8-K/A
NASDAQ NASDAQ --12-31 true 0001828522 0001828522 2021-08-25 2021-08-25 0001828522 us-gaap:WarrantMember 2021-08-25 2021-08-25 0001828522 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2021-08-25 2021-08-25

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K/A

(Amendment No. 1)

 

 

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 25, 2021

 

 

eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-39866   85-3306396
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

11120 Roselle Street, Suite A

San Diego, California

  92121
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(858) 925-8215

(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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange
on which registered

Common stock, $0.0001 par value per share   EFTR   Nasdaq Capital Market
Warrants to purchase common stock   EFTRW   Nasdaq Capital Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (Sec.230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Sec.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.

 

 

 


INTRODUCTORY NOTE

On August 31, 2021, eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) filed a Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Original Report”) to report the closing of the Business Combination and related matters under Items 1.01, 2.01, 3.02, 3.03, 5.01, 5.02, 5.06, 7.01 and 9.01 of Form 8-K. Due to the large number of events to be reported under the specified items of Form 8-K, this Form 8-K/A is being filed to amend the Original Report to include additional matters related to the closing of the Business Combination under Items 4.01, 5.03, 5.05 and 8.01 of Form 8-K (as amended, this “Report”).

Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein have the meanings given to such terms in the Original Report.

 

Item 4.01.

Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.

For accounting purposes, the Transactions are treated as a reverse acquisition and, as such, the historical financial statements of the accounting acquirer, eFFECTOR, which have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, will become the historical financial statements of the Company. In a reverse acquisition, a change of accountants is presumed to have occurred unless the same accountant audited the pre-transaction financial statements of both the legal acquirer and the accounting acquirer, and such change is generally presumed to occur on the date the reverse acquisition is completed.

(a) Dismissal of independent registered public accounting firm.

On August 25, 2021, the Audit Committee of the Board dismissed WithumSmith+Brown, PC (“Withum”), LWAC’s independent registered public accounting firm prior to the business combination, as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm effective immediately.

The report of Withum on LWAC’s, the Company’s legal predecessor, balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and the statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the period from October 2, 2020 (inception) to December 31, 2020, did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope or accounting principles.

During the period from October 2, 2020 (inception) to December 31, 2020 and subsequent interim period through August 25, 2021, there were no disagreements between the Company and Withum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Withum, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in its reports on LWAC’s financial statements for such period.

On June 3, 2021, LWAC filed a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q which included a footnote outlining a restatement of its previously issued financial statement as of January 12, 2021 included in its Form 8-K, originally filed with the SEC on January 19, 2021 (the “Restatement”). In connection with the Restatement, LWAC’s management reassessed the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures for the periods affected by the Restatement. As a result of that reassessment, LWAC’s management determined that its disclosure controls and procedures for such periods were not effective due to a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting related to the classification of LWAC’s warrants. Other than Restatement and the related material weakness, during the period from October 2, 2020 (inception) to December 31, 2020 and subsequent interim period through August 25, 2021, there were no “reportable events” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act).

The Company has provided Withum with a copy of the foregoing disclosures and has requested that Withum furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the statements made by the Company set forth above. A copy of Withum’s letter, dated August 31, 2021, is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to this Report.

(b) Disclosures regarding the new independent auditor.

On August 25, 2021, the Board approved the engagement of Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2021. EY’s appointment as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm was


subject to the completion of customary client acceptance procedures, which was completed August 26, 2021. EY served as independent registered public accounting firm of Old eFFECTOR prior to the Business Combination. During the period from October 2, 2020 (inception) to December 31, 2020 and subsequent interim period through August 25, 2021, neither the Company nor anyone on the Company’s behalf consulted with EY with respect to (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our financial statements, and neither a written report nor oral advice was provided to us that EY concluded was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to any accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue, or (ii) any other matter that was the subject of a disagreement or a reportable event (each as defined above).

 

Item 5.03.

Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

At the Special Meeting, the LWAC stockholders considered and approved, among other things, the proposal set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Proposal 2 - The Amendment Proposal” beginning on page 122 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (the “Charter Proposals”).

The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of eFFECTOR (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), which became effective upon filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 25, 2021, includes the amendments proposed by the Charter Proposal.

On August 25, 2021, the Board approved and adopted the Amended and Restated Bylaws of eFFECTOR (the “Bylaws”), which became effective as of the Effective Time.

Copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws are attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

The description of the Certificate of Incorporation and the general effect of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws upon the rights of holders of eFFECTOR’s capital stock are included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the sections titled “Proposal 2 - The Amendment Proposal”, “Description of New eFFECTOR Securities” and “Comparison of Rights of Stockholders” beginning on pages 122, 234 and 245, respectively, of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.05.

Amendments to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics.

In connection with the Business Combination, on August 25, 2021, eFFECTOR’s board of directors approved and adopted a new Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all employees, officers and directors of eFFECTOR. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be found at http://investors.effector.com under the link “Corporate Governance—Documents & Charters.” The above description of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, a copy of which is at the website described above.

 

Item 8.01.

Other Events.

As a result of the Business Combination, eFFECTOR became the successor issuer to LWAC. Pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Exchange Act, eFFECTOR’s common stock and warrants are deemed registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a) Financial statements of businesses acquired.

The (i) audited financial statements of Old eFFECTOR as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and (ii) unaudited condensed financial statements of Old eFFECTOR as of March 31, 2021 and for the periods ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus beginning on pages F-42 and F-69, respectively, of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which are incorporated herein by reference.


The unaudited condensed financial information of Old eFFECTOR as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 is set forth in Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

(b) Pro forma financial information.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of LWAC and Old eFFECTOR as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020 is set forth in Exhibit 99.3 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

2.1#    Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 26, 2021, by and among Locust Walk Acquisition Corp., Locust Walk Merger Sub, Inc. and eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 27, 2021).
3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc.
3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc.
4.1    Specimen Class A common stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-257091) filed on August 5, 2021).
4.2    Warrant Agreement, dated January 7, 2021, by and between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 13, 2021).
10.1    Letter Agreement, dated January 7, 2021, by and among Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. and certain security holders, officers and directors of Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 13, 2021).
10.2    Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated January 7, 2021, by and between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 13, 2021).
10.3    Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 25, 2021, by and among eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc., eFFECTOR Therapeutics Operations, Inc., Locust Walk Sponsor, LLC and certain stockholders.
10.4    Unit Subscription Agreement, dated January 7, 2021, by and between Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. and Locust Walk Sponsor, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 13, 2021).
10.5    Administrative Services Agreement, dated January 7, 2021, by and between Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. and Locust Walk Sponsor, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 13, 2021).
10.6    Form of Indemnity Agreement of Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-251496) filed on December 18, 2020).
10.7    Sponsor Support Agreement, dated May 26, 2021, by and among Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. and Locust Walk Sponsor, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 27, 2021).
10.8    Sponsor Lock-up Agreement dated as of May 26, 2021 by and between Locust Walk Sponsor, LLC and Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 27, 2021).
10.9    Form of Subscription Agreement, dated May 26, 2021, by and among Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. and certain subscribers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Registrant’s Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 27, 2021).
10.10+    eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. 2021 Incentive Award Plan and Form of Stock Option Agreement thereunder.
10.11+    eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.


10.12+    Form of Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-257091) filed on August 5, 2021).
10.13#    Exclusive License Agreement, dated May 9, 2013, by and between eFFECTOR and the Regents of the University of California (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-257091) filed on June 14, 2021).
10.14#    Research Collaboration and License Agreement, dated December 20, 2019, by and between eFFECTOR and Pfizer Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-257091) filed on June 14, 2021).
10.15    Loan and Security Agreement, dated March 19, 2021, by and among eFFECTOR and Oxford Finance LLC and the other lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-257091) filed on June 14, 2021).
10.16    Sublease Agreement, dated August 24, 2020, by and between eFFECTOR and Cardiff Oncology, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-257091) filed on June 14, 2021).
10.17+    eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, and form of option agreement thereunder.
10.18+    eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. Non-Employee Director Compensation Program.
10.19+    Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Stephen T. Worland, Ph.D. and eFFECTOR (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-257091) filed on June 14, 2021).
10.20+    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Alana McNulty and eFFECTOR (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-257091) filed on June 14, 2021).
10.21+    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Mike Byrnes and eFFECTOR (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-257091) filed on June 14, 2021).
10.22+    Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and between Premal Patel and eFFECTOR (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-257091) filed on June 14, 2021).
16.1    Letter from WithumSmith+Brown, PC to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
99.1    Unaudited condensed financial information of Old eFFECTOR as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.
99.2    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Old eFFECTOR.
99.3    Unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. and Old eFFECTOR as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020.
99.4    Press Release dated August 25, 2021.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

+

Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

#

Portions of this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(10)(iv). The Registrant agrees to furnish an unredacted copy of this Exhibit to the SEC upon its request.


SIGNATURE

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.

 

    eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc.
Date:  August 31, 2021     By:  

/s/ Stephen Worland

    Name:  

Stephen Worland, Ph.D.

    Title:  

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

LOCUST WALK ACQUISITION CORP.

Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), does hereby certify as follows:

1. The name of the Corporation is Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. The Corporation was incorporated under the name Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. by the filing of its original Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 2, 2020 (the “Original Certificate”).

2. An Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which amended and restated the Original Certificate in its entirety, was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 8, 2021 (as amended from time to time, the “Existing Certificate”).

3. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Certificate”), which amends and restates the Existing Certificate in its entirety, has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL and has been adopted by the stockholders of the Corporation at a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 211 of the DGCL.

4. The text of the Existing Certificate is hereby amended and restated by this Amended and Restated Certificate to read in its entirety as set forth in EXHIBIT A attached hereto.

5. This Amended and Restated Certificate shall become effective on the date of filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate to be signed by a duly authorized officer of the Corporation, on August 25, 2021.

 

LOCUST WALK ACQUISITION CORP.
By:  

/s/ Stephen T. Worland

Name: Stephen T. Worland
Title: Chief Executive Officer


EXHIBIT A

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the corporation is eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE II

REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, 19801, and the name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

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 General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) as it now exists or may hereafter be amended and supplemented.

ARTICLE IV

CAPITAL STOCK

The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 1,100,000,000. The total number of shares of Common Stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 1,000,000,000, having a par value of $0.0001 per share, and the total number of shares of Preferred Stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 100,000,000, having a par value of $0.0001 per share.

Upon the filing and effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Effective Time”), each share of Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding or held in treasury immediately prior to the Effective Time (“Old Common Stock”) and without any action on the part of the holder thereof, shall be reclassified as and converted into one share of Common Stock, with a par value of $0.0001 per share. Any stock certificate or book entry representing shares of Old Common Stock shall thereafter represent a number of whole shares of Common Stock into which such shares of Old Common Stock shall have been reclassified.

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 are as follows:

A. COMMON STOCK.

1. General. The voting, dividend, liquidation, and other rights and powers of the Common Stock are subject to and qualified by the rights, powers and preferences of any series of Preferred Stock as may be designated by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) and outstanding from time to time.

 

1


2. Voting. Except as otherwise provided herein or expressly required by law, each holder of Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to vote on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders and shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share of Common Stock held of record by such holder as of the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote on such matter. Except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Certificate of Designation (as defined below)) that relates solely to the rights, powers, preferences (or the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof) or other 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 Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Certificate of Designation) or pursuant to the DGCL.

Subject to the rights of any holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, the number of authorized shares of Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

3. Dividends. Subject to applicable law and the rights and preferences of any holders of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock, as such, shall be entitled to the payment of dividends on the Common Stock when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors in accordance with applicable law.

4. Liquidation. Subject to the rights and preferences of any holders of any shares of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the funds and assets of the Corporation that may be legally distributed to the Corporation’s stockholders shall be distributed among the holders of the then outstanding Common Stock pro rata in accordance with the number of shares of Common Stock held by each such holder.

B. PREFERRED STOCK

Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, each of such series to have such terms as stated or expressed herein and in the resolution or resolutions providing for the creation and issuance of such series adopted by the Board of Directors as hereinafter provided.

Authority is hereby expressly granted to the Board of Directors from time to time to issue the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and in connection with the creation of any such series, by adopting a resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of the shares thereof and by filing a certificate of designation relating thereto in accordance with the DGCL (a “Certificate of Designation”), to determine and fix the number of shares of such series and such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including

 

2


without limitation thereof, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, and to increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any series as shall be stated and expressed in such resolutions, all to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the resolution or resolutions providing for the creation and issuance of any series of Preferred Stock may provide that such series shall be superior or rank equally or be junior to any other series of Preferred Stock to the extent permitted by law and this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Certificate of Designation). Except as otherwise required by law, holders of any series of Preferred Stock shall be entitled only to such voting rights, if any, as shall expressly be granted thereto by this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Certificate of Designation).

The number of authorized shares of 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 of the stock of the Corporation entitled to vote, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

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:

A. Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the directors of the Corporation shall be classified with respect to the time for which they severally hold office into three classes, designated as Class I, Class II and Class III. The initial Class I directors shall serve for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of the stockholders following the date of this Amended and Restated Certificate; the initial Class II directors shall serve for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of the stockholders following the date of this Amended and Restated Certificate; and the initial Class III directors shall serve for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of the stockholders following the date of this Amended and Restated Certificate. At each annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation beginning with the first annual meeting of the stockholders following the date of this Amended and Restated Certificate, subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, the successors of the class of directors whose term expires at that meeting shall be elected to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election. Each director shall hold office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to Class I, Class II and Class III.

B. Except as otherwise expressly provided by the DGCL or this Amended and Restated Certificate, the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of 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.

 

3


C. Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more outstanding 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 at least two-thirds (66 and 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at an election of directors.

D. Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock to elect directors, except as otherwise provided by law, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, retirement, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall be filled exclusively 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 (other than any directors elected by the separate vote of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock), and shall not be filled by the stockholders. Any director appointed in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office until the expiration of the term of the class to which such director shall have been appointed or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal.

E. Whenever the holders of any one or more series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more such other series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, the election, term of office, removal and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of this Amended and Restated Certificate (including any Certificate of Designation). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article V, the number of directors that may be elected by the holders of any such series of Preferred Stock shall be in addition to the number fixed pursuant to paragraph B of this Article V, and the total number of directors constituting the whole Board of Directors shall be automatically adjusted accordingly. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Designation(s) in respect of one or more series of Preferred Stock, whenever the holders of any series of Preferred Stock having such right to elect additional directors are divested of such right pursuant to the provisions of such Certificate of Designation(s), the terms of office of all such additional directors elected by the holders of such series of Preferred Stock, or elected to fill any vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of such additional directors, shall forthwith terminate (in which case each such director thereupon shall cease to be qualified as, and shall cease to be, a director) and the total authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall automatically be reduced accordingly.

F. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, amend or repeal the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation (as amended and/or restated from time to time, the “Bylaws”). 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 (including any Certificate of Designation in respect of one or more series of Preferred Stock) or the Bylaws of the Corporation, 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 two-thirds (66 and 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in an election of directors.

 

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G. The directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.

ARTICLE VI

STOCKHOLDERS

A. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, and shall not be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, to the extent expressly so provided by the applicable Certificate of Designation relating to such series of Preferred Stock, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares of the relevant series of Preferred Stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL.

B. 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 only by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, and shall not be called by any other person or persons.

C. 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

No director of the Corporation shall have any personal liability to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or hereafter may be amended. Any amendment, repeal or modification of this Article VII, or the adoption of any provision of the Amended and Restated Certificate inconsistent with this Article VII, shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such amendment, repeal, modification or adoption. If the DGCL 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 DGCL as so amended.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

INDEMNIFICATION

The Corporation shall have the power to provide rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses to its current and former officers, directors, employees and agents and to any person who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate to the contrary, in addition to any vote required by applicable law, the following provisions in this Amended and Restated Certificate may be amended, altered, repealed or rescinded, in whole or in part, or any provision inconsistent therewith or herewith may be adopted, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds (66 and 2/3%) of the total voting power of all the then outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class: Part B of Article IV, Article V, Article VI, Article VII, Article VIII, this Article IX and Article X.

B. If any provision or provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Amended and Restated Certificate containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Amended and Restated Certificate containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service to or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.

ARTICLE X

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 (“Proceeding”) brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any 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 Proceeding arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, this Amended and Restated Certificate or the Bylaws (in each case, as may be amended from time to time) or (iv)

 

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any Proceeding asserting a claim against the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine; and (b) subject to the preceding provisions of this Article X, to the extent permitted by applicable law, 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”), 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 action the subject matter of which is within the scope of clause (b) of this Article X is filed in a court other than the federal district courts of the United States of America (a “Foreign Securities Act Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the federal district courts of the United States of America in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce clause (b) (a “Securities Act Enforcement Action”), and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such Securities Act Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Securities Act Action as agent for such stockholder.

For the avoidance of doubt, clause (b) of this Article X is intended to benefit and may be enforced by the Corporation, its officers and directors, the underwriters to any offering giving rise to any Proceeding, and any other professional or entity whose profession gives authority to a statement made by that person or entity and who has prepared or certified any part of the documents underlying the offering.

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 X. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Article X 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 X shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever, (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article X (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Article X 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 (ii) 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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EX-3.2

Exhibit 3.2

Amended and Restated Bylaws of

eFFECTOR Therapeutics, 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

 

Notice of Business to be Brought before a Meeting.

     2  

2.5

 

Notice of Nominations for Election to the Board.

     5  

2.6

 

Notice of Stockholders’ Meetings

     8  

2.7

 

Quorum

     8  

2.8

 

Adjourned Meeting; Notice

     9  

2.9

 

Conduct of Business

     9  

2.10

 

Voting

     9  

2.11

 

Record Date for Stockholder Meetings and Other Purposes

     10  

2.12

 

Proxies

     10  

2.13

 

List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote

     11  

2.14

 

Inspectors of Election

     11  

2.15

 

Delivery to the Corporation.

     12  
Article III - Directors      12  

3.1

 

Powers

     12  

3.2

 

Number of Directors

     12  

3.3

 

Election, Qualification and Term of Office of Directors

     12  

3.4

 

Resignation and Vacancies

     13  

3.5

 

Place of Meetings; Meetings by Telephone

     13  

3.6

 

Regular Meetings

     13  

3.7

 

Special Meetings; Notice

     13  

3.8

 

Quorum

     14  

3.9

 

Board Action without a Meeting

     14  

3.10

 

Fees and Compensation of Directors

     14  

3.11

 

Removal of Directors

     14  
Article IV - Committees      15  

4.1

 

Committees of Directors

     15  

4.2

 

Committee Minutes

     15  

4.3

 

Meetings and Actions of Committees

     15  

4.4

 

Subcommittees.

     16  
Article V - Officers      16  

5.1

 

Officers

     16  

5.2

 

Appointment of Officers

     16  

5.3

 

Subordinate Officers

     16  

5.4

 

Removal and Resignation of Officers

     16  

 

i


Table of Contents

(continued)

 

         Page  

5.5

 

Vacancies in Offices

     16  

5.6

 

Representation of Shares of Other Corporations

     17  

5.7

 

Authority and Duties of Officers

     17  

5.8

 

Compensation.

     17  
Article VI - Records      17  
Article VII - General Matters      17  

7.1

 

Execution of Corporate Contracts and Instruments

     17  

7.2

 

Stock Certificates

     18  

7.3

 

Special Designation of Certificates.

     18  

7.4

 

Lost Certificates

     18  

7.5

 

Shares Without Certificates

     19  

7.6

 

Construction; Definitions

     19  

7.7

 

Dividends

     19  

7.8

 

Fiscal Yearf

     19  

7.9

 

Seal

     19  

7.10

 

Transfer of Stock

     19  

7.11

 

Stock Transfer Agreements

     20  

7.12

 

Registered Stockholders

     20  

7.13

 

Waiver of Notice

     20  
Article VIII - Notice      20  

8.1

 

Delivery of Notice; Notice by Electronic Transmission

     20  
Article IX - Lock-Up      22  

9.1

 

Lock-Up

     22  
Article X - Indemnification      24  

10.1

 

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

     24  

10.2

 

Indemnification of Others

     24  

10.3

 

Prepayment of Expenses

     24  

10.4

 

Determination; Claim

     24  

10.5

 

Non-Exclusivity of Rights

     25  

10.6

 

Insurance

     25  

10.7

 

Other Indemnification

     25  

10.8

 

Continuation of Indemnification

     25  

10.9

 

Amendment or Repeal; Interpretation

     25  
Article XI - Amendments      26  
Article XII - Definitions      26  

 

ii


Amended and Restated Bylaws of

eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc.

 

 

Article I - Corporate Offices

1.1 Registered Office.

The address of the registered office of eFFECTOR Therapeutics, 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 any place, 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) 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. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled annual meeting of stockholders.

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.

No business may be transacted at any special meeting of stockholders other than the business specified in the notice of such meeting. The Board may postpone, reschedule or cancel any previously scheduled special meeting of stockholders.


2.4 Notice of Business to be Brought before a Meeting.

(a) 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 (i) specified in a notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the Board, (ii) if not specified in a notice of meeting, otherwise brought before the meeting by the Board or the Chairperson of the Board or (iii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder present in person who (A) (1) was a record owner of shares 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 in all applicable respects 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”). The foregoing clause (iii) 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 notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling the meeting pursuant to Section 2.3, and stockholders shall not be permitted to propose business to be brought before a special meeting of the stockholders. For purposes of this Section 2.4, “present in person” shall mean that the stockholder proposing that the business be brought before the annual meeting of the Corporation, or a qualified representative of such proposing stockholder, appear at such annual meeting in person, or by remote communication, if applicable. A “qualified representative” of such proposing stockholder shall be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or any other person 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. Stockholders seeking to nominate persons for election to the Board must comply with Section 2.5, and this Section 2.4 shall not be applicable to nominations except as expressly provided in Section 2.5.

(b) Without qualification, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must (i) provide Timely Notice (as defined below) thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation and (ii) 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 no annual meeting was held in the preceding year, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be so delivered, or mailed and received, not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred and twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of 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 by the Corporation; provided, further, 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, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice 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 by the Corporation (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.

 

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(c) To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 2.4, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary of the Corporation shall set forth:

(i) 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 class or series and number of shares 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 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”);

(ii) 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 shares 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 shares 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), (F) a representation that such Proposing Person intends or is part of a group that intends to deliver a proxy statement or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or otherwise solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal and (G) 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 (G) 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

 

3


(iii) 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 and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment), (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(c)(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.

For purposes of this Section 2.4, the term “Proposing Personshall mean (i) the stockholder providing the notice of business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting, (ii) 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, and (iii) any participant (as defined in paragraphs (a)(ii)-(vi) of Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A) with such stockholder in such solicitation.

(d) 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 stockholders entitled to vote at 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 of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at 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). For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these bylaws shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a stockholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any proposal or to submit any new proposal, including by changing or adding matters, business or resolutions proposed to be brought before a meeting of the stockholders.

(e) 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.

(f) This Section 2.4 is expressly intended to apply to any business proposed to be brought before an annual meeting of stockholders other than any proposal made in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the

 

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Exchange Act and included in the Corporation’s proxy statement. 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.

(g) 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 Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

2.5 Notice of Nominations for Election to the Board.

(a) Nominations of any person for election to the Board at an annual meeting or at a special meeting (but only if the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling such special meeting) may be made at such meeting only (i) 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 (ii) by a stockholder present in person (A) who was a record 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, (B) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (C) has complied with this Section 2.5 as to such notice and nomination. For purposes of this Section 2.5, “present in person” shall mean that the stockholder proposing that the business be brought before the meeting of the Corporation, or a qualified representative of such stockholder, appear at such meeting in person, or by remote communication, if applicable. A “qualified representative” of such proposing stockholder shall be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or any other person 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. The foregoing clause (iii) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board at an annual meeting or special meeting.

(b) (i) For a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board at an annual meeting, the stockholder must (1) provide Timely Notice (as defined in Section 2.4) thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation, (2) 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 (3) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.5.

(ii) If the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling a special meeting, then for a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board at a special meeting, the stockholder must (i) provide Timely Notice thereof in writing and in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, (ii) provide the information with respect to such stockholder and its candidate for nomination as required by this Section 2.5 and (iii) provide any updates or supplements to such notice at the times and in the forms required by this Section 2.5. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice for nominations to be made at a special meeting must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or, if later, the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public disclosure (as defined in Section 2.4) of the date of such special meeting was first made.

 

5


(iii) In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or special meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(iv) In no event may a Nominating Person provide Timely Notice with respect to a greater number of director candidates than are subject to election by stockholders at the applicable meeting. If the Corporation shall, subsequent to such notice, increase the number of directors subject to election at the meeting, such notice as to any additional nominees shall be due on the later of (i) the conclusion of the time period for Timely Notice, (ii) the date set forth in Section 2.5(b)(ii) or (iii) the tenth day following the date of public disclosure (as defined in Section 2.4) of such increase.

(c) To be in proper form for purposes of this Section 2.5, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary of the Corporation shall set forth:

(i) As to each Nominating Person (as defined below), the Stockholder Information (as defined in Section 2.4(c)(i), 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(c)(i));

(ii) As to each Nominating Person, any Disclosable Interests (as defined in Section 2.4(c)(ii), 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(c)(ii) and the disclosure with respect to the business to be brought before the meeting in Section 2.4(c)(ii) shall be made with respect to the election of directors at the meeting); and

(iii) 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 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 and (D) a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement as provided in Section 2.5(f).

For purposes of this Section 2.5, the term “Nominating Person” shall mean (i) the stockholder providing the notice of the nomination proposed to be made at the meeting, (ii) 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, and (iii) any other participant in such solicitation.

(d) 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 stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting

 

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or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at 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). For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these bylaws shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a stockholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any nomination or to submit any new nomination.

(e) In addition to the requirements of this Section 2.5 with respect to any nomination proposed to be made at a meeting, each Nominating Person shall comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act with respect to any such nominations.

(f) To be eligible to be a candidate for election as a director of the Corporation at an annual or special meeting, a candidate must be nominated in the manner prescribed in 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 of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, (i) a completed written questionnaire (in a form provided by the Corporation) with respect to the background, qualifications, stock ownership and independence of such proposed nominee and (ii) a written representation and agreement (in form provided by the Corporation) that such candidate for nomination (A) is not and, if elected as a director during his or her term of office, will not become a party to (1) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given and will not give any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such proposed nominee, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) or (2) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such proposed nominee’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such proposed nominee’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (B) 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 that has not been disclosed to the Corporation and (C) 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 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).

(g) 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 in accordance with the Corporation’s corporate governance guidelines.

(h) A candidate for nomination as a director shall further update and supplement the materials delivered pursuant to this Section 2.5, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided pursuant to this Section 2.5 shall be true and correct as of the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or

 

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postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (or any other office specified by the Corporation in any public announcement) not later than five (5) business days after the record date for stockholders entitled to vote at 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). For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update and supplement as set forth in this paragraph or any other Section of these bylaws shall not limit the Corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any materials delivered pursuant to this Section 2.5 by a candidate for director , extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a stockholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any proposal or to submit any new proposal, including by changing or adding nominees, matters, business or resolutions proposed to amend or update any nomination or to submit any new nomination.

(i) 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. The presiding officer at the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that a nomination was not properly made in accordance with 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 votes cast for the nominee in question) shall be void and of no force or effect.

(j) 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 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 Section 8.1 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 time 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 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. A quorum, once established at a meeting, shall not be broken by the withdrawal of enough votes to leave less than a quorum. If, however, a quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (i) the person presiding over 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 recess the meeting or adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 2.8 until a quorum is present or represented. At any recessed or adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.

 

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2.8 Adjourned Meeting; Notice.

When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless these bylaws otherwise require, 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 entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date so fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

2.9 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. At every meeting of the stockholders, the Chairperson of the Board, or in his or her absence or inability to act, the Chief Executive Officer, or in his or her absence or inability to act, the officer or director whom the Board shall appoint, shall act as chairperson of, and preside at the meeting. 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 (which need not be in writing) 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 person presiding over 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 (including, without limitation, rules and procedures for removal of disruptive persons from the meeting); (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 person presiding over 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. 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 (including, without limitation, determinations with respect to the administration and/or interpretation of any of the rules, regulations or procedures of the meeting, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the person presiding over the meeting), shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a matter of 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.

2.10 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 in voting power of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) on such matter.

2.11 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, unless otherwise required by law, 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 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.

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.

2.12 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 an electronic transmission which sets forth or is submitted with information from which it can be determined that the transmission was authorized by the stockholder.

 

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2.13 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 2.13 or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

2.14 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 person presiding over 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.

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.

 

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2.15 Delivery to the Corporation.

Whenever this Article II requires one or more persons (including a record or beneficial owner of stock) to deliver a document or information to the Corporation or any officer, employee or agent thereof (including any notice, request, questionnaire, revocation, representation or other document or agreement), such document or information shall be in writing exclusively (and not in an electronic transmission) and shall be delivered exclusively by hand (including, without limitation, overnight courier service) or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and the Corporation shall not be required to accept delivery of any document not in such written form or so delivered. For the avoidance of doubt, the Corporation expressly opts out of Section 116 of the DGCL with respect to the delivery of information and documents to the Corporation required by this Article II.

2.16 Stockholder Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting.

Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at an annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, and may not be taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action required or permitted to be taken by the holders of any series of preferred stock of the Corporation, voting separately as a series or separately as a class with one or more other such series, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, to the extent expressly so provided by the applicable certificate of designation relating to such series of preferred stock of the Corporation, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding shares of the relevant series of preferred stock of the Corporation having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the Corporation in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL.

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, and subject to the Certificate of Incorporation, 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, disqualification or removal. Directors need not be stockholders. The Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws may prescribe qualifications for directors.

 

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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 Section 3.3.

Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these bylaws, vacancies resulting from the death, resignation, disqualification or removal of any director, 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 elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified.

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 within or outside the State of Delaware and at such time and at such place as which has been designated by the Board and publicized among all directors, either orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice-messaging system or other system designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other means of electronic transmission. No further notice shall be required for regular meetings of the Board.

3.7 Special Meetings; Notice.

Special meetings of the Board for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary of the Corporation or 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;

 

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(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, unless otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, 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.

3.9 Board Action 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. After an action is taken, the consent or consents relating thereto shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board, or the committee thereof, in the same paper or electronic form as the minutes are maintained. Such action by written consent or consent by electronic transmission shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the Board.

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.

3.11 Removal of Directors.

Subject to the special rights of the holders of one or more outstanding series of preferred stock of the Corporation to elect directors, the Board 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 at least two-thirds (66 and 2/3%) of the voting power of all the then outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at an election of directors.

 

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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; Meetings by Telephone);

(ii) Section 3.6 (Regular Meetings);

(iii) Section 3.7 (Special Meetings; Notice);

(iv) Section 3.9 (Board Action Without a Meeting); and

(v) Section 7.13 (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; provided, however, that:

(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.

 

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4.4 Subcommittees.

Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these bylaws or the resolutions of the Board designating the committee, a committee may create one (1) or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one (1) or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee.

Article V - Officers

5.1 Officers.

The officers of the Corporation shall include a Chief Executive Officer, 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 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. No officer need be a stockholder or director of the Corporation.

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.

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.

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.

 

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5.6 Representation of Shares of Other Corporations.

The Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President of this Corporation, or any other person authorized by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, is authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of this Corporation all rights incident to any and all shares or voting securities of any other corporation or other person 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.

5.8 Compensation.

The compensation of the officers of the Corporation for their services as such shall be fixed from time to time by or at the direction of the Board. An officer of the Corporation shall not be prevented from receiving compensation by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director of the Corporation.

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 as adopted in the State of Delaware.

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.

 

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7.2 Stock Certificates.

The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates or 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 Chief Executive Officer, 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.

The Corporation may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent any such partly paid shares, or upon the books and records of the Corporation in the case of uncertificated partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully paid shares, the Corporation shall declare a dividend upon partly paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.

7.3 Special Designation of Certificates.

If the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or on the back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock (or, in the case of uncertificated shares, set forth in a notice provided pursuant to Section 151 of the DGCL); provided, however, that except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face of back of the certificate that the Corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock (or, in the case of any uncertificated shares, included in the aforementioned notice) a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, the designations, the preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

7.4 Lost Certificates.

Except as provided in this Section 7.4, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the Corporation and cancelled at the same time. 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.

 

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7.5 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.

7.6 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.

7.7 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.

7.8 Fiscal Year.

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board and may be changed by the Board.

7.9 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.

7.10 Transfer of Stock.

Shares of the stock 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.

 

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7.11 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.

7.12 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

(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.

7.13 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

8.1 Delivery of Notice; Notice by 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 provisions of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these bylaws may be given in writing directed to the stockholder’s mailing address (or by electronic transmission directed to the stockholder’s electronic mail address, as applicable) as it appears on the records of the Corporation and shall be given (1) if mailed, when the notice is deposited in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, (2) if delivered by courier service, the earlier of when the notice is received or left at such stockholder’s address or (3) if given by electronic mail, when directed to such stockholder’s electronic mail address unless the stockholder has notified the Corporation in writing or by electronic transmission of an objection to receiving notice by electronic mail. A notice by electronic mail must include a prominent legend that the communication is an important notice regarding the Corporation.

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

 

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the stockholder to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice or electronic transmission to the Corporation. Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph, the Corporation may give a notice by electronic mail in accordance with the first paragraph of this section without obtaining the consent required by this paragraph.

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 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

(iii)    if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a notice may not be given by an electronic transmission from and after the time that (1) the Corporation is unable to deliver by such electronic transmission two (2) consecutive notices given by the Corporation and (2) 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, that the inadvertent failure to discover such inability shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

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Article IX - Lock-Up

9.1 Lock-Up(i) . Subject to this Section 9.1, the holders (the “Lock-up Holders”) of common stock of the Corporation issued (a) as consideration pursuant to the merger (the “Merger”) of Locust Walk Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with and into eFFECTOR Therapeutics Operating, Inc., a Delaware corporation and formerly known as eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. (“Opco”) or (b) to directors, officers and employees of the Corporation upon the settlement or exercise of stock options or other equity awards in each case outstanding as of immediately following the closing of the Merger in respect of awards of Opco outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the Merger (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Parent Warrants (as defined in the Agreement and Plan of Merger entered into by and among the Corporation, Opco and Merger Sub, dated as of May 26, 2021, as amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”)) (such shares, the “Opco Equity Award Shares”), may not Transfer any Lock-up Shares until the first day following the expiration of the Lock-up Period (the “Lock-up”), provided, that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to (w) the filing of a registration statement registering the resale of the Shares pursuant to Section 2.1.1 of that certain Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2021 by and between the Company and certain Lock-up Holders named therein (for clarity such registration statement may include Shares held by any Lock-up Holders); provided no sales can be effected pursuant to such registration statement during the Lock-up Period; (x) the exercise by any Lock-up Holder of any option to purchase shares of common stock of the Corporation pursuant to any equity compensation plan of the Corporation to the extent that such option would expire during the Lock-Up Period, (y) the sale of shares of common stock of the Corporation underlying any such option or the forfeiture of such shares of common stock to the Corporation, to the extent necessary to satisfy any exercise price and/or tax obligations arising in connection with the exercise of such option; provided, further, that the net shares of common stock of the Corporation underlying any such options (i.e., following the application of subclauses (x) or (y) or any Corporation net settlement effectuated to satisfy any exercise price and/or tax obligations arising in connection with the exercise of such option) shall continue to be subject to the Lock-up; or (z) the sale of shares of common stock of the Corporation to pay withholding taxes due upon the issuance of Earn-Out Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement), if applicable.

Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in the paragraph above, the Lock-up Holders or their respective permitted transferees may Transfer the Lock-up Shares during the Lock-up Period (A) in the case of an individual, (i) to a member of the individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of the individual’s immediate family or an affiliate of such person or entity, or to a charitable organization, (ii) to a trust for the direct or indirect benefit of such individual or a member of such individual’s immediate family, (iii) an entity wholly owned by such individual or a member of such individual’s immediate family, (iv) by will or virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of such individual, or (v) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (B) in the case of an entity, (i) as a distribution to limited partners, members, stockholders or other equity holders of such entity or (ii) to an affiliate of such entity controlled or managed by such entity or under common control with such entity; or (C) in connection with a liquidation, merger, amalgamation, stock exchange, reorganization, tender offer approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof or other similar transactions which results in all of the Corporation’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (A) and (B), (1) permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement with the Corporation agreeing to be bound by the terms of this Section 9.1; (2) any Transfer pursuant to clauses (A) or (B)(i) shall not involve a disposition for value; (3) the Lock-up Shares shall remain subject to the Lock-up; (3) any required public report or filing (including filings under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act), shall disclose the nature of such Transfer and that the Lock-up Shares remain subject to the Lock-up; and (4) there shall be no voluntary public disclosure or other announcement of such Transfer.

 

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Notwithstanding the other provisions set forth in this Section 9.1, the Board may, in its sole discretion, determine to waive, amend, or repeal the Lock-up obligations set forth herein ; provided, that, any such waiver, amendment or repeal shall require, in addition to any other vote of the members of the Board required to take such action pursuant to these bylaws or applicable law, the affirmative vote of at least one of the directors that has been designated by Parent (as defined by the Merger Agreement).

In the event that a release is granted to any Lock-Up Holder relating to the lock-up restrictions set forth above, the same percentage of Lock-Up Shares held by all Lock-Up Holders (the “Pro-rata Release”) shall be immediately and fully released on the same terms from any remaining lock-up restrictions set forth herein; provided however, that such Pro-rata Release shall not be applied in the event of releases (a) granted from such lock-up restrictions to any individual party or parties to sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of shares of the Company’s Common Stock or other securities in an amount up to an aggregate of 2% of the Company’s total outstanding stock, (b) if the release or waiver is granted due to circumstances of any emergency or hardship of a Lock-up Holder, as determined in the Company’s sole judgment, or (c) in connection with an underwritten public offering of Common Stock, provided that the Lock-Up Holders holding registration rights have been given an opportunity to participate with other selling stockholders in such public offering (a “Follow-On Offering”) on a pro rata basis on pricing terms that are no less favorable than the terms of the Follow-On Offering.

For purposes of this Section 9.1:

(i) the term “Lock-up Period” means the period beginning on the closing date of the Merger and ending on the date on which the earlier of the following occurs (a) the 270-day anniversary of the closing date of the Merger and (b) the closing price of the Corporation’s common stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 90 days after the closing date of the Merger;

(ii) the term “Lock-up Shares” means the shares of common stock held by the Lock-up Holders immediately following the closing of the Merger (other than shares of common stock acquired in the public market or pursuant to a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to a subscription agreement where the issuance of common stock occurs on or after the closing of the Merger) and the Opco Equity Award Shares; provided, that, for clarity, shares of common stock issued in connection with the PIPE Investment (as defined in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, entered into by and among the Corporation, Opco and Locust Walk Merger Sub, Inc., dated as of May 26, 2021 (the “Merger Agreement”)) shall not constitute Lock-up Shares; and

(iii) the term “Transfer” shall mean the (a) sale of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder with respect to, any security or the economic value thereof, (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (c) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (a) or (b).

 

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Article X - Indemnification

10.1 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 (a “covered person”), joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, 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 10.4, 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.

10.2 Indemnification of Others.

The Corporation shall also 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, enterprise or non-profit entity, 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.

10.3 Prepayment of Expenses.

The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) incurred by any director or officer of the Corporation, and may also 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 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 X or otherwise.

10.4 Determination; Claim.

If a claim for indemnification (following the final disposition of such Proceeding) under this Article X is not paid in full within sixty (60) days, or a claim for advancement of expenses under this Article X 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.

 

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10.5 Non-Exclusivity of Rights.

The rights conferred on any person by this Article X 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.

10.6 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 enterprise or non-profit entity 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.

10.7 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, enterprise or non-profit entity shall be reduced by any amount such person actually collects as indemnification or advancement of expenses from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or non-profit enterprise.

10.8 Continuation of Indemnification.

The rights to indemnification and to prepayment of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article X 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.

10.9 Amendment or Repeal; Interpretation.

The provisions of this Article X 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 X 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 X 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 X 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.

 

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Any reference to an officer of the Corporation in this Article X shall be deemed to refer exclusively to the Chief Executive Officer, the President and the Secretary of the Corporation, or other officer of the Corporation appointed by (x) the Board pursuant to Article V or (y) an officer to whom the Board has delegated the power to appoint officers pursuant to Article V, and any reference to an officer of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan 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 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 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 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 or other enterprise for purposes of this Article X.

Article XI - 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 such action by stockholders shall require, in addition to any other vote required by the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of voting stock of the Corporation with the power to vote generally in an election of directors, voting together as a single class. Notwithstanding other provisions set forth in Section 9.1, the Board may, in its sole discretion, determine to waive, amend, or repeal the lock-up obligations set forth in Section 9.1.

Article XII- Definitions

As used in these bylaws, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

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.

An “electronic mail” means an electronic transmission directed to a unique electronic mail address (which electronic mail shall be deemed to include any files attached thereto and any information hyperlinked to a website if such electronic mail includes the contact information of an officer or agent of the Corporation who is available to assist with accessing such files and information).

An “electronic mail address” means a destination, commonly expressed as a string of characters, consisting of a unique user name or mailbox (commonly referred to as the “local part” of the address) and a reference to an internet domain (commonly referred to as the “domain part” of the address), whether or not displayed, to which electronic mail can be sent or delivered.

 

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The term “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.

 

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eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc.

Certificate of Amendment and Restatement of Bylaws

 

 

The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the duly elected, qualified, and acting Secretary of eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), and that the foregoing bylaws were approved on August 25, 2021, effective as of August 25, 2021, by the Corporation’s board of directors.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand this 25th day of August, 2021.

 

/s/ Mike Byrnes

Mike Byrnes
Secretary, eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc.
EX-10.3

Exhibit 10.3

AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of August 25, 2021, is made and entered into by and among eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) (formerly known as Locust Walk Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation), Locust Walk Sponsor, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), certain equityholders of eFFECTOR Therapeutics Operations, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“eFFECTOR”), set forth on Schedule A (such equityholders, the “eFFECTOR Holders”), and certain equityholders of the Company set forth on Schedule B (such equityholders, including the Sponsor, the “Sponsor Holders” and, collectively with the eFFECTOR Holders, and any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.2 or Section 6.9 of this Agreement, the “Holders” and each, a “Holder”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company and the Sponsor are party to that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 7, 2021 (the “Original RRA”);

WHEREAS, the Company has entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 26, 2021, (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, eFFECTOR and Locust Walk Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation;

WHEREAS, on the date hereof, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the eFFECTOR Holders received shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”);

WHEREAS, as of the date hereof, the Sponsor beneficially holds (i) 5,056,250 shares of Common Stock which consists of (a) 4,511,250 shares of Common Stock issued upon the automatic conversion of the Company’s Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value per share in connection with the Closing (as defined in the Merger Agreement) (the “Founder Shares”); and (b) 545,000 share of Common Stock issued pursuant to that certain unit subscription agreement, dated January 7, 2021, between the Sponsor and the Company, pursuant to which the Sponsor purchased 545,000 units of the Company (the “Placement Units”), each Placement Unit consisting of one share of Common Stock (the “Placement Shares”) and one third of one warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock (the “Placement Warrants”) in a private placement transaction; and (ii) the Placement Warrants exercisable for 181,667 shares of Common Stock (the “Placement Warrant Shares”);

WHEREAS, on the date hereof, certain eFFECTOR Holders purchased an aggregate of 4,000,003 shares of Common Stock (the “PIPE Shares”) in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act (as defined below) pursuant to a subscription agreement, dated as of May 26, 2021, entered into by and between the Company and each of the stockholders party thereto (each, a “PIPE Subscription Agreement”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5.5 of the Original RRA, the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth therein may be amended or modified upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders (as defined in the Original RRA) of at least a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Original RRA) at the time in question, and the Sponsor and the Sponsor Holders are Holders in the aggregate of at least a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Original RRA) as of the date hereof; and

WHEREAS, the Company, the Sponsor and the Sponsor Holders desire to amend and restate the Original RRA in its entirety and enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company, as set forth in this Agreement.

 

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NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.1 Definitions. The terms defined in this Article I shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, have the respective meanings set forth below:

Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the Board or the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer or principal financial officer of the Company (i) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein (in the case of any Prospectus and any preliminary Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, (ii) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, declared effective or used, as the case may be, and (iii) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.

Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

Block Trade” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.4.1.

Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

Bylaws” shall mean the bylaws of the Company in effect immediately following the Closing.

Closing” shall have the meaning given in the Merger Agreement.

Closing Date” shall have the meaning given in the Merger Agreement.

Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto. For the sake of clarity, the Common Stock had been designated as “Class A Common Stock” prior to the Closing.

Company” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto and includes the Company’s successors by recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization or similar transaction.

Demanding eFFECTOR Holder” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.4.

Demanding Sponsor Holders” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.4.

Demanding Holder” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.4.

Earn-Out Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 

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eFFECTOR” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.

eFFECTOR Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.

Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.

Form S-1” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.1.

Form S-3” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.1.

Holder Information” shall have the meaning given in Section 4.1.2.

Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto, for so long as such person or entity holds any Registrable Securities.

Joinder” shall have the meaning given in Section 6.9.

majority-in-interest” shall mean, as applicable, the Holders of a majority-in-interest of the then outstanding number of Registrable Securities held by the applicable Holders.

Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.5.

Merger Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

Minimum Takedown Threshold” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.4.

Misstatement” shall mean an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or necessary to make the statements in a Registration Statement or Prospectus (in the case of the Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.

Original RRA” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

Permitted Transferees” shall mean (a) with respect to the Sponsor Holders and their respective Permitted Transferees, the “Permitted Transferees” as defined in the Sponsor Lock-Up Agreement; (b) with respect to the eFFECTOR Holders and their respective Permitted Transferees, the “Permitted Transferees” as defined in the Bylaws; and (c) with respect to all other Holders and their respective Permitted Transferees, any person or entity to whom such Holder of Registrable Securities is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities, subject to and in accordance with any applicable agreement between such Holder and/or their respective Permitted Transferees and the Company and any transferee thereafter.

Piggy-back Registration” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.2.1.

PIPE Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

Registrable Security” shall mean (a) any outstanding shares of Common Stock or any other equity security (including warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock and shares of Common Stock issued or

 

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issuable upon the exercise of any other equity security) of the Company held by a Holder immediately following the Closing (including the Founder Shares, the Placement Shares, the Placement Warrants, the Placement Warrant Shares and any securities distributable pursuant to the Merger Agreement, including the Earn-Out Shares) other than PIPE Shares; and (b) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any securities referenced in clause (a) above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization or similar transaction; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Security, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities upon the earliest to occur of: (A) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement by the applicable Holder; (B)(i) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, (ii) new certificates for such securities not bearing (or book entry positions not subject to) a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and (iii) subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (C) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (D) such securities may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission) (but with no volume, current public information or other requirements, restrictions or limitations); or (E) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction.

Registration” shall mean a registration, including any related Shelf Takedown, effected by preparing and filing a registration statement, Prospectus or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming effective.

Registration Expenses” shall mean the documented, out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:

(A) all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.) and any national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed;

(B) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of outside counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);

(C) printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;

(D) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company;

(E) reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such Registration; and

(F) in an Underwritten Offering or other offering involving an Underwriter, reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders, not to exceed $75,000 without the consent of the Company, not to be unreasonably withheld.

Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement that covers the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement, and all exhibits to and all materials incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

 

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Requesting Holders” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.5.

Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

Shelf” shall mean the Form S-1, the Form S-3 or any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be.

Shelf Registration” shall mean a registration of securities pursuant to a registration statement filed with the Commission in accordance with and pursuant to Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule then in effect).

Shelf Takedown” shall mean an Underwritten Shelf Takedown or any proposed transfer or sale using a Registration Statement, including a Piggy-back Registration.

Sponsor shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

Sponsor Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

Sponsor Lock-Up Agreement” shall mean the sponsor lock-up agreement by and among the Company, the Company’s officers and directors and the Sponsor, dated May 26, 2021.

Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.2.

Triggering Event” shall have the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.

Underwriter” shall mean a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal or as broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to a Registration and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.

Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.

Underwritten Shelf Takedown” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.4.

Withdrawal Notice” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.6.

ARTICLE II

REGISTRATIONS AND OFFERINGS

2.1 Shelf Registration.

2.1.1 Filing. The Company agrees that it will file with the Commission (at the Company’s sole cost and expense) a Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration on Form S-1 (the “Form S-1”) or a Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration on a delayed or continuous basis no later than twenty (20) business days after the Closing Date, and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than the earlier of (i) sixty (60) calendar days after the filing thereof (or, in the event the Commission reviews and has written comments to the Registration Statement, the ninetieth (90th)

 

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calendar day following the filing thereof) and (ii) the third (3rd) business day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that the Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review ((i) and (ii) collectively, the “Effectiveness Deadline”); provided, that if such day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day that the Commission is closed for business, the Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to the next Business Day on which the Commission is open for business. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide a draft of the Registration Statement to the undersigned for review at least two (2) business days in advance of filing the Registration Statement; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the Company be required to delay or postpone the filing of such Registration Statement as a result of or in connection with a Holder’s review. Such Shelf shall provide for the resale of the Registrable Securities included therein pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, any Holder named therein, including but not limited to, distributions by a Holder to members or limited partners of such Holder, and such members or limited partners shall receive such Registrable Securities free of any restrictive legends. The Company shall maintain a Shelf in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements as may be necessary to keep a Shelf continuously effective, available for use to permit the Holders named therein to sell their Registrable Securities included therein and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. In the event the Company files a Form S-1, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to convert the Form S-1 (and any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement) to a Form S-3 as soon as practicable after the Company is eligible to use Form S-3. The Company’s obligation under this Section 2.1.1, shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to Section 3.4.

2.1.2 Subsequent Shelf Registration. If any Shelf ceases to be effective or if the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement for any reason at any time while Registrable Securities are still outstanding, the Company shall, subject to Section 3.4, use its commercially reasonable efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable cause such Shelf to again become effective under the Securities Act (including using its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf) and correct any such Misstatement, and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable amend such Shelf in a manner reasonably expected to result in the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf or file an additional registration statement as a Shelf Registration (a “Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement”) registering the resale of all Registrable Securities (determined as of two (2) business days prior to such filing), and pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, any Holder named therein. If a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement is filed, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is reasonably practicable after the filing thereof and (ii) keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, available for use to permit the Holders named therein to sell their Registrable Securities included therein and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. Any such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be on Form S-3 to the extent that the Company is eligible to use such form. Otherwise, such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be on another appropriate form. The Company’s obligation under this Section 2.1.2, shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to Section 3.4.

2.1.3 Additional Registrable Securities. Subject to Section 3.4, in the event that any Holder holds Registrable Securities that are not registered for resale on a delayed or continuous basis, the Company, upon written request of a Sponsor Holder or an eFFECTOR Holder shall promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the resale of such Registrable Securities to be covered by either, at the Company’s option, any then available Shelf (including by means of a post-effective amendment) or by filing a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement and cause the same to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and such Shelf or Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be subject to the terms hereof.

 

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2.1.4 Requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns. Subject to Section 3.4, at any time and from time to time when an effective Shelf is on file with the Commission, (a) a Sponsor Holder (the “Demanding Sponsor Holder”) or (b) an eFFECTOR Holder (the “Demanding eFFECTOR Holder”) (any Demanding Sponsor Holder or Demanding eFFECTOR Holder being in such case, a “Demanding Holder”) may request to sell all or any portion of its Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering or other coordinated offering that is registered pursuant to the Shelf (each, an “Underwritten Shelf Takedown”); provided that the Company shall only be obligated to effect an Underwritten Shelf Takedown if such offering shall include Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by the Demanding Holder, either individually or together with other Demanding Holders, with a total offering price reasonably expected to exceed, in the aggregate, $50 million (the “Minimum Takedown Threshold”). All requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns shall be made by giving written notice to the Company, which shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown. Subject to Section 2.4.4, the Company shall have the right to select the Underwriters for such offering (which shall consist of one or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks), subject to the initial Demanding Holder’s prior approval (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The Demanding Sponsor Holders and the Demanding eFFECTOR Holder may each demand not more than one (1) Underwritten Shelf Takedowns pursuant to this Section 2.1.4 in any twelve (12) month period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company may effect any Underwritten Offering pursuant to any then effective Registration Statement, including a Form S-3, that is then available for such offering, subject to the provisions of Section 2.2.

2.1.5 Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, in good faith, advises the Company, the Demanding Holders and the Holders requesting piggy-back rights pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such Underwritten Shelf Takedown (the “Requesting Holders”) (if any) in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell for its own account and all other shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, that have been requested to be sold in such Underwritten Offering pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by any other stockholders who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can be sold in the Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering, before including any shares of Common Stock or other equity securities proposed to be sold by Company or by other holders of Common Stock or other equity securities, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder and Requesting Holder (if any) has requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders have requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.

2.1.6 Withdrawal. Prior to the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used for marketing such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall have the right to withdraw from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification (a “Withdrawal Notice”) to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown; provided that a Sponsor Holder or an eFFECTOR Holder may elect to

 

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have the Company continue an Underwritten Shelf Takedown if the Minimum Takedown Threshold would still be satisfied by the Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown by the Sponsor Holders, the eFFECTOR Holders or any of their respective Permitted Transferees, as applicable. If withdrawn, a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall constitute a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown by the withdrawing Demanding Holder for purposes of Section 2.1.4, unless either (i) such Demanding Holder has not previously withdrawn any Underwritten Shelf Takedown or (ii) such Demanding Holder reimburses the Company for all Registration Expenses with respect to such Underwritten Shelf Takedown (or, if there is more than one Demanding Holder, a pro rata portion of such Registration Expenses based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown); provided that, if a Sponsor Holder or an eFFECTOR Holder elects to continue an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence, such Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall instead count as an Underwritten Shelf Takedown demanded by such Sponsor Holder or such eFFECTOR Holder, as applicable, for purposes of Section 2.1.4. Following the receipt of any Withdrawal Notice, the Company shall promptly forward such Withdrawal Notice to any other Holders that had elected to participate in such Shelf Takedown. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Shelf Takedown prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.1.6, other than if a Demanding Holder elects to pay such Registration Expenses pursuant to clause (ii) of the second sentence of this Section 2.1.6.

2.2 Piggy-back Registration.

2.2.1 Piggy-back Rights. Subject to Section 2.4.3, if the Company or any Holder proposes to conduct a registered offering of, or if the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to the Registration of, equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of stockholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the stockholders of the Company including, without limitation, an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to Section 2.1), other than a Registration Statement (or any registered offering with respect thereto) (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) for a rights offering or an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing stockholders, (iii) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (or similar form that relates to a transaction subject to Rule 145 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto) (iv) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company, (v) for a dividend reinvestment plan, or (vi) a Block Trade, then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed offering to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but not less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration, the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used for marketing such offering, which notice shall (A) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to include in such registered offering such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within five (5) days after receipt of such written notice (such registered offering, a “Piggy-back Registration”). Subject to Section 2.2.2, the Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggy-back Registration and, if applicable, shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of such Piggy-back Registration to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this Section 2.2.1 to be included therein on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such registered offering and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. The inclusion of any Holder’s Registrable Securities in a Piggy-back Registration shall be subject to such Holder agreement to enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company. The Company may postpone or withdraw the filing or the effectiveness of a Piggy-back Registration at any time in its sole discretion.

 

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2.2.2 Reduction of Piggy-back Registration. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Offering that is to be a Piggy-back Registration, in good faith, advises the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Piggy-back Registration in writing that the dollar amount or number of shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, taken together with (i) the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been demanded pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, (ii) the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been requested pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, and (iii) the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:

(a) if the Registration or registered offering is undertaken for the Company’s account, the Company shall include in any such Registration or registered offering (A) first, the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.2.1, pro rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Offering and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Holders have requested to be included in such Underwritten Offering, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities;

(b) if the Registration or registered offering is pursuant to a demand by persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, then the Company shall include in any such Registration or registered offering (A) first, the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, of such requesting persons or entities, other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.2.1, pro rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Offering and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Holders have requested to be included in such Underwritten Offering, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and

 

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(c) if the Registration or registered offering and Underwritten Shelf Takedown is pursuant to a request by Holder(s) of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, then the Company shall include in any such Registration or registered offering securities in the priority set forth in Section 2.1.5.

2.2.3 Piggy-back Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities (other than a Demanding Holder, whose right to withdraw from an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, and related obligations, shall be governed by Section 2.1.6) shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggy-back Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggy-back Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggy-back Registration or, in the case of a Piggy-back Registration pursuant to a Shelf Registration, the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement with respect to such Piggy-back Registration used for marketing such transaction. The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons or entities pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggy-back Registration (which, in no circumstance, shall include a Shelf) at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement (other than Section 2.1.6), the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggy-back Registration prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.2.3.

2.2.4 Unlimited Piggy-back Registration Rights. For purposes of clarity, subject to Section 2.1.6, any Piggy-back Registration effected pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall not be counted as a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown under Section 2.1.4 hereof.

2.3 Block Trades.

2.3.1 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article II, but subject to Section 3.4, at any time and from time to time when an effective Shelf is on file with the Commission, if a Demanding Holder wishes to engage in an underwritten or other coordinated registered offering not involving a “roadshow,” an offer commonly known as a “block trade” (a “Block Trade”), with a total offering price reasonably expected to exceed, in the aggregate, either (x) $25 million or (y) all remaining Registrable Securities held by the Demanding Holder, then such Demanding Holder only needs to notify the Company of the Block Trade at least five (5) business days prior to the day such offering is to commence and the Company shall as expeditiously as possible use its commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate such Block Trade; provided that the Demanding Holders representing a majority of the Registrable Securities wishing to engage in the Block Trade shall use commercially reasonable efforts to work with the Company and any Underwriters (including by disclosing the maximum number of Registrable Securities proposed to be the subject of such Block Trade) prior to making such request in order to facilitate preparation of the registration statement, prospectus and other offering documentation related to the Block Trade.

2.3.2 Prior to the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used in connection with a Block Trade, a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating such Block Trade shall have the right to submit a Withdrawal Notice to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Block Trade. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Block Trade prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.4.2.

 

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2.3.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Section 2.2 shall not apply to a Block Trade initiated by a Demanding Holder pursuant to this Agreement.

2.3.4 The Demanding Holder in a Block Trade shall have the right to select the Underwriters for such Block Trade (which shall consist of one or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks).

2.3.5 A Holder in the aggregate may demand no more than two (2) Block Trades pursuant to this Section 2.4 in any twelve (12) month period. For the avoidance of doubt, any Block Trade effected pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall not be counted as a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to Section 2.1.4 hereof.

ARTICLE III

COMPANY PROCEDURES

3.1 General Procedures. In connection with any Shelf and/or Shelf Takedown, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall:

3.1.1 prepare and file with the Commission a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective until all Registrable Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities;

3.1.2 prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be requested by a Holder or any Underwriter of Registrable Securities or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until the earlier of (a) one year following the effective date of the Registration Statement or (b) until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus and either (i) any underwriter overallotment option has terminated by its terms or (ii) the underwriters have advised the Company that they will not exercise such option or any remaining portion thereof;

3.1.3 prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and such Holders’ legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus), and such other documents as the Underwriters and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders;

3.1.4 prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as any Holder of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution)

 

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may reasonably request (or provide evidence satisfactory to such Holders that the Registrable Securities are exempt from such registration or qualification) and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;

3.1.5 use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each national securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;

3.1.6 provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;

3.1.7 advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;

3.1.8 at least five (5) days prior to the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus (or such shorter period of time as may be (a) necessary in order to comply with the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act or Exchange Act, as applicable or (b) advisable in order to reduce the number of days that sales are suspended pursuant to Section 3.4), furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities or its counsel (excluding any exhibits thereto and any filing made under the Exchange Act that is to be incorporated by reference therein);

3.1.9 notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, and then to correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 3.4 hereof;

3.1.10 in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade or sale by a broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to such Registration, permit a representative of the Holders, the Underwriters or other financial institutions facilitating such Underwritten Offering, Block Trade or other sale pursuant to such Registration, if any, and any attorney, consultant or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s or entity’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, financial institution, attorney, consultant or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that such representatives, Underwriters or financial institutions agree to confidentiality arrangements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information; and provided further, that the Company will not include the name of any Holder or any information regarding any Holder not participating in such sale pursuant to such Registration unless required by the Commission or any applicable law, rules or regulations.

 

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3.1.11 obtain a “cold comfort” letter from the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade or sale by a broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to such Registration (subject to such broker, placement agent or sales agent providing such certification or representation reasonably requested by the Company’s independent registered public accountings and the Company’s counsel) in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders;

3.1.12 in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade or sale by a broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to such Registration, on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, obtain an opinion, dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the participating Holders, the broker, placement agents or sales agent, if any, and the Underwriters, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the participating Holders, broker, placement agent, sales agent, or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters;

3.1.13 in the event of any Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade or sale by a broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to such Registration, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting or other purchase or sales agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter or the broker, placement agent or sales agent of such offering or sale;

3.1.14 otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and to make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder, and which requirement will be deemed satisfied if the Company timely files complete and accurate information on Forms 10-Q, 10-K and 8-K under the Exchange Act and otherwise complies with Rule 158 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission);

3.1.15 with respect to an Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2.1.4, use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in such Underwritten Offering; and

3.1.16 otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the participating Holders, consistent with the terms of this Agreement, in connection with such Registration.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to provide any documents or information to an Underwriter or other sales agent or placement agent if such Underwriter or other sales agent or placement agent has not then been named with respect to the applicable Underwritten Offering or other offering involving a registration and an Underwriter.

3.2 Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” all reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders.

 

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3.3 Requirements for Participation in Registration Statement in Offerings. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any Holder does not provide the Company with its requested Holder Information, the Company may exclude such Holder’s Registrable Securities from the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus if the Company determines, based on the advice of counsel, that such information is necessary to effect the registration and such Holder continues thereafter to withhold such information. No person may participate in any Underwritten Offering or other offering involving a Registration and an Underwriter for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person’s securities on the basis provided in any arrangements approved by the Company and (ii) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting or other agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such arrangements. The exclusion of a Holder’s Registrable Securities as a result of this Section 3.3 shall not affect the registration of the other Registrable Securities to be included in such Registration.

3.4 Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure; Restrictions on Registration Rights.

3.4.1 Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, or in the opinion of counsel for the Company it is necessary to supplement or amend such Prospectus to comply with law, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement or including the information counsel for the Company believes to be necessary to comply with law (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after the time of such notice), or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed.

3.4.2 Subject to Section 3.4.4, if the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would (a) require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure, (b) require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control, or (c) in the good faith judgment of the majority of the Board such Registration, be seriously detrimental to the Company and the majority of the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer such filing, initial effectiveness or continued use at such time, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time, but in no event more than thirty (30) days, determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose. In the event the Company exercises its rights under this Section 3.4.2, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities until such Holder receives written notice from the Company that such sales or offers of Registrable Securities may be resumed, and in each case maintain the confidentiality of such notice and its contents.

3.4.3 Subject to Section 3.4.4, (a) during the period starting with the date sixty (60) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date one hundred and twenty (120) days after the effective date of, a Company-initiated Registration and provided that the Company continues to actively employ, in good faith, all reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement, or (b) if, pursuant to Section 2.1.4, Holders have requested an Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the Company and Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite such offering, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay any other registered offering pursuant to Section 2.1.4 or 2.4.

3.4.4 The right to delay or suspend any filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement pursuant to Section 3.4.2 or a registered offering pursuant to Section 3.4.3 shall be exercised by the Company, in the aggregate, on not more than two occasions or for more than sixty (60) consecutive calendar days or more than two (2) times in any three hundred sixty (360) day period.

 

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3.4.5 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, the Company shall not provide any Holder with any material, nonpublic information regarding the Company other than to the extent that providing notice to such Holder hereunder constitutes material, nonpublic information regarding the Company.

3.5 Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to use commercially reasonable efforts to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and to promptly furnish the Holders with true and complete copies of all such filings; provided that any documents publicly filed or furnished with the Commission pursuant to the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System shall be deemed to have been furnished or delivered to the Holders pursuant to this Section 3.5. The Company further covenants that it shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell the shares of Common Stock held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission). Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

ARTICLE IV

INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION

4.1 Indemnification.

4.1.1 The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers, directors and agents and each person or entity who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act), against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses (including, reasonable outside attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information so furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein. The Company shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to the indemnification of the Holder.

4.1.2 In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish (or cause to be furnished) to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (the “Holder Information”) and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors, officers and agents and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable outside attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but

 

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only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in (or not contained in, in the case of an omission) any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, among such Holders of Registrable Securities, and the liability of each such Holder of Registrable Securities shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. The Holders of Registrable Securities shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers, directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to indemnification of the Company..

4.1.3 Any person entitled to indemnification herein shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (plus local counsel) for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement includes a statement or admission of fault and culpability on the part of such indemnified party or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.

4.1.4 The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities. The Company and each Holder of Registrable Securities participating in an offering also agrees to make such provisions as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party for contribution to such party in the event the Company’s or such Holder’s indemnification is unavailable for any reason.

4.1.5 If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1 from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by (or not made by, in the case of an omission), or relates to information supplied by (or not supplied by in the case of an omission), such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this Section 4.1.5 (when combined with any indemnification liability under Section 4.1.2) shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds

 

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received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 4.1.5. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this Section 4.1.5 from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

5.1 Notices. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be in writing and given by (i) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (ii) delivery in person or by courier service providing evidence of delivery, or (iii) transmission by hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third business day following the date on which it is mailed and, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile, at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt of the indented recipient or the affidavit of messenger) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be addressed, to the Company at:

eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc.

11120 Roselle Street, Suite A

San Diego, CA 92121

Attention: Mike Byrnes

Email: mbyrnes@effector.com

with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

Latham & Watkins LLP

12670 High Bluff Drive

San Diego, CA 92130

Attention: Matthew T. Bush

Ryan J. Maierson

Email: matt.bush@lw.com

ryan.maierson@lw.com

and to the Holders, at such Holder’s address referenced in Schedule A or Schedule B.

Any party may change its address for notice at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 5.1.

 

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5.2 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries.

5.2.1 This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part.

5.2.2 Subject to Section 5.2.4 and Section 5.2.5, this Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of a Holder hereunder may be assigned in whole or in part to such Holder’s Permitted Transferees; provided, that, with respect to the eFFECTOR Holders and the Sponsor Holders, the rights hereunder that are personal to such Holders may not be assigned or delegated in whole or in part, except that (x) each of the eFFECTOR Holders shall be permitted to transfer its rights hereunder as the eFFECTOR Holders to one or more affiliates or any direct or indirect partners, members or equity holders of such eFFECTOR Holder (it being understood that no such transfer shall reduce any rights of such eFFECTOR Holder or such transferees) and (y) each of the Sponsor Holders shall be permitted to transfer its rights hereunder as the Sponsor Holders to one or more affiliates or any direct or indirect partners, members or equity holders of such Sponsor Holder (it being understood that no such transfer shall reduce any rights of the Sponsor or such transferees).

5.2.3 This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the Holders, the permitted assigns and its successors and the permitted assigns of the Holders, which shall include Permitted Transferees.

5.2.4 This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any persons or entities that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and Section 5.2 hereto.

5.2.5 No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (i) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 5.1 hereof and (ii) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 5.2 shall be null and void.

5.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including facsimile or PDF counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced.

5.4 Governing Law; Venue. THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States or the courts of the State of New York in each case located in the city of New York, and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.

5.5 Amendments and Modifications. Upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at least a majority in interest then outstanding of the Registrable Securities, compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in its capacity as a holder of the shares of capital stock of the Company, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity) shall require the consent of the Holder so affected. No course of dealing between any Holder or the Company and any other party hereto or any failure or delay on the part

 

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of a Holder or the Company in exercising any rights or remedies under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or the Company. No single or partial exercise of any rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party.

5.6 Other Registration Rights. Other than pursuant to the terms of the PIPE Subscription Agreement, the Company represents and warrants that no person, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities, has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration Statement filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other person. Further, the Company and each of the Holders agree that this Agreement supersedes any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms and conditions among the parties hereto and in the event of a conflict between any such agreement or agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.

5.7 Termination. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (a) the third anniversary of the date of this Agreement or (b) the date as of which (i) all of the Registrable Securities have either been sold pursuant to a Registration Statement or cease to be Registrable Securities (but in no event prior to the applicable period referred to in Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act and Rule 174 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission)) or (ii) the Holders of all Registrable Securities are permitted to sell the Registrable Securities under Rule 144 (or any similar provision) under the Securities Act without limitation on the amount of securities sold or the manner of sale or current public information requirement. The provisions of Section 3.5 and Article IV shall survive any termination.

5.8 Holder Information. Each Holder agrees, if requested in writing, to represent to the Company the total number of Registrable Securities held by such Holder to the extent necessary for the Company to make determinations hereunder.

5.9 Joinder. Each person or entity who becomes a Holder pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof must execute a joinder to this Agreement in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (a “Joinder”).

5.10 Severability. It is the desire and intent of the parties that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

5.11 Entire Agreement; Restatement. This Agreement constitutes the full and entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to such subject matter. Upon the Closing, the Original RRA shall no longer be of any force or effect.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:
EFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc.
a Delaware corporation
By:  

/s/ Stephen Worland

  Name:   Stephen Worland
  Title:   President and CEO

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

HOLDERS:
LOCUST WALK SPONSOR, LLC
a Delaware limited liability company
By:   Locust Walk Partners, LLC, its Manager
By:   /s/ Geoffrey Meyerson
 

Name:

 

Geoffrey Meyerson

 

Title:

 

Senior Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

U.S. VENTURE PARTNERS X, L.P.
USVP X AFFILIATES, L.P.

By Presidio Management Group X, L.L.C.

The General Partner of Each

By:   /s/ Dale Holladay
    Name:   Dale Holladay
    Title:   Attorney in Fact

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

ABINGWORTH BIOVENTURES VI L.P.
ACTING BY ITS MANAGER ABINGWORTH LLP
By:   /s/ John Heard
    Name:   John Heard
    Title:   Partner, General Counsel

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

SR ONE CAPITAL FUND I AGGREGATOR, LP
By:   SR One Capital Partners I, LP
Its:   General Partner
By:   SR One Capital Management, LLC
Its:   General Partner
By:   /s/ Simeon George
    Name:   Simeon George
    Title:   CEO and General Partner

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

THE COLUMN GROUP II, LP

BY:THE COLUMN GROUP II GP, LP

ITS GENERAL PARTNER

BY: THE COLUMN GROUP, LLC

ITS GENERAL PARTNER

By:   /s/ James Evangelista
    Name:   James Evangelista
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

ALTITUDE LIFE SCIENCE VENTURES FUND II, L.P.
ALTITUDE LIFE SCIENCE VENTURES SIDE FUND II, L.P.
By:   /s/ Dave Maki
    Name:   Dave Maki
    Title:   Managing Partner

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

NEW EMERGING MEDICAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND III, L.P.

BY: SECTORAL ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.

ITS MANAGER
By:   /s/ Stefan Larson
    Name:   Stefan Larson
    Title:   Partner

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

PFIZER VENTURE INVESTMENTS LLC
By:   /s/ Denis Patrick
    Name:   Denis Patrick
    Title:   Vice President, ES&I, Managing Partner
Pfizer Ventures

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

ABBVIE BIOTECHNOLOGY LTD
By:   /s/ Arthur C. Price
    Name:   Arthur C. Price
    Title:   Director

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

BMV DIRECT II LP
By:   /s/ Kevin Simonsen
    Name:   Kevin Simonsen
    Title:   EVP, General Counsel & Secretary

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

ASTELLAS VENTURE CAPITAL LLC
By:   /s/ Kazunori Maruyama
    Name:   Kazunori Maruyama
    Title:   President

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

OSAGE UNIVERSITY PARTNERS I, LP
By: Osage University GP, LLC, its General Partner
By:   /s/ William Harrington
    Name:   William Harrington
    Title:   Managing Member

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

ALEXANDRIA VENTURE INVESTMENTS, LLC
By: Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., managing member
By:   /s/ Hilary Levin
    Name:   Hilary Levin
    Title:   VP – Venture Counsel/Business
Development

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Stephen Worland
Stephen T. Worland, Ph.D.

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

THE CHORY/WORLAND FAMILY TRUST OF 2001
By:   /s/ Stephen Worland
    Name: Stephen T. Worland, Ph.D.
    Title: Trustee

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Alana McNulty
Alana McNulty

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Kevan Shokat
Kevan M. Shokat, Ph.D.

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

KEVAN M. SHOKAT AND DEBORAH KAMALI, AS TRUSTEES OF THE SHOKAT-KAMALI LIVING TRUST DATED MAY 11, 2012
By:   /s/ Kevan Shokat
    Name: Kevan M. Shokat, Ph.D.
    Title: Trustee

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

SR ONE CO-INVEST I, LLC

By: SR One Co-Invest I Manager, LLC

Its: Managing Member

By: SR One Capital Management, LLC

Its: Managing Member

By:   /s/ Simeon George
    Name: Simeon George
    Title: CEO and General Partner

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

VARIOPARTNER SICAV (PTG 17915)
By:   /s/ Marc-André Marcotte
    Name: Marc-André Marcotte
    Title: COO

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

NORGES BANK
By:   /s/ Marc-André Marcotte
    Name: Marc-André Marcotte
    Title: COO

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


Schedule A

eFFECTOR Holders

 

U.S. Venture Partners X, L.P.
USVP X Affiliates, L.P.
Abingworth Bioventures VI L.P.
SR One Capital Fund I Aggregator, L.P.
The Column Group II, L.P.
Altitude Life Science Ventures Fund II, L.P.
Altitude Life Science Ventures Side Fund II, L.P.
New Emerging Medical Opportunities Fund III, L.P.
Pfizer Venture Investments LLC
AbbVie Biotechnology Ltd.
BMV Direct II LP
Astellas Venture Capital LLC
Osage University Partners I, L.P.
Alexandria Venture Investments, LLC
Stephen T. Worland, Ph.D.
Alana McNulty
Kevan M. Shokat, Ph.D.


Schedule B

Sponsor Holders

 

Locust Walk Sponsor, LLC
SR One Co-Invest I, LLC
Variopartner SICAV (PTG 17915)
Norges Bank


Exhibit A

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT JOINDER

The undersigned is executing and delivering this joinder (this “Joinder”) pursuant to the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 25, 2021 (as the same may hereafter be amended, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), among eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the other persons or entities named as parties therein. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Registration Rights Agreement.

By executing and delivering this Joinder to the Company, and upon acceptance hereof by the Company upon the execution of a counterpart hereof, the undersigned hereby agrees to become a party to, to be bound by, and to comply with the Registration Rights Agreement as a Holder of Registrable Securities in the same manner as if the undersigned were an original signatory to the Registration Rights Agreement, and the undersigned’s shares of Common Stock shall be included as Registrable Securities under the Registration Rights Agreement to the extent provided therein.

Accordingly, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Joinder as of the __________ day of __________, 20__.

 

 

 

Signature of Stockholder
 

 

Print Name of Stockholder

Its:

 
Address:    

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

   

 

 

Agreed and Accepted as of

____________, 20__

eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc.
By:    

 

Name:  
Its:  
EX-10.10

Exhibit 10.10

 

 

EFFECTOR THERAPEUTICS, 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 and/or equity-linked compensatory opportunities. Capitalized terms used in the Plan are defined in Article XI.

ARTICLE II.

ELIGIBILITY

Service Providers are eligible to be granted Awards under the Plan, subject to the limitations described herein.

ARTICLE III.

ADMINISTRATION AND DELEGATION

3.1 Administration. 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 and reconcile inconsistencies in the Plan or any Award Agreement as it deems necessary or appropriate to administer the Plan and any Awards. The Administrator’s determinations under the Plan are in its sole discretion and will be final and binding on all persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or any Award.

3.2 Appointment of Committees. To the extent Applicable Laws permit, the Board or the Administrator may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more Committees or committees of officers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The Board or the Administrator, as applicable, may rescind any such delegation, abolish any such committee or Committee and/or re-vest in itself any previously delegated authority at any time.

ARTICLE IV.

STOCK AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS

4.1 Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment under Article VIII and the terms of this Article IV, 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, the Prior Plan Awards will remain subject to the terms of the Prior Plan. Shares issued under the Plan may consist of authorized but unissued Shares, Shares purchased on the open market or treasury Shares.

4.2 Share Recycling. If all or any part of an Award or a Prior Plan Award expires, lapses or is terminated, exchanged for or settled in 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 Award grants under the Plan. Further, Shares delivered (either by actual delivery or attestation) to the Company by a Participant to satisfy the applicable exercise or purchase price of an Award or Prior Plan Award and/or to satisfy any applicable tax withholding obligation with respect to an Award or Prior Plan Award (including Shares retained by the Company from the Award or Prior Plan Award being exercised or purchased and/or creating the tax obligation) will, as applicable, become or again be available for Award grants under the Plan. The payment of Dividend Equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not count against the Overall Share Limit. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the following Shares shall not be added to the Shares authorized for grant under Section 4.1 and shall not be available for future grants of Awards: (a) 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; and (b) Shares purchased on the open market with the cash proceeds from the exercise of Options.

4.3 Incentive Stock Option Limitations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no more than 50,000,000 Shares may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options.

4.4 Substitute Awards. In connection with an entity’s merger or consolidation with the Company or the Company’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 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 adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other adjustment or valuation ratio or formula used in such acquisition or combination to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of the entities party to such acquisition or combination) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for grant under the Plan (and Shares subject to such Awards shall not be added to the Shares available for Awards under the Plan as provided 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, Consultants or Directors prior to such acquisition or combination.

4.5 Non-Employee Director Compensation. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the Plan, the Administrator may establish compensation for non-employee Directors from time to time, subject to the limitations in the Plan. The Administrator will from time to time determine the terms, conditions and amounts of all such non-employee Director compensation in its discretion and pursuant to the exercise of its business judgment, taking into account such factors, circumstances and considerations as it shall deem relevant from time to time, provided that the sum of any cash compensation, or other compensation, and the value (determined as of the grant date in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or any successor thereto) of Awards granted to a non-employee Director as compensation for services as a non-employee Director during any fiscal year of the Company may not exceed $750,000 (increased to $1,000,000 in the calendar year of a

 

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non-employee Director’s initial service as a non-employee director or any calendar year during which a non-employee Director serves as chairman of the Board or lead independent Director, which limits shall not apply to the compensation for any non-employee Director of the Company who serves in any capacity in addition to that of a non-employee Director for which he or she receives additional compensation or any compensation paid to any non-employee Director prior to the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Effective Date occurs). The Administrator may make exceptions to this limit for individual non-employee Directors in extraordinary circumstances, as the Administrator may determine in its discretion, provided that the non-employee Director receiving such additional compensation may not participate in the decision to award such compensation or in other contemporaneous compensation decisions involving non-employee Directors.

ARTICLE V.

STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

5.1 General. The Administrator may grant Options or Stock Appreciation Rights to Service Providers subject to the limitations in the Plan, including any limitations in the Plan that apply to Incentive Stock Options. 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 or a combination of the two as the Administrator may determine or provide in the Award Agreement.

5.2 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. The exercise price will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the grant date of the Option (subject to Section 5.6) or Stock Appreciation Right. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Option or a 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 Sections 424 and 409A of the Code.

5.3 Duration. Each Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be exercisable at such times and as specified in the Award Agreement, provided that, subject to Section 5.6, the term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right will not exceed ten years. Notwithstanding the foregoing and unless determined otherwise by the Company, to the extent permitted under Applicable Laws, if the Participant, prior to the end of the term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, violates the non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality or other similar restrictive covenant 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 of the Participant and the Participant’s transferees to exercise any Option or Stock Appreciation Right issued to the Participant shall terminate immediately upon such violation, unless the Company otherwise determines.

5.4 Exercise. Options and Stock Appreciation Rights may be exercised by delivering to the Company a written notice of exercise, in a form the Administrator approves (which may be electronic), signed by the person authorized to exercise the Option or Stock Appreciation Right, together with, as applicable, payment in full (i) as specified in Section 5.5 for the number of Shares for which the Award is exercised and (ii) as specified in Section 9.5 for any applicable taxes. Unless the Administrator otherwise determines, an Option or Stock Appreciation Right may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

 

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5.5 Payment Upon Exercise. Subject to Section 10.8, any Company insider trading policy (including blackout periods) and Applicable Laws, the exercise price of an Option must be paid by:

(a) cash, wire transfer of immediately available funds or by check payable to the order of the Company, provided that the Company may limit the use of one of the foregoing payment forms if one or more of the payment forms 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 an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds 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 cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price; provided that such amount is paid to the Company at such time as may be required by the Administrator;

(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;

(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 property that the Administrator determines is good and valuable consideration; or

(f) to the extent permitted by the Company, any combination of the above payment forms approved by the Administrator.

5.6 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 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 (i) two years from the grant date of the Option or (ii) 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 Non-Qualified Stock Option. The foregoing terms shall be incorporated into any Award Agreement evidencing an Option intended to be an Incentive Stock Option to the extent necessary to cause such Award to so qualify.

 

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ARTICLE VI.

RESTRICTED STOCK; RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

6.1 General. The Administrator may grant Restricted Stock, or the right to purchase Restricted Stock, to any Service Provider, subject to 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 (or to require forfeiture of such Shares) 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 to Service Providers 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.

6.2 Restricted Stock.

(a) Dividends. Participants holding Shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to all ordinary cash dividends paid with respect to such Shares, unless the Administrator provides otherwise in the Award Agreement. In addition, unless the Administrator provides otherwise, if any dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, or consist of a dividend or distribution to holders of Common Stock of property other than an ordinary cash dividend, the Shares or other property will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, with respect to any award of Restricted Stock, dividends which are paid to holders of Common Stock prior to vesting shall only be paid out to a Participant holding such Restricted Stock to the extent that the vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied. All such dividend payments will be made no later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the right to the dividend payment becomes nonforfeitable.

(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.

6.3 Restricted Stock Units.

(a) Settlement. 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, in a manner intended to comply with Section 409A.

(b) Stockholder Rights. A Participant will have no rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares subject to any Restricted Stock Unit unless and until the Shares are delivered in settlement of the Restricted Stock Unit.

 

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ARTICLE VII.

OTHER STOCK OR CASH BASED AWARDS; DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS

7.1 Other Stock or Cash Based Awards. Other Stock or Cash Based Awards may be granted to Participants, including Awards entitling Participants to receive Shares to be delivered in the future and including 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.

7.2 Dividend Equivalents. A grant of Restricted Stock Units or Other Stock or Cash Based Award may provide a Participant with the right to receive Dividend Equivalents, and no Dividend Equivalents shall be payable with respect to Options or Stock Appreciation Rights. 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 to which the Dividend Equivalents are paid and subject to other terms and conditions as set forth in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, Dividend Equivalents with respect to an Award shall only be paid out to a Participant to the extent that the vesting conditions are subsequently satisfied. All such Dividend Equivalent payments will be made no later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the right to the Dividend Equivalent payment becomes nonforfeitable, unless determined otherwise by the Administrator or unless deferred in a manner intended to comply with Section 409A.

ARTICLE VIII.

ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK

AND CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS

8.1 Equity Restructuring(a) . In connection with any Equity Restructuring, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article VIII, the Administrator will equitably adjust each outstanding Award as it deems appropriate to reflect the Equity Restructuring, which may include adjusting the number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award and/or the Award’s exercise price or grant price (if applicable), granting new Awards to Participants, and making a cash payment to Participants. The adjustments provided under this Section 8.1 will be nondiscretionary and final and binding on the affected Participant and the Company; provided that the Administrator will determine whether an adjustment is equitable.

8.2 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, 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 Laws 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), is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that

 

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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 Laws 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; provided, further, that Awards held by members of the Board will be settled in Shares on or immediately prior to the applicable event if the Administrator takes action under this clause (a);

(b) To provide that such Award shall vest and, to the extent applicable, be exercisable as to all Shares 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 a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and/or applicable exercise or purchase price, in all cases, as determined by the Administrator;

(d) To make adjustments in the number and type of Shares (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards and/or with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Article IV on the maximum number and kind of shares which may be issued) and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price or applicable performance goals), and the criteria included in, outstanding Awards;

(e) To replace such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator; and/or

(f) To provide that the Award will terminate and cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after the applicable event.

8.3 Effect of Non-Assumption in a Change in Control. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8.2, if a Change in Control occurs and a Participant’s Awards are not continued, converted, assumed, or replaced with a substantially similar award by (a) the Company, or (b) a successor entity or its parent or subsidiary (an “Assumption”), and provided that the Participant has not had a Termination of Service, then, immediately prior to the Change in Control, such Awards shall become fully vested, exercisable and/or payable, as applicable, and all forfeiture, repurchase and other restrictions on such Awards shall lapse, in which case, such Awards shall be canceled upon the consummation of the Change in Control in exchange for the right to receive the Change in Control consideration payable to other holders of Common Stock (i) which may be on such terms and conditions as apply generally to holders of Common Stock under the Change in Control documents (including, without limitation, any escrow, earn-out or other deferred consideration provisions) or such other terms and conditions as the Administrator may provide, and (ii) determined by reference to the number of Shares subject to such Awards and net of any applicable exercise price; provided that to the extent that any Awards constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” that may not be paid upon the Change in Control under Section 409A without the imposition of taxes

 

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thereon under Section 409A, the timing of such payments shall be governed by the applicable Award Agreement (subject to any deferred consideration provisions applicable under the Change in Control documents); and provided, further, that if the amount to which a Participant would be entitled upon the settlement or exercise of such Award at the time of the Change in Control is equal to or less than zero, then such Award may be terminated without payment. An Award will be considered replaced with a comparable award if the Award is exchanged for an amount of cash or other property with a value equal to the amount that could have been obtained upon the settlement of such Award in such Change in Control (as determined by the Administrator), even if such cash or other property payable with respect to the unvested portion of such Award remains subject to similar vesting provisions following such Change in Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator will have full and final authority to determine whether an Assumption of an Award has occurred in connection with a Change in Control.

8.4 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, including any Equity Restructuring or any securities offering or other similar transaction, for administrative convenience, the Administrator may refuse to permit the exercise of any Award for up to 60 days before or after such transaction.

8.5 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 8.1 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 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. The Administrator may treat Participants and Awards (or portions thereof) differently under this Article VIII.

ARTICLE IX.

GENERAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO AWARDS

9.1 Transferability. Except as the Administrator may determine or provide in an Award Agreement or otherwise for Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, Awards may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except for certain Designated Beneficiary designations, by will or the laws of descent and distribution, or, subject to the Administrator’s consent, pursuant to a domestic relations order, and, during the life of the Participant, will be exercisable only by the Participant. Any permitted transfer of an Award hereunder shall be without consideration, except as required by Applicable Law. References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, will include references to a Participant’s authorized transferee that the Administrator specifically approves.

9.2 Documentation. Each Award will be evidenced in an Award Agreement, which may be written or electronic, as the Administrator determines. Each Award may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan.

 

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9.3 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.

9.4 Termination of Status. The Administrator will determine how the disability, death, retirement, an 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.

9.5 Withholding. Each Participant must pay the Company, or make provision satisfactory to the Administrator for payment of, any taxes required by Applicable Law to be withheld in connection with such Participant’s Awards by the date of the event creating the tax liability. The Company may deduct an amount sufficient to satisfy such tax obligations based on the applicable statutory withholding rates (or such other rate as may be determined by the Company after considering any accounting consequences or costs) from any payment of any kind otherwise due to a Participant. In the absence of a contrary determination by the Company (or, with respect to withholding pursuant to clause (ii) below with respect to Awards held by individuals subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, a contrary determination by the Administrator), all tax withholding obligations will be calculated based on the minimum applicable statutory withholding rates. Subject to Section 10.8 and any Company insider trading policy (including blackout periods), Participants may satisfy such tax obligations (i) in cash, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, by check made payable to the order of the Company, provided that the Company may limit the use of the foregoing payment forms if one or more of the payment forms below is permitted, (ii) to the extent permitted by the Administrator, in whole or in part by delivery of Shares, including Shares delivered by attestation and Shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation, valued at their fair market value on the date of delivery, (iii) if there is a public market for Shares at the time the tax obligations are satisfied, unless the Company otherwise determines, (A) delivery (including electronically or telephonically to the extent permitted by the Company) of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to satisfy the tax obligations, or (B) delivery by the Participant to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to satisfy the tax withholding; provided that such amount is paid to the Company at such time as may be required by the Administrator, or (iv) to the extent permitted by the Company, any combination of the foregoing payment forms approved by the Administrator. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the number of Shares which may be so delivered or retained pursuant to clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be limited to the number of Shares which have a fair market value on the date of delivery or retention no greater than the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the maximum individual statutory tax rate in the applicable jurisdiction at the time of such withholding (or such other rate as may be required to avoid the liability classification of the applicable award under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America); provided, however, to the extent such Shares were acquired by Participant from the Company as compensation, the Shares must have been held for the minimum period required by applicable accounting rules to avoid a charge to the Company’s earnings for financial reporting purposes; provided, further, that, any such Shares delivered or retained shall be rounded up to the nearest whole Share to the extent rounding up to the nearest whole Share does not result in the liability classification of the applicable Award under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. If any tax withholding obligation will be satisfied under clause (ii) above by the Company’s retention of Shares from the Award creating the tax obligation and there is a public market for Shares at the time the tax obligation is satisfied, the Company may elect to instruct any brokerage firm determined acceptable to the Company for such purpose to sell on the applicable Participant’s behalf some or all of the Shares retained and to remit the proceeds of the sale to the Company or its designee, and each Participant’s acceptance of an Award under the Plan will constitute the Participant’s authorization to the Company and instruction and authorization to such brokerage firm to complete the transactions described in this sentence.

 

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9.6 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 Non-Qualified 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 VIII or pursuant to Section 10.6. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Administrator may, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, reduce the exercise price per share of outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or cancel outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights that have an exercise price in excess of Fair Market Value in exchange for cash, other Awards or Options or Stock Appreciation Rights with an exercise price per share that is less than the exercise price per share of the original Options or Stock Appreciation Rights.

9.7 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 any applicable securities laws and stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, and (iii) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Administrator deems necessary or appropriate to satisfy any Applicable Laws. The Company’s inability to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which the Administrator determines is necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any securities, will relieve the Company of any liability for failing to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority has not been obtained.

9.8 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.

9.9 Cash Settlement. Without limiting the generality of any other provision of the Plan, the Administrator may provide, in an Award Agreement or subsequent to the grant of an Award, in its discretion, that any Award may be settled in cash, Shares or a combination thereof.

9.10 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 the final sentence of Section 9.5 above: (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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ARTICLE X.

MISCELLANEOUS

10.1 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 continued employment or any other relationship with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The Company and its Subsidiaries expressly reserves 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 in the Plan.

10.2 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 Laws require, 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 stock certificates issued under the Plan that the Administrator deems necessary or appropriate to comply with Applicable Laws.

10.3 Effective Date and Term of Plan. The Plan will become effective upon the consummation of the Merger (the “Effective Date”) and will remain in effect until the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, an Incentive Stock Option may not be granted under the Plan after 10 years from the earlier of (i) the date the Board adopted the Plan or (ii) the date the Company’s stockholders approved the Plan, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date in accordance with the Plan. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Plan is not approved by the Company’s stockholders within 12 months of the Board’s initial adoption of the Plan, the Plan will not become effective and no Awards will be granted under the Plan.

10.4 Amendment and Termination of Plan. The Administrator may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time; provided that no amendment, other than an increase to the Overall Share Limit, 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 the Plan’s 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 Laws.

10.5 Provisions for Foreign Participants. The Administrator may modify Awards granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States or establish subplans or procedures under the Plan to address differences in laws, rules, regulations or customs of such foreign jurisdictions with respect to tax, securities, currency, employee benefit or other matters.

10.6 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

 

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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 10.6 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 termination of a Participant’s Service Provider relationship 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 termination of the Participant’s Service Provider relationship. 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. Furthermore, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement, any payment of “nonqualified deferred compensation” under the Plan that may be made in installments shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.

10.7 Limitations on Liability. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no individual acting as a director, officer, other employee or agent 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, other employee or agent of the Company or any Subsidiary. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each director, officer, other employee and agent 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.

10.8 Lock-Up Period. The Company may, at the request of any underwriter representative or otherwise, in connection with registering the offering of any Company securities under the Securities Act, prohibit Participants from, directly or indirectly, selling or otherwise transferring any Shares or other Company securities during a period of up to 180 days following the effective date of a Company registration statement filed under the Securities Act, or such longer period as determined by the underwriter.

 

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10.9 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 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 10.9 in writing, without cost, by contacting the local human resources representative. If the Participant refuses or withdraws the consents in this Section 10.9, the Company may cancel Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan and, in the Administrator’s discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards. For more information on the consequences of refusing or withdrawing consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.

10.10 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.

10.11 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) that the Administrator has approved, the Plan will govern, unless it is expressly specified in such Award Agreement or other written document that a specific provision of the Plan will not apply.

10.12 Governing Law. The Plan and all Awards will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, disregarding any state’s choice-of-law principles requiring the application of a jurisdiction’s laws other than the State of Delaware.

10.13 Claw-back Provisions. All Awards (including, without limitation, any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by Participant upon any receipt or exercise of any Award or upon the receipt or resale of any Shares underlying the Award) shall be subject to the provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by the Company, including, without limitation, any claw-back policy adopted to comply with Applicable Laws (including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder) as and to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy or the Award Agreement.

 

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10.14 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.

10.15 Conformity to Securities Laws. Participant acknowledges that the Plan is intended to conform to the extent necessary with Applicable Laws. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan and all Awards will be administered only in conformance with Applicable Laws. To the extent Applicable Laws permit, the Plan and all Award Agreements will be deemed amended as necessary to conform to Applicable Laws.

10.16 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.

ARTICLE XI.

DEFINITIONS

As used in the Plan, the following words and phrases will have the following meanings:

11.1 “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.

11.2 “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity incentive plans under U.S. federal and state securities, tax and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, the applicable rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws and rules of any foreign country or other jurisdiction where Awards are granted.

11.3 “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Dividend Equivalents, or Other Stock or Cash Based Awards.

11.4 “Award Agreement” means a written agreement evidencing an Award, which may be electronic, that contains such terms and conditions as the Administrator determines, consistent with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

11.5 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

11.6 “Cause” means (i) if a Participant is a party to a written employment, severance or consulting agreement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or an Award Agreement in which the term “cause” is defined (a “Relevant Agreement”), “Cause” as defined in the Relevant Agreement, and (ii) if no Relevant Agreement exists, (A) the Administrator’s determination that the Participant failed to substantially perform the Participant’s duties (other than a failure resulting from the Participant’s Disability); (B) the Administrator’s determination that the Participant failed to carry out, or comply with any lawful and reasonable directive of the Board or the Participant’s immediate supervisor; (C) the Participant’s unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information or trade secrets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any material breach of a written agreement between the Participant and the Company; (D) the occurrence of any act or omission by the Participant that could reasonably be expected to result in (or has resulted in) the Participant’s conviction, plea of no contest, plea of nolo contendere, or imposition of un-adjudicated probation for any felony or indictable offense or crime involving moral

 

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turpitude; (E) the Participant’s unlawful use (including being under the influence) or possession of illegal drugs on the premises of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or while performing the Participant’s duties and responsibilities for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (F) the Participant’s commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, misconduct, or breach of fiduciary duty against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

11.7 “Change in Control” means and includes each of the following:

(a) A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of Common Stock to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or a transaction or series of transactions that meets the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of subsection (c) below) whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or a “person” that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

(b) During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new Director(s) (other than a Director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in subsections (a) or (c)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors then still in office who either were Directors at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or

(c) The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:

(i) 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, and

(ii) after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this clause (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.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the transactions occurring in connection with the Merger Agreement constitute a Change in Control and, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award (or portion of any Award) that provides for the deferral of compensation that is

 

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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) or (c) 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 discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control and any incidental matters relating thereto; provided that any exercise of authority in conjunction with a determination of whether a Change in Control is a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) shall be consistent with such regulation.

11.8 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations issued thereunder.

11.9 “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 Applicable Laws permit. 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.

11.10 “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.

11.11 “Company” means eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor.

11.12 “Consultant” means any person, including any consultant or advisor, that is not an Employee and that engaged by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to render services to such entity, in each case that can be granted an Award that is eligible to be registered on a Form S-8 Registration Statement.

11.13 “Designated Beneficiary” means the beneficiary or beneficiaries the Participant designates, in a manner the Administrator determines, to receive amounts due or exercise the Participant’s rights if the Participant dies or becomes incapacitated. Without a Participant’s effective designation, “Designated Beneficiary” will mean the Participant’s estate.

11.14 “Director” means a Board member.

11.15 “Disability” means a permanent and total disability under Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, as amended.

11.16 “Dividend Equivalents” means a right granted to a Participant under the Plan to receive the equivalent value (in cash or Shares) of dividends paid on Shares.

11.17 “Employee” means any employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 

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11.18 “Equity Restructuring” means a non-reciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend that affects the number or kind of Shares (or other securities of the Company) or the share price of Common Stock (or other securities of the Company) and causes a change in the per share value of the Common Stock underlying outstanding Awards.

11.19 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

11.20 “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of a Share of Common Stock determined as follows: (a) if the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange, its Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such Common Stock 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; (b) if the Common Stock is not traded on a stock exchange but is quoted on a national market or other quotation system, the closing sales price 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 (c) in the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Administrator may determine the Fair Market Value in its discretion.

11.21 “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 its parent or subsidiary corporation, as defined in Section 424(e) and (f) of the Code, respectively.

11.22 “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

11.23 “Merger” means the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

11.24 “Merger Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Company, Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. and Locust Walk Merger Sub, Inc., dated May 26, 2021.

11.25 “Non-Qualified Stock Option” means an Option, or portion thereof, not intended or not qualifying as an Incentive Stock Option.

11.26 “Option” means an option to purchase Shares, which will either be an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

11.27 “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 awarded to a Participant under Article VII.

11.28 “Overall Share Limit” means the sum of (a) 6,500,000 Shares, (b) any Shares which, as of the Effective Date, are subject to Prior Plan Awards and which, on or following the Effective Date, become available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Article IV, and (c) an annual increase on the first day of each calendar year beginning on and including January 1, 2022 and ending on and including January 1, 2031 equal to the lesser of (i) a number equal to 5% of the outstanding Shares on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year and (ii) such smaller number of Shares as is determined by the Board.

11.29 “Participant” means a Service Provider who has been granted an Award.

 

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11.30 “Performance Criteria” mean the criteria (and adjustments) that the Administrator may select for an Award to establish performance goals for a performance period, which may include the following: net earnings or losses (either before or after one or more of interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and non-cash equity-based compensation expense); gross or net sales or revenue or sales or revenue growth; net income (either before or after taxes) or adjusted net income; profits (including but not limited to gross profits, net profits, profit growth, net operation profit or economic profit), profit return ratios or operating margin; budget or operating earnings (either before or after taxes or before or after allocation of corporate overhead and bonus); cash flow (including operating cash flow and free cash flow or cash flow return on capital); return on assets; return on capital or invested capital; cost of capital; return on stockholders’ equity; total stockholder return; return on sales; costs, reductions in costs and cost control measures; expenses; working capital; earnings or loss per share; adjusted earnings or loss per share; price per share or dividends per share (or appreciation in or maintenance of such price or dividends); regulatory achievements or compliance; implementation, completion or attainment of objectives relating to research, development, regulatory, commercial, or strategic milestones or developments; market share; economic value or economic value added models; division, group or corporate financial goals; customer satisfaction/growth; customer service; employee satisfaction; recruitment and maintenance of personnel; human capital management (including diversity and inclusion); supervision of litigation and other legal matters; strategic partnerships and transactions; financial ratios (including those measuring liquidity, activity, profitability or leverage); debt levels or reductions; sales-related goals; financing and other capital raising transactions; cash on hand; acquisition activity; investment sourcing activity; and marketing initiatives, any of which may be measured in absolute terms or as compared to any incremental increase or decrease. Such performance goals also may be based solely by reference to the Company’s performance or the performance of a Subsidiary, division, business segment or business unit of the Company or a Subsidiary, or based upon performance relative to performance of other companies or upon comparisons of any of the indicators of performance relative to performance of other companies.

11.31 “Plan” means this 2021 Incentive Award Plan.

11.32 “Prior Plan” means the eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended.

11.33 “Prior Plan Award” means an award outstanding under the Prior Plan as of the Effective Date, including, without limitation, any awards that are assumed under the Merger Agreement.

11.34 “Restricted Stock” means Shares awarded to a Participant under Article VI subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.

11.35 “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 awarded to a Participant under Article VI subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.

11.36 “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

11.37 “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and all regulations, guidance, compliance programs and other interpretative authority thereunder.

11.38 “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

11.39 “Service Provider” means an Employee, Consultant or Director.

 

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11.40 “Shares” means shares of Common Stock.

11.41 “Stock Appreciation Right” means a stock appreciation right granted under Article V.

11.42 “Subsidiary” means any entity (other than the Company), whether domestic or foreign, in an unbroken chain of entities beginning with the Company if each of the entities other than the last entity in the unbroken chain beneficially owns, at the time of the determination, securities or interests representing at least 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of securities or interests in one of the other entities in such chain.

11.43 “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 acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary combines.

11.44 “Termination of Service” means the date the Participant ceases to be a Service Provider.

*    *    *    *    *

 

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EX-10.11

Exhibit 10.11

EFFECTOR THERAPEUTICS, INC.

2021 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

ARTICLE I.

PURPOSE

The purposes of this eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (as it may be amended or restated from time to time, the “Plan”) are to assist Eligible Employees of eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and its Designated Subsidiaries in acquiring a stock ownership interest in the Company pursuant to a plan which is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423(b) of the Code, and to help Eligible Employees provide for their future security and to encourage them to remain in the employment of the Company and its Designated Subsidiaries.

ARTICLE II.

DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

Wherever the following terms are used in the Plan they shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The singular pronoun shall include the plural where the context so indicates. Masculine, feminine and neuter pronouns are used interchangeably and each comprehends the others.

2.1 “Administrator” shall mean the entity that conducts the general administration of the Plan as provided in Article XI. The term “Administrator” shall refer to the Committee unless the Board has assumed the authority for administration of the Plan as provided in Article XI.

2.2 “Applicable Law” shall mean the requirements relating to the administration of equity incentive plans under U.S. federal and state securities, tax and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, the applicable rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws and rules of any foreign country or other jurisdiction where rights under this Plan are granted.

2.3 “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.4 “Change in Control” shall mean and include each of the following:

(a) A transaction or series of transactions (other than an offering of Shares to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or a transaction or series of transactions that meets the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of subsection (c) below) whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other than the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or a “person” that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition; or

(b) During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new director(s) (other than a director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in subsections (a) or (c)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was


approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or

(c) The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:

(i) 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, and

(ii) after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this clause (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.

2.5 The Administrator shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its sole discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change of Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of such Change of Control and any incidental matters relating thereto. “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and the regulations issued thereunder.

2.6 “Common Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company and such other securities of the Company that may be substituted therefor pursuant to Article VIII.

2.7 “Company” shall mean eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor.

2.8 “Compensation” of an Eligible Employee shall mean, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the gross base cash compensation received by such Eligible Employee as compensation for services to the Company or any Designated Subsidiary, including prior week adjustment and overtime payments, but excluding commissions, vacation pay and holiday pay, jury duty pay, funeral leave pay, military leave pay, one-time bonuses (e.g., retention or sign on bonuses), incentive compensation, education or tuition reimbursements, travel expenses, business and moving reimbursements, income received in connection with any stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other compensatory equity awards, fringe benefits, other special payments 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.

2.9 “Designated Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary designated by the Administrator in accordance with Section 11.3(b).

 

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2.10 “Eligible Employee” shall mean an Employee who does not, immediately after any rights under this Plan are granted, own (directly or through attribution) stock possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of Common Stock and other stock of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary (as determined under Section 423(b)(3) of the Code). For purposes of the foregoing sentence, 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 that an Employee may purchase under outstanding options shall be treated as stock owned by the Employee; provided, however, that the Administrator may provide in an Offering Document that an Employee shall not be eligible to participate in an Offering Period if: (a) such Employee is a highly compensated employee within the meaning of Section 423(b)(4)(D) of the Code, (b) such Employee has not met a service requirement designated by the Administrator pursuant to Section 423(b)(4)(A) of the Code (which service requirement may not exceed two years), (c) such Employee’s customary employment is for 20 hours or less per week, (d) such Employee’s customary employment is for less than five months in any calendar year and/or (e) such Employee is a citizen or resident of a foreign jurisdiction and the grant of a right to purchase Common Stock under the Plan to such Employee would be prohibited under the laws of such foreign jurisdiction or the grant of a right to purchase Common Stock under the Plan to such Employee in compliance with the laws of such foreign jurisdiction would cause the Plan to violate the requirements of Section 423 of the Code, as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion; provided, further, that any exclusion in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) shall be applied in an identical manner under each Offering Period to all Employees, in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.423-2(e).

2.11 “Employee” shall mean any officer or other employee (as defined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code) of the Company or any Designated Subsidiary. “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 as 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 sick leave or other leave of absence approved by the Company or Designated Subsidiary and meeting the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-1(h)(2). Where the period of leave exceeds three months 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.

2.12 “Enrollment Date” shall mean the first Trading Day of each Offering Period, unless otherwise specified in the Offering Document.

2.13 “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

2.14 “Fair Market Value” shall mean, as of any date, the value of a Share of Common Stock determined as follows: (a) if the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange, its Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such Common Stock 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; (b) if the Common Stock is not traded on a stock exchange but is quoted on a national market or other quotation system, the closing sales price 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 (c) without an established market for the Common Stock, the Administrator will determine the Fair Market Value in its discretion.

2.15 “Merger” means the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

2.16 “Merger Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Company, Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. and Locust Walk Merger Sub, Inc., dated May 26, 2021.

 

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2.17 “Offering Document” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 4.1.

2.18 “Offering Period” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 4.1.

2.19 “Parent” shall mean any corporation, other than the Company, in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company if, at the time of the determination, each of the corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.

2.20 “Participant” shall mean any Eligible Employee who has executed a subscription agreement and been granted rights to purchase Shares pursuant to the Plan.

2.21 “Plan” shall mean this eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.

2.22 “Purchase Date” shall mean the last Trading Day of each Purchase Period.

2.23 “Purchase Period” shall refer to one or more periods within an Offering Period, as designated in the applicable Offering Document; provided, however, that, in the event no Purchase Period is designated by the Administrator in the applicable Offering Document, the Purchase Period for each Offering Period covered by such Offering Document shall be the same as the applicable Offering Period.

2.24 “Purchase Price” shall mean the purchase price designated by the Administrator in the applicable Offering Document (which purchase price shall not be less than 85% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Enrollment Date or on the Purchase Date, whichever is lower); provided, however, that, in the event no purchase price is designated by the Administrator in the applicable Offering Document, the purchase price for the Offering Periods covered by such Offering Document shall be 85% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Enrollment Date or on the Purchase Date, whichever is lower; provided, further, that the Purchase Price may be adjusted by the Administrator pursuant to Article VIII and shall not be less than the par value of a Share.

2.25 “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

2.26 “Share” shall mean a share of Common Stock.

2.27 “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation, other than the Company, in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if, at the time of the determination, each of the corporations other than the last corporation in an unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain; provided, however, that a limited liability company or partnership may be treated as a Subsidiary to the extent either (a) such entity is treated as a disregarded entity under Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3(a) by reason of the Company or any other Subsidiary that is a corporation being the sole owner of such entity, or (b) such entity elects to be classified as a corporation under Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3(a) and such entity would otherwise qualify as a Subsidiary.

2.28 “Trading Day” shall mean a day on which national stock exchanges in the United States are open for trading.

 

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ARTICLE III.

SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

3.1 Number of Shares. Subject to Article VIII, the aggregate number of Shares that may be issued pursuant to rights granted under the Plan shall be 880,000. In addition to the foregoing, subject to Article VIII, on the first day of each calendar year beginning on and including January 1, 2022 and ending on and including January 1, 2031, the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan shall be increased by that number of Shares equal to the lesser of (a) 1% of the number of outstanding Shares on the final day of the immediately preceding calendar year and (b) such smaller number of Shares as determined by the Board. If any right granted under the Plan shall for any reason terminate without having been exercised, the Shares not purchased under such right shall again become available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3.1 to the contrary, the number of Shares that may be issued or transferred pursuant to the rights granted under the Plan shall not exceed an aggregate of 15,000,000 Shares, subject to Article VIII.

3.2 Stock Distributed. Any Common Stock distributed pursuant to the Plan may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued Common Stock, treasury stock or Common Stock purchased on the open market.

ARTICLE IV.

OFFERING PERIODS; OFFERING DOCUMENTS; PURCHASE DATES

4.1 Offering Periods. The Administrator may from time to time grant or provide for the grant of rights to purchase Shares under the Plan to Eligible Employees during one or more periods (each, an “Offering Period”) selected by the Administrator. The terms and conditions applicable to each Offering Period shall be set forth in an “Offering Document” adopted by the Administrator, which Offering Document shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall deem appropriate. The Administrator shall establish in each Offering Document one or more Purchase Periods during such Offering Period during which rights granted under the Plan shall be exercised and purchases of Shares carried out during such Offering Period in accordance with such Offering Document and the Plan. The provisions of separate Offering Periods under the Plan need not be identical.

4.2 Offering Documents. Each Offering Document with respect to an Offering Period shall specify (through incorporation of the provisions of this Plan by reference or otherwise):

(a) the length of the Offering Period, which period shall not exceed 27 months;

(b) the length of the Purchase Period(s) within the Offering Period;

(c) in connection with each Offering Period, the maximum number of Shares that may be purchased by any Eligible Employee during such Offering Period, which, in the absence of a contrary designation by the Administrator, shall be 100,000 Shares; and

(d) such other provisions as the Administrator determines are appropriate, subject to the Plan.

ARTICLE V.

ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

5.1 Eligibility. Any Eligible Employee who shall be 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 this Article V and the limitations imposed by Section 423(b) of the Code.

 

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5.2 Enrollment in Plan.

(a) Except as otherwise set forth herein or in an Offering Document or determined by the Administrator, an Eligible Employee may become a Participant in the Plan for an Offering Period by delivering a subscription agreement to the Company by such time prior to the Enrollment Date for such Offering Period (or such other date specified in the Offering Document) designated by the Administrator and in such form as the Company provides.

(b) Each subscription agreement shall designate a whole percentage of such Eligible Employee’s Compensation to be withheld by the Company or the Designated Subsidiary employing such Eligible Employee on each payday during the Offering Period as payroll deductions under the Plan. The designated percentage may not be less than 1% and may not be more than the maximum percentage specified by the Administrator in the applicable Offering Document (which percentage shall be 15% in the absence of any such designation). The payroll deductions made for each Participant shall be credited to an account for such Participant under the Plan and shall be deposited with the general funds of the Company.

(c) A Participant may increase or decrease the percentage of Compensation designated in his or her subscription agreement, subject to the limits of this Section 5.2, or may suspend his or her payroll deductions, at any time during an Offering Period; provided, however, that the Administrator may limit the number of changes a Participant may make to his or her payroll deduction elections during each Offering Period in the applicable Offering Document (and in the absence of any specific designation by the Administrator, a Participant shall be allowed one decrease and one suspension (but no increases) to his or her payroll deduction elections during each Offering Period with respect to such Offering Period). Any such change or suspension of payroll deductions shall be effective with the first full payroll period following ten business days after the Company’s receipt of the new subscription agreement (or such shorter or longer period as may be specified by the Administrator in the applicable Offering Document). In the event a Participant suspends his or her payroll deductions, such Participant’s cumulative payroll deductions prior to the suspension shall remain in his or her account and shall be applied to the purchase of Shares on the next occurring Purchase Date and shall not be paid to such Participant unless he or she withdraws from participation in the Plan pursuant to Article VII.

(d) Except as otherwise set forth in Section 5.8 or in an Offering Document or determined by the Administrator, a Participant may participate in the Plan only by means of payroll deduction and may not make contributions by lump sum payment for any Offering Period.

5.3 Payroll Deductions. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Offering Document or Section 5.8, payroll deductions for a Participant shall commence on the first payroll following the Enrollment Date and shall end on the last payroll in the Offering Period to which the Participant’s authorization is applicable, unless sooner terminated by the Participant as provided in Article VII or suspended by the Participant or the Administrator as provided in Section 5.2 and Section 5.6, respectively.

5.4 Effect of Enrollment. A Participant’s completion of a subscription agreement will enroll such Participant in the Plan for each subsequent Offering Period on the terms contained therein until the Participant either submits a new subscription agreement, withdraws from participation under the Plan as provided in Article VII or otherwise becomes ineligible to participate in the Plan.

5.5 Limitation on Purchase of Common Stock. An Eligible Employee may be granted rights under the Plan only if such rights, together with any other rights granted to such Eligible Employee under “employee stock purchase plans” of the Company, any Parent or any Subsidiary, as specified by Section

 

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423(b)(8) of the Code, do not permit such employee’s rights to purchase stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary to accrue at a rate that exceeds $25,000 of the fair market value of such stock (determined as of the first day of the Offering Period during which such rights are granted) for each calendar year in which such rights are outstanding at any time. This limitation shall be applied in accordance with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code.

5.6 Suspension of Payroll Deductions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent necessary to comply with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code and Section 5.5 or the other limitations set forth in this Plan, a Participant’s payroll deductions may be suspended by the Administrator at any time during an Offering Period. The balance of the amount credited to the account of each Participant that has not been applied to the purchase of Shares by reason of Section 423(b)(8) of the Code, Section 5.5 or the other limitations set forth in this Plan shall be paid to such Participant in one lump sum in cash as soon as reasonably practicable after the Purchase Date.

5.7 Foreign Employees. In order to facilitate participation in the Plan, the Administrator may provide for such special terms applicable to Participants who are citizens or residents of a foreign jurisdiction, or who are employed by a Designated Subsidiary outside of the United States, as the Administrator may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy or custom. Such special terms may not be more favorable than the terms of rights granted under the Plan to Eligible Employees who are residents of the United States. Moreover, the Administrator may approve such supplements to, or amendments, restatements or alternative versions of, this Plan as it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes without thereby affecting the terms of this Plan as in effect for any other purpose. No such special terms, supplements, amendments or restatements shall include any provisions that are inconsistent with the terms of this Plan as then in effect unless this Plan could have been amended to eliminate such inconsistency without further approval by the stockholders of the Company.

5.8 Leave of Absence. During leaves of absence approved by the Company meeting the requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.421-1(h)(2) under the Code, a Participant may continue participation in the Plan by making cash payments to the Company on his or her normal payday equal to his or her authorized payroll deduction.

ARTICLE VI.

GRANT AND EXERCISE OF RIGHTS

6.1 Grant of Rights. On the Enrollment Date of each Offering Period, each Eligible Employee participating in such Offering Period shall be granted a right to purchase the maximum number of Shares specified under Section 4.2, subject to the limits in Section 5.5, and shall have the right to buy, on each Purchase Date during such Offering Period (at the applicable Purchase Price), such number of whole Shares as is determined by dividing (a) such Participant’s payroll deductions accumulated prior to such Purchase Date and retained in the Participant’s account as of the Purchase Date, by (b) the applicable Purchase Price (rounded down to the nearest Share). The right shall expire on the earlier of: (x) the last Purchase Date of such Offering Period, (y) last day of such Offering Period and (z) the date on which such Participant withdraws in accordance with Section 7.1 or Section 7.3.

6.2 Exercise of Rights. On each Purchase Date, each Participant’s accumulated payroll deductions and any other additional payments specifically provided for in the applicable Offering Document will be applied to the purchase of whole Shares, up to the maximum number of Shares permitted pursuant to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Offering Document, at the Purchase Price. No fractional Shares shall be issued upon the exercise of rights granted under the Plan, unless the Offering Document specifically provides otherwise. Any cash in lieu of fractional Shares remaining after the purchase of whole Shares upon exercise of a purchase right credited to a Participant’s account and returned to the Participant

 

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in one lump sum payment in a subsequent payroll check as soon as practicable after the Exercise Date, unless the Administrator provides that such amounts should be rolled over to the next occurring Offering Period in the applicable Offering Document. Shares issued pursuant to the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Administrator may determine and may be issued in certificated form or issued pursuant to book-entry procedures.

6.3 Pro Rata Allocation of Shares. If the Administrator determines that, on a given Purchase Date, the number of Shares with respect to which rights are to be exercised may exceed (a) the number of Shares that were available for issuance under the Plan on the Enrollment Date of the applicable Offering Period, or (b) the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan on such Purchase Date, the Administrator may in its sole discretion provide that the Company shall make a pro rata allocation of the Shares available for purchase on such Enrollment Date or Purchase Date, as applicable, in as uniform a manner as shall be practicable and as it shall determine in its sole discretion to be equitable among all Participants for whom rights to purchase Shares are to be exercised pursuant to this Article VI on such Purchase Date, and shall either (i) continue all Offering Periods then in effect, or (ii) terminate any or all Offering Periods then in effect pursuant to Article IX. The Company may make pro rata allocation of the Shares available on the Enrollment Date of any applicable Offering Period pursuant to the preceding sentence, notwithstanding any authorization of additional Shares for issuance under the Plan by the Company’s stockholders subsequent to such Enrollment Date. The balance of the amount credited to the account of each Participant that has not been applied to the purchase of Shares shall be paid to such Participant, without interest, in one lump sum in cash as soon as reasonably practicable after the Purchase Date.

6.4 Withholding. At the time a Participant’s rights under the Plan are exercised, in whole or in part, or at the time some or all of the Shares issued under the Plan is disposed of, the Participant must make adequate provision for the Company’s federal, state, or other tax withholding obligations, if any, that arise upon the exercise of the right or the disposition of the Shares. At any time, the Company may, but shall not be obligated to, withhold from the Participant’s compensation the amount necessary for the Company to meet applicable withholding obligations, including any withholding required to make available to the Company any tax deductions or benefits attributable to sale or early disposition of Shares by the Participant.

6.5 Conditions to Issuance of Common Stock. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for, or make any book entries evidencing, Shares purchased upon the exercise of rights under the Plan prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions:

(a) The admission of such Shares to listing on all stock exchanges, if any, on which the Common Stock is then listed;

(b) The completion of any registration or other qualification of such Shares under any state or federal law or under the rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other governmental regulatory body, that the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable;

(c) The obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or federal governmental agency that the Administrator shall, in its absolute discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable;

(d) The payment to the Company of all amounts that it is required to withhold under federal, state or local law upon exercise of the rights, if any; and

(e) The lapse of such reasonable period of time following the exercise of the rights as the Administrator may from time to time establish for reasons of administrative convenience.

 

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ARTICLE VII.

WITHDRAWAL; CESSATION OF ELIGIBILITY

7.1 Withdrawal. A Participant may withdraw all but not less than all of the payroll deductions credited to his or her account and not yet used to exercise his or her rights under the Plan at any time by giving written notice to the Company in a form acceptable to the Company no later than two weeks prior to the end of the Offering Period or, if earlier, the end of the Purchase Period (or such shorter or longer period as may be specified by the Administrator in the Offering Document). All of the Participant’s payroll deductions credited to his or her account during the Offering Period not yet used to exercise his or her rights under the Plan shall be paid to such Participant as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of notice of withdrawal and such Participant’s rights for the Offering Period shall be automatically terminated, and no further payroll deductions for the purchase of Shares shall be made for such Offering Period. If a Participant withdraws from an Offering Period, payroll deductions shall not resume at the beginning of the next Offering Period unless the Participant is an Eligible Employee and timely delivers to the Company a new subscription agreement.

7.2 Future Participation. A Participant’s withdrawal from an Offering Period shall not have any effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in any similar plan that may hereafter be adopted by the Company or a Designated Subsidiary or in subsequent Offering Periods that commence after the termination of the Offering Period from which the Participant withdraws.

7.3 Cessation of Eligibility. Upon a Participant’s ceasing to be an Eligible Employee for any reason, he or she shall be deemed to have elected to withdraw from the Plan pursuant to this Article VII and the payroll deductions credited to such Participant’s account during the Offering Period shall be paid to such Participant or, in the case of his or her death, to the person or persons entitled thereto under Section 12.4, as soon as reasonably practicable, and such Participant’s rights for the Offering Period shall be automatically terminated.

ARTICLE VIII.

ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN STOCK

8.1 Changes in Capitalization. Subject to Section 8.3, in the event that the Administrator determines that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Common Stock, other securities, or other property), Change in Control, reorganization, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, combination, 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, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event, as determined by the Administrator, affects the Common Stock such that an adjustment is determined by the Administrator to be appropriate in order to 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 outstanding purchase rights under the Plan, the Administrator shall make equitable adjustments, if any, to reflect such change with respect to (a) the aggregate number and type of Shares (or other securities or property) that may be issued under the Plan (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Section 3.1 and the limitations established in each Offering Document pursuant to Section 4.2 on the maximum number of Shares that may be purchased); (b) the class(es) and number of Shares and price per Share subject to outstanding rights; and (c) the Purchase Price with respect to any outstanding rights.

8.2 Other Adjustments. Subject to Section 8.3, in the event of any transaction or event described in Section 8.1 or any unusual or nonrecurring transactions or events affecting the Company, any affiliate of the Company, or the financial statements of the Company or any affiliate (including without

 

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limitation any Change in Control), or of changes in Applicable Law or accounting principles, the Administrator, in its discretion, and on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, is hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or with respect to any right under the Plan, to facilitate such transactions or events or to give effect to such changes in laws, regulations or principles:

(a) To provide for either (i) termination of any outstanding right in exchange for an amount of cash, if any, equal to the amount that would have been obtained upon the exercise of such right had such right been currently exercisable or (ii) the replacement of such outstanding right with other rights or property selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion;

(b) To provide that the outstanding rights under the Plan shall be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar rights covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices;

(c) To make adjustments in the number and type of Shares (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding rights under the Plan and/or in the terms and conditions of outstanding rights and rights that may be granted in the future;

(d) To provide that Participants’ accumulated payroll deductions may be used to purchase Common Stock prior to the next occurring Purchase Date on such date as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion and the Participants’ rights under the ongoing Offering Period(s) shall be terminated; and

(e) To provide that all outstanding rights shall terminate without being exercised.

8.3 No Adjustment Under Certain Circumstances. No adjustment or action described in this Article VIII or in any other provision of the Plan shall be authorized to the extent that such adjustment or action would cause the Plan to fail to satisfy the requirements of Section 423 of the Code.

8.4 No Other Rights. Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no Participant shall have any rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any dividend, any increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class or any dissolution, liquidation, merger, or consolidation of the Company or any other corporation. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or pursuant to action of the Administrator under the Plan, 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 of Shares subject to outstanding rights under the Plan or the Purchase Price with respect to any outstanding rights.

ARTICLE IX.

AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION AND TERMINATION

9.1 Amendment, Modification and Termination. The Administrator may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time and from time to time; provided, however, that approval of the Company’s stockholders shall be required to amend the Plan to: (a) increase the aggregate number, or change the type, of shares that may be sold pursuant to rights under the Plan under Section 3.1 (other than an adjustment as provided by Article VIII); (b) change the Plan in any manner that would be considered the adoption of a new plan within the meaning of Treasury regulation Section 1.423-2(c)(4); or (c) change the Plan in any manner that would cause the Plan to no longer be an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423(b) of the Code.

 

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9.2 Certain Changes to Plan. Without stockholder consent and without regard to whether any Participant rights may be considered to have been adversely affected, to the extent permitted by Section 423 of the Code, the Administrator shall be entitled to change or terminate the Offering Periods, limit the frequency and/or number of changes in the amount withheld from Compensation during an Offering Period, establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a currency other than U.S. dollars, permit payroll withholding in excess of the amount designated by a Participant in order to adjust for delays or mistakes in the Company’s processing of payroll withholding elections, establish reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Common Stock for each Participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the Participant’s Compensation, and establish such other limitations or procedures as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion to be advisable that are consistent with the Plan.

9.3 Actions In the Event of Unfavorable Financial Accounting Consequences. In the event the Administrator determines that the ongoing operation of the Plan may result in unfavorable financial accounting consequences, the Administrator may, in its discretion and, to the extent necessary or desirable, modify or amend the Plan to reduce or eliminate such accounting consequence including, but not limited to:

(a) altering the Purchase Price for any Offering Period including an Offering Period underway at the time of the change in Purchase Price;

(b) shortening any Offering Period so that the Offering Period ends on a new Purchase Date, including an Offering Period underway at the time of the Administrator action; and

(c) allocating Shares.

Such modifications or amendments shall not require stockholder approval or the consent of any Participant.

9.4 Payments Upon Termination of Plan. 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.

ARTICLE X.

TERM OF PLAN

The Plan shall be effective upon the consummation of the Merger. The effectiveness of the Plan shall be subject to approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company within 12 months following the date the Plan is first approved by the Board. No right may be granted under the Plan prior to such stockholder approval. The Plan shall be in effect until terminated under Section 9.1 hereof. No rights may be granted under the Plan during any period of suspension of the Plan or after termination of the Plan.

ARTICLE XI.

ADMINISTRATION

11.1 Administrator. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Administrator of the Plan shall be the Compensation Committee of the Board (or another committee or a subcommittee of the Board to which the Board delegates administration of the Plan) (such committee, the “Committee”). The Board may at any time vest in the Board any authority or duties for administration of the Plan.

 

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11.2 Action by the Administrator. Unless otherwise established by the Board or in any charter of the Administrator, a majority of the Administrator shall constitute a quorum. The acts of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present and, subject to Applicable Law and the Bylaws of the Company, acts approved in writing by a majority of the Administrator in lieu of a meeting, shall be deemed the acts of the Administrator. Each member of the Administrator is entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to that member by any officer or other employee of the Company or any Designated 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.

11.3 Authority of Administrator. The Administrator shall have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

(a) To determine when and how rights to purchase Shares shall be granted and the provisions of each offering of such rights (which need not be identical).

(b) To designate from time to time which Subsidiaries of the Company shall be Designated Subsidiaries, which designation may be made without the approval of the stockholders of the Company.

(c) To construe and interpret the Plan and rights granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its administration. The Administrator, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan, in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan fully effective.

(d) To amend, suspend or terminate the Plan as provided in Article IX.

(e) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Administrator deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and its Subsidiaries and to carry out the intent that the Plan be treated as an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code.

11.4 Decisions Binding. The Administrator’s interpretation of the Plan, any rights granted pursuant to the Plan, any subscription agreement and all decisions and determinations by the Administrator with respect to the Plan are final, binding, and conclusive on all parties.

ARTICLE XII.

MISCELLANEOUS

12.1 Restriction upon Assignment. A right 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. Except as provided in Section 12.4 hereof, a right under the Plan may not be exercised to any extent except by the Participant. The Company shall not recognize and shall be under no duty to recognize any assignment or alienation of the Participant’s interest in the Plan, the Participant’s rights under the Plan or any rights thereunder.

12.2 Rights as a Stockholder. With respect to Shares subject to a right granted under the Plan, a Participant shall not be deemed to be a stockholder of the Company, and the Participant shall not have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder, until such Shares have been issued to the Participant or his or her nominee following exercise of the Participant’s rights under the Plan. No adjustments shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash securities, or other property) or distribution or other rights for which the record date occurs prior to the date of such issuance, except as otherwise expressly provided herein or as determined by the Administrator.

 

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12.3 Interest. No interest shall accrue on the payroll deductions or contributions of a Participant under the Plan.

12.4 Designation of Beneficiary.

(a) A Participant may, in the manner determined by the Administrator, file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any Shares and/or cash, if any, from the Participant’s account under the Plan in the event of such Participant’s death subsequent to a Purchase Date on which the Participant’s rights are exercised but prior to delivery to such Participant of such Shares and cash. In addition, a Participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any cash from the Participant’s account under the Plan in the event of such Participant’s death prior to exercise of the Participant’s rights under the Plan. If the Participant is married and resides in a community property state, a designation of a person other than the Participant’s spouse as his or her beneficiary shall not be effective without the prior written consent of the Participant’s spouse.

(b) Such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the Participant at any time by written notice to the Company. In the event of the death of a Participant and in the absence of a beneficiary validly designated under the Plan who is living at the time of such Participant’s death, the Company shall deliver such Shares and/or cash to the executor or administrator of the estate of the Participant, or if no such executor or administrator has been appointed (to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its discretion, may deliver such Shares and/or cash to the spouse or to any one or more dependents or relatives of the Participant, or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known to the Company, then to such other person as the Company may designate.

12.5 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.

12.6 Equal Rights and Privileges. Subject to Section 5.7, all Eligible Employees will have equal rights and privileges under this Plan so that this Plan qualifies as an “employee stock purchase plan” within the meaning of Section 423 of the Code. Subject to Section 5.7, any provision of this Plan that is inconsistent with Section 423 of the Code will, without further act or amendment by the Company, the Board or the Administrator, be reformed to comply with the equal rights and privileges requirement of Section 423 of the Code.

12.7 Use of Funds. All payroll deductions received or held by the Company under the Plan may be used by the Company for any corporate purpose, and the Company shall not be obligated to segregate such payroll deductions.12.8 Reports. Statements of account shall be given to Participants at least annually, which statements shall set forth the amounts of payroll deductions, the Purchase Price, the number of Shares purchased and the remaining cash balance, if any.

12.9 No Employment Rights. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to give any person (including any Eligible Employee or Participant) the right to employment or service with (or to remain in the employ of) the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary thereof or affect the right of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary thereof to terminate the employment of any person (including any Eligible Employee or Participant) at any time, with or without cause.

 

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12.10 Notice of Disposition of Shares. Each Participant shall give prompt notice to the Company of any disposition or other transfer of any Shares purchased upon exercise of a right under the Plan if such disposition or transfer is made: (a) within two years from the Enrollment Date of the Offering Period in which the Shares were purchased or (b) within one year after the Purchase Date on which such Shares were purchased. 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.

12.11 Governing Law. The Plan and any agreements hereunder shall be administered, interpreted and enforced under the internal laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflicts of laws thereof or of any other jurisdiction.

12.12 Electronic Forms. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law and in the discretion of the Administrator, an Eligible Employee may submit any form or notice as set forth herein by means of an electronic form approved by the Administrator. Before the commencement of an Offering Period, the Administrator shall prescribe the time limits within which any such electronic form shall be submitted to the Administrator with respect to such Offering Period in order to be a valid election.

*            *             *            *            *

 

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EX-10.17

Exhibit 10.17

eFFECTOR THERAPEUTICS, INC.

2013 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

1. Purpose.

The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the Company’s stockholders by enhancing the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate persons who make (or are expected to make) important contributions to the Company by providing such persons with equity ownership opportunities and thereby better aligning the interests of such persons with those of the Company’s stockholders. Capitalized terms used in the Plan are defined in Section 11 below.

2. Eligibility.

Service Providers are eligible to be granted Awards under the Plan, subject to the limitations described herein.

3. Administration and Delegation.

(a) Administration. The Plan will be administered by the Administrator. The Administrator shall have authority to determine which Service Providers will receive Awards, to grant Awards and to set all terms and conditions of Awards (including, but not limited to, vesting, exercise and forfeiture provisions). In addition, the Administrator shall have the authority to take all actions and make all determinations contemplated by the Plan and to adopt, amend and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices relating to the Plan as it shall deem advisable. The Administrator may correct any defect or ambiguity, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or appropriate to carry the Plan and any Awards into effect, as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator shall make all determinations under the Plan in the Administrator’s sole discretion and all such determinations shall be final and binding on all persons having or claiming any interest in the Plan or in any Award.

(b) Appointment of Committees. To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, the Board may delegate any or all of its powers under the Plan to one or more Committees. The Board may abolish any Committee at any time and re-vest in itself any previously delegated authority.

4. Stock Available for Awards.

(a) Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment under Section 8 hereof, Awards may be made under the Plan covering up to 47,571,987 shares of Common Stock. If any Award expires or lapses or is terminated, surrendered or canceled without having been fully exercised or is forfeited in whole or in part (including as the result of shares of Common Stock subject to such Award being repurchased by the Company at or below the original issuance price), in any case in a manner that results in any shares of Common Stock covered by such Award not being issued or being so reacquired by the Company, the unused Common Stock covered by such Award shall again be available for the grant of Awards under the Plan. Further, shares of Common Stock delivered (either by actual delivery or attestation) to the Company by a Participant to satisfy the applicable exercise or purchase price of Award and/or to satisfy any applicable tax withholding obligation (including shares retained by the Company from the Award being exercised or purchased and/or creating the tax obligation) shall be added to the number of shares of Common Stock available for the grant of Awards under the Plan. However, in the case of Incentive Stock Options (as hereinafter defined), the foregoing provisions shall be subject to any limitations under the Code. Shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan may consist in whole or in part of authorized but unissued shares, shares purchased on the open market or treasury shares.


(b) Substitute Awards. In connection with a merger or consolidation of an entity with the Company or the acquisition by the Company of property or stock of an entity, the Administrator may grant Awards in substitution for any options or other stock or stock-based awards granted prior to such merger or consolidation by such entity or an affiliate thereof. Substitute Awards may be granted on such terms as the Administrator deems appropriate in the circumstances, notwithstanding any limitations on Awards contained in the Plan. Substitute Awards shall not count against the overall share limit set forth in Section 4(a) hereof, except as may be required by reason of Section 422 of the Code.

5. Stock Options.

(a) General. The Administrator may grant Options to any Service Provider, subject to the limitations on Incentive Stock Options described below. The Administrator shall determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Option, the exercise price of each Option and the conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of each Option, including conditions relating to Applicable Laws, as it considers necessary or advisable.

(b) Incentive Stock Options. The Administrator may grant Options intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options only to employees of the Company, any of the Company’s present or future “parent corporations” 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. All Options intended to qualify as Incentive Stock Options shall be subject to and shall be construed consistently with the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. Neither the Company nor the Administrator shall have any liability to a Participant, or any other party, (i) if an Option (or any part thereof) which is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option or (ii) for any action or omission by the Administrator that causes an Option not to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, including without limitation, the conversion of an Incentive Stock Option to a Non-Qualified Stock Option or the grant of an Option intended as an Incentive Stock Option that fails to satisfy the requirements under the Code applicable to an Incentive Stock Option. Any Option that is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, but fails to so qualify for any reason, including without limitation, the portion of any Option becoming exercisable in excess of the $100,000 limitation described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.422-4, shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option for all purposes.

(c) Exercise Price. The Administrator shall establish the exercise price of each Option and specify the exercise price in the applicable Award Agreement. The exercise price shall be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date the Option is granted. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an employee who, at the time of grant of the Option, owns (or is treated as owning under Section 424 of the Code) stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof within the meaning of Sections 424(e) or 424(f) of the Code, respectively), the per share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date the Option is granted.

(d) Duration of Options. Each Option shall be exercisable at such times and subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may specify in the applicable Award Agreement, provided that the term of any Option shall not exceed ten years. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an employee who, at the time of grant of the Option, owns (or is treated as owning under Section 424 of the Code) stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof within the meaning of Sections 424(e) or 424(f) of the Code, respectively), the term of the Option shall not exceed five years.

 

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(e) Exercise of Option; Notification of Disposition. Options may be exercised by delivery to the Company of a written notice of exercise, in a form approved by the Administrator (which may be an electronic form), signed by the person authorized to exercise the Option, together with payment in full (i) as specified in Section 5(f) hereof for the number of shares for which the Option is exercised and (ii) as specified in Section 9(e) hereof for any applicable withholding taxes. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, an Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a share of Common Stock. If an 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 of Common Stock acquired from the Option if such disposition or transfer is made (i) within two years from the grant date with respect to such Option or (ii) within one year after the transfer of such shares to the Participant (other than any such disposition made in connection with a Change in Control). 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.

(f) Payment Upon Exercise. Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of an Option granted under the Plan shall be paid for in cash or by check, payable to the order of the Company, or, to the extent permitted by the Administrator, by:

(i) (A) delivery of an irrevocable and unconditional undertaking by a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company sufficient funds to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding, or (B) delivery by the Participant to the Company of a copy of irrevocable and unconditional instructions to a broker acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company cash or a check sufficient to pay the exercise price and any required tax withholding;

(ii) delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant valued at their Fair Market Value, provided (A) such method of payment is then permitted under Applicable Laws, (B) such Common Stock, if acquired directly from the Company, was owned by the Participant for such minimum period of time, if any, as may be established by the Company at any time, and (C) such Common Stock is not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements;

(iii) surrendering shares of Common Stock then issuable upon exercise of the Option valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise;

(iv) delivery of a promissory note of the Participant to the Company on terms determined by the Administrator;

(v) delivery of property of any other kind which constitutes good and valuable consideration as determined by the Administrator; or

(vi) any combination of the above permitted forms of payment (including cash or check).

(g) Early Exercise of Options. The Administrator may provide in the terms of an Award Agreement that the Service Provider may exercise an Option in whole or in part prior to the full vesting of the Option in exchange for unvested shares of Restricted Stock with respect to any unvested portion of the Option so exercised. Shares of Restricted Stock acquired upon the exercise of any unvested portion of an Option shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine.

 

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6. Restricted Stock; Restricted Stock Units.

(a) General. The Administrator may grant Restricted Stock, or the right to purchase Restricted Stock, to any Service Provider, subject to the right of the Company to repurchase all or part of such shares at their issue price or other stated or formula price from the Participant (or to require forfeiture of such shares if issued at no cost) in the event that conditions specified by the Administrator in the applicable Award Agreement are not satisfied prior to the end of the applicable restriction period or periods established by the Administrator for such Award. In addition, the Administrator may grant to Service Providers Restricted Stock Units, which may be subject to vesting and forfeiture conditions during applicable restriction period or periods, as set forth in an applicable Award Agreement.

(b) Terms and Conditions for All Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Awards. The Administrator shall determine and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement the terms and conditions applicable to each Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Award, including the conditions for vesting and repurchase (or forfeiture) and the issue price, in each case, if any.

(c) Additional Provisions Relating to Restricted Stock.

(i) Dividends. Participants holding shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to all ordinary cash dividends paid with respect to such shares, unless otherwise provided by the Administrator in the applicable Award Agreement. In addition, unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if any dividends or distributions are paid in shares, or consist of a dividend or distribution to holders of Common Stock of property other than an ordinary cash dividend, the shares or other property will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid. Each dividend payment will be made as provided in the applicable Award Agreement, but in no event later than the end of the calendar year in which the dividends are paid to shareholders of that class of stock or, if later, the 15th day of the third month following the later of (A) the date the dividends are paid to stockholders of that class of stock, and (B) the date the dividends are no longer subject to forfeiture.

(ii) Stock Certificates. The Company may require that any stock certificates issued in respect of shares of Restricted Stock be deposited in escrow by the Participant, together with a stock power endorsed in blank, with the Company (or its designee).

(d) Additional Provisions Relating to Restricted Stock Units.

(i) Settlement. Upon the vesting of a Restricted Stock Unit, the Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company one share of Common Stock or an amount of cash or other property equal to the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock on the settlement date, as provided in the applicable Award Agreement. The Administrator may provide that settlement of Restricted Stock Units shall occur upon or as soon as reasonably practicable after the vesting of the Restricted Stock Units or shall instead be deferred, on a mandatory basis or at the election of the Participant, in a manner that complies with Section 409A.

(ii) Voting Rights. A Participant shall have no voting rights with respect to any Restricted Stock Units unless and until shares are delivered in settlement thereof.

(iii) Dividend Equivalents. To the extent provided by the Administrator, a grant of Restricted Stock Units 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, may be settled in cash and/or shares of Common Stock and may be subject to the same restrictions on transfer and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which the Dividend Equivalents are paid, as determined by the Administrator, subject, in each case, to such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

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7. Other Stock-Based Awards.

Other Stock-Based Awards may be granted hereunder to Participants, including, without limitation, Awards entitling Participants to receive shares of Common Stock to be delivered in the future. Such Other Stock-Based Awards shall also be available as a form of payment in the settlement of other Awards granted under the Plan, as stand-alone payments and/or as payment in lieu of compensation to which a Participant is otherwise entitled. Other Stock-Based Awards may be paid in shares of Common Stock, cash or other property, as the Administrator shall determine. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator shall determine the terms and conditions of each Other Stock-Based Award, including any purchase price, transfer restrictions, vesting conditions and other terms and conditions applicable thereto, which shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

8. Adjustments for Changes in Common Stock and Certain Other Events.

(a) In the event that the Administrator determines that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Common Stock, other securities, or other property), reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, repurchase, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, or sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event, as determined by the Administrator, affects the Common Stock such that an adjustment is determined by the Administrator to be appropriate in order to 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, then the Administrator may, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of:

(i) the number and kind of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted or awarded (including, but not limited to, adjustments of the limitations in Section 3 hereof on the maximum number and kind of shares which may be issued);

(ii) the number and kind of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards;

(iii) the grant or exercise price with respect to any Award; and

(iv) the terms and conditions of any Awards (including, without limitation, any applicable financial or other performance “targets” specified in an Award Agreement).

(b) In the event of any transaction or event described in Section 8(a) hereof (including without limitation any Change in Control) or any unusual or nonrecurring transaction or event affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company, or any change in any Applicable Laws 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 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 (i) 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, (ii) to facilitate such transaction or event or (iii) give effect to such changes in Applicable Laws or accounting principles:

 

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(i) 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 such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights had such Award been currently exercisable, payable and fully vested, as applicable; provided that, if the amount that could have been obtained upon the exercise or settlement of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, in any case, is equal to or less than zero, then such Award may be terminated without payment;

(ii) To provide that such Award shall vest and, to the extent applicable, be exercisable as to all shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the provisions of such Award;

(iii) To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and applicable exercise or purchase price, in all cases, as determined by the Administrator;

(iv) To make adjustments in the number and type of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and/or in the terms and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in, outstanding Awards which may be granted in the future;

(v) To replace such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator; and/or

(vi) To provide that the Award will terminate and cannot vest, be exercised or become payable after the applicable event.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 8(b) above, if a Change in Control occurs and a Participant’s Awards are not continued, converted, assumed, or replaced with a substantially similar award by (i) the Company, or (ii) a successor entity or its parent or subsidiary (an “Assumption”), and provided that the Participant has not had a Termination of Service, then the Administrator may provide that, immediately prior to the Change in Control, such Awards shall become fully vested, exercisable and/or payable, as applicable, and all forfeiture, repurchase and other restrictions on such Awards shall lapse, in which case, such Awards shall be canceled upon the consummation of the Change in Control in exchange for the right to receive the Change in Control consideration payable to other holders of Common Stock (A) which may be on such terms and conditions as apply generally to holders of Common Stock under the Change in Control documents (including, without limitation, any escrow, earn-out or other deferred consideration provisions) or such other terms and conditions as the Administrator may provide, and (B) determined by reference to the number of shares subject to such Awards and net of any applicable exercise price; provided that to the extent that any Awards constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” that may not be paid upon the Change in Control under Section 409A without the imposition of taxes thereon under Section 409A, the timing of such payments shall be governed by the applicable Award Agreement (subject to any deferred consideration provisions applicable under the Change in Control documents); and provided, further, that if the amount to which a Participant would be entitled upon the settlement or exercise of such Award at the time of the Change in Control is equal to or less than zero, then such Award may be terminated without payment. The Administrator shall determine whether an Assumption of an Award has occurred in connection with a Change in Control.

 

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(d) In connection with the occurrence of any Equity Restructuring, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 8, the Administrator will equitably adjust each outstanding Award, which adjustments may include adjustments to the number and type of securities subject to each outstanding Award and/or the exercise price or grant price thereof, if applicable, the grant of new Awards to Participants, and/or the making of a cash payment to Participants, as the Administrator deems appropriate to reflect such Equity Restructuring. The adjustments provided under this Section 8(e) shall be nondiscretionary and shall be final and binding on the affected Participant and the Company; provided that whether an adjustment is equitable shall be determined by the Administrator.

(e) In the event of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the shares of Common Stock or the share price of the Common Stock, including any Equity Restructuring, or if necessary to comply with Applicable Laws or the Code, or for reasons of administrative convenience, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, refuse to permit the exercise of any Award during a period of up to thirty days prior to the consummation of any such transaction; provided, however, that in the event the vested portion of an Award is not exercisable on the date the Award would otherwise expire pursuant to the terms set forth in the Award Agreement governing such Award as a result of the Administrator’s exercise of discretion pursuant to this Section 8(e), then the expiration of the Award shall be extended through the date that is thirty days following the date on which the Administrator first permits the Award to be exercised (but in no event shall the expiration of the Award be extended beyond the tenth anniversary of the date of grant of such Award.

(f) Except as expressly provided in the Plan or pursuant to action of the Administrator under the Plan, no Participant shall have any rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any dividend, any increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class or any dissolution, liquidation, merger, or consolidation of the Company or any other corporation. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or pursuant to action of the Administrator under the Plan, 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 of shares of Common Stock subject to an Award or the grant or exercise price of any Award. The existence of the Plan, any Award Agreements and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company 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 dissolution or liquidation of the Company or sale of Company assets or (iii) any sale or issuance of securities, including without limitation, securities with rights superior to those of the Common Stock or which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock. The Administrator may treat Participants and Awards (or portions thereof) differently under this Section 8.

9. General Provisions Applicable to Awards.

(a) Transferability of Awards. Except as the Administrator may otherwise determine or provide in an Award Agreement or otherwise, in any case in accordance with Applicable Laws, Awards shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered by the person to whom they are granted, either voluntarily or by operation of law, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during the life of the Participant, shall be exercisable only by the Participant. References to a Participant, to the extent relevant in the context, shall include references to authorized transferees.

(b) Documentation. Each Award shall be evidenced in an Award Agreement, which may be in such form (written, electronic or otherwise) as the Administrator shall determine. Each Award may contain terms and conditions in addition to those set forth in the Plan.

(c) Discretion. Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, 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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(d) Termination of Status. The Administrator shall determine the effect on an Award of the disability, death, retirement, authorized leave of absence or any other change or purported change in a Participant’s Service Provider status 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.

(e) Withholding. Each Participant shall pay to the Company, or make provision satisfactory to the Administrator for payment of, any taxes required by law to be withheld in connection with Awards to such Participant no later than the date of the event creating the tax liability. Except as the Administrator may otherwise determine, all such payments shall be made in cash or by certified check. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted by the Administrator, Participants may satisfy such tax obligations in whole or in part by delivery of shares of Common Stock, including shares retained from the Award creating the tax obligation, valued at their Fair Market Value. The Company may, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, deduct any such tax obligations from any payment of any kind otherwise due to a Participant.

(f) Amendment of Award. The Administrator may amend, modify or terminate any outstanding Award, including but not limited to, substituting therefor another Award of the same or a different type, changing the date of exercise or settlement, and converting an Incentive Stock Option to a Non-Qualified Stock Option. The Participant’s consent to such action shall be required unless (i) the Administrator determines that the action, taking into account any related action, would not materially and adversely affect the Participant, or (ii) the change is permitted under Section 8 and 10(f) hereof.

(g) Conditions on Delivery of Stock. The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove restrictions from shares previously delivered under the Plan until (i) all conditions of the Award have been met or removed to the satisfaction of the Company, (ii) in the opinion of the Company’s counsel, all other legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been satisfied, including any applicable securities laws and any applicable stock exchange or stock market rules and regulations, and (iii) the Participant has executed and delivered to the Company such representations or agreements as the Administrator deems necessary or appropriate to satisfy the requirements of any Applicable Laws. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is determined by the Administrator to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any securities 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.

(h) Acceleration. The Administrator may at any time provide that any Award shall become immediately vested and/or exercisable in full or in part, free of some or all restrictions or conditions, or otherwise realizable in full or in part, as the case may be.

10. Miscellaneous.

(a) No Right To Employment or Other Status. No person shall have any claim or right to be granted an Award, and the grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to continued employment or any other relationship with the Company. The Company expressly reserves 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 applicable Award Agreement.

 

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(b) No Rights As Stockholder; Certificates. Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award Agreement, no Participant or Designated Beneficiary shall have any rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock to be distributed with respect to an Award until becoming the record holder of such shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or required by any Applicable Laws, the Company shall not be required to deliver to any Participant certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock issued in connection with any Award and instead such shares of Common Stock 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 stock certificates issued under the Plan deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator in order to comply with Applicable Laws.

(c) Effective Date and Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective on the date on which it is adopted by the Board. No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the completion of ten years from the earlier of (i) the date on which the Plan was adopted by the Board or (ii) the date the Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date in accordance with the terms of the Plan.

(d) Amendment of Plan. The Administrator may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time; provided that no amendment of the Plan shall materially and adversely affect any Award outstanding at the time of such amendment without the consent of the affected Participant. Awards outstanding under the Plan at the time of any suspension or termination of the Plan shall continue to be governed in accordance with the terms of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement, as in effect prior to such suspension or termination. The Board shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Laws.

(e) Provisions for Foreign Participants. The Administrator may modify Awards granted to Participants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States or establish subplans or procedures under the Plan to address differences in laws, rules, regulations or customs of such foreign jurisdictions with respect to tax, securities, currency, employee benefit or other matters.

(f) Section 409A.

(i) General. The Company intends that all Awards be structured in compliance with, or to satisfy an exemption from, Section 409A, such that no adverse tax consequences, interest, or penalties under Section 409A apply in connection with any Awards. Notwithstanding anything herein or in any Award Agreement to the contrary, the Administrator may, without a Participant’s prior consent, amend this Plan and/or Awards, adopt policies and procedures, or take any other actions (including amendments, policies, procedures and actions with retroactive effect) as are necessary or appropriate to preserve the intended tax treatment of Awards under the Plan, including without limitation, any such actions intended to (A) exempt this Plan and/or any Award from the application of Section 409A, and/or (B) comply with the requirements of Section 409A, including without limitation any such regulations, guidance, compliance programs and other interpretative authority that may be issued after the date of grant of any Award. The Company makes no representations or warranties as to the tax treatment of any Award under Section 409A or otherwise. The Company shall have no obligation under this Section 10(f) or otherwise to take any action (whether or not described herein) to avoid the imposition of taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A with respect to any Award and shall have no liability to any Participant or any other person if any Award, compensation or other benefits under the Plan are determined to constitute non-compliant, “nonqualified deferred compensation” subject to the imposition of taxes, penalties and/or interest under Section 409A.

(ii) Separation from Service. With respect to any Award that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A, any payment or settlement of such Award that is to be made upon a termination of a Participant’s Service Provider relationship shall, to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of taxes under Section 409A, be made only upon

 

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the Participant’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A), whether such “separation from service” occurs upon or subsequent to the termination of the Participant’s Service Provider relationship. For purposes of any such provision of this Plan or any Award Agreement relating to any such payments or benefits, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean “separation from service.”

(iii) Payments to Specified Employees. Notwithstanding any contrary provision in the Plan or any Award Agreement, any payment(s) of “nonqualified deferred compensation” that are otherwise required to be made under an Award to a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A and determined by the Administrator) as a result of his or her “separation from service” shall, to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of taxes under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), be delayed until the expiration of the six-month period immediately following such “separation from service” (or, if earlier, until the date of death of the specified employee) and shall instead be paid (in a manner set forth in the Award agreement) on the day that immediately follows the end of such six-month period or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter (without interest). Any payments of “nonqualified deferred compensation” under such Award that are, by their terms, payable more than six months following the Participant’s “separation from service” shall be paid at the time or times such payments are otherwise scheduled to be made.

(g) Limitations on Liability. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no individual acting as a director, officer, other employee or agent of the Company 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, nor will such individual be personally liable with respect to the Plan because of any contract or other instrument he or she executes in his or her capacity as an Administrator, director, officer, other employee or agent of the Company. The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each director, officer, other employee and agent of the Company to whom any duty or power relating to the administration or interpretation of the Plan has been or will be granted or delegated, 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 out of any act or omission to act concerning this Plan unless arising out of such person’s own fraud or bad faith.

(h) Lock-Up Period. The Company may, at the request of any representative of the underwriters (the “Managing Underwriter”) or otherwise, in connection with any registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, prohibit Participants from, directly or indirectly, selling or otherwise transferring any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company during a period of up to one hundred eighty days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act.

(i) Right of First Refusal.

(i) Before any shares of Common Stock held by a Participant or any permitted transferee (each, a “Holder”) may be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or otherwise disposed of (each, a “Transfer”), the Company or its assignee(s) shall have a right of first refusal to purchase the shares of Common Stock proposed to be Transferred on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 10(i) (the “Right of First Refusal”). In the event that the Company’s charter, bylaws and/or a stockholders’ agreement applicable to the shares of Common Stock contain a right of first refusal with respect to the shares of Common Stock, such right of first refusal shall apply to the shares of Common Stock to the extent such provisions are more restrictive than the Right of First Refusal set forth in this Section 10(i) and the Right of First Refusal set forth in this Section 10(i) shall not in any way restrict the operation of the Company’s charter, bylaws or the operation of any applicable stockholders’ agreement.

 

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(ii) In the event any Holder desires to Transfer any shares of Common Stock, the Holder shall deliver to the Company a written notice (the “Notice”) stating: (A) the Holder’s bona fide intention to sell or otherwise Transfer such shares of Common Stock; (B) the name of each proposed purchaser or other transferee (“Proposed Transferee”); (C) the number of shares of Common Stock to be Transferred to each Proposed Transferee; and (D) the price for which the Holder proposes to Transfer the shares of Common Stock (the “Offered Price”), and the Holder shall offer such shares of Common Stock at the Offered Price to the Company or its assignee(s).

(iii) Within twenty-five days after receipt of the Notice, the Company and/or its assignee(s) may elect in writing to purchase all, but not less than all, of the shares of Common Stock proposed to be Transferred to any one or more of the Proposed Transferees by delivery of a written exercise notice to the Holder (a “Company Notice”). The purchase price (“Purchase Price”) for the shares of Common Stock repurchased under this Section 10(i) shall be the Offered Price.

(iv) Payment of the Purchase Price shall be made, at the option of the Company or its assignee(s), in cash (by check or wire transfer), by cancellation of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the Holder to the Company (or, in the case of repurchase by an assignee, to the assignee), or by any combination thereof, within five days after delivery of the Company Notice or in the manner and at the times mutually agreed to by the Company and the Holder. Should the Offered Price specified in the Notice be payable in property other than cash, the Company or its assignee shall have the right to pay the purchase price in the form of cash equal in amount to the value of such property, as determined by the Administrator.

(v) If all or a portion of the shares of Common Stock proposed in the Notice to be Transferred are not purchased by the Company and/or its assignee(s) as provided in this Section 10(i), then the Holder may sell or otherwise Transfer such shares of Common Stock to that Proposed Transferee at the Offered Price or at a higher price; provided that such sale or other Transfer is consummated within sixty days after the date of the Notice; and provided, further, that any such sale or other Transfer is effected in accordance with any Applicable Laws and the Proposed Transferee agrees in writing that the provisions of this Plan and the applicable Award Agreement and any other applicable agreements governing the shares of Common Stock to be Transferred shall continue to apply to the shares of Common Stock in the hands of such Proposed Transferee. If the shares of Common Stock described in the Notice are not Transferred to the Proposed Transferee within such sixty-day period, a new Notice shall be given to the Company, and the Company and/or its assignees shall again be offered the Right of First Refusal, as provided herein, before any shares of Common Stock held by the Holder may be sold or otherwise Transferred.

(vi) Anything to the contrary contained in this Section 10(i) notwithstanding and to the extent permitted by the Administrator, the Transfer of any or all of the shares of Common Stock during a Participant’s lifetime or upon a Participant’s death by will or intestacy to the Participant’s Immediate Family or a trust for the benefit of the Participant’s Immediate Family shall be exempt from the Right of First Refusal. As used herein, “Immediate Family” shall mean spouse, lineal descendant or antecedent, father, mother, brother or sister or stepchild (whether or not adopted). In such case, the transferee or other recipient shall receive and hold the shares of Common Stock so Transferred subject to the provisions of this Plan (including the Right of First Refusal), the applicable Award Agreement and any other applicable agreements governing the shares of Common Stock to be Transferred, and there shall be no further Transfer of such shares of Common Stock except in accordance with the terms of this Section 10(i) (or otherwise as expressly provided under the Plan).

 

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(vii) The Right of First Refusal shall terminate as to all shares of Common Stock if the Company becomes a Publicly Listed Company upon such occurrence.

(j) Data Privacy. As a condition of receipt of 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 paragraph by and among, as applicable, the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates for the exclusive purpose of 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 but not limited to, the Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security or insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title(s), any shares of stock held in the Company or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates, details of all Awards, in each case, for the purpose of implementing, managing and administering the Plan and Awards (the “Data”). The Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates may transfer the Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration and management of a Participant’s participation in the Plan, and the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates may each further transfer the Data to any third parties assisting the Company in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. 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. Through acceptance of an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any shares of Common Stock. The Data related to a Participant will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data held by the Company with respect to such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data with respect to such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data with respect to the Participant or refuse or withdraw the consents herein in writing, in any case without cost, by contacting his or her local human resources representative. The Company may cancel Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan and, in the Administrator’s discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Participant refuses or withdraws his or her consents as described herein. For more information on the consequences of refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.

(k) Severability. In the event any portion of the Plan or any action taken pursuant thereto shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provisions had not been included, and the illegal or invalid action shall be null and void.

(l) Governing Documents. In the event of any contradiction between the Plan and any Award Agreement or any other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company that has been approved by the Administrator, the terms of the Plan shall govern, unless it is expressly specified in such Award Agreement or other written document that a specific provision of the Plan shall not apply.

(m) Governing Law. The provisions of the Plan and all Awards made hereunder shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, disregarding choice-of-law principles of the law of any state that would require the application of the laws of a jurisdiction other than such state.

 

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(n) Restrictions on Shares; Claw-Back Provisions. Shares of Common Stock acquired in respect of Awards shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall determine, including, without limitation, restrictions on the transferability of shares of Common Stock, the right of the Company to repurchase shares of Common Stock, the right of the Company to require that shares of Common Stock be transferred in the event of certain transactions, tag-along rights, bring-along rights, redemption and co-sale rights and voting requirements. Such terms and conditions may be additional to those contained in the Plan and may, as determined by the Administrator, be contained in the applicable Award Agreement or in an exercise notice, stockholders’ agreement or in such other agreement as the Administrator shall determine, in each case in a form determined by the Administrator. The issuance of such shares of Common Stock shall be conditioned on the Participant’s consent to such terms and conditions and the Participant’s entering into such agreement or agreements. All Awards (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by Participant upon any receipt or exercise of any Award or upon the receipt or resale of any shares of Common Stock underlying the Award) shall be subject to the provisions of any claw-back policy implemented by the Company, including, without limitation, any claw-back policy adopted to comply with the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent set forth in such claw-back policy and/or in the applicable Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it shall be a condition to the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award under this Plan that the Participant shall agree in writing to be bound by the terms and conditions of, and become a party to, any stockholders’ agreement of the Company.

(o) Titles and Headings. The titles and headings of the Sections in the Plan are for convenience of reference only and, in the event of any conflict, the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings, shall control.

(p) Conformity to Securities Laws. Participant acknowledges that the Plan is intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan and all Awards granted hereunder shall be administered only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, the Plan and all Award Agreements shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.

11. Definitions. As used in the Plan, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

(a) “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.

(b) “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity incentive plans under U.S. federal and state securities, tax and other applicable laws, rules and regulations, the applicable rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws and rules of any foreign country or other jurisdiction where Awards are granted or issued under the Plan.

(c) Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Other Stock-Based Awards.

(d) Award Agreement” means a written agreement evidencing an Award, which agreements may be in electronic medium and shall contain such terms and conditions with respect to an Award as the Administrator shall determine, consistent with and subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

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(e) Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(f) “Cause,” with respect to a Participant, means “Cause” (or any term of similar effect) as defined in such Participant’s employment agreement with the Company if such an agreement exists and contains a definition of Cause (or term of similar effect), or, if no such agreement exists or such agreement does not contain a definition of Cause (or term of similar effect), then Cause shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the Participant’s unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information or trade secrets of the Company or any material breach of a written agreement between the Participant and the Company, including without limitation a material breach of any employment, confidentiality, non-compete, non-solicit or similar agreement; (ii) the Participant’s commission of, indictment for or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the Participant to, a felony under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or any crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude (or any similar crime in any jurisdiction outside the United States); (iii) the Participant’s gross negligence or willful misconduct or the Participant’s willful or repeated failure or refusal to substantially perform assigned duties; (iv) any act of fraud, embezzlement, material misappropriation or dishonesty committed by the Participant against the Company; or (v) any acts, omissions or statements by a Participant which the Company reasonably determines to be materially detrimental or damaging to the reputation, operations, prospects or business relations of the Company.

(g) “Change in Control” means (i) a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other corporation or other entity or person, (ii) a sale, lease, exchange or other transfer in one transaction or a series of related transactions of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, or (iii) any other transaction, including the sale by the Company of new shares of its capital stock or a transfer of existing shares of capital stock of the Company, the result of which is that a third party that is not an affiliate of the Company or its stockholders (or a group of third parties not affiliated with the Company or its stockholders) immediately prior to such transaction acquires or holds capital stock of the Company representing a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting power immediately following such transaction; provided that the following events shall not constitute a “Change in Control”: (A) a transaction (other than a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets) in which the holders of the voting securities of the Company immediately prior to the merger or consolidation hold, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the voting securities in the successor corporation or its parent immediately after the merger or consolidation; (B) a sale, lease, exchange or other transaction in one transaction or a series of related transactions of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to an affiliate of the Company; (C) an initial public offering of any of the Company’s securities; (D) a reincorporation of the Company solely to change its jurisdiction; or (E) a transaction undertaken for the primary purpose of creating a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportion by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control would give rise to a payment or settlement event with respect to any Award that constitutes “nonqualified deferred compensation,” the transaction or event constituting the Change in Control must also constitute a “change in control event” (as defined in Treasury Regulation §1.409A-3(i)(5)) in order to give rise to the payment or settlement event for such Award, to the extent required by Section 409A.

(h) Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations issued thereunder.

(i) Committee” means one or more committees or subcommittees of the Board, which may be comprised of one or more directors and/or executive officers of the Company, in either case, to the extent permitted in accordance with Applicable Laws.

(j) Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.

 

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(k) Company” means eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto. Except where the context otherwise requires, the term “Company” includes any of the Company’s present or future parent or subsidiary corporations as defined in Sections 424(e) or (f) of the Code and any other business venture (including, without limitation, joint venture or limited liability company) in which the Company has a significant interest, as determined by the Administrator.

(l) Consultantmeans any person, including any advisor, engaged by the Company or a parent or subsidiary of the Company to render services to such entity.

(m) Designated Beneficiarymeans the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated, in a manner determined by the Administrator, by a Participant to receive amounts due or exercise rights of the Participant in the event of the Participant’s death or incapacity In the absence of an effective designation by a Participant, “Designated Beneficiary” shall mean the Participant’s estate.

(n) Director means a member of the Board.

(o) “Disability” means a permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, as it may be amended from time to time.

(p) Dividend Equivalents” means a right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 6(d)(3) hereof to receive the equivalent value (in cash or shares of Common Stock) of dividends paid on shares of Common Stock.

(q) “Employee” means any person, including officers and Directors, employed by the Company (within the meaning of Section 3401(c) of the Code) or any parent or subsidiary of the Company.

(r) Equity Restructuring” means, as determined by the Administrator, a non-reciprocal transaction between the Company and its stockholders, such as a stock dividend, stock split, spin-off or recapitalization through a large, nonrecurring cash dividend, that affects the shares of Common Stock (or other securities of the Company) or the share price of Common Stock (or other securities of the Company) and causes a change in the per share value of the Common Stock underlying outstanding Awards.

(s) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(t) Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Stock determined as follows: (i) if the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such Common Stock as quoted on such exchange for such date, or if no sale occurred on such date, the first market trading day immediately prior to such date during which a sale occurred, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; (ii) if the Common Stock is not traded on a stock exchange but is quoted on a national market or other quotation system, the last sales price on such date, or if no sales occurred on such date, then on the date immediately prior to such date on which sales prices are reported, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or (iii) in the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value thereof shall be determined by the Administrator.

(u) Incentive Stock Option” means an “incentive stock option” as defined in Section 422 of the Code.

(v) Non-Qualified Stock Optionmeans an Option that is not intended to be or otherwise does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

(w) Option” means an option to purchase Common Stock.

 

15


(x) Other Stock-Based Awards” means other Awards of shares of Common Stock, and other Awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise based on, shares of Common Stock or other property.

(y) Participant means a Service Provider who has been granted an Award under the Plan.

(z) Plan” means this 2013 Equity Incentive Plan.

(aa) “Publicly Listed Company” means that the Company or its successor (i) is required to file periodic reports pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act and (ii) the Common Stock is listed on one or more National Securities Exchanges (within the meaning of the Exchange Act) or is quoted on NASDAQ or a successor quotation system.

(bb) Restricted Stock” means Common Stock awarded to a Participant pursuant to Section 6 hereof that is subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.

(cc) Restricted Stock Unit” means an unfunded, unsecured right to receive, on the applicable settlement date, one share of Common Stock or an amount in cash or other consideration determined by the Administrator equal to the value thereof as of such payment date, which right may be subject to certain vesting conditions and other restrictions.

(dd) Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and all regulations, guidance, compliance programs and other interpretative authority thereunder.

(ee) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

(ff) Service Provider” means an Employee, Consultant or Director.

(gg) Termination of Service” means the date the Participant ceases to be a Service Provider.

 

16


eFFECTOR THERAPEUTICS, INC.

2013 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

CALIFORNIA SUPPLEMENT

The Administrator has adopted this supplement for purposes of satisfying the requirements of Section 25102(o) of the California Corporations Code and the regulations issued thereunder (“Section 25102(o)”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Plan and except as otherwise determined by the Administrator, the provisions set forth in this supplement shall apply to all Awards granted under the Plan to a Participant who is a resident of the State of California on the date of grant (a “California Participant”) and which are intended to be exempt from registration in California pursuant to Section 25102(o). This supplement shall not apply to Awards granted to California Participants or after the date on which the Company becomes a Publicly Listed Company. Definitions in the Plan are applicable to this supplement.

1. Additional Limitations On Options.

(a) Maximum Duration of Options. No Options granted to California Participants will be granted for a term in excess of 10 years.

(b) Minimum Exercise Period Following Termination. Unless a California Participant’s Service Provider relationship is terminated for Cause, in the event of termination of such Participant’s Service Provider relationship, to the extent required by Applicable Laws, he or she shall have the right to exercise an Option, to the extent that he or she was otherwise entitled to exercise such Option on the date employment terminated, as follows: (i) at least six months from the date of termination, if termination was caused by such Participant’s death or Disability and (ii) at least 30 days from the date of termination, if termination was caused other than by such Participant’s death or Disability.

2. Additional Limitations For Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Other Stock-Based Awards. The terms of all Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Other Stock-Based Awards granted to California Participants shall comply, to the extent applicable, with Section 260.140.41 or Section 260.140.42 of the California Code of Regulations.

3. Adjustments. The Administrator will make such adjustments to an Award held by a California Participant as may be required by Section 260.140.41 or Section 260.140.42 of the California Code of Regulations.

4. Additional Requirement To Provide Information To California Participants. To the extent required by Section 260.140.46 of the California Code of Regulations, the Company shall provide to each California Participant and to each California Participant who acquires Common Stock pursuant to the Plan, not less frequently than annually, copies of annual financial statements (which need not be audited). The Company shall not be required to provide such statements to key persons whose duties in connection with the Company assure their access to equivalent information. In addition, this information requirement shall not apply to the Plan to the extent that it complies with all conditions of Rule 701 of the Securities Act (“Rule 701”) as determined by the Administrator; provided that for purposes of determining such compliance, any registered domestic partner shall be considered a “family member” as that term is defined in Rule 701.

 

CS-1


5. Stockholder Approval; Additional Limitations On Timing Of Awards. The Plan will be submitted for the approval of the Company’s stockholders within twelve (12) months after the date of the Board’s adoption of the Plan. Awards may be granted or awarded prior to such stockholder approval; provided that no Award granted to a California Participant shall become exercisable, vested or realizable, as applicable to such Award, unless the Plan has been approved by the Company’s stockholders within twelve months before or after the date the Plan was adopted by the Administrator; and provided, further, that if such approval has not been obtained at the end of said twelve-month period, all Awards previously granted or awarded under the Plan to California Participants shall thereupon be canceled and become null and void.

 

CS-2

EX-10.18

Exhibit 10.18

EFFECTOR THERAPEUTICS, INC.

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Non-employee members of the board of directors (the “Board”) of eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. (the “Company”) shall receive cash and equity compensation as set forth in this Non-Employee Director Compensation Program (this “Program”). The cash and equity compensation described in this Program shall be paid or be made, as applicable, automatically and without further action of the Board, to each member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company (each, a “Non-Employee Director”) who is entitled to receive such cash or equity compensation, unless such Non-Employee Director declines the receipt of such cash or equity compensation by written notice to the Company and subject to any limits on non-employee director compensation set forth in the Equity Plan (as defined below). This Program shall remain in effect until it is revised or rescinded by further action of the Board. This Program may be amended, modified or terminated by the Board at any time in its sole discretion. The terms and conditions of this Program shall supersede any prior cash and/or equity compensation arrangements for service as a member of the Board between the Company and any of its Non-Employee Directors, except for equity compensation previously granted to a Non-Employee Director. This Program shall become effective on the date of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among the Company, Locust Walk Acquisition Corp., and Locust Walk Merger Sub Inc. dated May 26, 2021 (the “Effective Date”).

CASH COMPENSATION

The schedule of annual retainers (the “Annual Retainers”) for the Non-Employee Directors is as follows:

 

Position

   Amount  

Base Board Fee

   $ 40,000  

Chair of the Board/Lead Independent Director

   $ 30,000  

Chair of Audit Committee

   $ 15,000  

Chair of Compensation Committee

   $ 10,000  

Chair of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

   $ 8,000  

Member of Audit Committee (non-Chair)

   $ 7,500  

Member of Compensation Committee (non-Chair)

   $ 5,000  

Member of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (non-Chair)

   $ 4,000  

 

1


For the avoidance of doubt, the Annual Retainers in the table above are additive and a Non-Employee Director shall be eligible to earn an Annual Retainer for each position in which he or she serves. The Annual Retainers shall be earned on a quarterly basis based on a calendar quarter and shall be paid in cash by the Company in arrears not later than the fifteenth day following the end of each calendar quarter. In the event a Non-Employee Director does not serve as a Non-Employee Director, or in the applicable position, for an entire calendar quarter, the Annual 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. In addition, the Annual Retainers will be prorated for the first calendar quarter in which the Effective Date occurs, which proration will be based on the number of days of the calendar quarter remaining in such quarter after the Effective Date. The Board may adopt program that allows Non-Employee Directors to defer Annual Retainers.

EQUITY COMPENSATION

Each Non-Employee Director shall be granted the stock awards described below, which awards shall be granted under and subject to the terms and provisions of the Company’s 2021 Incentive Award Plan, or any other applicable Company equity incentive plan then-maintained by the Company (the “Equity Plan”), and shall be subject to an award agreement, including attached exhibits, in substantially the form previously approved by the Board. All applicable terms of the Equity Plan apply to this Program as if fully set forth herein, and all grants of stock awards hereby are subject in all respects to the terms of the Equity Plan and the applicable award agreement.

A. Initial Awards. Each Non-Employee Director who is initially elected or appointed to the Board following the Effective Date shall be automatically granted stock options to purchase 58,700 shares of the Company’s common stock under the Equity Plan on the date of such initial election or appointment. The awards described in this Section shall be referred to as “Initial Awards.”

B. Annual Awards. A Non-Employee Director who (i) is serving on the Board as of the date of any annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders following the Effective Date, and (ii) will continue to serve as a Non-Employee Director immediately following such meeting, shall be automatically granted stock options to purchase 29,350 shares of the Company’s common stock under the Equity Plan on the date of such annual meeting. The awards described in this Section shall be referred to as “Annual Awards.” For the avoidance of doubt, a Non-Employee Director elected for the first time to the Board at an annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders shall only receive an Initial Award in connection with such election, and shall not receive any Annual Award on the date of such meeting as well.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Non-Employee Director shall have served as a Non-Employee Director for at least (6) months as of the date of any annual meeting to receive an Annual Award, unless otherwise determined by the Board; in which case, the Board may determine to grant such Non-Employee Director an Annual Award or a Prorated Annual Award (as defined below). “Prorated Annual Award” means the product determined by multiplying (i) the Annual Award, by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to (x) 365 minus (y) the number of days that elapsed from the date of the annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders preceding the Non-Employee Director’s date of initial election or appointment to the date of such initial election or appointment, and the denominator of which is 365.

 

2


C. Terms of Awards Granted to Non-Employee Directors.

1. Vesting. Each Initial Award shall vest and become exercisable in substantially equal monthly installments over the three years beginning on the date of the Non-Employee Director’s election or appointment to the Board, subject to the Non-Employee Director continuing in service on the Board through each such vesting date. Each Annual Award shall vest and/or become exercisable at the earlier of the one-year anniversary of the grant of such Annual Award or the next annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders, subject to the Non-Employee Director continuing in service on the Board through the applicable vesting date.

2. Forfeiture. Unless the Board otherwise determines, any portion of an Initial Award or Annual Award which is unvested at the time of a Non-Employee Director’s termination of service on the Board as a Non-Employee Director shall be immediately forfeited upon such termination of service and shall not thereafter become vested. All of a Non-Employee Director’s Initial Awards and Annual Awards shall vest in full immediately prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in the Equity Plan), to the extent outstanding at such time.

3. 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.

* * * * *

 

3

EX-16.1

Exhibit 16.1

August 31, 2021

Office of the Chief Accountant

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, NE

Washington, D.C. 20549

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have read eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly known as Locust Walk Acquisition Corp.) statements included under Item 4.01 of its Form 8-K dated August 31, 2021. We agree with the statements concerning our Firm under Item 4.01, in which we were informed of our dismissal on August 25, 2021, following completion of the Company’s quarterly review for the period ended June 30, 2021, which consists only of the accounts of the pre-Business Combination Special Purpose Acquisition Company. We are not in a position to agree or disagree with other statements contained therein.

Very truly yours,

/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC

New York, New York

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Unaudited condensed financial information of Old eFFECTOR as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021

eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc.

Index to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

     Page  

Condensed Balance Sheets

     F-2  

Condensed Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     F-3  

Condensed Statements of Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

     F-4  

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

     F-5  

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     F-6  


eFFECTOR THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Condensed Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share par value data)

(Unaudited)

 

     June 30,
2021
    December 31,
2020
 

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 10,880     $ 15,216  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1,154       1,362  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     12,034       16,578  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

     21       34  

Operating lease right-of-use assets

     47       92  

Other assets

     2,179       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 14,281     $ 16,704  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities, convertible preferred stock, and stockholders’ deficit

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 1,907     $ 347  

Accrued expenses

     2,657       1,984  

Warrant liability

     780       433  

Term loans, net

     —         12,853  

Lease liabilities, current portion

     55       108  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     5,399       15,725  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current term loans, net

     18,568       —    

Accrued final payment on term loans

     1,100       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     25,067       15,725  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

    

Series A convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 145,560,097 shares authorized as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; 119,744,594 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; $46.9 million liquidation preference at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020

     46,567       46,567  

Series B convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 114,646,041 shares authorized as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; 105,154,241 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; $51.4 million liquidation preference at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020

     51,084       51,084  

Series C convertible preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 76,070,076 shares authorized as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; 69,737,402 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; $35.8 million liquidation preference at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020

     35,573       35,573  

Stockholders’ deficit:

    

Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 390,070,063 shares authorized at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; 15,123,995 and 14,963,995 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively

     2       1  

Additional paid-in capital

     4,817       4,453  

Accumulated deficit

     (148,829     (136,699
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (144,010     (132,245
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities, convertible preferred stock, and stockholders’ deficit

   $ 14,281     $ 16,704  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

F-2


eFFECTOR THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Condensed Statements of Operations and

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2021     2020     2021     2020  

Collaboration revenue

   $ —       $ 15,055     $ —       $ 41,384  

Grant revenue

     692       —         692       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     692       15,055       692       41,384  

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development

     4,072       4,826       8,540       10,451  

General and administrative

     1,664       1,126       2,933       2,227  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     5,736       5,952       11,473       12,678  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating (loss) income

     (5,044     9,103       (10,781     28,706  

Other income (expense)

        

Interest income

     1       16       2       63  

Interest expense

     (480     (340     (786     (678

Other expense

     (25     (60     (73     (71

Loss on debt extinguishment

     —         —         (492     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other expense

     (504     (384     (1,349     (686
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

     (5,548     8,719       (12,130     28,020  

Income tax expense

     —         126       —         346  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income and comprehensive income (loss)

     (5,548     8,593       (12,130     27,674  

Income allocable to participating securities

     —         (8,312     —         (26,642
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders

   $ (5,548   $ 281     $ (12,130   $ 1,032  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (loss) income per share attributable to common shareholders:

        

Basic

   $ (0.37   $ 0.02     $ (0.81   $ 0.07  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ (0.37   $ 0.02     $ (0.81   $ 0.07  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     15,016,742       14,720,031       14,990,514       14,279,067  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

     15,016,742       28,556,667       14,990,514       24,264,090  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

F-3


eFFECTOR THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Condensed Statements of Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

(in thousands, except share data)

(Unaudited)

 

    Series A     Series B     Series C                 Additional           Total  
    Convertible Preferred Stock     Convertible Preferred Stock     Convertible Preferred Stock     Common Stock     Paid-in     Accumulated     Stockholders’  
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Capital     Deficit     Deficit  

Balance at December 31, 2019

    119,744,594     $ 46,567       105,154,241     $ 51,084       69,737,402     $ 35,573       13,810,811     $ 1     $ 3,846     $  (150,910   $  (147,063

Stock option exercises

    —         —         —         —         —         —         195,884       —         16       —         16  

Stock-based compensation expense

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         89       —         89  

Net income

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         19,081       19,081  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2020

    119,744,594     $ 46,567       105,154,241     $ 51,084       69,737,402     $ 35,573       14,006,695     $ 1     $ 3,951     $  (131,829   $  (127,877
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stock option exercises

    —         —         —         —         —         —         782,300       —         73       —         73  

Stock-based compensation expense

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         99       —         99  

Net income

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         8,593       8,593  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2020

    119,744,594     $ 46,567       105,154,241     $ 51,084       69,737,402     $ 35,573       14,788,995     $ 1     $ 4,123     $  (123,236   $  (119,112
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2020

    119,744,594     $ 46,567       105,154,241     $ 51,084       69,737,402     $ 35,573       14,963,995     $ 1     $ 4,453     $  (136,699   $  (132,245

Stock-based compensation expense

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         188       —         188  

Net loss

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         (6,582     (6,582
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2021

    119,744,594     $ 46,567       105,154,241     $ 51,084       69,737,402     $ 35,573       14,963,995     $ 1     $ 4,641     $  (143,281   $  (138,639
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stock option exercises

    —         —         —         —         —         —         160,000       1       15       —         16  

Stock-based compensation expense

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         161       —         161  

Net loss

    —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —         (5,548     (5,548
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2021

    119,744,594     $ 46,567       105,154,241     $ 51,084       69,737,402     $ 35,573       15,123,995     $ 2     $ 4,817     $  (148,829   $  (144,010
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

F-4


eFFECTOR THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2021     2020  

Operating activities:

    

Net (loss) income

   $ (12,130   $ 27,674  

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization expense

     13       87  

Stock-based compensation

     349       188  

Loss on debt extinguishment

     492       —    

Loss on change in fair value of warrant liability

     76       72  

Non-cash interest expense

     127       61  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (399     415  

Accounts payable

     118       142  

Accrued expenses

     549       (532

Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities, net

     (8     (6

Contract liabilities

     —         616  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (10,813     28,717  

Investing activities:

    

Proceeds from sale of fixed assets

     607       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

     607       —    

Financing activities:

    

Proceeds from issuance of common stock options

     16       89  

Issuance of term loans, net of issuance costs

     19,835       —    

Repayment of term loans

     (13,940     —    

Payment of offering costs

     (41     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     5,870       89  

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (4,336     28,806  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     15,216       3,427  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 10,880     $ 32,233  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

    

Interest paid

   $ 557     $ 496  

Accrued offering costs

     2,138       —    

Operating lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets

     —         203  

See accompanying notes

 

F-5


eFFECTOR THERAPEUTICS, INC.

Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

Description of Business

eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. (“eFFECTOR” or the “Company”) was incorporated in the state of Delaware on May 1, 2012. eFFECTOR is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on pioneering the discovery and development of a new class of oncology drugs the Company refers to as selective translation regulator inhibitors. The Company’s principal operations are in the United States, with its headquarters in San Diego, California.

The Company has devoted substantially all of its resources to raising capital, identifying potential product candidates, establishing its intellectual property portfolio, conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials, establishing arrangements with third parties for the manufacture of its product candidates and related raw materials, and providing general and administrative support for these operations. The Company has not generated revenues from its principal operations through June 30, 2021.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited financial statements as of June 30, 2021 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. These unaudited financial statements include only normal and recurring adjustments that the Company believes are necessary to fairly state the Company’s financial position and the results of its operations and cash flows. The results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year or any subsequent interim period. The balance sheet at December 31, 2020 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all the disclosures required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. Because all of the disclosures required by US GAAP for complete financial statements are not included herein, these unaudited financial statements and the notes accompanying them should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 included elsewhere in Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on August 5, 2021.

Liquidity

The Company has a limited operating history and the sales and income potential of the Company’s business and market are unproven. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business, and do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

Management is required to perform a two-step analysis over its ability to continue as a going concern. Management must first evaluate whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern (step 1). If management concludes that substantial doubt is raised, management is also required to consider whether its plans alleviate that doubt (step 2).


The Company has experienced net losses and negative cash flows from operating activities since its inception, aside from the year ended December 31, 2020, as a result of non-recurring revenue in connection with the Research Collaboration and License Agreement with Pfizer which rendered net income in 2020. The Company has an accumulated deficit of $148.8 million at June 30, 2021. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company used $10.8 million in cash from operations. At June 30, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $10.9 million. Management anticipates that its expenses will increase significantly in connection with its ongoing activities to support its research, discovery and clinical development efforts, and it expects to incur substantial operating losses and negative cash flows from operations for the foreseeable future.

On August 25, 2021, the Company completed a business combination with Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. (“LWAC”), a Delaware corporation, whereby LWAC acquired 100% of the Company’s issued and outstanding securities through a reverse merger of the Company with and into a wholly-owned subsidiary of LWAC, with the Company as the surviving corporation of the merger. In connection with the merger, certain investors agreed to subscribe for and purchased an aggregate of $60.7 million of the Company’s common stock through a Private Investment in Public Entity (“PIPE”) offering. Together with LWAC’s existing cash balances and funding of the PIPE offering, the Company received gross proceeds of approximately $65.9 million.

The Company believes that its $10.9 million of cash and cash equivalents held as of June 30, 2021, in addition to the proceeds received from the merger with LWAC and PIPE offering, are sufficient to fund planned operations for at least twelve months from the date that these financial statements are available to be issued, though the Company may pursue additional cash resources through public or private equity or debt financings.

Management’s expectations with respect to its ability to fund current planned operations is based on estimates that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Its operating plan may change as a result of many factors currently unknown to management and there can be no assurance that the current operating plan will be achieved in the time frame anticipated by the Company, and it may need to seek additional funds sooner than anticipated. If adequate funds are not available to the Company on a timely basis, management may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate certain of its research, product development or future commercialization efforts, obtain funds through arrangements with collaborators on terms unfavorable to the Company, or pursue merger or acquisition strategies, all of which could adversely affect the holdings or the rights of its stockholders.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Deferred Issuance Costs

The Company has deferred issuance costs consisting of legal, accounting and other fees and costs directly attributable to the transaction with LWAC. The deferred issuance costs will be offset against the proceeds received upon the consummation of the transaction. The deferred issuance costs were $2.2 million and zero as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Deferred issuance costs were recorded under other long-term assets on the condensed balance sheets.

Grant Revenue

The Company’s grant revenues are derived from a grant with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (“DARPA”) through the University of California, San Francisco (“UCSF”). The Company recognizes DARPA Grant revenue as reimbursable grant costs are incurred up to pre-approved award limits within the budget period. The costs associated with these reimbursements are reflected as a component of research and development expense in the accompanying statements of operations. Billings in excess of receipts are included as a receivable recorded within prepaid expenses and other current assets on the balance sheets.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the


basis of the differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent that the Company believes these assets are more likely than not to 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, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If management determines that the Company would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their recorded amount, management would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company maintained valuation allowances against its deferred tax assets as the Company concluded it had not met the “more likely than not” to be realized threshold. Changes in the valuation allowance when they are recognized in the provision for income taxes may result in a change in the estimated annual effective tax rate.

The Company records uncertain tax positions on the basis of a two-step process whereby (1) management determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold, management recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expense. Any accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax liability.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

The Company computes net income (loss) per share in accordance with the FASB guidance for Earnings Per Share, which established standards regarding the computation of earnings per share by companies that have issued securities other than common stock that contractually entitle the holder to participate in earnings and dividends. The guidance requires earnings available to common shareholders for the period, after deduction of preferred stock preferences, to be allocated between the common and preferred shareholders based on their respective rights to receive dividends. The Company is not required to present basic and diluted net income per share for securities other than common stock; therefore, the net income (loss) per share amounts only pertain to the Company’s common stock.

Basic net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing income (loss) allocable to common shareholders (net income after reduction for any required returns to preferred stock shareholders prior to paying dividends to the common shareholders, assuming current income for the period had been distributed) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, during the period. The Company calculates diluted net income per share using the more dilutive of the 1) treasury stock method, if-converted method, or contingently issuable share method, as applicable, or 2) the two-class method.

The Company has used the treasury stock method to calculate diluted net income (loss) per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, as the Company was in a net loss position, and used the two-class method for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, as the if-converted method is anti-dilutive. Diluted net income per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 also reflects the assumed conversion of options outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method, to the extent dilutive. Warrants were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 as their effect would be anti-dilutive.


The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share (in thousands, except share and per share data):

 

     Three Months Ended      Six Months Ended  
     June 30,
2021
     June 30,
2020
     June 30,
2021
     June 30,
2020
 

Basic Net (Loss) Income per share

           

Net (loss) income

   $ (5,548    $ 8,593      $ (12,130    $ 27,674  

Less: income allocated to participating securities

     —          (8,312      —          (26,642
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders

   $ (5,548    $ 281      $ (12,130    $ 1,032  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

     15,016,742        14,720,031        14,990,514        14,279,067  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net (loss) income per share - basic

   $ (0.37    $ 0.02      $ (0.81    $ 0.07  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted Net (Loss) Income per share

           

Net (loss) income

   $ (5,548    $ 8,593      $ (12,130    $ 27,674  

Less: income allocated to participating securities

     —          (8,071      —          (25,976
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders

   $ (5,548    $ 522      $ (12,130    $ 1,698  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

     15,016,742        14,720,031        14,990,514        14,279,067  

Weighted average effect of dilutive stock options

     —          13,836,636        —          9,985,024  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted

     15,016,742        28,556,667        14,990,514        24,264,090  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net (loss) income per share - diluted

   $ (0.37    $ 0.02      $ (0.81    $ 0.07  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Potentially dilutive securities as of June 30, 2021 and 2020 are as follows (in common stock equivalent shares):

 

     As of June 30,  
     2021      2020  

Series A Convertible Preferred Stock

     119,744,594        119,744,594  

Series B Convertible Preferred Stock

     105,154,241        105,154,241  

Series C Convertible Preferred Stock

     69,737,402        69,737,402  

Series C Convertible Preferred Stock Warrants

     1,118,677        729,572  

Stock Options Outstanding

     40,194,581        825,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     335,949,495        296,190,809  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

3. Fair Value Measurements

The accounting guidance defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, the accounting guidance establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e. supported by little or no market activity).


The Company’s cash equivalents are classified using Level 1 inputs within the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. None of the Company’s non-financial assets or liabilities are recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis. No transfers between levels have occurred during the periods presented.

The Company estimates the fair value of preferred stock warrants at the time of issuance and subsequent remeasurement using the Black-Scholes option pricing model at each reporting date, based on the following inputs: the risk-free interest rates; the expected dividend rates; the remaining contractual life of the warrants; the fair value of the underlying stock; and the expected volatility of the price of the underlying stock. The estimates are based, in part, on subjective assumptions and could differ materially in the future. Changes to these assumptions as well as the fair value of the Company’s stock on the reporting date can have a significant impact on the fair value of the preferred stock warrant liability.

The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities that require fair value measurements on a recurring basis and their respective input levels based on the fair value hierarchy as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in thousands):

 

            Fair Value Measurements Using  
     June 30,
2021
     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
Level 1
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
Level 2
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
Level 3
 

Assets

           

Money market funds

   $ 10,880      $ 10,880      $ —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 10,880      $ 10,880      $ —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Preferred stock warrant liability

   $ 780      $ —        $ —        $ 780  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 780      $ —        $ —        $ 780  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            Fair Value Measurements Using  
     December 31,
2020
     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
Level 1
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
Level 2
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
Level 3
 

Assets

           

Money market funds

   $ 15,216      $ 15,216      $ —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 15,216      $ 15,216      $ —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Preferred stock warrant liability

   $ 433      $ —        $ —        $ 433  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 433      $ —        $ —        $ 433  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 


The preferred stock warranty liability is measured at fair value, using a combination of observable and unobservable inputs. The change in fair value of the preferred stock warrant liability is recorded in Other income (expense) on the statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The following key assumptions were used in determining the fair value of the preferred stock warrant liability valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

 

     June 30,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Fair value of Series C convertible preferred stock

   $ 0.80      $ 0.70  

Expected volatility

     96.4% - 97.6%        96.3%  

Risk-free interest rate

     1.2% - 1.5%        0.7%  

Expected term (in years)

     7.2 - 9.7        7.7  

Expected dividend yield

     —          —    

The following table presents activity for the preferred stock warrant liability measured at fair value using significant unobservable Level 3 inputs during the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):

 

     Series C Preferred
Stock Warrant Liability
 

Balance at December 31, 2019

   $ 442  

Change in fair value

     72  
  

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2020

   $ 514  
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2020

   $ 433  

Issuance of new warrants

     271  

Change in fair value

     76  
  

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2021

   $ 780  
  

 

 

 

4. Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment, net consists of the following (in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Lab equipment

   $ 30      $ 30  

Computer and office equipment

     122        133  

Furniture and fixtures

     64        64  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     216        227  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (195      (193
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 21      $ 34  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company recorded depreciation and amortization expense of $6,400 and $41,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and recorded $13,400 and $87,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.


5. Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Employee compensation

   $ 643      $ 230  

Research and development

     462        755  

Professional and outside services

     1,069        44  

Interest

     128        598  

Income taxes payable

     351        351  

Other

     4        6  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 2,657      $ 1,984  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

6. Term Loans

SVB Term Loans

In August 2018, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (“LSA”) with Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”), pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $20.0 million, issuable in three separate tranches of $7.5 million (“Term Loan A”), $7.5 million (“Term Loan B”) and $5.0 million (“Term Loan C”), collectively referred to as the Term Loans. The Term Loan A became available to the Company at the effective date of the LSA on August 31, 2018 and the Company borrowed the $7.5 million under the Term Loan A on that date, receiving the cash proceeds on September 5, 2018. Term Loan B was immediately available commencing on the effective date of the LSA and ending on the earlier of 1) August 31, 2019, and 2) the occurrence of an event of default. The Company borrowed the $7.5 million under Term Loan B on November 19, 2018. Term Loan C was not drawn. The Term Loans had an interest-only period that commenced upon the borrowing of each tranche of the Term Loans with interest due and payable upon the first day of each month. The interest-only period ended August 31, 2020. The Company was required to make a final payment equal to 5.5% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans at maturity, which was accrued over the term of the debt arrangements. The Term Loans had a maturity date of February 1, 2023. In connection with the LSA, the Company issued two separate warrants, each to purchase up to 486,381 shares of Series C Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $0.514 per share, to SVB and Life Science Loans II, LLC (life science loan sector of SVB). The number of shares subject to the warrant are dependent on whether Term Loan A, Term Loan B and Term Loan C are drawn. The number of shares subject to each warrant as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, was 364,786 in connection with the Term Loan A and Term Loan B. The warrants expire August 31, 2028.

The Term Loans carried an interest rate equal to the greater of 1.5% plus prime or 6.5%, with an effective interest rate at December 31, 2020, of 9.1% and 9.0% for Term Loan A and Term Loan B, respectively.

The Company recorded a debt discount of $0.2 million for the estimated fair value of warrants and debt issuance costs upon the borrowing of each Term Loan A and Term Loan B, which was being amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan using the effective-interest method. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $13.0 million of outstanding principal under the Term Loans of which $12.9 million is reflected on the balance sheet net of debt discounts. Interest expense, including amortization of debt discount related to the SVB Term Loans, totaled zero and $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $0.2 million and $0.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

In March 2021, the Company repaid the SVB Term Loans using the proceeds from Oxford Term A Loans (defined below). The aggregate outstanding principal balance of SVB Term Loans A and B was $11.5 million at the date of repayment. The Company paid the entire outstanding principal balance, along with a final payment in the amount of $0.8 million (equal to 5.5% of the original aggregate principal amount), a prepayment fee of $0.1 million (equal to 1% of the original aggregate principal amount), and $37,000 of accrued interest. The Company recorded a loss on debt extinguishment in the amount of $0.5 million in connection with the transaction, which has been recorded in Loss on debt extinguishment on the Statement of Operations for the period. The loss on debt extinguishment includes the unamortized debt discount and final payment associated with Term Loan A and Term Loan B at the time of extinguishment along with the $0.1 million prepayment fee.


Oxford Term Loans

In March 2021, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (“Oxford LSA”) with Oxford Finance LLC (“Oxford”), pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to $30.0 million, issuable in two separate tranches of $20.0 million (“Term A Loans”) and $10.0 million (“Term B Loans”), collectively referred to as the Oxford Loans. The Term A Loans became available to the Company at the effective date of the Oxford LSA on March 19, 2021 and $12.5 million of the proceeds were used to pay off the outstanding SVB Term Loans. The remaining net proceeds from Term A Loans of $7.4 million, after taking into effect specified issuance and legal fees designated within the distribution letter, were distributed to the Company in March 2021. Term B Loans will only become available to the Company upon achievement of certain clinical development milestones (“Phase II Milestones”) and is available until the earlier of (i) May 31, 2022, (ii) forty-five days after the occurrence of the Phase II Milestones, and (iii) the occurrence of an event of default. The Term A Loans have an interest-only period that commences upon the borrowing with interest due and payable upon the first day of each month. The interest-only period ends May 1, 2023, provided that upon the funding of the Term B Loans the end date will be extended to May 1, 2024. The Company is required to make a final payment equal to 5.5% of each funded tranche at maturity, which has been recorded as a debt discount for the Term A Loan which is outstanding and is being amortized over the term of the debt arrangements. The Oxford Loans have a maturity date of March 18, 2026. In connection with the Oxford LSA, the Company issued warrants to purchase a total of 389,105 shares of Series C Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $0.514 per share. The warrants expire May 19, 2031 and are fully exercisable upon issuance.

The Oxford Loans carry a variable interest rate equal to the greater of (i) 7.7% and (ii) the sum of the prime rate plus 4.45%. The Company has the option to prepay all, but not less than all, of the borrowed amounts, provided that the Company will be obligated to pay a prepayment fee equal to (i) 3.0% of the outstanding principal balance of the applicable Oxford Loans if prepayment is made prior to the first anniversary of the effective date of the Oxford LSA, (ii) 2.0% of the outstanding principal balance of the applicable Oxford Loans if prepayment is made after the first anniversary of the effective date of the Oxford LSA but before the second anniversary, and (iii) 1.0% of the outstanding principal balance of the applicable Oxford Loans if prepayment is made after the second anniversary of the effective date of the Oxford LSA but before the third anniversary. No prepayment fee will apply for a prepayment made after the third anniversary of the effective date of the Oxford LSA and prior to the maturity date.

The Company’s obligations under the Oxford LSA are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of its current and future assets, other than its owned intellectual property. The Company is also obligated to comply with various other customary covenants, including restrictions on its ability to encumber intellectual property assets without consent.

The Company recorded a debt discount of $1.5 million for the estimated fair value of warrants, debt issuance costs upon the borrowing of Term A Loans, and final payment to be made, which is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan using the effective-interest method. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had $20.0 million of outstanding principal under the Term A Loans of which $18.6 million is reflected on the balance sheet net of debt discounts. Interest expense, including amortization of debt discount related to the Oxford Term A Loans, totaled $480,000 and $549,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. The Company is in compliance with all covenants under the Oxford LSA as of June 30, 2021. The Term A Loans include customary events of default, including instances of a material adverse change in our operations, that may require prepayment of the outstanding Term A Loans. The Company has not been notified of an event of default by the lender as of the date of issuance of these financial statements.


Based on the outstanding principal amounts for the Company’s Term A Loans, the following table sets forth by year the Company’s required future principal payments as of June 30, 2021 (in thousands):

 

Years ended December 31,

  

2023

   $ 4,444  

2024

     6,667  

2025

     6,667  

2026

     2,222  
  

 

 

 
     20,000  

Unamortized debt discount

     (1,432
  

 

 

 
   $ 18,568  
  

 

 

 

7. Preferred Stock Warrants

The Company accounts for its warrants to purchase shares of convertible preferred stock as a liability. The Company will continue to adjust the liability for changes in fair value of these warrants until the exercise of warrants or the consummation of an initial public offering or SPAC merger, at which time the liability will be reclassified to stockholders’ equity. Upon consummation of the business combination with LWAC on August 25, 2021, the outstanding warrants were cashless exercised and 50,529 total net shares were issued, after giving effect to the application of the exchange ratio of approximately 0.09657.

The following table summarizes the outstanding warrants to purchase shares of preferred stock and the corresponding exercise price as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

 

     June 30,
2021
     December 31,
2020
     Exercise Price      Expiration Date  

Series C preferred stock warrants

     729,572        729,572      $  0.514        August 31, 2028  

Series C preferred stock warrants

     389,105        —        $ 0.514        March 19, 2031  

8. Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

Convertible Preferred Stock

The authorized shares, purchase price, number of shares and liquidation amount for each series of convertible preferred stock as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

 

     Shares
Authorized
     Purchase
Price Per
Share
     Shares
Outstanding
     Liquidation
Preference
 

Convertible preferred stock:

           

Series A

     145,560,097      $  0.39148        119,744,594      $ 46,878  

Series B

     114,646,041      $ 0.48846        105,154,241      $ 51,364  

Series C

     76,070,076      $ 0.51400        69,737,402      $ 35,845  
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     336,276,214           294,636,237      $ 134,087  
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends

Each holder of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (collectively, the “Preferred Stock”) is entitled to receive non- cumulative dividends, when and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors, at a rate of $0.0313184 per annum for each share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.0390768 per annum for each share of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock and $0.04112 per annum for each share of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, prior to and in preference to the payment of a dividend on the common stock. No dividends have been declared to date.


Liquidation Preferences

In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of the Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any of the assets of the Company to the holders of common stock, an amount per share equal to the original issue price plus declared but unpaid dividends.

Conversion

Each share of Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of the holder, at any time, into the number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing the applicable purchase price by the applicable conversion price at the time of conversion. Each share of Preferred Stock will be automatically converted into common stock immediately upon (i) the closing of a firmly underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the offer and sale of common stock for the account of the Company in which the valuation of the Company immediately prior to such firmly underwritten public offering is at least $250,000,000, the gross cash proceeds to the Company (before underwriting discounts, commissions and fees) are at least $60,000,000 and the Company’s shares have been listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq or (ii) the affirmative vote of more than 70% of the holders of the then- outstanding Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class.

Voting

The holders of the Preferred Stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock into which such shares of Preferred Stock could then be converted; and with respect to such vote, such holders shall have full voting rights and powers equal to the voting rights and powers of the holders of the common stock.

Redemption

The Preferred Stock is not redeemable at the option of the holder or at the option of the Company.

The Company’s convertible preferred stock has been classified as temporary equity on the accompanying balance sheet instead of in stockholders’ deficit in accordance with authoritative guidance for the classification and measurement of redeemable securities. Upon certain change in control events that are outside of the Company’s control, including liquidation, sale or transfer of control of the Company, holders of the convertible preferred stock can cause its redemption. The Company has determined not to adjust the carrying values of the convertible preferred stock to the liquidation preferences of such shares because of the uncertainty of whether or when such events would occur.

Common Stock

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company issued 160,000 shares of common stock in connection with the exercise of stock options, for net cash proceeds of $16,000. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company issued 782,300 and 978,184 of shares of common stock in connection with the exercise of stock options, for net cash proceeds of $73,000 and $89,000, respectively.

Stock Options

In May 2013, the Company adopted the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which was amended in February 2016. The Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, and stock bonuses to directors, employees and consultants of the Company. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the number of shares reserved under the Plan was 47,571,987.


There were 1,273,525 and 1,376,962 shares available for grant under the Plan as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. Options granted under the Plan are exercisable at various dates as determined upon grant and will expire no more than ten years from their date of grant, or in the case of certain non-statutory options, ten years from the date of grant. The exercise price of each option shall be determined by the Board of Directors based on the estimated fair value of the Company’s stock on the date of the option grant. In the case of incentive stock options, the exercise price shall not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the time the option is granted. For holders of more than 10% of the Company’s total combined voting power of all classes of stock, incentive stock options may not be granted at less than 110% of the fair market value of the Company’s stock at the date of grant and for a term not to exceed five years. Most option grants generally vest 25% on the first anniversary of the original vesting commencement date, with the balance vesting monthly over the remaining three years.

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity under the Plan is as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts and years):

 

     Shares      Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2020

     40,251,144      $  0.14        6.6      $ 3,806  

Granted

     450,000        0.23        9.6     

Exercised

     (160,000      0.09        4.5     

Cancelled

     (346,563      0.13        7.4     
  

 

 

          

 

 

 

Outstanding at June 30, 2021

     40,194,581      $ 0.14        6.1      $  21,033  
  

 

 

          

 

 

 

Vested and exercisable at June 30, 2021

     28,704,052      $ 0.11        5.0      $ 15,669  
  

 

 

          

 

 

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2021 the total fair value of vested options was $0.2 million. The weighted-average grant date fair value of employee option grants during the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $0.17 per share.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, and recognized stock-based compensation expense of $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. The assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of the stock option grants were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,
             2021            2020

Risk-free interest rate

   0.7%    0.5% - 1.0%

Expected volatility

   90%    87% - 89%

Expected term (in years)

   6.1    5.3 - 6.1

Expected dividend yield

   0%    0%

Risk-free interest rate. The risk-free rate assumption is based on the U.S. Treasury instruments, the terms of which were consistent with the expected term of the Company’s stock options.


Expected volatility. Due to the Company’s limited operating history and lack of company-specific historical or implied volatility as a private company, the expected volatility assumption was determined by examining the historical volatilities of a group of industry peers whose share prices are publicly available.

Expected term. The expected term of stock options represents the weighted-average period the stock options are expected to be outstanding. The Company uses the simplified method for estimating the expected term as provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The simplified method calculates the expected term as the weighted average of the time-to-vesting and the contractual life of the options.

Expected dividend yield. The expected dividend assumption is based on the Company’s history and expectation of dividend payouts. The Company has not paid and does not intend to pay dividends.

Forfeitures. The Company reduces stock-based compensation expense for actual forfeitures during the period in which they occur.

As of June 30, 2021, the unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding employee options was $1.3 million and is expected to be recognized as expense over approximately 1.1 years. Unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding nonemployee options was $0.1 million as of June 30, 2021, and is expected to be recognized as expense over approximately 0.4 years.

Common Stock Reserved for Future Issuance

Common stock reserved for future issuance consists of the following as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

 

     June 30,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Convertible preferred stock

     294,636,237        294,636,237  

Stock options issued and outstanding

     40,194,581        40,251,144  

Preferred stock warrants issued and outstanding

     1,118,677        729,572  

Authorized for future stock awards or option grants

     1,273,525        1,376,962  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     337,223,020        336,993,915  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

9. License Agreements

In May 2013, the Company entered into an agreement with the Regents of the University of California (“UCSF”) which provides the Company with an exclusive license to UCSF’s patent rights in certain inventions (the “UCSF Translational Profiling Patent Rights”) relating to translational profiling laboratory techniques initially developed at UCSF. Under the agreement, the Company is permitted to research, develop, make and sell products that it discovers and develops utilizing the UCSF Translational Profiling Patent Rights, which the Company refers to as licensed products, and use certain licensed processes utilizing the UCSF Translational Profiling Patent Rights and to sublicense such licensed products and processes.

Under the agreements, the Company is required to use commercially reasonable efforts to meet certain specified development, regulatory and commercial milestones related to the licensed products within specified time periods. In consideration of the rights granted to the Company under the agreement, the Company made a one-time license issue fee cash payment to UCSF of $50,000 upon the issuance of the license in 2013. In July 2021, the Company entered into an amendment to the license agreement to confirm the impact of the merger on the license agreement, including clarifying that in connection with the closing of the merger, the Company will pay UCSF a one-time cash payment of approximately $1.0 million, subject to adjustment based on the final Exchange Ratio. The Company is also required to make cash milestone payments to UCSF upon the completion of certain clinical and regulatory milestones for the licensed products. The aggregate remaining potential milestone payments are approximately $375,000. Additionally, the Company has agreed to pay UCSF a royalty


of less than one percent on net sales of each of the first two licensed products sold by the Company or its affiliates, subject to minimum annual royalty payments and other adjustments in certain circumstances. The Company’s royalty obligations continue for each licensed product or service until the expiration of the last licensed patent covering the applicable licensed product or service.

In the event the Company sublicenses any of the UCSF Translational Profiling Patent Rights, the Company has agreed to pay a percentage of sublicense revenue received at specified rates that start at low double digit percentages and decrease to single digit percentages based on the elapsed time from the effective date of the agreement. Additionally, the Company has agreed to pay a low double digit percentage of any payments it receives from the sales of a licensed product discovered or developed by the Company under a collaboration agreement and a low double digit percentage of any net sales with respect to a licensed service.

UCSF may terminate the agreement if the Company fails to perform or violates any material term of the agreement and fails to cure such nonperformance or violation within 60 days of notice from UCSF or in the event of the Company’s insolvency. The Company is currently in compliance with all material terms of the agreement.

The Company may terminate the agreement upon 60 days’ written notice to UCSF and may terminate the UCSF Translational Profiling Patent Rights on a claim-by-claim, patent-by-patent and country-by-country basis by giving written notice to UCSF. Absent early termination, the agreement will continue until the expiration date of the longest-lived patent right included in the UCSF Translational Profiling Patent Rights.

The Company paid $15,000 to UCSF for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. All license related fees were recorded as research and development expense.

10. Research Collaboration and License Agreement

In December 2019, the Company entered into a Research Collaboration and License Agreement (the “Pfizer Agreement”) with Pfizer to research and develop small molecules that target eIF4E.

Pursuant to the Pfizer Agreement, the Company granted Pfizer a worldwide, exclusive license, with a right to sublicense, under certain of the Company’s patents, know-how and materials, to use, develop, manufacture, commercialize, and otherwise exploit compounds or products targeting eIF4E, for any and all indications. Pursuant to the Pfizer Agreement, Pfizer granted the Company an option to co-fund and co-promote a single such licensed product under a profit and loss share arrangement in the United States. The option can be exercised prior to a specified time before the first patient is expected to be enrolled in a clinical trial intended to support an NDA for marketing approval.

Under the Pfizer Agreement, the Company was responsible for initial research in collaboration with Pfizer, and Pfizer is responsible for all further development of the program, including submission of an IND and conducting all clinical development and commercialization activities. Pfizer is obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to develop and seek regulatory approval for a licensed product, and commercialize a licensed product where Pfizer has received regulatory approval, in the United States and certain other countries. In the event the Company exercises its co-funding and co-promotion option, a joint steering committee will oversee the development plan and budget of the co-developed product, and the Company will have the responsibility to conduct a portion of product marketing presentations to healthcare providers.

Pursuant to the Pfizer Agreement, the Company received an upfront, one-time, non-refundable, non-creditable payment of $15 million from Pfizer. Pfizer was obligated to reimburse the Company for costs incurred for research performed, up to a specified cap in the low double-digit millions. Upon the achievement of specified early development and regulatory milestones, Pfizer will be obligated to pay the Company up to $80 million in the aggregate. For other non-early stage development milestones Pfizer’s payment obligations to the Company depends upon whether the Company has exercised its co-funding and co-promotion option: 1) if it


does not exercise the option, non-early stage development payments may total up to $165 million in aggregate, and 2) if it does exercise the option, non-early stage development payments may total up to $70 million in aggregate. Upon the achievement of specified sales milestones, Pfizer is also obligated to make tiered milestone payments of up to $235 million in aggregate. On a product-by-product basis, Pfizer will also be required to pay the Company high single-digit percentage royalties on annual net sales of each licensed product. If the Company exercises its co-promotion and co-funding option, royalty payments will exclude sales in the United States and the Company will share with Pfizer profits from sale of the relevant licensed product in the United States.

Unless earlier terminated, the Pfizer Agreement will continue in effect until the expiration of all Pfizer payment obligations. Except in the United States, if the Company exercises its co-funding and co-promotion option, following expiration of the obligation to pay royalties for any licensed product in a given country and payment of all amounts due, Pfizer’s license to such licensed product in such country will become fully paid-up, perpetual, irrevocable and royalty-free. Pfizer may terminate the Pfizer Agreement for convenience upon written notice. Either party may terminate the Pfizer Agreement if an undisputed material breach by the other party is not cured within a defined period of time, or upon notice for insolvency-related events of the other party that are not discharged within a defined time period.

Under the framework of ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, the Company identified two distinct performance obligations; 1) delivery of the license and 2) performance of future research activities specified within the research plan. The Company determined the standalone value of the license by calculating the present value of the probability weighted cash inflows to be generated from the Pfizer Agreement. These cash inflows include development and sales milestones and future royalties. The standalone value of the research activities was determined by identifying the market cost for services and supplies to perform such activities if it were to be outsourced to a third-party. The initial transaction price of $27.0 million was allocated to the two performance obligations on a relative standalone value basis, with $25.6 million allocated to the license and $1.4 million allocated to the research activities. The value attributable to the license was recognized upon delivery of the license to Pfizer and the value attributable to the research activities was recognized pro-rata based on the actual costs incurred by the Company compared to the total estimated costs of the research activities from the time of execution to the end of the research program.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company received $17.1 million and $42.0 million from Pfizer in connection with the Research and License Agreement for delivery of the license, reimbursement of research activities specific within the research plan, and achievement of the first development milestones.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company recorded revenue of $15.1 million and $41.4 million, respectively. Of the $15.1 million in revenue recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2020, $14.3 million related to value attributable to the license for the achievement of the first development milestone and $0.8 million related to the performance of research activities specified within the research plan. A contract liability balance of $0.6 million was recorded as of June 30, 2020. As of June 30, 2020, all future development and sales milestones (variable consideration) were fully constrained.

There was no revenue recorded in connection with this agreement for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2021 because all development and sales milestones (variable consideration) were fully constrained.

11. DARPA Grant Revenue

In April 2021, the Company entered into a Research Subaward Agreement with UCSF, whereby up to $5.0 million in allowable costs are reimbursable for clinical and manufacturing activities related to zotatifin for the treatment of COVID-19 under the DARPA grant. Under the terms of Research Subaward Agreement, the Company is obligated to provide financial and technical reports to UCSF on a periodic basis. The subaward can be terminated by either party upon written notice and also in the event that DARPA suspends or terminates its award to UCSF.


The Company recognized $0.7 million of revenue under the DARPA grant in the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, and zero in the three and six months ended June 30, 2020. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company has a receivable of $0.5 million and zero recorded as a receivable within prepaid expenses and other current assets on the balance sheets, respectively.

12. Commitments and Contingencies

Leases

The Company leased certain office and lab space in San Diego, California under a non-cancelable operating lease, which was amended in September 2019 to extend its terms through October 2020, with an option to renew for an additional two-year term. The portion of the lease associated with the office space was not extended and the Company vacated the space in October 2020. The portion of the lease associated with the lab space was extended until December 2020, at which time the Company vacated the space. In November 2020, the Company entered into a non-cancelable operating sublease for office space in San Diego, California, with a lease term through December 2021. Lease cost under these leases was $24,000 and $48,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, and $149,000 and $0.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company paid $28,000 and $56,000, respectively, in lease payments, which were included in operating activities in the statements of cash flows. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company paid $153,000 and $0.3 million, respectively, in lease payments, which were included in operating activities in the statements of cash flows.

The following table summarizes supplemental balance sheet information related to leases as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

 

     June 30,
2021
     December 31,
2020
 

Assets:

     

Operating lease right-of-use assets

   $ 47      $ 92  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total right-of-use assets

     47        92  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

     

Operating lease liabilities, current

     55        108  

Operating lease liabilities, non-current

     —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating lease liabilities

   $ 55      $ 108  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 


As of June 30, 2021, the future minimum annual lease payments under the existing operating leases were as follows (in thousands, except for weighted-average remaining lease term and weighted-average discount rate):

In thousands (except for Weighted-average remaining lease term and Weighted-average discount rate)

 

Remainder of 2021

   $ 56  
  

 

 

 

Total remaining lease payments

     56  

Less: imputed interest

     (1
  

 

 

 

Total operating lease liabilities

     55  

Less: current portion

     (55
  

 

 

 

Long-term operating lease liabilities

   $ —    
  

 

 

 

Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years)

     1  

Weighted-average discount rate

     9

13. Employee Benefits

The Company has a defined contribution 401(k) plan available to eligible employees. Under the terms of the plan, employees may make voluntary contributions as a percent of compensation, limited to the maximum amount allowable under federal tax regulations. The Company, at its discretion, may make certain contributions to the 401(k) plan. Through June 30, 2021, the Company made no matching contributions.

14. Income Taxes

There was no provision for income taxes recorded during the three months ended June 30, 2021 and tax expense of approximately $0.1 million recorded in the three months ended June 30, 2020. The Company’s deferred tax assets continue to be fully offset by a valuation allowance.

15. Subsequent Events

For the purposes of the financial statements as of June 30, 2021 and the three and six months then ended, the Company has evaluated subsequent events through August 31, 2021, the date on which the financial statements were issued.

Business Combination closing of LWAC and eFFECTOR

On August 25, 2021, the Company completed the previously announced business combination pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 26, 2021, among LWAC, LWAC Merger Sub Inc., eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. (Old eFFECTOR). Upon closing of the business combination, the combined company was renamed eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. (eFFECTOR). All outstanding common and preferred shares of Old eFFECTOR converted into common shares of the surviving eFFECTOR company through application of an exchange ratio of approximately 0.09657.

Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, the Company’s shareholders exchanged their interests in the Company for shares of common stock of eFFECTOR. In addition, awards under the Company’s existing equity incentive plans, including the 2013 Plan, continue in full force and effect on the same terms and conditions as were previously applicable to such awards, subject to adjustments to the exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise based on the final conversion ratio calculated in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

Gross proceeds from this transaction totaled approximately $65.9 million, which included funds held in LWAC’s trust account and the completion of a concurrent PIPE financing in which certain investors agreed to subscribe for and purchased an aggregate of $60.7 million of common stock of eFFECTOR. The shareholders of LWAC approved the transaction on August 24, 2021. The transaction was previously approved by the boards of directors of both LWAC and Old eFFECTOR. The transaction will be accounted for as a “reverse recapitalization” in accordance with GAAP. Under the reverse recapitalization model, the business combination will be treated as eFFECTOR issuing equity for the net assets of LWAC, with no goodwill or intangible assets recorded. Under this


method of accounting, LWAC will be treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. This determination is primarily based on the fact that subsequent to the business combination, eFFECTOR stockholders have a majority of the voting power of the combined company, comprise all of the ongoing operations of the combined entity, comprise a majority of the governing body of the combined company, and eFFECTOR senior management comprise all of the senior management of the combined company.

EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this section to “we,” “our,” “us” or “eFFECTOR” refer to the business of eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, which will be the business of eFFECTOR following the consummation of the Business Combination.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with “Selected Financial Data” and our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. This discussion and analysis and other parts of this proxy statement/prospectus contain forward-looking statements based upon current beliefs, plans and expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, such as statements regarding our plans, objectives, expectations, intentions and projections. Our actual results and the timing of selected events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of several factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus. You should carefully read the “Risk Factors” section of this proxy statement/prospectus to gain an understanding of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. Please also see the section entitled “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

Overview

We are a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on pioneering the development of a new class of oncology drugs we refer to as STRIs. Translation is the process in cells whereby the synthesis of proteins is directed by information contained in genetic sequences. We utilized our proprietary selective translation regulation technology platform to internally discover a portfolio of small molecule STRI product candidates. Our product candidates target the eIF4F complex and its activating kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase (“MNK”). The eIF4F complex is a central node where two of the most frequently mutated signaling pathways in cancer, the PI3K-AKT and RAS-MEK pathways, converge to activate the translation of select mRNA into proteins that are frequent culprits in key disease-driving processes. Inhibition of these targets simultaneously downregulates multiple disease-driving proteins before they are synthesized. Each of our product candidates is designed to act on a single protein that drives the expression of multiple functionally related proteins, including oncoproteins, immunosuppressive proteins in T cells and proteins known to drive drug resistance that together control tumor growth, survival and immune evasion.

Our lead product candidate, tomivosertib, is an oral small-molecule inhibitor of MNK1/2 that we are developing in combination with inhibitors of anti-PD-(L)1 therapy, for the treatment of patients with solid tumors. In June 2021, we initiated dosing in KICKSTART, our randomized Phase 2b clinical trial evaluating both the frontline extension and frontline cohorts in patients with NSCLC with PD-(L)1 expression >50% in combination with pembrolizumab. We expect to report topline data from the frontline extension and frontline cohorts in the first half of 2022 and second half of 2022, respectively. Our second product candidate, zotatifin, is an inhibitor of eIF4A, a component of the eIF4F complex, and is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with certain solid tumors. We have completed the Phase 1 portion of this trial and are currently initiating multiple Phase 2a open-label expansion cohorts in biomarker-selected patients with tumors driven by multiple proteins shown in our preclinical studies to be downregulated by zotatifin. We are also conducting a Phase 1b clinical trial evaluating zotatifin as an antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2 funded by DARPA. We have entered into a global research collaboration and license agreement with Pfizer for our earliest stage program, inhibitors of eIF4E, and Pfizer is currently conducting IND-enabling studies for this program.

Since our inception in 2012 we have devoted substantially all of our resources to raising capital, identifying potential product candidates, establishing our intellectual property portfolio, conducting preclinical studies and clinical trials, establishing arrangements with third parties for the manufacture of our product candidates and related raw materials, and providing general and administrative support for these operations. We do not have any products approved for sale and have not generated any revenue from product sales. As of June 30, 2021, we have raised a total of $227.0 million to fund our operations, comprised of aggregate gross proceeds of $150.0 million from the sale and issuance of convertible preferred stock, $42.0 million in collaboration revenue under our research collaboration and license agreement with Pfizer (“Pfizer Agreement”), and $35.0 million from loans under credit facilities. Other than with respect to the net income generated as a result of revenue under the Pfizer Agreement generated in 2020, we have incurred significant operating losses


since our inception. In addition, in April 2021, we entered into a Research Subaward Agreement with The Regents of the University of California, on behalf of its San Francisco campus (“UCSF”), whereby up to $5.0 million in costs are reimbursable for clinical activities performed to determine the effectiveness of zotatifin in the treatment of COVID-19. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, our net income was $8.6 million and $27.7 million, respectively, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, we had a net loss of $5.5 million and $12.1 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2021, we had an accumulated deficit of $136.7 million and $149.0 million, respectively. Substantially all of our operating losses resulted from expenses incurred in connection with the research and development of our product candidates and development programs, and general and administrative costs associated with our operations.

We expect to continue to incur significant expenses and losses for at least the next several years. We anticipate our expenses will increase substantially as we continue our development of, seek regulatory approval for and potentially commercialize any approved product candidates, hire additional personnel, protect our intellectual property and incur additional costs associated with being a public company. Our net losses may fluctuate significantly from quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year, depending on the timing of our clinical trials and preclinical studies and our expenditures on other research and development activities. As of June 30, 2021, we had $10.9 million in cash and cash equivalents. To fund further operations, we will need to raise additional capital. The net proceeds from the Business Combination will not be sufficient for us to complete the clinical development of any of our product candidates or, if applicable, to prepare for commercializing any product candidate which may receive approval from the FDA or comparable foreign regulatory authority. Accordingly, we expect to finance our cash needs through a combination of equity offerings, debt financings, or other capital sources, including potential additional collaborations, licenses, and other similar arrangements. Adequate funding may not be available to us on acceptable terms, if at all. Our failure to raise capital or enter into such other arrangements when needed would have a negative impact on our financial condition and could force us to delay, limit, reduce, or terminate our research and development programs or other operations, or grant rights to develop and market product candidates that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves.

The COVID-19 worldwide pandemic continues to evolve, and we will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation. To date, we have not experienced material disruptions in our business operations. However, while it is not possible at this time to estimate the impact that COVID-19 could have on our business in the future, particularly as we advance our product candidates through clinical development, the continued spread of COVID-19 and the measures taken by governmental authorities, and any future epidemic disease outbreaks, could: disrupt the supply chain and the manufacture or shipment of drug substances and finished drug products for our product candidates for use in our clinical trials and preclinical studies; delay, limit or prevent our employees and CROs from continuing research and development activities; impede our clinical trial initiation and recruitment and the ability of patients to continue in clinical trials, including the risk that participants enrolled in our clinical trials will contract COVID-19 or other epidemic disease while the clinical trial is ongoing, which could impact the results of the clinical trial, including by increasing the number of observed adverse events; impede testing, monitoring, data collection and analysis and other related activities; any of which could delay our clinical trials and preclinical studies and increase our development costs, and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Business Combination Transaction

On August 25, 2021, the Company completed the previously announced business combination pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 26, 2021, among LWAC, LWAC Merger Sub Inc., eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. (Old eFFECTOR). Upon closing of the business combination, the combined company was renamed eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. (eFFECTOR).

Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, the Company’s shareholders exchanged their interests in the Company for shares of common stock of eFFECTOR. In addition, awards under the Company’s existing equity incentive plans, including the 2013 Plan, continue in full force and effect on the same terms and conditions as were previously applicable to such awards, subject to adjustments to the exercise price and number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise based on the final conversion ratio calculated in accordance with the Merger Agreement.

Gross proceeds from this transaction totaled approximately $65.9 million, which included funds held in LWAC’s trust account and the completion of a concurrent PIPE financing in which certain investors agreed to subscribe for and purchased an aggregate of $60.7 million of common stock of eFFECTOR. The shareholders of LWAC approved the transaction on August 24, 2021. The transaction was previously approved by the boards of


directors of both LWAC and Old eFFECTOR. The transaction will be accounted for as a “reverse recapitalization” in accordance with GAAP. Under the reverse recapitalization model, the business combination will be treated as eFFECTOR issuing equity for the net assets of LWAC, with no goodwill or intangible assets recorded. Under this method of accounting, LWAC will be treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. This determination is primarily based on the fact that subsequent to the business combination, eFFECTOR stockholders have a majority of the voting power of the combined company, comprise all of the ongoing operations of the combined entity, comprise a majority of the governing body of the combined company, and eFFECTOR senior management comprise all of the senior management of the combined company.

The Combined Company’s cash on hand after giving effect to these transactions, together with eFFECTOR’s existing cash and cash equivalents will be used to fund the research and development of our development programs and for working capital and general corporate 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.

Financial Overview

Revenue

We currently have no products approved for sale, and all revenue generated has been from the Pfizer Agreement along with grant revenue. In the future, we may generate additional revenue from collaboration, grant or license agreements we have entered into, or may enter into, with respect to our product candidates, as well as product sales from any approved product. Our ability to generate product revenues will depend on the successful development and eventual commercialization of our product candidates. If we fail to complete the development of our product candidates in a timely manner or to obtain regulatory approval for our product candidates, our ability to generate future revenue and our results of operations and financial position would be materially adversely affected.

Pfizer Agreement

In December 2019, we entered into the Pfizer Agreement, to research and develop small molecules that target eIF4E. Pursuant to the Pfizer Agreement, we granted Pfizer a worldwide, exclusive license, with a right to sublicense, under certain of our patents, know-how, and materials to use, develop, manufacture, commercialize, and otherwise exploit compounds or products targeting eIF4E, for any and all indications. Under the agreement, we were responsible for initial research in collaboration with Pfizer, and Pfizer is responsible for all further development of this development program, including submission of an IND and conducting all clinical development and commercialization activities.

Pursuant to the Pfizer Agreement, we received an upfront, one-time, non-refundable, non-creditable payment of $15 million dollars from Pfizer. Pfizer was obligated to reimburse us for costs incurred for research performed, up to a specified cap in the low double-digit millions. Upon the achievement of specified development, regulatory and sales milestones, Pfizer will be obligated to pay us up to $480 million dollars in the aggregate, as well as to pay us high single-digit percentage royalties on annual net sales of each licensed product. See “Business of eFFECTOR — Our Collaboration and License Agreements” with the Amendment No. 2 to Form S-4 filed on August 5, 2021, for additional information about this agreement, including with respect to potential payments to us thereunder.

DARPA Grant

In April 2021, we entered into a Research Subaward Agreement with UCSF, whereby up to $5.0 million in allowable costs are reimbursable for clinical and manufacturing activities related to zotatifin for the treatment of COVID-19 under the DARPA grant. Under the terms of Research Subaward Agreement, we are obligated to provide financial and technical reports to UCSF on a periodic basis.

Operating Expenses

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses primarily consist of costs associated with the preclinical and clinical development of our product candidates. Our research and development expenses include:

 

   

external costs, including:

 

   

expenses incurred under arrangements with third parties, such as CROs and consultants and advisors that perform biology, chemistry, toxicology, clinical and regulatory functions;


   

costs related to acquiring and manufacturing preclinical and clinical trial materials, including continued testing such as process validation and stability of drug product;

 

   

costs related to toxicology testing and other research and preclinical studies; and

 

   

costs related to compliance with regulatory requirements and license fees.

 

   

internal costs, including:

 

   

salaries and related overhead expenses, which include stock-based compensation and benefits, for personnel in research and development functions; and

 

   

facilities, depreciation, insurance and other expenses related to research and development.

We expense research and development costs as incurred. We account for nonrefundable advance payments for goods and services that will be used in future research and development activities as expenses when the service has been performed or when the goods have been received. We track external expenses on a development program and other program specific basis. However, we do not track internal costs on a program specific basis because these costs primarily relate to personnel, facilities and laboratory consumables, which are deployed across multiple programs under development.

The following table summarizes our research and development expenses for the periods indicated (in thousands).

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,      Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2021      2020      2021      2020  

External development program expenses:

           

tomivosertib

   $ 1,621      $ 940      $ 3,606      $ 1,778  

zotatifin

     1,203        1,468        2,427        2,227  

eIF4E

     73        627        91        2,730  

Unallocated internal research and development expenses:

           

Personnel related

     625        688        1,374        1,477  

Others

     550        1,103        1,042        2,239  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total research and development expenses

   $ 4,072      $ 4,826      $ 8,540      $ 10,451  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

We expect our research and development expenses to increase substantially for the foreseeable future as we continue the development of our product candidates, particularly as we move into later stages of clinical development which typically cost more. The process of conducting clinical trials and preclinical studies necessary to obtain regulatory approval is costly and time-consuming. We may never succeed in achieving marketing approval for any of our product candidates. At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate the nature, timing or costs of the efforts that will be necessary to complete the remainder of the development of any of our product candidates or the period, if any, in which material net cash inflows from these product candidates may commence. We anticipate we will make determinations as to which product candidates and programs to pursue and how much funding to direct to each product candidate and program on an ongoing basis in response to clinical and preclinical results, regulatory developments, ongoing assessments as to each product candidate’s and program’s commercial potential, and our ability to enter into collaborations, to the extent we determine the resources or expertise of a collaborator would be beneficial for a given product candidate or program.

Our development costs may vary significantly based on factors such as:

 

   

per patient trial costs;


   

the number and scope of trials required for approval and preclinical and IND-enabling studies;

 

   

the number of sites included in the trials;

 

   

the length of time required to enroll suitable patients;

 

   

the number of doses that patients receive;

 

   

the number of patients that participate in the trials;

 

   

the drop-out or discontinuation rates of patients;

 

   

the duration of patient follow-up;

 

   

the extent of reimbursement for the costs of approved therapies used in our combination trials;

 

   

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

 

   

the number and complexity of procedures, analyses and tests performed during the trial;

 

   

the phase of development of the product candidate;

 

   

the impact of any interruptions to our operations or to those of the third parties with whom we work due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic or any future epidemics;

 

   

the efficacy and safety profile of the product candidate; and

 

   

the extent to which we establish additional collaboration, license or other arrangements.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and other related costs, including stock-based compensation and benefits, and consulting fees for finance, accounting, and human resources functions. Other costs include legal fees relating to patent and corporate matters, insurance, and facility costs not otherwise included in research and development expenses.

We expect our general and administrative expenses will increase substantially for the foreseeable future as we increase our administrative headcount to operate as a public company and as we advance our product candidates through clinical development. We also will incur additional expenses as a result of operating as a public company, including expenses related to compliance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, and the Nasdaq listing rules, additional insurance expenses, investor relations activities and other administrative and professional services. In addition, if we obtain regulatory approval for any of our product candidates, we expect to incur expenses associated with building a sales and marketing team if we choose to commercialize such product candidates on our own.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest Income

Interest income consists of interest earned on our cash equivalents.

Interest Expense

Interest expense consists of interest on our outstanding debt facilities. All interest expense in 2020 is related to the outstanding term loans with Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”). We entered into a new debt facility with Oxford Financial LLC (“Oxford”) in March 2021. Interest expense recorded in the three months ended June 30, 2021, consisted of amounts attributable to the Oxford loan, and interest expense recorded in the six months ended June 30, 2021, consisted of amounts attributable to the SVB and Oxford loans.


Loss of Debt Extinguishment

In March 2021, we repaid the SVB terms loans using the proceeds from the Oxford term loan. We recorded a loss on debt extinguishment in the amount of $0.5 million in connection with the transaction, which includes the unamortized debt discount and final payment associated with outstanding SVB term loans at the time of extinguishment along with the $0.1 million prepayment fee.

Other Income

We issued preferred stock warrants in connection with our SVB and Oxford debt facilities that are required to be accounted for as liabilities and remeasured to fair value at each reporting date, with changes in the fair value reported as a component of other income (expense).

Income Taxes

Income tax expense consists of net income (loss), taxed at federal and state tax rates and adjusted for certain permanent differences. We maintain a valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets. Changes in the valuation allowance when they are recognized in the provision for income taxes may result in a change in the estimated annual effective tax rate.

Results of Operations

Comparison of the Three Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2021 (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended June 30,      Period-to-Period
Change
 
     2021      2020  

Collaboration revenue

   $ —        $ 15,055      $ (15,055

Grant revenue

     692        —          692  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenue

     692        15,055        (14,363

Operating expenses:

        

Research and development

     4,072        4,826        (754

General and administrative

     1,664        1,126        538  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     5,736        5,952        (216
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(Loss) income from operations

     (5,044      9,103        (14,147

Other expense

     504        384        120  

Income tax expense

     —          126        (126
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

   $ (5,548    $ 8,593      $ (14,141
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Collaboration and Grant Revenue

Collaboration revenue was zero and $15.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Grant revenue was $0.7 million and zero for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in collaboration revenue during this period is due to the recognition of revenue related to the Pfizer Agreement for the development of eIF4E in 2020 with no such revenues in 2021, and the increase in grant revenue is due to the new DARPA grant agreement with UCSF that was entered into during the second quarter of 2021.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses were $4.1 million and 4.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in research and development expenses during this period of $0.7 million, was primarily due to $0.4 million less in lab, facilities and overhead costs for the period due to removal of lab space at the end of 2020, $0.1 million less in consultant costs and $0.1 million less in employee expenses


due to decreased headcount. Additionally, there was a $0.1 million decrease in external costs, including $0.6 million less in the development of eIF4E in 2021 compared to 2020 due to development activities for eIF4E in 2020 under the Pfizer Agreement and $0.3 million less in development of eFT226-002 due to less manufacturing activities in 2021, partially offset by $0.7 million increase for eFT508 associated with the KICKSTART trial.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses were $1.7 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in general and administrative expenses during this period of $0.6 million was related to an increase of $0.2 million increase in personnel-related costs and $0.5 million increase in audit and legal expenses not directly related to the merger with LWAC, partially offset by a $0.1 million decrease in facilities and overhead expenses.

Other Expense

Other expense was $0.5 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in other expense during this period of $0.1 million was related to a higher interest expense related to the Oxford debt which had a higher balance compared to the SVB debt in 2020.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was zero and $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The income tax expense in 2020 was due to the state tax impact of the collaboration revenue recorded for the period which was not applicable for 2021.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,      Period-to-Period
Change
 
     2021      2020  

Collaboration revenue

   $ —        $ 41,384      $ (41,384

Grant revenue

     692        —          692  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenue

     692        41,384        (40,692

Operating expenses:

        
        

Research and development

     8,540        10,451        (1,911

General and administrative

     2,933        2,227        706  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     11,473        12,678        (1,205
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(Loss) income from operations

     (10,781      28,706        (39,487

Other expense

     1,349        686        663  

Income tax expense

     —          346        (346
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

   $ (12,130    $ 27,674      $ (39,804
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Collaboration and Grant Revenue

Collaboration revenue was zero and $41.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Grant revenue was $0.7 million and zero for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in collaboration revenue during this period is due to the recognition of revenue related to the Pfizer Agreement for the development of eIF4E in 2020 with no such revenues in 2021, and the increase in grant revenue is due to the new DARPA grant agreement with UCSF that was entered into during the second quarter of 2021.


Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses were $8.5 million and $10.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in research and development expenses during this period of $2.0 million was due to a decrease of $1.0 million in lab and facilities related expenses, $0.6 million decrease in external costs, $0.2 million decrease in consultant expenses and $0.1 million decrease in employee related expenses. The $0.6 million decrease in external costs included a decrease of $2.7 million related to the eIF4E program resulting from the transfer of substantially all development activities to Pfizer under the Pfizer Agreement, partially offset by an increase of $1.8 million and $0.2 million in clinical development costs associated with the eFT508 and eFT226 programs, respectively.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses were $2.9 million and $2.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in general and administrative expenses during this period of $0.7 million was related to an increase of $0.5 million in legal and accounting expenses not directly related to the merger with LWAC and an increase of $0.3 million in employee related expenses, partially offset by a decrease of $0.1 million in facility related costs and overhead.

Other Expense

Other expense was $1.4 million and $0.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in other expense during this period was due to a loss on extinguishment of debt that was recorded in March 2021 as a result of the early payoff of the outstanding term loans with SVB along with increased interest expenses recorded for the outstanding Oxford loan.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense was zero and $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The income tax expense in 2020 was due to the state tax impact of the collaboration revenue recorded for the period which was not applicable for 2021.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources of Liquidity

From our inception through June 30, 2021, we have raised a total of $227.0 million to fund our operations, comprised of aggregate gross proceeds of $150.0 million from the sale and issuance of convertible preferred stock, $42.0 million in collaboration revenue under our research collaboration and license agreement with Pfizer, and $35.0 million from loans under credit facilities.

SVB Credit Facility

In August 2018, we entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (“LSA”) with SVB, pursuant to which we may borrow up to $20.0 million, issuable in three separate tranches of $7.5 million (“Term Loan A”), $7.5 million (“Term Loan B”) and $5.0 million (“Term Loan C”), collectively referred to as the Term Loans. The Term Loan A became available at the effective date of the LSA and we borrowed the $7.5 million under the Term Loan A on that date, receiving the cash proceeds in September 2018. Term Loan B was immediately available commencing on the effective date of the LSA and ending on the earlier of 1) August 31, 2019, and 2) the occurrence of an event of default. We borrowed the $7.5 million under Term Loan B in November 2018. Term Loan C was not drawn. The Term Loans had an interest-only period that commenced upon the borrowing of each tranche of the Term Loans with interest due and payable upon the first day of each month. The interest-only period ended August 31, 2020. The Term Loans had a maturity date of February 1, 2023. In connection with the LSA, we issued two separate warrants, each to purchase up to 486,381 shares of Series C Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $0.514 per share, to SVB and Life Science Loans II, LLC (life science loan sector of SVB). The number of shares subject to the warrant are dependent on whether Term Loan A, Term Loan B and Term Loan C are drawn. The number of shares subject to each warrant as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, was 364,786 in connection with the Term Loan A and Term Loan B. The warrants were set to expire August 31, 2028.

In March 2021, we repaid the SVB Term Loans using the proceeds from Oxford Term A Loans (defined below). The aggregate outstanding principal balance of SVB Term Loans A and B was $11.5 million at the date of repayment. We paid the entire outstanding principal balance, along with a final payment in the


amount of $0.8 million (equal to 5.5% of the original aggregate principal amount), a prepayment fee of $0.1 million (equal to 1% of the original aggregate principal amount), and $37,000 of accrued interest. We recorded a loss on debt extinguishment in the amount of $0.5 million in connection with the transaction, which has been recorded in Loss on debt extinguishment on the Statement of Operations for the period. The loss on debt extinguishment includes the unamortized debt discount and final payment associated with Term Loan A and Term Loan B at the time of extinguishment along with the $0.1 million prepayment fee.

Oxford Loan Facility

In March 2021, we entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (“Oxford LSA”) with Oxford, pursuant to which we may borrow up to $30.0 million, issuable in two separate tranches of $20.0 million (“Term A Loan”) and $10.0 million (“Term B Loan”), collectively referred to as the Oxford Loans. The Term A Loan became available at the effective date of the Oxford LSA and $12.5 million of the proceeds were used to pay off the outstanding SVB Term Loans. The remaining net proceeds from Term A Loan of $7.4 million, after taking into effect specified issuance and legal fees designated within the distribution letter, were distributed in March 2021. Term B Loan will only become available upon achievement of certain clinical development milestones (“Phase II Milestones”) and is available until the earlier of (i) May 31, 2022, (ii) forty-five days after the occurrence of the Phase II Milestones, and (iii) the occurrence of an event of default. The Term A Loan has an interest-only period that commences upon the borrowing with interest due and payable upon the first day of each month. The interest-only period ends May 1, 2023, provided that upon the funding of the Term B Loan the end date will be extended to May 1, 2024. We are required to make a final payment equal to 5.5% of each funded tranche at maturity, which has been recorded as a debt discount and is being amortized over the term of the debt arrangements. The Oxford Loans have a maturity date of March 18, 2026. In connection with the Oxford LSA, we issued warrants to purchase a total of 389,105 shares of Series C Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $0.514 per share. The warrants expire May 19, 2031 and are fully exercisable upon issuance.

DARPA Grant

In April 2021, we entered into a Research Subaward Agreement with UCSF, whereby up to $5.0 million in allowable costs are reimbursable for clinical and manufacturing activities related to zotatifin for the treatment of COVID-19 under the DARPA grant. Under the terms of Research Subaward Agreement, we are obligated to provide financial and technical reports to UCSF on a periodic basis. The subaward can be terminated by either party upon written notice and also in the event that DARPA suspends or terminates its award to UCSF. As of June 30, 2021, $4.3 million remains reimbursable for future allowable costs under the grant.

Funding Requirements

As of June 30, 2021, we had $10.9 million in cash and cash equivalents. Based upon our current operating plans, we believe that the estimated net proceeds from the Business Combination and the PIPE Financing, together with our existing cash and cash equivalents and DARPA grant funding, will enable us to fund our operations for at least 12 months from the date of the filing of this 8-K. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could use our capital resources sooner than we expect. Furthermore, our operating plans may change and we may need additional funds sooner than planned. Additionally, the process of testing product candidates in clinical trials is costly, and the timing of progress in these trials is uncertain. Our future capital requirements are difficult to forecast and will depend on many factors, including but not limited to:

 

   

the type, number, scope, progress, expansions, results of and timing of clinical trials and preclinical studies of our product candidates which we are pursuing or may choose to pursue in the future;

 

   

the costs, timing and outcome of regulatory review of our product candidates;

 

   

the costs of obtaining, maintaining and enforcing our patents and other intellectual property rights;

 

   

the costs and timing of manufacturing for our product candidates, including commercial manufacturing if any product candidate is approved;

 

   

our efforts to enhance operational systems and hire additional personnel to satisfy our obligations as a public company, including enhanced internal controls over financial reporting;


   

the costs associated with hiring additional personnel and consultants as our clinical and preclinical activities increase;

 

   

the costs and timing of establishing or securing sales and marketing capabilities if any product candidate is approved;

 

   

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

 

   

any delays and cost increases that result from the COVID-19 pandemic or future epidemic diseases;

 

   

the terms and timing of establishing and maintaining additional collaborations, licenses and other similar arrangements; and

 

   

the costs associated with any products or technologies that we may in-license or acquire.

We have no other committed sources of capital, other than potential additional draw downs under the Oxford facility and the remaining reimbursement under the DARPA grant. Until we can generate a sufficient amount of product revenue to finance our cash requirements, if ever, we expect to finance our future cash needs primarily through equity offerings, debt financings or other capital sources, including potential additional collaborations, licenses and other similar arrangements. However, we may be unable to raise additional funds or enter into such other arrangements when needed on favorable terms or at all. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of our stockholders will be or could be diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of our common stockholders. 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 additional funds through other collaborations or licensing arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies, future revenue streams, research programs or product candidates or 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 research and development programs or other operations, or grant rights to develop and market product candidates to third parties that we would otherwise prefer to develop and market ourselves.

We have prepared cash flow forecasts which indicate that based on our expected operating cash flows, including net proceeds from the Business Combination and PIPE Financing discussed above, there is sufficient cash-on-hand to fund planned operations for at least twelve months from the date that the financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, are issued.

Cash Flows

The following table sets forth the cash flow from operating, investing and financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2021      2020  

Net cash provided by (used in):

     

Operating activities

   $ (10,813    $ 28,717  

Investing activities

     607        —    

Financing activities

     5,870        89  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash

   $ (4,336    $ 28,806  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 


Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 and 2020

Operating Activities

During the six months ended June 30, 2021, net cash used in operating activities was $10.8 million, which resulted from a net loss of $12.1 million adjusted for changes in operating assets and liabilities and non-cash charges. Non-cash charges included $0.5 million from a loss recorded on debt extinguishment, $0.3 million in stock-based compensation and $0.1 million in non-cash interest expense. Changes in operating assets and liabilities included a $0.4 million increase in prepaid expenses and other assets primarily related to the receivable recorded for the UCSF grant revenue earned through June 30, 2021 and a $0.5 million increase in accrued expenses primarily related to legal and audit fees in relation to the Business Combination.

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, net cash provided by operating activities was $28.7 million, which resulted from net income of $27.7 million adjusted for changes in operating assets and liabilities and non-cash charges. Non-cash charges included $0.2 million in stock-based compensation and $0.1 million of depreciation and amortization expense. Changes in operating assets and liabilities included a $0.4 million decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets primarily related to the collection of the $0.2 million receivable recorded for the R&D payroll tax credit refund, and a $0.2 million reduction in prepaid expenses, a decrease in accrued expenses of $0.5 million primarily related to a reduction in the accrued bonus balance as 2019 bonuses were paid in the first quarter of 2020, and an increase in deferred revenue of $0.6 million primarily related to receipts in excess of revenue recognized, related to the Pfizer collaboration agreement.

Investing Activities

During the six months ended June 30, 2021, net cash provided by investing activities was $0.6 million as a result of proceeds received in connection with the sale of laboratory equipment.

There were no investing activities recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

Financing Activities

During the six months ended June 30, 2021, net cash provided by financing activities was $5.9 million, which was the result of net proceeds of $19.8 million from the issuance of the Oxford Term A Loans, partially offset by the $13.9 million repayment of the previously outstanding SVB Term A and Term B loans.

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, net cash provided by financing activities was $0.1 million, which was the result of proceeds from the exercise of stock options during the period.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We did not have during the periods presented, and we do not currently have, any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under SEC rules.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in our financial statements and accompanying notes. We evaluate these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

While our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 to our financial statements appearing elsewhere in this 8-K filing, we believe that the following accounting policies are the most critical for fully understanding and evaluating our financial condition and results of operations.


Revenue Recognition

We evaluate collaboration arrangements to determine whether units of account within the collaboration arrangement exhibit the characteristics of a vendor and customer relationship. For arrangements and units of account where a customer relationship exists, we apply the revenue recognition guidance. We recognize revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To determine revenue recognition for contracts with customers we perform 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 the performance obligations. At contract inception, we assess the goods or services promised within each contract and assesses whether each promised good or service is distinct and determines those that are performance obligations. We then recognize as revenue the amount of the transaction price that is allocated to the respective performance obligation when (or as) the performance obligation is satisfied.

If a license to our intellectual property is determined to be distinct from the other performance obligations identified in the arrangement, we recognize revenues from non-refundable, upfront fees allocated to the license when the license is transferred to the licensee and the licensee is able to use and benefit from the license. For licenses that are bundled with other performance obligations, we utilize judgment 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 progress for purposes of recognizing revenue. We evaluate the measure of progress each reporting period and, if necessary, adjust the measure of performance and related revenue recognition on a prospective basis.

For research and development services performed under a collaboration agreement in which the performance obligation is satisfied over time, we measure the progress of the activities using an input method. The input methods used are based on the effort expended or costs incurred toward the satisfaction of the related performance obligation. We estimate the amount of effort expended, including the time we estimate it will take to complete the activities, or costs incurred in a given period, relative to the estimated total effort or costs to satisfy the performance obligation. This results in a percentage that is multiplied by the consideration allocated to the research and development services to determine the amount of revenue recognized each period. This approach requires estimates and the use of significant judgement. If the estimates or judgements change over the course of the collaboration, they may affect the timing and amount of revenue recognized in the current and future periods.

Milestones

At the inception of each arrangement that includes milestone payments (variable consideration), we evaluate whether the milestones are considered probable of being reached and estimates the amount to be included in the transaction price using the most likely amount method. 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 our or our collaboration partner’s control, such as regulatory approvals, are generally 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, for which we recognize revenue as or when the performance obligations under the contract are satisfied. At the end of each subsequent reporting period, we re-evaluate the probability of achievement of such milestones and any related constraint, and if necessary, adjusts our estimate of the overall transaction price. Any such adjustments are allocated on a cumulative catch-up basis to satisfied and partially satisfied performance obligations, with the consideration allocated to an ongoing performance obligation being recognized over the period of performance.

Royalties

For arrangements that include sales-based royalties, including milestone payments based on the level of sales, and for which the license is deemed to be the predominant item to which the royalties relate, we recognize revenue at the later of (i) when the related sales occur, or (ii) when the performance obligation to which some or all of the royalty has been allocated has been satisfied (or partially satisfied). To date, we have not recognized any royalty revenue from any collaborative arrangement.

Grant Revenue

Grant revenues are derived from a grant with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (“DARPA”) through the University of California, San Francisco (“UCSF”). We recognize DARPA Grant revenue as reimbursable grant costs are incurred up to pre-approved award limits within the budget period. The costs associated with these reimbursements are reflected as a component of research and development expense in the accompanying statements of operations.


Clinical Trial Accruals and Preclinical Studies

We are required to estimate our expenses resulting from our obligations under contracts with vendors and consultants, CROs and clinical sites in connection with conducting clinical trials and preclinical studies. The financial terms of these contracts are subject to negotiations which vary from contract to contract and may result in payment flows that do not match the periods over which materials or services are provided under such contracts. We reflect clinical trial and preclinical study expenses in our financial statements by matching those expenses with the period in which services and efforts are expended. We account for these expenses according to the progress of the clinical trial or preclinical study as measured by the timing of various aspects of the clinical trial, preclinical study, or related activities. We determine accrual estimates through review of the underlying contracts along with preparation of financial models taking into account correspondence with clinical and other key personnel and third-party service providers as to the progress of the clinical trials, preclinical studies, or other services being conducted. During the course of a clinical trial or preclinical study, we adjust our rate of expense recognition if actual results differ from our estimates. To date, there have been no material differences from our estimates to the amount incurred. However, due to the nature of estimates, we cannot assure you that we will not make changes to our estimates in the future as we become aware of additional information about the status or conduct of our clinical trials, preclinical studies or other research activities.

Preferred Stock Warrants

We have issued freestanding warrants to purchase shares of its convertible preferred stock. Since the underlying convertible preferred stock is classified outside of permanent equity, these warrants are classified as liabilities in the accompanying balance sheets. Warrants classified as liabilities are recorded at their estimated fair value on the date of issuance and are revalued at each subsequent balance sheet date, with fair value changes recognized in other income (expense), net in the accompanying statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). We estimate the fair value of these warrants using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Stock-based compensation expense represents the cost of the grant date fair value of employee stock option grants recognized over the requisite service period of the awards (usually the vesting period) on a straight- line basis. We estimate the fair value of stock option grants using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. We account for stock options granted to non-employees using the fair value approach.

The Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires the use of subjective assumptions, including the risk- free interest rate, the expected stock price volatility, the expected term of stock options, the expected dividend yield and the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. See Note 8 to our financial statements included elsewhere in this 8-K filing for information concerning certain of the specific assumptions we used in applying the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the estimated fair value of our stock options granted in the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2021.

Other Information

Income Taxes

We are subject to corporate U.S. federal and state income taxation. As of December 31, 2020, we had federal and California net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $141.2 million and $36.6 million, respectively, and federal and California research and development (“R&D” tax) credit carryforwards of approximately $7.4 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Federal NOLs of $62.8 million carry forward indefinitely and $78.4 million of our federal NOL and all of our California NOLs and federal R&D tax credit carryforwards will begin to expire in 2034, unless previously utilized. The California R&D tax credit carryforwards are available indefinitely. We have a full valuation allowance against all net deferred tax assets because it is more likely than not that they will be unrealized.

The future use of NOL and tax credit carryforwards may be limited due to changes in ownership. In general, if we experience a greater than 50% aggregate change in ownership of certain significant stockholders or


groups over a three-year period, or a Section 382 ownership change, utilization of our pre-change net operating loss carryforwards would be subject to an annual limitation under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“IRC”), and similar state laws. The annual limitation generally is determined by multiplying the value of our stock at the time of such ownership change (subject to certain adjustments) by the applicable long-term tax-exempt rate. Such limitations may result in expiration of a portion of the pre-change net operating loss carryforwards before utilization and may be substantial.

We completed a preliminary Code Sections 382 and 383 analysis to assess whether an ownership change has occurred since our formation through December 31, 2015, and determined that it was more likely than not that we had an ownership change in May 2013. We updated the preliminary study by completing an analysis of the net operating losses and research credits through December 31, 2020, and determined that it is more likely than not that we did not experience an ownership change during this update period. Any limitations to our federal and California net operating losses have been removed from our summary of deferred tax assets schedule with a corresponding decrease in the valuation allowance.

Emerging growth company and smaller reporting company status

Following the Business Combination, we will qualify as an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act. As such, we can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This allows an emerging growth company to delay the adoption of certain 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, our consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates. We also intend to rely on other exemptions provided by the JOBS Act, including without limitation, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404(b) of Sarbanes-Oxley.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest of (i) December 31, 2026; (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 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 (iv) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in nonconvertible debt securities during the prior three-year period.

We are also a smaller reporting company as defined in the Exchange Act. We may continue to be a smaller reporting company even after we are no longer an emerging growth company. We may take advantage of certain of the scaled disclosures available to smaller reporting companies and will be able to take advantage of these scaled disclosures for so long as our voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $250.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter, or our annual revenue is less than $100.0 million during the most recently completed fiscal year and our voting and non voting common stock held by non-affiliates is less than $700.0 million measured on the last business day of our second fiscal quarter.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 to our financial statements included elsewhere in this 8-K filing for information concerning recent accounting pronouncements.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Interest rate risk

The market risk inherent in our financial instruments and in our financial position represents the potential loss arising from adverse changes in interest rates. As of June 30, 2021, we had $10.9 million in cash and cash equivalents, consisting of non-interest and interest-bearing money market funds. Our primary exposure to market risk is interest rate sensitivity, which is affected by changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates. Due to the short-term, low-risk profile of our money market funds, an immediate 100 basis point change in interest rates would not have a material effect on the fair market value of our cash equivalents.

Our outstanding Oxford Term A Loan carries a variable interest rate equal to the greater of (i) 7.7% and (ii) the sum of the prime rate plus 4.45%. The impact of a 100 basis point change in market interest rate would not have a material impact on our financial condition and/or results of operations.


Foreign currency exchange risk

Our reporting and functional currency is the U.S. dollar. We currently do not have significant exposure to foreign currencies as we hold no foreign exchange contracts, option contracts, or other foreign hedging arrangements. Our operations may be subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates in the future.

Effects of inflation

Inflation generally affects us by increasing our cost of labor and research and development contract costs. We believe inflation has not had a material effect on our results of operations during the periods presented.

EX-99.3

Exhibit 99.3

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The combined company after the Business Combination is referred to as the “Combined Company.” The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet of the Combined Company as of June 30, 2021 and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations of the Combined Company for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020 present the combination of the financial information of Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. (“LWAC”) and eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. (“eFFECTOR”) after giving effect to the Business Combination, PIPE investment and related adjustments described in the accompanying notes. In connection with the closing of the Business Combination the registrant changed its name from Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. to eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020 give pro forma effect to the Business Combination as if it had occurred on January 1, 2020. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2021 gives pro forma effect to the Business Combination as if it was completed on June 30, 2021.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is based on and should be read in conjunction with:

 

   

the accompanying notes to the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information;

 

   

the historical unaudited financial statements of LWAC as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2021, as filed in the Form 10-Q on August 12, 2021, and the historical financial statements of LWAC as of December 31, 2020, and for the period from October 2, 2020 (date of inception) through December 31, 2020, and the related notes, as filed in the Form 10-K on March 29, 2021;

 

   

the historical unaudited financial statements of eFFECTOR as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2021, included elsewhere in this current report on Form 8-K, and the historical financial statements of eFFECTOR as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes, as filed in the Amendment No. 2 to Form S-4 on August 5, 2021; and

 

   

other information relating to LWAC and eFFECTOR included in this current report on Form 8-K including disclosures contained in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of eFFECTOR”, as filed in the Amendment No. 2 to Form S-4 on August 5, 2021.

The pro forma financial information has been prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X Article 11, Pro Forma Financial Information, as amended by the final rule, Amendments to Financial Disclosures about Acquired and Disposed Businesses, as adopted by the SEC in May 2020 (“Article 11”). The amended Article 11 became effective on January 1, 2021. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been presented for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily reflect what the combined company’s financial condition or results of operations would have been had the Business Combination occurred on the dates indicated. Further, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information also may not be useful in predicting the future financial condition and results of operations of the combined company. The actual financial position and results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors. The unaudited pro forma transaction accounting adjustments represent management’s estimates based on information available as of the date of these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements and are subject to change as additional information becomes available and analyses are performed.

On August 25, 2021, Merger Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of LWAC, merged with and into eFFECTOR, with eFFECTOR surviving the Business Combination as a wholly owned subsidiary of LWAC. After giving effect to the Business Combination, the Combined Company directly owns all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of eFFECTOR, and the pre-Business Combination stockholders of eFFECTOR hold a portion of the Combined Company common stock.

The following pro forma combined financial statements presented herein reflect the redemption of 16,978,642 shares of Class A Common Stock by LWAC’s shareholders in conjunction with the shareholder vote on the Business Combination contemplated by the Merger Agreement at a meeting held on August 24, 2021.

 

1


UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

As of June 30, 2021

(in thousands, except for share and par value amounts)

 

     Locust Walk
Acquisition
Corp.
     eFFECTOR
Therapeutics,
Inc.
     Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
    Note 3     Pro Forma
Condensed
Combined
 

ASSETS

            

Current assets

            

Cash

     1,204        —          175,008       a     63,884  
           (169,786     f  
           (13,164     b, c  
          
60,700
 
    i  
           (958     j  
           10,880       k  

Cash and cash equivalents

     —          10,880        (10,880     k     —    

Due from sponsor

     —          —          —           —    

Prepaid expenses

     229        —          1,154       k     1,383  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     —          1,154        (1,154     k     —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total current assets

     1,433        12,034        51,800         65,267  

Marketable securities held in trust account

     175,008        —          (175,008     a     —    

ROU asset

     —          47        —           47  

Property and equipment, net

     —          21        —           21  

Other assets

     —          2,179        (2,179     c     —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

     176,441        14,281        (125,387       65,335  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

2


     Locust Walk
Acquisition
Corp.
     eFFECTOR
Therapeutics,
Inc.
     Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
    Note 3     Pro Forma
Condensed
Combined
 

LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

            

Current liabilities

            

Accounts payable

     —          1,907        (1,442     c     465  

Accrued expenses

     2,105        2,657        (2,629     c     2,133  

Warrant liabilities

     —          780        (780     l     —    

Lease liability, current portion

     —          55        —           55  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     2,105        5,399        (4,851       2,653  

Deferred underwriting commissions payable

     6,565        —          (6,565     b     —    

Non-current term loans, net

     —          18,568        —           18,568  

Accrued final payment on term loans

     —          1,100        —           1,100  

Earnout share liability

     —          —          19,075       n     19,075  

Warrant liabilities

     6,140        —          (5,833     m     307  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     14,810        25,067        1,826         41,703  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Commitment and contingencies

            

Class A Common stock subject to redemption

     156,631        —          (156,631     e     —    

Series A convertible preferred stock

     —          46,567        (46,567     g  

Series B convertible preferred stock

     —          51,084        (51,084     g  

Series C convertible preferred stock

     —          35,573        (35,573     g  

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

            

Class A common stock

     —          —          —         d     4  
           2       e  
           (2     f  
           3       h  
           1       i  
           —         l  
           —         p  

Class B common stock

     —          —          —         d     —    

Common stock

     —          2        (31     h     —    
           29       g  

 

3


     Locust Walk
Acquisition
Corp.
    eFFECTOR
Therapeutics,
Inc.
    Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
    Note 3     Pro Forma
Condensed
Combined
 

Additional paid-in-capital

     9,658       4,817       (3,560     b,c     175,346  
         156,629       e  
         (169,785     f  
         (4,631     h  
         133,195       g  
         60,699       i  
         780       l  
         5,833       m  
         (19,075     n  
         786       o  
         —         p  

Accumulated deficit

     (4,658     (148,829     (1,146     c     (151,718
         4,658       h  
         (957     j  
         (786     o  

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

     5,000       (144,010     162,642         23,632  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

     176,441       14,281       (125,387       65,335  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

4


UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

For the period ended December 31, 2020

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     Locust Walk
Acquisition Corp.
Period from
October 2, 2020
(Inception) to
December 31, 2020
    eFFECTOR
Therapeutics, Inc.
for the year ended
December 31, 2020
    Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
    Note 3     Pro Forma
Condensed
Combined
 

Collaboration Revenue

       42,000           42,000  

Operating expenses

          

Research and development

     —         21,832       1,005       ee     23,795  
         958       ff  

Formation and operating costs

     2       —         (2     dd     —    

General and administrative

     —         4,349       1,146       cc     6,967  
         2       dd  
         1,470       ee  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     2       26,181       4,579         30,762  

Operating income (loss)

     (2     15,819       (4,579       11,238  
          

Other income (expenses)

          

Interest earned on marketable securities held in trust account

     —         —         —           —    

Interest Income

     —         67       —           67  

Interest expense

     —         (1,333     —           (1,333

Other income

     —         9       (9     bb     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net income (loss) before income taxes

     (2     14,562       (4,588       9,972  

Provision for income taxes

     —         351           351  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     (2     14,211       (4,588       9,621  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 
          

Net income (loss) per share—basic

   $ (0.00   $ 0.01         $ 0.25  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share—diluted

   $ (0.00   $ 0.01         $ 0.23  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding, basic

     3,961,250       14,606,544         gg     38,645,589  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted

     3,961,250       27,491,396         gg     41,593,786  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

5


UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF LOSS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

For the six months ended June 30, 2021

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     Locust Walk
Acquisition
Corp. for the
six months ended
June 30, 2021
    eFFECTOR
Therapeutics,
Inc. for the
six months ended
June 30, 2021
    Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
    Note 3     Pro Forma
Condensed
Combined
 

Grant revenue

       692           692  

Operating expenses

          

Research and development

     —         8,540       —           8,540  

Formation and operating costs

     2,613       —         (2,613     dd     —    

General and administrative

     —         2,933       2,613       dd     5,546  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     2,613       11,473       —           14,086  

Operating loss

     (2,613     (10,781     —           (13,394
          

Other income (expenses)

          

Interest earned on marketable securities held in trust account

     8       —         (8     aa     —    

Change in fair value of warrant liability

     (1,809     —         1,633       bb     (176

Transaction costs incurred in connection with warrant liabilities

     (242     —         —           (242

Interest income

     —         2       —           2  

Interest expense

     —         (786     —           (786

Other expense

     —         (73     73       bb     —    

Loss on extinguishment of debt

     —         (492     —           (492
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net loss

     (4,656     (12,130     1,698         (15,088
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net loss per share - basic and diluted

   $ (0.93   $ (0.81       $ (0.38
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted

     4,989,703       14,990,514         gg     40,232,480  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

6


NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Note 1 — Description of the Business Combination

On August 24, 2021, Merger Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of LWAC, merged with and into eFFECTOR, with eFFECTOR surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of LWAC. After giving effect to the Merger, the Combined Company directly owns all of the issued and outstanding equity interests of eFFECTOR, and the pre-Merger stockholders of eFFECTOR hold a portion of the Combined Company’s common stock.

As a result of the Merger Agreement, eFFECTOR’s equityholders received an aggregate number of shares of LWAC common stock equal to $340.0 million divided by $10.00, or 34,000,000 shares. The final conversion ratio used to calculate the final Merger Consideration was approximately 0.0966, resulting in 29,971,233 shares issued for all outstanding eFFECTOR common stock and preferred stock, 50,529 net shares issued after outstanding eFFECTOR warrants were exercised on a cashless basis, and options to purchase 3,920,657 shares issued for eFFECTOR’s underlying vested and unvested, unexercised options outstanding. In connection with the closing of the Business Combination, certain investors agreed to subscribe for and purchase an aggregate of $60.7 million of common stock of Combined Entity (the “PIPE Investment”).

The following summarizes the number of Combined Company Class A common stock outstanding following the consummation of the Business Combination, PIPE investment and the automatic cashless exercise of eFFECTOR warrants:

 

     Shares      %  

eFFECTOR Stockholders

     30,021,762        73.8

LWAC Stockholders

     521,358        1.3

LWAC Founders

     4,056,250        10.0

PIPE Investors

     6,070,003        14.9
  

 

 

    

Total

     40,669,373        100
  

 

 

    

Note 2 — Basis of Presentation

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with SEC Regulation S-X Article 11, as amended by the final rule, Amendments to Financial Disclosures About Acquired and Disposed Businesses, as adopted by the SEC on May 21, 2020 (“Article 11”). The historical financial information of LWAC and eFFECTOR has been adjusted in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information to reflect transaction accounting adjustments related to the Business Combination, including the related PIPE, in accordance with GAAP.

The Business Combination will be accounted for as a reverse recapitalization because eFFECTOR has been determined to be the accounting acquirer under FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations. The determination is primarily based on the evaluation of the following facts and circumstances taken into consideration:

 

   

The pre-Business Combination stockholders of eFFECTOR hold the majority of voting rights in the Combined Company;

 

   

The pre-Business Combination stockholders of eFFECTOR have the right to appoint the majority of directors to the Combined Company’s Board of Directors

 

   

Senior management of eFFECTOR comprise the senior management of the Combined Company; and

 

   

The operations of eFFECTOR comprise the only ongoing operations of the Combined Company.

Under the reverse recapitalization model, the Business Combination will be treated as eFFECTOR issuing equity for the net assets of LWAC, with no goodwill or intangible assets recorded.

 

7


If the actual facts are different than these assumptions, then the amounts and shares outstanding in the unaudited pro forma combined financial information will be different.

The Combined Entity entered into new equity awards with its employees upon the consummation of the Business Combination. The terms of these new equity awards were not changed or amended from the original awards. Accordingly, no effect was given to the unaudited pro forma combined financial information for the new awards.

The unaudited pro forma combined financial information does not reflect the income tax effects of the pro forma adjustments.

 

8


Note 3 — Transaction Accounting Adjustments

Adjustments to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Position as of June 30, 2021

The transaction accounting adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial position as of June 30, 2021 are as follows:

 

  (a)

Cash released from trust

 

      

Adjustment to transfer $175.0 million of marketable securities held by LWAC in trust and converted into cash resources upon close of the Business Combination. Represents the impact of the Business Combination on the cash balance of the Combined Company. Refer to adjustment (f) below for the impact of redemptions.

 

  (b)

Deferred underwriter commission

 

      

Adjustment relates to the payment of deferred underwriting commission of $3.3 million related to the January 12, 2021 IPO of LWAC that was incurred upon closing of the Business Combination, recognized as a decrease in cash and a decrease deferred underwriting commissions liability. The remaining deferred underwriting fee of $3.3 million was conceded by the underwriter, resulting in an additional offset to additional paid-in capital.

 

  (c)

Transaction costs

 

      

Adjustment to decrease cash by $9.9 million and additional paid-in capital for the direct and incremental transaction costs of $6.8 million incurred to complete the Business Combination. Adjustment includes $2.8 million of transaction costs that are not direct or incremental to the Business Combination incurred by LWAC, of which $1.9 million is recorded in the historical financial statements of LWAC as of June 30, 2021, and $0.9 million is reflected as a pro forma adjustment at note (cc). Adjustment also includes $0.3 million of transaction costs that are not direct or incremental to the Business Combination incurred by eFFECTOR, which is recorded in the historical financial statements of eFFECTOR as of June 30, 2021. The direct and incremental transaction costs are comprised of investment banker, legal, audit, tax, accounting and listing fees. Adjustment includes a reduction of accounts payable by $1.4 million and a reduction of accrued expenses by $2.6 million for transaction costs that were included in accounts payable and accrued expenses as of June 30, 2021. Adjustment also includes a reduction of other assets by $2.2 million for direct and incremental transaction costs that were capitalized on eFFECTOR’s balance sheet as of June 30, 2021.

 

  (d)

Automatic conversion of LWAC Class B common stock into Class A common stock

 

      

Adjustment of $0.5 thousand relates to the conversion of 4,511,250 LWAC Class B common stock with a par value of $0.0001 into Class A common stock with a par value of $0.0001 on a one-to-one basis.

 

  (e)

Reclassification of LWAC Class A common stock subject to possible redemption

 

      

This adjustment relates to the reclassification of 15,663,075 LWAC Class A common stock subject to redemption, with a par value of $0.0001 into 15,663,075 Class A common stock, resulting in increase in LWAC Class A common stock par value of approximately $2,000 and an increase of additional paid-in capital of $156.6 million.

 

  (f)

LWAC Class A common stock redeemed

 

      

To record redemption of 16,978,642 LWAC Class A common stock shares at a redemption price of $10.00 per share. The adjustment reduces cash by $169.8 million, additional paid in capital by $169.8 million, and the Combined Company’s common stock by $2 thousand for the par value of the shares.

 

  (g)

Conversion of eFFECTOR Preferred Stock into eFFECTOR common stock

 

      

This adjustment of $30 thousand relates to the conversion of 294,636,237 shares of eFFECTOR Preferred Stock with a par value of $0.0001 into eFFECTOR common stock on a one-to-one basis, resulting in an increase in eFFECTOR common stock par value of $29 thousand and an increase in additional paid-in-capital of $133.2 million.

 

  (h)

Conversion of eFFECTOR common stock into LWAC common stock

 

      

The Business Combination is accounted for as a “reverse recapitalization” in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, eFFECTOR is treated as the accounting acquirer (legal acquiree) while LWAC is the accounting acquiree (legal acquirer) for financial reporting purposes. This

 

9


  determination is primarily based on the fact that subsequent to the Business Combination, the existing shareholders of eFFECTOR have the majority of the voting power of the combined company, eFFECTOR is able to appoint a majority of the governing body of the combined company, and eFFECTOR’s senior management comprise all of the senior management of the combined company. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the Business Combination is treated as a reverse recapitalization with eFFECTOR issuing shares for the net assets of LWAC, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of LWAC are stated at historical costs. No goodwill or other intangible assets is recorded. The pro forma adjustment of the reverse recapitalization is as follows:

 

   

An adjustment to eliminate LWAC’s accumulated deficit of approximately $4.7 million and eliminate eFFECTOR’s common stock par value balance of $31 thousand.

 

   

Using the final Exchange Ratio of approximately 0.0966, the total number of the Combined Company’s common stock issued to eFFECTOR shareholders is approximately 29,913,777. Based on a par value of $0.0001, the adjustment to the Combined Company’s common stock par value balance is approximately $3 thousand. The 29,913,777 shares issued to eFFECTOR shareholders is calculated by applying the Exchange Ratio to the outstanding common and preferred stock of eFFECTOR as of June 30, 2021. As of that date, there were 15,123,995 and 294,636,237 shares of common and preferred stock outstanding, respectively, which convert into 1,460,535 and 28,453,242 shares of the Combined Company’s common stock, respectively. Refer to the table below.

 

eFFECTOR outstanding common stock

     15,123,995  

Number of shares to be issued in connection with eFFECTOR preferred stock conversion into eFFECTOR common stock

     294,636,237  
  

 

 

 

Total eFFECTOR common stock before exchange

     309,760,232  
  

 

 

 

x: Exchange Ratio (approximate)

     0.0966  

Total number of Class A common shares held by eFFECTOR stockholders post Merger

     29,913,777  

 

10


  (i)

PIPE Financing

 

      

Reflects an adjustment related to the subscription for LWAC Class A common stock. LWAC entered into Subscription Agreements, pursuant to which the PIPE investors purchased 6,070,003 shares of LWAC Class A common stock at a price of $10.00 per share. This is recognized as an increase of $60.7 million to cash, approximately $1 thousand to LWAC Class A common stock par value based on the $0.0001 par value per share, and $60.7 million to additional paid-in capital.

 

  (j)

UCSF Payment

 

      

Adjustment relates to required payment to UCSF of $1.0 million related to the July 12, 2021 Amendment to Exclusive License Agreement between eFFECTOR and UCSF that was triggered as a result of the Business Combination. This is recognized as a decrease of $1.0 million to cash and a corresponding increase to accumulated deficit.

 

  (k)

Reclassification of financial statement line items

 

      

Adjustment relates to the reclassification of financial statement line items on the pro forma condensed combined statement of financial position to ensure presentation alignment with the LWAC financial statements.

 

  (l)

Exercise of eFFECTOR Warrants

 

      

Adjustment reflects the automatic exercise of the outstanding eFFECTOR Warrants. Upon consummation of the Business Combination, the outstanding warrants were automatically exercised on a cashless basis.

 

   

An adjustment to reclassify the warrant liability to additional paid-in capital of $0.8 million.

 

   

Using an Exchange Ratio of approximately 0.0966, the total outstanding eFFECTOR Warrants were cashless exercised, and 50,529 shares of LWAC Class A common stock were issued. Based on a par value of $0.0001, the adjustment to the Combined Company’s common stock par value balance was $5 with a decrease in additional paid-in-capital of the same amount.

 

  (m)

Reclassification LWAC Public Warrants from liability to equity

 

      

Adjustment relates to the reclassification of the LWAC Public Warrants from liability. Reduction of warrant liability balance by $5.8 million, which represents the fair value of the LWAC Public Warrants at June 30, 2021, with an offsetting increase to additional paid-in-capital for the same amount.

 

  (n)

Earn-Out liability

 

      

Adjustment reflects the preliminary estimated fair value of the Earn-Out Shares contingently issuable to eligible eFFECTOR stockholders. The preliminary fair value was determined based on information available as of the date of these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. Refer to Note 4 for more information.

 

  (o)

Cumulative pro forma adjustments to accumulated deficit

 

      

Relates to the cumulative pro forma adjustments to the condensed combined statement of loss and comprehensive loss which impact the pro forma accumulated deficit, excluding adjustments for the UCSF payment described in note (j) above and the $2.8 million transaction costs incurred by LWAC as described in note (c) above, which are reflected separately.

 

  (p)

Forfeiture of Founder shares

 

      

Adjustment relates to the forfeiture of 1,000,000 LWAC founder shares resulting in a reduction of Class A common stock by $100 for the par value of the shares and an offsetting increase in additional paid-in capital of $100.

 

11


Adjustments to the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020

The transaction accounting adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020 are as follows:

 

  (aa)

Exclusion of interest income

 

      

Represents elimination of interest earned on cash and securities held in Trust Account.

 

  (bb)

Change in value of outstanding warrants

 

      

Reflects the elimination of the change in fair value related to the eFFECTOR Series C convertible Preferred Stock warrant liability and the LWAC Public Warrants as a result of eFFECTOR warrants being automatically cashless exercised upon consummation of the Business Combination and LWAC Public Warrants being exchanged for warrants to purchase shares of the Combined Company’s common stock.

 

  (cc)

Transaction costs

 

      

Reflects transaction costs that are not direct or incremental to the Business Combination incurred by LWAC.

 

  (dd)

Reclassification of financial statement line items

 

      

Adjustment related to the reclassification of financial statement line items on the pro forma condensed combined statement of loss and comprehensive loss to ensure presentation alignment with the LWAC financial statements.

 

  (ee)

Earnout shares contingently issuable to eFFECTOR option holders

 

      

Reflects the estimated compensation expense associated with the Earn-Out Shares contingently issuable to holders of eFFECTOR stock options. The preliminary estimated fair value was determined based on information available as of the date of this unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. The actual fair value of the incremental compensation is subject to change as additional analyses are performed and such changes could be material once the final valuation is determined. Refer to Note 4 for more information.

 

  (ff)

UCSF Payment

 

      

Adjustment relates to required payment to UCSF of $1.0 million related to the July 12, 2021 Amendment to Exclusive License Agreement between eFFECTOR and UCSF that was triggered as a result of the Business Combination.

 

  (gg)

Calculation of the weighted-average shares outstanding:

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
2020
 

Historical eFFECTOR weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding

     14,606,544  

Impact of eFFECTOR’s convertible preferred stock assuming conversion as of January 1, 2020

     294,636,237  

Impact of eFFECTOR’s warrants assuming automatic cashless exercise as of January 1, 2020

     523,232  
  

 

 

 

Total

     309,766,013  
  

 

 

 

Application of Exchange Ratio to historical eFFECTOR weighted-average shares outstanding

     0.0966  

Adjusted eFFECTOR weighted-average shares outstanding

     29,914,335  

 

12


LWAC Class B common stockholders (1)

     2,661,250  

PIPE investors

     6,070,003  
  

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding, basic

     38,645,588  
  

 

 

 

Dilutive impact of eFFECTOR stock options

     2,948,198  
  

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted

     41,593,786  
  

 

 

 

 

     Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2021
 

Historical eFFECTOR weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding

     14,990,514  

Impact of eFFECTOR’s convertible preferred stock assuming conversion as of January 1, 2020

     294,636,237  

Impact of eFFECTOR’s warrants assuming automatic cashless exercise as of January 1, 2020

     523,232  
  

 

 

 

Total

     310,149,983  
  

 

 

 

Application of Exchange Ratio to historical eFFECTOR weighted-average shares outstanding

     0.0966  

Adjusted eFFECTOR weighted-average shares outstanding

     29,951,416  

LWAC public shareholders (2)

     4,211,061  

PIPE investors

     6,070,003  
  

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted

     40,232,480  
  

 

 

 

 

(1)

Calculated as 3,961,250 weighted average shares outstanding of Class B non-redeemable common stock; less (i) 1,000,000 Founder shares forfeited; and (ii) 300,000 Founder shares subject to forfeiture under earn-out provisions.

 

(2)

Calculated as the sum of the following: (i) 4,989,703 weighted average shares outstanding of Class A and Class B non-redeemable common stock; and (ii) 17,500,000 weighted average shares outstanding of Class A redeemable common stock; less (i) 16,978,642 shares redeemed; (ii) 1,000,000 Founder shares forfeited; and (iii) 300,000 Founder shares subject to forfeiture under earn-out provisions.

 

13


Note 4 — Earn-Out Shares

In accordance with the Merger Agreement, 5,000,000 shares are contingently issuable to eFFECTOR stockholders and option holders upon the occurrence of the Triggering Event, defined within the Merger Agreement as the date on which the common stock price equals or exceeds $20.00 over at least 20 trading days out of 30 consecutive trading day period for the two-year period following the close date of the Business Combination. The stockholders and option holders will be eligible to receive approximately 4,425,865 and 574,135 earnout shares, respectively, based on the current fully diluted cap table of eFFECTOR. The preliminary fair value of the earnout shares is approximately $4.31 per share.

eFFECTOR Shareholders

The contingent obligation to issue Earn-Out Shares to existing eFFECTOR shareholders is expected to be accounted for as liability classified instruments because the Triggering Event that determines the issuance of the Earn-Out Shares include terms that are not solely indexed to the common stock of the Combined Company. The preliminary estimated fair value of the shareholder Earn-Out Shares is approximately $19.1 million.

The preliminary estimated fair value of the Earn-Out Shares was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model using a distribution of potential outcomes on a monthly basis over the Earn-Out Period using the most reliable information available. Assumptions used in the valuation were as follows:

 

Fair value of common stock

   $ 9.70  

Selected volatility

     56.4

Risk-free interest rate

     0.2

Expected term (in years)

     2.3  

Expected dividend yield

     —    

The actual fair value of the Earn-Out Shares and related accounting is subject to change as additional information becomes available and additional analyses are performed and such changes could be material.

eFFECTOR Option Holders

The contingent obligation to issue Earn-Out Shares to existing eFFECTOR option holders falls within the scope of ASC 718, Share-based Compensation, because the option holders are required to continue providing service until the occurrence of the Triggering Event. The preliminary estimated fair value of the option holder Earn-Out Shares is approximately $2.5 million, which will be recorded as share-based compensation over the derived service period of 0.92 years following the consummation of the Business Combination.

The preliminary estimated fair value of the option holder Earn-Out Shares was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model using a distribution of potential outcomes on a monthly basis over the Earn-Out Period using the most reliable information available. Assumptions used in the valuation were as follows:

 

Fair value of common stock

   $ 9.70  

Selected volatility

     56.4

Risk-free interest rate

     0.2

Expected term (in years)

     2.3  

Expected dividend yield

     —    

The actual fair value of the option holder Earn-Out Shares and related accounting is subject to change as additional information becomes available and additional analyses are performed and such changes could be material.

 

14

EX-99.4

Exhibit 99.4

eFFECTOR Therapeutics Debuts as Publicly Traded Next-Generation Oncology Company Advancing Mature Pipeline with New Class of Cancer Therapies

Common stock and warrants expected to commence trading on Nasdaq on August 26, 2021 under the ticker symbols EFTR and EFTRW

San Diego, CA, August 25, 2021eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. (eFFECTOR), a leader in the development of selective translation regulator inhibitors (STRIs) for the treatment of cancer, today completed its business combination with Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: LWAC). The resulting combined company (the Company) has been renamed “eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc.” and expects its common stock and public warrants will commence trading on Nasdaq under the new trading symbols “EFTR” and “EFTRW”, respectively, starting on August 26, 2021.

The stockholders of LWAC approved the transaction at a special meeting held on August 24, 2021, and the transaction was previously approved by eFFECTOR’s stockholders. eFFECTOR’s management team, led by president and chief executive officer, Steve Worland, Ph.D., will continue to lead the Company.

“Cancer continues to be a major global health problem because of its complexity, including multiple escape mechanisms. That is why we are advancing the development of STRIs with the potential to target a central node that drives multiple disease processes simultaneously, including cancer’s inherent escape mechanisms,” commented Dr. Worland. “We believe that our unique approach to development, along with the capital raised from this transaction, could help us unlock the potential of translation regulation to bring this new class of therapies through the clinic and ultimately to patients. Importantly, we anticipate that the cash available from the transaction will see our company through key Phase 2 data readouts for both of our lead programs.”

“With a strong pipeline with multiple near-term data readouts, we are excited to see eFFECTOR Therapeutics take this very important next step in its evolution,” stated Chris Ehrlich, former chief executive officer and director of LWAC who will continue as a director of the Company. “eFFECTOR’s expert team, along with the strategy to accelerate the development of innovative programs that are already progressing in the clinic, makes the Company well-positioned in its efforts to transform treatments for patients with cancer.”

Advisors

Credit Suisse and Stifel acted as lead placement agents for the private placement (PIPE) in connection with the business combination, and Credit Suisse also acted as capital markets advisor to eFFECTOR. Locust Walk Securities also acted as PIPE placement agent. Latham & Watkins LLP acted as legal counsel to eFFECTOR. Cantor Fitzgerald acted as the lead capital markets advisor to LWAC. JMP Securities and Mizuho Securities also acted as capital markets advisors to LWAC. Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. served as legal counsel to LWAC.

About eFFECTOR Therapeutics

eFFECTOR is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on pioneering the development of a new class of oncology drugs referred to as STRIs. eFFECTOR’s STRI product candidates target the eIF4F


complex and its activating kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase 1/2 (MNK). The eIF4F complex is a central node where two of the most frequently mutated signaling pathways in cancer, the PI3K-AKT and RAS-MEK pathways, converge to activate the translation of select mRNA into proteins that are frequent culprits in key disease-driving processes. Each of eFFECTOR’s product candidates is designed to act on a single protein that drives the expression of multiple functionally related proteins, including oncoproteins and immunosuppressive proteins in T cells, that together control tumor growth, survival and immune evasion. eFFECTOR’s lead product candidate, tomivosertib, is a MNK inhibitor currently being evaluated in KICKSTART, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2b trial of tomivosertib in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Zotatifin, eFFECTOR’s inhibitor of eIF4A, is currently being evaluated in Phase 2a expansion cohorts in certain biomarker-positive solid tumors, including ER+ breast cancer and KRAS-mutant NSCLC. eFFECTOR has a global collaboration with Pfizer to develop inhibitors of a third target, eIF4E. In addition to the company’s oncology focus, zotatifin is being evaluated as a potential host-directed anti-viral therapy in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 in collaboration with the University of California, San Francisco, under a $5 million grant sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding the expectation and timing of eFFECTOR’s common stock to commence trading on Nasdaq, eFFECTOR’s timing and likelihood of success, future results of current and anticipated products and the sufficiency of the cash available from the transaction to allow clinical trial data readouts, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to, the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction; eFFECTOR may use its capital resources sooner than it expects; and the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted related to the transaction. Moreover, eFFECTOR operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified and some of which are beyond eFFECTOR’s control, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive, and you should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC in connection with the Business Combination and documents filed by the Company from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and except as required by law. eFFECTOR assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.


Contacts:

Investors:

Stephanie Carrington

Westwicke, an ICR Company

646-277-1282

Stephanie.Carrington@westwicke.com

Media:

Heidi Chokeir, Ph.D.

Canale Communications

619-203-5391

heidi.chokeir@canalecomm.com