UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 13, 2018
Vaccinex, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 001-38624 | 16-1603202 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||
| 1895 Mount Hope Avenue Rochester, New York |
14620 | |||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||
(585) 271-2700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
| Item 5.03 | Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year. |
On August 13, 2018, the amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Certificate”) of Vaccinex, Inc. (the “Company”) filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the Company’s amended and restated bylaws (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”) became effective in connection with the completion of the initial public offering of shares of the Company’s common stock (the “IPO”). The Company’s board of directors and stockholders previously approved the amendment and restatement of these documents to become effective in connection with the completion of the IPO. The Amended and Restated Certificate and the Amended and Restated Bylaws amend and restate the Company’s pre-IPO certificate of incorporation and bylaws, respectively, in their entirety.
The Amended and Restated Certificate and the Amended and Restated Bylaws contain provisions that, among other things:
| • | authorize 100,000,000 shares of common stock; |
| • | eliminate all references to the previously existing series of preferred stock and instead create 10,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock with terms to be set by the board of directors, which rights could be senior to those of the common stock; |
| • | require the advance notice of nominations for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon at a stockholders’ meeting; |
| • | allow the board of directors to alter the bylaws without obtaining stockholder approval; |
| • | eliminate the rights of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders and to take action by written consent in lieu of a meeting; |
| • | require the approval of at least 66% of the shares entitled to vote to remove a director for cause; |
| • | require the approval of at least 66% of the shares entitled to vote to adopt, amend or repeal the bylaws or amend or repeal the provisions of the amended and restated certificate of incorporation regarding the amendment of the bylaws and the certificate, director liability, board and stockholder action and election and removal of directors; and |
| • | designate the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware to be the sole and exclusive forum for certain actions, including, but not limited to, derivative actions or proceedings brought on behalf of the Company or actions asserting claims of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of the Company’s directors, officers, employees or agents to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum. |
Copies of the Amended and Restated Certificate and the Amended and Restated Bylaws are attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
| Item 8.01 | Other Events. |
On August 13, 2018, the Company completed its initial public offering of 3,333,334 shares of its common stock at a price to the public of $12.00 per share. The underwriters retain an option for a period of 30 days from the date of the prospectus to purchase an additional 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to cover over-allotments, if any.
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
| Exhibit No. |
Description | |
| 3.1 | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Vaccinex, Inc. | |
| 3.2 | ||
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
|
|
VACCINEX, INC. | |
| Date: August 13, 2018 |
||
|
|
/s/ Scott E. Royer | |
|
|
Scott E. Royer | |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer | |
Exhibit 3.1
VACCINEX, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
Vaccinex, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies as follows.
1. The name of the Corporation is Vaccinex, Inc. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was originally filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on April 6, 2001.
2. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, attached hereto as Exhibit A, is incorporated herein by reference, and restates, integrates and further amends the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation as previously amended or supplemented.
3. The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted by the Corporation’s Board of Directors and by the Corporation’s stockholders in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, with the approval of the Corporation’s stockholders having been given by written consent without a meeting in accordance with Section 228 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its duly authorized officer and the foregoing facts stated herein are true and correct.
| Dated: | August 13, 2018 |
VACCINEX, INC. | ||||||
| By: | /s/ Scott E. Royer | |||||||
| Name: | Scott E. Royer | |||||||
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |||||||
EXHIBIT A
VACCINEX, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of the corporation is Vaccinex, Inc. (the “Corporation”).
ARTICLE II: AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS
The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 850 New Burton Road, Suite 201, City of Dover, County of Kent, 19904. The name of the registered agent of the Corporation at that address is Cogency Global Inc.
ARTICLE III: PURPOSE
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”).
ARTICLE IV: AUTHORIZED STOCK
1. Total Authorized. The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation has authority to issue is 110,000,000 shares, consisting of two classes: 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”).
2. Common Stock
2.1 Relative Rights
The Common Stock shall be subject to all of the rights, privileges, preferences and priorities set forth in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
2.2 Dividends
Except as may be provided in any resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) providing for any series of Preferred Stock outstanding at any time, whenever there shall have been paid, or declared and set aside for payment, to the holders of shares of any class or series of stock having preference over the Common Stock as to the payment of dividends, the full amount of dividends and of sinking fund or retirement payments, if any, to which such holders are respectively entitled in preference to the Common Stock, then dividends may be paid on the Common Stock and on any class or series of stock entitled to participate therewith as to dividends, out of any assets legally available for the payment of dividends thereon, but only when and as declared by the Board. Any dividends on the Common Stock will not be cumulative.
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2.3 Dissolution, Liquidation, Winding Up
In the event of any dissolution, liquidation, or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the Common Stock, and holders of any class or series of stock entitled to participate therewith, in whole or in part, as to the distribution of assets in such event, shall be entitled to participate in the distribution of any assets of the Corporation remaining after the Corporation shall have paid, or provided for payment of, all debts and liabilities of the Corporation and after the Corporation shall have paid, or set aside for payment, to the holders of any class or series of stock having preference over the Common Stock in the event of dissolution, liquidation or winding up the full preferential amounts (if any) to which they are entitled.
2.4 Voting Rights
Each holder of shares of the Common Stock shall be entitled to attend all special and annual meetings. Except as may otherwise be required by law, and subject to the provisions of such resolution or resolutions as may be adopted by the Board pursuant to Section 3 of this Article IV granting the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock exclusive or special voting powers with respect to any matter, each holder of the Common Stock shall have one vote with respect to each share of the Common Stock held on all matters voted upon by the stockholders, provided, however, that except as otherwise required by law, holders of the Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including a certificate of designations relating to any series of the Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of the Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either voting separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including a certificate of designations relating to any series of the Preferred Stock) or pursuant to the DGCL. Each holder of shares of the Common Stock may exercise its vote either in person or by proxy.
3. Preferred Stock
The Board is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by the DGCL and the provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, to provide, by resolution or resolutions from time to time and by filing certificates of designations pursuant to the DGCL, for the issuance of shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, to fix the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of the shares of each such series of the Preferred Stock and to fix the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.
The authority of the Board with respect to each series shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the following: (a) the number of shares constituting that series and the distinctive designation of that series; (b) the dividend rate on the shares of that series, whether dividends shall be cumulative, and, if so, from which date or dates, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of dividends on shares of that series; (c) whether that series shall have voting rights, in addition to the voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights; (d) whether that series shall have conversion privileges, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion, including provision for adjustment of the conversion rate in such events as the Board shall determine; (e) whether or not the shares of that series shall be redeemable, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such redemption, including the dates upon or after which they shall be redeemable, and the amount per share payable in case of redemption, which amount may vary under different conditions and at different redemption dates; (f) whether that series shall have a sinking fund for the redemption or purchase of shares of that series, and, if so, the terms and amount of such sinking fund; (g) the rights of the shares of that series in the
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event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of shares of that series; and (h) any other relative powers, preferences, and rights of that series, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions on that series as the Board shall determine.
ARTICLE V: AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS
In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the DGCL, the Board is expressly authorized and empowered to adopt, alter, amend and repeal the bylaws of the Corporation without any action on the part of the stockholders.
ARTICLE VI: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1. Director Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon them by statute or by this Amended and Restate Certificate of Incorporation or the bylaws of the Corporation, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation.
2. Number of Directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the total number of directors constituting the entire Board shall be fixed from time to time solely by resolution of the Board.
3. Classified Board. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the directors shall be divided, with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into three classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, respectively (the “Classified Board”). The Board may assign members of the Board already in office to the Classified Board, which assignments shall become effective at the same time the Classified Board becomes effective. Directors shall be assigned to each class in accordance with a resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board, with the number of directors in each class to be divided as nearly equal as reasonably possible. The initial term of office of the Class I directors shall expire at the Corporation’s first annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Effective Time”), the initial term of office of the Class II directors shall expire at the Corporation’s second annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Time, and the initial term of office of the Class III directors shall expire at the Corporation’s third annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Time. At each annual meeting of stockholders following the Effective Time, directors elected to succeed those directors of the class whose terms then expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election. Each director shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.
4. No Cumulative Voting. No person entitled to vote at an election for directors may cumulate votes to which such person is entitled.
5. Term and Removal. Each director shall hold office until such director’s successor is elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Any director may resign at any time upon notice to the Corporation given in writing or by any electronic transmission permitted in the Corporation’s bylaws. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, no director may be removed except for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six percent (66%) of the voting power of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation then entitled to vote at an election of directors voting together as a single class. No decrease in the authorized number of directors constituting the Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
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6. Board Vacancies. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any vacancy occurring in the Board for any cause, and any newly created directorship resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, shall, unless (a) the Board determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by the stockholders or (b) as otherwise provided by law, be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and not by the stockholders. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class to which the director has been assigned expires or until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
7. Vote by Ballot. Election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the bylaws of the Corporation shall so provide.
8. Officers. Except as otherwise expressly delegated by resolution of the Board, the Board shall have the exclusive power and authority to appoint and remove officers of the Corporation.
ARTICLE VII: DIRECTOR LIABILITY
1. Limitation of Liability. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no director of the Corporation shall be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Without limiting the effect of the preceding sentence, if the DGCL is hereafter amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of a director, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.
2. Change in Rights. Neither any amendment nor repeal of this Article VII, nor the adoption of any provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article VII, shall eliminate, reduce or otherwise adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or adoption of such an inconsistent provision.
ARTICLE VIII: MATTERS RELATING TO STOCKHOLDERS
1. No Action by Written Consent of Stockholders. Subject to the rights of any series of Preferred Stock, no action shall be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation except at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and no action shall be taken by the stockholders by written consent.
2. Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such place, if any, on such date and at such time as fixed by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion.
3. Special Meeting of Stockholders. Subject to the rights of any holders of the Preferred Stock, (a) only the chairperson of the Board or a majority of the Board shall be permitted to call a special meeting of stockholders and (b) the business permitted to be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board.
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4. Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominations and Business Transacted at Special Meetings. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors of the Corporation and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the bylaws of the Corporation. Business transacted at special meetings of stockholders shall be confined to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting.
ARTICLE IX: CREDITOR AND STOCKHOLDER COMPROMISES
Whenever a compromise or arrangement is proposed between the Corporation and its creditors or any class of them and/or between the Corporation and its stockholders or any class of them, any court of equitable jurisdiction within the State of Delaware may, on the application in a summary way of the Corporation or of any creditor or stockholder thereof or on the application of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under the provisions of §291 of Title 8 of the DGCL or on the application of trustees in dissolution or of any receiver or receivers appointed for the Corporation under §279 of Title 8 of the DGCL order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, to be summoned in such manner as the said court directs. If a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors or class of creditors, and/or of the stockholders or class of stockholders of the Corporation, as the case may be, agree to any compromise or arrangement and to any reorganization of the Corporation as a consequence of such compromise or arrangement, the said compromise or arrangement and the said reorganization shall, if sanctioned by the court to which the said application has been made, be binding on all the creditors or class of creditors, and/or on all the stockholders or class of stockholders, of the Corporation, as the case may be, and also on the Corporation.
ARTICLE X: EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION
Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by, or other wrongdoing by, any current or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, (4) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or (5) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each such case subject to said Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of the foregoing provisions of this Article X is filed in a court other than a court located within 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 located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce this Article X (an “Enforcement Action”), and (y) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for any claim arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article X.
ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
The Corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in the manner prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware
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and all rights conferred upon stockholders are granted subject to this reservation; provided, however, that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law that might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of the stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six percent (66%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to amend or repeal this Article XI or Article V, Article VI, Article VII, Article VIII or Article X.
* * * * * * * * * * *
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Exhibit 3.2
VACCINEX, INC.
a Delaware Corporation
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
As Adopted August 13, 2018
VACCINEX, INC.
a Delaware Corporation
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||
| ARTICLE I – OFFICES |
1 | |||
| Section 1.1. Registered Office |
1 | |||
| Section 1.2. Other Offices |
1 | |||
| ARTICLE II - STOCKHOLDERS |
1 | |||
| Section 2.1. Place of Meetings |
1 | |||
| Section 2.2. Annual Meetings |
1 | |||
| Section 2.3. Special Meetings |
1 | |||
| Section 2.4. Notice of Meetings |
1 | |||
| Section 2.5. Adjournments |
2 | |||
| Section 2.6. Quorum |
2 | |||
| Section 2.7. Organization |
2 | |||
| Section 2.8. Voting; Proxies |
2 | |||
| Section 2.9. Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record |
3 | |||
| Section 2.10. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote |
3 | |||
| Section 2.11. Inspectors of Election |
3 | |||
| Section 2.12. Conduct of Meetings |
4 | |||
| Section 2.13. Notice of Stockholder Business; Nominations |
4 | |||
| ARTICLE III - BOARD OF DIRECTORS |
8 | |||
| Section 3.1. Number; Qualifications |
8 | |||
| Section 3.2. Election; Resignation; Removal |
8 | |||
| Section 3.3. Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships |
8 | |||
| Section 3.4. Regular Meetings |
8 | |||
| Section 3.5. Special Meetings |
8 | |||
| Section 3.6. Remote Meetings Permitted |
9 | |||
| Section 3.7. Quorum; Vote Required for Action |
9 | |||
| Section 3.8. Organization |
9 | |||
| Section 3.9. Written Action by Directors |
9 | |||
| Section 3.10. Powers |
9 | |||
| Section 3.11. Compensation of Directors |
9 | |||
| ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES |
9 | |||
| Section 4.1. Committees |
9 | |||
| Section 4.2. Committee Rules |
10 | |||
| ARTICLE V - OFFICERS |
10 | |||
| Section 5.1. Generally |
10 | |||
| Section 5.2. Chairperson of the Board |
10 | |||
| Section 5.3. Chief Executive Officer |
10 | |||
| Section 5.4. President |
10 | |||
| Section 5.5. Vice President |
10 | |||
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| Section 5.6. Chief Financial Officer |
11 | |||
| Section 5.7. Treasurer |
11 | |||
| Section 5.8. Secretary |
11 | |||
| Section 5.9. Delegation of Authority |
11 | |||
| Section 5.10. Removal |
11 | |||
| ARTICLE VI - STOCK |
11 | |||
| Section 6.l. Certificates |
11 | |||
| Section 6.2. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates; Issuance of New Certificate |
11 | |||
| Section 6.3. Other Regulations |
12 | |||
| ARTICLE VII – INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES |
12 | |||
| Section 7.1. Right to Indemnification |
12 | |||
| Section 7.2. Advancement of Expenses |
12 | |||
| Section 7.3. Claims |
12 | |||
| Section 7.4. Nonexclusivity of Rights |
12 | |||
| Section 7.5. Amendment or Repeal |
12 | |||
| Section 7.6. Other Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses |
13 | |||
| ARTICLE VIII - NOTICES |
13 | |||
| Section 8.l. Notice |
13 | |||
| Section 8.2. Waiver of Notice |
14 | |||
| ARTICLE IX – MISCELLANEOUS |
14 | |||
| Section 9.1. Fiscal Year |
14 | |||
| Section 9.2. Seal |
14 | |||
| Section 9.3. Form of Records |
14 | |||
| Section 9.4. Reliance upon Books and Records |
14 | |||
| Section 9.5. Certificate of Incorporation Governs |
14 | |||
| Section 9.6. Severability |
14 | |||
| ARTICLE X - AMENDMENT |
14 | |||
| Section 10.1. By the Board |
14 | |||
| Section 10.2. By the Stockholders |
15 | |||
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VACCINEX, INC.
a Delaware Corporation
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
As Adopted August 13, 2018
ARTICLE I – OFFICES
Section 1.1. Registered Office. The registered office of Vaccinex, Inc. (the “Corporation”) shall be at 850 New Burton Road, Suite 201, City of Dover, County of Kent, 19904. The name of the registered agent at such address is Cogency Global Inc.
Section 1.2. Other Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) may from time to time determine or as the business of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE II – STOCKHOLDERS
Section 2.1. Place of Meetings. Meetings of stockholders may be held at such place within or without the State of Delaware as may be designated from time to time by the Board. The Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communications as authorized by Delaware law.
Section 2.2. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting shall be held at such place, if any, on such date and at such time as fixed by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting.
Section 2.3. Special Meetings. Subject to the rights of any holders of the preferred stock of the Corporation (the “Preferred Stock”), only the chairperson of the Board or a majority of the Board shall be permitted to call a special meeting of stockholders, for any purpose or purposes prescribed in the notice of the meeting and shall be held at such place, if any, on such date and at such time as the Board may fix. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be confined to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting.
Section 2.4. Notice of Meetings. Notice of all meetings of stockholders shall be given in writing or by electronic transmission in the manner provided by law (including, without limitation, as set forth in Section 8.1.1 of these Bylaws) stating the date, time and place, if any, of the meeting, 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 meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting) and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), or these Bylaws, such notice shall be given not less than ten (10), nor more than sixty (60) days, before the date of the meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting.
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Section 2.5. Adjournments. The chairperson of the meeting, or, in the absence of such person, by any officer entitled to preside at or to act as Secretary of such meeting, or by the holders of a majority in voting power of the shares of stock present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote, although less than a quorum, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting to another time, date and place (if any). Any meeting of stockholders may adjourn from time to time, and notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the time, date and 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; provided, however, that if the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, then 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. At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled special or annual meeting of stockholders before it is to be held.
Section 2.6. Quorum. At each meeting of stockholders the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, unless otherwise required by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, the chairperson of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, at the meeting may adjourn the meeting. Shares of the Corporation’s stock belonging to the Corporation (or to another corporation, if a majority of the shares entitled to vote in the election of directors of such other corporation are held, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation), shall neither be entitled to vote nor be counted for quorum purposes; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not limit the right of the Corporation or any other corporation to vote stock, including but not limited to its own stock, held by it in a fiduciary capacity and to count such shares for purposes of determining a quorum.
Section 2.7. Organization. Meetings of stockholders shall be presided over by such person as the Board may designate, or, in the absence of such a person, the chairperson of the Board, or, in the absence of such person, the Chief Executive Officer or the President of the Corporation, or, in the absence of such person, such person as may be chosen by the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, at the meeting. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in such person’s absence the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 2.8. Voting; Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy. Such a proxy may be prepared, transmitted and delivered in any manner permitted by applicable law. Except as may be required in the Certificate of Incorporation, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Unless otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, every matter other than the election of directors shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares of stock entitled to vote on such matter that are present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and are voted for or against the matter.
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Section 2.9. Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record.
(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of 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, unless otherwise required by law, not be more than sixty (60) 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 at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is 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 determination of stockholders entitled to vote at 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.
(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such other action. If no such 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.
Section 2.10. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders (provided, however, if the record date for determining 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 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. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either on a reasonably accessible electronic network as permitted by law (provided that the information required to gain access to the list is provided with the notice of the meeting) or during ordinary business hours at the principal place of business of the Corporation. If the meeting is held at a location where stockholders may attend in person, the list shall also 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 at the meeting. If the meeting is held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall 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 the list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. 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 2.10 or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.
Section 2.11. Inspectors of Election. The Corporation may, and shall if required by law, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors of election, who may be employees of the Corporation, to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any
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inspector who fails to act. In the event that no inspector so appointed or designated is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the chairperson of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath to execute faithfully the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspector or inspectors so appointed or designated shall (a) ascertain the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation outstanding and the voting power of each such share, (b) determine the shares of capital stock of the Corporation represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots, (c) count all votes and ballots, (d) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors, and (e) certify their determination of the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation represented at the meeting and such inspectors’ count of all votes and ballots. Such certification and report shall specify such other information as may be required by law. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots cast at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, the inspectors may consider such information as is permitted by applicable law. No person who is a candidate for an office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election.
Section 2.12. Conduct of Meetings. 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 person presiding over 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 presiding person, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the presiding person of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following: (a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting; (b) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present; (c) 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 presiding person of the meeting shall determine; (d) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and (e) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. The presiding person at any meeting of stockholders, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a matter or business was not properly brought before the meeting and if such presiding person should so determine, such presiding person shall so declare to the meeting and any such matter or business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted or considered. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the person presiding over the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
Section 2.13. Notice of Stockholder Business; Nominations.
2.13.1 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
(a) Nominations of persons for election to the Board and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders shall be made at an annual meeting of stockholders only (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of such meeting (or any supplement thereto), (ii) by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof or (iii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of the notice provided for in this Section 2.13, who is entitled to vote at such meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.13.
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(b) For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to Section 2.13.1(a)(iii):
(i) the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation;
(ii) such other business (other than the nominations of persons for election to the Board) must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action;
(iii) if the stockholder, or the beneficial owner on whose behalf any such proposal or nomination is made, has provided the Corporation with a Solicitation Notice, as that term is defined in this Section, such stockholder or beneficial owner must, in the case of a proposal, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry any such proposal, or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder or beneficial holder to be sufficient to elect the nominee or nominees proposed to be nominated by such stockholder, and must, in either case, have included in such materials the Solicitation Notice; and
(iv) if no Solicitation Notice relating thereto has been timely provided pursuant to this Section, the stockholder or beneficial owner proposing such business or nomination must not have solicited a number of proxies sufficient to have required the delivery of such a Solicitation Notice under this Section.
To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held during the preceding year or the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than sixty (60) days after the first anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered (A) no earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to currently proposed annual meeting and (B) no later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or, if the Public Announcement is less than one hundred (100) days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which Public Announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall the Public Announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth:
(x) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or would be otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected;
(y) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment), the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made;
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(z) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made, (aa) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (bb) the class and number of shares of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and held of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, (cc) whether either such stockholder or beneficial owner intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of, in the case of a proposal, at least the percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, a sufficient number of holders of the Corporation’s voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees (an affirmative statement of such intent being a “Solicitation Notice”), (dd) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination or proposal between or among such stockholder and/or such beneficial owner, any of their respective affiliates or associates, and any others acting in concert with any of the foregoing, including, in the case of a nomination, the nominee, (ee) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into as of the date of the stockholder’s notice by, or on behalf of, such stockholder and such beneficial owners, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in underlying shares of capital stock of the Corporation, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder or such beneficial owner, with respect to securities of the Corporation, (ff) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination, and (gg) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in an election contest pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. The foregoing notice requirements of this Section 2.13.1 shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder with respect to business other than a nomination if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of his, her or its intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act and such stockholder’s proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as the Corporation may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Section 2.13.1(b) to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board is increased and there is no Public Announcement, as defined below, by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 2.13 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive office of the Corporation no later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such Public Announcement is first made by the Corporation.
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2.13.2 Special Meetings of Stockholders. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of such meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of such meeting (a) by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof or (b) provided that the Board has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice of the special meeting, who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.13. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be), for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice required by Section 2.13.1(b) shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (i) no earlier than the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and (ii) no later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or, if the Public Announcement is less than one hundred (100) days prior to the date of such special meeting, the tenth (10th) day following the day on which Public Announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the Public Announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.
2.13.3 General.
(a) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.13 shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.13. Except as otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, the chairperson of the meeting shall have the power and duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.13 and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance herewith, to declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall be disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.13, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to present a nomination or proposed business, such nomination shall be disregarded and such proposed business shall not be transacted, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 2.13, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting of stockholders and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of stockholders.
(b) For purposes of this Section 2.13, the term “Public Announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable 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.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.13, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.13; provided, however, that
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any references in these Bylaws to the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit any requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to this Section 2.13. Nothing in this Section 2.13 shall be deemed to affect any rights (a) of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals or nominations in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act or (b) of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to any applicable provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation.
ARTICLE III – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 3.1. Number; Qualifications. The Board shall consist of one or more members. The number of directors, unless otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, shall be fixed from time to time solely by resolution of the Board. No decrease in the authorized number of directors constituting the Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation.
Section 3.2. Election; Resignation; Removal. The directors shall be divided, with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into classes as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. All directors shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until their respective successors are elected, except in the case of the death, resignation or removal of any director. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. Directors may be removed as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 3.3. Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any vacancy occurring in the Board for any cause, and any newly created directorship resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, shall, unless (a) the Board determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by the stockholders or (b) as otherwise provided by law, be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and not by the stockholders. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class to which the director has been assigned expires or until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Section 3.4. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board may be held at such places, within or without the State of Delaware, and at such times as the Board may from time to time determine. Notice of regular meetings need not be given if the date, times and places thereof are fixed by resolution of the Board.
Section 3.5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the chairperson of the Board or by the Chief Executive Officer or the President (if a director), or a majority of the members of the Board then in office and may be held at any time, date or place, within or without the State of Delaware, as the person or persons calling the meeting shall fix. Notice of the time, date and place of such meeting shall be given, orally, in writing or by electronic transmission (including electronic mail), by the person or persons calling the meeting to all directors at least four (4) days before the meeting if the notice is mailed, or at least twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting if such notice is given by telephone, hand delivery, telegram, telex, mailgram, facsimile, electronic mail or other means of electronic transmission. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice, the business permitted to be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board.
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Section 3.6. Remote Meetings Permitted. Members of the Board, or any committee of the Board, may participate in a meeting of the Board or such 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 participation in a meeting pursuant to conference telephone or other communications equipment shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 3.7. Quorum; Vote Required for Action. At all meetings of the Board a majority of the total number of the authorized Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting to another place, date or time without further notice thereof. Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Certificate of Incorporation, or required by law, the vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board.
Section 3.8. Organization. Meetings of the Board shall be presided over by the chairperson of the Board, or in such person’s absence by the Chief Executive Officer or the President (if a director), or in such person’s absence by a chairperson chosen at the meeting. The Secretary shall act as secretary of the meeting, but in such person’s absence the chairperson of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 3.9. Written Action by Directors. 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 such 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, respectively, in the minute books of the Corporation. 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.
Section 3.10 Powers. The Board may, except as otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, exercise all such powers and manage and direct all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation.
Section 3.11. Compensation of Directors. Members of the Board, as such, may receive, pursuant to a resolution of the Board, fees and other compensation for their services as directors, including without limitation their services as members of committees of the Board.
ARTICLE IV – COMMITTEES
Section 4.1. Committees. The Board may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board may designate one 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 the committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting of such committee who are 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 place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in a resolution of the Board, 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 in reference to the following matters: (a) approving, adopting, or recommending to the stockholders any action or matter (other than the election or removal of members of the Board) expressly required by the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) to be submitted to stockholders for approval or (b) adopting, amending or repealing any of these Bylaws.
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Section 4.2. Committee Rules. Unless the Board otherwise provides, each committee designated by the Board may make, alter and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board conducts its business pursuant to Article III of these Bylaws.
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS
Section 5.1. Generally. The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a Chief Executive Officer (who may be the chairperson of the Board or the President, unless the Board shall designate another officer to be the Chief Executive Officer), a President and a Secretary, and may consist of such other officers, including a Chief Financial Officer and one or more Vice Presidents, as may from time to time be appointed by the Board. Except as otherwise expressly delegated by resolution of the Board, the Board shall have the exclusive power and authority to appoint and remove officers of the Corporation. Each officer shall hold office until such person’s successor is appointed or until such person’s earlier resignation, death or removal. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Any officer may resign at any time upon written notice to the Corporation. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Corporation by death, resignation, removal or otherwise may be filled by the Board.
Section 5.2. Chairperson of the Board. The chairperson of the Board shall have the power to preside at all meetings of the Board and shall have such other powers and duties as provided in these Bylaws and as the Board may from time to time prescribe.
Section 5.3. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall, subject to the direction of the Board, have responsibility for the general management and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation and shall perform all duties and have all powers which are commonly incident to the office of the Chief Executive Officer or which are delegated to him or her by the Board. The Chief Executive Officer shall, in the absence of or because of the inability to act of the chairperson of the Board, perform all duties of the chairperson of the Board and preside at all meetings of the Board and of stockholders. The Chief Executive Officer shall perform such other duties and shall have such other powers as the Board may from time to time prescribe. He or she shall have power to sign stock certificates, contracts and other instruments of the Corporation which are authorized and shall have general supervision and direction of all of the other officers, employees and agents of the Corporation, other than the chairperson of the Board.
Section 5.4. President. Unless otherwise specified by the Board, the President of the Corporation shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. If the President is a person other than the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall have all such powers and duties as are commonly incident to the office of President, or that are delegated to him or her by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. The President may be designated by the Board to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Executive Officer in the event of the Chief Executive Officer’s absence or disability. The President shall have power to sign stock certificates, contracts and other instruments of the Corporation which are authorized and shall have general supervision and direction of all of the other officers, employees and agents of the Corporation, other than the chairperson of the Board.
Section 5.5. Vice President. Each Vice President shall have all such powers and duties as are commonly incident to the office of Vice President, or that are delegated to him or her by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer. A Vice President may be designated by the Board to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Executive Officer in the event of the Chief Executive Officer’s absence or disability. A Vice President may be designated by the Board to perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Financial Officer in the event of the Chief Financial Officer’s absence or disability.
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Section 5.6. Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall be the Treasurer of the Corporation unless the Board shall have designated another officer as the Treasurer of the Corporation. Subject to the direction of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer shall perform all duties and have all powers that are commonly incident to the office of Chief Financial Officer.
Section 5.7. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have custody of all moneys and securities of the Corporation. The Treasurer shall make such disbursements of the funds of the Corporation as are authorized and shall render from time to time an account of all such transactions. The Treasurer shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as are commonly incident to the office of Treasurer, or as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time prescribe.
Section 5.8. Secretary. The Secretary shall issue or cause to be issued all authorized notices for, and shall keep, or cause to be kept, minutes of all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The Secretary shall have charge of the corporate minute books and similar records and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as are commonly incident to the office of Secretary, or as the Board or the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time prescribe.
Section 5.9. Delegation of Authority. The Board may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officers or agents, notwithstanding any provision hereof.
Section 5.10. Removal. Any officer of the Corporation shall serve at the pleasure of the Board and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Board; provided that if the Board has empowered the Chief Executive Officer to appoint any Vice Presidents of the Corporation, then such Vice Presidents may also be removed by the Chief Executive Officer. Such removal shall be without prejudice to the contractual rights of such officer, if any, with the Corporation.
ARTICLE VI – STOCK
Section 6.1. Certificates. The shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, or shall be uncertificated shares that may be evidenced by a book-entry system maintained by the registrar of such stock, or a combination of both. To the extent that shares are represented by certificates, such certificates whenever authorized by the Board shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board. Any certificate representing shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by any two (2) authorized officers, including without limitation the President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary and any Vice President of the Corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by such stockholder in the Corporation. 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 shall have 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 such person were an officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
Section 6.2. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Stock Certificates; Issuance of New Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock, or uncertificated shares, in the place of any certificate previously issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Corporation may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal
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representative, to agree to indemnify the Corporation and/or 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.
Section 6.3. Other Regulations. The issue, transfer, conversion and registration of stock certificates and uncertificated securities shall be governed by such other regulations as the Board may establish.
ARTICLE VII – INDEMNIFICATION AND ADVANCEMENT OF EXPENSES
Section 7.1. Right to Indemnification. The Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person (a “Covered 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 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 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, 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 Covered Person. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as otherwise provided in Section 7.3, the Corporation shall be required to indemnify a Covered Person in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Covered Person only if the commencement of such proceeding (or part thereof) by the Covered Person was authorized in the specific case by the Board.
Section 7.2. Advancement of Expenses. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a Covered Person in defending any proceeding not initiated by such Covered Person 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 Covered Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Covered Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VII or otherwise.
Section 7.3. Claims. If a claim for indemnification under this Article VII (following the final disposition of such proceeding) is not paid in full within ten (10) days after the Corporation has received a claim therefor by the Covered Person, or if a claim for any advancement of expenses under this Article VII is not paid in full within ten (10) days after the Corporation has received a statement or statements requesting such amounts to be advanced, the Covered Person shall thereupon (but not before) be entitled to file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim. If successful in whole or in part, the Covered Person 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 Covered Person is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable law.
Section 7.4. Nonexclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any Covered Person by this Article VII shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such Covered 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.
Section 7.5. Amendment or Repeal. Any right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses of any Covered Person arising hereunder shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to or repeal of these Bylaws after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought.
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Section 7.6. Other Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. This Article VII shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Covered Persons when and as authorized by appropriate corporate action.
ARTICLE VIII – NOTICES
Section 8.1. Notice.
8.1.1. Form and Delivery. Except as otherwise specifically required in these Bylaws (including, without limitation, Section 8.1.2 below) or by law, all notices required to be given pursuant to these Bylaws shall be in writing and may, (a) in every instance in connection with any delivery to a member of the Board, be effectively given by hand delivery (including use of a delivery service), by depositing such notice in the mail, postage prepaid, or by sending such notice by prepaid telegram, cablegram, overnight express courier, facsimile, electronic mail or other form of electronic transmission and (b) be effectively delivered to a stockholder when given by hand delivery, by depositing such notice in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid or, if specifically consented to by the stockholder as described in Section 8.1.2 of this Article VIII by sending such notice by telegram, cablegram, facsimile, electronic mail or other form of electronic transmission. Any such notice shall be addressed to the person to whom notice is to be given at such person’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. The notice shall be deemed given (a) in the case of hand delivery, when received by the person to whom notice is to be given or by any person accepting such notice on behalf of such person, (b) in the case of delivery by U.S. mail, upon deposit in the mail and (c) in the case of delivery via telegram, cablegram, facsimile, electronic mail or other form of electronic transmission, when dispatched.
8.1.2. Electronic Transmission. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, 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 in accordance with Section 232 of the DGCL. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (a) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent and (b) 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; provided, however, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action. Notice given pursuant to this Section 8.1.2 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 such posting and the giving of such separate notice; and (iv) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder.
8.1.3. Affidavit of Giving Notice. 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 in writing or by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
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Section 8.2. 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 of notice, signed by the person entitled to notice, or waiver by electronic transmission by such person, whether before or after the time stated therein, 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, directors or members of a committee of directors need be specified in any waiver of notice.
ARTICLE IX – MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by resolution of the Board.
Section 9.2. Seal. The Board may provide for a corporate seal, which may have the name of the Corporation inscribed thereon and shall otherwise be in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Board.
Section 9.3. Form of Records. Any records maintained by 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, diskettes, CDs, or any other information storage device or method, provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time. The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect such records pursuant to any provision of the DGCL.
Section 9.4. Reliance upon Books and Records. A member of the Board, or a member of any committee designated by the Board shall, in the performance of such person’s duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions, reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of the Corporation’s officers or employees, or committees of the Board, or by any other person as to matters the member reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.
Section 9.5. Certificate of Incorporation Governs. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and these Bylaws, the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation shall govern.
Section 9.6. Severability. If any provision of these Bylaws shall be held to be invalid, illegal, unenforceable or in conflict with the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, then such provision shall nonetheless be enforced to the maximum extent possible consistent with such holding and the remaining provisions of these Bylaws (including without limitation, all portions of any section of these Bylaws containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal, unenforceable or in conflict with the Certificate of Incorporation, that are not themselves invalid, illegal, unenforceable or in conflict with the Certificate of Incorporation) shall remain in full force and effect.
ARTICLE X – AMENDMENT
Section 10.1. By the Board. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the DGCL, the Board is expressly authorized and empowered to adopt, alter, amend and repeal these Bylaws.
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Section 10.2. By the Stockholders. Except as otherwise set forth in these Bylaws, these Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed or new Bylaws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66% of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation then issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders, provided notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new Bylaws shall have been stated in the notice of such special meeting.
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