UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): May 15, 2024
Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Utah |
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0-18592 |
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87-0447695 |
(State or other jurisdiction of |
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(Commission |
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(I.R.S. Employer |
incorporation or organization) |
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File Number) |
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Identification No.) |
1600 West Merit Parkway |
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South Jordan, Utah |
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84095 |
(Address of principal executive offices) |
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(Zip Code) |
(801) 253-1600
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
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Trading Symbol(s) |
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Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock, no par value |
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MMSI |
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NASDAQ Global Select Market System |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On May 15, 2024, Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (“Merit”) entered into an indemnification agreement (the “Indemnification Agreement”) with Silvia M. Perez in connection with her election as a director of Merit. The Indemnification Agreement is in substantially the same form as the indemnification agreements entered into between Merit and each of its existing directors and previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
In general, the Indemnification Agreement provides that Merit will indemnify Ms. Perez, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, against all expenses, and liabilities of any type whatsoever actually and reasonably incurred in connection with her service to, or at the request of, Merit. This indemnification is only available if she acted in good faith and in a manner she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Merit, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, she had no reasonable cause to believe her conduct was unlawful.
In addition and subject to certain limitations, the Indemnification Agreement provides for the advancement of expenses incurred by Ms. Perez in connection with any proceeding covered by the Indemnification Agreement. In order to obtain such advancement, she must provide Merit with an undertaking to repay all amounts if it is ultimately determined that she is not entitled to indemnification for such expenses.
The Indemnification Agreement does not exclude any other rights to indemnification or advancement of expenses to which Ms. Perez may be entitled, including any rights arising under applicable law, Merit’s articles of incorporation and bylaws, any other agreement, a vote of shareholders or resolution of directors, or otherwise.
The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Indemnification Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated in this Item 1.01 by reference.
Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors: Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Executive Compensation Arrangements
At Merit’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (“Annual Meeting”) held on May 15, 2024, Merit’s shareholders approved an amendment to Merit’s 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”), to increase the number of authorized shares reserved for issuance under the Incentive Plan by 3,000,000 shares. A description of the Incentive Plan, the amendment and related matters is set forth in Merit’s definitive proxy statement on Form DEF 14A filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2024 (the “Proxy Statement”) and is incorporated herein by reference. Merit’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) previously approved the amendment to the Incentive Plan, subject to receipt of shareholder approval at the Annual Meeting.
Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
On May 16, 2024, Merit’s Board amended and restated Merit’s Third Amended and Restated Bylaws (as so amended and restated, the “Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws”), effective immediately. The amendments delineate the rights and responsibilities of the roles of the Chief Executive Officer and President. Previously, Fred P. Lampropoulos was acting as both President and Chief Executive Officer; however, the Board appointed Joseph C. Wright as Merit’s President on May 15, 2024, and Mr. Lampropoulos resigned from that position. Mr. Lampropoulos continues to serve as Merit’s Chief Executive Officer. The amendments principally:
(i) | Revised Article II Section 2 to allow the Chief Executive Officer rather than the President to call special meetings of the shareholders; |
(ii) | Revised Article III Section 4 to allow the Chief Executive Officer rather than the President to call special meetings of the Board; |
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(iii) | Revised Article IV Section 1 to provide that the officers of Merit shall include a Chief Executive Officer; |
(iv) | Revised Article IV Section 5 to specify that the Chief Executive Officer rather than the President shall, among other things, generally supervise and control Merit’s business and affairs and preside at all meetings of the shareholders and the Board; |
(v) | Added a new Section 6 to Article IV stating, among other things, that the President, subject to the direction and supervision of the Chief Executive Officer, shall (i) be responsible for Merit’s operational affairs; and (ii) assist the Chief Executive Officer and perform such duties as may be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer and that the President shall, at the request of the Chief Executive Officer, or in the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Chief Executive Officer, perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer; and |
(vi) | Revised Article IV Sections 7, 8 and 9 to specify that the Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall perform the duties assigned by the Chief Executive Officer rather than the President. |
The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated in this Item 5.03 by reference.
Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
At the Annual Meeting, Merit’s shareholders voted on the following proposals:
(1) | Election of three nominees, each to serve as a director of Merit until the 2027 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified; |
(2) | Non-binding advisory proposal to approve the compensation of Merit’s named executive officers, otherwise known as a “say-on-pay” vote; |
(3) | Approval of an amendment to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Incentive Plan by 3,000,000 shares; and |
(4) | Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Merit’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. |
A total of 58,064,556 shares of Merit’s common stock were entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting as of March 18, 2024, the record date for the Annual Meeting, of which 53,684,559 shares were represented in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting.
The voting results with respect to each of the proposals are discussed further below.
Proposal 1 - Election of Directors
The votes cast for or withheld for each director nominee were as follows:
Director Nominee |
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For |
Against |
Abstain |
Broker Non-Votes |
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Fred P. Lampropoulos |
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50,241,576 |
1,594,638 |
19,403 |
1,828,942 |
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Stephen C. Evans |
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50,385,611 |
1,444,499 |
25,507 |
1,828,942 |
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Silvia M. Perez |
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51,069,864 |
707,106 |
78,647 |
1,828,942 |
Accordingly, each of the three nominees listed above was elected to serve as a director of Merit until the 2027 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified.
Proposal 2 - Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation
The results of the voting on a non-binding advisory proposal to approve the compensation of Merit’s named executive officers were as follows:
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For |
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Against |
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Abstain |
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Broker Non-Votes |
49,962,560 |
1,838,121 |
54,936 |
1,828,942 |
Accordingly, a majority of votes cast with respect to the advisory “say-on-pay” proposal were “for” approval of the compensation of Merit’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Proxy Statement.
Proposal 3 – Approval of an amendment to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Incentive Plan by 3,000,000 shares
The results of the voting on the increase of the number of shares authorized under the Incentive Plan were as follows:
For |
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Against |
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Abstain |
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Broker Non-Votes |
49,916,011 |
1,844,571 |
95,035 |
1,828,942 |
Accordingly, a majority of votes cast with respect to the amendment to increase the number of shares authorized under the Incentive Plan were “for” approval.
Proposal 4 - Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The voting results with respect to the proposal to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP to serve as Merit’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 were as follows:
For |
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Against |
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Abstain |
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Broker Non-Votes |
51,765,374 |
1,891,519 |
27,666 |
0 |
Accordingly, Merit’s shareholders ratified the appointment of Deloitte and Touche LLP to serve as Merit’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
No other matters were submitted to a vote of shareholders at the Annual Meeting.
Item 8.01. Other Events.
On May 16, 2024, Merit issued a press release announcing the election of Ms. Perez as a Director. A copy of that press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. The information contained in Exhibit 99.1 is intended to be furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
EXHIBIT NUMBER |
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DESCRIPTION |
3.1 |
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Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of Merit Medical Systems, Inc. dated May 16, 2024 |
10.1 |
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Indemnification Agreement dated May 15, 2024 between Merit Medical Systems, Inc. and Silvia M. Perez |
99.1 |
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104 |
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The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC. |
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Date: May 21, 2024 |
By: |
/s/ Brian G. Lloyd |
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Brian G. Lloyd |
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Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary |
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EXHIBIT 10.1
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
This Indemnification Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of May 15, 2024, by and between Merit Medical Systems, Inc., a Utah corporation (“Company”), and Silvia M. Perez, an individual (“Indemnitee”).
RECITALS
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and legal sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and Indemnitee, intending to be legally bound hereby, hereby agree as follows:
1.Definitions.
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2.Indemnification.
(a)Third Party Proceedings. The Company shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by the Utah Revised Business Corporation Act (the “Act”) if Indemnitee is or was a party or is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was or is claimed to be an Agent of the Company, any subsidiary of the Company or any committee or subcommittee of the Board, by reason of any action or inaction on the part of Indemnitee while an Agent of the Company, against all Expenses and liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but not limited to, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld)) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with such Proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful.
(b)Proceedings By or in the Right of the Company. The Company shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by the Act if Indemnitee was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was or is claimed to be an Agent of the Company, all Expenses and liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but not limited to, legal fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid in settlement (if such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld)), in each case to the extent actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the defense or settlement of such Proceeding if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been finally adjudicated by court order or judgment to be liable to the Company in the performance of Indemnitee’s duty to the Company and its stockholders unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action or proceeding is or was pending shall determine upon application that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses, which such court shall deem proper.
(c)Presumptions; Burden of Proof. In making any determination concerning Indemnitee’s right to indemnification, there shall be a presumption that Indemnitee has satisfied the applicable standard of conduct, and the Company may overcome such presumption only by its adducing clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement (whether with or without court approval) or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not meet any particular standard of conduct or have any particular belief or that a court has determined that indemnification is not permitted by this Agreement or applicable law. In addition, neither the failure of any Reviewing Party to have made a determination as to whether Indemnitee has met any particular standard of conduct or had any particular belief, nor an actual determination by any Reviewing Party that Indemnitee has not met such standard of conduct or did not have such belief, prior to the commencement of legal proceedings by Indemnitee to secure a judicial determination that Indemnitee should be indemnified under this Agreement under applicable law, shall be a defense to Indemnitee’s claim or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any particular standard of conduct or did not have any particular belief. Any determination concerning Indemnitee’s right to indemnification that is adverse to Indemnitee may be challenged by Indemnitee in the courts of the State of Utah. No determination by the Company (including without limitation by its directors or any Independent Legal Counsel) that Indemnitee has not satisfied any applicable standard of conduct shall be a defense to any claim by Indemnitee for indemnification or reimbursement or advance payment of Expenses by the Company hereunder or create a presumption that Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard of conduct.
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(d)Reliance as a Safe Harbor. For purposes of this Agreement, and without creating any presumption as to a lack of good faith if the following circumstances do not exist, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company if Indemnitee’s actions or omissions to act are taken in good faith reliance upon the records of the Company, including its financial statements, or upon information, opinions, reports or statements furnished to Indemnitee by other Agents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in the course of their duties, or by committees of the Board or by any other person (including legal counsel, accountants and financial advisors) as to matters Indemnitee reasonably believes are within such other person’s professional or expert competence and who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Company. In addition, the knowledge and/or actions, or failures to act, of any Agent of the Company shall not be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnity hereunder.
(e)Actions Where Indemnitee Is Deceased. If Indemnitee was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any Proceeding by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was an Agent of the Company, or by reason of anything done or not done by Indemnitee in any such capacity, and prior to, during the pendency of, or after completion of, such Proceeding, Indemnitee shall die, then the Company shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless the estate, heirs and legatees of Indemnitee against any and all Expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred by or for such persons or entities in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of such Proceeding on the same basis as provided for Indemnitee in Sections 2(a) and 2(b) above.
(f)Extent of Insurance. The Expenses and liabilities covered hereby shall be net of any payments made irrevocably to or on behalf of Indemnitee by any D&O Insurance carriers or others and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Company will not be liable for the payment of any Expenses or liabilities for which Indemnitee has received payment from a D&O Insurance carrier or other person unless and until the D&O Insurance Carrier or such other person requests reimbursement of such Expenses or liabilities from Indemnitee.
(g)Review of Indemnification Obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event any Reviewing Party shall have determined (in a written opinion, in any case in which Independent Legal Counsel is the Reviewing Party) that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder under applicable law: (i) the Company shall have no further obligation under Section 2(a) or Section 2(b) to make any payments to Indemnitee not made prior to such determination by such Reviewing Party; and (ii) the Company shall be entitled to be reimbursed by Indemnitee (who hereby agrees to reimburse the Company) for all Expenses theretofore paid to Indemnitee to which Indemnitee is not entitled hereunder under applicable law; provided, however, that if Indemnitee has commenced or thereafter commences legal proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction to secure a determination that Indemnitee is entitled to be indemnified hereunder under applicable law, any determination made by any Reviewing Party that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder under applicable law shall not be binding and Indemnitee shall not be required to reimburse the Company for any Expenses theretofore paid in indemnifying Indemnitee until a final judicial determination is made with respect thereto (as to which all rights of appeal therefrom have been exhausted or lapsed). Indemnitee’s obligation to reimburse the Company for any Expenses shall be unsecured and no interest shall be charged thereon.
(h)Indemnitee Rights on Unfavorable Determination; Binding Effect. If any Reviewing Party determines that Indemnitee substantively is not entitled to be indemnified hereunder in whole or in part under applicable law, Indemnitee shall have the right to commence litigation seeking an initial determination by the court or challenging any such determination by such Reviewing Party or any aspect thereof, including the legal or factual bases therefor, and the Company hereby consents to service of process and to appear in any such proceeding.
(i)Selection of Reviewing Party; Change in Control. A determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph (i). If there has not been a Change in Control, a Reviewing Party shall be selected by the Board, and if there has been such a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control which has been approved by a majority of the Board who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control), any Reviewing Party with respect to all matters thereafter arising concerning the rights of Indemnitee to indemnification of Expenses under this Agreement or any other agreement or under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws as now or hereafter in effect, or under any other applicable law, if desired by Indemnitee, shall be Independent Legal Counsel selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).
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Such counsel, among other things, shall render its written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee as to whether and to what extent Indemnitee would be entitled to be indemnified hereunder under applicable law and the Company agrees to abide by such opinion. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Legal Counsel referred to above and to indemnify fully such counsel against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not be required to pay Expenses of more than one Independent Legal Counsel in connection with all matters concerning a single Indemnitee (other than to the extent local counsel or counsel with particular expertise are required), and such Independent Legal Counsel shall be the Independent Legal Counsel for any or all other Indemnitees unless: (i) the employment of separate counsel by one or more Indemnitees has been previously authorized by the Board in writing; or (ii) an Indemnitee shall have provided to the Company a written statement that such Indemnitee has reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between such Indemnitee and the other Indemnitees with respect to the matters arising under this Agreement.
3. Expenses; Indemnification Procedure.
(a)Advancement of Expenses. The Company shall advance all expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of any civil or Proceeding referred to in Section 2(a) or Section 2(b) hereof (including amounts actually paid in settlement of any such Proceeding if such settlement is approved in advance by the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay such amounts advanced only if, and to the extent that, it shall ultimately be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment, not subject to appeal, that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company as authorized hereby.
(b)Notice/Cooperation by Indemnitee. Promptly after receipt by Indemnitee of notice of the commencement or threat of any Proceeding covered hereby, Indemnitee shall (to the extent legally permitted) notify the Company of the commencement or threat thereof, provided that any failure to so notify shall not relieve the Company of any of its obligations hereunder. Notice to the Company shall be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Chief Legal Officer of the Company, and shall be given in accordance with the provisions of Section 12(i) below. In addition, Indemnitee shall give the Company such information and cooperation as it may reasonably require and as shall be within Indemnitee’s power.
(c)Notice to Insurers. If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a claim pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, the Company has D&O Insurance (as defined in Section 6(a) below) in effect, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of such proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the respective policies. The Company shall thereafter take all necessary or desirable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of the Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies, including any advancement of expenses.
(d) Indemnitee shall be entitled to retain one or more counsel from time to time selected by Indemnitee in Indemnitee’s reasonable discretion to act as its counsel in and for the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of each Proceeding. The Company shall not waive any privilege or right available to Indemnitee in any such Proceeding.
(e)The Company shall bear all reasonable fees and Expenses (including invoices for advance retainers) of such counsel, and all reasonable fees and Expenses invoiced by other persons or entities, in connection with the investigation, defense, settlement or appeal of each such Proceeding. Such fees and Expenses are referred to herein as “Covered Expenses.”
(f)Until a determination to the contrary under Section 4 hereof is made, the Company shall advance all Covered Expenses in connection with each Proceeding. Indemnitee shall qualify for advances upon the execution and delivery to the Company of this Agreement which shall constitute an undertaking providing that Indemnitee undertakes to the extent required by law to repay the advance if and to the extent that it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment, not subject to appeal, that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company.
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No other form of undertaking shall be required other than the execution of this Agreement. Advances shall be unsecured and interest free. Advances shall be made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay the expenses and without regard to Indemnitee’s ultimate entitlement to indemnification under the other provisions of this Agreement.
(g)Selection of Counsel. In the event the Company shall be obligated hereunder to provide indemnification for and/or make any advancement of Expenses with respect to the Expenses of any Proceeding, the Company, if appropriate, shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding with counsel selected by the Company, subject to approval by Indemnitee (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of the Company’s election to do so. After delivery of such notice and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement for any fees or expenses of separate counsel subsequently retained by or on behalf of Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding; provided that: (i) Indemnitee shall have the right to employ Indemnitee’s separate counsel in any such Proceeding at Indemnitee’s expense; and (ii) if (A) the employment of separate counsel by Indemnitee has been previously authorized by the Company, (B) Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense, or (C) the Company shall not continue to retain such counsel to defend such Proceeding, then the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s separate counsel shall be Expenses for which Indemnitee may receive indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder.
(h)Each advance to be made hereunder shall be paid by the Company to Indemnitee within ten (10) business days following delivery of a written request therefor by Indemnitee to the Company.
4.Determination of Right to Indemnification.
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5. Mutual Acknowledgement. Both the Company and Indemnitee acknowledge that in certain instances, Federal law or public policy may override applicable state law and prohibit the Company from indemnifying its directors and officers under this Agreement or otherwise. For example, the Company and Indemnitee acknowledge that the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has taken the position that indemnification is not permissible for liabilities arising under certain federal securities laws, and federal legislation prohibits indemnification for certain ERISA violations. Indemnitee understands and acknowledges that the Company has undertaken or may be required in the future to undertake with the SEC to submit the question of indemnification to a court in certain circumstances for a determination of the Company’s right under public policy to indemnify Indemnitee.
6. Officer and Director Liability Insurance.
(a)The Company hereby covenants and agrees with Indemnitee that, subject to Section 6(b), the Company shall obtain and maintain in full force and effect directors’ and officers’ liability insurance (“D&O Insurance”), in reasonable amounts as the Board shall determine from established and reputable insurers with an AM Best rating of A.VI or better, but no less than the amounts in effect upon initial procurement of the D&O Insurance. In all policies of D&O Insurance, Indemnitee shall be named as an insured.
(b)Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no obligation to obtain or maintain D&O Insurance if the Board determines in good faith that the premium costs for such insurance are (i) disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided after giving effect to exclusions, and (ii) substantially more burdensome to the Company than the premiums charged to the Company for its initial D&O Insurance; provided that Indemnitee is given written notice of any such determination within thirty (30) days of the date that it is made (but in no event shall such notice be given less than ten (10) days prior to the termination of any existing D&O Insurance); provided, further, that the Company will be required to obtain and maintain “tail” insurance policies covering Indemnitee for any act or omission taken prior to the termination of the D&O Insurance. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall still be obligated to provide indemnification for and/or make any advancement of Expenses with respect to the Expenses of any Proceeding pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, regardless of whether the Company maintains D&O Insurance covering Indemnitee.
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(c)Indemnitee shall be covered by the D&O Insurance policies that the Company is required to maintain hereunder in such a manner as to provide Indemnitee the same rights and benefits as are provided to the most favorably insured of the Company’s directors, if Indemnitee is a director; or of the Company’s officers, if Indemnitee is not a director of the Company but is an officer; or of the Company’s key employees, agents or fiduciaries, if Indemnitee is not an officer or director but is a key employee, agent or fiduciary.
7.Severability. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law. The Company’s inability, pursuant to court order, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement. The provisions of this Agreement shall be severable as provided in this Section 7. If this Agreement or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Company shall nevertheless indemnify Indemnitee to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Agreement that shall not have been invalidated, and the balance of this Agreement not so invalidated shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
8.Exceptions. Any other provision herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Company shall not be obligated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement:
(a) Claims Initiated by Indemnitee. To indemnify or advance expenses to Indemnitee with respect to Proceedings or claims initiated or brought voluntarily by Indemnitee and not by way of defense, other than: (i) Proceedings under Sections 4(b) or 4(c); (ii) Proceedings brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification under this Agreement or the provisions of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws unless a court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee in such Proceeding were not made in good faith or were frivolous; or (iii) proceedings or claims instituted by Indemnitee with the approval by the Board;
(b)Unauthorized Settlement. To indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of a Proceeding covered hereby without the prior written consent of the Company to such settlement, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld provided that the Company’s consent is not required if the Company is refusing to indemnify or advance Expenses to Indemnitee;
(c)Insured Claims. To indemnify Indemnitee for expenses or liabilities of any type whatsoever (including, but not limited to, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties, and amounts paid in settlement) to the extent such expenses or liabilities have been paid directly to Indemnitee by an insurance carrier under a policy of officers’ and directors; liability insurance maintained by the Company; or
(d)Claims Under Section 16(b). To indemnify Indemnitee for expenses or the payment of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any similar successor statute.
9.Witness Expenses. The Company agrees to compensate Indemnitee for the reasonable value of Indemnitee’s time spent, and to reimburse Indemnitee for all Expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and travel costs) reasonably incurred by Indemnitee, in connection with being a witness, or if Indemnitee is threatened to be made a witness, with respect to any Proceeding, by reason of Indemnitee serving or having served as an Agent of the Company.
10.Attorneys’ Fees. In the event that any action is instituted by Indemnitee under this Agreement to enforce or interpret any of the terms hereof, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid all court costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred by Indemnitee with respect to such action, unless as a part of such action, the court of competent jurisdiction determines that each of the material assertions made by Indemnitee as a basis for such action were not made in good faith or were frivolous. In the event of an action instituted by or in the name of the Company under this Agreement or to enforce or interpret any of the terms of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid all court costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred by Indemnitee in defense of such action (including with respect to Indemnitee’s counterclaims and cross-claims made in such action), unless as a part of such action the court determines that each of Indemnitee’s material defenses to such action were made in bad faith or were frivolous.
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11.Duration. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue during the period that Indemnitee is an Agent of the Company and shall continue thereafter (a) so long as Indemnitee may be subject to any possible claim for which Indemnitee may be indemnified hereunder (including any rights of appeal thereto) and (b) throughout the pendency of any Proceeding (including any rights of appeal thereto) commenced by Indemnitee to enforce or interpret Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement, even if, in either case, Indemnitee may have ceased to serve in such capacity at the time of any such Proceeding.
12.Miscellaneous.
(a)Governing Law. This Agreement and all acts and transactions pursuant hereto and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall be governed, construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Utah, without giving effect to principles of conflict of law.
(b)Consent to Jurisdiction. The Company and Indemnitee each hereby irrevocably consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Utah for all purposes in connection with any action or proceeding which arises out of or relates to this Agreement and agree that any action instituted under this Agreement shall be commenced, prosecuted and continued only in the federal and state courts located in the State of Utah in and for Salt Lake County, which shall be the exclusive and only proper forum for adjudicating such a claim.
(c)Entire Agreement; Enforcement of Rights. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter herein and merges all prior discussions between them. No modification of or amendment to this Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Agreement, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement. The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.
(d)Construction. This Agreement is the result of negotiations between and has been reviewed by each of the parties hereto and their respective counsel, if any; accordingly, this Agreement shall be deemed to be the product of all of the parties hereto, and no ambiguity shall be construed in favor of or against any one of the parties hereto.
(e)Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts. This Agreement constitutes a separate agreement between the Company and Indemnitee and may be supplemented or amended as to Indemnitee only by a written instrument signed by the Company and Indemnitee, with such amendment binding only the Company and Indemnitee. All waivers must be in a written document signed by the party to be charged. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be implied by the conduct of the parties. A waiver of any right hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of any other right hereunder.
(f)Interpretation of Agreement. This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced so as to provide indemnification to Indemnitee to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by the Act.
(g)Subrogation. In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all documents required and shall do all acts that may be necessary to secure such rights and to enable the Company to effectively bring suit to enforce such rights.
(h) Continuation of Indemnity; Binding Effect. Indemnitee’s rights hereunder shall continue after Indemnitee has ceased acting an Agent of the Company and the benefits hereof shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of Indemnitee. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all, substantially all or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.
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(i)Notices. All notices, demands, consents, requests, approvals and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been properly given if hand delivered (effective upon receipt or when refused), or if sent by a courier freight prepaid (effective upon receipt or when refused), in the case of the Company, at the addresses listed below, or to such other addresses as the parties may notify each other in writing.
To Company:Merit Medical Systems, Inc.
Attention: Chief Legal Officer
1600 West Merit Parkway
South Jordan, Utah 84095
To Indemnitee: |
At Indemnitee’s residence address and facsimile number on the records of the Company from time to time. |
(j)Evidence of Coverage. Upon request by Indemnitee, the Company shall provide evidence of the liability insurance coverage required by this Agreement. The Company shall promptly notify Indemnitee of any change in the Company’s D&O Insurance coverage.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signatures appear on the following page.]
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The parties hereto have agreed and accept this Agreement as of the day and year set forth on the first page of this Agreement.
MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
By: /s/ Fred P. Lampropoulos
Name: Fred P. Lampropoulos
Title: Chief Executive Officer
INDEMNITEE:
/s/ Silvia M. Perez
Silvia M. Perez, an individual
[Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement]
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EXHIBIT 3.1
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
BYLAWS
OF
MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
May 16, 2024
ARTICLE I. OFFICES
The principal office of the Corporation in the State of Utah shall be located in the City of South Jordan, County of Salt Lake. The Corporation may have such other offices, either within or without the State of Utah, as the Board of Directors may designate or as the business of the Corporation may require from time to time.
ARTICLE II. SHAREHOLDERS
Section 1.Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders shall be held on a date and at a time designated by the Board of Directors, for the purpose of electing directors and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting.
Section 2.Special Meetings. Special meetings of the shareholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, may be called by the chief executive officer or by the Board of Directors, and shall be called by the chief executive officer at the request of the holders of not less than one-tenth (1/10) of all outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting.
Section 3.Place of Meeting. The Board of Directors may designate any place, either within or without the State of Utah, as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the Board of Directors.
Section 4.Notice of Meeting. Written notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, be delivered not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the chief executive officer, or the secretary, or the officer or other persons calling the meeting, to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the shareholder at his or her address as it appears on the stock transfer books of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid.
Section 5.Closing of Transfer Books and Fixing of Record Date. For the purpose of determining shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose, the Board of Directors of the Corporation may provide that the stock transfer books shall be closed for a stated period, not less than ten (10) days, but not to exceed, in any case, sixty (60) days. In lieu of closing the stock transfer books, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of shareholders, such date in any case to be not more than sixty (60) days and, in case of a meeting of shareholders, not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of which the particular action, requiring such determination of shareholders is to be taken.
If the stock transfer books are not closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the date on which notice of the meeting is mailed or the date on which the resolution of the Board of Directors declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of shareholders.
Section 6.Voting Record. The officer or agent having charge of the stock transfer books for shares of the Corporation shall make a complete record of the shareholders entitled to vote at each meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof.
Section 7.Quorum. A majority of the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of shareholders. If less than a majority of the outstanding shares are represented at a meeting, a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.
Section 8.Proxies. At all meetings of shareholders, a shareholder may vote in person or by proxy executed in writing by the shareholder or by his or her duly authorized attorney in fact.
Section 9.Voting of Shares. Each outstanding share entitled to vote shall be entitled to one (1) vote upon each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders.
Section 10.Informal Action by Shareholders. Any action required to be taken at a meeting of the shareholders, or any action which may be taken at a meeting of the shareholders, may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the shareholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof.
Section 11. Transaction of Business at Meeting. No business may be transacted at an annual meeting of shareholders, other than business that is either (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof), (b) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (c) otherwise properly brought before the annual meeting by any shareholder of the Corporation (i) who is a shareholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 11 and on the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11.
In addition to any other applicable requirements, for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder, such shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation.
To be timely, a shareholder's notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 120th day in advance of the anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting of shareholders, nor earlier than the close of business on the 150th day in advance of the anniversary date of the previous year’s annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that if the Corporation did not hold an annual meeting of shareholders the previous year, or if the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs.
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To be in proper written form, a shareholder's notice to the Secretary must set forth as to each matter such shareholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and record address of such shareholder, (iii) the class and series and number of shares of each class and series of stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such shareholder, (iv) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such shareholder and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such shareholder and any material interest of such shareholder in such business and (v) a representation that such shareholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and that such shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting.
In addition, notwithstanding anything in this Section 11 to the contrary, a shareholder intending to nominate one or more persons for election as a director at an annual or special meeting of shareholders must comply with Section 11 of Article III for such nominations to be properly brought before such meeting.
No business shall be conducted at the annual meeting of shareholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 11; provided, however, that, once business has been properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with such procedures, nothing in this Section 11 shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any shareholder of any such business. If the presiding officer of the annual meeting determines that business was not properly brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the presiding officer of the annual meeting shall declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting and such business shall not be transacted.
No business shall be conducted at a special meeting of shareholders except for such business as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation's notice of meeting.
ARTICLE III. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1.General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors.
Section 2.Number, Tenure and Qualifications. The Board of Directors shall consist of such number of members, which number shall not be less than three and not more than eleven as may be determined and established from time to time by the Board of Directors and shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in size as possible. No increase in the maximum number of members shall be made except upon the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.
Section 3.Regular Meetings. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held without other notice than this Bylaw immediately after, and at the same place as, the annual
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meeting of shareholders. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place, either within or without the State of Utah, for the holding of additional regular meetings without other notice than such resolution.
Section 4.Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the chief executive officer or any two directors. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place, either within or without the State of Utah, as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them.
Section 5.Notice. Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given by oral, telegraphic, written, electronic-mail or other electronic notice duly given, sent or mailed to each director not less than twenty-four (24) hours before such meeting. Any director may waive notice of any meeting. The attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Section 6.Quorum. A majority of the number of directors fixed by Section 2 of this Article III shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, but if less than such majority is present at a meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.
Section 7.Manner of Acting. The act of a majority present at a meeting shall be the act of the Board of Directors, provided a quorum is present.
Section 8.Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors at a meeting may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the directors.
Section 9.Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office. Any directorship to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors may be filled by election by the Board of Directors for a term of office continuing only until the next election of directors by the shareholders.
Section 10.Compensation. By resolution of the Board of Directors, the Directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors, and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a stated salary as Director. No such payment shall preclude any Director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefore.
Section 11.Nominations of Directors by Shareholders. Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the following procedures shall be eligible for election as directors of the Corporation, subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation to elect directors under specified circumstances.
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Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at any annual meeting of shareholders, or at any special meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors, (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors (or any duly authorized committee thereof) or (b) by any shareholder of the Corporation (i) who is a shareholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this Section 11 and on the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting and (ii) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 11.
In addition to any other applicable requirements, for a nomination to be made by a shareholder, such shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation.
To be timely, a shareholder's notice to the Secretary must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (a) in the case of an annual meeting, not later than the close of business on the 120th day in advance of the anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting of shareholders, nor earlier than the close of business on the 150th day in advance of the anniversary date of the previous year’s annual meeting of shareholders; provided, however, that if the Corporation did not hold an annual meeting of shareholders the previous year, or if the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder in order to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or such public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs; and (b) in the case of a special meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing directors, not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which notice of the date of the special meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the special meeting was made, whichever first occurs.
To be in proper written form, a shareholder's notice to the Secretary must set forth (a) as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election as a director (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (ii) the principal occupation and employment of the person, (iii) the class and series and number of shares of each class and series of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by the person and (iv) any other information relating to the person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (or in any law or statute replacing such section), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (b) as to the shareholder giving the notice (i) the name and record address of such shareholder, (ii) the class and series and number of shares of each class and series of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned beneficially or of record by such shareholder, (iii) a description of all arrangements or understandings between such shareholder and each proposed nominee and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the nomination(s) are to be made by such shareholder, (iv) a representation that such shareholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and that such shareholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons named in its notice and (v) any other information relating to such shareholder that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act (or in any law or statute replacing such section) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Such notice must be accompanied by a written consent of each proposed nominee to being named as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected.
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No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 11. If the presiding officer of the annual meeting determines that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, the presiding officer of the annual meeting shall declare to the meeting that the nomination was defective and such defective nomination shall be disregarded.
Section 12.Majority Voting. A nominee for director shall be elected to the Board of Directors if a majority of the votes cast are in favor of such nominee’s election; provided, however, that, if the number of nominees for director exceeds the number of directors to be elected, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares represented in person or by proxy at any meeting of shareholders held to elect directors and entitled to vote on such election of directors. For purposes of this Section 12, a majority of votes cast means that the number of shares voted “for” the election of a director must exceed the number of votes cast “against” the election of that director. If an incumbent director is not re-elected, the director shall tender his or her resignation to the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors on whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether other action should be taken. The Board of Directors will act on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and publicly disclose its decision within 90 days from the date of the certification of the election results. An incumbent director who tenders his or her resignation to the Board of Directors pursuant to this Section 12 will not participate in the decision of the Board of Directors.
Section 13Committees of Directors. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of directors fixed by Section 2 of this Article III, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of two or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Any such committee may exercise, to the extent specified by the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws and authorized by the Board of Directors, the authority of the Board of Directors under Section 16-10a-801 of the Utah Revised Business Corporation Act (the “Act”), except as otherwise provided by law. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
Section 1.Number. The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, each of whom shall be elected by a majority of the Board of Directors. Such other officers and assistant officers as may be deemed necessary may be elected or appointed by the Board of Directors. In its discretion, the Board of Directors may leave unfilled for any such period as it may determine any office except those of Chief Executive Officer and Secretary.
Section 2.Election and Term of Office. The officers of the Corporation to be elected by the Board of Directors shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the Board of Directors held after each annual meeting of the shareholders. If the election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election shall be held as soon thereafter as convenient. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified or until his or her death or until he or she shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided.
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Section 3.Removal. Any officer may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation will be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed. Election or appointment of an officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights.
Section 4.Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.
Section 5.Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the principal executive officer of the Corporation and subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He or she shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors. He or she may sign, with the president, the secretary or any other proper officer of the Corporation thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors, certificates for shares of the Corporation, any deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts, or other instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized to be executed, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors or by these Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation, or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed; and in general shall perform all duties incident to the office of chief executive officer and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.
Section 6.President. The President shall, subject to the direction and supervision of the chief executive officer: (i) be responsible for the operational affairs of the corporation; and (ii) assist the chief executive officer and perform such duties as may be assigned by the chief executive officer or by the Board of Directors. Such officer shall, at the request of the chief executive officer, or in the absence of the chief executive officer, or in the event of his or her inability or refusal to act, perform the duties of the chief executive officer and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions on the chief executive officer.
Section 7.Vice-President. In the absence of the president or in the event of his or her death, inability or refusal to act, the vice-president shall perform the duties of the president, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president. A vice-president may sign, with the secretary, certificates for shares of the Corporation; and shall perform such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer or by the Board of Directors.
Section 8.Secretary. The secretary shall: (a) keep the minutes of the proceedings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records and of the seal of the Corporation and see that the seal of the Corporation, if such a seal has been adopted by the Board of Directors, is affixed to all documents the execution of which on behalf of the Corporation under its seal is duly authorized; (d) keep a register of the post office address of each shareholder; (e) sign with the chief executive officer, the president, or the vice-president, certificates for shares of the Corporation, the issuance of which shall have been authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors; (f) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; and (g) in general perform all duties incident to the office of secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer or by the Board of Directors.
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Section 9.Treasurer. The treasurer shall: (a) have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Corporation; (b) receive and give receipts for moneys due and payable to the Corporation from any source whatsoever, and deposit all such moneys in the name of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall be selected in accordance with the provisions of Article V of these Bylaws; and (c) in general perform all of the duties incident to the office of treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him or her by the chief executive officer or by the Board of Directors.
Section 10.Salaries. The salaries of the officers shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary by reason of the fact that he or she is also a director of the Corporation.
ARTICLE V. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARE AND THEIR TRANSFER
Section 1.Certificates for Shares. Certificates representing shares of the Corporation shall be in such form as shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Such certificate shall be signed by the chief executive officer, president or any other proper officer of the corporation thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors and by the secretary and sealed with the corporate seal or a facsimile thereof if such seal has been adopted by the Board of Directors.
Section 2.Transfer of Shares. Transfer of shares of the Corporation shall be made only on the stock transfer books of the Corporation by the holder of record thereof or by his or her legal representative, who shall furnish proper evidence of authority to transfer, or by his or her attorney thereunto authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the secretary of the Corporation, and on surrender for cancellation of the certificate for such shares. The person in whose name shares stand on the books of the Corporation shall be deemed by the Corporation to be the owner thereof for all purposes.
ARTICLE VI. FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January and end on the thirty-first day of December in each year.
ARTICLE VII. DIVIDENDS
The Board of Directors may, from time to time, declare and the Corporation may pay dividends on its outstanding shares in the manner, and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and its Articles of Incorporation.
ARTICLE VIII. CORPORATE SEAL
The Board of Directors may provide a corporate seal which shall be circular in form and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation and the state of incorporation and the words, “Corporate Seal.”
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ARTICLE IX. WAIVER OF NOTICE
Whenever any notice is required to be given to any shareholder or director of the Corporation under the provisions of these Bylaws or under the provisions of the Act, a waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.
ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders at any regular or special meeting.
ARTICLE XI. INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1.Voluntary Indemnification. (a) Unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, the Corporation shall indemnify any individual made a party to a proceeding because he is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, against liability incurred in the proceeding, but only if the Corporation has authorized the payment in accordance with the applicable statutory provisions, including Sections 16-10a-902,16-10a-904, 16-10a-906, and 16-10a-907 of the Act, and a determination has been made in accordance with the procedures set forth in such provisions that the director or officer conducted himself in good faith; that he reasonably believed that his conduct, if in his official capacity with the Corporation, was in its best interests and that his conduct, in all other cases, was at least not opposed to the Corporation's best interests; and that he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful in the case of any criminal proceeding.
(b) The Corporation may not voluntarily indemnify a director or officer in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation in which the director or officer was adjudged liable to the Corporation or in connection with any other proceeding charging improper personal benefit to him, whether or not involving action in his official capacity, in which he was adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was improperly received by him.
(c) Indemnification permitted under this Section 1 in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation is limited to reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding.
(d) If a determination is made, using the procedures set forth in the applicable statutory provisions, that the director or officer has satisfied the requirements listed herein and if an authorization of payment is made, using the procedures and standards set forth in the applicable statutory provision, then, unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation, the Corporation shall pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by a director or officer who is a party to a proceeding in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding if the director or officer furnishes the Corporation a written affirmation of his good faith belief that he has satisfied the standard of conduct described in this Section 1 and applicable law, furnishes the Corporation a written undertaking, executed personally or on his behalf, to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that he did not meet the standard of conduct (which undertaking must be an unlimited general obligation of the director or officer, but need not be secured and may be accepted without reference to financial ability to make repayment); and if a determination is made that the facts then known of those making the determination would not preclude indemnification under this Section 1 and applicable law.
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Section 2.Mandatory Indemnification. Unless otherwise provided in the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation, the Corporation shall indemnify a director or officer of the Corporation who was wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding, or in the defense of any claim, issue, or matter in the proceeding, to which he was a party because he is or was a director or officer of the Corporation against reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with the proceeding or claim with respect to which he has been successful.
Section 3. Court-Ordered Indemnification. Unless otherwise provided in the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation, a director or officer of the Corporation who is or was a party to a proceeding may apply for indemnification to the court conducting the proceeding or to another court of competent jurisdiction. The court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is entitled to mandatory indemnification as provided in this Section 3 and applicable law, in which case the court shall also order the Corporation to pay the reasonable expenses incurred by the director or officer to obtain court-ordered indemnification. The court may also order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not the director or officer met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 of this Article XI and applicable law. Any indemnification with respect to any proceeding in which liability has been adjudged in the circumstances described in paragraph (b) of Section 1 of this Article XI is limited to reasonable expenses.
Section 4. Indemnification of Others; Advancement of Expenses. Unless otherwise provided in the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation, an incorporator, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the Corporation performing acts in furtherance of the business of the corporation shall have the same indemnification as provided to a director or officer in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 1 of this Article XI. With respect to the advancement of expenses and other relief, the Board of Directors may, but shall not be required to, advance expenses to any such incorporator, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the Corporation, to any extent consistent with public policy and as provided for by the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, general or specific action of the Board of Directors, or contract.
Section 5. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of a person who is or was an incorporator, director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent or the Corporation, or who, while serving as an incorporator, director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as an incorporator, director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, fiduciary or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation or other person, or of an employee benefit plan, against liability asserted against or incurred by him in that capacity or arising from his status as an incorporator, director, officer, employee, fiduciary, or agent, whether or not the Corporation has the power to indemnify him against the same liability under applicable law.
Section 6. Nonexclusivity of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and, to the extent set forth herein, advancement of expenses, provided by or granted pursuant to this Article XI shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person's official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, it being the policy of the Corporation that indemnification of the persons specified in this Article XI shall be made to the fullest extent permitted by law.
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The provisions of this Article XI shall not be deemed to preclude the indemnification of any person who is not specified in this Article XI but whom the Corporation has the power or obligation to indemnify under the provisions of the Act, or otherwise.
Section 7.Survival of Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses. The indemnification and, to the extent applicable, advancement of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to this Article XI shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
Section 8.Limitation on Indemnification. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article XI to the contrary, except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify any incorporator, director, officer, employee, fiduciary or agent (or his or her heirs, executors or personal or legal representatives) or advance expenses in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized or consented to by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, these Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws have been executed by the Corporation as of the date first written above.
MERIT MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.,
a Utah corporation
By:
Name: Brian G. Lloyd
[Fourth A&R Bylaws – Signature Page]
EXHIBIT 99.1
Merit Medical Shareholders Elect Silvia M. Perez as New Director
Experienced healthcare veteran brings a broad background spanning clinical, regulatory, operations, marketing, and business leadership to Merit’s Board of Directors.
Title: Chief Legal Officer and Secretary SOUTH JORDAN, Utah, May 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Merit Medical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MMSI), a global leader of healthcare technology, today announced that its shareholders elected Silvia M. Perez, President of the Commercial Branding and Transportation Division at 3M Company, as a director in Merit’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 15, 2024. Merit’s shareholders also re-elected Fred P. Lampropoulos and Stephen C. Evans as directors. Ms. Perez and Messrs. Lampropoulos and Evans were elected to serve three-year terms.
"We are pleased to welcome Silvia Perez as our newest director,” said Mr. Lampropoulos, Merit’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Her expertise and proven track record of leadership success will provide valuable industry and organizational perspective to both the board and the company’s management team as we pursue our continued growth initiatives.”
“I'm honored to join the Merit Board of Directors,” Perez said. “I believe in the company's mission to improve and save lives around the globe. I'm excited to bring my experience to the team as they propel this mission forward."
Ms. Perez has worked for more than two decades in the healthcare industry, with accomplishments in clinical, regulatory, operations, marketing, and business leadership.
She joined 3M Company in 1994 and has held a variety of leadership roles across the organization, both domestic and international. Roles include President of Commercial Solutions Division and Vice President of Acelity, Inc., which was the largest acquisition in the history of 3M Company.
Ms. Perez holds a pharmaceutical chemist degree from the University of the Republic (Uruguay), and is an industrial pharmacist educated at the Federal University of Parana (Brazil). She holds Six Sigma Black Belt and Master Black Belt certifications.
ABOUT MERIT MEDICAL Founded in 1987, Merit Medical Systems, Inc. is engaged in the development, manufacture, and distribution of proprietary disposable medical devices used in interventional, diagnostic, and therapeutic procedures, particularly in cardiology, radiology, oncology, critical care, and endoscopy. Merit serves client hospitals worldwide with a domestic and international sales force and clinical support team totaling more than 700 individuals. Merit employs approximately 7,000 people worldwide.
TRADEMARKS Unless noted otherwise, trademarks and registered trademarks used in this release are the property of Merit Medical Systems, Inc., its subsidiaries, or its licensors.
CONTACTS
PR/Media Inquiries
Sarah Comstock
Merit Medical
+1-801-432-2864 | sarah.comstock@merit.com
INVESTOR INQUIRIES
Mike Piccinino, CFA, IRC
Westwicke - ICR
+1-443-213-0509 | mike.piccinino@westwicke.com
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