Exhibit 10.12
CERTAIN INFORMATION HAS BEEN DELETED FROM THIS EXHIBIT AND FILED SEPARATELY
WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR
CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT UNDER RULE 24b-2.
LICENSE, ROYALTY AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, dated as of the 1st day of September, 1993, by and between
BIONEBRASKA, INC. (hereinafter referred to as "BN"), being a corporation
under the laws of the State of Delaware, U.S.A., and CARLSBERG A/S (referred
to as the "Licensor").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Licensor has invented novel methods for modifying proteins at
the carboxyl terminus, including the amidation of peptides with
transpeptidation techniques using genetically altered analogs of
carboxypeptidase enzymes as more fully described in Appendix A hereto
(referred to herein as the "Technologies"); and
WHEREAS, the intention of BN is to develop and commercialize certain
technologies and know-how which are to be applied relative to the expression
and production of recombinant peptides, including amidated peptides; and
WHEREAS, BN is prepared to take appropriate steps at its expense to file
and prosecute in important jurisdictions, including the E.E.C. and the U.S.,
patent applications in Carlsberg's name (the "Applications") covering the
novel inventions incorporated in the Technologies and to support further
research programs at Carlsberg for the purpose of further developing the
Technologies; and
WHEREAS, Carlsberg is prepared to license to BN on an exclusive basis
all of the novel Technologies which may be covered by patents (the "Patents")
issued under the Applications in any and all jurisdictions where the
Applications have been filed for use in the creation, production or other
manipulation of proteins which are produced by genetically altered
micro-organisms, plants or animals (referred to as the "Licensed Activities").
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the past and future contributions of
the Licensor to the Technologies and the mutual agreements herein contained,
the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
Whenever used in this Agreement, the following terms shall
have the following respective meanings, unless and except to the extent
otherwise indicated by the context hereof:
(a) "Net Sales" shall mean all revenues realized by BN from
the sale of products and services to customers utilizing the Technologies
covered by the Applications and the Patents for the Licensed Activities in
the applicable jurisdictions, less in each case all returns, allowances, the
costs of freight, packaging and insurance and any VAT or other turnover or
sales
taxes levied by any Jurisdiction on the BN's manufacture or sale of the
product or service. For purposes of determining "Net Sales", a sale shall be
deemed to have been made when payments are received from the customer by BN
or by one of its distributors, marketers or controlled affiliates. The
revenues received by BN in each applicable jurisdiction from the sale of (i)
a service which is wholly, or substantially in part, attributable to the use
of the Technologies covered by the Applications and the Patents for the
Licensed Activities or (ii) a product which is, in whole or in substantial
part, created through the use of the Technologies covered by the Applications
and the Patents for the Licensed Activities shall be deemed to be Net Sales
for the purposes hereof. For the purpose of this Agreement it is assumed
that the invoiced prices are such prices as would be fixed by bona fide
sellers and buyers negotiating at arm's length for the sale and purchase of
products and services.
(b) "Net Licensing Revenues" shall mean all licensing
revenues, whether as down-payments, prepaid royalties or current royalties
fees, which shall be received from independent sublicensees by BN relative to
the licensing of the Technologies covered by the Applications and the Patents
for the Licensed Activities in the applicable jurisdictions, less any income
or other tax withheld or otherwise paid to any jurisdiction in respect of the
same (other than income taxes paid in respect of the general operations of
BN).
(c) "Royalty Year" shall mean a calendar year, except that
the first "Royalty Year" shall commence on the date that the aggregate of the
Net Sales and Net Licensing Revenues of BN, as defined above, exceed the
equivalent of [CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED] on a cumulative basis.
2. THE LICENSE. Upon the terms and conditions set forth herein,
the Licensor hereby grants to BN, and BN hereby accepts, the exclusive right
and license to utilize the Technologies covered by the Applications and the
Patents in the rendering of services, the manufacture and sale of products
and the further licensing of the Technologies under the Applications and the
Patents for the Licensed Activities to others.
BN shall exert reasonable efforts to obtain allowance and issuance
of Patents from the Applications and to maintain such Patents and will pay
all fees, costs and taxes necessary in this respect and to prevent lapse of
any such Patent. In the event that for any reason BN shall determine not to
pursue further any one or more applications which are part of the
Applications or not to pay for the issuance or maintenance of one or more
Patents which may issue pursuant to the Applications, then BN shall surrender
all ownership of any such Application or Patent to the Licensor, in each case
using reasonable efforts to afford the Licensor an opportunity to further
pursue or maintain any such Application or Patent for their own accounts.
3. ROYALTY PAYMENTS.
a) During the term hereof, BN shall pay to the Licensor
royalties (referred to as "Royalties") during each Royalty Year equal to:
2
(i) [CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED] of the Net Sales of services by
BN during the Royalty Year;
(ii) [CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED] of Net Sales of Human Growth
Hormone Releasing Factor;
(ii) [CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED] of Net Sales of other proteins,
such royalties to be negotiated in each case based upon the expected profit
and royalty burdens expected to be realized and encountered. In the event of
any failure to agree on a royalty rate for the particular product, upon
application of either party hereto, that royalty rate shall be determined by
arbitration as herein provided.
(b) Also, during the term hereof, BN shall pay to Licensor
during each Royalty year Royalties equal to [CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED]
of the Net Licensing Revenues received by BN during the Royalty Year.
(c) The Royalties, payable pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b)
of this Section 3, shall be paid by BN to the Licensor at its principal
office within a period of 150 days after the end of each Royalty Year.
Simultaneously with each such payment of Royalties, BN shall furnish to
Licensor a statement setting forth in reasonable detail the bases and data
for the calculation of the Royalties being paid.
(d) BN shall maintain appropriate books and records, in
accordance with generally accepted accounting procedures, to document the
calculation of Royalties payable hereunder for each Royalty Year. From time
to time, the Licensor shall have the right, upon ten days' prior notice, to
inspect such books and records at the place where such books and records
shall be regularly kept, but only for the purpose of verifying such
calculations and the amount of Royalties due to Licensor for the particular
Royalty Year or Years and for no other purpose.
(e) If and when it becomes necessary for BN to obtain
licenses under one or more existing patents and patent applications belonging
to a third party in order to practice the Technologies under this Agreement,
BN shall inform Licensor thereof including the terms of such license.
Licensor agrees to negotiate in good faith a reasonable reduction of the
royalty rates under this Agreement to lessen such unforeseen financial burden
provided, however, that such reasonable reduction shall never exceed
[CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT REQUESTED] of the applicable rates without reduction.
4. TERM AND RESEARCH SUPPORT.
(a) This Agreement shall continue and remain in full force
and effect in each jurisdiction where one or more Patents have issued under
the Applications for the duration of any such Patents. In the event that no
Patents shall issue in a particular jurisdiction, this Agreement shall have
full force and effect for a period of ten years after the date hereof or a
period of four years
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after the first commercial sale in such jurisdiction, whichever is the longer
period, and shall terminate at the end of such period with respect to that
jurisdiction. In the event that, after the elapse of five years from the
date hereof, the Technologies are not covered by substantial claims under an
issued Patent in a particular jurisdiction, and one or more third parties
shall manufacture or sell products or services which would infringe the
Applications or Patents which were expected to be obtained under the
Applications or otherwise substantially compete with the products and
services being offered by BN, or distributors or sublicensees of BN, in such
jurisdiction, the provisions of this Agreement shall continue in full force
and effect as provided herein; provided, however, that in any such situation
the parties shall negotiate in good faith a reduction of the royalty fees
provided for in Section 3 (a) and (b) hereof in light of such new
circumstances.
(b) For a period of at least five years from the date hereof,
BN shall support a research program at Carlsberg Laboratory (the "Program")
which shall cover the salary and benefit costs of one post doctorate
scientist (the "Scientist") and the laboratory and travel expenses of the
Scientist (such costs and such expenses not to exceed $45,000 and $15,000 per
year respectively) The Program shall generally encompass research and
development to enhance the utility of the Technologies in and for the
Licensed Activities.
5. LAW AND ARBITRATION. Unless otherwise agreed, this Agreement
shall be governed by the laws of Denmark. Any controversy or dispute arising
out of or relating to matters covered by, or the application of, this
Agreement shall be settled by arbitration. Such arbitration shall be
conducted in the English language and shall be carried out by three
arbitrators (unless the parties can agree upon one arbitrator in which case
there shall be one arbitrator) in Copenhagen, Denmark in accordance with the
Rules of the International Chamber of Commerce, existing at the time of the
arbitration. The fees and expenses of the arbitrators and the arbitration
shall be shared equally by the parties. Pending completion of the
arbitration, the parties shall proceed in good faith with the implementation
of the programs contemplated by this Agreement and in accordance with this
Agreement without prejudice to their respective positions in the arbitration.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.
FOR THE LICENSOR:
CARLSBERG A/S 8 October 1993
By /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
(Authorized Signatory)
BIONEBRASKA, INC.
By /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------
(Authorized Signatory)
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APPENDIX A
LICENSE, ROYALTY AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
DESCRIPTION OF THE TECHNOLOGIES
Carlsberg has developed virtually all the technological understanding
concerning the enzyme Carboxypeptidase Y. Most importantly workers at
Carlsberg have purified the enzyme free of proteases and they have elucidated
the bond specificity in the P1 and P1's positions. Furthermore, they have
developed the utility of this enzyme for transpeptidation reactions which are
useful in peptide synthesis.
Recently, Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx at the University of Oregon in
collaboration with Xx. Xxxxx Xxxxxxx has elucidated the x-ray structure of
the enzyme and now has a clear understanding of the three dimensional
structure of the active and catalytic sites of the enzyme. This information,
which is planned to be submitted for publication soon, has allowed Xx. Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx and coworkers to begin to develop site specific genetic mutants of
the enzyme, in which a single amino acid is changed in the active site.
These mutants may or may not have altered catalytic activities. When many
mutants are generated at a time by random genetic mutagenesis, mutant enzymes
with unique specificities can be selected by screening the mutant organisms
which produce the enzyme with specific substrates. Using this method,
Breddam and his associates have produced mutants of CPDY having specificity
for substrates poorly used by wild type CPDY.
This same technology has been used by others to prepare mutants of other
serine and cysteine proteases with altered activities for peptide substrates.
What is new is that the mutants of CPDY also have altered specificities
for transpeptidation reactions. Thus it is now possible to prepare
genetically derived enzymes that will perform transpeptidation reactions
having unique utility in preparing recombinant peptides.
It may also be possible to prepare unique proteases mutants that will
transfer small organic moieties other than L-amino acids or L-amino acid
amides onto peptides and especially recombinant peptides.
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