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EXHIBIT 10.2
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT"), dated as of September
29, 2000, by and among Superconductor Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation,
with its headquarters located at 000 Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx
00000-0000 (the "COMPANY"), and each of the undersigned (together with their
respective affiliates and any assignee or transferee of all of their respective
rights hereunder, the "INITIAL INVESTORS").
WHEREAS:
A. In connection with the Securities Purchase Agreement by and among
the parties hereto of even date herewith (the "SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT"),
the Company has agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained
therein, to issue and sell to the Initial Investors: (i) shares of its Series E
Convertible Preferred Stock (the "PREFERRED STOCK") that are convertible into
shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the "COMMON
STOCK"), upon the terms and subject to the limitations and conditions set forth
in the Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights with respect to the
Preferred Stock (the "CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION"); (ii) stock purchase warrants
(the "INITIAL WARRANTS") that are exercisable into shares of Common Stock upon
the terms and conditions set forth in the Initial Warrants; and (iii) stock
purchase warrants (the "INCENTIVE WARRANTS" and, collectively with the Initial
Warrants, the "WARRANTS") that are exercisable into shares of Common Stock upon
the terms and conditions set forth in the Incentive Warrants; and
B. To induce the Initial Investors to execute and deliver the
Securities Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide certain
registration rights under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations thereunder, or any similar successor statute (collectively, the
"1933 ACT"), and applicable state securities laws.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each
of the Initial Investors hereby agree as follows:
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1. DEFINITIONS.
a. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
(i) "INVESTORS" means the Initial Investors and any
transferee or assignee who agrees to become bound by the provisions of this
Agreement in accordance with Section 9 hereof.
(ii) "REGISTER," "REGISTERED," and "REGISTRATION"
refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a Registration
Statement or Statements in compliance with the 1933 Act and pursuant to Rule 415
under the 1933 Act or any successor rule providing for offering securities on a
continuous basis ("RULE 415"), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness
of such Registration Statement by the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC").
(iii) "REGISTRABLE SECURITIES" means: (A) the
Conversion Shares issued or issuable upon conversion of or otherwise pursuant to
the Preferred Shares (including pursuant to Articles V, VI.D(b) and VI.E of the
Certificate of Designation and Section 2(c) herein); (B) the Warrant Shares
issued or issuable upon exercise of or otherwise pursuant to the Warrants; and
(C) any shares of capital stock issued or issuable as a dividend on or in
exchange for or otherwise with respect to any of the foregoing.
(iv) "REGISTRATION STATEMENT(s)" means a registration
statement(s) of the Company under the 0000 Xxx.
b. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined
herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Securities Purchase
Agreement.
2. REGISTRATION.
A. MANDATORY REGISTRATION. The Company shall prepare and, on
or prior to the date (the "FILING DATE") which is thirty (30) days after the
date of the closing under the Securities Purchase Agreement (the "CLOSING
DATE"), file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-3 covering the
resale of the Registrable Securities, which Registration Statement, to the
extent allowable under the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder (including Rule 416), shall state that such Registration Statement
also covers such indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock as
may become issuable upon conversion of or otherwise pursuant to the Preferred
Shares and upon exercise of or otherwise pursuant to the Warrants to prevent
dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
The number of shares of Common Stock initially included in such Registration
Statement shall be no less than 5,121,508. The Company acknowledges that the
number of shares initially included in the Registration Statement represents a
good faith estimate of the maximum number of shares issuable upon conversion of
or otherwise pursuant to the Preferred Shares and upon exercise of or otherwise
pursuant to the Warrants. The Registration Statement (and each amendment or
supplement thereto, and each request for acceleration of
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effectiveness thereof) shall be provided to (and subject to the approval of) the
Initial Investors and their counsel prior to its filing or other submission.
b. UNDERWRITTEN OFFERING. If any offering pursuant to a
Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof involves an underwritten
offering, the Investors who hold a majority in interest of the Registrable
Securities subject to such underwritten offering, with the consent of a
majority-in-interest of the Initial Investors, shall have the right to select
one legal counsel and an investment banker or bankers and manager or managers to
administer the offering, which investment banker or bankers or manager or
managers shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company. In the event that any
Investors elect not to participate in such underwritten offering, the
Registration Statement covering all of the Registrable Securities shall contain
appropriate plans of distribution reasonably satisfactory to the Investors
participating in such underwritten offering and the Investors electing not to
participate in such underwritten offering (including, without limitation, the
ability of non-participating Investors to sell from time to time at any time
during the effectiveness of such Registration Statement).
c. PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY. The Company shall use its best
efforts to obtain effectiveness of the Registration Statement as soon as
practicable, but in any event not later than the ninetieth (90th) day after the
Closing Date (the "REGISTRATION DEADLINE"). If (i) the Registration Statement
covering the Registrable Securities required to be filed by the Company pursuant
to Section 2(a) hereof is not declared effective by the SEC by the Registration
Deadline, or (ii) after the Registration Statement has been declared effective
by the SEC, sales of all of the Registrable Securities cannot be made pursuant
to the Registration Statement (other than by reason of an Investor's failure to
comply with its obligations under Sections 4(a) or 4(b) of this Agreement), or
(iii) the Common Stock is not listed or included for quotation on the Nasdaq
National Market (the "NNM"), the Nasdaq SmallCap Market (the "NASDAQ SMALLCAP"),
the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") or the American Stock Exchange (the
"AMEX") after being so listed or included for quotation, then the Company will
make payments to the Investors in such amounts and at such times as shall be
determined pursuant to this Section 2(c) as partial relief for the damages to
the Investors by reason of any such delay in or reduction of their ability to
sell the Registrable Securities (which remedy shall not be exclusive of any
other remedies available at law or in equity). Subject to the limitation set
forth in Article VI.H of the Certificate of Designation, the Company shall pay
to each holder of the Preferred Shares or Registrable Securities an amount equal
to the stated value of the Preferred Shares then outstanding (and, in the case
of holders of Registrable Securities, the stated value of Preferred Shares from
which such Registrable Securities were converted or the exercise price of the
Warrants upon exercise of which such Registrable Securities were received)
("AGGREGATE SHARE PRICE"), multiplied by the Applicable Percentage (as defined
below), multiplied by the sum of: (i) the number of months (prorated for partial
months) after the Registration Deadline and prior to the date the Registration
Statement is declared effective by the SEC; provided, however, that there shall
be excluded from such period any delays which are solely attributable to changes
required by the Investors in the Registration Statement with respect to
information relating to the Investors, including, without limitation, changes to
the plan of distribution, or to the failure of the Investors to conduct their
review of the Registration Statement pursuant to Section 3(h) below in a
reasonably prompt manner; (ii) the number of months (prorated for partial
months) during the Registration Period (as defined below) that sales of all of
the Registrable Securities cannot be made pursuant to the Registration Statement
after
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the Registration Statement has been declared effective (including, without
limitation, when sales cannot be made by reason of the Company's failure to
properly supplement or amend the prospectus included therein in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement (including Section 3(b) hereof or otherwise), but
excluding any days during an Allowed Delay (as defined in Section 3(f))); and
(iii) the number of months (prorated for partial months) that the Common Stock
is not listed or included for quotation on the NNM, Nasdaq SmallCap, NYSE or
AMEX or that trading thereon is halted after the Registration Statement has been
declared effective. The term "APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE" means 1.5 hundredths
(.015). (For example, if the Registration Statement becomes effective one (1)
month after the Registration Deadline, the Company would pay $15,000 for each
$1,000,000 of Aggregate Share Price. If thereafter, sales could not be made
pursuant to the Registration Statement for an additional period of one (1)
month, the Company would pay an additional $15,000 for each $1,000,000 of
Aggregate Share Price.) Such amounts shall be paid in cash or, at each
Investor's option, may be added to the Conversion Amount (as defined in the
Certificate of Designation) of the Preferred Shares pursuant to Article VI.A(a)
of the Certificate of Designation and thereafter be convertible into Common
Stock at the "CONVERSION PRICE" (as defined in the Certificate of Designation)
in accordance with the terms of the Preferred Shares. Any shares of Common Stock
issued upon conversion of such amounts shall be Registrable Securities. If the
Investor desires to convert the amounts due hereunder into Registrable
Securities, it shall so notify the Company in writing within two (2) business
days of the date on which such amounts are first payable in cash and such
amounts shall be so convertible (pursuant to the mechanics set forth in the
Certificate of Designation), beginning on the last day upon which the cash
amount would otherwise be due in accordance with the following sentence.
Payments of cash pursuant hereto shall be made within five (5) days after the
end of each period that gives rise to such obligation, provided that, if any
such period extends for more than thirty (30) days, interim payments shall be
made for each such thirty (30) day period.
d. PIGGY-BACK REGISTRATIONS. Subject to the last sentence of
this Section 2(d), if at any time prior to the expiration of the Registration
Period (as hereinafter defined) the Company shall determine to file with the SEC
a Registration Statement relating to an offering for its own account or the
account of others under the 1933 Act of any of its equity securities (other than
on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or their then equivalents relating to equity securities
to be issued solely in connection with any acquisition of any entity or business
or equity securities issuable in connection with stock option or other employee
benefit plans), the Company shall send to each Investor who is entitled to
registration rights under this Section 2(d) written notice of such determination
and, if within fifteen (15) days after the effective date of such notice, such
Investor shall so request in writing, the Company shall include in such
Registration Statement all or any part of the Registrable Securities such
Investor requests to be registered, except that if, in connection with any
underwritten public offering for the account of the Company the managing
underwriter(s) thereof shall impose a limitation on the number of shares of
Common Stock which may be included in the Registration Statement because, in
such underwriter(s)' judgment, marketing or other factors dictate such
limitation is necessary to facilitate public distribution, then the Company
shall be obligated to include in such Registration Statement only such limited
portion of the Registrable Securities with respect to which such Investor has
requested inclusion hereunder as the underwriter shall permit. Any exclusion of
Registrable Securities shall be made pro rata among the Investors seeking to
include Registrable Securities in proportion to the number of Registrable
Securities sought to be included by such
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Investors; provided, however, that the Company shall not exclude any Registrable
Securities unless the Company has first excluded all outstanding securities, the
holders of which are not entitled by contract to inclusion of such securities in
such Registration Statement or are not entitled to pro rata inclusion with the
Registrable Securities; and provided, further, however, that, after giving
effect to the immediately preceding proviso, any exclusion of Registrable
Securities shall be made pro rata with holders of other securities having the
contractual right to include such securities in the Registration Statement other
than holders of securities entitled to inclusion of their securities in such
Registration Statement by reason of demand registration rights. No right to
registration of Registrable Securities under this Section 2(d) shall be
construed to limit any registration required under Section 2(a) hereof. If an
offering in connection with which an Investor is entitled to registration under
this Section 2(d) is an underwritten offering, then each Investor whose
Registrable Securities are included in such Registration Statement shall, unless
otherwise agreed by the Company, offer and sell such Registrable Securities in
an underwritten offering using the same underwriter or underwriters and, subject
to the provisions of this Agreement, on the same terms and conditions as other
shares of Common Stock included in such underwritten offering. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth herein, the registration rights of the
Investors pursuant to this Section 2(d) shall only be available in the event the
Company fails to timely file, obtain effectiveness or maintain effectiveness of
any Registration Statement to be filed pursuant to Section 2(a) in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement.
e. ELIGIBILITY FOR FORM S-3. The Company represents and
warrants that it meets the registrant eligibility and transaction requirements
for the use of Form S-3 for registration of the sale by the Initial Investors
and any other Investors of the Registrable Securities and the Company shall file
all reports required to be filed by the Company with the SEC in a timely manner
so as to maintain such eligibility for the use of Form S-3.
3. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY.
In connection with the registration of the Registrable
Securities, the Company shall have the following obligations:
a. The Company shall prepare promptly, and file with the SEC
as soon as practicable after the Closing Date (but in no event later than the
Filing Date), a Registration Statement with respect to the number of Registrable
Securities provided in Section 2(a), and thereafter use its best efforts to
cause such Registration Statement relating to Registrable Securities to become
effective as soon as possible after such filing (but in no event later than the
Registration Deadline), and keep the Registration Statement effective pursuant
to Rule 415 at all times until such date as is the earlier of (i) the date on
which all of the Registrable Securities have been sold and (ii) the date on
which the Registrable Securities (in the opinion of counsel to the Initial
Investors) may be immediately sold to the public without registration or
restriction (including without limitation as to volume by each holder thereof)
under the 1933 Act (the "REGISTRATION Period"), which Registration Statement
(including any amendments or supplements thereto and prospectuses contained
therein) shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading.
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b. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such
amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to the
Registration Statements and the prospectus used in connection with the
Registration Statements as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statements
effective at all times during the Registration Period, and, during such period,
comply with the provisions of the 1933 Act with respect to the disposition of
all Registrable Securities of the Company covered by the Registration Statements
until such time as all of such Registrable Securities have been disposed of in
accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or sellers
thereof as set forth in the Registration Statements. In the event that on any
Trading Day (as defined in the Certificate of Designation) (the "REGISTRATION
TRIGGER DATE") the number of shares available under a Registration Statement
filed pursuant to this Agreement is insufficient to cover all of the Registrable
Securities issued or issuable upon conversion of or otherwise pursuant to the
Preferred Shares (based on the Conversion Price (as defined in the Certificate
of Designation) then in effect) and upon exercise of or otherwise pursuant to
the Warrants, in each case without giving effect to any limitations on the
Investors' ability to convert the Preferred Shares or exercise the Warrants, the
Company shall amend the Registration Statement, or file a new Registration
Statement (on the short form available therefore, if applicable), or both, so as
to cover one hundred fifty percent (150%) of all of the Registrable Securities
so issued or issuable (without giving effect to any limitations on conversion or
exercise contained in the Certificate of Designation or the Warrants) as of the
Registration Trigger Date, in each case, as soon as practicable, but in any
event within twenty (20) business days after the necessity therefor arises
(based on the market price of the Common Stock and other relevant factors on
which the Company reasonably elects to rely). The Company shall use its best
efforts to cause such amendment and/or new Registration Statement to become
effective as soon as practicable following the filing thereof, but in any event
within sixty (60) days of the Registration Trigger Date. The provisions of
Section 2(c) above shall be applicable with respect to the Company's obligations
under this Section 3(b).
c. The Company shall furnish to each Investor whose
Registrable Securities are included in a Registration Statement and its legal
counsel (i) promptly after the same is prepared and publicly distributed, filed
with the SEC, or received by the Company, one copy of each Registration
Statement and any amendment thereto, each preliminary prospectus and prospectus
and each amendment or supplement thereto, and, in the case of the Registration
Statement referred to in Section 2(a), each letter written by or on behalf of
the Company to the SEC or the staff of the SEC, and each item of correspondence
from the SEC or the staff of the SEC, in each case relating to such Registration
Statement (other than any portion of any thereof which contains information for
which the Company has sought confidential treatment), and (ii) such number of
copies of a prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, and all amendments
and supplements thereto and such other documents as such Investor may reasonably
request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities
owned by such Investor. The Company will immediately notify each Investor by
facsimile of the effectiveness of each Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment. The Company will promptly respond to any and all
comments received from the SEC, with a view towards causing each Registration
Statement or any amendment thereto to be declared effective by the SEC as soon
as practicable and shall file an acceleration request as soon as practicable
following the resolution or clearance of all SEC comments or, if applicable,
following notification by the SEC that any such Registration Statement or any
amendment thereto will not be subject to review.
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d. The Company shall use reasonable efforts to (i) register
and qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statements
under such other securities or "blue sky" laws of such jurisdictions in the
United States as the Investors who hold a majority in interest of the
Registrable Securities being offered reasonably request, (ii) prepare and file
in those jurisdictions such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and
supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to
maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Registration Period, (iii) take
such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and
qualifications in effect at all times during the Registration Period, and (iv)
take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the
Registrable Securities for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that
the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition
thereto to (a) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not
otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 3(d), (b) subject itself
to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, (c) file a general consent to
service of process in any such jurisdiction, (d) provide any undertakings that
cause the Company undue expense or burden, or (e) make any change in its charter
or bylaws, which in each case the Board of Directors of the Company determines
to be contrary to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
e. In the event Investors who hold a majority-in-interest of
the Registrable Securities being offered in the offering (with the approval of a
majority-in-interest of the Initial Investors) select underwriters for the
offering, the Company shall enter into and perform its obligations under an
underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, including, without
limitation, customary indemnification and contribution obligations, with the
underwriters of such offering.
f. As promptly as practicable after becoming aware of such
event, the Company shall notify each Investor of the happening of any event, of
which the Company has knowledge, as a result of which the prospectus included in
any Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a
material fact or omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and use its best
efforts promptly to prepare a supplement or amendment to any Registration
Statement to correct such untrue statement or omission, and deliver such number
of copies of such supplement or amendment to each Investor as such Investor may
reasonably request; provided that, for not more than ten (10) consecutive
calendar days (or a total of not more than thirty (30) calendar days in any
twelve (12) month period), the Company may delay the disclosure of material
non-public information concerning the Company (as well as prospectus or
Registration Statement updating) the disclosure of which at the time is not, in
the good faith opinion of the Company, in the best interests of the Company (an
"ALLOWED DELAY"); provided, further, that the Company shall promptly (i) notify
the Investors in writing of the existence of (but in no event, without the prior
written consent of an Investor, shall the Company disclose to such Investor any
of the facts or circumstances regarding) material non-public information giving
rise to an Allowed Delay and (ii) advise the Investors in writing to cease all
sales under such Registration Statement until the end of the Allowed Delay. Upon
expiration of the Allowed Delay, the Company shall again be bound by the first
sentence of this Section 3(f) with respect to the information giving rise
thereto.
g. The Company shall use its best efforts to prevent the
issuance of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness of any
Registration Statement, and, if such an
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order is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of such order at the earliest possible
moment and to notify each Investor who holds Registrable Securities being sold
(or, in the event of an underwritten offering, the managing underwriters) of the
issuance of such order and the resolution thereof.
h. The Company shall permit a single firm of counsel
designated by the Initial Investors to review such Registration Statement and
all amendments and supplements thereto (as well as all requests for acceleration
or effectiveness thereof and any correspondence to the SEC relating to the
Registration Statement) a reasonable period of time prior to their filing with
the SEC, and not file any document (nor send any correspondence) in a form to
which such counsel reasonably objects and will not request acceleration of such
Registration Statement without prior notice to such counsel. The sections of
such Registration Statement covering information with respect to the Investors,
the Investor's beneficial ownership of securities of the Company or the
Investors intended method of disposition of Registrable Securities shall conform
to the information provided to the Company by each of the Investors.
i. The Company shall make generally available to its security
holders as soon as practicable, but not later than ninety (90) days after the
close of the period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in form complying
with the provisions of Rule 158 under the 0000 Xxx) covering a twelve-month
period beginning not later than the first day of the Company's fiscal quarter
next following the effective date of the Registration Statement.
j. At the request of any Investor, the Company shall use its
best efforts to furnish, on the date that Registrable Securities are delivered
to an underwriter (i) an opinion, dated as of such date, from counsel
representing the Company for purposes of such Registration Statement, in form,
scope and substance as is customarily given in an underwritten public offering,
addressed to the underwriters and (ii) a letter, dated such date, from the
Company's independent certified public accountants in form and substance as is
customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in
an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters.
k. The Company shall make available for inspection by (i) any
Investor, (ii) any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to a
Registration Statement, (iii) one firm of attorneys and one firm of accountants
or other agents retained by the Initial Investors, (iv) one firm of attorneys
and one firm of accountants or other agents retained by all other Investors, and
(v) one firm of attorneys retained by all such underwriters (collectively, the
"INSPECTORS") all pertinent financial and other records, and pertinent corporate
documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the "RECORDS"), as shall
be reasonably deemed necessary by each Inspector to enable each Inspector to
exercise its due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company's officers,
directors and employees to supply all information which any Inspector may
reasonably request for purposes of such due diligence; provided, however, that
each Inspector shall hold in confidence and shall not make any disclosure
(except to an Investor) of any Record or other information which the Company
determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the
Inspectors are so notified, unless (a) the disclosure of such Records is
necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration
Statement, (b) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or
other order from a court or government body of competent jurisdiction, or (c)
the
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information in such Records has been made generally available to the public
other than by disclosure in violation of this or any other agreement. The
Company shall not be required to disclose any confidential information in such
Records to any Inspector until and unless such Inspector shall have entered into
confidentiality agreements (in form and substance satisfactory to the Company)
with the Company with respect thereto, substantially in the form of this Section
3(k). Each Investor agrees that it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such
Records is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent
jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to the Company and allow
the Company, at its expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent
disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order for, the Records deemed
confidential. Nothing herein (or in any other confidentiality agreement between
the Company and any Investor) shall be deemed to limit the Investor's ability to
sell Registrable Securities in a manner which is otherwise consistent with
applicable laws and regulations.
l. The Company shall hold in confidence and not make any
disclosure of information concerning an Investor provided to the Company unless
(i) disclosure of such information is necessary to comply with federal or state
securities laws, (ii) the disclosure of such information is necessary to avoid
or correct a misstatement or omission in any Registration Statement, (iii) the
release of such information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order
from a court or governmental body of competent jurisdiction, or (iv) such
information has been made generally available to the public other than by
disclosure in violation of this or any other agreement. The Company agrees that
it shall, upon learning that disclosure of such information concerning an
Investor is sought in or by a court or governmental body of competent
jurisdiction or through other means, give prompt notice to such Investor prior
to making such disclosure, and allow the Investor, at its expense, to undertake
appropriate action to prevent disclosure of, or to obtain a protective order
for, such information.
m. The Company shall (i) cause all the Registrable Securities
covered by the Registration Statement to be listed on each national securities
exchange on which securities of the same class or series issued by the Company
are then listed, if any, if the listing of such Registrable Securities is then
permitted under the rules of such exchange, or (ii) to the extent the securities
of the same class or series are not then listed on a national securities
exchange, secure the designation and quotation of all the Registrable Securities
covered by the Registration Statement on the NNM or, if not eligible for the
NNM, on the Nasdaq SmallCap and, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, to arrange for at least two market makers to register with the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") as such with respect
to such Registrable Securities.
n. The Company shall provide a transfer agent and registrar,
which may be a single entity, for the Registrable Securities not later than the
effective date of the Registration Statement.
o. The Company shall cooperate with the Investors who hold
Registrable Securities being offered and the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of
certificates (not bearing any restrictive legends) representing Registrable
Securities to be offered pursuant to such Registration Statement and enable such
certificates to be in such denominations or amounts, as the case may be, as the
managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or the Investors may reasonably
request and
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registered in such names as the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or
the Investors may request, and, within three (3) business days after a
Registration Statement which includes Registrable Securities is ordered
effective by the SEC, the Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel
selected by the Company to deliver, to the transfer agent for the Registrable
Securities (with copies to the Investors whose Registrable Securities are
included in such Registration Statement) an instruction in the form attached
hereto as EXHIBIT 1 and an opinion of such counsel in the form attached hereto
as EXHIBIT 2.
p. At the request of the holders of a majority-in-interest of
the Registrable Securities, the Company shall prepare and file with the SEC such
amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a
Registration Statement and any prospectus used in connection with the
Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to change the plan of
distribution set forth in such Registration Statement.
q. The Company shall not, and shall not agree to, allow the
holders of any securities of the Company to include any of their securities in
any Registration Statement under Section 2(a) hereof or any amendment or
supplement thereto under Section 3(b) hereof without the consent of the holders
of a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities. In addition, the
Company shall not offer any securities for its own account or the account of
others in any Registration Statement under Section 2(a) hereof or any amendment
or supplement thereto under Section 3(b) hereof without the consent of the
holders of a majority-in- interest of the Registrable Securities.
r. The Company shall take all other reasonable actions
necessary to expedite and facilitate disposition by the Investors of Registrable
Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement.
s. The Company shall comply with all applicable laws related
to a Registration Statement and offering and sale of securities and all
applicable rules and regulations of governmental authorities in connection
therewith (including without limitation the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act and the
rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC).
4. OBLIGATIONS OF THE INVESTORS.
In connection with the registration of the Registrable
Securities, the Investors shall have the following obligations:
a. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the
Company to complete the registration pursuant to this Agreement with respect to
the Registrable Securities of a particular Investor that such Investor shall
furnish to the Company such information regarding itself, the Registrable
Securities held by it and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable
Securities held by it as shall be reasonably required to effect the registration
of such Registrable Securities and shall execute such documents in connection
with such registration as the Company may reasonably request. At least five (5)
business days prior to the first anticipated filing date of the Registration
Statement, the Company shall notify each Investor of the information the Company
requires from each such Investor.
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b. Each Investor, by such Investor's acceptance of the
Registrable Securities, agrees to cooperate with the Company as reasonably
requested by the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of the
Registration Statements hereunder, unless such Investor has notified the Company
in writing of such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's
Registrable Securities from the Registration Statements.
c. In the event Investors holding a majority-in-interest of
the Registrable Securities being registered (with the approval of the Initial
Investors) determine to engage the services of an underwriter, each Investor
agrees to enter into and perform such Investor's obligations under an
underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, including, without
limitation, customary indemnification and contribution obligations, with the
managing underwriter of such offering and take such other actions as are
reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the
Registrable Securities, unless such Investor has notified the Company in writing
of such Investor's election to exclude all of such Investor's Registrable
Securities from such Registration Statement.
d. Each Investor agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from
the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 3(f)
or 3(g), such Investor will immediately discontinue disposition of Registrable
Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement covering such Registrable
Securities until such Investor's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or
amended prospectus contemplated by Section 3(f) or 3(g) and, if so directed by
the Company, such Investor shall deliver to the Company (at the expense of the
Company) or destroy (and deliver to the Company a certificate of destruction)
all copies in such Investor's possession, of the prospectus covering such
Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.
e. No Investor may participate in any underwritten
registration hereunder unless such Investor (i) agrees to sell such Investor's
Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements in
usual and customary form entered into by the Company, (ii) completes and
executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting
agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such
underwriting arrangements, and (iii) agrees to pay its pro rata share of all
underwriting discounts and commissions and any expenses in excess of those
payable by the Company pursuant to Section 5 below.
5. EXPENSES OF REGISTRATION.
All expenses, other than underwriting discounts and
commissions, incurred in connection with registrations, filings or
qualifications pursuant to Sections 2 and 3, including, without limitation, all
registration, listing and qualification fees, printers and accounting fees and
the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, shall be borne by the
Company.
6. INDEMNIFICATION.
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In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a
Registration Statement under this Agreement:
a. To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify,
hold harmless and defend (i) each Investor who holds such Registrable
Securities, (ii) the directors, officers, partners, employees, agents and each
person who controls any Investor within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 ACT"), if any, (iii) any
underwriter (as defined in the 0000 Xxx) for the Investors, and (iv) the
directors, officers, partners, employees and each person who controls any such
underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, if any (each, an
"INDEMNIFIED PERSON"), against any joint or several losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (collectively, together with actions, proceedings or
inquiries by any regulatory or self-regulatory organization, whether commenced
or threatened, in respect thereof, "CLAIMS") to which any of them may become
subject insofar as such Claims arise out of or are based upon: (i) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact in a Registration
Statement or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading; (ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in any preliminary prospectus if used prior to the effective date
of such Registration Statement, or contained in the final prospectus (as amended
or supplemented, if the Company files any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto with the SEC) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein any
material fact necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the
circumstances under which the statements therein were made, not misleading; or
(iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the 1933 Act, the
1934 Act, any other law, including, without limitation, any state securities
law, or any rule or regulation thereunder relating to the offer or sale of the
Registrable Securities (the matters in the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii)
being, collectively, "VIOLATIONS"). Subject to the restrictions set forth in
Section 6(c) with respect to the number of legal counsel, the Company shall
reimburse the Indemnified Person, promptly as such expenses are incurred and are
due and payable, for any reasonable legal fees or other reasonable expenses
incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification
agreement contained in this Section 6(a): (i) shall not apply to a Claim arising
out of or based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished in writing to the Company by any Indemnified Person
or underwriter for such Indemnified Person expressly for use in connection with
the preparation of such Registration Statement or any such amendment thereof or
supplement thereto; (ii) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any
Claim if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the
Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; and (iii) with
respect to any preliminary prospectus, shall not inure to the benefit of any
Indemnified Person if the untrue statement or omission of material fact
contained in the preliminary prospectus was corrected on a timely basis in the
prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, such corrected prospectus was
timely made available by the Company pursuant to Section 3(c) hereof, and the
Indemnified Person was promptly advised in writing not to use the incorrect
prospectus prior to the use giving rise to a Violation and such Indemnified
Person, notwithstanding such advice, used it. Such indemnity shall remain in
full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of
the Indemnified Person and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable
Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.
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b. In connection with any Registration Statement in which an
Investor is participating, each such Investor agrees severally and not jointly
to indemnify, hold harmless and defend, to the same extent and in the same
manner set forth in Section 6(a), the Company, each of its directors, each of
its officers who signs the Registration Statement, each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, any
underwriter and any other stockholder selling securities pursuant to the
Registration Statement or any of its directors or officers or any person who
controls such stockholder or underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act or
the 1934 Act (collectively and together with an Indemnified Person, an
"INDEMNIFIED PARTY"), against any Claim to which any of them may become subject,
under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Claim arises out
of or is based upon any Violation by such Investor, in each case to the extent
(and only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Investor
expressly for use in connection with such Registration Statement; and subject to
Section 6(c) such Investor will reimburse any legal or other expenses (promptly
as such expenses are incurred and are due and payable) reasonably incurred by
them in connection with investigating or defending any such Claim; provided,
however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 6(b) shall not
apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Claim if such settlement is effected
without the prior written consent of such Investor, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld; provided, further, however, that the Investor shall be
liable under this Agreement (including this Section 6(b) and Section 7) for only
that amount as does not exceed the net proceeds to such Investor as a result of
the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. Such
indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation
made by or on behalf of such Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of
the Registrable Securities by the Investors pursuant to Section 9.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnification
agreement contained in this Section 6(b) with respect to any preliminary
prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Party if the untrue
statement or omission of material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus
was corrected on a timely basis in the prospectus, as then amended or
supplemented.
c. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person or
Indemnified Party under this Section 6 of notice of the commencement of any
action (including any governmental action), such Indemnified Person or
Indemnified Party shall, if a Claim in respect thereof is to be made against any
indemnifying party under this Section 6, deliver to the indemnifying party a
written notice of the commencement thereof, and the indemnifying party shall
have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so
desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume
control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the
indemnifying party and the Indemnified Person or the Indemnified Party, as the
case may be; provided, however, that an Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party
shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the fees and expenses to be
paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel
retained by the indemnifying party, the representation by such counsel of the
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and the indemnifying party would be
inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such
counsel in such proceeding. The indemnifying party shall pay for only one
separate legal counsel for the Indemnified Persons or the Indemnified Parties,
as applicable, and such legal counsel shall be selected by Investors holding a
majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities included in the Registration
Statement to which the Claim relates (with the approval of
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a majority-in-interest of the Initial Investors), if the Investors are entitled
to indemnification hereunder, or the Company, if the Company is entitled to
indemnification hereunder, as applicable. The failure to deliver written notice
to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any
such action shall not relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the
Indemnified Person or Indemnified Party under this Section 6, except to the
extent that the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced in its ability to
defend such action. The indemnification required by this Section 6 shall be made
by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the
investigation or defense, as such expense, loss, damage or liability is incurred
and is due and payable.
7. CONTRIBUTION.
To the extent any indemnification by an indemnifying party is
prohibited or limited by law, the indemnifying party agrees to make the maximum
contribution with respect to any amounts for which it would otherwise be liable
under Section 6 to the fullest extent permitted by law; provided, however, that
(i) no contribution shall be made under circumstances where the maker would not
have been liable for indemnification under the fault standards set forth in
Section 6, (ii) no seller of Registrable Securities guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 0000 Xxx) shall be
entitled to contribution from any seller of Registrable Securities who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation, and (iii) contribution (together
with any indemnification or other obligations under this Agreement) by any
seller of Registrable Securities shall be limited in amount to the net amount of
proceeds received by such seller from the sale of such Registrable Securities.
8. REPORTS UNDER THE 1934 ACT.
With a view to making available to the Investors the benefits
of Rule 144 promulgated under the 1933 Act or any other similar rule or
regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit the investors to sell
securities of the Company to the public without registration ("RULE 144"), the
Company agrees to:
a. make and keep public information available, as those terms
are understood and defined in Rule 144;
b. file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other
documents required of the Company under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act so long as
the Company remains subject to such requirements (it being understood that
nothing herein shall limit the Company's obligations under Section 4(c) of the
Securities Purchase Agreement) and the filing of such reports and other
documents is required for the applicable provisions of Rule 144; and
c. furnish to each Investor so long as such Investor owns
Registrable Securities, promptly upon request, (i) a written statement by the
Company that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144, the
1933 Act and the 1934 Act, (ii) a copy of the
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most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company and such other reports and
documents so filed by the Company, and (iii) such other information as may be
reasonably requested to permit the Investors to sell such securities pursuant to
Rule 144 without registration.
9. ASSIGNMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
The rights under this Agreement shall be automatically
assignable by the Investors to any transferee of all or any portion of
Registrable Securities if: (i) the Investor agrees in writing with the
transferee or assignee to assign such rights, and a copy of such agreement is
furnished to the Company within a reasonable time after such assignment, (ii)
the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer or assignment,
furnished with written notice of (a) the name and address of such transferee or
assignee, and (b) the securities with respect to which such registration rights
are being transferred or assigned, (iii) following such transfer or assignment,
the further disposition of such securities by the transferee or assignee is
restricted under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, (iv) at or
before the time the Company receives the written notice contemplated by clause
(ii) of this sentence, the transferee or assignee agrees in writing with the
Company to be bound by all of the provisions contained herein, (v) such transfer
shall have been made in accordance with the applicable requirements of the
Securities Purchase Agreement, and (vi) such transferee shall be an "ACCREDITED
INVESTOR" as that term defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the
1933 Act.
10. AMENDMENT OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
Provisions of this Agreement may be amended and the observance
thereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either
retroactively or prospectively), only with written consent of the Company, each
of the Initial Investors (to the extent such Initial Investor still owns
Registrable Securities) and Investors who hold a majority interest of the
Registrable Securities. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this
Section 10 shall be binding upon each Investor and the Company.
11. MISCELLANEOUS.
a. A person or entity is deemed to be a holder of Registrable
Securities whenever such person or entity owns of record such Registrable
Securities. If the Company receives conflicting instructions, notices or
elections from two or more persons or entities with respect to the same
Registrable Securities, the Company shall act upon the basis of instructions,
notice or election received from the registered owner of such Registrable
Securities.
b. Any notices required or permitted to be given under the
terms hereof shall be sent by certified or registered mail (return receipt
requested) or delivered personally or by courier (including a recognized
overnight delivery service) or by facsimile and shall be effective five days
after being placed in the mail, if mailed by regular United States mail, or upon
receipt, if delivered personally or by courier (including a recognized overnight
delivery
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service) or by facsimile, in each case addressed to a party. The addresses for
such communications shall be:
If to the Company:
Superconductor Technologies Inc.
000 Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: President and Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
With copy to:
Xxxx Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxxxxx, LLP
00000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
If to an Investor: to the address set forth immediately below such
Investor's name on the signature pages to the Securities Purchase Agreement.
With copy to:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxxx, LLP
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
c. Failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy under
this Agreement or otherwise, or delay by a party in exercising such right or
remedy, shall not operate as a waiver thereof.
d. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to agreements made
and to be performed in the State of Delaware (without regard to principles of
conflict of laws). Both parties irrevocably consent to the exclusive
jurisdiction of the United States federal courts and the state courts located in
Delaware with respect to any suit or proceeding based on or arising under this
Agreement, the agreements entered into in connection herewith or the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby and irrevocably agree that all
claims in respect of such suit or proceeding may be determined in such courts.
Both parties irrevocably waive the defense of an inconvenient forum to the
maintenance of such suit or proceeding. Both parties further agree that service
of process upon a party mailed by first class mail shall be deemed in every
respect effective service of process upon the party in any such suit or
proceeding. Nothing herein shall affect either party's right to serve process in
any other manner permitted by law. Both parties agree that a
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final non-appealable judgment in any such suit or proceeding shall be conclusive
and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on such judgment or in any
other lawful manner.
e. This Agreement, the Securities Purchase Agreement, the
Certificate of Designation and the Warrants (including all schedules and
exhibits thereto) constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof. There are no restrictions,
promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to
herein and therein. This Agreement, the Securities Purchase Agreement, the
Certificate of Designation and the Warrants supersede all prior agreements and
understandings among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof and thereof.
f. Subject to the requirements of Section 9 hereof, this
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and
assigns of each of the parties hereto.
g. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
h. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one
and the same agreement. This Agreement, once executed by a party, may be
delivered to the other party hereto by facsimile transmission of a copy of this
Agreement bearing the signature of the party so delivering this Agreement.
i. Each party shall do and perform, or cause to be done and
performed, all such further acts and things, and shall execute and deliver all
such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents, as the other
party may reasonably request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the
purposes of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
j. Except as otherwise provided herein, all consents and other
determinations to be made by the Investors pursuant to this Agreement shall be
made by Investors holding a majority of the Registrable Securities, determined
as if the all of the shares of Preferred Stock and Warrants then outstanding
have been converted into or exercised for Registrable Securities, as the case
may be.
k. The Company acknowledges that a breach by it of its
obligations hereunder will cause irreparable harm to each Investor by vitiating
the intent and purpose of the transactions contemplated hereby. Accordingly, the
Company acknowledges that the remedy at law for breach of its obligations
hereunder will be inadequate and agrees, in the event of a breach or threatened
breach by the Company of any of the provisions hereunder, that each Investor
shall be entitled, in addition to all other available remedies in law or in
equity, to an injunction or injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the
provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and
provisions hereof, without the necessity of showing economic loss and without
any bond or other security being required.
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l. The language used in this Agreement will be deemed to be
the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and no rules
of strict construction will be applied against any party.
m. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is
invalid or unenforceable under any applicable statute or rule of law, then such
provision shall be deemed inoperative to the extent that it may conflict
therewith and shall be deemed modified to conform with such statute or rule of
law. Any provision hereof which may prove invalid or unenforceable under any law
shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof.
n. The initial number of Registrable Securities included in
any Registration Statement and each increase to the number of Registrable
Securities included therein shall be allocated pro rata among the Investors
based on the number of Registrable Securities held by each Investor at the time
of such establishment or increase, as the case may be. In the event an Investor
shall sell or otherwise transfer any of such holder's Registrable Securities,
each transferee shall be allocated a pro rata portion of the number of
Registrable Securities included in a Registration Statement for such transferor.
Any shares of Common Stock included on a Registration Statement and which remain
allocated to any person or entity which does not hold any Registrable Securities
shall be allocated to the remaining Investors, pro rata based on the number of
shares of Registrable Securities then held by such Investors. For the avoidance
of doubt, the number of Registrable Securities held by an Investor shall be
determined as if all Preferred Shares and Warrants then outstanding and held by
an Investor were converted into or exercised for Registrable Securities.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the undersigned Initial Investors
have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above
written.
SUPERCONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
By: /s/ M. Xxxxx Xxxxxx
------------------------------------------
M. Xxxxx Xxxxxx
President and Chief Executive Officer
RGC INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS, LDC
By: Xxxx Xxxx Capital Management, L.P.,
Investment Manager
By: RGC General Partner Corp.,
----------------------------------
as General Partner
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Managing Director
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