercise or at any time thereafter. In any event, if the Participant has experienced a Termination of Service, the Participant will be required to sell any Shares acquired upon exercise of this Option within such time period as required by the Company in accordance with SAFE requirements. Any Shares remaining in the brokerage account at the end of this period shall be sold by the broker (on behalf of the Participant and the Participant hereby authorizes such sale). The Participant agrees to sign any additional agreements, forms and/or consents that reasonably may be requested by the Company (or the Company’s designated broker) to effectuate the sale of Shares (including, without limitation, as to the transfer of the sale proceeds and other exchange control matters noted below) and shall otherwise cooperate with the Company with respect to such matters. The Participant acknowledges that neither the Company nor the designated broker is under any obligation to arrange for the sale of Shares at any particular price (it being understood that the sale will occur in the market) and that broker’s fees and similar expenses may be incurred in any such sale. In any event, when the Shares are sold, the sale proceeds, less any withholding for Tax-Related Items, any broker’s fees or commissions, and any similar expenses of the sale will be remitted to the Participant in accordance with applicable exchange control laws and regulations.

Exchange Control Restrictions. The Participant understands and agrees that the Participant will be required to immediately repatriate to China the proceeds from the sale of any Shares acquired under the Plan and any cash dividends paid on such Shares. The Participant further understands that such repatriation of proceeds may need to be effected through a special bank account established by the Company (or a Subsidiary), and the Participant hereby consents and agrees that any sale proceeds and cash dividends may be transferred to such special account by the Company (or a Subsidiary) on the Participant’s behalf prior to being delivered to the Participant and that no interest shall be paid with respect to funds held in such account.

The proceeds may be paid to the Participant in U.S. dollars or local currency at the Company’s discretion. If the proceeds are paid to the Participant in U.S. dollars, the Participant understands that a U.S. dollar bank account in China must be established and maintained so that the proceeds may be deposited into such account. If the proceeds are paid to the Participant in local currency, the Participant acknowledges that the Company (or its Subsidiaries) are under no obligation to secure any particular exchange conversion rate and that the Company (or its Subsidiaries) may face delays in converting the proceeds to local currency due to exchange control restrictions. The Participant agrees to bear any currency fluctuation risk between the time the Shares are sold and the net proceeds are converted into local currency and distributed to the Participant. The Participant further agrees to comply with any other requirements that may be imposed by the Company (or its Subsidiary) in the future in order to facilitate compliance with exchange control requirements in China.

Administration. The Company (or its Subsidiaries) shall not be liable for any costs, fees, lost interest or dividends or other losses that the Participant may incur or suffer resulting from the enforcement of the terms of this Appendix or otherwise from the Company’s operation and enforcement of the Plan, the Grant Notice and this Option in accordance with any Applicable Laws, rules, regulations and requirements.

Notifications

Exchange Control Information. Chinese residents may be required to report to SAFE all details of their foreign financial assets and liabilities (including Shares acquired under the Plan), as well as details of any economic transactions conducted with non-Chinese residents.

 

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EX-10.5(c)

Exhibit 10.5(c)

For U.S. Participants Only

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

2021 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD GRANT NOTICE

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2021 Incentive Award Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the holder listed below (the “Participant”) the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below (the “Shares”) subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”) (including without limitation the Restrictions on the Shares set forth in the Agreement) and the Plan, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Restricted Stock Award Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) and the Agreement.

 

Participant:    [_________________]
Grant Date:    [_________________]
Total Number of Shares of Restricted Stock:    [_________________]
Vesting Commencement Date:    [_________________]
Vesting Schedule:    [_________________]
Termination:    If the Participant experiences a Termination of Service, any Shares that have not become vested on or prior to the date of such Termination of Service will thereupon be automatically forfeited by the Participant, and the Participant’s rights in such Shares shall thereupon lapse and expire.
Withholding Tax:    The Participant understands that the terms of this grant of Shares explicitly includes the following (the “Sell to Cover”): Upon vesting of the Shares, the Company, on the Participant’s behalf, will instruct the Company’s transfer agent (together with any other party the Company determines necessary to execute the Sell to Cover, the “Agent”) to sell that number of Shares determined in accordance with Section 2.2 of the Agreement as may be necessary to satisfy any resulting withholding tax obligations and/or social security contributions on the Company, and the Agent will remit the cash proceeds of such sale to the Company. The Company shall then make a cash payment equal to the required tax withholding and/or social security contributions from the cash proceeds of such sale directly to the appropriate taxing authorities.

By his or her signature and the Company’s signature below, the Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Agreement and this Grant Notice. The Participant has reviewed the Plan, the Agreement 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 the Plan, Agreement and this Grant Notice. The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan, the Agreement or this Grant Notice.

 

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.:                   PARTICIPANT:
By:  

 

     By:   

 

Print Name:  

 

     Print Name:   

 

Title:  

 

       
Address:  

 

     Address:   

 

 

 

       

 

 

 

1


EXHIBIT A

TO RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD GRANT NOTICE

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT

Pursuant to the Restricted Stock Award Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) to which this Restricted Stock Award Agreement (this “Agreement”) is attached, Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the “Company”) has granted to the Participant the number of shares of Restricted Stock (the “Shares”) under the Company’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), as set forth 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 Award (as defined below) 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.

AWARD OF RESTRICTED STOCK

2.1 Award of Restricted Stock.

(a) Award. Pursuant to the Grant Notice and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement, effective as of the Grant Date set forth in the Grant Notice, the Company has granted to the Participant an award of Restricted Stock (the “Award”) under the Plan in consideration of the Participant’s past or continued employment with or service to the Company or any Subsidiary, and for other good and valuable consideration. The number of Shares subject to the Award is set forth in the Grant Notice.

(b) Escrow. The Participant, by acceptance of the Award, shall be deemed to appoint, and does so appoint, the Secretary of the Company or such other escrow holder as the Administrator may appoint to hold the Shares in escrow as the Participant’s attorney(s)-in-fact to effect any transfer of unvested forfeited Shares (or Shares otherwise reacquired by the Company hereunder) to the Company as may be required pursuant to the Plan or this Agreement and to execute such documents as the Company or such representatives deem necessary or advisable in connection with any such transfer.

(c) Removal of Notations. As soon as administratively practicable after the vesting of any Shares subject to the Award pursuant to Section 2.2(b) hereof, the Company shall remove the notations on any Shares subject to the Award which have vested (or such lesser number of Shares as may be permitted pursuant to Section 10.7 of the Plan). The Participant (or the beneficiary or personal representative of the Participant in the event of the Participant’s death or incapacity, as the case may be) shall deliver to the Company any representations or other documents or assurances required by the Company.

 

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2.2 Restrictions.

(a) Forfeiture. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Agreement, except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator or as set forth in a written agreement between the Company and the Participant, upon the Participant’s Termination of Service for any or no reason, any Shares subject to Restrictions shall thereupon be forfeited immediately and without any further action by the Company, and the Participant’s rights in such Shares shall thereupon lapse and expire.

(b) Vesting and Lapse of Restrictions. As of the Grant Date, 100% of the Shares shall be subject to the risk of forfeiture set forth in Section 2.2(a) hereof and the transfer restrictions set forth in Section 3.3 hereof (collectively, such risk of forfeiture and such transfer restrictions, the “Restrictions”). The Award shall vest and Restrictions shall lapse in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice (rounding down to the nearest whole Share).

(c) Tax Withholding. As set forth in Section 10.5 of the Plan, the Company shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or to require the Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy all applicable federal, state and local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising in connection with the Shares. Such tax withholding obligations shall be satisfied using a Sell to Cover pursuant to the Grant Notice. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated to deliver any new certificate representing Shares to the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative or enter such Shares in book entry form unless and until the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative shall have paid or otherwise satisfied in full the amount of all federal, state and local taxes applicable to the taxable income of the Participant resulting from the issuance or vesting of the Shares. By accepting this Award, the Participant has agreed to a Sell to Cover to satisfy any tax withholding obligations and the Participant hereby acknowledges and agrees:

(i) The Participant hereby appoints the Agent as the Participant’s agent and authorizes the Agent to (A) sell on the open market at the then prevailing market price(s), on the Participant’s behalf, as soon as practicable on or after the Shares vest, that number (rounded up to the next whole number) of the Shares necessary to generate proceeds to cover (1) any tax withholding obligations incurred with respect to such vesting or issuance and (2) all applicable fees and commissions due to, or required to be collected by, the Agent with respect thereto and (B) in the Company’s discretion, apply any remaining funds to the Participant’s federal tax withholding.

(ii) The Participant hereby authorizes the Company and the Agent to cooperate and communicate with one another to determine the number of Shares that must be sold pursuant to subsection (i) above and further authorizes the Company and the Agent to calculate any such amount based on tax rates deemed appropriate by the Company and the Agent, up to the maximum applicable statutory tax rate.

(iii) The Participant understands that the Agent may effect sales as provided in subsection (i) above in one or more sales and that the average price for executions resulting from bunched orders will be assigned to the Participant’s account. In addition, the Participant acknowledges that it may not be possible to sell Shares as provided by subsection (i) above due to (A) a legal or contractual restriction applicable to the Participant or the Agent, (B) a market disruption, or (C) rules governing order execution priority on the national exchange where the Shares may be traded. In the event of the Agent’s inability to sell Shares, the Participant will continue to be responsible for the timely payment to the Company and/or its Affiliates of all federal, state, local and foreign taxes that are required by applicable laws and regulations to be withheld, including but not limited to those amounts specified in subsection (i) above.

 

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(iv) The Participant acknowledges that regardless of any other term or condition of this Section 2.2(c), the Agent will not be liable to the Participant for (A) special, indirect, punitive, exemplary, or consequential damages, or incidental losses or damages of any kind, or (B) any failure to perform or for any delay in performance that results from a cause or circumstance that is beyond its reasonable control.

(v) The Participant hereby agrees to execute and deliver to the Agent any other agreements or documents as the Agent reasonably deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of this Section 2.2(c). The Agent is a third-party beneficiary of this Section 2.2(c).

(vi) This Section 2.2(c) shall terminate not later than the date on which all tax withholding obligations arising in connection with the vesting of the Award have been satisfied

(d) Stop Transfer Instructions. To ensure compliance with the Restrictions, the provisions of the charter documents of the Company and Applicable Law, and for other proper purposes, the Company may issue appropriate “stop transfer” and other instructions to its transfer agent with respect to the Restricted Stock. The Company shall notify the transfer agent as and when the Restrictions lapse.

2.3 Consideration to the Company. In consideration of the grant of the Award pursuant hereto, the Participant agrees to render faithful and efficient services to the Company or any Subsidiary.

ARTICLE III.

OTHER PROVISIONS

3.1 Section 83(b) Election. If the Participant 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 Participant would otherwise be taxable under Section 83(a) of the Code, the Participant hereby agrees to deliver a copy of such election to the Company promptly after filing such election with the Internal Revenue Service.

3.2 Administration. The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith shall be final and binding upon the Participant, the Company and all other interested persons. No member of the Administrator or the Board shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan, this Agreement or the Award.

3.3 Transferability. Until the Restrictions hereunder lapse or expire pursuant to this Agreement and the Shares vest, the Restricted Stock (including any Shares or other securities or property received by the Participant with respect to Restricted Stock as a result of stock dividends, stock splits or any other form of recapitalization) shall be subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in Section 10.1 of the Plan.

3.4 Rights as Stockholder. Except as otherwise provided herein, upon the Grant Date, the Participant shall have all the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to the Shares, subject to the Restrictions, including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to receive any cash or stock dividends, in respect of the Shares subject to the Award and deliverable hereunder.

 

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3.5 Tax Consultation. The Participant understands that the Participant may suffer adverse tax consequences in connection with the Restricted Stock granted pursuant to this Agreement (and the Shares issuable with respect thereto). The Participant represents that the Participant has consulted with any tax consultants the Participant deems advisable in connection with the Restricted Stock and that the Participant is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

3.6 Adjustments Upon Specified Events. The Administrator may accelerate the vesting of the Restricted Stock in such circumstances as it, in its sole discretion, may determine. The Participant acknowledges that the Restricted Stock is subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and Article IX of the Plan.

3.7 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 Company’s principal office, and any notice to be given to the Participant shall be addressed to the Participant at the Participant’s last address reflected on the Company’s records. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 3.7, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. 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.

3.8 Participant’s Representations. If the Shares issuable hereunder have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state laws on an effective registration statement at the time of such issuance, the Participant shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with such issuance, make such written representations as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company or its counsel.

3.9 Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

3.10 Governing Law. 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.

3.11 Conformity to Securities Laws. The Participant acknowledges that the Plan 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 Applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the Award is granted, only in such a manner as to conform to such Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such Applicable Law.

3.12 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, however, that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this Agreement shall adversely affect the Award in any material way without the prior written consent of the Participant.

3.13 Successors and Assigns. The Company or any Subsidiary 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 and its Subsidiaries. Subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 3.3 hereof, this Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

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3.14 Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if the Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, then the Plan, the Award 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.

3.15 Not a Contract of Service Relationship. Nothing in this Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue to serve as an Employee or other service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and its Subsidiaries, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of the Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, except to the extent expressly provided otherwise in a written agreement between the Company or a Subsidiary and the Participant.

3.16 Entire Agreement. The Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement (including all Exhibits thereto, if any) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof, provided that the Shares shall be subject to any accelerated vesting provisions in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Company plan pursuant to which the Participant is eligible to participate, in each case, in accordance with the terms therein.

3.17 Limitation on the Participant’s Rights. Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and shall not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. The Participant shall have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the Shares issuable hereunder.

*    *    *    *    *

 

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EX-10.5(d)

Exhibit 10.5(d)

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

2021 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN

GLOBAL RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD GRANT NOTICE

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2021 Incentive Award Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the holder listed below (the “Participant”), an award of restricted stock units (“Restricted Stock Units or RSUs”). Each vested Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive, in accordance with the Global Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A, including any additional terms and conditions set forth in any appendix for the Participant’s country (the “Appendix” and, together with the Global Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, the “Agreement”), one share of Common Stock (“Share”). This award of Restricted Stock Units is subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Agreement and the Plan, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Plan shall have the same defined meanings in this Global Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) and the Agreement.

 

Participant:  

[__________________________]

Grant Date:  

[__________________________]

Total Number of RSUs:  

[_____________]

Vesting Commencement Date:  

[_____________]

Vesting Schedule:  

[_____________]

Termination:   If the Participant experiences a Termination of Service, all RSUs that have not become vested on or prior to the date of such Termination of Service will thereupon be automatically forfeited by the Participant without payment of any consideration therefor.
Withholding Tax:   The Participant understands that the terms of this grant of the RSUs explicitly includes the following (the “Sell to Cover”): Upon vesting of the RSUs and release of the resulting Shares, the Company, on the Participant’s behalf, will instruct the Company’s transfer agent (together with any other party the Company determines necessary to execute the Sell to Cover, the “Agent”) to sell that number of Shares determined in accordance with Section 2.6 of the Agreement as may be necessary to satisfy any resulting withholding tax obligations and/or social security contributions on the Company, and the Agent will remit the cash proceeds of such sale to the Company. The Company shall then make a cash payment equal to the required tax withholding and/or social security contributions from the cash proceeds of such sale directly to the appropriate taxing authorities.

By his or her signature and the Company’s signature below, the Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Agreement and this Grant Notice. The Participant has reviewed the Plan, the Agreement 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 the Plan, the Agreement and this Grant Notice. The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan, the Agreement or this Grant Notice.


TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.:      PARTICIPANT:
By:  

 

     By:  

 

Print Name:  

 

     Print Name:  

 

Title:  

 

      
Address:  

 

     Address:  

 


EXHIBIT A

TO GLOBAL RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD GRANT NOTICE

GLOBAL RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

Pursuant to the Global Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”) to which this Global Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, including any additional terms and conditions set forth in any appendix for the Participant’s country (the “Appendix” and, together with this Global Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, this “Agreement”) is attached, Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has granted to the Participant the number of restricted stock units (“Restricted Stock Units or RSUs”) set forth in the Grant Notice under the Company’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”). Each Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive one share of Common Stock (a “Share”) upon vesting.

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 RSUs are 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 RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

2.1 Grant of RSUs. Pursuant to the Grant Notice and upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and this Agreement, effective as of the Grant Date set forth in the Grant Notice, the Company hereby grants to the Participant an award of RSUs under the Plan.

2.2 Unsecured Obligation to RSUs. Unless and until the RSUs have vested in the manner set forth in Article 2 hereof, the Participant will have no right to receive Common Stock under any such RSUs. Prior to actual payment of any vested RSUs, such RSUs will represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable (if at all) only from the general assets of the Company.

2.3 Vesting Schedule. Subject to Section 2.5 hereof, the RSUs shall vest and become nonforfeitable with respect to the applicable portion thereof according to the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice (rounding down to the nearest whole Share).

2.4 Consideration to the Company. In consideration of the grant of the award of RSUs pursuant hereto, the Participant agrees to render faithful and efficient services to the Company or any Subsidiary.

2.5 Forfeiture, Termination and Cancellation upon Termination of Service. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Agreement or the Plan, upon the Participant’s Termination of Service for any or no reason, all Restricted Stock Units which have not vested prior to or in connection with such Termination of Service shall thereupon automatically be forfeited, terminated and cancelled as of the applicable termination date without payment of any consideration by the Company, and the

 

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Participant, or the Participant’s beneficiary or personal representative, as the case may be, shall have no further rights hereunder. No portion of the RSUs which has not become vested as of the date on which the Participant incurs a Termination of Service shall thereafter become vested, except as may otherwise be provided by the Administrator or set forth in a written agreement between the Company and the Participant. For the avoidance of doubt, employment or service during only a portion of the vesting period shall not entitle the Participant to vest in a pro-rata portion of the RSUs.

2.6 Issuance of Common Stock upon Vesting.

(a) As soon as administratively practicable following the vesting of any Restricted Stock Units pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof, but in no event later than 30 days after such vesting date (for the avoidance of doubt, this deadline is intended to comply with the “short term deferral” exemption from Section 409A of the Code), the Company shall deliver to the Participant (or any transferee permitted under Section 3.2 hereof) a number of Shares equal to the number of RSUs subject to this Award that vest on the applicable vesting date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Shares cannot be issued pursuant to Section 10.7 of the Plan, the Shares shall be issued pursuant to the preceding sentence as soon as administratively practicable after the Administrator determines that Shares can again be issued in accordance with such Section.

(b) As set forth in Section 2.7, the Company shall not be obligated to deliver any Shares to the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative unless and until the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative shall have paid or otherwise satisfied in full the amount of all federal, state and local taxes applicable to the taxable income of the Participant resulting from the grant or vesting of the Restricted Stock Units or the issuance of Shares.

2.7 Responsibility for Taxes.

(a) The Participant acknowledges that, regardless of any action taken by the Company or, if different, the Subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company for which the Participant renders services (the “Service Recipient”), the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Participant’s responsibility and may exceed the amount (if any) actually withheld by the Company or the Service Recipient. The Participant further acknowledges that the Company and/or the Service Recipient (i) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the RSUs, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or settlement of the RSUs, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to the settlement of any RSUs and the receipt of any dividends; and (ii) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the RSUs to reduce or eliminate the Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if the Participant is subject to Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction, the Participant acknowledges that the Company and/or the Service Recipient (or former Service Recipient, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.

(b) As set forth in Section 10.5 of the Plan, the Company shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or to require the Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy all applicable Tax-Related Items with respect to any taxable event arising in connection with the RSUs. All such tax withholding obligations shall be satisfied using a Sell to Cover pursuant to the Grant Notice. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated to deliver any new certificate representing Shares to the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative or enter such Shares in book entry form unless and until the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative shall have paid or otherwise satisfied in full the amount of all federal, state and local taxes applicable to the taxable income of the Participant resulting from the grant or vesting of the Restricted Stock Units or the issuance of Shares. By accepting this award of RSUs, the Participant has agreed to a Sell to Cover to satisfy any tax withholding obligations and the Participant hereby acknowledges and agrees:

 

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(i) The Participant hereby appoints the Agent as the Participant’s agent and authorizes the Agent to (A) sell on the open market at the then prevailing market price(s), on the Participant’s behalf, as soon as practicable on or after the Shares are issued upon the vesting of the Restricted Stock Units, that number (rounded up to the next whole number) of the Shares so issued necessary to generate proceeds to cover (1) any tax withholding obligations incurred with respect to such vesting or issuance and (2) all applicable fees and commissions due to, or required to be collected by, the Agent with respect thereto and (B) in the Company’s discretion, apply any remaining funds to the Participant’s federal tax withholding.

(ii) The Participant hereby authorizes the Company and the Agent to cooperate and communicate with one another to determine the number of Shares that must be sold pursuant to subsection (i) above and further authorizes the Company and the Agent to calculate any such amount based on tax rates deemed appropriate by the Company and the Agent, up to the maximum applicable statutory tax rate.

(iii) The Participant understands that the Agent may effect sales as provided in subsection (i) above in one or more sales and that the average price for executions resulting from bunched orders will be assigned to the Participant’s account. In addition, the Participant acknowledges that it may not be possible to sell Shares as provided by subsection (i) above due to (A) a legal or contractual restriction applicable to the Participant or the Agent, (B) a market disruption, or (C) rules governing order execution priority on the national exchange where the Shares may be traded. In the event of the Agent’s inability to sell Shares, the Participant will continue to be responsible for the timely payment to the Company and/or its Affiliates of all federal, state, local and foreign taxes that are required by applicable laws and regulations to be withheld, including but not limited to those amounts specified in subsection (i) above.

(iv) The Participant acknowledges that regardless of any other term or condition of this Section 2.7(b), the Agent will not be liable to the Participant for (A) special, indirect, punitive, exemplary, or consequential damages, or incidental losses or damages of any kind, or (B) any failure to perform or for any delay in performance that results from a cause or circumstance that is beyond its reasonable control.

(v) The Participant hereby agrees to execute and deliver to the Agent any other agreements or documents as the Agent reasonably deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of this Section 2.7(b). The Agent is a third-party beneficiary of this Section 2.7(b).

(vi) This Section 2.7(b) shall terminate not later than the date on which all tax withholding obligations arising in connection with the vesting of the Award have been satisfied

(c) The Company may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering statutory withholding amounts or other applicable withholding rates, including maximum rates applicable in the Participant’s jurisdiction(s). In the event of over-withholding, the Participant may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash and (with no entitlement to the equivalent in Shares) or if not refunded, the Participant may seek a refund from the local tax authorities. In the event of under-withholding, the Participant may be required to pay any additional Tax-Related Items directly to the applicable tax authority or to the Company and/or the Service Recipient. If the obligations for Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding Shares, for tax purposes, the Participant is deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the vested RSUs, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares is held back solely for the purpose of satisfying withholding obligations for Tax-Related Items.

 

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(d) Finally, the Participant agrees to pay the Company or the Service Recipient any amount of Tax-Related Items that cannot be satisfied by the means described above in Section 2.7(b). The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any Shares to the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative unless and until the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative shall have paid or otherwise satisfied in full the amount of any withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items resulting from the RSUs or the Shares subject to the RSUs.

2.8 Conditions to Delivery of Shares. The Shares deliverable hereunder may be either previously authorized but unissued Shares, treasury Shares or issued Shares which have then been reacquired by the Company. Such Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable. The Company shall not be required to issue Shares deliverable hereunder prior to fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Section 10.7 of the Plan.

2.9 Rights as Stockholder. The holder of the RSUs shall not be, nor have any of the rights or privileges of, a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to dividends, in respect of the RSUs and any Shares underlying the RSUs and deliverable hereunder unless and until such Shares shall have been issued by the Company and held of record by such holder (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company). No adjustment shall 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 IX of the Plan.

ARTICLE III.

OTHER PROVISIONS

3.1 Nature of Grant. By accepting the RSUs, the Participant acknowledges, understands, and agrees that:

(a) the Plan is established voluntarily by the Company, it is wholly discretionary in nature;

(b) the grant of the RSUs is exceptional, voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of restricted stock units, or benefits in lieu of restricted stock units, even if restricted stock units have been granted in the past;

(c) all decisions with respect to future RSU or other grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company;

(d) the Participant is voluntarily participating in the Plan;

(e) the RSUs and any Shares acquired under the Plan, and the income from and value of same, are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;

(f) the RSUs and any Shares acquired under the Plan, and the income from and value of same, are not part of normal or expected compensation for any purposes, including for purposes of calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, dismissal, end-of-service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, holiday pay, pension or retirement or welfare benefits or similar payments;

 

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(g) the future value of the Shares underlying the RSUs is unknown, indeterminable, and cannot be predicted with certainty;

(h) no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of the RSUs resulting from the Participant’s Termination of Service (for any reason whatsoever, whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of Applicable Law in the jurisdiction where the Participant is providing service or the terms of the Participant’s employment or other service agreement, if any);

(i) unless otherwise agreed with the Company, the RSUs and the Shares subject to the RSUs, and the income from and value of same, are not granted as consideration for, or in connection with, the service the Participant may provide as a director of a Subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company;

(j) unless otherwise provided in the Plan or by the Company in its discretion, the RSUs and the benefits evidenced by this Agreement do not create any entitlement to have the RSUs or any such benefits transferred to, or assumed by, another company nor be exchanged, cashed out or substituted for, in connection with any corporate transaction affecting the Shares; and

(k) neither the Company, the Service Recipient nor any other Subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company shall be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between the Participant’s local currency and the U.S. dollar that may affect the value of the RSUs or of any amounts due to the Participant pursuant to the vesting of the RSUs or the subsequent sale of any Shares acquired upon settlement of the RSUs.

3.2 Administration. The Administrator shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith shall be final and binding upon the Participant, the Company and all other interested persons. No member of the Administrator or the Board shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan, this Agreement or the RSUs.

3.3 Transferability. The RSUs shall be subject to the restrictions on transferability set forth in Section 10.1 of the Plan.

3.4 No Advice Regarding Grant. The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the Company making recommendations regarding participation in the Plan, or the Participant’s acquisition or sale of the underlying Shares. The Participant understands that the Participant may incur tax consequences in connection with the RSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement (and the Shares issuable with respect thereto). The Participant understands and agrees that the Participant should consult with the Participant’s own tax, legal and financial advisors regarding participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.

3.5 Binding Agreement. Subject to the limitation on the transferability of the RSUs contained herein, this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto.

3.6 Adjustments Upon Specified Events. The Administrator may accelerate the vesting of the RSUs in such circumstances as it, in its sole discretion, may determine. The Participant acknowledges that the RSUs are subject to adjustment, modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and Article IX of the Plan.

 

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3.7 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 Company’s principal office, and any notice to be given to the Participant shall be addressed to the Participant at the Participant’s last address reflected on the Company’s records. By a notice given pursuant to this Section 3.7, either party may hereafter designate a different address for notices to be given to that party. 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 or comparable non-U.S. postal service.

3.8 Participant’s Representations. If the Shares issuable hereunder have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state laws on an effective registration statement at the time of such issuance, the Participant shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with such issuance, make such written representations as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company or its counsel.

3.9 Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

3.10 Governing Law. 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.

3.11 Conformity to Securities Laws. The Participant acknowledges that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any other Applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the RSUs are granted, only in such a manner as to conform to Applicable Law. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such Applicable Law.

3.12 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, however, that, except as may otherwise be provided by the Plan, no amendment, modification, suspension or termination of this Agreement shall adversely affect the RSUs in any material way without the prior written consent of the Participant.

3.13 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 3.3 hereof, this Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

3.14 Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if the Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, then the Plan, the RSUs 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.

 

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3.15 Not a Contract of Service Relationship. Nothing in this Agreement or in the Plan shall confer upon Participant any right to continue to serve as a Service Provider or interfere with or restrict in any way with the right of the Company or the Service Recipient, as applicable, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or to terminate for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, the services of the Participant at any time.

3.16 Entire Agreement. The Plan, the Grant Notice and this Agreement (including all Exhibits thereto, if any) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof, provided that the RSUs shall be subject to any accelerated vesting provisions in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company or a Company plan pursuant to which the Participant is eligible to participate, in each case, in accordance with the terms therein.

3.17 Section 409A. This Award is not intended to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (together with any 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 date hereof, “Section 409A”). However, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement, if at any time the Administrator determines that this Award (or any portion thereof) may be subject to Section 409A, the Administrator shall have the right in its sole discretion (without any obligation to do so or to indemnify Participant or any other person for failure to do so) to adopt such amendments to the Plan, the Grant Notice or this Agreement, or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate for this Award either to be exempt from the application of Section 409A or to comply with the requirements of Section 409A.

3.18 Limitation on Participant’s Rights. Participation in the Plan confers no rights or interests other than as herein provided. This Agreement creates only a contractual obligation on the part of the Company as to amounts payable and shall not be construed as creating a trust. Neither the Plan nor any underlying program, in and of itself, has any assets. The Participant shall have only the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to amounts credited and benefits payable, if any, with respect to the RSUs, and rights no greater than the right to receive the Common Stock as a general unsecured creditor with respect to RSUs, as and when payable hereunder.

3.19 Electronic Delivery and Acceptance. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means. The Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the company or a third party designated by the Company.

3.20 Language. The Participant acknowledges that the Participant is sufficiently proficient in English, or has consulted with an advisor who is sufficiently proficient in English, so as to allow the Participant to understand the terms and conditions of this Agreement. If the Participant received this Agreement, or any other document related to the RSUs and/or the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.

3.21 Appendix. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Global Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, the RSUs shall be subject to any additional terms and conditions set forth in any Appendix to this Global Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for the Participant’s country. Moreover, if the Participant relocates to one of the countries included in the Appendix, the additional terms and conditions for such country will apply to the Participant, to the extent the Company determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons. The Appendix constitutes part of this Agreement.

 

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3.22 Insider Trading/Market Abuse Laws. The Participant acknowledges that, depending on the Participant’s country or broker’s country, or the country in which the Shares are listed, the Participant may be subject to insider trading restrictions and/or market abuse laws in applicable jurisdictions, which may affect his or her ability to accept, acquire, sell or attempt to sell, or otherwise dispose of the Shares, rights to Shares (e.g., the RSUs) or rights linked to the value of Shares, during such times as the Participant is considered to have “inside information” regarding the Company (as defined by the laws or regulations in applicable jurisdictions). Local insider trading laws and regulations may prohibit the cancellation or amendment of orders the Participant placed before possessing inside information. Furthermore, the Participant may be prohibited from (i) disclosing insider information to any third party, including fellow employees (other than on a “need to know” basis) and (ii) “tipping” third parties or causing them to otherwise buy or sell securities. Any restrictions under these laws or regulations are separate from and in addition to any restrictions that may be imposed under any applicable Company insider trading policy. The Participant acknowledges that it is his or her responsibility to comply with any applicable restrictions, and the Participant should speak to his or her personal advisor on this matter.

3.23 Foreign Asset/Account, Exchange Control and Tax Reporting. The Participant acknowledges that the Participant may be subject to foreign asset/account, exchange control and/or tax reporting requirements as a result of the acquisition, holding and/or transfer of Shares or cash (including dividends and the proceeds arising from the sale of Shares) derived from his or her participation in the Plan in, to and/or from a brokerage/bank account or legal entity located outside the Participant’s country. Applicable Law may require that the Participant report such accounts, assets, the balances therein, the value thereof and/or the transactions related thereto to the applicable authorities in such country. The Participant also may be required to repatriate sale proceeds or other funds received as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan to his or her country through a designated bank or broker within a certain time after receipt. The Participant acknowledges that he or she is responsible for ensuring compliance with any applicable foreign asset/account, exchange control and tax reporting requirements and should consult his or her personal legal advisor on this matter.

*    *    *    *    *

 

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APPENDIX

TO

GLOBAL RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

2021 Incentive Award Plan

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Grant Notice, the Global Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (the “Award Agreement”) and the Plan.

Terms and Conditions

This Appendix includes additional terms and conditions that govern the RSUs if the Participant resides and/or works in China.

If the Participant is a citizen or resident (or is considered as such for local law purposes) of a country other than the country in which the Participant is currently residing and/or working, or if the Participant transfers to another country after the Grant Date, the Administrator shall, in its discretion, determine to what extent the terms and conditions contained herein shall be applicable to the Participant.

Notifications

This Appendix also includes information regarding securities, exchange controls, tax and certain other issues of which the Participant should be aware with respect to his or her participation in the Plan. The information is based on the securities, exchange control, tax and other laws in effect in China as of January 2021. Such laws are often complex and change frequently. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that the Participant not rely on the information noted herein as the only source of information relating to the consequences of his or her participation in the Plan because the information may be out of date at the time the RSUs vest or the Participant sells Shares acquired under the Plan.

In addition, the information contained herein is general in nature and may not apply to the Participant’s particular situation, and the Company is not in a position to assure the Participant of any particular result. Accordingly, the Participant should seek appropriate professional advice as to how the relevant laws in his or her country may apply to the Participant’s situation.

If the Participant is a citizen or resident (or is considered as such for local law purposes) of a country other than the one in which he or she is currently residing and/or working, or if the Participant transfers to another country after the Grant Date, the information contained herein may not be applicable to the Participant in the same manner.

 

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CHINA

Terms and Conditions

The following provisions apply only to Participants who are subject to exchange control restrictions imposed by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”), as determined by the Company in its sole discretion:

Award Conditioned on Satisfaction of Regulatory Obligations. In addition to the vesting schedule in the Grant Notice, settlement of the RSUs is also conditioned on the Company’s completion of a registration of the Plan with SAFE and on the continued effectiveness of such registration (the “SAFE Registration Requirement”). If or to the extent the Company is unable to complete the registration or maintain the registration, no Shares subject to the RSUs for which a registration cannot be completed or maintained shall be issued. In this case, the Company retains the discretion to settle any RSUs for which the vesting schedule in the Grant Notice, but not the SAFE Registration Requirement, has been met in cash paid through local payroll in an amount equal to the market value of the Shares subject to the RSUs less any Tax-Related Items; provided, however, that in case the Company is able to complete a SAFE registration with respect to any RSUs, the cash payment for RSUs not covered by the SAFE registration shall not be made until the initial SAFE registration has been completed.

Stock Must Remain With Company’s Designated Broker. The Participant agrees to hold any Shares received upon settlement of the RSUs with the Company’s designated broker until the Shares are sold. The limitation shall apply to all Shares issued to the Participant under the Plan, whether or not Participant remains a Service Provider.

Forced Sale of Shares. The Company has the discretion to arrange for the sale of the Shares issued upon settlement of the RSUs, either immediately upon settlement or at any time thereafter. In any event, if the Participant experiences a Termination of Service, the Participant will be required to sell all Shares acquired upon settlement of the RSUs within such time period as required by the Company in accordance with SAFE requirements. Any Shares remaining in the brokerage account at the end of this period shall be sold by the broker (on behalf of the Participant and the Participant hereby authorizes such sale). The Participant agrees to sign any additional agreements, forms and/or consents that reasonably may be requested by the Company (or the Company’s designated broker) to effectuate the sale of Shares (including, without limitation, as to the transfer of the sale proceeds and other exchange control matters noted below) and shall otherwise cooperate with the Company with respect to such matters. The Participant acknowledges that neither the Company nor the designated broker is under any obligation to arrange for the sale of Shares at any particular price (it being understood that the sale will occur in the market) and that broker’s fees and similar expenses may be incurred in any such sale. In any event, when the Shares are sold, the sale proceeds, less any withholding for Tax-Related Items, any broker’s fees or commissions, and any similar expenses of the sale will be remitted to the Participant in accordance with applicable exchange control laws and regulations.

Exchange Control Restrictions. The Participant understands and agrees that the Participant will be required to immediately repatriate to China the proceeds from the sale of any Shares acquired under the Plan and any cash dividends paid on such Shares. The Participant further understands that such repatriation of proceeds may need to be effected through a special bank account established by the Company (or a Subsidiary), and the Participant hereby consents and agrees that any sale proceeds and cash dividends may be transferred to such special account by the Company (or a Subsidiary) on the Participant’s behalf prior to being delivered to Participant and that no interest shall be paid with respect to funds held in such account.

 

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The proceeds may be paid to the Participant in U.S. dollars or local currency at the Company’s discretion. If the proceeds are paid to the Participant in U.S. dollars, the Participant understands that a U.S. dollar bank account in China must be established and maintained so that the proceeds may be deposited into such account. If the proceeds are paid to the Participant in local currency, the Participant acknowledges that the Company (or its Subsidiaries) are under no obligation to secure any particular exchange conversion rate and that the Company (or its Subsidiaries) may face delays in converting the proceeds to local currency due to exchange control restrictions. The Participant agrees to bear any currency fluctuation risk between the time the Shares are sold and the net proceeds are converted into local currency and distributed to the Participant. The Participant further agrees to comply with any other requirements that may be imposed by the Company (or its Subsidiary) in the future in order to facilitate compliance with exchange control requirements in China.

Administration. The Company (or its Subsidiaries) shall not be liable for any costs, fees, lost interest or dividends or other losses that the Participant may incur or suffer resulting from the enforcement of the terms of this Appendix or otherwise from the Company’s operation and enforcement of the Plan, the Agreement, the Grant Notice and the RSUs in accordance with any applicable laws, rules, regulations and requirements.

Notifications

Exchange Control Information. Chinese residents may be required to report to SAFE all details of their foreign financial assets and liabilities (including Shares acquired under the Plan), as well as details of any economic transactions conducted with non-Chinese residents.

 

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EX-10.6

Exhibit 10.6

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

2021 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

ARTICLE 1

PURPOSE

The Plan’s purpose is to assist employees of the Company and its Designated Subsidiaries in acquiring a stock ownership interest in the Company, and to help such employees provide for their future security and to encourage them to remain in the employment of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

The Plan consists of two components: the Section 423 Component and the Non-Section 423 Component. The Section 423 Component is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code and shall be administered, interpreted and construed in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code. In addition, this Plan authorizes the grant of Options under the Non-Section 423 Component, which need not qualify as Options granted pursuant to an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the Code; such Options granted under the Non-Section 423 Component shall be granted pursuant to separate Offerings containing such sub-plans, appendices, rules or procedures as may be adopted by the Administrator and designed to achieve tax, securities laws or other objectives for Eligible Employees and the Designated Subsidiaries in locations outside of the United States. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Non-Section 423 Component will operate and be administered in the same manner as the Section 423 Component. Offerings intended to be made under the Non-Section 423 Component will be designated as such by the Administrator at or prior to the time of such Offering.

For purposes of this Plan, the Administrator may designate separate Offerings under the Plan, the terms of which need not be identical, in which Eligible Employees will participate, even if the dates of the applicable Offering Period(s) in each such Offering is identical, provided that the terms of participation are the same within each separate Offering under the Section 423 Component as determined under Section 423 of the Code. Solely by way of example and without limiting the foregoing, the Company could, but shall not be required to, provide for simultaneous Offerings under the Section 423 Component and the Non-Section 423 Component of the Plan.

ARTICLE 2

DEFINITIONS

As used in the Plan, the following words and phrases have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

2.1 “Administrator” means the Committee, or such individuals to which authority to administer the Plan has been delegated under Section 7.1 hereof.

2.2 “Agent” means the brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution, entity or person(s), if any, engaged, retained, appointed or authorized to act as the agent of the Company or an Employee with regard to the Plan.

2.3 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.4 “Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and all regulations, guidance, compliance programs and other interpretative authority issued thereunder.


2.5 “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

2.6 “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.

2.7 “Company” means Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor.

2.8 “Compensation” of an Employee means the regular earnings or base salary, bonuses and commissions paid to the Employee from the Company on each Payday as compensation for services to the Company or any Designated Subsidiary, before deduction for any salary deferral contributions made by the Employee to any tax-qualified or nonqualified deferred compensation plan, including overtime, shift differentials, vacation pay, salaried production schedule premiums, holiday pay, jury duty pay, funeral leave pay, paid time off, military pay, prior week adjustments and weekly bonus, but excluding education or tuition reimbursements, imputed income arising under any group insurance or benefit program, travel expenses, business and moving reimbursements, including tax gross ups and taxable mileage allowance, income received in connection with any stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other compensatory equity awards and all contributions made by the Company or any Designated Subsidiary for the Employee’s benefit under any employee benefit plan now or hereafter established. Such Compensation shall be calculated before deduction of any income or employment tax withholdings, but shall be withheld from the Employee’s net income.

2.9 “Designated Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary, including any Subsidiary in existence on the Effective Date and any Subsidiary formed or acquired following the Effective Date, that has been designated by the Board or Committee from time to time in its sole discretion as eligible to participate in the Plan, in accordance with Section 7.2 hereof, such designation to specify whether such participation is in the Section 423 Component or Non-Section 423 Component. A Designated Subsidiary may participate in either the Section 423 Component or Non-Section 423 Component, but not both.

2.10 “Effective Date” means the date immediately prior to the date the Company’s registration statement relating to its initial public offering becomes effective, provided that the Board has adopted the Plan prior to or on such date, subject to approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders.

2.11 “Eligible Employee” means an Employee:

(a) who is customarily scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week;

(b) whose customary employment is more than five months in a calendar year;

(c) who has been employed by the Company or a Designated Company for at least one month prior to the applicable Enrollment Date; and

(d) who, after the granting of the Option, would not be deemed for purposes of Section 423(b)(3) of the Code to possess 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary.

For purposes of clause (c), the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code with regard to the attribution of stock ownership shall apply in determining the stock ownership of an individual, and stock which an Employee may purchase under outstanding options shall be treated as stock owned by the Employee.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may exclude from participation in the Section 423 Component as an Eligible Employee:

(x) any Employee that is a “highly compensated employee” of the Company or any Designated Subsidiary (within the meaning of Section 414(q) of the Code), or that is such a “highly compensated employee” (A) with compensation above a specified level, (B) who is an officer or (C) who is subject to the disclosure requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act; or

(y) any Employee who is a citizen or resident of a foreign jurisdiction (without regard to whether they are also a citizen of the United States or a resident alien (within the meaning of Section 7701(b)(1)(A) of the Code)) if either (A) the grant of the Option is prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction governing such Employee, or (B) compliance with the laws of the foreign jurisdiction would cause the Section 423 Component, any Offering thereunder or an Option granted thereunder to violate the requirements of Section 423 of the Code;

provided that any exclusion in clauses (x) or (y) shall be applied in an identical manner under each Offering to all Employees of the Company and all Designated Subsidiaries, in accordance with Treas. Reg. § 1.423-2(e). Further notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to the Non-Section 423 Component, the first sentence in this definition shall apply in determining who is an “Eligible Employee,” except (a) the Administrator may limit eligibility further within the Company or a Designated Subsidiary so as to only designate some Employees of the Company or a Designated Subsidiary as Eligible Employees, and (b) to the extent the restrictions in the first sentence in this definition are not consistent with applicable local laws, the applicable local laws shall control.

2.12 “Employee” means any person who renders services to the Company or a Designated Subsidiary in the status of an employee within the meaning of Section 3401(c) of the Code. “Employee” shall not include any director of the Company or a Designated Subsidiary who does not render services to the Company or a Designated Subsidiary in the status of an employee within the meaning of Section 3401(c) of the Code. For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship shall be treated as continuing intact while the individual is on military leave, sick leave or other leave of absence approved by the Company or a Designated Subsidiary and meeting the requirements of Treas. Reg. § 1.421-1(h)(2). Where the period of leave exceeds three months, or such other period specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.421-1(h)(2), and the individual’s right to reemployment is not guaranteed either by statute or by contract, the employment relationship shall be deemed to have terminated on the first day immediately following such three-month period, or such other period specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.421-1(h)(2).

2.13 “Enrollment Date” means the first date of each Offering Period.

2.14 “Exercise Date” means the last day of each Purchase Period, except as provided in Section 5.2 hereof.

2.15 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

2.16 “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:

(a) If the Common Stock is (i) listed on any established securities exchange (such as the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq Stock Market), (ii) listed on any national market system or (iii) listed, quoted or traded on any automated quotation system, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for a share of Common Stock as quoted on such exchange or system for such date or, if there is no closing sales price for a share of Common Stock on the date in question, the closing sales price for a share of Common Stock 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;

 

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(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 of Common Stock on such date, the high bid and low asked prices for a share of Common Stock 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.

2.17 “Grant Date” means the first day of an Offering Period.

2.18 “New Exercise Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(b) hereof.

2.19 “Non-Section 423 Component” means those Offerings under the Plan, together with the sub-plans, appendices, rules or procedures, if any, adopted by the Administrator as a part of this Plan, in each case, pursuant to which Options may be granted to non-U.S. Eligible Employees that need not satisfy the requirements for Options granted pursuant to an “employee stock purchase plan” that are set forth under Section 423 of the Code.

2.20 “Offering” means an offer under the Plan of an Option that may be exercised during an Offering Period as further described in Section 4 hereof. Unless otherwise specified by the Administrator, each Offering to the Eligible Employees of the Company or a Designated Subsidiary shall be deemed a separate Offering, even if the dates and other terms of the applicable Exercise Periods of each such Offering are identical and the provisions of the Plan will separately apply to each Offering. To the extent permitted by Treas. Reg. § 1.423-2(a)(1), the terms of each separate Offering under the Section 423 Component need not be identical, provided that the terms of the Section 423 Component and an Offering thereunder together satisfy Treas. Reg. § 1.423-2(a)(2) and (a)(3).

2.21 “Offering Period means such period of time commencing on such date(s) as determined by the Board or Committee, in its sole discretion, and with respect to which Options shall be granted to Participants. The duration and timing of Offering Periods may be established or changed by the Board or Committee at any time, in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may an Offering Period exceed 27 months.

2.22 “Option” means the right to purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan during each Offering Period.

2.23 “Option Price” means the purchase price of a share of Common Stock hereunder as provided in Section 4.2 hereof.

2.24 “Parent” means any entity that is a parent corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code.

2.25 “Participant” means any Eligible Employee who elects to participate in the Plan.

2.26 “Payday” means the regular and recurring established day for payment of Compensation to an Employee of the Company or any Designated Subsidiary.

 

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2.27 “Plan” means this 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, including both the Section 423 Component and Non-Section 423 Component and any other sub-plans or appendices hereto, as amended from time to time.

2.28 “Plan Account” means a bookkeeping account established and maintained by the Company in the name of each Participant.

2.29 “Purchase Period” means such period of time within an Offering Period commencing on such date(s) as determined by the Board or Committee, in its sole discretion. The duration and timing of Purchase Periods may be established or changed by the Board or Committee at any time, in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may a Purchase Period exceed the duration of the Offering Period under which it is established.

2.30 “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code.

2.31 “Section 423 Component” means those Offerings under the Plan that are intended to meet the requirements under Section 423(b) of the Code.

2.32 “Subsidiary” means any entity that is a subsidiary corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code. In addition, with respect to the Non-Section 423 Component, Subsidiary shall include any corporate or noncorporate entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect equity interest or significant business relationship.

2.33 “Treas. Reg.” means U.S. Department of the Treasury regulations.

2.34 “Withdrawal Election” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1(a) hereof.

ARTICLE 3

PARTICIPATION

3.1 Eligibility.

(a) Any Eligible Employee who is employed by the Company or a Designated Subsidiary on a given Enrollment Date for an Offering Period shall be eligible to participate in the Plan during such Offering Period, subject to the requirements of Articles 4 and 5 hereof, and, for the Section 423 Component, the limitations imposed by Section 423(b) of the Code.

(b) No Eligible Employee shall be granted an Option under the Section 423 Component which permits the Participant’s rights to purchase shares of Common Stock under the Plan, and to purchase stock under all other employee stock purchase plans of the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary subject to Section 423 of the Code, to accrue at a rate which exceeds $25,000 of fair market value of such stock (determined at the time such Option is granted) for each calendar year in which such Option is outstanding at any time. The limitation under this Section 3.1(b) shall be applied in accordance with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code.

3.2 Election to Participate; Payroll Deductions

(a) Except as provided in Sections 3.2(e) and 3.3 hereof, an Eligible Employee may become a Participant in the Plan only by means of payroll deduction. Each individual who is an Eligible Employee as of an Offering Period’s Enrollment Date may elect to participate in such Offering Period and the Plan by delivering to the Company a payroll deduction authorization no later than the period of time prior to the applicable Enrollment Date that is determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.

 

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(b) Subject to Section 3.1(b) hereof and except as may otherwise be determined by the Administrator, payroll deductions (i) shall equal at least 1% of the Participant’s Compensation as of each Payday of the Offering Period following the Enrollment Date, but not more than 15% of the Participant’s Compensation as of each Payday of the Offering Period following the Enrollment Date; and (ii) may be expressed either as (A) a whole number percentage, or (B) a fixed dollar amount. Amounts deducted from a Participant’s Compensation with respect to an Offering Period pursuant to this Section 3.2 shall be deducted each Payday through payroll deduction and credited to the Participant’s Plan Account; provided that for the first Offering Period under this Plan, payroll deductions shall not begin until such date determined by the Board or Committee, in its sole discretion.

(c) Following at least one payroll deduction, a Participant may decrease (to as low as zero) the amount deducted from such Participant’s Compensation only once during an Offering Period upon ten calendar days’ prior written notice to the Company. A Participant may not increase the amount deducted from such Participant’s Compensation during an Offering Period.

(d) Upon the completion of an Offering Period, each Participant in such Offering Period shall automatically participate in the immediately following Offering Period at the same payroll deduction percentage or fixed amount as in effect at the termination of such Offering Period, unless such Participant delivers to the Company a different election with respect to the successive Offering Period in accordance with Section 3.2(a) hereof, or unless such Participant becomes ineligible for participation in the Plan.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan to the contrary, in non-U.S. jurisdictions where participation in the Plan through payroll deductions is prohibited, the Administrator may provide that an Eligible Employee may elect to participate through contributions to the Participant’s account under the Plan in a form acceptable to the Administrator in lieu of or in addition to payroll deductions; provided, however, that, for any Offering under the Section 423 Component, the Administrator must determine that any alternative method of contribution is applied on an equal and uniform basis to all Eligible Employees in the Offering.

3.3 Leave of Absence. During leaves of absence approved by the Company meeting the requirements of Treas. Reg. § 1.421-1(h)(2), a Participant may continue participation in the Plan by making cash payments to the Company on the Participant’s normal payday equal to the Participant’s authorized payroll deduction.

ARTICLE 4

PURCHASE OF SHARES

4.1 Grant of Option. The Company may make one or more Offerings under the Plan, which may be successive or overlapping with one another, until the earlier of: (i) the date on which the Shares available under the Plan have been sold or (ii) the date on which the Plan is suspended or terminates. The Administrator shall designate the terms and conditions of each Offering in writing, including without limitation, the Offering Period and the Purchase Periods. Each Participant shall be granted an Option with respect to an Offering Period on the applicable Grant Date. Subject to the limitations of Section 3.1(b) hereof, the number of shares of Common Stock subject to a Participant’s Option shall be determined by dividing (a) such Participant’s payroll deductions accumulated prior to an Exercise Date and retained in the Participant’s Plan Account on such Exercise Date by (b) the applicable Option Price; provided that in no event shall a Participant be permitted to purchase during each Offering Period more than 100,000

 

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shares of Common Stock (subject to any adjustment pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof). The Administrator may, for future Offering Periods, increase or decrease, in its absolute discretion, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that a Participant may purchase during such future Offering Periods. Each Option shall expire on the last Exercise Date for the applicable Offering Period immediately after the automatic exercise of the Option in accordance with Section 4.3 hereof, unless such Option terminates earlier in accordance with Article 6 hereof.

4.2 Option Price. The “Option Price” per share of Common Stock to be paid by a Participant upon exercise of the Participant’s Option on an Exercise Date for an Offering Period shall equal 85% of the lesser of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on (a) the applicable Grant Date and (b) the applicable Exercise Date, or such other price designated by the Administrator; provided that in no event shall the Option Price per share of Common Stock be less than the par value per share of the Common Stock.

4.3 Purchase of Shares.

(a) On each Exercise Date for an Offering Period, each Participant shall automatically and without any action on such Participant’s part be deemed to have exercised the Participant’s Option to purchase at the applicable per share Option Price the largest number of whole shares of Common Stock which can be purchased with the amount in the Participant’s Plan Account. Any balance less than the per share Option Price that is remaining in the Participant’s Plan Account (after exercise of such Participant’s Option) as of the Exercise Date shall be carried forward to the next Purchase Period or Offering Period, unless the Participant has elected to withdraw from the Plan pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof or, pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof, such Participant has ceased to be an Eligible Employee. Any balance not carried forward to the next Purchase Period or Offering Period in accordance with the prior sentence shall be promptly refunded to the applicable Participant. In no event shall an amount greater than or equal to the per share Option Price as of an Exercise Date be carried forward to the next Purchase Period or Offering Period.

(b) As soon as practicable following each Exercise Date, the number of shares of Common Stock purchased by such Participant pursuant to Section 4.3(a) hereof shall be delivered (either in share certificate or book entry form), in the Company’s sole discretion, to either (i) the Participant or (ii) an account established in the Participant’s name at a stock brokerage or other financial services firm designated by the Company. If the Company is required to obtain from any commission or agency authority to issue any such shares of Common Stock, the Company shall seek to obtain such authority. Inability of the Company to obtain from any such commission or agency authority which counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance of any such shares shall relieve the Company from liability to any Participant except to refund to the Participant such Participant’s Plan Account balance, without interest thereon.

4.4 Automatic Termination of Offering Period. If the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on any Exercise Date (except the final scheduled Exercise Date of any Offering Period) is lower than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Grant Date for an Offering Period, then such Offering Period shall terminate on such Exercise Date after the automatic exercise of the Option in accordance with Section 4.3 hereof, and each Participant shall automatically be enrolled in the Offering Period that commences immediately following such Exercise Date and such Participant’s payroll deduction authorization shall remain in effect for such Offering Period.

 

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4.5 Transferability of Rights. An Option granted under the Plan shall not be transferable, other than by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant. No option or interest or right to the Option shall be available to pay off any debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or the Participant’s successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by 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 attempt at disposition of the Option shall have no effect.

ARTICLE 5

PROVISIONS RELATING TO COMMON STOCK

5.1 Common Stock Reserved. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 5.2 hereof, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that shall be made available for sale under the Plan shall be the sum of (a) 227,500 shares and (b) an annual increase on the first day of each year beginning in 2022 and ending in 2031 equal to the lesser of (i) 1% of the shares outstanding (on an as converted basis) on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (ii) such number of shares as may be determined by the Board; provided, however, no more than 3,128,135 shares may be issued under the Plan. Shares made available for sale under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares, treasury shares of Common Stock, or reacquired shares reserved for issuance under the Plan.

5.2 Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Liquidation, Merger or Asset Sale.

(a) Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but not yet placed under Option, as well as the price per share and the number of shares of Common Stock covered by each Option under the Plan which has not yet been exercised shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Administrator, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option.

(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Offering Periods then in progress shall be shortened by setting a new Exercise Date (the “New Exercise Date”), and shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed dissolution or liquidation, unless provided otherwise by the Administrator. The New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company’s proposed dissolution or liquidation. The Administrator shall notify each Participant in writing prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for the Participant’s Option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the Participant’s Option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 6.1 hereof or the Participant has ceased to be an Eligible Employee as provided in Section 6.2 hereof.

 

8


(c) Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company with or into another corporation, each outstanding Option shall be assumed or an equivalent Option substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. If the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option, any Offering Periods then in progress shall be shortened by setting a New Exercise Date and any Offering Periods then in progress shall end on the New Exercise Date. The New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company’s proposed sale or merger. The Administrator shall notify each Participant in writing prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for the Participant’s Option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the Participant’s Option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 6.1 hereof or the Participant has ceased to be an Eligible Employee as provided in Section 6.2 hereof.

5.3 Insufficient Shares. If the Administrator determines that, on a given Exercise Date, the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Options are to be exercised may exceed the number of shares of Common Stock remaining available for sale under the Plan on such Exercise Date, the Administrator shall make a pro rata allocation of the shares of Common Stock available for issuance on such Exercise Date in as uniform a manner as shall be practicable and as it shall determine in its sole discretion to be equitable among all Participants exercising Options to purchase Common Stock on such Exercise Date, and unless additional shares are authorized for issuance under the Plan, no further Offering Periods shall take place and the Plan shall terminate pursuant to Section 7.5 hereof. If an Offering Period is so terminated, then the balance of the amount credited to the Participant’s Plan Account which has not been applied to the purchase of shares of Common Stock shall be paid to such Participant in one lump sum in cash within 30 days after such Exercise Date, without any interest thereon.

5.4 Rights as Stockholders. With respect to shares of Common Stock subject to an Option, a Participant shall not be deemed to be a stockholder of the Company and shall not have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder. A Participant shall have the rights and privileges of a stockholder of the Company when, but not until, shares of Common Stock have been deposited in the designated brokerage account following exercise of the Participant’s Option.

ARTICLE 6

TERMINATION OF PARTICIPATION

6.1 Cessation of Contributions; Voluntary Withdrawal.

(a) A Participant may cease payroll deductions during an Offering Period and elect to withdraw from the Plan by delivering written notice of such election to the Company in such form and at such time prior to the Exercise Date for such Offering Period as may be established by the Administrator (a “Withdrawal Election”). A Participant electing to withdraw from the Plan may elect to either (i) withdraw all of the funds then credited to the Participant’s Plan Account as of the date on which the Withdrawal Election is received by the Company, in which case amounts credited to such Plan Account shall be returned to the Participant in one lump-sum payment in cash within 30 days after such election is received by the Company, without any interest thereon, and the Participant shall cease to participate in the Plan and the Participant’s Option for such Offering Period shall terminate; or (ii) exercise the Option for the maximum number of whole shares of Common Stock on the applicable Exercise Date with any remaining Plan Account balance returned to the Participant in one lump-sum payment in cash within 30 days after such Exercise Date, without any interest thereon, and after such exercise cease to participate in the Plan. Upon receipt of a Withdrawal Election, the Participant’s payroll deduction authorization and the Participant’s Option shall terminate.

 

9


(b) A Participant’s withdrawal from the Plan shall not have any effect upon the Participant’s eligibility to participate in any similar plan which may hereafter be adopted by the Company or in succeeding Offering Periods which commence after the termination of the Offering Period from which the Participant withdraws.

(c) A Participant who ceases contributions to the Plan during any Offering Period shall not be permitted to resume contributions to the Plan during that Offering Period.

6.2 Termination of Eligibility. Upon a Participant’s ceasing to be an Eligible Employee, for any reason, such Participant’s Option for the applicable Offering Period shall automatically terminate, the Participant shall be deemed to have elected to withdraw from the Plan, and such Participant’s Plan Account shall be paid to such Participant or, in the case of the Participant’s death, to the person or persons entitled thereto pursuant to applicable law, within 30 days after such cessation of being an Eligible Employee, without any interest thereon. If a Participant transfers employment from the Company or any Designated Subsidiary participating in the Section 423 Component to any Designated Subsidiary participating in the Non-Section 423 Component, such transfer shall not be treated as a termination of employment, but the Participant shall immediately cease to participate in the Section 423 Component; however, any contributions made for the Offering Period in which such transfer occurs shall be transferred to the Non-Section 423 Component, and such Participant shall immediately join the then-current Offering under the Non-Section 423 Component upon the same terms and conditions in effect for the Participant’s participation in the Section 423 Component, except for such modifications otherwise applicable for Participants in such Offering. A Participant who transfers employment from any Designated Subsidiary participating in the Non-Section 423 Component to the Company or any Designated Subsidiary participating in the Section 423 Component shall not be treated as terminating the Participant’s employment and shall remain a Participant in the Non-Section 423 Component until the earlier of (i) the end of the current Offering Period under the Non-Section 423 Component, or (ii) the Enrollment Date of the first Offering Period in which the Participant is eligible to participate following such transfer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may establish different rules to govern transfers of employment between companies participating in the Section 423 Component and the Non-Section 423 Component, consistent with the applicable requirements of Section 423 of the Code.

ARTICLE 7

GENERAL PROVISIONS

7.1 Administration.

(a) The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall be composed of members of the Board. The Committee may delegate administrative tasks under the Plan to the services of an Agent or Employees to assist in the administration of the Plan, including establishing and maintaining an individual securities account under the Plan for each Participant.

(b) It shall be the duty of the Administrator to conduct the general administration of the Plan in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. The Administrator shall have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

(i) To establish and terminate Offerings;

 

10


(ii) To determine when and how Options shall be granted and the provisions and terms of each Offering (which need not be identical);

(iii) To select Designated Subsidiaries in accordance with Section 7.2 hereof; and

(iv) To construe and interpret the Plan, the terms of any Offering and the terms of the Options and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation, and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. The Administrator, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan, any Offering or any Option, in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to administer the Plan, subject to Section 423 of the Code for the Section 423 Component.

(c) The Administrator may adopt rules or procedures relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate the specific requirements of local laws and procedures. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator is specifically authorized to adopt rules and procedures regarding handling of participation elections, payroll deductions, payment of interest, conversion of local currency, payroll tax, withholding procedures and handling of stock certificates which vary with local requirements. In its absolute discretion, the Board may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Administrator under the Plan.

(d) The Administrator may adopt sub-plans applicable to particular Designated Subsidiaries or locations, which sub-plans may be designed to be outside the scope of Section 423 of the Code. The rules of such sub-plans may take precedence over other provisions of this Plan, with the exception of Section 5.1 hereof, but unless otherwise superseded by the terms of such sub-plan, the provisions of this Plan shall govern the operation of such sub-plan.

(e) All expenses and liabilities incurred by the Administrator in connection with the administration of the Plan shall be borne by the Company. The Administrator may, with the approval of the Committee, employ attorneys, consultants, accountants, appraisers, brokers or other persons. The Administrator, the Company and its officers and directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or valuations of any such persons. All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith shall be final and binding upon all Participants, the Company and all other interested persons. No member of the Board or Administrator shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or the options, and all members of the Board or Administrator shall be fully protected by the Company in respect to any such action, determination, or interpretation.

7.2 Designation of Subsidiary Corporations. The Board or Administrator shall designate from time to time the Subsidiaries that shall constitute Designated Subsidiaries, and determine whether such Designated Subsidiaries shall participate in the Section 423 Component or Non-Section 423 Component. The Board or Administrator may designate a Subsidiary, or terminate the designation of a Subsidiary, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company.

7.3 Reports. Individual accounts shall be maintained for each Participant in the Plan. Statements of Plan Accounts shall be given to Participants at least annually, which statements shall set forth the amounts of payroll deductions, the Option Price, the number of shares purchased and the remaining cash balance, if any.

 

11


7.4 No Right to Employment. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to give any person (including any Participant) the right to remain in the employ of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary or to affect the right of the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary to terminate the employment of any person (including any Participant) at any time, with or without cause, which right is expressly reserved.

7.5 Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

(a) The Board may, in its sole discretion, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time and from time to time. To the extent necessary to comply with Section 423 of the Code (or any successor rule or provision), with respect to the Section 423 Component, or any other applicable law, regulation or stock exchange rule, the Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any such amendment to the Plan in such a manner and to such a degree as required by Section 423 of the Code or such other law, regulation or rule.

(b) If the Administrator determines that the ongoing operation of the Plan may result in unfavorable financial accounting consequences, the Administrator may in its discretion modify or amend the Plan to reduce or eliminate such accounting consequence including, but not limited to:

(i) altering the Option Price for any Offering Period including an Offering Period underway at the time of the change in Option Price;

(ii) shortening any Offering Period so that the Offering Period ends on a new Exercise Date, including an Offering Period underway at the time of the Administrator action; and

(iii) allocating shares of Common Stock.

Such modifications or amendments shall not require stockholder approval or the consent of any Participant.

(c) Upon termination of the Plan, the balance in each Participant’s Plan Account shall be refunded as soon as practicable after such termination, without any interest thereon.

7.6 Use of Funds; No Interest Paid. All funds received by the Company by reason of purchase of shares of Common Stock under the Plan shall be included in the general funds of the Company free of any trust or other restriction and may be used for any corporate purpose. No interest shall be paid to any Participant or credited under the Plan.

7.7 Term; Approval by Stockholders. No Option may be granted during any period of suspension of the Plan or after termination of the Plan. The Plan shall be submitted for the approval of the Company’s stockholders within 12 months after the date of the Board’s initial adoption of the Plan. Options may be granted prior to such stockholder approval; provided, however, that such Options shall not be exercisable prior to the time when the Plan is approved by the stockholders; provided, further that if such approval has not been obtained by the end of the 12-month period, all Options previously granted under the Plan shall thereupon terminate and be canceled and become null and void without being exercised.

7.8 Effect Upon Other Plans. The adoption of the Plan shall not affect any other compensation or incentive plans in effect for the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary (a) to establish any other forms of incentives or compensation for Employees of the Company or any Parent or any Subsidiary, or (b) to grant or assume Options otherwise than under the Plan in connection with any proper corporate purpose, including, but not by way of 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, firm or association.

 

12


7.9 Conformity to Securities Laws. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Plan and the participation in the Plan by 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 exemption 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, the Plan shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

7.10 Notice of Disposition of Shares. Each Participant shall give the Company prompt notice of any disposition or other transfer of any shares of Common Stock, acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option granted under the Section 423 Component, if such disposition or transfer is made (a) within two years after the applicable Grant Date or (b) within one year after the transfer of such shares of Common Stock to such Participant upon exercise of such Option. The Company may direct that any certificates evidencing shares acquired pursuant to the Plan refer to such requirement.

7.11 Tax Withholding. The Company or any Parent or any Subsidiary shall be entitled to require payment in cash or deduction from other compensation payable to each Participant of any sums required by federal, state or local tax law to be withheld with respect to any purchase of shares of Common Stock under the Plan or any sale of such shares.

7.12 Governing Law. The Plan and all rights and obligations thereunder shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of law rules thereof or of any other jurisdiction.

7.13 Notices. All notices or other communications by a Participant to the Company under or in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly given when received in the form specified by the Company at the location, or by the person, designated by the Company for the receipt thereof.

7.14 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 of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of an Option by a Participant, unless and until the Board or the Committee has determined, with advice of counsel, that the issuance of such shares of Common Stock is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities and, if applicable, the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the shares of Common Stock are listed or traded, and the shares of Common Stock 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 Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Board or the Committee, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements.

(b) All certificates for shares of Common Stock delivered pursuant to the Plan and all shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to book entry procedures are subject to any stop-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee deems necessary or advisable to comply with federal, state, or foreign securities or other laws, rules and regulations and the rules of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the shares of Common Stock are listed, quoted, or traded. The Committee may place legends on any certificate or book entry evidencing shares of Common Stock to reference restrictions applicable to the shares of Common Stock.

 

13


(c) The Committee shall have the right to require any Participant to comply with any timing or other restrictions with respect to the settlement, distribution or exercise of any Option, including a window-period limitation, as may be imposed in the sole discretion of the Committee.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or required by any applicable law, rule or regulation, the Company may, in lieu of delivering to any Participant certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock issued in connection with any Option, record the issuance of shares of Common Stock in the books of the Company (or, as applicable, its transfer agent or stock plan administrator).

7.15 Equal Rights and Privileges. All Eligible Employees of the Company (or of any Designated Subsidiary) granted Options pursuant to an Offering under the Section 423 Component shall have equal rights and privileges under this Plan to the extent required under Section 423 of the Code so that the Section 423 Component qualifies as an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code. Any provision of the Section 423 Component that is inconsistent with Section 423 of the Code shall, without further act or amendment by the Company or the Board, be reformed to comply with the equal rights and privileges requirement of Section 423 of the Code. Eligible Employees participating in the Non-Section 423 Component need not have the same rights and privileges as Eligible Employees participating in the Section 423 Component.

7.16 Rules Particular to Specific Countries. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the terms and conditions of the Plan with respect to Participants who are tax residents of a particular non-U.S. country or who are foreign nationals or employed in non-U.S. jurisdictions may be subject to an addendum to the Plan in the form of an appendix or sub-plan (which appendix or sub-plan may be designed to govern Offerings under the Section 423 Component or the Non-Section 423 Component, as determined by the Administrator). To the extent that the terms and conditions set forth in an appendix or sub-plan conflict with any provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the appendix or sub-plan shall govern. The adoption of any such appendix or sub-plan shall be pursuant to Section 7.1 above. Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator is specifically authorized to adopt rules and procedures, with respect to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed in non-U.S. jurisdictions, regarding the exclusion of particular Subsidiaries from participation in the Plan, eligibility to participate, the definition of Compensation, handling of payroll deductions or other contributions by Participants, payment of interest, conversion of local currency, data privacy security, payroll tax, withholding procedures, establishment of bank or trust accounts to hold payroll deductions or contributions.

7.17 Section 409A. The Section 423 Component of the Plan and the Options granted pursuant to Offerings thereunder are intended to be exempt from the application of Section 409A. Neither the Non-Section 423 Component nor any Option granted pursuant to an Offering thereunder is intended to constitute or provide for “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if the Administrator determines that any Option granted under the Plan may be or become subject to Section 409A or that any provision of the Plan may cause an Option granted under the Plan to be or become subject to Section 409A, the Administrator may adopt such amendments to the Plan and/or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to avoid the imposition of taxes under Section 409A, either through compliance with the requirements of Section 409A or with an available exemption therefrom.

*         *         *         *         *

 

14

EX-10.7

Exhibit 10.7

 

LOGO

December 13th, 2018

Dr. Erin Quirk

Re: Offer of Employment by Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Dear Erin,

Terns Pharmaceuticals is pleased to offer you employment with our company as Chief Medical Officer reporting to Weidong Zhong, President and CEO.

You will be employed by Terns, Inc., a Delaware corporation, which is a subsidiary of our parent entity, Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Your base salary will be $345,000 per year, less payroll deductions and withholdings. The target bonus is 35% of your annual salary pending approval of the company’s bonus structure, and assuming yours and company’s annual objectives are met.

We will recommend to the Board of Directors of Terns Pharmaceuticals that you be granted the opportunity to purchase up to 950,000 Ordinary Shares under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan at the fair market value of the Ordinary Shares, as determined by the Board of Directors on the date the Board approves the grant. The shares you will be given the opportunity to purchase will vest over 4 years according the the following schedule: 25% of the shares will vest at the end of your first anniversary with the Company; the remaining 75% of the shares will vest monthly thereafter (1/48 of the original 950,000 shares per month), so long as you remain employed by the Company or its subsidiaries. The grant of these options by the Company is subject to the Board’s approval and this promise to recommend the approval is not a promise of compensation and is not intended to create an obligation on the part of the Company. Further details on the Plan and any specific option grant to you will be provided upon approval of such grant by the Company’s Board of Directors. Furthermore, you will be eligible for continued participation in ESOP based on your performance on the annual basis.

The start date is currently January 1st, 2019 unless another date is mutually agreed upon by you and the company.

You will be eligible for the standard company benefits, including health insurance, vacation, sick leave, holidays, 401(k), and bonus programs.

This letter and the Employee Confidential Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement attached hereto supersede and replace any prior agreements, representations or understandings (whether written, oral, implied or otherwise) between you and Terns Pharmaceuticals and constitute the complete agreement between you and Terns Pharmaceuticals regarding the subject matter set forth herein.


Employment Offer

Page 2

We are excited to have you join our team at Terns Pharma!

 

/s/ Weidong Zhong
Very truly yours,
Weidong Zhong, CEO

I have read and understood this offer letter and hereby acknowledge, accept and agree to the terms as set forth above and further acknowledge that no other commitments were made to me as part of my employment offer except as specifically set forth herein.

 

/s/ Erin Quirk

   Date signed:   

19 December 2018

Erin Quirk      
EX-10.8

Exhibit 10.8

TERNS, INC.

July 24, 2020

Senthil Sundaram (the “Employee”)

***

***

Sent via email to ***

Dear Senthil:

Terns, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) is pleased to offer you employment on the following terms specified in this employment agreement (this “Agreement”):

 

1.

Position. You will be employed as the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company and will also serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company’s parent entity Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Cayman corporation (“Terns Cayman” or “Parent”). The CEO will have duties and responsibilities that are customary for such position. In these capacities, you will report to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) and the Board of Directors of Terns Cayman (the “Parent Board”). Subject to the Company’s bylaws, you will also be appointed to serve as a member of the Company Board and Parent Board, effective as of your first day of work (the “Employment Start Date”), which shall be the later of July 30, 2020 or the first business day following the execution of this Agreement. Your service to the Company is to be full-time. You will work out of the Company’s headquarters in Foster City, California, except as otherwise required pursuant to Company policy or applicable public health orders. While you render services to the Company, you will not engage in any other employment, consulting or other business activity (whether full-time or part-time) that would create a conflict of interest with the Company or be competitive with the Company. By signing this Agreement, you confirm to the Company that you have no contractual commitments or other legal obligations that would prohibit you from performing your duties for the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may continue to serve on the board of directors for Axovant Gene Therapies Ltd.; and may serve on other boards of directors, in each case, with the approval of the Parent Board, or engage in charitable or other community activities, as long as, in each case, such services and activities are disclosed to the Parent Board and do not interfere with your performance of your duties to the Company and Parent.

 

2.

Base Salary. The Company will pay you a starting salary at the rate of US$500,000 per year (“Base Salary”), payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll schedule. This salary may be increased to reflect performance achievements, as determined by the Company Board from time to time and in its sole discretion.

 

3.

Annual Bonus; Signing Bonus.

 

  3.1.

You will be eligible to receive from the Company an annual target cash bonus of 45% of your Base Salary (your “Target Bonus”). The actual bonus amount awarded to you (your “Annual Bonus”) may be higher or lower than the Target Bonus based upon the achievement of performance objectives established by the Company Board, and which the Board will use all commercially reasonable efforts to communicate to you in writing within 45 days following the start of each calendar year. Your Annual Bonus for the Company’s 2020 fiscal year will be prorated to reflect your actual employment during the performance year and paid to you on or before March 15, 2021. Each Annual Bonus thereafter will be paid no later than two and one half months following the end of the applicable performance year to which it relates, and otherwise in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll schedule.


  3.2.

In addition, you will receive from the Company a starting signing bonus of $150,000 (the “Signing and Relocation Bonus”), to be paid within thirty (30) days after your employment start date, which is intended in part to help offset the costs of your relocation to the San Francisco Bay Area. You agree to repay the Signing and Relocation Bonus (in each case, gross of applicable taxes withheld), on a pro rata basis based on the number of days you have been employed by the Company within a three year period, to the Company in the event that you voluntarily terminate your employment with the Company for any reason other than Good Reason, or if your employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, during the first full year of your employment Such repayment shall be due immediately upon termination of your employment.

 

4.

Equity Award.

 

  4.1.

Initial Equity Award. You will be granted an option (the “Initial Equity Award”) to purchase such number of ordinary shares of Terns Cayman (the “Ordinary Shares”), which represents 5% (five percent) of the Diluted Shares (defined below) of Terns Cayman as of the date of this letter. The per share exercise price of the Option will be the per share fair market value of an Ordinary Share, as determined by the Parent Board on the date the Initial Equity Award is granted.

 

  4.2.

Follow-on Equity Award. If Parent closes a third-party financing within twelve months of your Employment Start Date and prior to the date on which an initial public offering of the Parent’s ordinary shares (the “IPO”) is declared effective by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and prior to the closing of any Change of Control, and provided that such financing results in at least $45 million of additional investment into Parent and that you remain employed as the Parent’s CEO through such closing date (a financing meeting the foregoing criteria, a “Qualified Financing”), then Parent shall grant you an additional option (the “Follow-on Equity Award”) to purchase such number of shares so that the Initial Equity Award and the Follow-on Equity Award together equal five percent (5%) of the Diluted Shares as of immediately after the closing of such Qualified Financing. Your rights and the Company’s obligations under this paragraph shall expire on the twelve month anniversary of your Employment Start Date, if a Qualified Financing has not occurred prior to such date, or, if earlier, upon the effective date of a registration statement for the IPO, the closing of a Change of Control, or Parent’s completion of a Qualified Financing and issuance to you of the Follow-on Equity Award.

 

  4.3.

Early Exercise. You shall have the right to exercise the Initial Equity Award and the Follow-on Equity Award early, subject to entering into a restricted shares agreement as directed by the Parent; provided, however, that the shares acquired by exercise of the Initial Equity Award or the Follow-on Equity Award, as applicable, that is not vested shall be subject to the same vesting schedule that applied to the Initial Equity Award and the Follow-on Equity Award, as applicable, so that on termination of employment, any shares that has not become vested may be repurchased, at the Company’s discretion, on payment of the lesser of (A) the amount paid by you for such shares, or (B) the then fair market value of such shares.

 

  4.4.

Your Initial Equity Award and Follow-on Equity Award will vest with respect to 25% of the underlying Ordinary Shares on the first anniversary of your first date of employment as the Company’s CEO (for the Initial Equity Award) and on the first anniversary of the date of the Qualified Financing (for the Follow-on Equity Award), and in each case with respect to 1/48th of the underlying shares in substantially equal installments on each monthly anniversary thereafter, subject to the terms and conditions of the Terns Cayman 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Equity Plan”), your applicable option award agreements and your continued employment as the Company’s CEO through each applicable vesting date.

 

2


  4.5.

For purposes of this letter, the fully-diluted capitalization of Terns Cayman (the “Diluted Shares”) means the total number of issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares, calculated to include conversion of all issued and outstanding securities then convertible into Ordinary Shares, whether or not exercisable, and including the Initial Equity Award and the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Equity Plan.

 

5.

Employee Benefits and Expenses.

 

  5.1.

Benefits. In connection with your service, you will be eligible to receive from the Company employee benefits, bonus plan participation and perquisites commensurate with those provided to the Company’s senior executives, as may be in effect from time to time.

 

  5.2.

General Business Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse you for all business expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred by you in the performance of your duties under this Agreement, consistent with the Company’s business expense reimbursement policy, as in effect from time to time.

 

  5.3.

Attorney’s Fees. The Company will make a payment, on your behalf and/or as a direct payment to you, an amount sufficient to cover the reasonable legal fees incurred by you in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement, together with taxes due in connection with such payment, in an amount not to exceed $12,500. The attorney expense reimbursement payments will be treated as taxable compensation.

 

6.

Change of Control and Termination Payments.

 

  6.1.

Upon the termination of your employment with the Company at any time for any reason, you will be paid your salary through your termination date and any other benefits or payments, including any expense reimbursements and accrued and unused vacation, which must be provided to you under applicable law.

 

  6.2.

Involuntary Termination. If you are subject to an Involuntary Termination, and subject to Section 9, you will be entitled to receive the following benefits (collectively, the “Severance”):

 

  6.2.1.

Benefit Plans. The Company will pay to you the value of all accrued and vested payments under any benefit plans not otherwise described in Section 5 or this Section 6 that have not been paid or otherwise used through your termination date, which benefits will be paid to you on the first regular payroll date following the end of the Release Period;

 

  6.2.2.

Prorated Bonus. The Company will pay to you a lump sum payment equal to your Target Bonus in the year of the Involuntary Termination, as such Target Bonus shall be pro-rated on a daily basis for the number of days of the performance year in which your employment terminated, which payment will be made to you at the time such bonuses are paid to other participants, or, if earlier, by March 15 of the year following the year of the Involuntary Termination;

 

  6.2.3.

Salary Continuation. The Company will continue to pay your then-current Base Salary on the Company’s regular payroll dates as if your employment continued for a period of 12 months following the Involuntary Termination (which payments, for avoidance of doubt, will continue even if you find subsequent employment with another employer);

 

3


  6.2.4.

Option Exercise Period. Notwithstanding Section 4.6.1 of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) of Terns Cayman, your Initial Option and your Follow-On Equity Award (if applicable) will remain exercisable until the earliest of: (i) three (3) years after your Involuntary Termination, (ii) the closing of a Change in Control, (iii) six (6) months after the end of the any market standoff period following an initial public offering under the Securities Act of 1933, or (iv) the tenth anniversary of the date of grant; and

 

  6.2.5.

COBRA. subject to your timely and proper election of coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), for both you and your eligible dependents, the Company will provide continuation of your then-effective group medical, vision and dental coverage, at Company cost, for 12 months following the Involuntary Termination, provided that the Company may elect to provide to you, in lieu of any portion of this continued coverage, taxable installment payments equal to the amount of the applicable premiums in effect at the Involuntary Termination for the remainder of this 12 month period. The Company’s obligations under this Section 6.2.5 shall not apply once you become eligible for medical and dental coverage from another entity where the cost to you is consistent with similarly situated participants under such plans and you agree to provide prompt notice to the Company if you become so eligible.

 

  6.3.

Involuntary Termination within 3 months prior to or 12 months following a Change in Control. If the Involuntary Termination occurs during the period commencing upon three (3) month prior to a Change in Control, but only if after a Potential Change in Control, and ending twelve (12) months following a Change in Control, then:

 

  6.3.1.

Equity Awards. 100% of your then outstanding Equity Awards, including awards that would otherwise vest only upon satisfaction of performance criteria, shall accelerate and become vested and exercisable. Equity Awards that vest upon satisfaction of performance criteria for which those criteria have not yet been satisfied or cannot be determined as of the date of your Involuntary Termination shall be measured as if all applicable performance criteria were achieved at target levels, except to the extent otherwise provided in the award agreement evidencing such award. For the avoidance of doubt, if you experience an Involuntary Termination following a Potential Change in Control, and the applicable Change in Control is consummated within the Change in Control Period, then your vesting acceleration under this Agreement shall occur on the date of such Change in Control rather than upon the date of your Involuntary Termination. Upon your Separation within the Change in Control Period, all of your then-outstanding Equity Awards shall remain outstanding and eligible to vest as necessary to give effect to this provision.

 

  6.3.2.

Modified Severance. You will be entitled to the payments and benefits referenced in Section 6.2, provided that (i) the Severance will be increased to an amount equal to 18 months of your Base Salary immediately prior to the Change in Control, paid as a lump-sum and (ii) in lieu of the Prorated Bonus, you shall receive an amount equal to 150% of your target Annual Bonus amount for the year of termination.

 

4


  6.3.3.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, you shall be entitled to the greater benefits, if any, as may be provided under Terns Cayman’s Change In Control Policy, as it may be amended from time to time (the “CIC Policy”), subject to its terms and conditions; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement or the CIC Policy shall require Terns Cayman to provide any duplicate payments or benefits.

 

  6.3.4.

For purposes of this Agreement, “Potential Change in Control” means the date of execution of a legally binding and definitive agreement for a corporate transaction which, if consummated, would constitute the applicable Change in Control (which for the avoidance of doubt, would include a merger agreement, but not a term sheet for a merger agreement).

 

  6.4.

Release and Other Requirements. Receipt of the Severance (under either Section 6.2.2 or Section 6.2.3) will be conditioned in its entirety upon your execution of a release of claims, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A (the “Release”), and your continued compliance with the terms thereof, which Release must be executed and become irrevocable, within 60 days of your Involuntary Termination (this 60-day period, the “Release Period”). Any installment payments under Section 6.2.3 or cash payments under Section 6.3.2 will begin to be paid on the first regular payroll date beginning after the expiration of the Release Period, and will include any amounts that would have been payable during the Release Period but for this sentence. Any acceleration effected by Section 6.3.1 will be effective as of the Separation (except as set forth above) and the resulting vested option shares cancelled without consideration if the Release does not become effective by its terms and within the Release Period.

 

  6.5.

Non-assumption of Equity Awards Following a Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any equity plan or any applicable award agreement pursuant to Equity Awards granted thereunder, to the extent that the successor or acquiring corporation (if any) of the Parent provides that your Equity Awards should be cancelled without consideration upon a Change in Control, each of your unvested Equity Awards that are so cancelled, shall accelerate and become fully vested and if applicable, exercisable, effective immediately prior to the Change of Control. With respect to Performance-Based Awards, the grant agreement may provide for alternative treatment in lieu of the foregoing and, absent any such treatment in the grant agreement, the vesting acceleration provided for herein shall be deemed to have been met based on the achievement of the Performance-Based Award based on “at target” performance.

 

7.

Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement. You affirm that you will sign the Company’s standard Employee Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement, a copy of which has been provided to you.

 

8.

Employment Relationship; Board Service.

 

  8.1.

At Will Employment. Employment with the Company is for no specific period of time. Your employment with the Company will be “at will,” meaning that either you or the Company may terminate your employment at any time and for any reason, with or without Cause or notice. Any contrary representations that may have been made to you are superseded by this Agreement. This is the full and complete agreement between you and the Company on this term. Although your job duties, title, compensation and benefits, as well as the Company’s personnel policies and procedures, may change from time to time, the “at will” nature of your employment may only be changed in an express written agreement signed by you and a duly authorized member of the Company Board (other than you).

 

5


  8.2.

Board Seat. If your position as the CEO of the Company is terminated by you or the Company for any reason, you shall promptly resign from the Company Board and the Parent Board.

 

  8.3.

Non-Disparagement. The Company shall use its best efforts to ensure that the Company’s executive officers and Company Board members (to the extent then in service) shall not make, directly or indirectly, any negative or disparaging statements or comments, either as fact or as opinion about you, with any written or oral statement. Nothing in this Section 8.3 shall prohibit you or the Company or its executive officers or Company Board members from providing truthful information in response to a subpoena or other legal process.

 

9.

Tax Matters.

 

  9.1.

Withholding. All forms of compensation referred to in this Agreement are subject to reduction to reflect applicable withholding and payroll taxes and other deductions required by law.

 

  9.2.

Section 409A.

 

  9.2.1.

For purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Section 409A”), each salary continuation payment under Section 6 is hereby designated as a separate payment.

 

  9.2.2.

If the Company determines that you are a “specified employee” under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) at the time of your Separation, then (i) the benefits under Section 6, to the extent that they are subject to Section 409A, will commence on the first business day following (A) expiration of the six month period measured from your Separation or (B) the date of your death and (ii) the installments that otherwise would have been paid prior to such date will be paid in a lump sum when the salary continuation payments commence.

 

  9.2.3.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to the extent any expense reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit under this Agreement (or otherwise referenced herein) is determined to be subject to (and not exempt from) Section 409A, (x) the amount of any such expenses eligible for reimbursement, or the provision of any in-kind benefit, in one calendar year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other calendar year; (y) in no event shall any expenses be reimbursed after the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which you incurred such expenses; and (z) in no event shall any right to reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

  9.2.4.

Further, to the extent any nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A payable to you hereunder could be paid in one or more taxable years depending upon you completing certain employment-related actions (such as resigning after a failure to cure a Good Reason event and/or returning an effective release), then any such payments will commence or occur in the later taxable year to the extent required by Section 409A.

 

  9.3.

Parachute Payments

 

  9.3.1.

If any payment or benefit the Employee would receive from the Company or otherwise in connection with a Change in Control or other similar transaction (a “280G Payment”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the

 

6


  Code, and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then any such 280G Payment (a “Payment”) shall be equal to the Reduced Amount. The “Reduced Amount” shall be either (x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment (after reduction) being subject to the Excise Tax or (y) the largest portion, up to and including the total, of the Payment, whichever amount (i.e., the amount determined by clause (x) or by clause (y)), after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate), results in the Employee’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater economic benefit notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax. If a reduction in a Payment is required pursuant to the preceding sentence and the Reduced Amount is determined pursuant to clause (x) of the preceding sentence, the reduction shall occur in the manner (the “Reduction Method”) that results in the greatest economic benefit for the Employee. If more than one method of reduction will result in the same economic benefit, the items so reduced will be reduced pro rata (the “Pro Rata Reduction Method”).

 

  9.3.2.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Reduction Method or the Pro Rata Reduction Method would result in any portion of the Payment being subject to taxes pursuant to Section 409A of the Code that would not otherwise be subject to taxes pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, then the Reduction Method and/or the Pro Rata Reduction Method, as the case may be, shall be modified so as to avoid the imposition of taxes pursuant to Section 409A of the Code as follows: (A) as a first priority, the modification shall preserve to the greatest extent possible, the greatest economic benefit for the Employee as determined on an after-tax basis; (B) as a second priority, Payments that are contingent on future events (e.g., being terminated without cause), shall be reduced (or eliminated) before Payments that are not contingent on future events; and (C) as a third priority, Payments that are “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code shall be reduced (or eliminated) pro rata with payments that are not deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

 

  9.3.3.

Unless the Employee and the Company agree on an alternative accounting firm, the accounting firm engaged by the Company for general tax compliance purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the change in control transaction triggering the Payment shall perform the foregoing calculations. If the accounting firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the change of control transaction, the Company shall appoint a nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting firm required to be made hereunder. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder to provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Employee and the Company within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date on which the Employee’s right to a 280G Payment becomes reasonably likely to occur (if requested at that time by the Employee or the Company) or such other time as requested by the Employee or the Company.

 

  9.3.4.

If the Employee receive a Payment for which the Reduced Amount was determined pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section and the Internal Revenue Service determines thereafter that some portion of the Payment is subject to the Excise Tax, the Employee shall promptly return to the Company a sufficient amount of the Payment (gross of applicable tax withholdings previously made) after reduction pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section so that no portion of the remaining Payment is subject to the Excise Tax.

 

7


  9.4.

Tax Advice. You are encouraged to obtain your own tax advice regarding your compensation from the Company and Terns Cayman. You agree that neither the Company nor Terns Cayman has a duty to design its compensation policies in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities, and you will not make any claim against the Company, Terns Cayman or the Company Board or Parent Board related to tax liabilities arising from your compensation.

 

10.

Interpretation, Amendment and Miscellaneous.

 

  10.1.

Modification. This Agreement and Exhibit A supersede and replace any prior or contemporaneous agreements, representations or understandings (whether written, oral, implied or otherwise) between you and the Company and constitute the complete agreement between you and the Company regarding the subject matter set forth herein. This Agreement may not be amended or modified, except by an express written agreement signed by both you and a duly authorized member of the Company Board (other than you).

 

  10.2.

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

 

  10.3.

Severability. If any term, covenant, condition or provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall, at any time, or to any extent, be determined invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby and shall be deemed valid and fully enforceable to the extent permitted by law.

 

  10.4.

Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each such counterpart hereof will be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts together will constitute but one agreement. Signature pages delivered by facsimile or electronic mail will be treated as are originals.

 

  10.5.

Attorney’s Fees. If court proceedings are required to enforce any provision of this letter agreement, the substantially prevailing or successful party shall be entitled to an award of the reasonable and necessary expenses of litigation, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

 

  10.6.

Assignment. The rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Company. Your rights and obligations hereunder are non-assignable. The Company may assign its rights and obligations to any entity in which the Company or an entity affiliated with the Company, has a majority ownership interest.

 

  10.7.

Notice. Any notice required by this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and delivered to the party or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested and addressed to the party’s last business or residential address, or otherwise delivered in person or through a reliable electronic delivery system. Either party may change the specified address by giving written notice of such change.

 

  10.8.

Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

8


  10.9.

No Presumption Against Interest. This Agreement has been negotiated, drafted, edited and reviewed by the respective parties, and therefore, no provision of this Agreement shall be construed against any party as being drafted by said party.

 

  10.10.

Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 Notice. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, an individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (A) is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, provided that such filing is made under seal. Further, an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, provided that the individual (A) files any document containing the trade secret under seal and (B) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

 

  10.11.

No Duty to Mitigate. Amounts owed to the Employee under this Agreement shall not be offset by any claims the Company may have against the Employee, and the Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement, and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder, shall not be affected by any other circumstances, including, without limitation, any counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Company may have against the Employee or others.

 

  10.12.

Conditions. Employment is contingent upon the Employee providing satisfactory documentation to the Company concerning his employment eligibility as required by Congress under applicable immigration laws. This documentation must be received by the Company within three (3) business days of the Effective Date. Employment is also contingent upon the Company’s completion of a satisfactory investigation of the Employee’s background. The Employee agrees to release the Company, its employees and agents and any individuals who may provide the Company with information regarding the Employee’s background and references from any liability in connection with this investigation.

 

11.

Arbitration. You and the Company agree to submit to mandatory binding arbitration any and all claims arising out of or related to your employment with the Company and the termination thereof, including, but not limited to, claims for unpaid wages, wrongful termination, torts, stock or stock options or other ownership interest in Terns Cayman, and/or discrimination (including harassment) based upon any federal, state or local ordinance, statute, regulation or constitutional provision except that each party may, at its, his or her option, seek injunctive relief in court related to the improper use, disclosure or misappropriation of a party’s private, proprietary, confidential or trade secret information (collectively, “Arbitrable Claims”). THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS THEY MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN REGARD TO ARBITRABLE CLAIMS.

 

  11.1.

This Agreement does not restrict your right to file administrative claims you may bring before any government agency where, as a matter of law, the parties may not restrict the employee’s ability to file such claims (including, but not limited to, the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Labor). However, the parties agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, arbitration shall be the exclusive remedy for the subject matter of such administrative claims.

 

9


  11.2.

The arbitration shall be conducted in San Mateo County, California through the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) before a single neutral arbitrator, in accordance with the AAA employment arbitration rules then in effect. The AAA rules may be found and reviewed at www.adr.org under the “Rules & Forms” tab. The arbitrator shall issue a written decision that contains the essential findings and conclusions on which the decision is based. If, for any reason, any term of this Arbitration provision is held to be invalid or unenforceable, all other valid terms and conditions herein shall be severable in nature, and remain fully enforceable.

 

12.

Indemnification. You will receive defense and be indemnified by the Company and Parent to the full extent of the provisions of the charter and bylaws of the Company and Parent and applicable Cayman Islands, California and Delaware law.

 

13.

Definitions. The following terms have the meaning set forth below wherever they are used in this Agreement:

Cause” means the occurrence of any one or more of the following: (i) your commission of any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude; (ii) your attempted commission of or participation in a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company that results in (or might have reasonably resulted in) material harm to the business of the Company; (iii) your intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between you and the Company or any statutory duty you owe to the Company; or (iv) your conduct that constitutes gross insubordination, incompetence or habitual neglect of duties and that results in (or might have reasonably resulted in) material harm to the business of the Company; provided, however, that the action or conduct described in clauses (iii) and (iv) above will constitute “Cause” only if such action or conduct continues after the Company has provided you with written notice thereof and thirty (30) days to cure, or otherwise remedy to the extent possible under direct control of you, the same. An occurrence of “Cause” as set forth in the preceding sentence shall be based upon a good faith determination by the Company Board.

Change in Control” shall mean an Acquisition (as such term is defined in the Equity Plan). Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any amount constituting deferred compensation (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) would become payable under this Agreement by reason of a Change in Control, such amount shall become payable only if the event constituting a Change in Control would also qualify as a change in ownership or effective control of Terns Cayman or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of Terns Cayman, each as defined within the meaning of Code Section 409A, as it has been and may be amended from time to time, and any proposed or final Treasury Regulations and IRS guidance that has been promulgated or may be promulgated thereunder from time to time.

Equity Awards” means all options to purchase ordinary shares of Terns Cayman as well as any and all other share-based awards granted to you, including but not limited to share bonus awards, restricted shares, restricted share units or share appreciation rights.

Involuntary Termination” means you experience a means a Separation resulting from (A) a Termination without Cause, or (B) you voluntarily resigning your employment for Good Reason. A termination or resignation due to your death or disability shall not constitute an Involuntary Termination.

Good Reason” means, without your consent, any of the following actions: (i) the assignment to you of any duties or responsibilities that results in a material diminution in your function as in effect immediately prior to the effective date of the Change in Control; (ii) a reduction of greater than 10% in your annual base salary as in effect on the effective date of the Change in Control; provided, however, that Good Reason shall not be deemed to have occurred in the event of a reduction in your annual base salary that is pursuant to a salary reduction program affecting substantially all of the employees of the Company and that does not adversely affect you to a greater extent than other similarly situated employees; or (iii) a relocation of your primary business office to a location more than 30 miles from the location of your primary business office as of the effective date of the Change in Control, except for required travel by you on the Company’s business to an extent substantially consistent with

 

10


your business travel obligations prior to the effective date of the Change in Control, provided that, with respect to each of the reasons set forth above, (1) you provide the Company with written notice of your intention to terminate your employment for Good Reason within ninety (90) calendar days after the occurrence of the event that you believe would constitute Good Reason and (2) you provide the Company with a period of at least thirty (30) calendar days (the “Company Cure Period”) following receipt of such notice from you in which to cure the event giving rise to such Good Reason termination, and (3) your resignation is effective within ten (10) calendar days of the earlier of expiration of the Company Cure Period or written notice from the Company that it will not undertake to cure the condition set forth in set forth in subclauses (i) through (iii).

Separation” means a “separation from service,” as defined in the regulations under Section 409A of the Code.

Termination Without Cause” means a Separation as a result of a termination of your employment by the Company without Cause, provided you are willing and able to continue performing services within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(n)(1).

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

11


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

Accepted and Agreed to
TERNS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Yi Shi

Name: Yi Shi
Title: Board Member

 

I have read and accept this employment offer:

/s/ Senthil Sundaram

Signature of Senthil Sundaram
Dated: 7/24/2020
Attachment
Exhibit A: Release

 

12


Exhibit A

Release

 

13


Release

In consideration of the benefits provided and to be provided to me by Terns, Inc., or any successor thereof (the “Company”) pursuant to Section 6 of the letter agreement with Company dated July __ 2020, (the “Agreement”) (these, the “Benefits”) and in connection with the termination of my employment, I agree to the following general release (the “Release”).

  1.

On behalf of myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns, I hereby fully and forever generally release and discharge Company, its current, former and future parents, subsidiaries, affiliated companies, related entities, employee benefit plans, and, in such capacities, their fiduciaries, predecessors, successors, officers, directors, shareholders, agents, employees and assigns from any and all claims, causes of action, and liabilities up through the date of my execution of the Release. The claims subject to this release include, but are not limited to, those relating to my employment with Company and/or any predecessor to Company and the termination of such employment. All such claims (including related attorneys’ fees and costs) are barred without regard to whether those claims are based on any alleged breach of a duty arising in statute, contract, or tort. This expressly includes waiver and release of any rights and claims arising under any and all laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances, including, but not limited to: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Americans With Disabilities Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the National Labor Relations Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”); the Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (if applicable); the provisions of the California Labor Code (if applicable); the Equal Pay Act of 1963; and any similar law of any other state or governmental entity. The parties agree to apply California law in interpreting the Release. Accordingly, I further waive any rights under Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California or any similar state statute. Section 1542 states: “A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.” This Release does not extend to, and has no effect upon, any benefits that have accrued or equity that has vested or is eligible for vesting post employment, to, under any employee benefit or equity plan, program, policy or grant sponsored or maintained by the Company, or to my right to indemnification by the Company or its parent, and continued coverage by the Company’s or its parent’s director’s and officer’s insurance.

 

  2.

In understanding the terms of the Release and my rights, I have been advised to consult with an attorney of my choice prior to executing the Release. I understand that nothing in the Release shall prohibit me from exercising legal rights that are, as a matter of law, not subject to waiver such as: (a) my rights under applicable workers’ compensation laws; (b) my right, if any, to seek unemployment benefits; (c) my right to indemnity under California Labor Code section 2802 or other applicable state-law right to indemnity; (d) my right to file a charge or complaint with a government agency such as but not limited to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Department of Labor, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, or other applicable state agency; and (e) my right to report any violation to the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal or state agency. I further understand that nothing in this Release precludes


  me from entitlement to any monetary recovery awarded by the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with any action asserted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Moreover, I will continue to be indemnified for my actions taken while employed by the Company to the same extent as other former directors and officers of the Company or its parent under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company’s parent, and the Director Indemnification Agreement between me and the Company’s parent, if any, and I will continue to be covered by the Company’s and/or its parent’s directors and officers liability insurance policy as in effect from time to time to the same extent as other former directors and officers of the Company and its parent, each subject to the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware and/or the Cayman Islands, as applicable. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any dispute regarding the scope of this general release shall be resolved through binding arbitration as set forth in my Agreement.

 

  3.

I understand and agree that Company will not provide me with the Benefits unless I execute the Release. I also understand that I have received or will receive, regardless of the execution of the Release, all wages owed to me together with any accrued but unused vacation pay, less applicable withholdings and deductions, earned through my termination date.

 

  4.

As part of my existing and continuing obligations to Company, I have returned to Company all Company documents (and all copies thereof) and other Company property that I have had in my possession at any time, including but not limited to Company files, notes, drawings, records, business plans and forecasts, financial information, specification, computer-recorded information, tangible property (including, but not limited to, computers, laptops, pagers, etc.), credit cards, entry cards, identification badges and keys; and any materials of any kind which contain or embody any proprietary or confidential information of Company (and all reproductions thereof, except as otherwise I am entitled to retain under any agreement with the Company). I understand that, even if I did not sign the Release, I am still bound by any and all confidential/proprietary/trade secret information, non-disclosure and inventions assignment agreement(s) signed by me in connection with my employment with Company, or with a predecessor or successor of Company pursuant to the terms of such agreement(s).

 

  5.

I represent and warrant that I am the sole owner of all claims relating to my employment with Company and/or with any predecessor of Company, and that I have not assigned or transferred any claims relating to my employment to any other person or entity.

 

  6.

I agree to keep the Benefits and the provisions of the Release confidential and not to reveal its contents to anyone except my lawyer, my spouse or other immediate family member, and/or my financial consultant, or as required by legal process or applicable law or requested by taxing authorities unless and until they become publicly available.

 

  7.

I understand and agree that the Release shall not be construed at any time as an admission of liability or wrongdoing by either Company or myself.

 

  8.

I agree that for following my termination of employment, I will not, directly or indirectly, make any disparaging statements or comments, either as fact or as opinion, about Company, its employees, officers, directors, shareholders, vendors, products or services, business, technologies, market position or performance.

 

15


  9.

I agree to reasonably cooperate with the Company in any internal investigation, any administrative, regulatory, or judicial proceeding or any dispute with a third party related to my employment period. I understand and agree that my cooperation may include, but not be limited to, making myself reasonably available to the Company upon reasonable notice for interviews and factual investigations; appearing at the Company’s reasonable request to give testimony without requiring service of a subpoena or other legal process; volunteering to the Company pertinent information; and turning over to the Company all relevant documents which are or may come into my possession all at times and on schedules that are reasonably consistent with my other permitted activities and commitments. The Company shall to the extent reasonably feasible limit my travel and not interfere with my other obligations in seeking such cooperation. The Company shall reimburse my reasonable expenses incurred in connection with such cooperation.

 

  10.

I agree to submit any claims arising from this Release or my employment to mandatory binding arbitration consistent with my Agreement. I HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN REGARD TO SUCH CLAIMS. This agreement to arbitrate does not restrict my right to file administrative claims I may bring before any government agency where, as a matter of law, the parties may not restrict my ability to file such claims (including, but not limited to, the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Labor). However, I agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, arbitration shall be the exclusive remedy for the subject matter of such administrative claims.

 

  11.

I agree that I have had at least twenty-one (21) calendar days in which to consider whether to execute the Release, no one hurried me into executing the Release during that period, and no one coerced me into executing the Release. I understand that the offer of the Benefits and the Release shall expire on the twenty-second (22nd) calendar day after my employment termination date if I have not accepted it by that time. I further understand that Company’s obligations under the Release shall not become effective or enforceable until the eighth (8th) calendar day after the date I sign the Release provided that I have timely delivered it to Company (the “Effective Date”) and that in the seven (7) day period following the date I deliver a signed copy of the Release to Company. I understand that I may revoke my acceptance of the Release. I understand that the Benefits will become available to me at such time after the Effective Date.

 

  12.

In executing the Release, I acknowledge that I have not relied upon any statement made by Company, or any of its representatives or employees, with regard to the Release unless the representation is specifically included herein. Furthermore, the Release contains our entire understanding regarding eligibility for Benefits and supersedes any or all prior representation and agreement regarding the subject matter of the Release. However, the Release does not modify, amend or supersede written Company agreements that are consistent with enforceable provisions of this Release such as my Agreement, proprietary information and invention assignment agreement, and any share, share option and/or share purchase agreements between Company or its Parent and me. Once effective and enforceable, this agreement can only be changed by another written agreement signed by me and an authorized representative of Company.

 

16


  13.

Should any provision of the Release be determined by an arbitrator, court of competent jurisdiction, or government agency to be wholly or partially invalid or unenforceable, the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining parts, terms, or provisions are intended to remain in full force and effect. Specifically, should a court, arbitrator, or agency conclude that a particular claim may not be released as a matter of law, it is the intention of the parties that the general release and the waiver of unknown claims above shall otherwise remain effective to release any and all other claims. I acknowledge that I have obtained sufficient information to intelligently exercise my own judgment regarding the terms of the Release before executing the Release.

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT FOLLOWS]

 

17


EMPLOYEE’S ACCEPTANCE OF RELEASE

BEFORE SIGNING MY NAME TO THE RELEASE, I STATE THE FOLLOWING: I HAVE READ THE RELEASE, I UNDERSTAND IT AND I KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS. I HAVE OBTAINED SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO INTELLIGENTLY EXERCISE MY OWN JUDGMENT. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT I SHOULD CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SIGNING IT, AND I HAVE SIGNED THE RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY.

EFFECTIVE UPON EXECUTION BY EMPLOYEE AND THE COMPANY.

Date delivered to employee ___________, ______.
Executed this ___________ day of ___________, ______.

 

Your Signature

 

Your Name (Please Print)

 

Agreed and Accepted:
Terns, Inc.

 

By:
Date:

[Signature Page to General Release Agreement]

EX-10.9

Exhibit 10.9

TERNS, INC.

August 7, 2020

Mark Vignola (the “Employee”)

***

***

***

Sent via email to ***

Dear Mark:

Terns, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) is pleased to offer you employment on the following terms specified in this employment agreement (this “Agreement”):

 

1.

Position. You will be employed as the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of the Company and will also serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company’s parent entity Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Cayman corporation (“Terns Cayman” or “Parent”), effective as of the later of September 1 2020 or the first business day following the execution of this Agreement (the “Employment Start Date”). The CFO will have duties and responsibilities that are customary for such position. In these capacities, you will report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Parent.

Your service to the Company is to be full time. While you render services to the Company, you will not engage in any other employment, consulting or other business activity (whether full-time or part-time) that would create a conflict of interest with the Company or be competitive with the Company. By signing this Agreement, you confirm to the Company that you have no contractual commitments or other legal obligations that would prohibit you from performing your duties for the Company.

Initially your duties will be performed from New York, NY; provided, however, that you shall be required to spend up to 10 days per month (or such other period of time as may be agreed to between yourself and the Chief Executive Officer) working from the Company’s headquarters located in or near Foster City, CA. Before any commuting is required, the Company agrees to discuss with you, in good faith, arrangements for a potential expense stipend to help offset expenses associated with your commuting expenses for travel from your current residence to the Company’s offices in Foster City, California. Moreover, in your position as CFO, you understand and agree that frequent travel may be required, which could be substantial at times. Reasonable non-commuting out of pocket travel expenses will be reimbursed by the Company, as consistent with Company policies from time to time..

 

2.

Base Salary. The Company will pay you a starting salary at the rate of US$330,000 per year (“Base Salary”), payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll schedule. This salary may be increased to reflect performance achievements, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Company Board”) from time to time and in its sole discretion. This salary will be reviewed for adjustment at the same general times as adjustments are made to other C-level officers of the Company.

 

3.

Annual Bonus. You will be eligible to receive from the Company an annual target cash bonus of 30% of your Base Salary (your “Target Bonus”). The actual bonus amount awarded to you (your “Annual Bonus”) may be higher or lower than the Target Bonus based upon the achievement of performance objectives established by the Company Board. Your Annual Bonus for the Company’s 2020 fiscal year will be prorated to reflect your actual employment during the performance year and paid to you on or before March 15, 2021. Each Annual Bonus thereafter will be paid no later than two and one half months following the end of the applicable performance year to which it relates, and otherwise in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll schedule.


4.

Equity Awards.

 

  4.1.

Initial Equity Award. You will be granted an option (the “Initial Equity Award”) to purchase such number of ordinary shares of Terns Cayman (the “Ordinary Shares”), which represents 1.04% of the Diluted Shares (defined below) of Terns Cayman as of the date of this letter. The per share exercise price of the Option will be the per share fair market value of an Ordinary Share, as determined by the Board of Directors of Parent (the “Parent Board”) on the date the Initial Equity Award is granted.

 

  4.2.

Follow-on Equity Award. If Parent closes a third-party financing within twelve months of your Employment Start Date and prior to the date on which an initial public offering of the Parent’s ordinary shares (the “IPO”) is declared effective by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and prior to the closing of any Change of Control, and provided that such financing results in at least $45 million of additional investment into Parent and that you remain employed as the Parent’s CFO through such closing date (a financing meeting the foregoing criteria, a “Qualified Financing”), then Parent shall grant you an additional option (the “Follow-on Equity Award”) to purchase such number of Ordinary Shares so that the Initial Equity Award and the Follow-on Equity Award together equal 1.04% of the Diluted Shares as of immediately after the closing of such Qualified Financing. Your rights and the Company’s obligations under this paragraph shall expire on the twelve month anniversary of your Employment Start Date, if a Qualified Financing has not occurred prior to such date, or, if earlier, upon the effective date of a registration statement for the IPO, the closing of a Change of Control, or Parent’s completion of a Qualified Financing and issuance to you of the Follow-on Equity Award.

 

  4.3.

Early Exercise. You shall have the right to exercise the Initial Equity Award and the Follow-on Equity Award early, subject to entering into a restricted shares agreement as directed by the Parent; provided, however, that the shares acquired by exercise of the Initial Equity Award or the Follow-on Equity Award, as applicable, that is not vested shall be subject to the same vesting schedule that applied to the Initial Equity Award and the Follow-on Equity Award, as applicable, so that on termination of employment, any shares that has not become vested may be repurchased, at the Company’s discretion, on payment of the lesser of (A) the amount paid by you for such shares, or (B) the then fair market value of such shares.

 

  4.4.

Your Initial Equity Award and Follow-on Equity Award will vest with respect to 25% of the underlying Ordinary Shares on the first anniversary of your first date of employment as the Company’s CFO (for the Initial Equity Award) and on the first anniversary of the date of the Qualified Financing (for the Follow-on Equity Award), and in each case with respect to 1/48th of the underlying shares in substantially equal installments on each monthly anniversary thereafter, subject to the terms and conditions of the Terns Cayman 2017 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Equity Plan”), your applicable option award agreements and your continued employment as the Company’s CFO through each applicable vesting date.

 

  4.5.

For purposes of this letter, the fully-diluted capitalization of Terns Cayman (the “Diluted Shares”) means the total number of issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares, calculated to include conversion of all issued and outstanding securities then convertible into Ordinary Shares, whether or not exercisable, and including the Initial Equity Award and the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Equity Plan.

 

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5.

Employee Benefits and Expenses.

 

  5.1.

Benefits. In connection with your service, you will be eligible to receive from the Company employee benefits, bonus plan participation and perquisites commensurate with those provided to the Company’s senior executives, as may be in effect from time to time.

 

  5.2.

General Business Expenses. The Company shall pay or reimburse you for all business expenses reasonably and necessarily incurred by you in the performance of your duties under this Agreement, consistent with the Company’s business expense reimbursement policy, as in effect from time to time.

 

6.

Change of Control and Termination Payments.

 

  6.1.

Upon the termination of your employment with the Company at any time for any reason, you will be paid your salary through your termination date and any other benefits or payments, including any expense reimbursements and accrued and unused vacation, which must be provided to you under applicable law.

 

  6.2.

Involuntary Termination. If you are subject to an Involuntary Termination, and subject to Section 9, you will be entitled to receive the following benefits (collectively, the “Severance”):

 

  6.2.1.

Benefit Plans. The Company will pay to you the value of all accrued and vested payments under any benefit plans not otherwise described in Section 5 or this Section 6 that have not been paid or otherwise used through your termination date, which benefits will be paid to you on the first regular payroll date following the end of the Release Period;

 

  6.2.2.

Prorated Bonus. The Company will pay to you a lump sum payment equal to your Target Bonus in the year of the Involuntary Termination, as such Target Bonus shall be pro-rated on a daily basis for the number of days of the performance year in which your employment terminated, which payment will be made to you at the time such bonuses are paid to other participants, or, if earlier, by March 15 of the year following the year of the Involuntary Termination;

 

  6.2.3.

Salary Continuation. The Company will continue to pay your then-current Base Salary on the Company’s regular payroll dates as if your employment continued for a period of 12 months following the Involuntary Termination (which payments, for avoidance of doubt, will continue even if you find subsequent employment with another employer);

 

  6.2.4.

Option Exercise Period. Notwithstanding Section 4.6.1 of the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) of Terns Cayman, your Initial Option and your Follow-On Equity Award (if applicable) will remain exercisable until the earliest of: (i) three (3) years after your Involuntary Termination, (ii) the closing of a Change in Control, (iii) six (6) months after the end of the any market standoff period following an initial public offering under the Securities Act of 1933, or (iv) the tenth anniversary of the date of grant; and

 

  6.2.5.

COBRA. subject to your timely and proper election of coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), for both you and your eligible dependents, the Company will provide continuation of your then-effective group medical, vision and dental coverage, at Company cost, for 12 months following the Involuntary Termination, provided that the Company may elect to provide to you, in

 

3


  lieu of any portion of this continued coverage, taxable installment payments equal to the amount of the applicable premiums in effect at the Involuntary Termination for the remainder of this 12 month period. The Company’s obligations under this Section 6.2.5 shall not apply once you become eligible for medical and dental coverage from another entity where the cost to you is consistent with similarly situated participants under such plans and you agree to provide prompt notice to the Company if you become so eligible.

 

  6.3.

Involuntary Termination within 3 months prior to or 12 months following a Change in Control. If the Involuntary Termination occurs during the period commencing upon three (3) month prior to a Change in Control, but only if after a Potential Change in Control, and ending twelve (12) months following a Change in Control, then, in addition to the benefits provided for under Section 6.2, 100% of your then outstanding Equity Awards, including awards that would otherwise vest only upon satisfaction of performance criteria, shall accelerate and become vested and exercisable. Equity Awards that vest upon satisfaction of performance criteria for which those criteria have not yet been satisfied or cannot be determined as of the date of your Involuntary Termination shall be measured as if all applicable performance criteria were achieved at target levels, except to the extent otherwise provided in the award agreement evidencing such award. For the avoidance of doubt, if you experience an Involuntary Termination following a Potential Change in Control, and the applicable Change in Control is consummated within the Change in Control Period, then your vesting acceleration under this Agreement shall occur on the date of such Change in Control rather than upon the date of your Involuntary Termination. Upon your Separation within the Change in Control Period, all of your then-outstanding Equity Awards shall remain outstanding and eligible to vest as necessary to give effect to this provision.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, you shall be entitled to the greater benefits, if any, as may be provided under Terns Cayman’s Change In Control Policy, as it may be amended from time to time (the “CIC Policy”), subject to its terms and conditions; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement or the CIC Policy shall require Terns Cayman to provide any duplicate payments or benefits.

For purposes of this Agreement, “Potential Change in Control” means the date of execution of a legally binding and definitive agreement for a corporate transaction which, if consummated, would constitute the applicable Change in Control (which for the avoidance of doubt, would include a merger agreement, but not a term sheet for a merger agreement).

 

  6.4.

Release and Other Requirements. Receipt of the Severance will be conditioned in its entirety upon your execution of a release of claims, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A (the “Release”), and your continued compliance with the terms thereof, which Release must be executed and become irrevocable, within 60 days of your Involuntary Termination (this 60-day period, the “Release Period”). Any installment payments under Section 6.2.3 will begin to be paid on the first regular payroll date beginning after the expiration of the Release Period, and will include any amounts that would have been payable during the Release Period but for this sentence. Any acceleration effected by Section 6.3.1 will be effective as of the Separation (except as set forth above) and the resulting vested option shares cancelled without consideration if the Release does not become effective by its terms and within the Release Period.

 

  6.5.

Non-assumption of Equity Awards Following a Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any equity plan or any applicable award agreement pursuant to Equity Awards granted thereunder, to the extent that the successor or acquiring corporation (if any) of the Parent provides that your Equity Awards should be cancelled without consideration upon a Change in Control, each of your unvested Equity Awards that are so cancelled, shall accelerate

 

4


  and become fully vested and if applicable, exercisable, effective immediately prior to the Change of Control. With respect to Performance-Based Awards, the grant agreement may provide for alternative treatment in lieu of the foregoing and, absent any such treatment in the grant agreement, the vesting acceleration provided for herein shall be deemed to have been met based on the achievement of the Performance-Based Award based on “at target” performance.

 

7.

Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement. You affirm that you will sign the Company’s standard Employee Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement, a copy of which has been provided to you.

 

8.

Employment Relationship; At Will Employment. Employment with the Company is for no specific period of time. Your employment with the Company will be “at will,” meaning that either you or the Company may terminate your employment at any time and for any reason, with or without Cause or notice, subject to the terms of this agreement. Any contrary representations that may have been made to you are superseded by this Agreement. This is the full and complete agreement between you and the Company on this term. Although your job duties, title, compensation and benefits, as well as the Company’s personnel policies and procedures, may change from time to time, the “at will” nature of your employment may only be changed in an express written agreement signed by you and a duly authorized member of the Company Board.

 

9.

Tax Matters.

 

  9.1.

Withholding. All forms of compensation referred to in this Agreement are subject to reduction to reflect applicable withholding and payroll taxes and other deductions required by law.

 

  9.2.

Section 409A.

 

  9.2.1.

For purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Section 409A”), each salary continuation payment under Section 6 is hereby designated as a separate payment.

 

  9.2.2.

If the Company determines that you are a “specified employee” under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) at the time of your Separation, then (i) the benefits under Section 6, to the extent that they are subject to Section 409A, will commence on the first business day following (A) expiration of the six month period measured from your Separation or (B) the date of your death and (ii) the installments that otherwise would have been paid prior to such date will be paid in a lump sum when the salary continuation payments commence.

 

  9.2.3.

Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to the extent any expense reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit under this Agreement (or otherwise referenced herein) is determined to be subject to (and not exempt from) Section 409A, (x) the amount of any such expenses eligible for reimbursement, or the provision of any in-kind benefit, in one calendar year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other calendar year; (y) in no event shall any expenses be reimbursed after the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which you incurred such expenses; and (z) in no event shall any right to reimbursement or the provision of any in-kind benefit be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

5


  9.2.4.

Further, to the extent any nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A payable to you hereunder could be paid in one or more taxable years depending upon you completing certain employment-related actions (such as resigning after a failure to cure a Good Reason event and/or returning an effective release), then any such payments will commence or occur in the later taxable year to the extent required by Section 409A.

 

  9.3.

Parachute Payments

 

  9.3.1.

If any payment or benefit the Employee would receive from the Company or otherwise in connection with a Change in Control or other similar transaction (a “280G Payment”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then any such 280G Payment (a “Payment”) shall be equal to the Reduced Amount. The “Reduced Amount” shall be either (x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment (after reduction) being subject to the Excise Tax or (y) the largest portion, up to and including the total, of the Payment, whichever amount (i.e., the amount determined by clause (x) or by clause (y)), after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate), results in the Employee’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater economic benefit notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax. If a reduction in a Payment is required pursuant to the preceding sentence and the Reduced Amount is determined pursuant to clause (x) of the preceding sentence, the reduction shall occur in the manner (the “Reduction Method”) that results in the greatest economic benefit for the Employee. If more than one method of reduction will result in the same economic benefit, the items so reduced will be reduced pro rata (the “Pro Rata Reduction Method”).

 

  9.3.2.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Reduction Method or the Pro Rata Reduction Method would result in any portion of the Payment being subject to taxes pursuant to Section 409A of the Code that would not otherwise be subject to taxes pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, then the Reduction Method and/or the Pro Rata Reduction Method, as the case may be, shall be modified so as to avoid the imposition of taxes pursuant to Section 409A of the Code as follows: (A) as a first priority, the modification shall preserve to the greatest extent possible, the greatest economic benefit for the Employee as determined on an after-tax basis; (B) as a second priority, Payments that are contingent on future events (e.g., being terminated without cause), shall be reduced (or eliminated) before Payments that are not contingent on future events; and (C) as a third priority, Payments that are “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code shall be reduced (or eliminated) pro rata with payments that are not deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

 

  9.3.3.

Unless the Employee and the Company agree on an alternative accounting firm, the accounting firm engaged by the Company for general tax compliance purposes as of the day prior to the effective date of the change in control transaction triggering the Payment shall perform the foregoing calculations. If the accounting firm so engaged by the Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the change of control transaction, the Company shall appoint a nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting firm required to be made hereunder. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the accounting firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder to provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to the Employee and the Company within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date on which the Employee’s right to a 280G Payment becomes reasonably likely to occur (if requested at that time by the Employee or the Company) or such other time as requested by the Employee or the Company.

 

6


  9.3.4.

If the Employee receive a Payment for which the Reduced Amount was determined pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section and the Internal Revenue Service determines thereafter that some portion of the Payment is subject to the Excise Tax, the Employee shall promptly return to the Company a sufficient amount of the Payment (gross of applicable tax withholdings previously made) after reduction pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section so that no portion of the remaining Payment is subject to the Excise Tax.

 

  9.4.

Tax Advice. You are encouraged to obtain your own tax advice regarding your compensation from the Company and Terns Cayman. You agree that neither the Company nor Terns Cayman has a duty to design its compensation policies in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities, and you will not make any claim against the Company, Terns Cayman or the Company Board or Parent Board related to tax liabilities arising from your compensation.

 

10.

Interpretation, Amendment and Miscellaneous.

 

  10.1.

Modification. This Agreement and Exhibit A supersede and replace any prior or contemporaneous agreements, representations or understandings (whether written, oral, implied or otherwise) between you and the Company and constitute the complete agreement between you and the Company regarding the subject matter set forth herein. This Agreement may not be amended or modified, except by an express written agreement signed by both you and a duly authorized member of the Company Board.

 

  10.2.

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

 

  10.3.

Severability. If any term, covenant, condition or provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall, at any time, or to any extent, be determined invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby and shall be deemed valid and fully enforceable to the extent permitted by law.

 

  10.4.

Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each such counterpart hereof will be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts together will constitute but one agreement. Signature pages delivered by facsimile or electronic mail will be treated as are originals.

 

  10.5.

Attorney’s Fees. If court proceedings are required to enforce any provision of this letter agreement, the substantially prevailing or successful party shall be entitled to an award of the reasonable and necessary expenses of litigation, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

 

  10.6.

Assignment. The rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Company. Your rights and obligations hereunder are non-assignable. The Company may assign its rights and obligations to any entity in which the Company or an entity affiliated with the Company, has a majority ownership interest.

 

7


  10.7.

Notice. Any notice required by this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and delivered to the party or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested and addressed to the party’s last business or residential address, or otherwise delivered in person or through a reliable electronic delivery system. Either party may change the specified address by giving written notice of such change.

 

  10.8.

Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

  10.9.

No Presumption Against Interest. This Agreement has been negotiated, drafted, edited and reviewed by the respective parties, and therefore, no provision of this Agreement shall be construed against any party as being drafted by said party.

 

  10.10.

Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 Notice. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, an individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (A) is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, provided that such filing is made under seal. Further, an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, provided that the individual (A) files any document containing the trade secret under seal and (B) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

 

  10.11.

No Duty to Mitigate. Amounts owed to the Employee under this Agreement shall not be offset by any claims the Company may have against the Employee, and the Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement, and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder, shall not be affected by any other circumstances, including, without limitation, any counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Company may have against the Employee or others.

 

  10.12.

Conditions. Employment is contingent upon the Employee providing satisfactory documentation to the Company concerning his employment eligibility as required by Congress under applicable immigration laws. This documentation must be received by the Company within three (3) business days of the Effective Date. Employment is also contingent upon the Company’s completion of a satisfactory investigation of the Employee’s background. The Employee agrees to release the Company, its employees and agents and any individuals who may provide the Company with information regarding the Employee’s background and references from any liability in connection with this investigation.

 

11.

Arbitration. You and the Company agree to submit to mandatory binding arbitration any and all claims arising out of or related to your employment with the Company and the termination thereof, including, but not limited to, claims for unpaid wages, wrongful termination, torts, stock or stock options or other ownership interest in Terns Cayman, and/or discrimination (including harassment) based upon any federal, state or local ordinance, statute, regulation or constitutional provision except that each party may, at its, his or her option, seek injunctive relief in court related to the improper use, disclosure or misappropriation of a party’s private, proprietary, confidential or trade secret information (collectively, “Arbitrable Claims”). THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS THEY MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN REGARD TO ARBITRABLE CLAIMS.

 

8


  11.1.

This Agreement does not restrict your right to file administrative claims you may bring before any government agency where, as a matter of law, the parties may not restrict the employee’s ability to file such claims (including, but not limited to, the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Labor). However, the parties agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, arbitration shall be the exclusive remedy for the subject matter of such administrative claims.

 

  11.2.

The arbitration shall be conducted in San Mateo County, California through the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) before a single neutral arbitrator, in accordance with the AAA employment arbitration rules then in effect. The AAA rules may be found and reviewed at www.adr.org under the “Rules & Forms” tab. The arbitrator shall issue a written decision that contains the essential findings and conclusions on which the decision is based. If, for any reason, any term of this Arbitration provision is held to be invalid or unenforceable, all other valid terms and conditions herein shall be severable in nature, and remain fully enforceable.

 

12.

Indemnification. You will receive defense and be indemnified by the Company and Parent to the full extent of the provisions of the charter and bylaws of the Company and Parent and applicable Cayman Islands, California and Delaware law.

 

13.

Definitions. The following terms have the meaning set forth below wherever they are used in this Agreement:

Cause” means the occurrence of any one or more of the following: (i) your commission of any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude; (ii) your attempted commission of or participation in a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company that results in (or might have reasonably resulted in) material harm to the business of the Company; (iii) your intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between you and the Company or any statutory duty you owe to the Company; or (iv) your conduct that constitutes gross insubordination, incompetence or habitual neglect of duties and that results in (or might have reasonably resulted in) material harm to the business of the Company; provided, however, that the action or conduct described in clauses (iii) and (iv) above will constitute “Cause” only if such action or conduct continues after the Company has provided you with written notice thereof and thirty (30) days to cure, or otherwise remedy to the extent possible under direct control of you, the same. An occurrence of “Cause” as set forth in the preceding sentence shall be based upon a good faith determination by the Company Board.

Change in Control” shall mean an Acquisition (as such term is defined in the Equity Plan). Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any amount constituting deferred compensation (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) would become payable under this Agreement by reason of a Change in Control, such amount shall become payable only if the event constituting a Change in Control would also qualify as a change in ownership or effective control of Terns Cayman or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of Terns Cayman, each as defined within the meaning of Code Section 409A, as it has been and may be amended from time to time, and any proposed or final Treasury Regulations and IRS guidance that has been promulgated or may be promulgated thereunder from time to time.

Equity Awards” means all options to purchase ordinary shares of Terns Cayman as well as any and all other share-based awards granted to you, including but not limited to share bonus awards, restricted shares, restricted share units or share appreciation rights.

Involuntary Termination” means you experience a means a Separation resulting from (A) a Termination without Cause, or (B) you voluntarily resigning your employment for Good Reason. A termination or resignation due to your death or disability shall not constitute an Involuntary Termination.

 

9


Good Reason” means, without your consent, any of the following actions: (i) the assignment to you of any duties or responsibilities that results in a material diminution in your function as in effect on the Employment Start Date, or immediately following the effective date of the Change in Control; provided, however, that Good Reason shall not be deemed to have occurred due to a change in Participant’s title; (ii) a reduction of greater than 10% in your annual base salary as in effect on the Employment Start Date, or immediately following the effective date of the Change in Control; provided, however, that Good Reason shall not be deemed to have occurred in the event of a reduction in your annual base salary that is pursuant to a salary reduction program affecting substantially all of the employees of the Company and that does not adversely affect you to a greater extent than other similarly situated employees; or (iii) a relocation of your primary business office to a location more than 30 miles from the location of your primary business office on the Employment Start Date, or immediately following the effective date of the Change in Control, except for required travel by you on the Company’s business to an extent substantially consistent with your business travel obligations prior to the effective date of the Change in Control, provided that, with respect to each of the reasons set forth above, (1) you provide the Company with written notice of your intention to terminate your employment for Good Reason within ninety (90) calendar days after the occurrence of the event that you believe would constitute Good Reason and (2) you provide the Company with a period of at least thirty (30) calendar days (the “Company Cure Period”) following receipt of such notice from you in which to cure the event giving rise to such Good Reason termination, and (3) your resignation is effective within ten (10) calendar days of the earlier of expiration of the Company Cure Period or written notice from the Company that it will not undertake to cure the condition set forth in set forth in subclauses (i) through (iii).

Separation” means a “separation from service,” as defined in the regulations under Section 409A of the Code.

Termination Without Cause” means a Separation as a result of a termination of your employment by the Company without Cause, provided you are willing and able to continue performing services within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(n)(1).

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

10


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

Accepted and Agreed to
TERNS, INC.
By:  

/s/ Senthil Sundaram

Name: Senthil Sundaram
Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

I have read and accept this employment offer:

/s/ Mark Vignola

Signature of Mark Vignola
Dated: 8/7/2020
Attachment
Exhibit A: Release

 

11


Exhibit A

Release

 

12


Release

In consideration of the benefits provided and to be provided to me by Terns, Inc., or any successor thereof (the “Company”) pursuant to Section 6 of the letter agreement with Company dated July ____ 2020, (the “Agreement”) (these, the “Benefits”) and in connection with the termination of my employment, I agree to the following general release (the “Release”).

  1.

On behalf of myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns, I hereby fully and forever generally release and discharge Company, its current, former and future parents, subsidiaries, affiliated companies, related entities, employee benefit plans, and, in such capacities, their fiduciaries, predecessors, successors, officers, directors, shareholders, agents, employees and assigns from any and all claims, causes of action, and liabilities up through the date of my execution of the Release. The claims subject to this release include, but are not limited to, those relating to my employment with Company and/or any predecessor to Company and the termination of such employment. All such claims (including related attorneys’ fees and costs) are barred without regard to whether those claims are based on any alleged breach of a duty arising in statute, contract, or tort. This expressly includes waiver and release of any rights and claims arising under any and all laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances, including, but not limited to: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Americans With Disabilities Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the National Labor Relations Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”); the Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (if applicable); the provisions of the California Labor Code (if applicable); the Equal Pay Act of 1963; and any similar law of any other state or governmental entity. The parties agree to apply California law in interpreting the Release. Accordingly, I further waive any rights under Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California or any similar state statute. Section 1542 states: “A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.” This Release does not extend to, and has no effect upon, any benefits that have accrued or equity that has vested or is eligible for vesting post employment, to, under any employee benefit or equity plan, program, policy or grant sponsored or maintained by the Company, or to my right to indemnification by the Company or its parent, and continued coverage by the Company’s or its parent’s director’s and officer’s insurance.

 

  2.

In understanding the terms of the Release and my rights, I have been advised to consult with an attorney of my choice prior to executing the Release. I understand that nothing in the Release shall prohibit me from exercising legal rights that are, as a matter of law, not subject to waiver such as: (a) my rights under applicable workers’ compensation laws; (b) my right, if any, to seek unemployment benefits; (c) my right to indemnity under California Labor Code section 2802 or other applicable state-law right to indemnity; (d) my right to file a charge or complaint with a government agency such as but not limited to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Department of Labor, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, or other applicable state agency; and (e) my right to report any violation to the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal or state agency. I further understand that nothing in this Release precludes


  me from entitlement to any monetary recovery awarded by the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with any action asserted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Moreover, I will continue to be indemnified for my actions taken while employed by the Company to the same extent as other former directors and officers of the Company or its parent under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company’s parent, and the Director Indemnification Agreement between me and the Company’s parent, if any, and I will continue to be covered by the Company’s and/or its parent’s directors and officers liability insurance policy as in effect from time to time to the same extent as other former directors and officers of the Company and its parent, each subject to the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware and/or the Cayman Islands, as applicable. To the fullest extent permitted by law, any dispute regarding the scope of this general release shall be resolved through binding arbitration as set forth in my Agreement.

 

  3.

I understand and agree that Company will not provide me with the Benefits unless I execute the Release. I also understand that I have received or will receive, regardless of the execution of the Release, all wages owed to me together with any accrued but unused vacation pay, less applicable withholdings and deductions, earned through my termination date.

 

  4.

As part of my existing and continuing obligations to Company, I have returned to Company all Company documents (and all copies thereof) and other Company property that I have had in my possession at any time, including but not limited to Company files, notes, drawings, records, business plans and forecasts, financial information, specification, computer-recorded information, tangible property (including, but not limited to, computers, laptops, pagers, etc.), credit cards, entry cards, identification badges and keys; and any materials of any kind which contain or embody any proprietary or confidential information of Company (and all reproductions thereof, except as otherwise I am entitled to retain under any agreement with the Company). I understand that, even if I did not sign the Release, I am still bound by any and all confidential/proprietary/trade secret information, non-disclosure and inventions assignment agreement(s) signed by me in connection with my employment with Company, or with a predecessor or successor of Company pursuant to the terms of such agreement(s).

 

  5.

I represent and warrant that I am the sole owner of all claims relating to my employment with Company and/or with any predecessor of Company, and that I have not assigned or transferred any claims relating to my employment to any other person or entity.

 

  6.

I agree to keep the Benefits and the provisions of the Release confidential and not to reveal its contents to anyone except my lawyer, my spouse or other immediate family member, and/or my financial consultant, or as required by legal process or applicable law or requested by taxing authorities unless and until they become publicly available.

 

  7.

I understand and agree that the Release shall not be construed at any time as an admission of liability or wrongdoing by either Company or myself.


  8.

I agree that for following my termination of employment, I will not, directly or indirectly, make any disparaging statements or comments, either as fact or as opinion, about Company, its employees, officers, directors, shareholders, vendors, products or services, business, technologies, market position or performance.

 

  9.

I agree to reasonably cooperate with the Company in any internal investigation, any administrative, regulatory, or judicial proceeding or any dispute with a third party related to my employment period. I understand and agree that my cooperation may include, but not be limited to, making myself reasonably available to the Company upon reasonable notice for interviews and factual investigations; appearing at the Company’s reasonable request to give testimony without requiring service of a subpoena or other legal process; volunteering to the Company pertinent information; and turning over to the Company all relevant documents which are or may come into my possession all at times and on schedules that are reasonably consistent with my other permitted activities and commitments. The Company shall to the extent reasonably feasible limit my travel and not interfere with my other obligations in seeking such cooperation. The Company shall reimburse my reasonable expenses incurred in connection with such cooperation.

 

  10.

I agree to submit any claims arising from this Release or my employment to mandatory binding arbitration consistent with my Agreement. I HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN REGARD TO SUCH CLAIMS. This agreement to arbitrate does not restrict my right to file administrative claims I may bring before any government agency where, as a matter of law, the parties may not restrict my ability to file such claims (including, but not limited to, the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Department of Labor). However, I agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, arbitration shall be the exclusive remedy for the subject matter of such administrative claims.

 

  11.

I agree that I have had at least twenty-one (21) calendar days in which to consider whether to execute the Release, no one hurried me into executing the Release during that period, and no one coerced me into executing the Release. I understand that the offer of the Benefits and the Release shall expire on the twenty-second (22nd) calendar day after my employment termination date if I have not accepted it by that time. I further understand that Company’s obligations under the Release shall not become effective or enforceable until the eighth (8th) calendar day after the date I sign the Release provided that I have timely delivered it to Company (the “Effective Date”) and that in the seven (7) day period following the date I deliver a signed copy of the Release to Company. I understand that I may revoke my acceptance of the Release. I understand that the Benefits will become available to me at such time after the Effective Date.

 

  12.

In executing the Release, I acknowledge that I have not relied upon any statement made by Company, or any of its representatives or employees, with regard to the Release unless the representation is specifically included herein. Furthermore, the Release contains our entire understanding regarding eligibility for Benefits and supersedes any or all prior representation and agreement regarding the subject matter of the Release. However, the Release does not modify, amend or supersede written Company agreements that are consistent with enforceable provisions of this Release such as my Agreement, proprietary information and invention assignment agreement, and any share, share option and/or share purchase agreements between Company or its Parent and me. Once effective and enforceable, this agreement can only be changed by another written agreement signed by me and an authorized representative of Company.


  13.

Should any provision of the Release be determined by an arbitrator, court of competent jurisdiction, or government agency to be wholly or partially invalid or unenforceable, the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining parts, terms, or provisions are intended to remain in full force and effect. Specifically, should a court, arbitrator, or agency conclude that a particular claim may not be released as a matter of law, it is the intention of the parties that the general release and the waiver of unknown claims above shall otherwise remain effective to release any and all other claims. I acknowledge that I have obtained sufficient information to intelligently exercise my own judgment regarding the terms of the Release before executing the Release.

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT FOLLOWS]


EMPLOYEE’S ACCEPTANCE OF RELEASE

BEFORE SIGNING MY NAME TO THE RELEASE, I STATE THE FOLLOWING: I HAVE READ THE RELEASE, I UNDERSTAND IT AND I KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS. I HAVE OBTAINED SUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO INTELLIGENTLY EXERCISE MY OWN JUDGMENT. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT I SHOULD CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SIGNING IT, AND I HAVE SIGNED THE RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY.

EFFECTIVE UPON EXECUTION BY EMPLOYEE AND THE COMPANY.

 

Date delivered to employee ___________, ______.
Executed this ___________ day of ___________, ______.

 

Your Signature

 

Your Name (Please Print)

 

Agreed and Accepted:
Terns, Inc.

 

By:
Date:

[Signature Page to General Release Agreement]

EX-10.10

Exhibit 10.10

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION PROGRAM

This Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the “Company”) Non-Employee Director Compensation Program (this “Program”) has been adopted under the Company’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan (the “Plan”) and shall be effective upon the closing of the Company’s initial public offering of its common stock (the “IPO”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed in the Plan.

Cash Compensation

Effective upon the IPO, annual retainers will be paid in the following amounts to Non-Employee Directors:

 

Non-Employee Director Base Fee:

   $ 40,000  

Non-Executive Chair:

   $ 30,000  

Audit Committee Chair:

   $ 15,000  

Compensation Committee Chair:

   $ 10,000  

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair:

   $ 8,000  

Audit Committee Member (non-Chair):

   $ 7,500  

Compensation Committee Member (non-Chair):

   $ 5,000  

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member (non-Chair):

   $ 4,000  

For the avoidance of doubt, the annual retainers for committee service in the table above are additive to the base fee such that a Non-Employee Director shall be eligible to earn the base fee plus an annual retainer based on the Non-Employee Director’s position within each committee on which the Non-Employee Director serves. All annual retainers will be paid in cash quarterly in arrears promptly following the end of the applicable calendar quarter, but in no event more than 30 days after the end of such quarter. In the event a Non-Employee Director does not serve as a Non-Employee Director, or in the applicable positions described above, 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 position, as applicable.

Equity Compensation

 

Initial Stock Option Grant:    Each Non-Employee Director who is initially elected or appointed to serve on the Board after the IPO shall be granted an Option under the Plan or any other applicable Company equity incentive plan then-maintained by the Company to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock.


   The Initial Option will be automatically granted on the date on which such Non-Employee Director commences service on the Board, and will vest as to 1/3rd of the total shares subject thereto on the first anniversary of the applicable date of grant and as to 1/36th of the total shares subject thereto on each monthly anniversary of the applicable date of grant over the next 24 months thereafter such that the shares subject to the Initial Option are fully vested on the third anniversary of the grant, in each case, subject to the Non-Employee Director continuing to constitute a Service Provider through the applicable vesting date.
Annual Stock Option Grant:   

Each Non-Employee Director who is serving on the Board as of the date of each annual stockholder meeting of the Company (each, an “Annual Meeting”) shall be granted an Option under the Plan or any other applicable Company equity incentive plan then-maintained by the Company to purchase 12,500 shares of Common Stock.

 

The Annual Option will be automatically granted on the date of the applicable Annual Meeting, and will vest in full on the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the date of grant and (ii) immediately prior to the Annual Meeting following the date of grant, in each case, subject to the Non-Employee Director continuing to constitute a Service Provider through such vesting date.

The per share exercise price of each Option granted to a Non-Employee Director shall equal the Fair Market Value of a share of common stock on the date the Option is granted.

The term of each Option granted to a Non-Employee Director shall be ten years from the date the Option is granted.

No portion of an Initial Option or Annual Option which is unvested or unexercisable at the time of a Non-Employee Director’s Termination of Service shall become vested and exercisable thereafter, except as may otherwise be determined by the Board.

Members of the Board who are employees of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company who subsequently terminate their service with the Company and any parent or subsidiary of the Company and remain on the Board will not receive an Initial Option, but to the extent that they are otherwise eligible, will be eligible to receive, after termination from service with the Company and any parent or subsidiary of the Company, Annual Options as described above.


Change in Control

Upon a Change in Control of the Company, all outstanding equity awards granted under the Plan and any other equity incentive plan maintained by the Company that are held by a Non-Employee Director shall become fully vested and/or exercisable, irrespective of any other provisions of the Non-Employee Director’s Award Agreement.

Reimbursements

The Company shall reimburse each Non-Employee Director for all reasonable, documented, out-of-pocket travel and other business expenses incurred by such Non-Employee Director in the performance of his or her duties to the Company in accordance with the Company’s applicable expense reimbursement policies and procedures as in effect from time to time.

Miscellaneous

All applicable terms of the Plan apply to this Program as if fully set forth herein, and all grants of Options hereby are subject in all respects to the terms of the Plan, including, without limitation, the limits on annual compensation for Non-Employee Directors in Section 5.5 of the Plan. The grant of any Option under this Program shall be made solely by and subject to the terms set forth in a written agreement in a form to be approved by the Board and duly executed by an executive officer of the Company.

* * * * *

EX-10.11

Exhibit 10.11

INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT AGREEMENT

This Indemnification and Advancement Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of ________ __, 2021 by and between Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and ______________, [a member of the Board of Directors/an officer] of the Company (“Indemnitee”). This Agreement supersedes and replaces any and all previous Agreements between the Company and Indemnitee covering indemnification and advancement.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) believes that highly competent persons have become more reluctant to serve publicly-held corporations as directors, officers, or in other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or adequate indemnification and advancement of expenses against inordinate risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their service to and activities on behalf of the corporation;

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that, in order to attract and retain qualified individuals, the Company will attempt to maintain on an ongoing basis, at its sole expense, liability insurance to protect persons serving the Company and its subsidiaries from certain liabilities. Although the furnishing of such insurance has been a customary and widespread practice among United States-based corporations and other business enterprises, the Company believes that, given current market conditions and trends, such insurance may be available to it in the future only at higher premiums and with more exclusions. At the same time, directors, officers, and other persons in service to corporations or business enterprises are being increasingly subjected to expensive and time-consuming litigation relating to, among other things, matters that traditionally would have been brought only against the Company or business enterprise itself. The Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation of the Company require indemnification of the officers and directors of the Company. Indemnitee may also be entitled to indemnification pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). The Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, and the DGCL expressly provide that the indemnification provisions set forth therein are not exclusive, and thereby contemplate that contracts may be entered into between the Company and members of the board of directors, officers and other persons with respect to indemnification and advancement of expenses;

WHEREAS, the uncertainties relating to such insurance, to indemnification, and to advancement of expenses may increase the difficulty of attracting and retaining such persons;

WHEREAS, the Board has determined that the increased difficulty in attracting and retaining such persons is detrimental to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders and that the Company should act to assure such persons that there will be increased certainty of such protection in the future and;

WHEREAS, Indemnitee may have certain rights to indemnification and/or insurance provided by one or more other Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated to indemnify Indemnitee and/or advance Expenses to Indemnitee in respect of any proceeding (a “Secondary Indemnitor”) which Indemnitee and Secondary Indemnitor intend to be secondary to the primary obligation of the Company to indemnify Indemnitee as provided in this Agreement, with the Company’s acknowledgment and agreement to the foregoing being a material condition to Indemnitee’s willingness to serve or continue to serve on the Board; and

WHEREAS, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company contractually to obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, such persons to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law so that they will serve or continue to serve the Company free from undue concern that they will not be so indemnified;


WHEREAS, this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and is not a substitute therefor, nor diminishes or abrogates any rights of Indemnitee thereunder; and

WHEREAS, Indemnitee does not regard the protection available under the Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, DGCL and insurance as adequate in the present circumstances, and may not be willing to serve or continue to serve as an officer or director without adequate additional protection, and the Company desires Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve in such capacity. Indemnitee is willing to serve, continue to serve and to take on additional service for or on behalf of the Company on the condition that Indemnitee be so indemnified and be advanced expenses.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee do hereby covenant and agree as follows:

Section 1. Services to the Company. Indemnitee agrees to serve as a [director/officer] of the Company. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law). This Agreement does not create any obligation on the Company to continue Indemnitee in such position and is not an employment contract between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) and Indemnitee.

Section 2. Definitions. As used in this Agreement:

(a) “Agent” means any person who is authorized by the Company or an Enterprise to act for or represent the interests of the Company or an Enterprise, respectively.

(b) A “Change in Control” occurs upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:

i. Acquisition of Stock by Third Party. Any Person (as defined below) is or becomes the Beneficial Owner (as defined below), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities unless the change in relative beneficial ownership of the Company’s securities by any Person results solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors;

ii. Change in Board of Directors. During any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Sections 2(b)(i), 2(b)(iii) or 2(b)(iv)) 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 period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board;

 

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iii. Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity;

iv. Liquidation. The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; and

v. Other Events. There occurs any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or a response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

vi. For purposes of this Section 2(b), the following terms have the following meanings:

 

  1

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

 

  2

“Person” has the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Person excludes (i) the Company, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, and (iii) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

 

  3

“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that Beneficial Owner excludes any Person otherwise becoming a Beneficial Owner by reason of the stockholders of the Company approving a merger of the Company with another entity.

(c) “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was acting as a director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or Agent of the Company or an Enterprise.

(d) “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

 

-3-


(e) “Enterprise” means any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other entity for which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee, or Agent.

(f) “Expenses” includes all reasonable attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees of experts and other professionals, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes imposed on Indemnitee as a result of the actual or deemed receipt of any payments under this Agreement, ERISA excise taxes and penalties, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding. Expenses also include (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond, or other appeal bond or its equivalent, and (ii) for purposes of Section 14(d) only, Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, by litigation or otherwise. The parties agree that for the purposes of any advancement of Expenses for which Indemnitee has made written demand to the Company in accordance with this Agreement, all Expenses included in such demand that are certified by affidavit of Indemnitee’s counsel as being reasonable in the good faith judgment of such counsel will be presumed conclusively to be reasonable. Expenses, however, do not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

(g) “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent: (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than with respect to matters concerning the Indemnitee under this Agreement, or of other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” does not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

(h) The term “Proceeding” includes any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, claim, counterclaim, cross claim, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or any other actual, threatened or completed proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or investigative (formal or informal) nature, including any appeal therefrom, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, potential party, non-party witness or otherwise by reason of Indemnitee’s Corporate Status or by reason of any action taken by Indemnitee (or a failure to take action by Indemnitee) or of any action (or failure to act) on Indemnitee’s part while acting pursuant to Indemnitee’s Corporate Status, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or Expense is incurred for which indemnification, reimbursement, or advancement of Expenses can be provided under this Agreement. A Proceeding also includes a situation the Indemnitee believes in good faith may lead to or culminate in the institution of a Proceeding.

 

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Section 3. Indemnity in Third-Party Proceedings. The Company will indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 3, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement (including all interest, assessments and other charges paid or payable in connection with or in respect of such Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, in the case of a criminal Proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

Section 4. Indemnity in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. The Company will indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 4, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. The Company will not indemnify Indemnitee for Expenses under this Section 4 related to any claim, issue or matter in a Proceeding for which Indemnitee has been finally adjudged by a court to be liable to the Company, unless, and only to the extent that, the Delaware Court of Chancery or any court in which the underlying Proceeding, whether brought by the Company or a third party, was brought determines upon application by Indemnitee that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification.

Section 5. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding in which the Indemnitee is successful, on the merits or otherwise or in defense of any such claim, issue or matter therein, in whole or in part. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with or related to each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter to the fullest extent permitted by law. For purposes of this Section 5 and without limitation, (i) the termination, withdrawal or dismissal, with or without prejudice, of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding without any express finding of liability or guilt against Indemnitee, (ii) the expiration of 120 days after the making of any claim without the institution of any Proceeding and without any promise or payment made to induce a settlement, and (iii) the settlement of any Proceeding pursuant to which the Indemnitee agrees to pay less than $10,000, in the aggregate with respect to all relevant claims, irrespective of whether other parties make payments which may be deemed to be on behalf of indemnitee, will each be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

Section 6. Indemnification For Expenses of a Witness. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party but to which Indemnitee is, or may reasonably expect to be, a witness, deponent, interviewee, or otherwise asked to participate.

 

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Section 7. Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of Expenses, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.

Section 8. Additional Indemnification. Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 3, 4, or 5, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law (including but not limited to, the DGCL and any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that expand the Company’s ability to indemnify its officers and directors) if Indemnitee is a party to or threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor).

Section 9. Exclusions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company is not obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification payment to Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding:

(a) for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision, except to the extent provided in Section 15(b) and except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid under any insurance policy or other indemnity provision; or

(b) for (i) an accounting of profits made from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) by Indemnitee of securities of the Company within the meaning of Section 15(b) of the Exchange Act (as defined in Section 2(b) hereof) or similar provisions of state statutory law or common law, (ii) any reimbursement of the Company by the Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by the Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) or (iii) any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any compensation pursuant to any compensation recoupment or clawback policy adopted by the Board or the compensation committee of the Board, including but not limited to any such policy adopted to comply with stock exchange listing requirements implementing Section 10D of the Exchange Act; or

(c) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Proceeding or part of any Proceeding is to enforce Indemnitee’s rights to indemnification or advancement, of Expenses, including a Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement, (ii) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation or (iii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law.

 

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Section 10. Advances of Expenses.

(a) The Company will advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) not initiated by Indemnitee or any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee if (i) the Proceeding or part of any Proceeding is to enforce Indemnitee’s rights to obtain indemnification or advancement of Expenses from the Company or Enterprise, including a proceeding initiated pursuant to Section 14 or (ii) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation. The Company will advance the Expenses within thirty (30) days after the receipt by the Company of a statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time, whether prior to or after final disposition of any Proceeding.

(b) Advances will be unsecured and interest free. Indemnitee undertakes to repay the amounts advanced (without interest) to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company, thus Indemnitee qualifies for advances upon the execution of this Agreement and delivery to the Company. No other form of undertaking is required other than the execution of this Agreement. The Company will make advances without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the Expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement.

Section 11. Procedure for Notification of Claim for Indemnification or Advancement.

(a) Indemnitee will notify the Company in writing of any Proceeding with respect to which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt by Indemnitee of written notice thereof. Indemnitee will include in the written notification to the Company a description of the nature of the Proceeding and the statement of the facts underlying the Proceeding and provide such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of such Proceeding. Indemnitee’s failure to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any obligation it may have to Indemnitee under this Agreement, and any delay in so notifying the Company will not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights under this Agreement. The Secretary of the Company will, promptly upon receipt of such a request for indemnification or advancement, advise the Board in writing that Indemnitee has requested indemnification or advancement.

(b) The Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense.

Section 12. Procedure Upon Application for Indemnification.

(a) Unless a Change in Control has occurred, the determination of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification will be made:

i. by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board;

ii. by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Board;

 

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iii. if there are no such Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by written opinion provided by Independent Counsel selected by the Board; or

iv. if so directed by the Board, by the stockholders of the Company.

(b) If a Change in Control has occurred, the determination of Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification will be made by written opinion provided by Independent Counsel selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee requests such selection be made by the Board)

(c) The party selecting Independent Counsel pursuant to subsection (a)(iii) or (b) of this Section 12 will provide written notice of the selection to the other party. The notified party may, within ten (10) days after receiving written notice of the selection of Independent Counsel, deliver to the selecting party a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 2 of this Agreement, and the objection will set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected will act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or the Delaware Court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within thirty (30) days after the later of submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof and the final disposition of the Proceeding, Independent Counsel has not been selected or, if selected, any objection to has not been resolved, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition the Delaware Court for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by such court or by such other person as such court designates. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, Independent Counsel will be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

(d) Indemnitee will cooperate with the reasonable requests of the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information which is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and which is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. The Company will advance and pay any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making the indemnification determination irrespective of the determination as to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification and the Company hereby indemnifies and agrees to hold Indemnitee harmless therefrom. The Company promptly will advise Indemnitee in writing of the determination that Indemnitee is or is not entitled to indemnification, including a description of any reason or basis for which indemnification has been denied and providing a copy of any written opinion provided to the Board by Independent Counsel.

(e) If it is determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company will make payment to Indemnitee within thirty (30) days after such determination.

 

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Section 13. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.

(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person or persons or entity making such determination will, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, presume Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with Section 11(a) of this Agreement, and the Company will, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption. Neither the failure of the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any action pursuant to this Agreement that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual determination by the Company (including by its directors or Independent Counsel) that Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, will be a defense to the action or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

(b) If the determination of the Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification has not made pursuant to Section 12 within sixty (60) days after the later of (i) receipt by the Company of Indemnitee’s request for indemnification pursuant to Section 11(a) and (ii) the final disposition of the Proceeding for which Indemnitee requested Indemnification (the “Determination Period”), the requisite determination of entitlement to indemnification will, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, be deemed to have been made and Indemnitee will be entitled to such indemnification, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law. The Determination Period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional thirty (30) days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided, further, the Determination Period may be extended an additional fifteen (15) days if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders pursuant to Section 12(a)(iv) of this Agreement.

(c) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, will not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.

For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee will be deemed to have acted in good faith (i) in any action that does not require, as an element of the claim or cause of action, the establishment of any state of mind inconsistent with a finding of good faith or (ii) if Indemnitee acted based on the records or books of account of the Company, its subsidiaries, or an Enterprise, including financial statements, or on information supplied to Indemnitee by the directors or officers of the Company, its subsidiaries, or an Enterprise in the course of their duties, or on the advice of legal counsel for the Company, its subsidiaries, or an Enterprise or the legal counsel for the Board or counsel selected by any committee of the Board or on information or records given or reports made to the Company or an Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant or by an appraiser, financial advisor or other expert selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company, its subsidiaries, or an Enterprise. Further, Indemnitee will be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the

 

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best interests of the Company,” as referred to in this Agreement if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan. The provisions of this Section 13(d) is not exclusive and does not limit in any way the other circumstances in which the Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

(e) The knowledge and/or actions, or failure to act, of any director, officer, trustee, partner, managing member, fiduciary, agent or employee of the Enterprise may not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining Indemnitee’s right to indemnification under this Agreement.

Section 14. Remedies of Indemnitee.

(a) Indemnitee may commence litigation against the Company in the Delaware Court of Chancery to obtain indemnification or advancement of Expenses provided by this Agreement in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) the Company does not advance Expenses pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement, (iii) the determination of entitlement to indemnification is not made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement within the Determination Period, (iv) the Company does not indemnify Indemnitee pursuant to Section 5 or 6 or the second to last sentence of Section 12(d) of this Agreement within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, (v) the Company does not indemnify Indemnitee pursuant to Section 3, 4, 7, or 8 of this Agreement or fails to make any subrogation payment under Section 15(b)(iii) within thirty (30) days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, or (vi) in the event that the Company or any other person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or Proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, the Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to the Indemnitee hereunder. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at Indemnitee’s option, may seek an award in arbitration to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee must commence such Proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within one hundred and eighty (180) days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such Proceeding pursuant to this Section 14(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause does not apply in respect of a Proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce Indemnitee’s rights under Section 5 of this Agreement. The Company will not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration.

(b) If a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 will be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits and Indemnitee may not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 the Company will have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be, and will not introduce evidence of the determination made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement.

 

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(c) If a determination is made pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company will be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

(d) The Company is, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and will stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.

(e) It is the intent of the Company that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Indemnitee not be required to incur legal fees or other Expenses associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense thereof would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended to the Indemnitee hereunder. The Company, to the fullest extent permitted by law, will (within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor) advance to Indemnitee such Expenses which are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action concerning this Agreement, Indemnitee’s right to indemnification or advancement of Expenses from the Company, or concerning any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, and will indemnify Indemnitee against any and all such Expenses unless the court determines that each of the Indemnitee’s claims in such action were made in bad faith or were frivolous or are prohibited by law.

Section 15. Non-exclusivity; Survival of Rights; Insurance; Subrogation.

(a) The indemnification and advancement of Expenses provided by this Agreement are not exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. The indemnification and advancement of Expenses provided by this Agreement may not be limited or restricted by any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement in any way with respect to any action taken or omitted by Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s Corporate Status occurring prior to any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement. To the extent that a change in Delaware law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, or this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change. No right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy is cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, will not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

(b) The Company hereby acknowledges that Indemnitee may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of Expenses and/or insurance provided by one or more other Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated. The relationship between the Company and such other Persons, other than an Enterprise, with respect to the Indemnitee’s rights to indemnification, advancement of Expenses, and insurance is described by this subsection, subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section 15 with respect to a Proceeding concerning Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with an Enterprise.

 

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i. The Company hereby acknowledges and agrees:

1) the Company is the indemnitor of first resort with respect to any request for indemnification or advancement of Expenses made pursuant to this Agreement concerning any Proceeding;

2) the Company is primarily liable for all indemnification and indemnification or advancement of Expenses obligations for any Proceeding, whether created by law, organizational or constituent documents, contract (including this Agreement) or otherwise;

3) any obligation of any Secondary Indemnitor or other Persons with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated to indemnify Indemnitee and/or advance Expenses to Indemnitee in respect of any proceeding are secondary to the obligations of the Company’s obligations;

4) the Company will indemnify Indemnitee and advance Expenses to Indemnitee hereunder to the fullest extent provided herein without regard to any rights Indemnitee may have against any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated or insurer of any such Person; and

ii. the Company irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases (A) any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including each and every Secondary Indemnitor) from any claim of contribution, subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration or indemnification, or any other recovery of any kind in respect of amounts paid by the Company to Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement and (B) any right to participate in any claim or remedy of Indemnitee against any Person, whether or not such claim, remedy or right arises in equity or under contract, statute or common law, including, without limitation, the right to take or receive from any Person, directly or indirectly, in cash or other property or by set-off or in any other manner, payment or security on account of such claim, remedy or right.

iii. In the event any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated (including the Secondary Indemnitor) or their insurers advances or extinguishes any liability or loss for Indemnitee, the payor has a right of subrogation against the Company or its insurers for all amounts so paid which would otherwise be payable by the Company or its insurers under this Agreement. In no event will payment by any Secondary Indemnitor or their insurers affect the obligations of the Company hereunder or shift primary liability for the Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance of Expenses to any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated. Each Secondary Indemnitor and their insurers shall be a third party beneficiary of this Agreement.

iv. Any indemnification or advancement of Expenses provided by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated is specifically in excess over the Company’s obligation to indemnify and advance Expenses or any valid and collectible insurance (including but not limited to any malpractice insurance or professional errors and omissions insurance) provided by the Company.

 

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The Company shall use commercially reasonable best efforts to maintain an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, officers, employees, or Agents of the Company or of any other Enterprise and (b) to provide that until at least the sixth (6th) anniversary of the date of expiration of the Indemnitee’s period of service with the Company (the “Six-Year Period”), Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any such director, officer, employee or agent under such policy or policies, including coverage in the event the Company does not or cannot, for any reason, indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee as required by this Agreement. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to this Agreement, the Company has director and officer liability insurance in effect, the Company will give prompt notice of such claim or of the commencement of a Proceeding, as the case may be, to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company will thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies. Indemnitee agrees to assist the Company efforts to cause the insurers to pay such amounts and will comply with the terms of such policies, including selection of approved panel counsel, if required.

(c) The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee for any Proceeding concerning Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with an Enterprise will be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such Enterprise. The Company and Indemnitee intend that any such Enterprise (and its insurers) be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to indemnification and advancement of Expenses for any Proceeding related to or arising from Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with such Enterprise. The Company’s obligation to indemnify and advance Expenses to Indemnitee is secondary to the obligations the Enterprise or its insurers owe to Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees to take all reasonably necessary and desirable action to obtain from an Enterprise indemnification and advancement of Expenses for any Proceeding related to or arising from Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with such Enterprise.

(d) In the event of any payment made by the Company under this Agreement, the Company will be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee from any Enterprise or insurance carrier (other than in respect of any insurance carrier of any Secondary Indemnitor). Indemnitee will execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

Section 16. Duration of Agreement. This Agreement continues until and terminates upon the later of: (a) ten (10) years after the date that Indemnitee ceases to have a Corporate Status or (b) one (1) year after the final, non-appealable termination of any Proceeding then pending in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder and of any Proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14 of this Agreement relating thereto. The indemnification and advancement of Expenses rights provided by or granted pursuant to this Agreement are binding upon and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company), continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or Agent of the Company or of any other Enterprise, and inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s spouse, assigns, heirs, devisees, executors and administrators and other legal representatives.

 

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Section 17. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (b) such provision or provisions will be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (c) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) will be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

Section 18. Interpretation. Any ambiguity in the terms of this Agreement will be resolved in favor of Indemnitee and in a manner to provide the maximum indemnification and advancement of Expenses permitted by law. The Company and Indemnitee intend that this Agreement provide to the fullest extent permitted by law for indemnification and advancement in excess of that expressly provided, without limitation, by the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, vote of the Company stockholders or disinterested directors, or applicable law.

Section 19. Enforcement.

(a) The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve or continue to serve as a director or officer of the Company, as applicable, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving or continuing to serve as a director or officer of the Company, as applicable.

(b) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws and applicable law, and is not a substitute therefor, nor to diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement is binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement will be deemed or constitutes a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement nor will any waiver constitute a continuing waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement or of any provision hereof shall limit or restrict any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee prior to such supplement, modification or amendment.

Section 20. Notice by Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company does not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise.

 

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Section 21. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications under this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given if (a) delivered by hand to the other party, (b) sent by reputable overnight courier to the other party or (c) sent by facsimile transmission or electronic mail, with receipt of oral confirmation that such communication has been received:

(a) If to Indemnitee, at the address indicated on the signature page of this Agreement, or such other address as Indemnitee provides to the Company.

(b) If to the Company to:

Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

1065 East Hillsdale Blvd., Suite 100

Foster City, CA 94404

Attention: Bryan Yoon, Esq.

Email: byoon@ternspharma.com

or to any other address as may have been furnished to Indemnitee by the Company.

Section 22. Contribution. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee for any reason whatsoever, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, will contribute to the amount incurred by Indemnitee, whether for judgments, fines, penalties, excise taxes, amounts paid or to be paid in settlement and/or for Expenses, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the event(s) and/or transaction(s) giving cause to such Proceeding; and/or (ii) the relative fault of the Company (and its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Indemnitee in connection with such event(s) and/or transaction(s).

Section 23. Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties are governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 14(a) of this Agreement, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or Proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement may be brought only in the Delaware Court of Chancery and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court for purposes of any action or Proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or Proceeding in the Delaware Court, and (iv) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or Proceeding brought in the Delaware Court has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

 

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Section 24. Identical Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together constitutes one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

Section 25. Headings. The headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute part of this Agreement or affect the construction thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be signed as of the day and year first above written.

 

TERNS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

    

INDEMNITEE

By:                                                 

                                                      

Name:

    

Name:

Office:

    

Address:                                       

    

                                                     

    

                                                     

 

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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 November 10, 2020 (except for the fifth paragraph of Note 1, as to which the date is February 1, 2021), in Amendment 1 of the Registration Statement (Form S-1 No 333-252180) and related Prospectus of Terns Pharmaceuticals, Inc for the registration of shares of its common stock.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

San Jose, California

February 1, 2021