EXHIBIT 4.1
ARGONAUT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF FEBRUARY __, 2002
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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SECTION 1 Definitions............................................................................2
SECTION 2 Registration Rights....................................................................3
2.1 Company Registration..............................................................3
2.2 [Reserved.........................................................................4
2.3 Expenses of Registration..........................................................4
2.4 Registration Procedures...........................................................4
2.5 Preparation; Reasonable Investigation.............................................6
2.6 Indemnification...................................................................6
2.7 Information by Holder.............................................................9
2.8 Rule 144 Reporting................................................................9
2.9 Transfer of Registration Rights...................................................9
2.10 Termination......................................................................10
2.11 Representations and Warranties of the Company....................................10
SECTION 3 Legends...............................................................................10
3.1 Legends..........................................................................10
SECTION 4 Miscellaneous.........................................................................11
4.1 Governing Law....................................................................11
4.2 Entire Agreement; Amendment......................................................11
4.3 Aggregation......................................................................11
4.4 Notices, etc.....................................................................11
4.5 Severability.....................................................................11
4.6 Counterparts.....................................................................12
-i-
ARGONAUT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the "AGREEMENT") is made as of the
____ day of ___________, by and among Argonaut Technologies, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and the holders of ordinary shares of Xxxxx
Chromatography Limited ("TARGET") listed on the schedule attached hereto as
Exhibit A (collectively the "SHAREHOLDERS" and each individually a
"SHAREHOLDER").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company and the Shareholders propose to enter into an
agreement pursuant to which Target will be acquired by the Company (the
"ACQUISITION AGREEMENT");
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, all of the issued and
outstanding equity interests in Target shall be exchanged for consideration
which shall include shares of the Company's Common Stock ("COMPANY COMMON
STOCK"); and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Shareholders desire to provide for the
rights of the Shareholders with respect to registration of Company Common Stock
issued to the Shareholders in connection with the acquisition.
Now, therefore, in consideration of the covenants, promises and
representations set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration,
intending to be legally bound hereby the parties agree as follows:
SECTION 1
Definitions
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
respective meanings:
1.1 "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of
the United States or any other U. S. federal agency at the time administering
the Securities Act of 1933.
1.2 "Common Stock" shall mean shares of the Company's Common Stock.
1.3 "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or any similar Federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder, as the same shall be in effect at the time.
1.4 "Holder" shall mean each of the Shareholders (and their transferees
as permitted by Section 2. 18) holding Registrable Securities or securities
convertible into Registrable Securities, plus those Holders set forth in that
certain Amended and Restated Stockholder Rights Agreement dated as of May 22,
1999 and that certain Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 1, 2001
(collectively the "Stockholder Rights Agreements").
1.5 "Other Holders" shall mean holders of Company securities, other than
the Holders and the Holders identified in the Stockholder Rights Agreements,
proposing to distribute their securities pursuant to a registration under
Section 2 of this Agreement or under the Stockholder Rights Agreements.
1.6 "Registrable Securities" means the Company Common Stock and any
shares of Common Stock issued or issuable in respect of such Company Common
Stock upon any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, or similar event.
Shares of the Company Common Stock or other securities shall only be treated as
Registrable Securities if they have not been sold to or through a broker or
dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or a public securities
transaction.
1.7 The terms "register," "registered" and "registration" refer to a
registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement in
compliance with the Securities Act, and the declaration or ordering of the
effectiveness of such registration statement.
1.8 "Registration Expenses" shall mean all expenses, except as otherwise
stated below, incurred by the Company in complying with Section 2. 1 hereof,
including, without limitation, all registration, qualification and filing fees,
printing expenses, escrow fees, fees and disbursements of counsel and
independent public accountants for the Company (and fees and disbursements of
one
special counsel for Holders, if any), blue sky fees, transfer taxes, fees of
transfer agents and registrars and expenses and the expense of any special
audits incident to or required by any such registration, fees and expenses of
the underwriter (excluding discounts and commissions but including liability
insurance if the Company so desires or if the underwriter so requires) (but
excluding the compensation of regular employees of the Company which shall be
paid in any event by the Company).
1.9 "Securities" shall mean Common Stock.
1.10 "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
or any similar United States federal statute and the rules and regulations of
the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.
1.11 "Selling Expenses" shall mean all underwriting discounts and
selling commissions applicable to the securities registered by the Holders.
SECTION 2
Registration Rights
2.1 Company Registration.
(a) Notice of Registration. If at any time or from time to time the
Company shall determine to register any of its securities, either for its own
account or the account of a security holder or holders, other than (i) a
registration relating solely to employee benefit plans, or (ii) a registration
relating solely to a Rule 145 transaction, the Company will:
(i) promptly give to each Holder written notice thereof; and
(ii) include in such registration (and any related qualification
under blue sky laws or other compliance), and in any underwriting involved
therein, all the Registrable Securities specified in a written request or
requests, made by any Holder within twenty (20) days after receipt of such
written notice from the Company.
(b) Underwriting. If the registration of which the Company gives
notice is for a registered public offering involving an underwriting, the
Company shall so advise the Holders as a part of the written notice given
pursuant to Section 2.1(a)(i). In such event the right of any Holder to
registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 shall be conditioned upon such
Holder's participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of Registrable
Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Holders
proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall,
together with the Company and the Other Holders, enter into an underwriting
agreement in customary form with the managing underwriter selected for such
underwriting by the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section
2.1, if the managing underwriter determines that marketing factors require a
limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, the managing underwriter
may limit the number of shares of Registrable Securities to be included in such
registration without requiring any limitation in the number of shares to be
registered on behalf of the Company, provided that the number of shares of
Registrable Securities held by Holders and the Other Holders to be included in
such registration shall not be limited to less than twenty-five percent (25%) of
the total number of shares to be included in such registration. The Company
shall so advise all Holders and Other Holders and the number of shares that may
be included in the registration and underwriting by all Holders and Other
Holders shall be allocated among them, as nearly as practicable, first, to the
Company (or, if applicable, to the holders for whose account the Company is
registering the securities), second, among the Holders in proportion to the
respective amounts of Registrable Securities held by such Holders at the time of
filing of the registration statement, and, third, among the Other Holders in
proportion to the number of shares proposed to be included in such registration
by such Other Holders; provided, however, that at all times, such allocation
shall be subject to the twenty-five percent (25%) threshold set forth in the
preceding sentence. To facilitate the allocation of shares in accordance with
the above provisions, the Company may round the number of shares allocated to
any Holder or Other Holder to the nearest one hundred (100) shares. If any
Holder or Other Holder disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting, such
holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the
managing underwriter. Any securities excluded or withdrawn from such
underwriting shall be withdrawn from such registration.
(c) Right to Terminate Registration. The Company shall have the
right to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it under this
Section 2.1 prior to the effectiveness of such registration whether or not any
Holder has elected to include Registrable Securities in such registration.
2.2 [Reserved. ]
2.3 Expenses of Registration.
(a) Registration Expenses. The Company shall bear all
Registration Expenses incurred in connection with all registrations pursuant to
Section 2.1.
(b) Selling Expenses. Unless otherwise stated in Section 2.3(a),
all Selling Expenses relating to securities registered on behalf of the Holders
shall be borne by the Holders pro rata on the basis of the number of shares so
registered by such Holder.
2.4 Registration Procedures. In the case of each registration,
qualification or compliance effected by the Company pursuant to this Agreement,
the Company will:
(a) keep each Holder advised in writing as to the initiation of
each registration, qualification and compliance and as to the completion
thereof;
(b) as soon as practicable prepare and file with the Commission a
registration statement with respect to such securities and use its best efforts
to cause such registration statement to become and remain effective until the
earlier of (i) the expiration of one hundred twenty (120) days or (ii) the
completion of distribution described in the Registration Statement; provided,
however, that such 120-day period shall be extended for a period of time equal
to the period the Holder refrains from selling any securities included in such
registration at the request of an underwriter of Common Stock (or other
securities) of the Company;
(c) furnish to the Holders participating in such registration
and to the underwriters of the securities being registered such reasonable
number of copies of the registration statement, preliminary prospectus, final
prospectus and such other documents as such underwriters may reasonably request
in order to facilitate the public offering of such securities;
(d) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection
with such registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the
provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all
securities covered by such registration statement;
(e) in the event of an underwritten public offering, enter
into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and
customary form, with the managing underwriter of such offering. Each Holder
participating in such underwriting shall also enter into and perform its
obligations under such an agreement;
(f) notify each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such
registration statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto 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 an untrue statement of material fact or omits to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements made therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then
existing;
(g) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable
Securities registered hereunder and a CUSIP number for all such Registrable
Securities, in each case not later than the effective date of such registration;
(h) use its best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable
Securities under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as
any Holder reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things which
may be necessary or advisable to enable such holder to consummate the
disposition in such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities owned by such
seller; provided, that the Company will not be required to (i) qualify generally
to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to
qualify but for this paragraph (h), (ii) subject itself to taxation in any such
jurisdiction or (iii) consent to general service or process in any such
jurisdiction, but the Company will be required to consent to service or process
in actions arising out of or in connection with the sale of the Registrable
Securities or any violation of state securities laws;
(i) use its best efforts to cause the Registrable Securities
covered by such registration statement to be registered with or approved by any
other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the
business and operations of the Company to enable the seller or sellers thereof
to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;
(j) use its best efforts to obtain a comfort letter from the
Company's independent public accountants in customary form and covering such
matters of the type customarily covered by comfort letters with respect to
offerings of such type as the Holders may reasonably request;
(k) otherwise comply with all applicable rules and regulations
of the Commission, and make available to its security holders, as soon as
reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering a period of twelve
months, beginning within three months after the effective date of the
registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of
Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder; and
(l) cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each
securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then
listed, provided that the applicable listing requirements are satisfied.
The Company may require each holder of Registrable Securities as to
which any registration is being effected to furnish to the Company such
information regarding the distribution of such Registrable Securities as the
Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing.
2.5 Preparation; Reasonable Investigation. In connection with the
preparation and filing of each registration statement under the Securities Act
pursuant to this Agreement, the Company will give each Holder of Registrable
Securities, their underwriters, if any, and their respective counsel and
accountants, the opportunity to participate in the preparation of such
registration statement, each prospectus included therein or filed with the
Commission, and each amendment, thereof or supplement thereto, and will give
each of them such access to its books and records and such opportunities to
discuss the business of the Company with its officers and the independent public
accountants who have certified its financial statements as shall be necessary,
in the opinion of such Holders' and such underwriters' respective counsel, to
conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act.
2.6 Indemnification.
(a) By Company. To the full extent permitted by law, the Company
will indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, each of its officers and directors
and partners, and each person controlling such Holder within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act, with respect to which registration,
qualification or compliance has been effected pursuant to this Agreement, and
each underwriter, if any, and each person who controls any underwriter within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and each Shareholder and its
officers, directors and partners and each person controlling such Shareholder
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, against all expenses,
claims, losses, damages or liabilities, joint or several, (or actions in respect
thereof), including any of the foregoing incurred in settlement of any
litigation, commenced or threatened, arising out of or based on any untrue
statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any
registration statement, prospectus, offering circular or other document, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, incident to any such registration,
qualification or compliance, or based on any omission (or alleged omission) to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in
which they were made, not misleading, or any violation by the Company of the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state or federal securities law, or any
rule or regulation promulgated under such Acts or law applicable to the Company
in connection with any such registration, qualification or compliance, and the
Company will reimburse each such Holder, each of its officers, directors and
partners, and each person controlling such Holder, each such underwriter and
each person who controls any such underwriter, each Shareholder, each of its
officers, directors and partners and each person controlling such Shareholder,
in advance of the final disposition of such matter, for any legal and any other
expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating, preparing or
defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability or action, provided that the
Company will not be liable in any such case to any such Holder to the extent
that any such claim, loss, damage, liability or expense arises out of or is
based on any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
omission, made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Company by an instrument duly executed by such Holder,
controlling person, underwriter or Shareholder and stated to be specifically for
use therein. If the Holders and Shareholders are represented by counsel other
than counsel for the Company, the Company will not be obligated under this
Section 2.6(a) to reimburse legal fees and expenses of more than one separate
counsel for all Holders and Shareholders.
(b) By Holders. Each Holder will, if Registrable Securities held
by such Holder are included in the securities as to which such registration,
qualification or compliance is being effected, indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, each of its directors, each of its officers, each underwriter, if any,
of the Company's securities covered by such a registration statement, each
person who controls the Company or such underwriter within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act, and each other such Holder, each of its
officers and directors and each person controlling such Holder within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, against all claims, losses, damages
and liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arising out of or based on any
untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in
any such registration statement, prospectus, offering circular or other
document, or any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, and will reimburse the Company, such Holders, such directors,
officers, persons, underwriters or control persons for any legal or any other
expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any
such claim, loss, damage, liability or action, in each case to the extent, but
only to the extent, that such untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) or
omission (or alleged omission) is made in such registration statement,
prospectus, offering circular or other document in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by an instrument
duly executed by such Holder and stated to be specifically for use therein.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the liability of each Holder under this
subsection (b) shall be limited in an amount equal to the amount of net proceeds
received by such Holder in respect of the Registrable Securities sold by such
Holder, unless such liability arises out of or is based on willful misconduct by
such Holder.
(c) Procedures. Each party entitled to indemnification under this
Section 2.6 (the "INDEMNIFIED PARTY") shall give written notice to the party
required to provide indemnification (the "INDEMNIFYING PARTY") promptly after
such Indemnified Party has actual knowledge of any claim as
to which indemnity may be sought, and shall permit the Indemnifying Party to
assume the defense of any such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom,
provided that counsel for the Indemnifying Party, who shall conduct the defense
of such claim or litigation, shall be approved by the Indemnified Party (whose
approval shall not unreasonably be withheld), and the Indemnified Party may
participate in such defense at such party's expense, and provided further that
the failure of any Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not
relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Agreement unless
the failure to give such notice is materially prejudicial to an Indemnifying
Party's ability to defend such action and provided further, that the
Indemnifying Party shall not assume the defense for matters as to which there is
a conflict of interest or separate and different defenses. No Indemnifying
Party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation, shall, except with the
consent of each Indemnified Party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter
into any settlement which 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.
(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this
Section 2.6 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an
Indemnified Party or is insufficient with respect to any loss, liability, claim,
damage, or expense referred to therein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of
indemnifying such indemnified party hereunder, shall contribute to the amount
paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, liability,
claim, damage, or expense in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect (i)
the relative benefits received on the one hand by the Company and on the other
Hand by the Holders and Other Holders of the Registrable Securities covered by
the registration statement; and (ii) the relative fault of the Company on the
one hand and of the Holders and Other Holders of the Registrable Securities on
the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such
loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense, as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations.
The relative benefits received shall be deemed to be in the same
proportion which the total proceeds from the offering of the securities (net
underwriting discounts and commissions but before adding deducting expenses)
received by the Company bears to the total proceeds from the offering of
securities (net underwriting discounts and commissions but before deducting
expenses) received by the Holder and Other Holders of Registrable Securities
with respect to such offering, and in each case, such net proceeds received from
such offering shall be determined as set forth on the table of the cover page of
the prospectus. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, no Holder shall
be required to contribute any amount in excess of the proceeds (net of
underwriting discounts and commissions but before deducting expenses) received
by such Holder in the registration.
The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified
party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the
untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a
material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by
the indemnified party and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of any loss, liability, claim,
damage or expense referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the
limitations set forth in Section 2.6(c), any legal or other fees, or expenses
reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or
proceeding. The
Company and the Holders agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 2.6 is determined by pro rata allocation
or by any other method of allocation which does not take into account the
equitable considerations referred to herein. No person guilty of "fraudulent
misrepresentation" within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act shall
be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.
(e) Controlling Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the
extent that the provisions on indemnification and contribution contained in the
underwriting agreement entered into in connection with the underwritten public
offering are in conflict with the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6, the
provisions in the underwriting agreement shall control.
2.7 Information by Holder. The Holder or Holders of Registrable
Securities included in any registration shall furnish to the Company such
information regarding such Holder or Holders, the Registrable Securities held by
them and the distribution proposed by them as the Company may request in writing
and only as shall be necessary to enable the Company to comply with the
provisions hereof in connection with any registration, qualification or
compliance referred to in this Agreement.
2.8 Rule 144 Reporting. With a view to making available the benefits
of certain rules and regulations of the Commission which may at any time permit
the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration, after
such time as a public market exists for the Common Stock of the Company, the
Company agrees to use its best efforts to:
(a) Make and keep public information available, as those terms
are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
(b) File with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and
other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act (at any time it is subject to such reporting requirements);
(c) Furnish to any Holder forthwith upon request a written
statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of
Rule 144 (at any time after 90 days after the effective date of the first
registration statement filed by the Company for an offering of its securities to
the general public), and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any it
is subject to such reporting requirements), a copy of the most recent annual or
quarterly report of the Company, and such other reports and documents of the
Company and other information in the possession of or reasonably obtainable by
the Company as such Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule
or regulation of the Commission allowing such Holder to sell any such securities
without registration.
2.9 Transfer of Registration Rights. The rights to cause the Company
to register securities granted Holders under Sections 2.1 may be assigned in
connection with any transfer or assignment by a Holder of Registrable Securities
provided that: (i) such transfer may otherwise be effected in accordance with
applicable securities laws, (ii) such transfer is effected in compliance with
the restrictions on transfer contained in this Agreement and in any other
agreement between the
Company and the Holder, and (iii) such assignee or transferee purchases all
shares of Common Stock held by a Shareholder. No transfer or assignment will
divest a Holder or any subsequent owner of such rights and powers unless all
Registrable Shares are transferred or assigned.
2.10 Termination. The registration rights granted pursuant to this
Section 2 shall terminate as to any Holder at the later of (i) five years after
the Company's initial public offering or (ii) at such time as such Holder may
sell under Rule 144, or a successor rule, in a three month period all
Registrable Securities then held by such Holder.
2.11 Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company
represents and warrants to each of the Shareholders as follows:
(i) The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by the Company have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate
action and will not violate any provision of law, any order of any court or
other agency of government, the Restated Certificate or By-laws of the Company
or any provision of any indenture, agreement or other instrument to which it or
any or its properties or assets is bound, conflict with, result in a breach of
or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any
such indenture, agreement or other instrument or result in the creation or
imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon any
of the properties or assets of the Company.
(ii) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
the Company and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms.
SECTION 3
Legends
3.1 Legends. Each Shareholder understands that the share certificates
evidencing any Registrable Securities shall be endorsed with the following
legends (in addition to any legends required under applicable state securities
laws):
(a) "THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933. THEY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR
HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF A REGISTRATION STATEMENT IN EFFECT WITH RESPECT
TO THE SECURITIES UNDER SUCH ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE
COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED."
(b) "THE SALE, TRANSFER OR ASSIGNMENT OF THE SECURITIES
REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE COMPANY AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER OR HIS PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST. COPIES OF
SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED BY WRITTEN REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF RECORD
OF THIS CERTIFICATE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.
(c) Any legend required to be placed thereon by the California
Commissioner of Corporations or any other applicable state securities laws.
SECTION 4
Miscellaneous
4.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed in all respects
by the laws of the State of Delaware as applied to contracts made and to be
fully performed entirely within that state between residents of that state.
4.2 Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement constitutes the full
and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the
subjects hereof and thereof. This Agreement or any term hereof may be amended,
waived, discharged or terminated by a written instrument signed by the Company
and (i) the Holders, or transferees of such Holders, holding more than fifty
percent (50%) of the Registrable Securities, provided, however, that no such
amendment may treat any Holder in a manner different from the other Holders.
4.3 Aggregation. For the purposes of determining the number of shares
of Registrable Securities held by a transferee or assignee, the holdings of
transferees and assignees of a partnership who are partners or retired partners
of such partnership (including spouses and ancestors, lineal descendants and
siblings of such partners or spouses who acquire Registrable Securities by gift,
will or intestate succession) shall be aggregated together and with the
partnership; provided, that all assignees and transferees who would not qualify
individually for assignment of registration rights shall have a single
attorney-in-fact for the purpose of exercising any rights, receiving notices or
taking any action under Section 2.
4.4 Notices, etc. All notices and other communications required or
permitted hereunder shall be deemed given if in writing and mailed by registered
or certified mail, postage prepaid, or otherwise delivered by hand or by
messenger, addressed (a) if to a Holder, at such Holder's address as set forth
on Exhibit A to this Agreement, or at such other address as such Holder shall
have furnished to the Company in writing, or (b) if to any other holder of any
Registrable Securities, at such address as such holder shall have furnished the
Company in writing, or, until any such holder so furnishes an address to the
Company, then to and at the address of the last holder of such Registrable
Securities who has so furnished an address to the Company, or (c) if to the
Company, at the address of its principal offices and addressed to the attention
of the Corporate Secretary and with a copy to Wilson, Sonsini, Xxxxxxxx &
Xxxxxx, 000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000, Attention: Xxxxxxx
X. X'Xxxxxxx, Esq. or at such other address as the Company shall have furnished
to the Shareholders.
4.5 Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement
becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal,
unenforceable or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect
without said provision; provided that no such severability shall be effective if
it materially changes the economic benefit of this Agreement to any party.
4.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be enforceable against the parties actually
executing such counterparts, and all of which together shall constitute one
instrument.
The foregoing Registration Rights Agreement is hereby executed as of the
date first above written.
THE COMPANY:
ARGONAUT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
By:
---------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
Title: Chief Executive Officer
THE SHAREHOLDERS:
EXECUTED AS A DEED BY )
)
NIVEVE AG )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 5 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Niveve AG
)
EXECUTED AS A DEED BY )
)
PROPEX ENTERPRISES AG )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 5 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Propex Enterprises AG
)
EXECUTED AS A DEED BY )
)
UNIFLEX CO. LTD )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 5 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Uniflex Co. Ltd
)
EXECUTED AS A DEED BY )
)
STEPBIO SRL )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 5 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Stepbio SRL
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
THE TRUSTEES OF THE )
XXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXX 2002 TRUST )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 4 February 2002 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) The Trustees of the
) Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx 2002 Trust
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXXXXX XXXXX XXXXX )
in the presence of )
)
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXXXXXXX XXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 28 January 2002 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
THE TRUSTEES OF THE )
XXXX XXXXXX 2002 TRUST )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 2 February 2002 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) The Trustees of the
) Xxxx Xxxxxx 2002 Trust
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXX XXXXXX )
in the presence of )
)
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXXX XXXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 28 January 2002 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxxxx Xxxxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
THE TRUSTEES OF THE )
XXXXXX XXXXXX 2002 TRUST )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 2 February 2002 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) The Trustees of the
) Xxxxxx Xxxxxx 2002 Trust
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXXXX XXXXXX )
in the presence of )
)
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXXX XXXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 28 January 2002 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxxxx Xxxxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 31 August 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXX XXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 5 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxx Xxxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXX CRAVOS )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 5 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxxx Cravos
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXXXXXXX CRAVOS )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 5 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxxxxxxxx Cravos
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 5 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXXX XXXXXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 5 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXXX XXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 5 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxxxx Xxxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXX XXXXXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 5 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXX XXXXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 5 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxxx Xxxxxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXXXXX XXXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 5 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXXX XXXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 5 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxxxx Xxxxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXXXXXX XXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 5 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX )
in the presence of )
)
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXX XXXXXXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 28 January 2002 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxx Xxxxxxxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
THE TRUSTEES OF THE XXXXXXX AND )
XXXXXXXX XXXXX TRUST )
Acting by Xxxxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) The Trustees of the
) Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx Trust
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XX XXXXX INVESTMENTS LIMITED )
PARTNERSHIP LLP )
Acting by Xxxxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) XX Xxxxx Investments Limited
) Partnership LLP
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXXXX X. XXXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 21 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXX XXXXXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of )
attorney dated 5 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxx Xxxxxxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXXXXX XXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 5 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxxxxxx Xxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 28 August 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
X X XXX XXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 21 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) X X Xxx Xxxxx
)
SIGNED AS A DEED by )
XXXXXX X. XXXXXXXXXX )
Acting by Xxxxx Xxxxx under a power of ) -----------------------------
attorney dated 21 September 2001 ) as attorney for
in the presence of: ) Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
)
EXHIBIT A
SCHEDULE OF SHAREHOLDERS
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx 2002
Trust
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxx 2002 Trust
Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx 2002 Trust
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxxx
Xxxx Cravos
Jo Cravos
Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx
The Trustees of the Xxxxxxx
and Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx Trust
XX Xxxxx Investment Limited
Partnership LLP
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sorbent AB
Stepbio SRL
Niveve AG
Propex Enterprises AG
Uniflex Co. Ltd
X X Xxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
